Interviews | The AllMusic Blog

Mar. 17, 2021

The Highs and Lows of the ‘80s Hard Rock Scene, As Told Through Its Music Videos

The authors of the new oral history Nöthin’ But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the ‘80s Hard Rock Explosion take us on a guided tour of the era’s most notorious, emblematic,… Read More

Mar. 5, 2021

Talib Kweli Couldn’t Tell His Story Without Also Telling the Story of Hip-Hop

The acclaimed rapper discusses his new book and touches on the experiences and mindset that guided his career, why he never wanted to be a barometer for authenticity, and the pitfalls of internet… Read More

Jan. 14, 2021

Suzanne Vega Doesn’t Mind Explaining Her “Weird” Songs, As Long As You Applaud Afterwards

The singer/songwriter describes how she hides inside her songs, reflects on what she learned about herself by grouping her song catalog into themes, and shares her memories of New York City and performing… Read More

Nov. 25, 2020

Alex Winter Explores the Myriad Dualities of Frank Zappa in His New Documentary

The director and actor discusses the discoveries he made in Zappa's extensive vault, what Zappa's contradictions tell us about being human, and how his notorious Saturday Night Live episode changed Winter's… Read More

Oct. 28, 2020

Mr. Bungle and the Case of the Bizarre Reunion

Guitarist Trey Spruance explains how the long-dormant experimental rock band returned with a stated mission to play none of its best-known music, but rather to celebrate the band's earliest chapter by… Read More

Sep. 29, 2020

Confessions of the Metal God

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford goes deeper on some of the stories featured in his new memoir, Confess, including his spontaneous coming-out, the overtures he made to rejoin his band, and which Priest… Read More

Sep. 25, 2020

Patty Smyth Revises Her Interpretation of Tom Waits’ “Downtown Train”

33 years after releasing her version of the track (and two years before Rod Stewart's hit cover), Smyth discusses why she revisited the song, shares some fond train memories, and how the music business… Read More

Aug. 28, 2020

Author Ken McNab Sheds Light on the Beatles’ Tumultuous Final Year

The Scottish journalist discusses his book And In the End: The Last Days of the Beatles, which carefully reconstructs the events of 1969 and the series of gradual cause-and-effect relationships that… Read More

Aug. 20, 2020

No Joy’s Beautifully Bizarre ‘Motherhood’ Gleefully Celebrates Going off the Rails

As her band departs from its earlier shoegaze sound, leader Jasamine White-Gluz shares some of the new album's unexpected influences, why it was time for the band to change course, and how the recording… Read More

Aug. 14, 2020

Rumer Revitalizes the Hugh Prestwood Songbook on ‘Nashville Tears’

The English musician discusses her interpretations of 15 songs by the Texas-born songwriter, whose work has been tackled by Judy Collins, Randy Travis, Trisha Yearwood, Jimmy Buffett, and Alison Krauss. Read More