#alternativefacts

Electro-pop artist Lights comes by to discuss her 2017 album 'Skin&Earth' and how she took it upon herself to simultaneously adapt it into a six-part comic book series, which she wrote and drew herself! She's got advice for how you can get into comic-making, as well as suggestions for comics to get into. We also randomly talked about MTV's 'Laguna Beach' spinoff 'The City' and exploring the Arctic a lot.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's almost Halloween and we've got PVRIS frontwoman Lynn Gunn on the show to talk past costumes, spooky books and movies, and growing up near Salem, Mass. We also discuss touring life, the band's new sophomore album, covering Tegan and Sara, and shout out some of her favorite Twitter followers.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

First, music internet extraordinaire Paige Williams returns to the 'cast to critique Halsey's fall tour and suggest a couple of under-the-radar October albums. And next up, Alicia Bognanno! The Bully frontwoman told us fans don't ask her about her guitars and gear very often, so we asked her! Here's the low down on her "Frankenstein guitar," personal pedal board, and how she used it all to craft Bully's shred-heavy sophomore album 'Losing,' out tomorrow (Oct. 20) on Sub Pop.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nika Danilova -- who just released her fifth album as Zola Jesus -- comes by the New York office for a deep talk about creation, inspiration, and preservation. 'Okovi' is one of this year's standout indie/electronic/experimental albums, and we cut to the core of how nature and returning home to rural Wisconsin helped create it. That is to say, we talk about hanging out in the woods a lot. Here's her Instagram feed, which we discuss in the 'cast: https://www.instagram.com/zolajesus/?hl=en  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lauren D from Worriers comes by to talk about the melodic punk band's awesome new LP "Survival Pop": signing with SideOneDummy, defying the gender binary, how to write great choruses. We also talk about New Jersey a lot. There's a second interview in this one, too! Kevin Rutherford from the Billboard charts department updates us on Brand New's quest for a hit song at radio and how far up the top 10 Portugal. The Man's "Feel It Still" can go.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Movielife are back with their first album in 14 years and it's pretty damn good. We chat with guitarist-vocalists Vinnie Caruana and Brandon Reilly about how it all came together. Stereogum's Michael Nelson also joins to take a trip back to the Long Island punk/hardcore scene that birthed the Movielife, Brand New, Taking Back Sunday and less-remembered others (who we give well-deserved shouts to). We also talk about the big Jawbreaker reunion at Riot Fest.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The All-American Rejects frontman swings by Billboard to discuss the band's new EP and its plans to release new music in the near future. How that music arrives or how much of it there is remains largely undecided, and he's pretty upfront about that. He's also upfront about fashion week, his breathtaking cheekbones, growing up a fat kid, and more than we can really mention.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Yeah, we can still hardly believe it, but Brand New has the No. 1 album on the Billboard 200, at least until this weekend. So we went all out! First, charts manager Kevin Rutherford gives a behind-the-scenes look at how they sold so many albums and which "Science Fiction" track is already getting rock radio play. Then, music writer Maria Sherman calls in for a expert critical take on growing up emo, why critics are finally getting on board, and what their final shows will be like, if they really are breaking up in 2018.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

All five members of Neck Deep join us from the Billboard studio, just hours before last week's release of new album 'The Peace and the Panic.' We talked about Brexit, Donald Trump, Jeremy Corbyn, conspiracy theories, and maintaining relationships on the road. There's also a lot of talk about hanging out on Warped Tour and riding around on mini-bikes, "hogs," as they call them. You'd want to hang out with these guys, so consider this the next best thing.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lætitia Tamko, who makes poignant indie rock and electronic soundscapes as Vagabon, stops by Billboard to fill us in on her crazy journey of the past three years. Since teaching herself guitar and playing frequent DIY shows around New York, the Cameroon-born artist has made moves she never would have expected when she started: a bona fide headlining tour, dates opening for Tegan and Sara, a Pitchfork Best New Music distinction for her debut album "Infinite Worlds." Here's how she did it, and how you can do it, too.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Start listening to Bleached. The L.A. rockers write intense, catchy tunes and as a live act, they're near unstoppable. Though still relatively under the radar, the in-the-know are starting to take notice. They just got off a tour with Paramore and behind their 2017 EP 'Can You Deal?" they launched a zine featuring first-had stories from women across the music industry. We interviewed them at Panorama Fest in NYC, and before that -- in our opening segment -- hear Billboard staffers Lyndsey Havens and Taylor Weatherby talk about their time at Lollapalooza last weekend.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The kids are crazy about Pinegrove! We chatted with their frontman to find out why. We also came away with some info on the new album they’re recording. Here’s Pinegrove’s Evan Stephens Hall chatting with us at last weekend’s Panorama Festival, along with a fest wrap-up from Billboard staffers Lyndsey Havens, Chris Payne, and Dan Rys.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What interviews are ahead on the 'cast? We know this episode's short but we've got big things ahead.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Arcade Fire, the National, Grizzly Bear and maybe even St. Vincent are scoring radio hits, and charts manager Kevin Rutherford stops by to explain the unlikely takeover, along with a chart update on Paramore and an introduction to a Midwestern group who could be our next big hard rock act. Also, music editor Jason Lipshutz stops by to recap his weekend at Pitchfork Fest, which included a (near) life-changing experience at Pinegrove's set.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Haim's "Something To Tell You" was released last week to generally positive reviews, Billboard included. Is it one of those special albums we'll be talking about at the end of the year? Is pop stardom in the Haim sisters' futures? Chris Payne, Jason Lipshutz, and Lyndsey Havens discussed this, along with Jet's bizarre return with an EDM-rock track and a little iPod talk. Is "Baby Driver" bringing us to a new era of iPod nostalgia?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Stereogum's Gabriela Tully Claymore & James Rettig come by the podcast to chat about their favorite releases of the year so far. What's on our lists? Listen up for takes on some of the best -- Priests, Lorde, MUNA, Feist, Perfume Genius, Julie Byrne, Vagabon, Half Waif, and more -- as well as a challenge/invitation to Father John Misty.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brooklyn-based, self-described "bubblegrunge" band Charly Bliss released one of 2017's most delicious debuts and all four members -- Eva, Spencer, Sam, and Dan -- stop by the Billboard office to discuss "Guppy," the new music they're already performing, and do some impromptu singing of Hinder and Breaking Benjamin songs. There's a lot of singing in this one. Also, charts expert Kevin Rutherford has updates on Lorde's first-week sales (and her next potential hit) and whether or not All Time Low's latest album was a commercial failure.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

All Time Low's Alex Gaskarth and Jack Barakat discuss new album "Last Young Renegade," including its new alt-pop sound and collaboration with Tegan and Sara. They shouted out some fans they always see at meet-and-greets and explained why they always close with "Dear Maria, Count Me In" (it has to do with Blink-182). Also, Billboard contributor Paige Williams critiques new music from Fall Out Boy, the 1975, Harry Styles, and the Maine.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Halsey's sophomore album "Hopeless Fountain Kingdom" is out tomorrow! How many copies will it sell? Where will it chart? How high on the Hot 100 will "Now Or Never" go? We've got expert takes on all those questions, plus an interview with a Halsey expert! Paige Williams discusses how she got to know the artist in her early Tumblr days and wound up being one of the first advocates for her at Universal Records. What's it like to hang with h and her friends? Find out!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

First up, Billboard editors debate the question, "Who's the Best Popular Rock Band of the 21st Century?" Paramore, Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire, and Linkin Park all get discussed a lot and -- GUESS WHAT -- we've also got an interview with a member of one of those bands later in the episode! It's VW bass player Chris Baio, who joins host Chris Payne to discuss his Bowie- and Brexit-inspired sophomore solo album "Man of the World," due out June 30 on Glassnote Records.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.