John Darnielle from The Mountain Goats | That Interview

This week, Django Haskins and Gabriel Pelli drop by to share the story behind 'Til My Voice Is Gone, the compelling new documentary chronicling the journey of Chapel Hill indie-rock stalwarts The Old Ceremony. Django and Gabriel walk us through how the project got started and what it was like unearthing archival footage—including their very first NYC show from 2004. They also share the backstory of how acting legends Ed Asner and Blythe Danner came to star in their 2009 music video for "'Til My Voice Is Gone." Plus, the guys drop an exclusive teaser on a brand-new album!

In this episode, Wes and Jack of Brigitte Calls Me Baby sit down to share the story behind the band’s rise, starting with their origins in Chicago and the iconic classic Hollywood actress who inspired their unique name. They break down the creative decision-making behind choosing the producer for their new album and pull back the curtain on the music industry to reveal what people constantly get wrong about the realities, struggles, and day-to-day life of being in a professional touring band.

Grammy-nominated soul artist Devon Gilfillian sits down for a deeply personal conversation about his album, Time Will Tell. Recorded at Nashville’s legendary RCA Studio A, the record marks a profound new chapter born out of raw emotion, vulnerability, and sudden perspective shifts. Devon opens up about how his father's sudden heart attack grounded him in the reality of mortality—directly inspiring the album's centerpiece, "Glad To Be Here"—and how navigating recent relationship turmoil fed into the record's most candid songs. Plus, he reflects on growing up just outside Philadelphia surrounded by rich Philly soul, making the leap to move to Nashville in 2013, and how blending those two musical roots shaped his signature sound.

In this episode, singer-songwriter Anna Graves joins us to talk about the long, winding road that inspired her debut album, America’s Greatest Burnout. After almost walking away from the music industry entirely, she opens up about packing up her life in L.A., heading back home to Minnesota, and learning how to fall back in love with making music on her own terms. Plus, she shares stories from life on the road opening for The Head And The Heart—including the unexpected tale of adopting ducks mid-tour—and how grounding herself back home helped shape the honest, haunting folk-pop storytelling on her new record.

In this episode, we sit down with Atlanta-based artist KELS. She shares stories from her time working at an after-school program, talks about what it takes to entertain a crowd, and breaks down why she created her own music genre when platforms couldn't figure out where to place her sound. Plus, she leaks exclusive details about her upcoming album.

In this episode we dive headfirst into the band's brilliant new album, Days (out August 7th), uncovering how a joke on social media transformed into a full-length record. John also shares what keeps him inspired in his adopted hometown of Durham, NC, and tells the hilarious, chaotic real-world story that inspired the incredible new single, "Charlie Sheen Reaches Out to the Feds." Don't miss this one!

Sledding gear through winter storms, writing raw demos, and the exact moment everything clicked— we sit down with Selby and Darby from Easy Honey! We’re breaking down the origin story of the band, the creative process that sparked their fantastic new EP Plaid, and the legendary effort it took just to physically get their instruments into the studio. Don't miss this inside look at one of our favorite indie acts.

What do you do when you’re in the Navy and the whole world shuts down while you’re stationed overseas? What do radio, photography, and film have to do with creating original music? How do you go from a wrestler turned firefighter, turned serviceman out of Alex City Alabama, to a touring artist sharing your debut album around the world? If these questions sound unique to you, it’s because Kashus Culpepper is a unique guy who has lived a unique life and finds himself on an unexpected path, one that certainly strays far away from “the plan” he had lined up for himself. Listen to the story of Kashus Culpepper as he sits down for a conversation with Rylan inside of Studio J where they discuss his debut album “Act 1”, the influences that affect the way he writes music, and how his experience with public service translates into his experience as an artist.

In this episode, we sit down with 14-time GRAMMY winner Jack Antonoff to explore the evolving sound of the new Bleachers era and their upcoming album, everyone for ten minutes. Jack opens up about the "inevitable culmination" of his career, the vital importance of finding your creative community, and how the gritty energy of the New Jersey music scene continues to shape his stadium-sized anthems. Plus, we dive into his personal connection to North Carolina and why the region remains a resonant stop on his musical journey.

What does it take to go from playing drums in a New Jersey basement to landing a major record deal during the golden age of the music industry? This week, we sit down with the legendary Pete Yorn. Pete takes us back to his roots, sharing what it was really like growing up in a powerhouse musical household with his older brothers and how that competitive, creative energy shaped his signature sound. He shares the incredible story of his "big break"—from being discovered to signing with Columbia Records—and reveals details about his upcoming new album.