Artist Friendly with Joel Madden

On this week’s episode of Artist Friendly, we’re bringing back Joel Madden’s conversation with Bert McCracken of The Used.

Raised in Orem, Utah, McCracken left home at 15 and was still a teenager when he joined the band that became The Used. Their 2002 self-titled debut produced by John Feldmann helped define the early-2000s emo and post-hardcore scene, and both it and 2004’s In Love and Death have since gone platinum. More than two decades later, McCracken, now based in Sydney with his wife and two daughters, stepped out on his own with robbietheused, a self-titled pop album released in October 2024 and again produced by Feldmann. When this conversation took place, the record had just come out.

Joel and Bert dig into the pop music he’s always loved, the difference between the frontman he plays on stage vs. the dad he is at home, how loss & grief have shaped his songwriting, and the harder question of what it means to be happy.

A Mid Summer Night's Symphony: Live at The Sydney Opera House' on Veeps starting November 13th at 6pm PT
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On this week’s episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden sits down with Macy Gray.

Born in Canton, Ohio, Gray took her stage name from a family friend who used to shoot pool at the house. She headed west to study at USC, then was dropped by her first label before her debut could come out and moved back home to pursue teaching. In 1999 she released On How Life Is, a multi-platinum debut that produced “I Try,” the song that won her the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 2001. Since then, she’s sold more than 25 million records across ten studio albums and has been inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in her hometown. Now she’s gearing up for a new album, The Trouble with the Truth, and a tour to match.

In conversation with Joel, Macy digs into what AI and streaming mean for working artists, what “Redemption Song” taught her about freedom on stage, growing up in a Canton steel-town family, and why her parents never saw a music career coming.

(0:00) – When Music Careers Were a New Idea(1:04) – What 'Redemption Song' Means to Macy(7:50) – Staying Sensitive in a Busy City(10:18) – How the Music Industry Has Changed(12:22) – Making Sense of an AI Future(31:44) – Canton Roots and Midnight Radio(40:42) – A Voice Like No Other(47:01) – Acting, Streaming, and Album Plans
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On this week’s episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden sits down with James McAvoy.

Born in Glasgow and raised by his grandparents in the Drumchapel housing estate, McAvoy landed his first screen role at 16 after actor David Hayman visited his school. He went on to become one of Scotland’s most recognizable exports, earning BAFTA nominations for The Last King of Scotland and Atonement, playing Professor Charles Xavier across the X-Men films, and delivering a famously multi-layered performance in M. Night Shyamalan’s Split. Now, more than three decades into his career, he’s stepped behind the camera for the first time with California Schemin’ – a comedy-drama based on the true story of Silibil N’ Brains, the Dundee rap duo who landed a record deal by pretending to be from California. It premiered at TIFF, opened in the UK in April, and arrived in US theaters earlier this month.

Joining Joel in the Artist Friendly studio, James opens up about the difference between loving something and enjoying it, the sacrifices the entertainment industry demands, why stories from working-class communities deserve room for joy and romance, and the reason he’s more interested in chasing the craft than the awards.

(0:00) The Paradox of Being Yourself on Stage(11:26) A Very Working Class Approach(15:35) Representation Beyond Sadness and Despair(22:12) Sacrifice Is Built Into the Industry(33:43) Directorial Debut: California Schemin'(57:37) How David Hayman Launched His Career(1:10:08) Career Longevity
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On this week’s episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden sits down with Paul Walter Hauser.A Michigan native, Hauser spent years waiting tables and working the door at a Burbank comedy club before a two-episode guest spot on the DirecTV series Kingdom turned into a 24-episode run in 2014. From there he became one of Hollywood’s most in-demand character actors, with standout turns in I, Tonya, BlacKkKlansman, and Cruella, plus a breakout performance as the title character in 2019’s Richard Jewell. In 2022 he starred as suspected serial killer Larry Hall in Apple TV’s Black Bird, a role that won him a Golden Globe, a Critics’ Choice Award, and an Emmy. These days he’s playing Mole Man in Fantastic Four: First Steps, appearing in the new Resident Evil, and joining the cast of Netflix’s live-action Scooby-Doo series. He also hosts the satirical web series The Boy Talk Talk Show and has built a second career as a pro wrestler, with more than 30 matches since his 2023 debut and a spot on the Major League Wrestling roster.Paul gets honest about the fears that have driven so many of his career choices, the long journey of learning to trust his gut and say "no" and why being his realest self matters more to him than chasing the next big role.

(0:00) – Brunch, Blood, and Standing Firm(8:22) – Faith Without the Label(10:07) – Fear Behind Every Career Decision(10:55) – When a Marvel Role Didn't Go as Planned(23:09) – Wrestling Hurts Less Than Rejection(32:20) – A Message He Wasn't Expecting(35:28) – Passing on a Role Paid Off(38:26) – Chris Farley Biopic in Development(52:06) – Two Episodes Became 24(1:05:26) – A Second Chance at His Own Love Story
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On this week's episode of Artist Friendly, Joel Madden sits down with Dasha.

Born in San Luis Obispo, California, Dasha began performing in coffee shops and wineries at age ten and released her first original song at thirteen. After years of grinding as an independent artist — and dropping out of Belmont University in Nashville during the pandemic to chase music full-time — her 2023 single "Austin (Boots Stop Workin')" became a viral, line-dancing phenomenon. It climbed to No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and landed her a deal with Warner Records within months. Since then, she's made her Grand Ole Opry debut, joined the Spotify Billions Club, and toured alongside artists like Thomas Rhett and Luke Bryan.

With her new single "82 Chevy" out now and a flagship new album on the way — Dasha sits down with Joel to talk about becoming an overnight sensation, why she's grateful her early songs never took off, and the fear that still keeps her up at night even as everything appears to be going right.

(0:00) – Always Believed, Never Doubted(1:13) – Success Changed Everything Without Warning(3:01) – Where California Gets Country(7:38) – Keeping the Fire From Day One(8:15) – Writing Songs Since Age Eight(9:18) – Why Failing Early Prepares You(21:37) – From Zero to 55x Platinum(22:40) – Fear That Won't Let Go(27:52) – The Baby Blue Chevy Story(38:25) – North Star: Taylor Swift(40:10) – Two Names, Two Versions of Dasha
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