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Holly Humberstone is an impressive young singer-songwriter. I’m a big fan. In 2022, Holly was named “Rising Star” at the BRIT Awards. Her first two albums have gone top five in the U.K. The deluxe version of her latest, Cruel World… So It Ends, drops this week. She’s opened for Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo, and in December will support Gracie Abrams on tour. 0:00 Cold open 0:30 Introduction 1:59 Why Holly was drawn to songwriting 2:39 Growing up as one of four sisters 4:08 A childhood in a crumbling old house 5:05 Mom's piano and her first songs 7:21 The story behind "Haunted House" 9:34 Clearing out her childhood home 12:42 Finding her younger self in "Cruel World" 15:19 Getting signed at 17 18:10 Why her confidence has shifted 20:54 "Beauty Pageant" and life online 24:39 Sponsor: The FLAG Art Foundation 25:44 What drives her: collaboration 30:48 Seeing songs as she writes them 32:04 "Die Happy," Tim Burton and The Smiths 32:27 Writing about others vs. herself 35:03 The thrill of a great lyric 36:40 Writing "To Love Somebody" for her sister 41:02 When songs hit too close to home 43:01 Youth orchestra, violin and Céline Dion New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

Our guest this week was just named one of “The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters” by The New York Times. In a career that spans eight decades, as a solo artist and with Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon has won the Grammy for Album of the Year three times.  01:12 Returning to the Stage Despite Hearing Loss 04:57 Keeping Concert Volume Low — and Why It Matters 07:00 Favorite Songs to Perform & Which Ones Hold Up 09:22 The Sound of Silence: Written at 21 11:07 Songs He Won't Play Anymore vs. Songs He Loves 15:00 Growing Up in Queens: Early Fame & First Copyrights 18:27 Falling in Love with Rock 'n' Roll: R&B to Elvis 24:32 When Elvis Lost His Edge 25:08 [Sponsor Break] The FLAG Art Foundation  26:37 Writing Seven Psalms During COVID 28:13 Songs That Come as Gifts & the Science of Creative Flow 33:45 Writing Alone, Writing for Yourself & Accidental Hits 36:15 Bridge Over Troubled Water: Why He Rarely Performs It 39:54 Paul & Art Garfunkel Today 41:25 Why He Still Tours & the Creative Obsession 44:22 Great Recording, Streaming, and Why Music Isn't What It Was 47:35 Yankees Talk & Credits New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

The Irish singer CMAT, Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, has had a big breakout over the past eighteen months, including an electrifying performance at Glastonbury. Her latest album, Euro-Country, won Britain's Ivor Novello — the prestigious songwriting award. She talks with us about why she resisted country music for years, the blunt advice from Charli xcx that changed her life, and the meticulous method behind every album. 00:00 Intro 01:00 Making sense of a breakout year 02:08 The dream: headlining the Olympia 03:52 The best part: the gigs 04:49 Glastonbury and the Pyramid Stage 08:11 Borrowing from Pulp ‘97 and hiring a fiddle player 08:53 Winning the Ivor Novello 10:40 “I’m going to be a pop star” 12:21 Studying the Beatles one download at a time 13:51 Trinity College and dropping out 17:40 Open mics, shop jobs, and £50 a show 20:26 The Charli XCX listening session 27:06 Brat and what it meant for Euro-Country 30:42 Sponsor: The FLAG Art Foundation 31:45 “I Want to Be a Cowboy, Baby!” and resisting country 33:13 Writing Taylor Swift rip-offs at 11 36:37 Inspiration vs. perspiration 42:31 Willie Nelson and having something to say 44:09 Her process: voice notes to corkboard 48:34 Every album has to be about something 52:38 Co-writing and label pressure on album two 58:03 The surprise songs: “Take a Sexy Picture of Me” and “Jamie Oliver Petrol Station” New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

Taj Mahal is a blues legend. He's won a handful of GRAMMYs, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, and influenced generations of artists from Keith Richards to Hozier. "He's got it all together," Keith said, "and always did have." He was born Henry St. Claire Fredericks, Jr. in Harlem. A multi-instrumentalist and music scholar, Taj was exploring world music before it was even a genre. Taj, who once seriously considered becoming a farmer, has lost count of how many albums he's made. He's been making music since the '50s — and at 84, he's still on tour. 00:00 Welcome to Alchemy 00:36 Introducing Taj Mahal 01:39 The Unreleased Bill Withers Song & GRAMMY Wins 05:29 Family Roots: A Third-Generation Garveyite 11:05 Hearing Music Without Genre Lines 13:46 Rising Sons & the Ash Grove Days 17:04 The 1960s LA Scene & Opening for Otis Redding 19:05 UMass, Farming, and a 1979 Africa Tour 22:00 Music as a Spiritual Calling 25:07 A Word From Our Sponsor, the FLAG Art Foundation 26:19 Losing His Father Young 29:03 Learning to Write & the Story Behind "Taj Mahal" 31:32 Columbia, Clive Davis & the Blues Legends 35:16 Scoring "Sounder" & Life on the Road 39:12 Playing Alone: Connecting to "the Great Creator" 42:39 Songwriting, Enya, and His Philosophy on Music New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

Over the past decade, Carly Pearce has been one of country music’s most successful female artists with half a dozen platinum singles. She's won four ACM awards and another three CMAs. Her new album, “Honest Woman,” takes a bold look at the price of that success.  00:00 "I lost the ability to see myself" 01:02 Dollywood at 16, Nashville at 19 04:46 "Dream Come True" and the house at the end of the cul-de-sac 07:27 The award, and the text messages the next morning 10:36 The heartbreak ballad that felt like career suicide 11:33 Cleaning Airbnbs in a ten-year town 13:32 The caveman and the diamond 15:32 "It was whiplash" 19:29 Was it all worth it? 20:53 Circus animals: the truth about touring 22:56 Going back to her bluegrass roots 25:30 "There's no timeline" 28:30 The weirdo music kid who started writing at 11 31:11 The songs that scared her 32:31 "Church Girl," faith, and the backlash 36:03 Finding her sound with Dan Tyminski and Molly Tuttle 38:20 Losing busbee and what he told her at the end 41:20 Kelsea Ballerini, her safe place 44:53 Her mom's note: "You are enough" 49:00 Finding the joy again New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

Since 1993, every book by Barbara Kingsolver has made The New York Times bestseller list. Her last novel, “Demon Copperhead,” won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Her latest, “Partita,” the story of a Tennessee piano teacher, is the book Kingsolver says she’s been waiting her whole life to write. 00:00 Intro 01:26 Book No. 19: Does It Ever Get Easier? 02:25 Digging for Gold: Throwing Out 100 Pages 04:36 Meet Partita's Piano Teacher 06:27 The Substack Post That Sparked the Novel 09:27 How Do You Follow Demon Copperhead? 12:11 A Novel Told in Seven Days 14:32 Young Love vs. Mature Love 18:34 Lying on the Floor With Her Father's Records 20:06 "Music Is Made of Tension" 22:41 Why She Left Music School 26:46 What "Partita" Means and the Toni Morrison Quote 28:34 Writing About Her Mother 31:24 Carrying Grief on the Page 33:13 Outlines, Excel Spreadsheets and Dickens 36:57 Characters Who Serve the Plot 39:44 The "Thrift Shop File" 41:47 Living With Dupuytren's Contracture 45:08 Why She Won't Use Speech-to-Text 48:12 Wendell Berry and What's Next New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

Brandon Flowers is best known as the frontman of The Killers. All seven of their albums have gone top 10 in the U.S. and to number one in the U.K. Flowers has also had a successful solo career and he’s back with his third solo album THRASHER, out August 21. 00:00 Cold Open 00:26 Welcome to Alchemy 01:05 Recording THRASHER Live in Nashville 02:38 Returning to His Nephi, Utah Roots 05:18 From Golf Course to First Songs 07:12 The Mentor Who Opened Up Music 08:48 Answering Dave Keuning's Ad and Becoming a Singer 12:36 Discovering His Frontman Persona 14:18 Family, Golf, and Finding His Own Lane 18:13 The Real People Behind THRASHER's Characters 22:06 Ambiguity and His Encounter with Elvis 26:46 Sponsor Break / The FLAG Art Foundation 29:01 Balancing Stage Persona and Family Life 30:15 22 Years Since Hot Fuss: Writing "Mr. Brightside" and "Human" 35:42 How Fan-Favorite Deep Cuts Emerge 38:06 Songwriting as a Daily Discipline 40:02 Two New Albums and Where The Killers Stand Now 42:38 Trusting His Own Judgment Over Critics 44:10 Vampire Weekend and Creative Competition 48:12 Closing Thanks New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

The legendary Holland Taylor stars in the new Apple TV series Brothers, with Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. It’s another iconic performance from the actress who also had memorable runs in Bosom Buddies, The Practice, and Two and a Half Men. We talk about all of those and her love of the stage where she got her start back in the ‘60s. 00:00 Inner Mansions 01:07 Playing Matthew McConaughey’s Mom 03:08 Building the Look: Wig, Tan & Jewelry 05:11 Bosom Buddies & Spotting Tom Hanks Early 06:35 A Theater Kid at Heart 07:42 First Broadway Show & Lamb Chops with Geraldine Page 11:07 Finding Stella Adler at 35 13:53 The Trouble with Method Acting 17:27 Broadway Debut in The Devils 19:38 Going On Unrehearsed for Janet Leigh 23:42 Replacing Eve Arden in Moose Murders 25:10 The Ann Richards Obsession 29:00 Opening in Galveston in a Tropical Storm 31:28 Why She Left Two and a Half Men 33:38 The Practice & Legally Blonde 37:13 Living Inside Ann on Broadway 41:19 “I Am Satisfied”: Her Final Performance 46:00 Life & Art with Sarah Paulson 49:14 Acidic, Alluring Women 52:30 Signing the Guest Book New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

We traveled to a special place this week: Long Pond Studio in upstate New York. It's the home and workplace of Aaron Dessner, a member of the indie rock band The National and a GRAMMY-winning producer behind some of this year's biggest albums. We discuss the alchemy that's happened there with artists like Gracie Abrams, Noah Kahan, Marcus Mumford and Taylor Swift. 00:00 Welcome to Long Pond 01:03 Sleep Well Beast, the first album made here 02:11 Building a studio that lets nature in 05:58 How folklore put Long Pond on the map 06:57 The chance meeting behind Mumford & Sons' Prizefighter 10:38 Taylor Swift's out-of-the-blue text 13:08 "Cardigan" arrives at 3 a.m. 16:49 Making space for artists in the room 19:29 How Aaron starts a song 25:02 Dad's drum set and growing up with twin Bryce 28:44 Music as a refuge 30:21 Where does music come from? 34:35 Producing without "peeing on a tree" 38:46 Chasing hits vs. the "ugly ducklings" 42:24 Meeting Gracie Abrams and writing in the room 46:25 Pop pressure and making "That's So True" 50:55 "I still feel like a kid" 53:05 What's inspiring Aaron now New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

A few years ago, my daughter shared a song with me and said, “You need to listen to this band.” I've been a fan of MUNA ever since. Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson came together in college at USC back in 2013, and have since built a devoted following. The indie pop trio has supported Harry Styles, Kacey Musgraves, & Taylor Swift on tour. We spoke about their fourth album, “Dancing on The Wall,” mental health, taking creative risks, and why bands still matter. 00:00 Introduction 01:31 Meet MUNA 01:43 Are Bands a Dying Breed? 04:09 The Band as a Mental Health Support System 05:21 The New Album: Dancing on the Wall 09:06 How MUNA Came Together at USC 12:33 Katie's Origin Story & Naomi Becomes the Producer 16:04 Early Validation 26:50 Conflict, Creative Process & Working Alone 31:37 Katie's Solo Project & the "Open Marriage" of a Band 35:25 Friendship vs. the Band – MUNA vs. boygenius 37:07 What Does Music Give Each of You? 49:44 Drive, Ambition & the Need to Be Seen 53:09 Building Community and the Song "So What" 55:17 Getting Dropped by Their Label 58:41 "Silk Chiffon," Artistic Integrity & Taking Risks 1:01:29 Signing the Guest Book New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

On this week’s episode, we’re catching up with an old friend. Ben Schwartz is on tour with his improv show “Ben Schwartz and Friends.” He’s voicing Sonic in the upcoming fourth film in the “Sonic the Hedgehog” series. And he’s just completed a passion project – a new TV series that he’s written, directed and stars in based on his popular Funny or Die web series “The Earliest Show.”  00:00 Intro 01:06 Four improv shows in two days 03:03 Walking onstage with no plan 05:42 How to escape a dying scene 07:22 Listening, callbacks and four empty chairs 11:19 Ben interviews Anthony 13:00 What he learned as a Letterman page 14:27 The pre-show ritual 16:38 Why stand-up felt lonely 19:25 FLAG Art Foundation 20:29 The Earliest Show: making TV independently 25:41 Betting his own time and money 30:03 Selling 13 scripts and getting none made 35:48 How to keep hope alive 39:20 Why Anthony started Alchemy 44:42 Sonic the Hedgehog 4 46:44 Finding comfort in '90s movies 48:06 "Creativity eats darkness" New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

Our guest this episode, Nile Rodgers, has left an indelible mark on American music, as a guitarist, producer, and leader of the band Chic. Nile was just named one of the “30 Greatest Living American Songwriters” by the New York Times. He co-wrote the #1 hits “Good Times,” and “Le Freak,” for Chic. Nile also co-wrote “Get Lucky” with Daft Punk, “Let’s Dance” with David Bowie, “I’m Coming Out” for Diana Ross, and “We Are Family” for Sister Sledge. And his life has been as incredible as his musical catalogue.  0:00 Introduction 1:17 Diana Ross, "Upside Down," and "I'm Coming Out" 5:04 Working with Diana Ross 6:16 On songwriting: "I'm a good song rewriter" 8:32 The most Nile Rodgers song: "Everybody Dance" 9:27 The guitar lesson that changed everything 12:44 The art of chucking 14:09 Meeting Bernard Edwards 16:03 Growing up on the Lower East Side 18:00 His mother, his father, and a "variation on a Mormon theme" 21:50 A Thanksgiving Day drug overdose 23:47 Sponsor break – The FLAG Art Foundation  25:43 Writing songs alone on the NYC subway 27:13 Nina Simone's last concert 30:27 How his life shaped his music 31:54 Chic's success and why he didn't want to be out front  37:14 First big concert – 70,000 people and a Heineken 39:08 The night his heart stopped six times 44:27 What makes him such a great collaborator 46:40 Working with Bowie on "Let's Dance" 47:51 Being labeled a "disco producer" and proving them wrong 50:05 Still going strong at 73 New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

Tom Morello is one of the great guitarists of our time, known for his epic albums with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. We talk about his many collaborations, with Chris Cornell, Bruce Springsteen, and now his 15-year-old son, Roman, on Tom's latest record, “Everyone Gets Everything They Want.” 00:00 Intro 01:02 Tom's first solo rock album after 22 records 02:02 Writing with his son Roman 05:44 Failed guitar lessons and the Sex Pistols 07:27 The Clash and "The future is unwritten" 08:45 Practicing 8 hours a day at Harvard 12:29 Finding his signature sound by accident 14:39 Lock Up, Geffen, and a vow to play only what he believes in 15:55 Growing up in Libertyville and his mother 19:13 Meeting his father, the Kenyan ambassador 27:21 Bruce Springsteen and "The Ghost of Tom Joad" 32:36 Chris Cornell and the birth of Audioslave 36:53 A word from the FLAG Art Foundation 37:44 The Nightwatchman and his most personal songs 41:42 Black Sabbath's farewell and why metal hooked him 44:36 The Power to the People festival 47:03 Why he's not slowing down 48:35 Guitar solos and "Holy Spirit" moments New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

Our guest this episode, Sam Smith, is one of the most popular singers in the world. Sam's music has more than 57 billion streams. We first met in 2014 in Sam's hometown in England, when their debut album was just blowing up. Now, a dozen years later, Sam came to my home to talk about their stunning fifth album, "Hazel Eyes." 00:00 "That's where I sat with you" 00:32 Welcome to Alchemy 02:13 A queer love album — and a radical one 03:51 Leaving the pop factory 05:08 The pressure of being a billion-stream artist 07:14 Inside "Thief" 12:08 A private relationship with singing 13:31 Church, gospel, and singing alone 14:33 Vocal surgery, cancelled arenas, and stage fear 17:20 The field in the countryside 19:34 Going back to school in 2014 22:14 Becoming a New Yorker 25:21 The Met Gala, and fashion as armor 31:22 The songs Sam won't sing anymore 35:35 Panic and an overactive imagination 37:10 The letter from Tom Petty 43:56 Pronouns, backlash, and being a political artist 48:10 The Pink House 50:32 Sam Served: the food vlog 54:05 How Sam handles the flak 56:08 What music gives Sam now New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.

One of my favorite singers, Sara Bareilles, is our guest this episode. Sara's released five top 10 albums, written the music and lyrics for the hit Broadway show "Waitress," and starred in a Sondheim musical. She's back with her first new studio album in seven years, "Good Grief," and it's a beauty. 00:00 Intro 01:03 Juggling an album, a tour, a film and a musical 03:24 "Good Grief": an album born from loss 05:20 How "Forever" became a song for Gavin Creel 07:12 Morning pages and The Artist's Way 09:33 How writing Waitress changed her songwriting 12:42 Asking big questions without answers 14:17 "Capsize Me": a letter to God 16:41 "Wind Is The Weather" and feeling out at sea 19:05 Letting go of control in the studio 22:06 Finding herself in the music industry 26:05 Why being "somewhere in the middle" served her 27:41 A word from The FLAG Art Foundation 28:50 Jennifer Nettles and the musical that never was 31:01 Adapting "The Interestings" for the stage 33:58 Saying yes to Girls5eva 36:43 Working through anxiety 37:42 Grief is love 42:48 Putting lost friends into songs 44:13 Staying on the growth edge 46:36 Her first time on a Broadway stage 49:20 The chimney video that went viral New episodes of Alchemy every Wednesday. Follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and ⁠YouTube⁠ so you never miss one. ⁠Sign up here⁠ to get Alchemy in your inbox⁠. Stay connected with Anthony Mason on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠, ⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠ & ⁠Facebook⁠. For brand partnerships: [email protected] For press inquiries: [email protected] For bookings: [email protected] About our Founding Sponsor, ⁠⁠The FLAG Art Foundation⁠⁠: The FLAG Art Foundation is a nonprofit contemporary art exhibition space in New York's Chelsea Arts District. Since 2008, FLAG has staged more than 100 exhibitions celebrating nearly 1,000 artists, with innovative partnerships including the Parrish Art Museum, the Serpentine Galleries in London, and the Harlem Children's Zone. FLAG is free and open to the public. Follow FLAG on ⁠Instagram⁠⁠. About Anthony Mason: Anthony Mason, the host of Alchemy, is also a Special Correspondent with CBS News. One of the most versatile and experienced television journalists, Anthony co-hosted CBS This Morning: Saturday for seven years (2012-2019), and then the weekday CBS This Morning broadcast for two more. But he may be best known for his interviews with artists like Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Annie Leibovitz, Judi Dench, David Hockney, and André 3000. He has won a dozen Emmy Awards. In 2023, the Songwriters Hall of Fame presented him their Patron of the Arts Award. And for the past three years he has hosted the GRAMMY Hall of Fame Gala.