Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond

Jensen McRae writes songs that cut straight to the bone—intimate, unflinching examinations of identity, relationships, and the complexities of coming of age in today's world. Since releasing her debut EP, Who Hurt You?, in 2021, she's garnered attention for her literary approach to songwriting and her ability to balance vulnerability with sharp observation. Her music often grapples with difficult subjects: navigating mixed-race identity, processing heartbreak, and confronting the uncomfortable truths we tell ourselves. But there's also warmth and humor in her work which can be heard that today when she performs three songs live—"Savannah" and “Let Me Be Wrong” from her new album I Don't Know How But They Found Me, and "White Boy" from her 2022 full-length release, Are You Happy Now? On today’s episode I talk to Jensen McCrae about her journey as an artist, why she gravitates toward niche communities online like Reddit, and her list of goals that include both winning the Grammy for Album of the Year and a mayoral run in her native Los Angeles. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from Jensen McRae HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Gilmour is one of the most influential guitarists in rock history. Since joining Pink Floyd in 1967, his songwriting, vocals, and distinctive guitar tone have helped shape classic albums like The Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall. In 1978, he began releasing solo material, and over the past four decades has recorded five solo albums. His most recent, Luck and Strange (2024), became his third solo record to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart—following On an Island (2006) and Rattle That Lock (2015). The album features lyrics by his wife and longtime collaborator, Polly Samson, along with contributions from their children. One of those collaborations—with his daughter, Romany Gilmour—is particularly stunning, both on record and in live performance. Fans can now experience it on the newly released concert film David Gilmour: Live at the Circus Maximus and its companion live album, The Luck and Strange Concerts, available now on all major streaming platforms. On today’s episode, Justin Richmond speaks with David Gilmour, who joined him over Zoom for a rare conversation about writing songs with Polly, mastering his latest album aboard his houseboat studio, and why he can never truly recreate a guitar solo—even when playing it note for note. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from David Gilmour HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're sharing an episode from another podcast we think you'll enjoy, The 500 with Josh Adam Meyers. Adam counts down Rolling Stone's 500 greatest albums of all time with musicians, comedians, and actors. The second (and last) studio album by rock supergroup Crosby, Stills, & Nash and their first as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, contains songs that span from soft folk to hard rock. Jeff Daniels makes his debut to discuss how the album impacted the music he writes.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Oates—one half of Hall & Oates, one of the best-selling duos in pop history—is going back to his roots with his new self-titled solo album. Before forming Hall & Oates, John was steeped in folk and Delta blues, and this record pulls from those early influences while showcasing the guitar chops and songwriting skills he’s honed over years of playing with top Nashville musicians. On today’s episode, Justin Richmond talks with John about the making his new solo album. John also shares the story of playing Mississippi John Hurt’s acoustic guitar on the first two Hall & Oates records, and the moment backstage at the Apollo Theater, after performing with The Temptations, when he realized Hall & Oates had truly come full circle. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from John Oates songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chino Moreno is the lead singer of Deftones, the Sacramento band experiencing a resurgence as a new generation discovers their ’90s hits on social media. This year, Deftones have been selling out arenas while putting the finishing touches on their latest album, Private Music. During the recording sessions, guitarist Stephen [Stef-in] Carpenter’s health took a turn when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Chino stepped in to handle more of the guitar parts, approaching the album with newfound clarity after getting sober. On today’s episode, Leah Rose talks with Chino about the band’s early days living with their late bassist, Chi Cheng. He reflects on the story behind the Around the Fur album cover and shares his post-show ritual—which often includes winding down with rom-coms in his tour bus bunk. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Deftones songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Miguel, the Grammy-winning alt-R&B pioneer is back with a new album, Caos—his first full-length in eight years. It’s the latest step in a career that’s always pushed the boundaries of R&B, from his 2010 debut through albums that blended in psychedelia, dance music, and now touches of ’80s industrial and even ranchera rhythms. On today’s episode, Miguel talks with Leah Rose about his unreleased 2023 album Viscera and how suspending himself from piercings in his back during its rollout helped him surrender control. He also shares the story of controversial imagery for his single “New Martyrs.” And, despite collaborations with Travis Scott, Mariah Carey, and Tame Impala, Miguel explains why he’s happiest just making music with his friends. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Miguel songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 years ago, Sublime released the album that defined Southern California’s music scene for a generation. Now the band is preparing to put out their fourth full-length, and for the first time, Bradley Nowell’s son, Jakob Nowell, is stepping up as lead singer. Bradley, Sublime’s original frontman, died of a heroin overdose in 1996, just a couple of months before the band's breakthrough album came out. Jakob was still an infant then, but he grew up surrounded by the lasting influence of a band that blended ska, punk, reggae, and hip-hop into a sound that dominated Southern California in the ‘90s.  After Bradley’s passing, bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh launched Long Beach Dub Allstars in 1997 and stayed active with different projects. In late 2023, they shared the stage with Jakob at a benefit for Bad Brains’ singer H.R., and the spark between them was immediate. On today’s episode, Justin Richmond talks with Jakob, Bud, and Eric about how this new chapter of Sublime came together. They also revisit the band’s scrappy early days, when they had to beg, borrow, and steal just to keep going, and share memories of recording the self-titled album at Willie Nelson’s studio outside Austin. Big thanks to InterTrend and Creative Class Collective for letting us record at their facilities in Long Beach, CA. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Sublime songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Word first broke about the band The Favors back in February, when cryptic posts revealed that Billie Eilish’s producer and brother, Finneas, was making new music with singer Ashe. Soon after, both artists began performing these songs live, introducing The Favors to audiences even before an official release. Now, the band is set to drop their debut album, The Dream. They call it “a real chemistry album,” the product of free-flowing writing and jam sessions with their close friends David Marinelli on drums, and Ricky Gourmet on guitar. On today’s episode, you’ll hear Finneas and Ashe perform two standout tracks from The Dream—“Times Square Jesus” and “The Hudson.” Justin Richmond also digs into their collaborative process, exploring how their creative partnership shapes not only the music but even the way they present themselves to the world. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from The Favors HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What was meant to be an hour-long interview with Gene Simmons turned into one of the stranger conversations we’ve had on Broken Record. As co-founder, bassist, and co-frontman of KISS alongside Paul Stanley, Simmons created one of the most outrageous personas in rock history: The Demon. On stage, he breathed fire, spit blood, and wagged his famously long tongue. Off stage, he and KISS became merchandising pioneers, selling everything from comic books and lunchboxes to KISS-branded coffins. Now 76, Simmons remains as enigmatic as ever. This November, he’ll headline KISS Kruise XII: Landlocked in Vegas, a three-day fan gathering at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. In the lead-up, he joined Justin Richmond to talk about the Beatles’ unmatched songwriting, why KISS never chased radio singles, and to deliver a few of his trademark off-color remarks. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite songs from KISS and Gene Simmons HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2022, at 75 years-old, Loudon Wainwright III released Lifetime Achievement—an aptly titled album from a songwriter whose debut came more than fifty years earlier. Over the decades, Loudon has built a reputation for his confessional style, writing candidly about the struggles and absurdities of family life, failed relationships, and the scars of parental abandonment. While his subject matter can be heavy, he often balances it with wit and humor. You’ll hear that today when he performs “Fam Vac” and “Back in Your Town” from Lifetime Achievement. In this conversation with Bruce Headlam, Loudon reflects on how he leaned into his upper-class upbringing when he first began performing professionally, what it was like collaborating with guitar virtuoso Richard Thompson in the 1980s, and the magical feeling of stepping on stage for the very first time. You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite Loudon Wainwright III songs HERE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.