Siste episoder av Behind the Setlist podcast

1. Brett James - Rebroadcast of May 2022 interview with the late country songwriter22.09.2025 (00:53:22)

   Behind the Setlist is rebroadcasting our interview with country songwriter Brett James that we recorded at his office in Nashville in May 2022. Initially signed as a recording artist, Brett went on to become a hugely successful songwriter, penning such song as "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (recorded by Carrie Underwood" and "Out Last Night" with Kenny Chesney (Brett shared the story about the song during the interview). Brett died tragically in a plane crash on Sept. 18 at the age of 57. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2. Shinedown's Brent Smith on the band's success at radio, the new song "Three Six Five" and upcoming plans.18.09.2025 (00:55:35)

   Settle in for a great conversation with one of the biggest rock stars in the U.S. Shinedown's Brent Smith joined Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast for a wide-ranging talk about the band's music and business. Smith explained the importance of radio for the band and how it has helped give Shinedown a career in a way that streaming alone couldn't replicate. He also explained the writing of one of the band's new songs, "Three Six Five," and talked about the band's upcoming album and tour plans. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3. Ado on Japan's vocaloid culture, being anonymous and performing in a cage.04.09.2025 (00:24:12)

   Japanese singer Ado might not be a household name in the United States and other Western countries, but the 22-year-old has enough fans to play arenas across Europe, the U.S. and Latin America. Billboard spoke with Ado (through an interpreter) to find out about her beginnings as fan of vocaloid music, how she developed her amazing voice and what she saw when performing inside a back-lit, cube-shaped cage on her recent Hibana world tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4. Mickey Guyton on Performing on Chinese TV, Recording New Holiday Music21.08.2025 (00:30:28)

   Country singer Mickey Guyton joined Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast from China where she was a contestant on the TV show "The Singer." She ended up coming in second place on finale on August. 8.  "I'm the first country artist that they've had on the show, and it's just been so much fun," she said. "It's really been a beautiful experience." Up next for Mickey: the release of new holiday music. Mickey has been with Capital Records Nashville for over a decade and released two albums, Remember Her Name in 2021, which contained what’s perhaps her best known song, “Black Like Me,” and House of Fire in 2024. She has also been a familiar face on television, co-hosting the ACM Awards in 2021 and performing the national anthem for Super Bowl 56 in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

5. Alexandra Kay on Upcoming Album, Working for Country Stardom and Coffee08.08.2025 (00:39:37)

   In this episode we talk to country artist Alexandra Kay. Alexandra will release her second album, titled Second Wind, on October 24 through BMG’s BBR Music Group. She has already released three tracks to her fans — including her 8.6 million large social media following. You may know Alexandra from her Coffee Covers videos on YouTube or from the track “Leave the Light On” by Jelly Roll from the Twisters soundtrack. You're probably going to know more about her soon enough. "I truly believe my song ‘Straight For the Heart’ will be my first number one at country radio," she told us. "And I have no problem saying that, and I say it on stage all the time.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6. Zac Brown Talks Upcoming Sphere Residency and Album31.07.2025 (00:42:11)

   Zac Brown sat down with Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast to talk about two major projects that will debut on Dec. 5: a new album, Love & Fear, and a residency at the unparalleled, state-of-the-art Sphere venue in Las Vegas. "The last three or four years, I've been wanting to create a spectacle," said Brown, a three-time Grammy winner who broke into the mainstream in 2008 with the song "Chicken Fried" from the 5x platinum album The Foundation. When Brown took a tour of Sphere during its construction, he knew that was the place to create a production that could help put his band in the same category as such icons as The Grateful Dead, The Rolling Stones and The Eagles. Zac also talks about his collaboration with Dolly Parton and Snoop Dogg, what he learned from Jimmy Buffett and his reflections on the hard work and challenges that led him to a successful career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

7. Ray LaMontagne24.07.2025 (00:41:05)

   Singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne doesn’t do a ton of press, so we were thrilled to get some time with him to discuss his latest tour and the 20th anniversary reissue of his album Trouble. First released in 2005, Trouble peaked at No. 164 on the Billboard 200. His next album, Till the Sun Turns Black, went to No. 28. His next three albums all reached No. 3: Gossip in the Grain from 2008, God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise from 2010, and Supernova from 2014. Ray got one track into Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart, “You Are the Best Right,” in 2008. The song was featured in the film I Love You, Man.  Ray’s ninth and latest album, Long Way Home, was released in 2024. Long Way Home was released independently (through Thirty Tigers, a Nashville-based distributor) after eight previous albums through RCA Records. The lead single, the R&B-soaked “Step Into Your Power,” topped Billboard’s Adult Alternative Airplay chart in August 2024.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

8. Devon Allman and Duane Betts (of the Allman Betts Band)17.07.2025 (00:39:36)

   In this episode of Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast we talk to Devon Allman and Duane Betts of the Allman Betts Band. That was Devon Allman in the show opener talking about how many of the people who attend their concerts also saw them when they were young and on the road with the Allman Brothers. Devon is the son of Gregg Alman and Duane is the son of Dickie Betts, and in our conversation both talked about the joy and responsibility of carrying on the legacy of their fathers music. The Allman Betts Band has released two albums of rootsy Southern rock, Down to the River from 2019 and Bless Your Heart from 2020. Their live shows are a mix of Allman Betts songs with some Allman Brothers covers. Concertgoers are likely to hear older Allman Brothers tunes such as “Blue Sky” and “Ramblin’ Man” as well as songs from the ‘90s like “Nobody Knows,” and they explain why in our conversation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9. Adam Duritz (of Counting Crows)10.07.2025 (00:52:01)

   In this episode we talk to Adam Duritz, singer for the long-running, much celebrated band Counting Crows, about everything from his love of the band Big Star to doing podcasts rather than traditional interviews to promote new albums and tours. Counting Crows are best known for the songs “Mr Jones”  from their 1993 debut August and Everything After and “A Long December” from the follow-up, 1996’s Recovering the Satellites. Their latest, the excellent Butter Miracle, the Complete Sweets! was released in May, which lead up to a 2025 tour that started June 10 and extends to Nov. 1, taking the band through theaters and amphitheaters in the U.S. and Canada before heading off to Europe for about a month and a half.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10. Lyle Lovett27.06.2025 (00:46:27)

    Lyle Lovett joined Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast to discuss his love for live performances, the amazing musicians who join him on stage, and his career spanning over 45 years. He shared his early days at Texas A&M, where he booked acts and played covers, and his transition to performing original songs. Lyle also talked about the importance of audience connection and how his approach to storytelling was influenced by artists such as Michael Martin Murphy and John Denver. Lyle Lovett and His Large Band are currently on tour in the U.S. through August 7. Lyle and his Acoustic Group will perform in Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Scotland in late August. Episode summary: [2:54] Lovett reflects on his early college days at Texas A&M, specifically starting to play music in 1976 and his involvement with the basement coffee house, a small, student-organized live music venue that spurred his introduction into programming and performing shows.[6:00] Lovett explains his first gig outside college—a summer 1976 steak and seafood restaurant performance in Houston—and how he began by playing songs from Texas singer-songwriters like Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, and Townes Van Zandt, which taught him the principles of songwriting.[11:19] Discussion about playing covers versus originals, with Lovett sharing the transition from focusing on audience-friendly covers in restaurants and bars to venues like Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant in Houston, which encouraged original music and helped grow his songwriting skills and confidence.[13:37] Lyle explains what he learned performing during his early years, particularly how to endure as a live artist: handling distractions, accepting audience reactions, and growing through moments where people came specifically to hear him rather than just attending for the venue.[15:32] The evolution of storytelling and humor in Lyle’s performances, inspired by watching other singer-songwriters like Michael Murphy and John Denver, and how Lyle incorporates personal connections and humor into his live shows.[18:49] Discussion of audience interactions, including an anecdote where Lovett introduces his band members on stage, blending humor and intimacy to create an engaging experience. He emphasizes the importance of making the audience feel connected to everyone on stage.[26:10] Lyle talks about breaking genre expectations early in his career, navigating challenges with radio stations categorizing his music and credits MCA Nashville for their support and belief in his diverse sound.[29:48] Insights into Lyle's passion for music education, including his experiences speaking with and mentoring young music students. He emphasizes the importance of loving music for its essence and staying grounded despite the challenges of being a professional musician.[32:03] Lyle touches on scheduling large band tours around summer breaks and how he integrates musicians with academic careers, like professors in his horn section, into his performances.[34:35] Lyle shares how he balances playing live, managing tour schedules, and prioritizing time with his children, frequently flying home on tour days off to be present for school events and family activities.[38:05] Reflections on how having both an acoustic group and a large band allows him to play in various markets, driven primarily by economic considerations and creative flexibility in his tour planning.[42:20] Final thoughts on the economics and logistics of setting up a tour, explaining how these practical concerns shape his choices while keeping the performances creatively fulfilling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

11. Buzz Osborne (Melvins)20.06.2025 (00:38:26)

    In this episode we talk to Buzz Osborne, the singer and guitarist for legendary rock band Melvins. Before the Pacific Northwest became known for grunge, Melvins, a notable influence on Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, were making sludgy, heavy rock music in Washington State.  After grunge broke in the early ‘90s, the band was signed to Atlantic Records for two albums, Stone Witch from ’94 and Stag from ’96. Otherwise, Melvins have recorded for indie labels such as Amphetamine Reptile Records and their home for over two decades, Ipecac Recordings. Melvins’ latest album, Tarantula Heart, was released by Ipecac in 2024.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12. The Doobie Brothers29.05.2025 (00:43:40)

    In this episode we talk to Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston. Call them easy listening or a bar band from California, but what matters is The Doobie Brothers have been making music for over 50 years and are back with a new album, Walk This Road, out June 6 on Rhino Records. For Walk This Road, Michael McDonald joins Patrick, Tom and John McFee. Michael was absent on the band’s 2022 album, Liberté, and is back with his fair share of songs on Walk This Road. The title track features the one and only Mavis Staples, and we got the story behind that collaboration in the interview.  Links: The Doobie Brothers home page The Doobie Brothers tour dates Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13. Richard Marx15.05.2025 (00:51:03)

    For a period of time in the late '80s and early '90s, Richard Marx was everywhere. The hitmaker achieved a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with "Hold Onto the Nights." “Endless Summer Nights” went to No. 2 while both “Don’t Mean Nothing” and “Should’ve Known Better” went to No. 3. His album Repeat Offender went to No. 1 in 1989. Richard has had an immensely successful career as a songwriter-producer and helped craft hits for such artists as Keith Urban, NSYNC, Barbra Streisand and Daughtry. His new single is “Forget About the World.” Links: Richard Marx home page Richard Marx tour dates Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

14. Larkin Poe01.05.2025 (00:42:33)

    In this episode we talk to Larkin Poe, a duo of sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell. Fifteen years into their careers as Larkin Poe, Rebecca and Megan have built a catalog of blues and Southern rock-influenced music and a dedicated following. The duo’s 2022 album, Blood Harmony, won a 2024 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album. Their latest album, Bloom, is another soulful, occasionally bombastic journey through American roots music. Links: Larkin Poe home page Larkin Poe tour dates Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15. Thurston Moore17.04.2025 (00:52:57)

    Billboard's Behind the Setlist talks to Thurston Moore, co-founder of Sonic Youth, about his body of work as a solo artist and collaborator; his latest album, Flow Critical Lucidity; the likelihood of a Sonic Youth reunion; his musical education witnessing New York’s vibrant music scene in the late ‘70s; and his memoir, Sonic Life, that was released in 2023.  Links: Thurston Moore home page Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16. Howard Jones04.04.2025 (00:42:15)

    Behind the Setlist chats with synth-pop pioneer Howard Jones, best known for his hits in the ‘80s such as “Things Can Only Get Better,” “Life in One Day” and “What Is Love?” His 1985 album Dream Into Action reached No. 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and hit No. 2 on the U.K. album chart. Howard has remained incredibly busy over his career, releasing 15 studio albums, the most recent being Dialogue in 2022. Next up is Piano Composed, out May 23, in which he returns to his classical music roots. Links: Howard Jones home page Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

17. Posdnuos (of De La Soul)26.03.2025 (00:40:37)

    In this episode we talk to Kevin Mercer, otherwise known as Posdnuos, or Pos, from the hip hop group De La Soul. The group continues touring and making music after more than three decades, and they have continued after the death of David Jolicoeur, known as Trugoy the Dove, in 2023. De La Soul’s 1989 debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising, was a breakthrough at the time and stands today as a hip hop classic for its positivity, intelligence and sample-heavy production that borrowed from Hall & Oates, Steely Dan, Bo Diddly and the Steve Miller Band.  The conversation centered around the group's Jan. 17, 2025 concert at Lincoln Center in Manhattan but also touched on the group's longevity, connecting with younger generations, continuing after Trugoy's death, musical influences and the recent slew of De La Soul reissues. Links: De La Soul home page De La Soul tour dates Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

18. David Gray17.03.2025 (00:54:00)

    British singer-songwriter David Gray joins Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast for a song-by-song walk-through of his February 14, 2025 set at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The 23-song set featured a number of songs from his latest album, Dear Life, and went all the way back to his 1993 debut album, A Century Ends. Gray talks about how a cover of Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" made it into his sets, the importance of avoiding routine performances, and how he creates an authentic connection with the audience. Behind the Setlist is co-hosted by Jay Gilbert from Label Logic and Glenn Peoples from Billboard. Links David Gray home page David Gray tour dates Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

19. Jasen Rauch (of Breaking Benjamin)11.03.2025 (00:37:37)

    Jasen Rauch of Breaking Benjamin joined Billboard's Behind the Setlist podcast for a wide-ranging interview about the band's touring life, its loyal fan base, picking songs for Breaking Benjamin concerts, the challenge of developing new rock acts in 2025, and the band's transition away from Hollywood Records. The group's latest song, "Awake," was licensed by the band through BMG, and Rauch says the band's upcoming album will also be released through BMG. "From our perspective, creatively, it allows us to make sure that we're okay signing off with some things," he says of the deal with BMG, "whether it be the timeline of how long it's taking us to create—because it's been a while since we put an album out, and that's that's all on us and our choice." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20. Tarriona "Tank" Ball (of Tank and the Bangas)04.03.2025 (00:26:56)

    Fresh off a Grammy win for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album for The Heart, The Mind, The Soul, Tarriona "Tank" Ball of the New Orleans group Tank and the Bangas joined Billboard's Behind the Setlist to talk about that Grammy win, the stories behind some of the album's songs, her excitement for performing at the upcoming New Orleans Jazz Festival and how her music got its mix of soul, R&B, hip hop and poetry. If you’ve ever felt disappointed by the sameness of music, if you fail to be surprised by the music fed to you on streaming services, you should give Tank and the Bangas a listen.  We didn't use our usual recording setup for this episode because Jay was unable to join the interview, so please excuse's Glenn's less-than-pristine audio quality. Links: Tank and the Bangas home page Tank and the Bangas tour dates Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

21. Nick Wheeler (of The All-American Rejects)25.02.2025 (00:45:10)

    Nick Wheeler of The All-American Rejects talks to Behind the Setlist about hitting it big in the '00s, the slowdown in the '10s and the band's return to meaningful touring in the '20s (and their performance at the 2022 When We Were Young festival that got the ball rolling). The band recently released a cover of the 1997 Harvey Danger song "Flagpole Sitta" through independent Spin Records and, Wheeler says, is currently plotting more recorded music. Listen and learn about Wheeler's love of fine coffee and the time the band recorded a Beach Boys cover song that was never released. Links The All-American Rejects home page The All-American Rejects tour dates Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22. Rick Springfield12.02.2025 (00:35:55)

    Rick Springfield joins Behind the Setlist to talk about his new greatest hits album out February 14, Big Hits: Rick Springfield’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2, which features the new track "Lose Myself" and an assortment of songs ranging from his 1999 album Karma to 2023's Automatic. The deluxe box set version of the album comes with a hardcover coffee table book. Rick talks about writing "The Man That Never Was" with Dave Grohl and the members of Foo Fighters, teaming with Sammy Hagar for the song "Party at the Beach Bar" (and partnering with the Red Rocker on Sammy's Beach Bar Rum), how he keeps up his busy music and professional life, the music that made him want to pick up a guitar as a teen, and playing for U.S. troops in Vietnam during the war. You can catch Rick on the "I Want My 80s Tour" along with John Waite, Wang Chung, Paul Young and John Cafferty. The tour runs from May 28 to August 10. Links Rick Springfield home page https://rickspringfield.com/ Rick Springfield tour dates https://rickspringfield.com/pages/shows Sammy's Beach Bar Rum https://rickspringfield.com/pages/beach-bar-music Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic https://www.jaygilbertconsulting.com/ Glenn Peoples @ Billboard https://www.billboard.com/author/glenn-peoples/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23. Phantogram30.01.2025 (00:37:42)

    In this episode we talk with Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter, otherwise known as Phantogram. Phantogram released its 5th studio album, the fantastic Memory of a Day, in October 2024 and recently wrapped up a tour as the opener for Kings of Leon. Memory of a Day is a kaleidoscope of sounds, textures and moods, all rooted in excellent songwriting and Sarah and Josh’s ability to embed memorable hooks into layers of buzzing, distorted, cinematic sounds. There’s a lot of variety but the songs carry the same Phantogram fingerprints that go back to the 2010 debut album, Eyelid Movies, released on the indie label Barsuk Records.  Links: Phantogram home page Phantogram tour dates Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

24. John Cooper (of Skillet)15.01.2025 (00:44:36)

    John Cooper, frontman for the rock band Skillet, joins Behind the Setlist for a wide-ranging talk about the band's latest album, Revolution, performing in countries many Western bands don't visit, the power of music to connect to other people, and music business lessons he has learned over the decades. Revolution is Skillet's 12th studio album and first to be self-released after leaving Atlantic Records. The band's 2009 album Awake reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, is certified double-platinum in the U.S. and spawned the breakthrough single "Monster." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25. Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith (of Tears for Fears)26.12.2024 (00:31:13)

    Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith of Tears for Fears join Behind the Setlist to talk about their new live album, Songs For A Nervous Planet; concert film, Tears for Fears Live (A Tipping Point Film); and how they continue to strive to write and record great music (such as the four new tracks on the live album). Links: Tears for Fears home page Tears for Fears tour dates Jay Gilbert @ Label Logic Glenn Peoples @ Billboard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices