Rephonic
Artwork for Broken Record

Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond

Pushkin Industries
Songwriting
Music Industry
Rock Music
R&B
Stevie Wonder
Jazz
Grammy Awards
Music Production
Pushkin Industries
Hip Hop
Country Music
Mental Health
Los Angeles
Will Smith
Deftones
Life & Times
The Light For Days
Chicago
FKA Twigs
Musical Collaboration

Music and storytelling meet on Broken Record, where artists across genres and generations sit down to explore the joy, chaos, and vulnerability of creating—and what it means to devote a life to music. From legendary icons to groundbreaking new voices, each episode captures artists in conversation sharing the inspirations and experiences that shape their craft.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes428Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CultureMusic

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Artwork for Broken Record

Latest Episodes

My friend W. Kamau Bell has a new show out, Who's With Me?. Known for having conversations about the issues that divide, enrage, and confuse us, Kamau sits down with someone he admires to give them their flowers, ask his most burning questions, and i... more

Melissa Auf der Maur came of age in Montreal's bohemian art scene in the '80s and early '90s, at the very moment that alternative rock was becoming the defining sound of a generation. Through an unlikely chain of events, her band Tinker landed an ope... more

Today we're revisiting a conversation with acclaimed British guitarist Johny Marr. Marr started playing guitar as a young teenager growing up in Manchester. When he turned 15 he dropped out of school and moved to London to join the band Sister Ray.

more

Joe Jackson showed up in the late '70s UK New Wave scene, all nervous energy and biting wit, with hits like "Is She Really Going Out with Him?" putting him in the same conversation as Elvis Costello and Squeeze. But where a lot of his peers stayed in... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Life of the Record
Life of the RecordLife of the Record / Talkhouse

Recent Guests

Johnny Marr
Guitarist known for The Smiths and extensive collaborations
Musician
Episode: Rewind: Johnny Marr
Joe Jackson
Guest musician discussed in interview
Musician (Joe Jackson)
Episode: Joe Jackson
Ed O'Brien
British musician, guitarist of Radiohead
Radiohead
Episode: Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien
Phillip Bailey
Vocalist of Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire
Episode: Earth, Wind & Fire
Ralph Johnson
Singer-percussionist of Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire
Episode: Earth, Wind & Fire
Verdine White
Bass player of Earth, Wind & Fire
Earth, Wind & Fire
Episode: Earth, Wind & Fire
Carl Newman
Co-founder of The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers
Episode: The New Pornographers
Kathryn Calder
Member of The New Pornographers and collaborator
The New Pornographers
Episode: The New Pornographers
Mopreme Shakur
Rapper, filmmaker, and record producer; brother of 2Pac, author of This Thug's Life
Shakur family / Outlawz / Thug Life
Episode: Mopreme Shakur

Host

Leah Rose (and contributors), Bruce Headlam, Justin Richmond
Core hosts guiding conversations with guests across music, production, and storytelling.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 7.5k ratings
  • Broken records

    MusicNew said that while it would take the company some time before just a few days before making revisions of a proposed merger agreement for its existing business line and a plan that will make a big impact for both companies and its customers and new businesses that would help them grow the company out there is still much work that could go ahead in a year to be put to rest over time for new customers and the future plans to emerge as well in terms to market the future of their business as ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    city Cody pass
    United States3 months ago
  • Best Music Podcast. But one criticism

    I love Broken Record. I find it so insightful. I learn so much from my favorite artists, it really is a gift.

    I just played the bonus episode, George Michael - Beyond the Controversy, and thought it missed the mark.

    It glossed over George's music, and betraying the episode title, it dwells too much on the controversial, and iconography bits.

    "Listen Without Prejudice" isn't mentioned at all, and to to many, this was a major album of the era. While the first album had the sales, this seco... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Doug why
    United States3 months ago
  • Bruce Headlam face palm

    Bruce, stop dropping scale terminology every 5 minutes. Audience doesn’t know what you’re referring to (mixolydian) and you’re not impressing someone like Richard Thompson. You don’t know what you’re talking about half the time. Was embarrassed for you in that interview.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    bcsquest
    United States3 months ago
  • Patrick Watson

    I enjoyed that interview and learnt a few things. Patrick nailed what makes Quebec/ Montreal different from other places. 🫶

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mvbjvlkbjlkjo
    Canada4 months ago
  • Where’s Rick?

    Why do you still have Rick Rubin in the title of the show? He hasn’t been on an episode I’m years.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    WatchDaawg
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critique episodes for heavy focus on certain guests or topics and desire more live music snippets.
Many appreciate technical and behind-the-scenes insights into production and songwriting.
Listeners praise deep, thoughtful conversations and strong guest lineups.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#43
United States/Music
Apple Podcasts
#33
United States/Music
Spotify
#33
United Kingdom/Music
Apple Podcasts
#9
Canada/Music
Apple Podcasts
#19
United Kingdom/Music
Spotify
#25
Australia/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Joe Jackson
Q: How do you view your relationship to critics and the idea of being pigeonholed by a genre like new wave?
I believe in following what feels like artistry to me, not in chasing a label; humor and collaboration have always helped keep the work honest.
Joe Jackson
Q: What was your process for assembling a band and shaping the early albums?
I demo the ideas, teach the chords, and collaborate with players, allowing them to contribute parts while keeping final say to maintain a cohesive voice.
Rewind: Johnny Marr
Q: How did you approach learning and growing as a guitarist over the years?
Marr describes a lifelong, obsessive immersion in guitar—from early records and live listening to deliberate practice and learning from peers and collaborators, always aiming to serve the song and the project.
The New Pornographers
Q: What changed in your songwriting between the early days and this new album?
Carl Newman says the writing became more narrative and clearer, aiming for songs that tell stories, while also embracing more personal, reflective themes and evolving his own approach to melody and production.
The New Pornographers
Q: So tell me, first of all, about the name of the new album, and explain that to me, The Former Site Of.
Carl Newman explains that The Former Site Of refers to how towns were uprooted for reservoirs, with buildings moved or razed, and the album uses that idea as a metaphor for change and memory; it also ties into a sense of irony and truth about the band's evolution over the years.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Broken Record

What is Broken Record about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Music-focused interview series that pairs legendary collaborators with contemporary artists to explore creativity, collaboration, and the evolving music industry. Episodes span songwriting craft, production techniques, and the storytelling behind iconic records, with occasional live performances and behind-the-scenes career insights. Notable strengths include high-profile guests, thoughtful curatorial conversations, and a consistent emphasis on process, craft, and the human side of making music. Potential listeners should enjoy deep-dive artist conversations, production retrospectives, and candid career reflections across genres from rock to pop to hip-hop. A standout trait is the show's ability to balance intimate artist portraits with bro... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Broken Record?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Broken Record:

1. Tetragrammaton with Rick Rubin
2. Song Exploder
3. The Questlove Show
4. Rolling Stone All Access
5. Life of the Record

How many episodes of Broken Record are there?

Broken Record launched 9 years ago and published 428 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Broken Record?

Recent guests on Broken Record include:

1. Johnny Marr
2. Joe Jackson
3. Ed O'Brien
4. Phillip Bailey
5. Ralph Johnson
6. Verdine White
7. Carl Newman
8. Kathryn Calder

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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