Suzanne Vega joins Kyle Meredith to talk about her upcoming album, which will be her first in nearly a decade. The “Tom’s Diner” singer discusses workshopping new songs on her current tour, including the recently released single “Rats,” which was inspired by New York City’s infamous rodent population and the recent international rat summit. The song’s eerie, Ramones and Fontaines DC-inspired vibe perfectly suits the Halloween season, though Vega hadn't initially planned it that way. She shares the influence of longtime collaborator Gerry Leonard, whose versatile guitar work has helped shape her sound over the past 20 years and who’s also known for his time playing with David Bowie. The new album promises a wide range of genres, from folk rock to a surprising Motown-inspired track. Despite the long break since her last release, Vega explains how life’s personal challenges, including the pandemic, have influenced her songwriting. As timing will have it, the album might coincide with the 40th anniversary of her debut, giving the record an added layer of significance. In true New York fashion, Vega remains deeply connected to the city’s pulse, continuing to find inspiration in its streets, history, and idiosyncrasies—a theme that has defined much of her illustrious career.

Listen to Suzanne Vega chat about all this and more in the new episode or watch it on YouTube. Please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to KMW wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

In this special Rewind episode of Kyle Meredith With..., Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins joins the conversation for two interviews, one from 2015 and another from 2017. In the first interview, Corgan discusses the band's album Monuments to an Elegy, part of the ambitious Teargarden by Kaleidyscope project. He reflects on the album's concise pop sound, his competition with modern pop stars, and the state of alternative rock, remarking on the rise of EDM and the challenge for rock to keep up. He also shares insights into his creative process and the drive that has kept him continuously writing new music, addressing the legacy of his past work and how it compares to his current projects. The interview also touches on collaborations with legendary drummers like Tommy Lee and explores how rock culture has shifted over the decades. In the 2017 interview, Corgan delves into his solo work and the creation of his album Ogilala. He explains the stripped-down nature of the record, attributing much of the sparse production to Rick Rubin, and talks about the creative freedom it allowed him. Corgan touches on personal themes, including fatherhood and its subtle influence on his writing. He also addresses the ongoing speculation about the future of The Smashing Pumpkins, his evolving relationship with his past records, and his desire to recontextualize some of his older solo work. Alongside music, he talks about his other ventures, like wrestling and his teashop, revealing how these pursuits reinvigorated his passion for music.

Listen to Billy Corgan chat about all this and more in the new episode. Please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to KMW wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

Sting catches up with Kyle Meredith backstage before his performance at Bourbon and Beyond to talk about his ongoing 3.0 Tour. Sting reflects on the unique experience of performing as a three-piece band, a configuration he hasn’t used since his Police days, and why he loves the clarity and space it brings to the sound, surprising both himself and his audience by continuously finding new ways to reimagine his songs on stage. Sting also discusses his new single, “I Wrote Your Name (Upon My Heart),” which incorporates the iconic Bo Diddley beat, and teases the possibility of more new music on the way. Plus, he shares insights into how he approaches his back catalog, always searching for fresh elements to keep his songs alive, and even hints at an upcoming collaboration with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

Listen to Sting chat about all this and more in the new episode or watch it on YouTube. Please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to KMW wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.