All tartan’d up for my epic conversation with Scottish rock royalty, Simple Minds. (photo: Ken Weinstein)
As the year comes to a close, I have rounded up the 75 published interviews I did in 2025 — as freelance assignments, at Licorice Pizza Records, and for Lyndsanity.com — and wow, it has been quite a year! I am always grateful for these opportunities to speak with people I admire.
ICYMI, here’s what I got up to…
FLOOD:
Gorillaz cover story – https://floodmagazine.com/212789/the-house-gorillaz-built-flood-13-cover/
This was my most exciting assignment of the year: Twenty-five years of Gorillaz, several hours of conversation with Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, and so many weeks of deep-diving into Gorillaz’ discography that they were the No. 1 artist and comprised three my top five songs on Spotify Wrapped! I am really proud of this one.
Lucy Dacus cover story – https://floodmagazine.com/190465/lucy-dacus-forever-is-a-feeling-digital-cover/
Lucy is always a delight to chat with, and our interview was as raw and real as the lyrics of her latest solo album, Forever Is a Feeling. The photos that accompany this piece are gorgeous as well. Lucy is a true work of art.
Lydia Knight – https://floodmagazine.com/202378/lydia-night-the-regrettes-parady-of-pleasure-feature/
The former Regrettes singer is also a complex and compelling woman. We discussed her artistic reinvention, her dating (mis)adventures during one hot and hedonistic New York City summer that inspired much of her debut solo album, love-bombing, sexual fluidity, mental health, workaholism, her early struggles when she was a vulnerable teenager in the music industry, and her unapologetic pop aspirations.
MUSIC CONNECTION:
Yungblud cover story – https://www.musicconnection.com/there-will-be-yungblud/
Dominic is a polarizing figure (even my much-adored Justin Hawkins has some not-so-adoring things to say about him!), but Idols was one of my favorite records of the year, and you can’t change my mind about that. Anyone who talks with Yungblud at length, as I did, and witnesses his unwavering conviction when it comes to this passion project, would surely be convinced and converted as well.
Damiano David cover story – https://www.musicconnection.com/damiano-davids-bold-new-euro-vision/
The Måneskin frontman also reinvented himself this year, as a pop crooner, on his own passion project. His solo debut, Funny Little Fears, didn’t garner nearly the critical acclaim nor commercial success it deserved this year, but I am glad that I had the chance to give him a front-page platform to discuss his art.
ROLLING STONE:
Yoshiki & Bi-ray – https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/yoshiki-bi-ray-talent-strong-1235366581/
The tireless and prolific Japanese rock legend sat down with me and his and his new J-pop girl group for an exclusive chat about their collaboration.
GOLD DERBY:
Sean Ono Lennon – https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/sean-ono-lennon-mind-games-2025-grammys-interview/
Speaking with Sean about his labor-of-love project — reissuing his late father’s misunderstood Mind Games album — was truly special. The Mind Games boxed set later won a Grammy for Best Packaging, and this interview won second prize for Music Feature, Individual Artists at the L.A. Press Club’s National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards.
Justin Hawkins of the Darkness https://www.goldderby.com/music/2025/justin-hawkins-the-darkness-new-tour-album-dreams-on-toast/
Here’s another immensely enjoyable conversation with one of my favorite rock stars (disagreement about Yungblud aside). The Darkness’s comeback and Justin’s glow-up continues to delightful me, year after year.
Devo – https://www.goldderby.com/music/2025/devo-netflix-doc-interview-politics-rock-hall-of-fame-snub/
Devo’s Netflix documentary is now nominated at the Grammy Awards for Best Music Film, so I am honored that I got to speak with Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale about their legacy and impact. Devo were right about everything. Give them that Grammy!
Belinda Carlisle – https://www.goldderby.com/music/2025/belinda-carlisle-california-covers-brian-wilson-go-gos/
I always enjoy speaking with Belinda, but to delve into her hardscrabble childhood in Southern California and the San Fernando Valley, which is where I grew up as well, was truly special. She is a true L.A. legend.
Bad Company’s Simon Kirke – https://www.goldderby.com/music/2025/bad-company-simon-kirke-rock-hall-ceremony-paul-rodgers/
Sadly, Simon divulged to me during this interview that Paul Rodgers would be attending and performing at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which turned out not to be the case. But this was otherwise a really fun conversation about Bad Company’s history and long-overdue critical respect.
Japanese Breakfast – https://www.goldderby.com/film/2025/japanese-breakfast-michelle-zauner-materalists-celine-song/
Michelle Zauner, who is Oscar-eligible for her Materialists end-credits theme, really got into it discussing the complexities of modern dating and courtship. Plus, I got some good scoops about her next book and the status of the delayed Crying in H Mart movie.
Kate Pierson of the B-52s – https://www.goldderby.com/feature/the-b-52s-kate-pierson-interview-rock-hall-john-lennon-1206206732/
Kate discussed her new solo record, how the B-52s inspired John Lennon to come out of retirement in 1980, the B-52s’ against-all-odds comeback after the death of Ricky Wilson, how she feels about the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame… and she even broke the news that the B-52s weren’t retiring after all and were in fact planning to tour with Devo (although that news flew under the radar at the time).
Simple Minds – https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/simple-minds-dont-you-forget-about-me-breakfast-club-interview/
I can’t think of a better way to send at afternoon than sitting with the abundantly cheerful Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill at the Hollywood Roosevelt, discussing the 40th anniversary of The Breakfast Club (with some pretty interesting “Don’t You Forget About Me” publishing/royalties info that was not widely known) and other things. I even wore plaid pants for this occasion.
Diane Warren – https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/diane-warren-2025-oscars-biopic/
I never turn down the chance to chat with Diane, possibly the funniest woman in the biz. Hopefully I’ll get another chance in 2026m when she inevitably receives yet another Oscar nomination.
Rob Halford of Judas Priest – https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/rob-halford-judas-priest-grammy-interview/
The Metal God is another interview subject to which I will always, always I say an enthusiastic yes. I adore this man. And after five years, I am still on a mission to get him on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Maybe it will happen in 2026…
Debbie Gibson – https://www.goldderby.com/music/2025/debbie-gibson-struggles-teen-fame-new-book/
This eternally electrically-youthful pop star is my girl! We have chatted many times, but this one, promoting her new autobiography, might be our best interview ye, as she opened up about her whirlwind rise to fame, her scuttled all-star movie, and the mental health struggles that come with child stardom, and more.
Soundgarden’s Matt Cameron – https://www.goldderby.com/music/2025/soundgarden-matt-cameron-rock-hall-induction-final-album/
Ahead of Soundgarden’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Matt gave me a lot of exciting exclusive detail about the upcoming Soundgarden album, which the band recorded shortly before Chris Cornell’s tragic 2017 death and are in the process of completing.
Grace Potter – https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/grace-potter-on-why-mythical-magical-solo-album-with-t-bone-burnett-was-shelved-for-nearly-18-years-one-of-my-bandmates-said-to-me-dont-go-all-gwen-stefani-on-us/
This was a really interesting conversation about the shelved solo album Grace made with T Bone Burnett almost two decades ago, and how she finally managed to get it released.
David Archuleta – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/david-archuleta-embracing-sensuality-leaving-church-i-thought-it-was-worse-to-be-gay-than-to-experience-life/
It continuously gladdens my heart to see Archie’s glow-up and growing-up, as he comes into his own and embraces his truth. With every interview we do, he opens up even more. I hope to chat with him when his sure-to-be-page-turning autobiography comes out in early 2026.
Michael Des Barres – https://www.goldderby.com/article/2025/live-aid-michael-des-barres-power-station-robert-palmer/
The good Marquis never runs out of good stories, but his story about how he ended up onstage at Live Aid performing for an estimated global television audience of 1.9 billion, with almost no time to prepare or process, is definitely one of his craziest and coolest tales.
Baha Men – https://www.goldderby.com/music/2025/who-let-the-dogs-out-baha-men-25th-anniversary/
Yes, “Who Let the Dogs Out” is 25 years old. I spoke to three members of Baha Men about it, and the interview was actually much more interesting than I expected, leaving me with new appreciation for this canine novelty hit.
LICORICE PIZZA’S LPTV:
Redman – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/redman-talks-muddy-waters-too-self-healing-greatest-cribs-episode-of-all-time/
This was my absolute highlight of my year at the store. We discussed Redman’s “journey with self-healing”; why he waited so long to drop Muddy Waters Too; how ‘90s rappers changed the game; ageism in hip-hop; his future career aspirations, like finally winning a Grammy, dabbling in electronic music and movie-making, and appearing on his favorite reality TV show, Is It Cake?; and of course, one of the greatest reality TV moments of all time, his legendary Cribs episode. I was smiling the entire time, and the fact that this GOAT seemed to enjoy our interview just as much as I did meant a lot.
Robert Randolph – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/robert-randolph-on-working-with-leon-russell-preacher-kids-with-shooter-jennings-judith-hill/
The Grammy-nominated pedal steel virtuoso showed up to perform at Licorice Pizza with Shooter Jennings and Judith Hill, and he totally tore the roof off the joint. It was also National Leon Day, so this interview was truly cause for celebration!
Grandson – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/grandson-disgusting-us-politics-being-canceled-many-institutions-i-am-being-threatened-to-not-have-a-seat-at-the-table-arent-worth-anything/
The young rap-rock provocateur and activist discussed his unique political perspective as someone who was born in the United States and raised in Canada; why it’s so important for him (and his peers) to speak out; the importance of empathy, intersectionality, and community; and if he’d ever run for office. Grandson for President!
Kelsy Karter – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/kelsy-karter-back-after-bizarre-traumatic-legal-ordeal-i-dont-have-it-in-me-to-give-up/
The rock goddess opened up how she rebounded after a truly bizarre legal/catfishing ordeal that was seriously stranger than fiction. Nothing can stop Kelsy and her Heroines.
Yellowcard – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/yellowcard-9-year-hiatus-lowest-point-finally-better-days/
The pop-punk veterans did a Q&A in front of a live audience with me at the store, where they discussed their against-all-odds comeback after a near-decade hiatus (“probably the lowest point in our career and possibly our lives”) and a “really rough time” when they didn’t even speak with each other. Now they’re living their best lives and have scored their first No. 1 alt-rock radio single with “Better Days.” This was a special afternoon.
DJ Lance Rock – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/dj-lance-rock-talks-full-circle-moment-playing-coachella-with-yo-gabba-gabba-an-acknowledgement-of-what-the-show-had-meant-to-people/
Hanging out with this legend in the Licorice Pizza parking lot, discussing ‘The Simpsons’ and Yo Gabba Gabba’s iconic Coachella performance, was a pretty great way to spend a Saturday.
Briston Maroney – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/briston-maroney-bogus-label-showcase-for-a-bot-american-idol-audition-licorice-pizza/
I remembered this kid from when he was on American Idol at age 15 and I compared his audition to Jack White. Years later, he actually went on tour with Jack White! So, it was very cool and full-circle to interview him about his career in front of an audience of fellow longtime fans.
Olivver the Kid – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/bryan-sammis-the-neighbourhood-reinventing-himself-as-olivver-the-kid-happiness-is-a-choice/
I had a great time chatting with founding Neighbourhood drummer Bryan Sammis (who left the band, apparently not of his own accord, in 2014). We discussed his solo music under the name Olivver the Kid; his side gig writing production music (including an amusing story about when he was hired to write songs that sounded like the Neighbourhood and he of course “crushed it”); Buddhism; that time the Neighbourhood refused to be on Jay Leno’s show; and much more.
Ruby Friedman – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/ruby-friedman-invisible-women-civil-war-sex-workers-inspired-her-new-album-i-like-to-search-for-truth/
My fellow redhead and I talked Civil war sex workers, Narcan, forgotten ’80s actress Emily Longstreth, Frank Black, shitty male music execs, and the sometimes grueling process of songwriting and being an artist in general, among other things. Ruby was an unfiltered as you’d expect.
Daniel Seavey – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/daniel-seavey-may-never-escape-the-memes-of-his-past-but-the-former-idol-and-boy-band-star-is-already-on-his-third-wind/
Here’s another American Idol alumnus who grew up and made good! Daniel had a great sense of humor about his reality show/boy band past.
Slimdan – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/slimdan-growing-up-modern-orthodox-eating-non-kosher-hot-dog-changed-life-i-realized-i-wasnt-going-to-die/
I had a blast with this fellow Valley native, talking about him growing up Modern Orthodox in Sherman Oaks, the non-kosher hot dog that literally changed his life, Diet Snapple, the Galleria, and a bunch of fun and wide-ranging stuff.
Knox – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/knox-unexpected-career-matty-healy-dms-american-idol-write-for-katy-perry/
The singer-songwriter and I discussed his “unexpected” pop career, Matty Healy sliding into his DMs, being rejected by American Idol (all roads to lead back to ‘Idol,’ it seems!), and his ‘big goal’ to write a song for Katy Perry.
American Mile – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/american-mile-chasing-the-american-dream-30000-in-debt-real-passion/
This was another rock band that raised and rattled the roof when they performed at the store. Backstage, we had a lot of laughs, but they also got real when discussing the logistical and financial struggles of being a totally independent band that plays 200 gigs a years.
One Outta Ten – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/tragedy-loss-inspired-one-outta-ten-album-it-was-like-tears-mixed-with-vomit-but-it-was-good/
I was truly touched by the story of this young band, who faced way too much tragedy in the space of a year (the death of a father, two aunts, a close family friend, and two of their dogs, plus having all their equipment stolen). But One Outta Ten made a great album about all of this loss, and they gave a great interview too.
Truman Sinclair – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/truman-sinclair-cultural-beauty-ofdivided-america-i-just-wanted-to-take-it-back-a-little-bit/
A folk troubadour for the modern age, this emo-rocker known for the local bands Fat, Evil Children and Frat Mouse discussed his surprising solo debut.
Jack Xander – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/jack-xander-bonkers-concept-album-casino-heist-i-want-people-gambling-away-their-their-pensions-while-my-music-plays/
This guy was a real hoot, taking over the store to play Casino Heist, a concept album recorded at KXLU about a fake French band playing “in the middle of a Euro seaside retirement haven, where pensions run wild and memories retreat.” I wore a tuxedo T-shirt for this occasion. Good times!
Salem Ilese – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/salem-ilese-talks-tapping-into-her-sequined-inner-child-on-growing-down/
This was an interesting chat with the rising pop star, who has also written for Demi Lovato, Gwen Stefani, K-pop sensations Tomorrow X Together, and even Pussy Riot.
Kurt Deimer – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/kurt-deimer-unlikely-second-act-career-i-cant-even-really-comprehend-it/
This fiftysomething rocker’s story was fascinating. He worked for years in the family oil business and founded several coolant companies, putting his rock ‘n’ roll dreams on hold for decades, until a random encounter on the set of a film starring John Travolta and Shania Twain led to an unplanned speaking role — followed by a whole new second-act career as a horror-movie actor/producer and musician. Someone make a movie about this dude!
And here’s a few more…
Strawberry Fuzz – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1-X9qpLD2M
Marilyn Hucek – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OPF-dOp0Sk&t
CLSTL – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOOg6c4yxf0
LYNDSANITY:
Shirley Manson – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/garbage-shirley-manson-talks-injury-aging-ageism-if-some-journalist-thinks-im-old-i-dont-give-a-f/
Shirley is another one of my favorite interview subjects, as our latest interview (conducted months before that whole weird beachball controversy) features one of my favorite expletive/asterisk-filled headlines ever. She is a quote machine and the best of the best.
Garbage – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/garbage-30-years-being-unprogrammable-unique-algorithm-we-are-an-alternative-rock-band-for-a-reason/
Garbage’s Let All That We Imagine Be the Light was one of my favorite albums of the year, so of course I had to interview the entire band too. We discussed the bizarre way they came together, the bizarre circumstances surrounding their new album’s creation, and how they have stayed together with their original lineup for THIRTY years, which is almost unheard-of in rock ‘n’ roll.
Griffin Goldsmith of Dawes – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/dawes-griffin-goldsmith-musicians-for-fire-relief-interview/
Perhaps no local artist became the face and voice of this year’s tragic L.A. wildfires more than Dawes. Singer/guitarist Taylor Goldsmith lost his Altadena recording studio and most of the band’s equipment in the Eaton Fire, while Taylor’s brother/bandmate/neighbor, drummer and percussionist Griffin Goldsmith, lost his home. The brothers’ parents lost their own home as well, and the Malibu house where the Goldsmiths grew up also burned down in the Palisades Fire. Amid all of this devastation, however, Griffin experienced some incredible highs, both personally and professionally. He became a father just two weeks after fires, and then Dawes found themselves playing the star-studded Fire Aid benefit and even opening this year’s Grammy ceremony. With all of this going on, Griffin barely had “a moment to stop and just process,” so I was honored and thankful that he took the time to speak with me, at such length and so candidly and eloquently, for Musicians for Fire Relief. I was greatly impressed by his optimism and resilience.
Margaret Cho – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/margaret-cho-lucky-gift-lgbtq-female-voices-proud-to-be-a-queer-elder/
Another one of my quote-machine faves! A true music savant, Margaret peppered our conversation with liberal references to Jellyfish, the Hold Steady, the Deftones, GWAR, Sigue Sigue Sputnik, Haysi Fantayzee, Björk, Belle and Sebastian, Bob Mould, the Flaming Lips, Lilith Fair, Oasis’s famous Knebworth concert, K-pop, and the pre-Underworld art-pop band Freur (whose 1983 one-hit-wonder “Doot Doot” gets the cover-song treatment on her new LP). But we discussed serious stuff too. (Bonus: We later chatted again at the Grammy Museum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro98zgLT54s)
Rufus Wainwright – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/rufus-wainwright-decadent-memories-marianne-faithfull-hell-of-a-lot-of-fun/
I Zoomed with Rufus for TalkShopLive to discuss and sell his ‘Dream Requiem’ orchestral opus, but that event happened to be the day that his friend and collaborator Marianne Faithfull died, so he graciously also answered questions about his Marianne memories. What a charmer.
Budgie of Siouxsie & the Banshees – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/siouxsie-and-the-banshees-budgie-on-death-divorce-autobiography-its-truth-its-real-and-its-neither-good-nor-bad/
Talk about a charmer! I could listen to Budgie’s velvet voice all day. But his unique voice really came out this year in his harrowing biography, The Absence – Memoirs of a Banshee Drummer, which opens with his account of witnessing the sudden death of his mother, and closes with him parting personally and professionally with the other major female power-figure in his life, bandmate/ex-wife Siouxsie Sioux. He was as candid in our interview as he was in his book, and I am very grateful for that.
Shaun Cassidy – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/shaun-cassidy-talks-nepo-babies-phil-spector-keith-moon-returning-to-music/
Shaun is a story machine. I guess that is why he went into TV writing! But I am so glad he returned to making music, after many decades, because that means I get to interview him from time to time. This time, he discussed being a nepo baby, being held at gunpoint by Phil Spector, Keith Moon crashing on his couch, and writing a horror movie about cats, among other topics, and it was just as fun as that sounds.
Pussy Riot – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/pussy-riot-nadya-tolokonnikova-punks-not-dead-forcing-myself-to-think-hopefully-about-the-future/
Sharing a room with this brave woman is humbling. What an icon.
Andy Bell of Erasure – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/erasure-andy-bell-solo-album-vince-clarke-critics-a-little-respect-they-missed-the-point/
Andy is just so lovely. This was my second interview with him, and we covered a lot of ground: his Debbie Harry fandom as a young boy, the next Erasure album and how Vince Clarke is doing these days (Vince’s wife passed away last year), why Erasure didn’t get critical respect back in the day, his fears that HIV drugs might become less accessible, the loyalty of Tauruses, religion, aging, and of course his fantastic solo album Ten Crowns. I give this man more than a little respect.
Steve Kilbey of the Church – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/the-church-steve-kilbey-talks-45-year-career-record-label-idiots-tour-with-duran-duran-more/
This one was a doozy! We discussed the Church’s early struggles and awkward transition to the grungy ‘90s, the surprise success of “Under the Milky Way,” and why he’s still on a “mission” to “provide quality music” after 45 years in the business, plus he went off a bizarre but amusing tangent about his hatred (or loveless fascination, if you will) for Duran Duran. [Kilbey’s opinions expressed here belong solely to Kilbey, and do not reflect the views of this writer, obviously.] Suffice to say, whatever Kilbey was talking about, he was passionate and wildly entertaining.
Luke Spiller – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/the-struts-luke-spiller-symphonic-solo-album-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-just-electric-guitars/
The Struts frontman’s debut solo album, Love Will Probably Kill Me Before Cigarettes and Wine, is EPIC, like a whole album of James Bond themes. It’s also an instant-classic L.A. album and my favorite record of 2025. Therefore, it was an honor to conduct a Q&A with Luke in front of 150 invited fans at his private record release show at the Sun Rose, which left everyone in the room both shaken and stirred. Please, can someone have this gentleman do the next Bond theme, for real?
Martha Davis of the Motels – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/the-motels-martha-davis-fame-loss-motherhood-regrets-comfortable-in-own-skin-wish-i-hadnt-been-such-an-idiot/
This interview was amazing. From the get-go, Martha was an open book (which is why she really needs to write a memoir), in a way few interview subjects are. She opened up about her dysfunctional ‘50s childhood; her dangerous days in ungentrified L.A.; her alcoholism battle; the mistakes she made as a mother and how she has tried to right them; the death of her firstborn child, Maria, and her years-long estrangement from her other daughter, Patricia; her uneasiness with fame and decision to retreat from the spotlight; and how the loss of a beloved pet helped her finally learn how to grieve. We also had a lot of laughs, discussing daytime Zoom makeup and ringlights, sci-fi rock musicals, David Bowie, Cal Worthington, Henry Miller quotes, and even Steve Martin’s The Jerk.
The Ting Tings – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/ting-tings-reclaim-reinvent-name-soft-rock-album-home-we-want-to-get-old-writing-songs-like-this/
Home by the Ting Tings is one of my surprise fave albums of 2025, a yacht-rock opus that is NOT what one would expect from the indie-sleaze due famous for “That’s Not My Name.” I chatted with the band’s Katie White & Jules De Martino all about their comeback and reinvention (and yes, the in-jokey sweater I wore was deliberate, as all of my on-screen fashion choices are).
David J Haskins – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/david-j-haskins-spoken-word-album-poetry-book-the-hunger-coachella-2005-love-and-rockets-tour-janes-addiction
The Bauhaus/Love and Rockets legend and I discussed his spoken-word album and poetry book, largely inspired by his late mother, but we also talked some key career memories, including David’s amusing encounter with David Bowie on the set of The Hunger; how he feels about that song being the theme to my favorite recurring Saturday Night Live sketch, “Goth Talk”; Bauhaus’s iconic entrance at Coachella 2005; and what the future holds for Love and Rockets after their tour with Jane’s Addiction came to an abrupt and disastrous end. This interview ran on World Goth Day, and it was the perfect way to celebrate.
Vicki Peterson & John Cowsill – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/vicki-peterson-john-cowsill-romance-predicted-by-teenage-fan-fiction/
Vicki and John are true powerpop power-couple goals. If they weren’t so nice and cool, they’d almost make me sick. I did an adorable interview with them about their new album (a tribute to John’s late brothers, Bill and Barry Cowsill) and the adorable way they met. We laughed, we cried (literally), and we had a wonderful time.
Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/gary-kemp-talks-solo-album-anxiety-aging-grief-spandau-ballet-reunion-true-soul-train/
I know this much is true: Interviewing Gary Kemp about his new album This Destination and his illustrious career for over an hour was pure gold. To cut a long story short, he discussed grappling with post-pandemic anxiety, a sense of his own mortality, writer’s block, and going to therapy; memories of the Blitz Club, Band Aid, Live Aid, and Spandau Ballet’s rivalry with Duran Duran; the possibility of another Spandau Ballet reunion; how Seal once almost replaced Tony Hadley in a later Spandau lineup; the new wave ingenue who inspired “True”; performing on Soul Train; working with Whitney Houston in ‘The Bodyguard’; mourning his parents, who died just four days apart; the sexism behind why New Romantic bands weren’t taken seriously in the 1980s; touring with Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets; and if he’s finally figured out his destination.
Mitch Grassi – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/pentatonix-mitch-grassi-electrogoth-project-messer-ive-never-been-the-clean-cut-normal-member-of-the-band/
Mitch is one-fifth of the Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix, but his solo project Messer is a completely different thing — an electronic project that draws from darkwave, synthpop, electroclash, and PlayStation 2-era video game soundtracks, and is influenced by Imogen Heap, Royksopp, Kraftwerk, and Madonna. In our conversation, Mitch opened up about his “bicoastal” romance with his partner of two years (who he recently married); the “slow-burn damage to the identity” he felt while growing up with rigid gender stereotypes in conservative Texas; his evolving fashion sense; how he “delved a lot into shadow work,” “turned toward the darker parts of myself,” and experienced “a bit of an ego death” while making his new album, Cuts; and why he feels he’s finally singing the way he “was meant to sing.”
Ringo Starr – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/ringo-starr-85th-birthday-in-california-peace-and-love-in-this-state-is-incredible-other-states-are-trying/
You say it’s your birthday? I had a blast celebrating with the 85-years-young Ringo again at his annual Peace and Love Celebration.
Linda Perry – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/linda-perry-talks-4-non-blondes-reunion-album-staying-power-of-whats-up-somebodys-always-trying-to-f-with-us/
I wasn’t expecting a new 4 Non Blondes album — the follow-up to their debut album, more than 30 years later — in 2025. But here we are! I chatted with Linda about the band’s surprising reunion and their still (sadly) all-too-relevant protest anthem, “What’s Up?”
Kevin Rowland of Dexys Midnight Runners – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/dexys-midnight-runners-kevin-rowland-opens-up-about-addiction-religion-misogyny-my-beauty-backlash/
To celebrate the release of the Dexys legend’s own harrowing autobiography, I conducted a raw, nearly hour-long chat with him. Yes, of course we talked about the greatest song of all time, “Come On Eileen,” but also about addiction, religion, misogyny, the My Beauty backlash, and much more. I appreciated his candor and vulnerability. Let’s make this precious, indeed.
Blancmange’s Neil Arthur – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/neil-arthur-blancmange-25-year-hiatus-spectacular-return-i-would-be-less-sane-if-id-carried-on/
I was living (and dancing) on the ceiling and up the bloody tree when Blancmange played L.A. for the first time in 39 years at this year’s Cruel World festival. I interviewed Neil ahead of the festival (a several months before band cofounder Stephen Luscombe died), and we had a fun chat about their inexplicably banned music video, why they broke up at Royal Albert Hall in 1986, an upcoming covers album Neil is working on with Vince Clarke, and why Blancmange’s record label was initially against releasing their hit ABBA cover. Yeah, that’s all right with me!
The War and Treaty – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/the-war-and-treaty-michael-trotter-jr-tanya-trotter-talk-biopic-war-brought-him-music-music-brought-him-love/
What a story this couple has! I am so excited for the upcoming War and Treaty biopic, about which they gave me a little scoop. Maybe it will come out in 2026? Just give them all the Oscars already.
Diane Warren and Albanian pop star Arilena Ara – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/diane-warren-arilena-ara-this-girl-can-fng-sing-this-is-celine-level/
Like I said, I never pass up a chance to interview Diane!
Andy Grammer – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/masked-singer-andy-grammer-grounded-optimism-grief-why-the-word-happy-gets-bad-rap/
I spoke with artist formerly known as The Masked Singer runner-up Boogie Woogie, and currently the No. 1 “Happy Pop” artist on Spotify, about grief, the secret to writing cheerful songs, ignoring the haters, and more.
Brooke Eden – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/queer-country-star-brooke-eden-line-dancing-raising-son-surprise-support-from-brittany-aldean-be-bridge-instead-of-setting-on-fire/
I had an insightful conversation with this rising queer country star at the OutLoud Festival at WeHo Pride, after first meeting and interviewing her at OutLoud in 2023. Brooke is the future of country, and I am so delighted for her continued success.
Madonna collaborators Tracy Young, Niki Haris & Donna De Lory – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/madonna-collaborators-tracy-young-niki-haris-donna-de-lory-express-themselves-so-important-to-tell-our-stories/
I chatted for over an hour with superstar DJ Tracy Young (who was the first woman to win a remixing Grammy for her work with Madonna), and Niki Haris and Donna De Lory (the iconic singers who shared the stage with Madonna throughout the ’90s and beyond). We reminisced about the groundbreaking Blonde Ambition tour, Truth or Dare, those historic VMAs performances of “Express Yourself” and “Vogue,” Niki and Donna’s favorite stage outfits, and so much more, as well as Tracy’s work and her 2025 gig as the pre-show DJ on the farewell tour by another ’80s female pop trailblazer, Cyndi Lauper. We laughed, we laughed, we nearly cried, we laughed some more… and Niki and Donna even broke into song at one point! We all expressed ourselves, and it was a blast.
Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/ryan-guldemond-talks-20-years-of-mother-mother-im-really-proud-of-us-for-not-quitting/
This was an thoughtful one-on-one about the Canadian band’s 20th anniversary; their 10th album, Nostalgia; interpersonal band relations (Guldemond’s older sister and ex-girlfriend are both in the group); how Guldemond deals with his shyness as an onstage performer; Mother Mother’s unexpected resurgence on TikTok and why their music appeals to Gen Z; and what the next 20 years might hold.
And of course, some reality TV stuff…
The American Idol judges (Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan) – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/american-idol-judges-executive-producer-react-to-historic-season-23-finale-america-needed-to-see-the-two-of-them-standing-together/
American Idol Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/american-idol-season-23-winner-jamal-roberts-interview/
American Idol Season 23 Season 23 runner-up John Foster – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/american-idol-season-23-runner-up-john-foster-interview/
The Voice Season 27 winner Adam David – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/the-voice-season-27-champ-adam-david-addiction-redemption-i-felt-very-much-trapped/
The Voice Season 28 winner Aiden Ross – https://www.lyndsanity.com/music/the-voice-season-28-winner-aiden-ross-almost-quit-music-feeling-like-i-had-lost-everything/
See you in 2026!