The Bret Saunders Podcast

This episode is a double feature!. First up, Paula Fuga and Jack Johnson join Bret via Zoom from Hawaii. Fuga’s new song is a duet with Johnson, “If Ever.” They talk about how they first met (at a kickball tournament) and why she thinks her new album, “Rain On Sunday” is the best music she’s ever made. Next, it’s Steve Cropper. He’s an ace guitarist, founding member of Booker T & the MGs, Stax record producer, songwriter, and was in The Blues Brothers! Steve tells Bret about his new album, “Fire It Up.” He explains his melodic style of playing and who he considers the best singer he’s ever worked with.

With a new album on the way, Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds gave us a call to talk about it. He told Bret that half the album is a bit chaotic while the other is a little more put together. Also, what it was like working and quarantining with producer Rick Rubin, dealing with depression, and how 'Follow You' commemorates the salvation of his marriage.

Norah Jones' new record is her first live album, "’Til We Meet Again." It features songs from her two decades of songwriting, including a cover of Soundgarden's 'Black Hole Sun.' For this occasion, the podcast dives into the archives for a 2012 conversation with Jones, whose new album at the time was “Little Broken Hearts.” She talked about working with Danger Mouse, turning drama into songs, the influence of a Russ Meyer movie poster, and the depth of country music.

Richard Thompson is a founding member of Fairport Convention, one of the best British folk-rock bands of the '60s, before starting an esteemed solo career. It's those early years of his musical life that are captured in his new memoir, "Beeswing: Losing My Way and Finding My Voice 1967-1975." Richard talks about growing up in London surrounded by the Kinks, Beatles, Stones, and the Yardbirds and recalls a time when you could run into John Lennon at an art installation, Jimi Hendrix drinking the club, or share a joint with Pink Floyd in their dressing room. He also reveals the famous country rock band he decided not to join. "I would have been richer..."

Another mass shooting in Colorado. 10 dead, including a Boulder Police Officer. What can be done? Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser talks about the anger and frustration we are all feeling. Bret and Phil share information on where you can get help and the conversations we’ll need to have about gun violence going forward.

“We’ll be sort of nostalgic in a weird way for this time because it’s been so unusual and so intense and we’ve all shared versions of it…”. On this episode David Gray shares his thoughts on how we might remember these times we’re living in. He also talked about his new album “Skellig,” a record whose influence dates back to monks living 1400 years ago, his solitary style of songwriting and his love for Red Rocks.

The 50th anniversary edition of the Kinks’ "Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Pt. One" has just been released. Founding member Dave Davies phoned in to talk about the making of the 1970 album, opening up about the pressure the band was feeling at the time and how they avoided controversy with the classic 'Lola.’ He also told Bret how coming from a big family always kept the music of the Kinks real and the prospect of a Kinks tour in the future.

Freshman US Senator John Hickenlooper joined Bret this week to discuss the pending COVID relief package, raising the minimum wage and whether he's too busy to listen to music.

Cannons has quickly endeared themselves to KBCO listeners with their song 'Fire for You.’ In this conversation with Bret, the trio discusses meeting on Craigslist, along with capturing the visual vibe in their heads, then translating it to their music. Plus, what's up with the popcorn and urination in the 'Fire for You' video?

Here's a chat with Jack Antonoff, guitarist in Fun, founding member of Bleachers, and an in-demand songwriter/producer whose credits include Lorde, Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift, St. Vincent, and more. Jack talks about his new Bleacher's song, 'Chinatown' (featuring Bruce Springsteen), the cultural importance of the Holland Tunnel, the melody and mystery of the band Sparks, and is he the Leonardo DiCaprio of music?