X96 Meet the Bands: Recent Episodes
Broadway Media
You wanna know the bands? Well, first you have to meet them.
Richie T, Producer and DJ at X96, chats it up with up-and-coming artists that you're just dying to know more about including The 1975, The Neighbourhood, Bastille, Solarsuit, Deap Vally, Twenty One Pilots, Cage The Elephant, and more.
Curious about the origins of band names? How the bands formed? How they feel about cats? Yup. That's all here.
Todd Nuke'em chatted with Mike Shinoda about putting together the 20th anniversary of Linkin Park's 2nd album, "Meteora" and about his new track, "In My Head" that was made for Scream VI.
Todd Nuke'em talked with Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode back in October of 2021 about his latest album “Imposter” with his band Gahan & Soulsavers. The album was released on November 12th, 2021.
Todd Nuke'em talks with The Killers' Brandon Flowers about touring with Johnny Marr, The Killers' new sing, "Boy", and getting back on the road. | X96 Utah's Original Alternative
-Lovelytheband on No Spaces in the Name: “We were trying to think of ways to write the name, and we thought it looked simple and clean”
-Lovelytheband on the album and what’s coming: We’re really proud of it, and glad it’s released finally and we just started our first headline tour”
-Lovelytheband on Headlining: :It’s exciting, and it’s good to have in finally be our show and have time to make the show that we want to make”
-Lovelytheband on their Motivating Mantra: “Remember when you wanted what you currently have”
-Bear Hands on Salt Lake City: “I genuinely love Salt Lake City, and it’s obviously a very beautiful place. We’ve had so many fun shows there and can’t wait to get back.”
-Bear Hands on playing intimate shows: “I always prefer to play in intimate settings. It’s just so much more fun to have people lean into you, sweating”
-Bear Hands on their new music video: “The idea for the video was basically to see how many costumes you could put on in a car, while keeping it fun and interesting. We were going for a costume record”
-Bear Hands on Growing Up: “I spent my entire life in Connecticut, so I felt like it was time for a change to be out here [in Los Angeles]”
-Bear Hands on Mixed Feelings for songs: “I think there’s usually at least one song per record that you’re going to have mixed feelings about, so I just try to ignore it and exclude the song from live sets”
-Awolnation on Richie: “’Richie’ has a little more of a party aspect than just ‘Richard.’ Richard would be more of your substitute teacher, but Richie would hand out beers”
-Awolnation on Utah Connections: “My wife has family in Utah, and that’s the cool thing about music and traveling to play music, is you get to see all sorts of family members that you wouldn’t get the chance to see otherwise”
-Awolnation on Playing Utah: Every time we play Utah, I feel like kids know how to really appreciate when bands come through there, and they seem to want to let loose. It’s always an honor to play there, and it’s so beautiful.”
-Awolnation on Whats Coming Next: “I promise any of our fans that they will be happy with a couple small tastes of what’s to come”
-Albert Hammond Jr on Reading Negative Comments: “There’s a lot of discipline in separating yourself from it. My interaction with people at a live show is [far more important] because everything else, you really have no control over”
-Albert Hammond on his Best Friend: “In high school, I had one best friend and we did everything together. My personality is one that enjoys a few good things, as opposed to many mediocre things.”
-Albert Hammond on The Strokes: “From early on our idea was to be a rock group, but with a pop mentality”
Albert Hammond on previous SLC shows: “I felt it in the dead of winter [opening for The Killers] and I really felt an amazing energy from the crowd”
-Joywave on what Daniel likes: “It’s a very short list. I like coffee, I like hockey a lot, and I spend most of my time making music”
-Joywave’s Daniel on Making Music: “I will write the song, and usually I come up with a skeleton of everyone’s parts. But everybody else is better at playing instruments than I am. I like to think of myself as the [band] president, and not the dictator”
Excited to come back to Utah Jared Leto loves Muselix. We talk Dangerous Night and pink pajama pants.
Pete Wentz takes Fatherhood, activism, their new song "Church" and about Cell phones ruining concerts.
As they approach their twentieth anniversary, CAKE’s adherence to their original guiding principles has only grown stronger. Formed during the nineties as a somewhat antagonistic answer to grunge, CAKE’s democratic processes, defiant self-reliance, and lucid yet ever-inventive music has made them a nation-state unto themselves, with no obvious peers, belonging to no school. In addition to writing, arranging, producing, and performing their own music, they have taught themselves to engineer their recording projects in their own solar-powered studio, which actually generates more power than is needed to run it, causing the building’s electrical meter to run in reverse. CAKE’s most recent album, Showroom of Compassion, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and was touted as “deadpan brilliance” by the New Yorker. The band is currently in the recording studio working on their ninth album due for release in 2017.
Will Toledo always knew he would return to Twin Fantasy. He never did complete the work. Not really. Never could square his grand ambitions against his mechanical limitations. Listen to his first attempt, recorded at nineteen on a cheap laptop, and you’ll hear what Brian Eno fondly calls “the sound of failure” -thrilling, extraordinary, and singularly compelling failure. Will’s first love, rendered in the vivid teenage viscera of stolen gin, bruised shins, and weird sex, was an event too momentous for the medium assigned to record it.
This space doubles as a creative lab for the three brothers of the critically acclaimed three-piece AJR—Adam[bass, vocals], Jack[vocals, guitar], and Ryan[ukulele, piano, vocals]. It’s here that these young men assemble a handcrafted hybrid of sticky pop hooks, cinematic electronic beats, live instrumentation,theatrical panache, nineties nerd rock energy,and cleverly colloquial lyrics. This unpredictable homegrown style defines the trio’s second independent full-length offering,The Click and is especially impressive given that RIAA Gold certified lead single “Weak” has achieved viral success.
Alice Merton signs with Mom + Pop Music! Her single "No Roots" has already captured an immense amount of attention with millions of global plays on Spotify and YouTube.
At the age of five she started taking classical piano lessons, four years later she was introduced to vocal training. After spending many years being classically trained, Alice discovered the art of songwriting through one of her high school courses in Germany. She then went on to study songwriting and pursue her dream of becoming a professional singer/songwriter.
K.Flay has been nominated for two GRAMMY® nominations for Best Rock Song ("Blood In The Cut")and Best Engineered Album.
The first ever Facebook Live/Ask Your Questions Meet The Bands with IDKHow But they Found Me
Dashboard has a new album, Crooked Shadows, and a new single We Fight. Hear all about it.
Our friend Jared Leto (actor, director, and Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman) wants to include you in his new project, A Day in the Life of America.
Brand New Music from the band MUSE.
Richie T got to speak with Chris Wolstenholme about Dig Down and MUSE's up coming tour.
It's long awaited and has been kept VERY hush.
Jack Antonoff loves Salt Lake City. He's glad he's not Jack Abramoff. It's time to take him/bleachers serious. See him at the Gallivan Plaza May 24th 2017. Tickets at SmithsTix.com
Richie T was honored to interview the lead vocalist for Deftones, Chino Moreno. Richie begins the interview telling Chino the intense story of his experience with his cousin during Deftones’ visit to SLC in 1998 at the Warp Tour concert. It would be the last day Richie spent with his cousin, who passed away that very night, unexpectedly. Chino was moved and blown away by this story, giving condolences and relating to his pain of having lost someone close. Richie then takes the conversation into a lighter tone, asking Chino if Deftones has a regular process for making music, talks about their 30 years together, as well as gets the juicy details on touring with White Zombie and the legendary Pantera.
Richie T meets with Daniel Zott (Formerly known as Dale Earnhardt Jr Jr) and talks about new album, babysitting, and upcoming music.
Richie T talked with Dashboard Confessional’s lead singer, Chris Carabba, who is currently touring with the 2016 Rockstar Taste of Chaos tour. Richie and Chris discuss the Salt Lake music scene and how the LDS religion influences a love for music. Chris talks about his writing process for new music and record for Dashboard Confessional and talks production rehearsal for the Taste of Chaos tour. Richie teaches Chris about funeral potatoes. Dashboard Confessional will be coming to Salt Lake along with the Taste of Chaos tour July 7th.
Richie T Steadman was able to keep Connor Mason, lead singer for Nothing But Thieves, awake through an interview! Conner discusses his struggle with insomnia, traveling across the states, as well as his excitement to play in new territory. The Big Ass Show hosted by X96 on May 7th, 2016, was the first time Nothing But Thieves played in Salt Lake City. Conner goes over the festivals he will perform this summer, and talks about the nerve racking but honorable opportunity Nothing But Thieves will get from opening for RadioHead in Japan this year.
Richie T talked with Awolnation’s lead singer, Aaron Bruno, who will perform at this year’s Big Ass Show on Saturday, May 7th, 2016. Richie and Bruno spend some time reminiscing about Richie’s first band interview being with Aaron Bruno 3 years ago, and Bruno taking the time to skateboard the hills of SLC that same day. Bruno also discusses his frustration with going to college, being creative rather promotional, and the purpose of Awolnation’s most recent album "Run", released March 17th, 2015, being an album they created and devoted to the fans.
Richie T chats with Dave Ritter about the recent success The Strumbellas are experiencing, what it's like being in a "bigger" band, and what people can expect at the 2016 X96 Toyota Big Ass Show
Richie T got a little nostalgic interviewing The Offspring’s Dexter Holland! The Offspring was Richie’s last concert before leaving to serve a two-year LDS mission, and Dexter Holland himself was Richie’s very first interview for X-96 all those years ago. Richie and Dexter chatted about The Offspring’s new song, Coming For You, and how iconic the band’s music has been in alternative music and the soundtrack to life experiences for many listeners. They also talked a little about Dexter’s new hot sauce, “Gringo Bandito.” Check it out!
John Smith got all Judy Jetson when Foo Fighter's bassits, Nate Mendal called in to chat about getting on a plane for the first time to play a show in Utah, Foo's new album "Sonic Highways", his favorite city from recording the album and being a sandwich artist.
Richie T catches up with Dan and Kyle from Bastille about new music, crashing Woody's honeymoon, and coming back to the U.S.
Richie T talked with Isaiah Silva from Big Ass Show 2014 artist The Eeries about their single "Cool Kids", band origins, and growing up in a cult.
Richie T talked with Fieldy from KoЯn about his aversion to heat, being a band for so long, and how the band was almost called Larry.
Ellis Ludwig-Leone, the brain behind San Fermin, sat down with Richie T before their show at Salt Lake's Twilight Concert Series. He explains what San Fermin means, (how to pronounce it), and if Richie can join the band as the 9th member.
Richie T talks with Noodles from The Offspring about his nickname, favorite songs to play live, and what's still on his Bucket list of places to play.
Richie T talked with Andy Tongren of Young Rising Sons about the success of their single "High", achieving the dream of being signed to a record label, and produce inspiring songs.
Richie T talks with Brandon and Kyle from Big Ass Show 2014 artist Priory about their house being condemned, being a horse ferrier, and their star-crossed paths.
Mercedes of Courage My Love talks to Richie T at Warped Tour about where her band name comes from and what her next daredevil challenge will be.
Hannes & Maik of German electro-pop group Captain Capa paint a picture of the German music scene for us Americans. Did you know Germany has a killer electro-punk scene? Truth! Get edu-ma-cated.
Hector and Zach stopped by our Warped Tour tent and told us the story of how Hector ended up moving from Brazil to America...and left his monkey behind. (He really did have a monkey as a pet.)
Jeff of Divided Heaven shares how his experiences studying abroad in Berlin helped shape his music, gives tips on how to survive Warped Tour, and admits to fangirling about another Warped Tour band...tune in to find out who!
David from For All Those Sleeping helps Richie figure out the appropriate amount of chest hair, tells us about doing the Australian Warped Tour, and why you shouldn't get his handwriting tattooed on you.
Jordan of The Ready Set showed up at our Warped Tour tent in a gentlemanly hat and Jackie O glasses to talk to us about other Warped bands we should know, his upcoming headlining tour, and then Richie turns travel agent to give Jordan tips on how to vacation in Maui.
Tay from We Are The In Crowd chats with Richie at Warped Tour 2014 about being part of a triplet, their third year at Warped, and going to the Philippines on tour.
Bennett & Dave from Crown The Empire talk about how Dave came to be the band barber, what they’re favorite pizza toppings are, how they stay in shape on the tour, and where they’re off to after Warped Tour.
Pat and Kennedy from The Maine talk to Richie T at Warped Tour 2014 about how to stay clean and well-showered on Warped Tour, and why their fans are pretty much the best ever.
All four of the guys from L.A. band Bad Suns - Ray, Gavin, Christo, and Miles - met up with Richie T in a claustrophobic back room stacked to the brim with VHS tapes at Kilby Court to update us on their latest tour. They tell us about what they like to do when they get spare time, the Zia symbol that is their band logo, and what part of the body they wash first in the shower...
The endearing Dan Lambton of Real Friends chats with Richie about the South Suburbs of Chicago, the moment he heard his band would go on Warped Tour (in a bathroom), and his favorite Warped Tour memories as a kid.
Richie T talks with The Protomen at Vans Warped tour about wearing full makeup, the band name, and the music scene in Nashville.
Kelcey, Ryan, and Nik sit down on an inflatable couch with Richie before their show at the Twilight Concert Series in Salt Lake City. They explain why they were the hardest working band of 2013, how they treat the new guy (Nik), tease us about writing for album 3, and tell us what they're most looking forward to when they finally go home.
Derek Sanders of Mayday Parade shows off all his arm bracelets from fans, an upcoming tour, and what it's like being Warped Tour veterans.
Ryan Key of Yellowcard tells all about the next Yellowcard album, Lift A Sail. It'll be a "bona fide rock record", he says.
Richie talks with Shawn from SurviveThis! about being on Warped Tour, Utah, and writing music that helps people.
Joey and Christian of Anberlin explain why they're "calling it quits". Don't worry, they still love each other!
Kelen Capener of The Story So Far talks with Richie about Warped Tours of the past and the future direction of the Tour.
Richie T talked with Roger from Less Than Jake at the Vans Warped Tour about being on Warped Tour again, their new generation of fans, and keeping the shows interesting.
Echosmith sits down with Richie T for their second time at Warped Tour. We catch up with where Echosmith has been over the last year (on Conan!) and what's on the horizon.
Provo band, Sea Swallowed Us Whole caught up with Richie T at Warped Tour 2014 to tell us how they won the local competition for Warped Tour, how their set went, and why they picked such a tongue-twister of a band name.
In preparation for a string of Warped Tour interviews we'll be doing this weekend, here's a throwback to our interview with the young 'uns from Echosmith at Warped 2013. The family band tells us how they formed, what "Echosmith" means to them, and what it's like balancing music and school - true teen rockstars.
Daniel “Tich”, Brad, Matt, and Lincoln of Cage The Elephant sat down with Richie T in-person last fall and gave us a step-by-step account of their rise to fame from Bowling Green, Kentucky, all the way over the the U.K., then back to the U.S.
Richie T talks with Sam, Alex, Justine, Joey and Gabe on their first night opening for Panic! At The Disco about their new album, graduating college, and taxidermy foxes.
Mickey Church of White Arrows endures Richie singing "Oh Mickey You're So Fine" and Richie's musing on the possible resurgence of the keytar. Yes the keytar. Regarding information that's actually relevant to the band, Mickey tells us about the first song he ever wrote, and why he wears his "Mickey Minaj" wig on stage.
Troupe Gammage of SPEAK explains the Pros and Cons of being an Austin-based band, the difficulty in getting the opening synth tone for "Gates", and which band he totally fangirls over.
Richie talks with Judas Priest about their new album "Redeemer of Souls", "Dragonaut", and what it's like to be in a band for so long.
Kimball and Coleman of Red Yeti call Richie from their work to tell us about recording their latest EP, how being religious is rock 'n' roll, and where their band name comes from (along with other band names that were in the running).
Richie talks with Emil from Annasaid about their new album "Rite De Passage", putting the band back together, and naming the band after a girl who had no musical talent.
Charlie of Miniature Tigers talks to Richie T about the "blissed out" Jamaican vibes where the band recorded their latest album - Cruel Runnings, boneless chicken pizza, keeping Austin weird, and a reminiscence about things that used to be the s%*#.
Matt O'Keefe of The Orwells takes us behind the scenes on writing "Who Needs You" and "The Righteous One". Plus, he gives us a few tips on other local Chicagoan bands to keep an eye on.
Sam Harris of X Ambassadors talks to Richie for the third time, and this time, their relationship gets real. Richie tries to break up with him midway through but Sam just won't allow it. But in case your not in it for the romance, they also talk about X Ambassador's smash hit, "Jungle" featuring Jamie N Commons and even Jay-Z.
Richie talks with The Lost Boys about their upcoming EP, "Sleepless Nights", going on Warped Tour, and peanut butter.
Bryan Sammis (Olivver) gets real with Richie about splitting from the Neighbourhood, clubbing - Poetry Clubbing that is - and his latest track, "Revvival".
Matt Bigland of Dinosaur Pile-Up explains where the (epic) band name comes from, their American influences, and what he's doing on the album cover...
Richie talks with Brendan and Michael Hoye about re-releasing their album "Tears You Apart", their writing process and being a "band of brothers".
Peter Kirk of Panama Wedding tells Richie about growing up in Oyster Bay, the songwriting process, and what to look forward to from Panama Wedding.
Nick Hexum of 311 sets up a dinner date with Richie. Then once that's out of the way, they discuss the new album, Stereolythic, and what Nick would be doing if he wasn't playing music.
Landon of Sir Sly talks to Richie about singles "Gold" and "Ghost", how it all began in a church, and the future of the band.
Richie talks with Mark and Erik from Junior Prom about "Sheila Put The Knife Down", OkCupid, an old drunk guy naming their band, and plans for their debut album.
Caleb and Georgia Nott, the brother-sister duo behind BROODS talk to Richie about their single "Bridges", creepy fans, and how chickens figure in to the band name.
Jack Antonoff talks about his new band Bleachers, "I Wanna Get Better", and creating a phone hotline in the 21st century.
Salt Lake high schoolers, Solarsuit, came down to the studio to tell Richie T about how they formed and gave us the scoop on their debut album, Alpha - Omega.
Kyle Henderson of Utah band Desert Noises woke up just to talk to Richie about touring, old band names, and their singles "Shiver" and "Out of My Head".
The infamous Alex Turner gives Richie T the Arctic Monkeys basics and the down low on "Do I Wanna Know?"
Richie T talks with Maya Tuttle from The Colourist about their hit "Little Games", high school girl bands, and their love for Morgan Freeman's voice.
Nikki, Matt, & Eric conference call Richie to talk about their Tunnel Vision EP, high school bands, and the cannibalistic writing process.
Richie T talks with Quinn from The Used about crossing the boarder to Canada, their writing process, and "Revolution".
Alan Wilkis, the mastermind behind the group Big Data, talks technology, satire, pronunciation, paranoia, and internet devotion with Richie T.
Dan Croll talks with Richie T about Liverpool, the Beatles, trying out new instruments, his single "From Nowhere", and karaoke!
Richie T sits down with Danny from KONGOS to talk about growing up in South Africa, accordions, and the band name.
Michael Ian Cummings of Manhattan band SKATERS calls Richie from the road to tell us about how the band met, their single "Deadbolt", working as bartenders, and creating an ode to the 9-to-5 Job.
Lindsey Troy of Deap Vally dishes about their debut album, Sistrionix, and instructs us on how to roast gummy worms over a campfire.
Richie T sits down with Justin from Blue October again to talk about their new single "Sway", and how Justin met his wife.
Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! (note: first band to use punctuation cc: Panic! and fun.) takes the time to tell Richie about starting out in church bands, their singles "Unconditional Love" and "Against Me", and how she reaches out as a transgender role model.
Richie T talks to "Dirty J" of Dirty Heads about saving baby sealsin Alaska, a symphony dedicated to weed, and their upcoming album.
Richie talks with Cam about their exciting news, moving to LA, and the Haunted Hollywood sign.
Elaine Bradley, the drummer of Neon Trees, spills the beans on the upcoming album Pop Psychology!
Nora Patterson of New Orleans-based 6-piece, Royal Teeth, calls Richie from the road to endure his awkward advances, talk about their single "Wild" and their The Knives cover "Heartbeats", and to divulge what it's like being in a band of all guys.
Richie T talks with John O'Callaghan from The Maine about recording live to tape, their acoustic EP, and band names.
Zach and Dave of American Authors call Richie from the road to talk about their single "Believer", the anti-stigmatization of banjos, tattoos, and Cher.
Shaun White, Olympic Snowboarder, sits down with Richie T to talk about his awesome band "Bad Things"
Richie talks with Kate Tucker from Kate Tucker and The Sons of Sweden up at the Sundance Film Festival.
Keegan DeWitt of Wild Cub talks with Richie T about his passion for film, how their single "Thunder Clatter" came about, performing on Jimmy Fallon, and their "absolutely meaningless" band name.
Iain Cook of CHVRCHES calls Richie all the way from Glasgow, Scotland to discuss his accent, switching off lead vocalists, and their singles "The Mother We Share" and "Under The Tide".
Christo Bowman of Bad Suns bears Richie's awkward questions about things like what he body part he washes first in the shower, and more serious things like the difficulty of naming their band and their singles "Cardiac Arrest" and "Salt".
Richie T sits down with Nick Hexum of 311 for the second time to discuss his upcoming tour in a Quintet.
Dylan of Bear Hands opens up about the band name, stealing bassists, how the single "Giants" got its title, and why he can't read music.
Dan, Aja, and Rich sit down with Richie before an acoustic set to talk about traveling around the world.
Aja calls in and chats to Richie about her baby - Arrow, family traditions, and their upcoming album - Lead To Light. Meantime, Richie falls in love...
Richie talks to Sam Harris for the second time (yeah they're pretty much best friends now) about being The Sax Man, the video for "Unconsolable" and...Christmas sweaters?
Aaron Bruno from Awolnation chats sushi, surfing and suburbs of Hollywood with Richie T
Josh Dunn speaks with Richie while walking the streets of Colorado in search of ice cream. Topics include their tour - Trip For Concerts, where the band name came from, and their single "Car Radio".
Richie meets Matt Healy in-person and takes him "down the rabbit hole" - talking about religion, family life, and their video for "Girls".
Matt Healy of The 1975 calls Richie from the Conan O'Brien Show to tell him all about the bands origins, growing up in the small town of Manchester, and their singles "Chocolate" and "Me".
Richie meets with Keith Jeffery for the second time to talk about Lollapalooza and jamming with bands.
Richie sits down with the brothers behind Atlas Genius - Keith & Michael Jeffery - to find out how what the music scene is like in Australia and what it's like playing in a band with your brother.
Sam Harris of X Ambassadors talks to Richie about Beauty and the Beast, his middle school band, and their debut EP - Love Songs Drug Songs - as he walks the streets of New York.
Richie T talks with Mandy, Will, and Etienne of the NYC band, MisterWives. They chat about the band dynamic (mom? wife? husband?), how they met, and their upcoming debut EP - Reflections.
Did you know Brendan was raised Mormon? Yeah. True story. Find out more and listen to a moving acapella rendition of "Popcorn Popping on The Apricot Tree" feat. Brendan, Dallon, and Richie.
The Neighbourhood sits down with Richie T here in Salt Lake City to talk about their rap influences, their two (count 'em, TWO) videos for "Sweater Weather", and their black & white vision.
Kyle of Bastille chats with Richie T about being naked with cats, taking inspiration from film, and their Other People's Heartache Parts I and II mixtapes.