On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Jake Duzsik of HEALTH. Last year’s RAT WARS, their sixth studio album and one of their best, is loaded with menacing bite, noisy gloom, and crushing danceability that points to an apocalyptic future, balancing a bold, ambitious vision with despair. Now, the neo-industrial trio are taking that record out on the road, including an appearance at Download Festival and a date opening for Bring Me the Horizon in June. HEALTH also...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Dylan Schneider. After spending the first part of the year on the road with Nate Smith, Schneider continues to look forward. He recently shared the Bad Decisions EP, which reveals fearless vulnerability in songs like “Daddy Drinks Whiskey” and the title track. Plus, throughout the summer, Schneider has various tour dates with country stars like Scotty McCreery, Kane Brown, and Chris Young, and you can see the full routing...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Reyna Roberts. For the unfamiliar, Roberts is a fast-rising country artist. Last year was huge for the “princess of outlaw country,” as she shared her debut album, Bad Girl Bible, Vol. 1, toured with Reba McEntire, and was featured in the Grammy Museum. The Alabama-bred artist also recently snagged two features on Beyonce’s heel-turn country album Cowboy Carter — her first features ever — on the tracks “Blackbiird” and...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Bea Miller. Since her emergence in 2014, Miller has created frank pop-rock songs that sound massive. It makes total sense when you consider her influences, as she grew up exposed to hundreds of records from her mother, a former vinyl DJ, including the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and Alanis Morissette. Then when she was 12, she experienced a life-altering Paramore concert. Watching Hayley Williams onstage “felt transcendent,”...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Matt Pryor of The Get Up Kids. The Get Up Kids and the New Amsterdams vocalist recently shared a memoir called Red Letter Days, which features backstage stories culled from journal entries between 1990-2000 and rare photographs from the era. Across more than 200 pages, the story follows Pryor coming of age, pursuing dreams of becoming a bonafide musician, and his early days on the road with the Get Up Kids during emo’s...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Tori Kelly. After posting videos on YouTube throughout her teens, Kelly made a proper entrance on the ninth season of American Idol in 2010. Since then, she’s released five studio albums featuring her powerhouse vocals and bagged two Grammys. Her latest,TORI., acts as a successor to her 2023 EP of the same name and taps into 2000s R&B. Additionally, Kelly will head out on her Purple Skies tour this week, and you can see...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Matthew Koma of Winnetka Bowling League. Winnetka Bowling League — a rising indie trio comprising Koma, drummer Kris Mazzarisi, and keyboardist Sam Beresford — are readying the arrival of their long-awaited debut album, Sha La La (out May 31). They’ve already shared the hugely catchy title track, which yearns for days that are long gone in hyperspecific detail, and are preparing for a couple of gigs supporting Waterparks...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Pete Loeffler of Chevelle. Chevelle, the hard-rock duo of brothers Pete and Sam Loeffler, have nine records to their name but still strive to challenge themselves. Having released their most recent album, the conceptual and sci-fi-inspired NIRATIAS in 2021, the band have largely been on the road for the last few years. They’re preparing for a short run in April following their tour with Three Days Grace in 2023. Later this...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. What’s left to be said about Johnson that hasn’t already? He became a formidable name in the WWE throughout the late ’90s and early 2000s before transitioning into the world of film. Since then, he’s seen intense success that’s led to a slew of memorable movies (The Other Guys, Moana). Most recently, he starred as the titular character in Black Adam — a passion project that “disrupts the superhero...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by LA rapper Lefty Gunplay. Lefty Gunplay is a rising rapper out of Baldwin Park who uses raw, witty wordplay to dig into his time in prison, hopes for the future, and pride for his city. He recently shared the single “Cleaner” featuring Rowdy Racks last week, which features both rappers firing off killer flows, exuding unwavering confidence, and proving why they’re unique players of the next generation. Listen to their...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by country singer-songwriter Alexandra Kay. Kay is a viral country star who’s shared stages with Tim McGraw, Clay Walker, and Tracy Lawrence, all before releasing her debut album. That project, All I’ve Ever Known, was shared last October, chronicling her divorce in tender detail. “This album is the most raw, vulnerable, and wide open I have ever been when creating music, which can be terrifying and healing at the same time,”...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Aric Improta. Improta is a Grammy-nominated drummer who plays for the prog-metal band Night Verses and formerly FEVER 333. Beyond his blistering showmanship, Improta often incorporates technology into his playing to push the boundaries of the instrument and reimagine a different future. “The goal is always to feel as possessed by the music as possible. When I see a performer with absolute control, it’s usually impressive but...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Griff. Griff is a U.K. singer-songwriter who cites Jack Antonoff, Imogen Heap, and James Blake as influences. She played only one show supporting her 2019 EP, Mirror Talk, then created the 2021 LP One Foot In Front of The Other in her bedroom during pandemic lockdowns, which shot her to fame. Now, she’s readying the release of her latest single, “miss me too,” which was written in between tours. “I booked a little Airbnb and...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Mike Einziger of Incubus. This past fall, vocalist Brandon Boyd stopped by to discuss the anniversary of their fourth studio album, Morning View, and now Einziger takes a seat across from Madden as the band prepare to release Morning View XXIII — rerecorded songs of the original album — in May. The two also go in-depth about skincare routines while discussing Mother Science, the biotech brand Einziger launched with his...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Southside. Southside is an Atlanta beatmaker and producer who has worked with Drake, Future, and Meek Mill, among others. He co-founded the music production collective 808 Mafia with Lex Luger in 2010, which helped to popularize trap and bring the hip-hop subgenre to new heights. Though he hasn’t released a proper project since 2020’s Demons R Us, he’s kept busy, most recently by sharing “Gimme Dat Lite” with Lil Yachty in...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Kyle Ng. Ng is the co-founder and creative director behind Brain Dead. Founded in 2014, Brain Dead taps into varying subcultures — punk, skateboarding, streetwear — that are reflected in its vivid, one-of-a-kind pieces. The brand also sponsors the hardcore festival Sound and Fury and frequently collaborates with musicians, from veterans (Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers) to up-and-comers (Anxious, GEL). Listen to their...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Petey. You’ve likely seen Petey on TikTok, who’s made his mark creating comedic, surreal videos featuring a rotating cast of characters that he plays himself. He also makes music — his most recent album, USA, came out in the fall — which juxtaposes his viral clips by employing a more serious, introspective headspace and is indebted to growing up listening to pop punk. “I try really hard to do a good job with this incredibly...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Doug Robb of Hoobastank. Having celebrated two decades of their third studio album, The Reason, last year, Hoobastank shared a 20th anniversary version this week. The LP includes a cover of Rod Stewart’s disco hit “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?,” which the band started recording during the making of the record but never finished. Hoobastank will also play a handful of festivals this year across the globe, and you can grab tickets...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach. More than 20 years since their inception, Papa Roach continue to thrive. Their 2000 album Infest seems to grow bigger every year as new people discover songs like “Last Resort” and “Blood Brothers.” They also remain on the road in support of their 2022 LP Ego Trip, including wrapping the second leg of their own Rockzilla tour and supporting Shinedown across the U.S. last year. “I’m not good...

On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by R&B singer Mario. Mario is a legend of 2000s R&B. After adapting Biz Markie’s “Just a Friend” when he was only 15 — which opened his 2002 self-titled album — he soon entered global stardom. Ever since, he’s delved into different lanes, including acting, writing, and independently launching his New Citizen label, and cemented his legacy. Additionally, he released a new single, “Main One,” last summer, which features...

Celebrate 50 episodes of Artist Friendly as Joel Madden is joined by multi-GRAMMY award-winning rapper Lil Wayne. Wayne, who joined Good Charlotte onstage for “Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous” at When We Were Young back in October, has shifted from an off-the-wall rapper — always packing a punchline — to an elder statesman who can still spin woozy bars. After releasing his platinum debut album, Tha Block Is Hot, when he was 17, Wayne continued to make his mark with Tha Carter series,...

This week on Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Gavin Magnus. Magnus has created his own celebrity by uploading absurd videos, from staying in haunted hotels to marrying his crush for 24 hours, across his YouTube and TikTok channels. He’s also shared a slew of captivating covers, which makes the release of his debut EP, BLURRY EYES, all the more special. Produced by John Feldmann, the project features seven songs that range from pop-rock anthems to heart-on-sleeve confessionals. He’ll...

This week on Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by John O'Callaghan of The Maine. The Maine are celebrating a big year. After another unmissable year of Sad Summer, where they headlined (and performed a pretty great cover of Taylor Swift’s “cruel summer”), the band released their ninth studio album, and first self-titled project, in August. They’re also in the midst of touring their Sweet 16, where they’re reflecting on nearly two decades of being a band by performing sets featuring songs...

This week on Artist Friendly, Joel Madden is joined by Patrick Miranda of Movements. Movements are wrapping up a busy year. Following their appearance at this year’s When We Were Young, Movements embarked on an overseas headlining tour with Softcult and Webbed Wing in support of their third studio album, RUCKUS! Through its 10 tracks, the album sees the Southern California post-hardcore crew expanding their sound and taking unexpected turns into pop. Plus, you can grab tickets for their 2024...