Life of the Record

In our latest episode, Natasha Khan Bat for Lashes describes the looping mistake that led to her writing “What’s a Girl to Do?”
Full FUR AND GOLD deep dive at lifeoftherecord.com

Life of the Record Classic albums, told by the people who made them.

Who wants to hear Michael Rother on a podcast talking about the making of the first Neu! album?

For the 20th anniversary of the debut Bat for Lashes album, FUR AND GOLD, we spoke to Natasha Khan and producer David Kosten about how it was made. Recording outside, baroque instruments meet lo-fi MIDI sounds and a clear and uncompromising vision.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/bat-for-las...

I finally got around to listening to this beautiful revisitation of a record that meant so much to me 20 years ago (and still does)

In our latest episode, Jim James of @mymorningjacket.bsky.social describes the thrill of finishing their album Z, but dreading that "it's not as good as Nirvana."
Full track-by-track conversation: lifeoftherecord.com#/my-morning-...

The Making of PSYCHOCANDY by The Jesus and Mary Chain - featuring Jim Reid and William Reid For the 40th anniversary of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s landmark debut album, Psychocandy, we take a detailed look at how it was made. Growing up in East Kilbride, Scotland, brothers William and Jim…

Chanced upon this (North American) podcast called Life of the Record where they go through a "classic" album with the artists involved.

This one from last September features The Jesus and Mary Chain reminiscing in depth over Psychocandy, its recording and memories of them days.

For the 20th anniversary of @mymorningjacket.bsky.social’s Z, we spoke to Jim James about how it was made. Recording outside of Louisville, bringing in new sounds & band members, struggling with depression and the pressure of trying to make a great record.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/my-morning-...

Thanks for listening in 2025! Back with new episodes soon…

Essential podcast for all Feelies fans!

Cannot recommend this podcast episode enough to all you #Feelies fans out there. Learn what they're really shouting in the title track - because it's not "Crazy Rhythms!"

An amazing recap of another great year of one of the best podcasts anywhere.

Check it out, and catch up before the next round of brilliant shows starts dropping in January.

Lastly, we took a break from covering albums and focused on The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York," one of the all-time great Christmas songs. It was amazing to hear Steve Lillywhite, Jem Finer and James Fearnley describe the song's journey. (12/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/the-pogues/

Peter Bjorn and John's WRITER'S BLOCK was an unlikely success story. We loved getting to hear Peter Morén, Björn Yttling and John Eriksson recount how they nearly ended the band, recorded on the cheap and still managed to reach a global audience. (11/12) lifeoftherecord.com#/peter-bjorn...

The final Smog album, A RIVER AIN'T TOO MUCH TO LOVE, represents a fascinating shift in Bill Callahan's music. For the 20th anniversary, Bill generously described his process and how a change of scenery and guitar style led to a new path forward. (10/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/smog/

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (S/T) is an interesting snapshot of early 2000s indie rock. Speaking with Alec Ounsworth about unlikely success, being labeled "blog rock" and remaining independent was such a thrill. (9/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/clap-your-h...

Mutt Lange's production work is one of the defining sounds of the 1980s. We loved getting to chat with @GrammLou about Foreigner's classic album, 4, and how Lange was the right producer in helping them pare down and update their sound for the 80s. (8/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/foreigner/

We had so much fun chatting with Stars about their breakthrough album, SET YOURSELF ON FIRE. This was such a heartfelt conversation where Torquil Campbell, Amy Millan, Evan Cranley and Chris Seligman discussed this dramatic moment for the band. (7/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/stars/

The Feelies' CRAZY RHYTHMS is one of the most unique albums of the 1980s. What a treat it was to speak with Glenn Mercer and Bill Million about their early connection and staying true to their vision as suburban outsiders to the NYC punk scene. (6/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/the-feelies/

Sharon Van Etten's TRAMP album was such a turning point for her, as well as for producer, Aaron Dessner. It was inspiring to hear about this period in Brooklyn where they could rely on their community of musician friends to help make a great record. (5/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/sharon-van-...

Another big idea that worked was the @brighteyesband.bsky.social album, I'm WIDE AWAKE, IT'S MORNING. Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis describe this pivotal moment when they pushed themselves to make something classic, in the tradition of 1970s folk albums. (4/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/bright-eyes/

Speaking of big swings, the @titus-andronicus.bsky.social album, THE MONITOR, was intended to be the rock album of the century. It was amazing to hear Patrick Stickles talk through his process of making a concept album framed around the American Civil War. (3/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/titus-andro...

To kick off the year, we had so much fun talking with Andy Hull of @manchesterorch.bsky.social about MEAN EVERYTHING TO NOTHING. Their 2nd album was such a make or break moment for the band and it was inspiring to hear all of the personal details behind it.(2/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/manchester-...

A recap of our 2025 episodes. One big highlight was chatting with Jim Reid and William Reid of @themarychain.bsky.social about their iconic debut album. PSYCHOCANDY was so ahead of its time and it was a thrill to hear all that went into making it. (1/12)
lifeoftherecord.com#/the-jesus-a...

Absoute standout episode of @lifeoftherecord.bsky.social recovers the many stories behind The Pogues' "Fairytale of New York"

lifeoftherecord.com#/the-pogues/

This is a gem of an episode!

Life of the Record does it again with my all-time favorite Christmas song! Who knew that Once Upon a Time in America, Ennio Morricone, and On the Waterfront were inspirations?

I listened to this while on the Peloton and there's nothing like crying while exercising!

Life of the Record just dropped a present for us all.

ICYMI - For our end of the year episode, we dove deep into the Pogues' Christmas classic, "Fairytale of New York." Hear Steve Lillywhite, Jem Finer and James Fearnley reflect on how the song came together.
Listen: lifeoftherecord.com#/the-pogues/

this is one of my absolute favorite podcasts and i'm so excited to listen to this episode

Life of the Record Life of the Record is a documentary podcast about how iconic albums are made. Featuring the voices of the creators, each episode delves into the writing, recording and touring of a record that became ...

"You cannot say ‘this song’s gonna to be timeless’ because you don’t know. With Fairytale of New York, I think we did make timeless art"—Life of the Record on the Pogues' holiday classic lifeoftherecord.com#/the-pogues/ @lifeoftherecord.bsky.social #drunktank