The Plug w/ Justin Jay

MGMT are the musical duo of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, known for creating irresistibly catchy, genre-blurring music.

In this Encore Episode, we dive into how they continually push the boundaries of pop and indie music while still maintaining their unmistakable sound. We also discuss the politics of performing at Madison Square Garden, their unexpected rise to TikTok fame, and how their views on drugs have evolved since their debut album.

Since their time as art students in the early 2000s, they've released five studio albums, garnered critical acclaim, and cultivated a devoted fan base. Their newest album Loss of Life is available now.

Don't miss this fascinating conversation with the artists behind the hits 'Kids' and 'Little Dark Age

00:00 MGMT on Pop Music vs. Experimentation

00:29 Welcome to The Plug w/ Justin Jay

01:03 Can AI Replace Human Songwriting?

01:59 Introducing MGMT & the Album Loss of Life

02:56 First Reactions to MGMT's New Album Loss of Life

03:22 Post-Album Letdown & Choosing Not to Tour

05:47 Touring Burnout, Aging & Changing Priorities

07:39 Writing Catchy Pop Songs Without Compromise

10:04 Genre Labels, Adult Contemporary & Steely Dan Influence

13:24 MGMT Influences: Roxy Music, Prince & 80s Synth Pop

17:07 The Role of Producers & Working With Dave Fridmann

21:28 Music Videos, Self-Promotion & Streaming Economics

30:00 Drugs, Lyrics & Growing Older as a Band

31:56 Final Plugs, Artists to Support & Closing Thoughts

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

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HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

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Andy Nicholson is the bassist and founding member of Arctic Monkeys. This episode he sits down for one of his most open and personal interviews yet. With the 20-year anniversary of Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not approaching, Andy reflects on the band's explosive early years and the moments that shaped modern indie rock.

Andy shares the story behind his brand-new photography book, I Bet This Looks Good on Your Coffee Table, featuring rare and intimate behind-the-scenes photos from 2005–2007. From tiny Sheffield gigs to global fame, Andy captured the raw reality of life inside a band becoming a worldwide phenomenon.

In this episode:

• How Arctic Monkeys handled sudden fame • What life backstage and on tour really looked like • The creative chemistry behind the first album • Andy's personal journey after leaving the band • Why revisiting hundreds of old photos changed his perspective • Meeting The Strokes, playing SNL, and surreal early-days stories • The emotional process of releasing his photos to the world

Whether you're an Arctic Monkeys fan, a music-photography lover, or someone who lived through the 2000s indie rock era, this conversation offers rare insight from someone who was there for it all.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

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Academy Award-winning director Kevin Macdonald sits down to discuss his groundbreaking documentary One to One, a film that redefines how we understand John Lennon and Yoko Ono in early 1970s New York.

Using archival footage—from TV shows, protests, commercials, news footage, and intimate home recordings Macdonald creates a fully immersive, 360-degree view of their lives, activism, and art.

From John Lennon's one and only post-Beatles concert at Madison Square Garden, to Yoko Ono's conceptual artistry and personal struggles, this conversation dives deep into the film's meticulous reconstruction, the creative process behind its storytelling, and the political and cultural context of the era.

Discover how One to One blends history, humanity, and artistry to reveal John and Yoko like never before.

Perfect for Beatles fans, documentary enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of culture, activism, and art.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 – Teaser: Three Blind Men & an Elephant

00:31 – Host Intro: Setting Up the Conversation

02:02 – Introducing Kevin Macdonald

03:10 – Origins of One to One

06:12 – Building Trust With Participants

09:45 – The Intimacy of the Film's Format

13:20 – Navigating Ethics & Responsibility

17:05 – Crafting Narrative From Raw Lives

21:18 – The Role of Empathy in Documentary Filmmaking

24:56 – Creative Choices Behind the Camera

28:40 – What Kevin Learned From the Project

32:10 – Reflections on Human Connection

35:28 – Closing Thoughts & What's Next

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul Mittleman worked as VP of Design and Creative Director at Stussy. In this episode, he shares stories from decades shaping the DNA of modern street culture.

From working directly with Shawn Stussy to influencing brands like Supreme, Adidas, and Converse, Paul reflects on authenticity, creativity, and the evolution of streetwear. He explains why early Stussy and Supreme succeeded where others failed, and why the term "streetwear" misses the point entirely.

Paul also dives into collab culture, subcultures in New York and Tokyo, and how Instagram reshaped personal expression. It's a rare behind-the-scenes look at the people and philosophies that built modern street style.

00:00 – Intro: Paul Mittleman on shaping modern street culture 02:30 – Connecting Shawn Stussy to New York's creative scene 06:15 – The rise of Supreme and its Stussy influence 08:40 – Why Stussy and Supreme stayed authentic 11:00 – The power of saying "no" in creative work 14:00 – When collabs lost their meaning 17:00 – "Future landfill": the dark side of drop culture 20:30 – Streetwear vs. street culture 23:00 – Can real subcultures still exist today? 29:30 – From downtown discovery to the algorithm era 39:00 – Instagram, identity, and authenticity 46:30 – Choosing integrity over corporate success 48:50 – Paul's recommendation: Subculture by Dick Hebdige

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zosia Mamet is an author and actress known for her breakout role as Shoshanna on HBO's Girls. In this episode, she joins us to discuss her raw, funny, and deeply personal new book, Does This Make Me Funny?

In this candid conversation, Zosia opens up about anxiety, self-worth, family legacy, and the constant challenge of defining herself outside of fame. She shares the emotional rollercoaster of turning her private journal entries into a published book — what it feels like to expose your inner world to strangers — and the strange comfort that comes from owning your story before anyone else can.

From nepo baby labels to the internet's obsession with lineage, Zosia talks about navigating public judgment with humor and grace, and what it's really like to grow up as the daughter of legendary playwright David Mamet. She explains why compassion matters more than defensiveness, and how empathy became her quiet rebellion against cynicism.

Zosia also reflects on her years playing Shoshanna — the character that made her a pop culture icon — and why she still feels connected to her. She opens up about the bittersweet nature of creative success, the beauty of radical honesty in relationships, and how her husband's blunt truth-telling helped her redefine love and emotional safety.

Funny, heartfelt, and disarmingly honest, this episode is a deep dive into vulnerability, artistic growth, and what it means to stay authentic in a world built on performance.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 - Girls opened doors and the Shoshana effect 00:24 - Intro: Justin Jay and The Plug 00:55 - Iconic roles: the blessing and curse of being typecast 01:50 - Tackling anxiety, body image, and self-worth 02:20 - Guest introduction: Zosia Mamet, author and actress 02:53 - Book release nerves and the "anxiety flea" 04:20 - Acting vs. writing: How creative paths challenge us differently 07:16 - Sharing personal stories while protecting identities 11:32 - Handling internet trolls with compassion 13:16 - Growing up Mamet: privilege, pressure, and the NEPO label 28:24 - Breakout role reflections: Girls, improv, and industry lessons 42:00 - Closing plug: Zosia Mamet's book Does This Make Me Funny?

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step inside the mind of legendary writer and director Larry Charles, best known for Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and for directing films like Borat, Bruno, and The Dictator.

In this episode of The Plug w/ Justin Jay, Larry shares raw, unfiltered stories about Hollywood, comedy, and the creative process. From working alongside Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld to directing groundbreaking films with Sacha Baron Cohen, Larry reflects on risk-taking, failure, and why comedy still matters in a divided world.

If you're curious about the behind-the-scenes of classic TV, the challenges of making bold, politically charged films, or the evolving role of comedy in culture, this conversation is essential listening.

Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1

00:00 – Larry Charles joins The Plug

03:15 – Breaking into comedy writing

07:40 – Behind the scenes of Seinfeld

12:20 – Risk and innovation in comedy

16:45 – Curb Your Enthusiasm and improv freedom

21:30 – Directing Borat and its impact

27:10 – Working with Sacha Baron Cohen

32:00 – Hollywood vs independent voices

37:50 – Comedy as social commentary

42:30 – Lessons from failure

48:15 – The future of comedy

53:00 – Closing thoughts & takeaways

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Ronson is one of the most influential music producers of the past two decades. Starting out as one of New York's most in-demand DJs in the 1990s, he went on to produce for Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga, Adele, Dua Lipa, Jay-Z, Paul McCartney, and more. He also co-wrote Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk"—one of the defining hits of the 21st century, and most recently curated The Barbie soundtrack.

In his new book Night People, Ronson reflects on the unpredictable rhythm of his career—from early acclaim as downtown New York's "It DJ" to post-hype setbacks and creative reinvention. The book also serves as a love letter to a city that no longer exists: a grittier, unpolished New York during hip-hop's golden age.

In this episode, we dive into the unwritten rules of DJing, why you should never play a hit to an empty room, and the thrill of turning a skeptical crowd into a sweaty, euphoric mess. Ronson reflects on the rise of bottle service, Giuliani-era crackdowns, and how NYC nightlife shifted from chaotic melting pot to velvet-rope exclusivity.

Don't miss this candid, wide-ranging conversation with a man who has shaped the sound of modern music—both from behind the decks and inside the studio.

Subscribe and watch full the conversation on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/hETfegCOi5U

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MC Serch made his mark as one-half of the legendary rap duo 3rd Bass. With classics like The Gas Face, Brooklyn Queens, and Pop Goes the Weasel, the group left an unmistakable stamp on hip-hop. In '94, Serch went on to executive produce Nas's groundbreaking debut, Illmatic, cementing his place in rap history. But that's only part of the story. In this encore episode, Serch takes us inside his wild early days — from battle rapping in Far Rockaway, to a life-threatening clash with MC Hammer in LA, to the lessons in growth, learning, and positivity that continue to drive his entrepreneurial success. Don't miss this conversation with one of hip-hop's most enduring figures.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Andersen is a Surfing Hall of Fame inductee and a 4 time consecutive world champion. As a teenager, she left behind a troubled home life in Florida to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional surfer. By 25, she was ranked the best female surfer on the planet. With her aggressive yet elegant style, she helped transform the entire perception of female competitive surfing. This episode we sit down to discuss the emotional challenges of being the subject of a documentary film about your life, we hear some hilarious behind the scenes stories from her years on the professional surf tour, and we learn how opening the door for an entire generation of female surfers didn't necessary translate to massive economic success. Tune in for a compelling story of perseverance and determination from this true icon of the sport.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leo Fitzpatrick is a New York-based actor best known for his breakout role in the groundbreaking 1995 film KIDS. To mark the 30th anniversary of this controversial classic, we're bringing back our conversation for an encore release.

Leo's debut in KIDS—a raw, unfiltered look at the downtown NYC skate scene—was as jarring as it was unforgettable. With its explicit portrayal of sex, drugs, and youth culture, the film felt disturbingly real, and the aftermath for Leo was intense. In the years since, he's built a diverse career in TV and film, but today his focus has shifted to his longtime passion: fine art.

In the middle of the 2020 pandemic, Leo opened Public Access Gallery on the Lower East Side, aiming to recreate the sense of community he once found among skaters—only now through art.

This week on The Plug w/ Justin Jay, Leo reflects on the legacy of KIDS, his transition into the art world, and why you should never feel intimidated walking into a high-end gallery.

Tune in for some authentic stories from the gritty heart of '90s New York.

Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj(AT)gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay:

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices