As the frontmen of alternative indie bands who reside in Portland, Or., John Gourley of Portugal. The Man and Ruban Nielson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra went from having a mutual admiration for each other to becoming friends. Gourley shared that Nielson “is one of [Portugal’s] favorite artists,” and last summer, the two bands joined forces for “Summer of Luv.” Over a Zoom call, the two singers rekindled their bond during this edition of SPIN’s Artist x Artist series.

While they admit that they don’t hang out as much these days as they would like, Gourley took the opportunity early on during the conversation to open up about his feelings towards Nielson: “I gotta say, [you’re] one of the most inspiring artists I’ve ever been around. I know I never say this stuff to your face. I pretend like we barely know each other [or] care at all. … Just watching the music that you’ve made and the art you’ve made over the years, it’s just super inspiring. And it’s cool I have an opportunity to say that to your face, and then never do it again,” which elicited a laugh from Nielson.

More from Spin:

• John Gourley Knows What’s In His Sled
• Portugal. The Man Tease New LP With Two Singles
• Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Ruban Nielson Channels Sister’s Death Into His Darkest Music Yet

Also during their conversation, the two frontmen reflected on the lifestyle of touring, the behind-the-scenes of making music videos, and the connections between their different upbringings. They also talk about how they inspired each other through their newest albums, a funny night they had together at a comedy show, and the rewards of being a touring musician.

Gourley and Nielson are slated to hit the road in early 2024 with their respective groups. Both bands also released new albums in 2023 — Portugal’s ninth studio record, Chris Black Changed My Life, was released in June, and UMO’s fittingly titled fifth album, V, was released in March.

In the previous episode, Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers sat down with Bush Tetras’ singer Cynthia Sley and guitarist Pat Place. In their conversation, the trio trade tour stories, including how Flea and Anthony Kiedis had to run from the Green Bay police in the dead of winter early in their career. They check up on old friends, former bandmates, and Sley and Place get the low down about Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studio in Malibu and his production style.

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist, available here, include conversations between Steve Aoki and members of Taking Back Sunday, Sara Kays and Alec Benjamin, Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and the Linda Lindas, Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray and “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee, and Paris Jackson and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are influenced by a wide variety of artists, ranging from funk and punk, classical to jazz. For Flea, one of his biggest influences is the New York City post-punk band Bush Tetras. Formed in 1979, the band are best known for their 1980 song, “Too Many Creeps.” Over the years, Bush Tetras has had many rotating members, however, singer Cynthia Sley and guitarist Pat Place have been the band’s foundation. In 1981, Bush Tetras performed one of their first shows outside of New York in L.A. at the Whisky A Go-Go, which was attended by a teenage Flea. Seeing that show forever influenced Flea.

“It was a huge show for me,” Flea said of the show. “I was really blown away and I’d never seen anything like it…it opened a portal for me is the best way to say, and the idea of how music could be put together.

More from Spin:

• Flea Teases First Solo Album With ‘A Plea’
• Flea Joins Nick Cave and Warren for Performance of ‘We No Who U R’
• The Reissue Section: Fall 2021

Though Bush Tetras would never fully hit the mainstream, their influence on artists could be heard not just in the Chili Peppers, but in many of the New York City bands who rose to prominence during the post-punk revival in the early 2000s.

In July, Bush Tetras released They Live in My Head, their first album in 11 years. After its release, Sley and Place sat down with Flea to discuss all things Bush Tetras in our latest episode of Artist x Artist.

Also in their conversation, the trio trade tour stories, including how Flea and Anthony Kiedis had to run from the Green Bay police in the dead of winter early in their career. They check up on old friends, former bandmates, and Sley and Place get the low down about Rick Rubin’s Shangri-La studio in Malibu and what his production style is.

On the previous episode of Artist x Artist, Classless Act’s Derek Day sat down with DMC. In their conversation, the two discussed how their collaboration came together and mentioned their favorite bands. DMC, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, also shared the reason he always wanted to be a rock star. 

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist, available here, include conversations between Steve Aoki and members of Taking Back Sunday, Sara Kays and Alec Benjamin, Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and the Linda Lindas, Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray and “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee, and Paris Jackson and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

Some of the best collaborations are the least expected. On the surface, rising rockers Classless Act teaming with hip-hop legend DMC might seem head-scratching. Yet if you think about Run-DMC’s history with melding hard rock and hip-hop — and working with some of the biggest names in rock history — it’s a no-brainer.

In July, Classless Act and DMC collaborated on “Storm Before the Calm,” a slow-building, heavy blues rocker that showcases the L.A. band’s skills. Having the DMC co-sign doesn’t hurt either. That said, for our latest episode of Artist x Artist, we asked Derek Day of Classless Act to sit down with DMC.

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“I’m filled with gratitude for you making my rock n roll dreams come true,” DMC told Day.

“No one will believe me about any of that or that I’m even talking to you!” Day replied.

After expressing their mutual admiration, the two broke down how their collaboration came together and mentioned their favorite bands. DMC, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, also shared the reason he always wanted to be a rock star. Day gave DMC a primer on Tom Waits, and DMC shared a story about what it was like to open for Lou Reed in the ’80s. And longtime comic fan DMC name-dropped his favorite superhero.

On the previous episode of Artist x Artist, Counting Crows’ Adam Duritz spoke with his longtime pal Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional. In their conversation, they shared the story of how they met one fateful weekend, why Carrabba enlisted Duritz to sing on “So Long, So Long,” and why it took 20 years for their joint tour to come together.

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist, available here, include conversations between Steve Aoki and members of Taking Back Sunday, Sara Kays and Alec Benjamin, Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and the Linda Lindas, Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray and “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee, and Paris Jackson and Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

Longtime friends Counting Crows singer Adam Duritz and Dashboard Confessional‘s Chris Carrabba are two of the friendliest frontmen in rock. But if you give them some room, a few tiny jokes can be thrown in at the other’s expense. Ahead of their conversation for SPIN‘s ongoing Artist x Artist series, Carrabba happened to be several minutes late due to a timing issue, which opened it up for Duritz to gently needle him about it.

“I haven’t been late to something in a long time,” Carrabba said. “I’m frazzled by it. I think I have the distinction as being the most punctual man in rock ‘n’ roll, which is not a flashy title, but I’ll take it.”

More from Spin:

• Adam Duritz: ‘It’s My World and I Love It’
• 5 Albums I Can’t Live Without: The Fray
• Counting Backwards: Our 1994 Counting Crows Feature

“I didn’t even know that was you,” Duritz joked. “You hear about the most punctual man in rock ‘n’ roll, but I didn’t know it was you this year. It is, of course, someone different every year.”

“I’m multiple year award-winner,” Carrabba said in response.

Having met 20 years ago at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit, Duritz and Carrabba have been close since. In their conversation, they share the story of how they met that fateful weekend, why Carrabba enlisted Duritz to sing on “So Long, So Long,” and Duritz revealed that the bands’ joint tour has been in the works for 20 years.

On our previous episode of Artist x Artist, comedian Nikki Glaser Zoomed with Matt Pond of The Natural Lines. In their conversation, Pond and Glaser chat about their creative process, how their art inspires each other, and the importance of a small, creative, and supportive inner circle.

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist include conversations between Steve Aoki and members of Taking Back Sunday, Sara Kays and Alec Benjamin, Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and The Linda Lindas Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray chatting with “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee and Paris Jackson with Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, here.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

This edition of SPIN’s Artist x Artist series delves away from two musicians in conversation. Instead, we have comedian Nikki Glaser chatting with Matt Pond of The Natural Lines.

In their conversation, Pond and Glaser chat about their creative process, how their art inspires each other and the importance of a small, creative & supportive inner circle. They also discuss dog nicknames, Airbnb minimalism, saying “I love you,” Tiger Woods and a whole lot more — and that’s all before Glaser gets into her musical career and the discrimination female altos face in the choir world.

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On our previous episode of Artist x Artist, The Mountain Goats‘ John Darnielle spoke with Bully’s Alicia Bognanno, who produced the band’s 2021 album, Bleed Out. The two discussed how mental health treatments can influence creativity, and how fun it was for Bognanno to be a temporary member of the Mountain Goats and bash out live takes in the studio during the making of Bleed Out.

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist include conversations between Steve Aoki and the members of Taking Back Sunday, Sara Kays and Alec Benjamin, Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and The Linda Lindas Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray chatting with “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee and Paris Jackson with Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, here.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The latest edition of Artist x Artist finds two new collaborators continuing their creative conversation. The Mountain Goats‘ John Darnielle drafted Bully’s Alicia Bognanno to produce his band’s 2021 album Bleed Out, and they’re back together here to discuss a host of subjects.

Among them: the status of the new Bully album, which is nearly finished and finds Bognanno embracing storytelling outside her own personal narrative. Meanwhile, Darnielle joked about making different albums with each individual member of the Mountain Goats.

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• John Darnielle Dreams Up Another Excellent Album
• Bully Plots June Release for Next Sub Pop Album, Lucky for You
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The pair talked about how mental health treatments can influence creativity, and how fun it was for Bognanno to be a temporary member of the Mountain Goats and bash out live takes in the studio during the making of Bleed Out.

Looking ahead to 2023, Darnielle has written somg songs for the new Rian Johnson TV series Poker Face, and will make an on screen appearance. The Mountain Goats are touring significantly as well, including their first headlining appearance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

On our previous episode of Artist x Artist, Dave Stewart and his daughter Kaya went through their respective songwriting processes and compared notes, discussed song arrangements, how they tell stories through their music, and why it’s good that albums and songs can have different interpretations for everyone.

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist include conversations between Steve Aoki and the members of Taking Back Sunday, Sara Kays and Alec Benjamin, Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and The Linda Lindas Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray chatting with “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee and Paris Jackson with Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, here.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The latest edition of Artist x Artist is unlike any we’ve done before. Dave Stewart and Kaya Stewart know each very well, and as you can surmise, with good reason!

The Eurythmics musician released an ambitious new solo album, Ebony McQueen, earlier this year. His daughter, Kaya, issued her own LP, If Things Go South, along with an accompanying film.

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Ahead of Dave’s induction with Annie Lennox into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, we figured it would make sense to have the Stewarts go through their respective processes and compare notes, discussing song arrangements, how they tell stories through their music, and why it’s good that albums and songs can have different interpretations for everyone. They also talked about Kaya’s OCD and how it contributed to her album.

On our previous episode of Artist x Artist, Steve Aoki and all four current members of Taking Back Sunday (Adam Lazzara, John Nolan, Mark O’Connell and Shaun Cooper) sat down to discuss the release of their collaborative single “Just Us Two.” The conversation covers a range of points including the production and recording of the song, the meaning behind it, and some of their unexpected shared experiences and connections from their decades in the music world.

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist include conversations between Sara Kays and Alec Benjamin, Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and The Linda Lindas Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray chatting with “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee and Paris Jackson with Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, here.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

When the most recent Pretty Reckless album was released in 2021, we went deep with singer/bandleader Taylor Momsen. In the interview, she told us influential Soundgarden was on her and how being on tour with the band in 2017 and opening for them the night of Chris Cornell deeply impacted her. In fact, Soundgarden guitarist Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron both appeared on “Only Love Can Save Me Now.”

In 2019. Momsen sang “Rusty Cage,” “Drawing Flies” and “Loud Love” with the surviving Soundgarden members at the Cornell tribute show I Am the Highway at the Forum in Los Angeles.

More from Spin:

• Rock Hall Welcomes Soundgarden, White Stripes, Outkast
• Soundgarden’s Kim Thayil To Write ‘Life’ Story
• Magic, Music, and Movies: Taylor Momsen Is Seeing Things ‘in a New Light’

Recently, put Momsen, Thayil, and Cameron together, all before the release of the duo’s new project, 3rd Secret, released its debut album. And of course, before Momsen and Cameron went out on tour with The Pretty Reckless and Pearl Jam, respectively. The trio covered a wide range of topics, so wide that we won’t waste your time listing them so you can watch their conversation below.

On our previous episode of Artist x Artist, Steve Aoki and Taking Back Sunday sat down to discuss their new song, “Just Us Two.” The conversation covers a range of points including the production and recording of the song, the meaning behind it, and some of their unexpected shared experiences and connections from their decades in the music world.

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist include conversations between Sara Kays and Alec Benjamin, Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and The Linda Lindas Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray chatting with “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee and Paris Jackson with Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, here.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

On the list of collaborations that we certainly didn’t expect, Steve Aoki and Taking Back Sunday teamed up to release “Just Us Two” today. But the new track isn’t the only thing they did together.

Aoki and all four current members of Taking Back Sunday (Adam Lazzara, John Nolan, Mark O’Connell and Shaun Cooper) sat down for an Artist x Artist conversation to discuss the new track and much more. The conversation covers a range of points including the production and recording of the song, the meaning behind it, and some of their unexpected shared experiences and connections from their decades in the music world.

More from Spin:

• Killer Mike, Vince Staples Lead Lineup of Inaugural Elsewhere Festival
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• 109 Musicians Predict the 2022 Baseball Season

Check out the full video below.

On our previous episode of Artist x Artist, the first ever Artist x Artist x Artist featured The Band Camino, flors, and Hastings. Together, they discussed their recent tour together, collaborations, and both previous and future projects for each of them.

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist include conversations between Sara Kays and Alec Benjamin, Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and The Linda Lindas Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray chatting with “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee and Paris Jackson with Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, here.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The Band Camino, flor and Hastings spent some time on the road together earlier this year, and boy did they get to know each other. The first leg of the tour might be over, but the friendships formed between the bands will continue for a lifetime.

Thus, for the latest edition of Artist x Artist, we had the rare opportunity to feature not two bands, but all three of the artists for our first ever Artist x Artist x Artist. Sitting at various locations around the venue before one of the shows on the tour, the bands professed their love for each other, shared stories from the road, discussed their own music (and that of each other) and generally had a grand ol’ time. They even came up with some possibilities for future ideas for each artist, all in a conversation hosted by SPIN Deputy Editor, Josh Chesler.

More from Spin:

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• How a Still-Defiant Shepard Fairey Turned Punk Rock Attitude Into 30 Years of Activist Art
• Gym Class Heroes’ Travie McCoy Talks New LP On ‘Lipps Service’

On our previous episode of Artist x Artist, Sara Kays sat down with Alec Benjamin. Together, they discussed learning going on tour together, collaborations, and audience reactions in a post-pandemic world.

Additional episodes of Artist x Artist include conversations between Pom Pom Squad and Nada Surf, Bikini Kill’s Kathleen Hanna and The Linda Lindas Death Cab for Cutie’s Ben Gibbard and Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner, Jonah Ray chatting with “Weird Al” Yankovic, Sting with Shirazee and Paris Jackson with Andy Hull of Manchester Orchestra, here.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.