Lsq

As the legendary indie label Merge Records prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in Chapel Hill, its founders — Superchunk’s Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance — join LSQ to talk about the evolution of the imprint, and their separate experiences growing up as punk rock kids in the Eighties. Plus, Helium/Wild Flag/Ex Hex’s Mary Timony explores the influences that forged her current approach to songwriting.

Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds discusses his creative journey, examining influences ranging from Harry Nilsson and ska music to spiritual crisis and self-acceptance. And actor-activist Busy Philipps chats with Jenny about various musical obsessions, from Tori Amos to Father John Misty.

Singer-songwriter Mike Hadreas, who releases his intensely captivating music under the name Perfume Genius, talks about early creative influences including the Edward Scissorhands soundtrack, Liz Phair’s Whip Smart, a babysitter with a small role in the Twin Peaks tv series, and more. Plus, an excerpt from a 2003 interview with the brilliant Chan Marshall of Cat Power, on the subject of motherhood.

Singer-songwriter Kevin Morby discusses some of the defining influences on his music, including musical heroes such as Bob Dylan and Mountain Goats, as well as the bigger life stuff: the midwestern cities he moved between as a kid, the panic attacks he suffered during high school, the death of a best friend he made after moving to NYC. We also talk about his excellent latest solo LP, Oh My God, and how Morby’s creative process has evolved since he was in the bands Woods and The Babies nearly a decade ago.

The magnetic and sharp-witted Lauren Mayberry joins Jenny in Los Angeles for a chat about her creative journey, from growing up in Scotland idolizing artists like Gwen Stefani and Kathleen Hanna to discovering how to tap into her own powerful onstage persona as frontwoman for electro-pop trio Chvrches. Plus, from Jenny’s archive, an excerpt from a 2000 phone interview with PJ Harvey about the making of her brilliant Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea.

Twin Shadow's George Lewis Jr. delves into the evolution of his sound, from the time he was a little kid emulating Boyz II Men, through his early years playing punk and indie rock, and his more recent drive to explore sounds from his native Dominican Republic. Also: A clip of Nick Jonas in 2009, at the height of Jonas Brothers' fame, discussing how he went from singing on Broadway to being a pop superstar.

Indie rock icon Bob Mould (Hüsker Dü, Sugar) discusses his creative journey -- a childhood obsessing over jukebox 45s he got from his dad, his experiences in the Minneapolis/St. Paul punk scene, his current life in Berlin -- and how those touchstones inform his excellent new album, Sunshine Rock. Also featured: an excerpt of a backstage interview with gospel and R&B legend Mavis Staples at Lollapalooza 2010.

Don't even get me started on how much I love Kurt Vile's music, and his entire presence as a dude. In this episode, hear the singer-songwriter discuss his musical evolution and his new album, Bottle It In. Also featured: An excerpt from a 2002 interview with Weezer's Rivers Cuomo, about finding ways to integrate more metal into his music.

Proving herself a master multitasker, singer-songwriter Sharon Van Etten made a brilliant new album in the midst of going back to college, starting a new side career in acting, and welcoming the birth of her first child. Hear her conversation with Jenny about her new album, Remind Me Tomorrow, and the creative journey that led her there. Plus, an excerpt from Jenny's 2004 interview with Gwen Stefani about her debut solo album.

Singer-songwriter Eleanor Friedberger (formerly of Fiery Furnaces) joins Jenny for a discussion of the creative influences that shaped her early songwriting endeavors; how a long trip to Greece inspired her fantastic new album, Rebound, and more. The episode also includes an archive clip from one of Jenny's early '07 interviews with Amy Winehouse for Rolling Stone, wherein Amy talks about her own beginnings as a songwriter and performer.

Few artists of David Longstreth's generation have pushed back as persistently at the boundaries of their own sound. But does that make Dirty Projectors' music "experimental"? That, among other nerdy tangents, populate a conversation about Longstreth's early influences -- his older brother, a book on Beatles' recording techniques, and more. He also discusses his creative process and perfectionist tendencies, and how they led to a last-minute remix of Dirty Projectors' new 'Lamp Lit Prose' LP.

One of modern R&B's most intriguing new artists, singer-songwriter Leon Bridges discusses how his childhood love of dance evolved into the look and sound he's developed since his excellent 2015 debut, Coming Home. Bridges also talks about how he plans to continue expanding his sonic palette, as he begins to think about album three. Plus, from Jenny's interview archive, a 2007 clip where Jack White looks into the future and isn't stoked about what he sees.

The second half of a rare, candid conversation with Conor Oberst about his life in music.

The first part of a two-episode special with Conor Oberst, featuring a rare, candid conversation about his life in music.

Interviews with two exceptional young singer-songwriters: Waxahatchee's Katie Crutchfield and Speedy Ortiz's Sadie Dupuis. Both artists discuss early musical influences, including, for Katie, the impact being an identical twin has had on her craft; for Sadie, how teaching songwriting to children opened up her own process.

Benjamin Gibbard, leader of indie rock icons Death Cab for Cutie, discusses key moments in his musical journey, from teen years spent taking the ferry to Seattle to see all-ages shows, to making Death Cab's excellent new album, Thank You For Today. (An excerpt of a 2008 interview with Gibbard is this episode's archive clip.)

A lively chat with Bethany Cosentino, leader of Los Angeles indie rock duo Best Coast, about her creative journey and how missing home helped her discover her voice as a songwriter. Plus, from the LSQ archive, an excerpt of a 2006 interview with Christina Aguilera.

An exceptional multi-talent, the singer, songwriter, producer, & composer Rostam joins Jenny for a wide-ranging conversation examining his creative evolution: his classical music studies and early work on film scores, his years with Vampire Weekend, and his current solo endeavors. Plus, a 2014 excerpt of Beck talking about why he's come to find collaboration so rewarding.

Alexis Taylor -- singer, songwriter, guitarist & keyboard player for U.K. electronic outfit Hot Chip -- discusses his early musical influences, from the Farfisa at his grandmother's house to the local record store owner who put out Hot Chip's debut EP. Plus, from the archive, an excerpt from a 2009 interview with Dave Matthews.

Jenny visits Haim's middle sister and musical leader, Danielle Haim, at home in Los Angeles, for a conversation exploring the singer, songwriter and guitarist's creative journey -- from playing at a clown museum in the San Fernando Valley where she grew up, to touring the massive stages Haim now easily occupy. Also, an excerpt from a 2000 interview with TLC's late great Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.