Major Label Debut

Intrepid correspondents Graham and John Paul are bringing you season's greetings with the official MLD 2025 Gift Guide. 🎁📻 Girlfriend Material's Hyped For The Holidays Dan Mangan's New Album Natural Light We Are Scientists / Keith Murray's 20th Anniversary of  With Love And Squalor Chris Stamey's New Album  Anything is Possible Morgan Nagler's New Single “ Cradle the Pain " The Blasters / Dave A...

Graham is joined by Dan Mangan, singer/songwriting icon of the Canadian music scene, to discuss his 2015 album Club Meds . Dan candidly shares what happened when the record he took a big swing on didn't quite connect, and how hard lessons learned during that experience led him down a new path. They also talk about hanging with Paul McCartney, turning down a drum feature from Dave Grohl, and the mi...

Intrepid correspondents Graham and John Paul talk about Jack White and Eminem's performance at the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving halftime show.  Watch MLD on YouTube! Get an MLD t-shirt or mug! And everything else from Major Label Debut !

Graham is joined by Keith Murray of We Are Scientists to discuss the band's 2005 major label debut, With Love And Squalor. They also talk about the journey from major label to self-releasing records, as well as autobahn toilets and country pubs. Also, burritos and margaritas. 📻🎚️ We Are Scientists “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” (2:20) Art Brut “Formed A Band” (20:15) We Are Scientists “The Great...

Intrepid correspondents Graham and John Paul dive into the gear and belongings of Kraftwerk's Florain Schneider  up for auction  - from Volks-Trautoniums to Volkswagons and everything in between. Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from Major Label Debut !

Graham is joined by musician and producer Chris Stamey to discuss his 1987 record It's Alright and the experience with A&M Records. But as you know by now the conversation also wanders into his formative years in the New York City scene, the process behind his latest release Anything Is Possible , and how even with extensive sonic knowledge Chris is still surprised by the magic of music. 📻🎚️...

Graham and John Paul talk about songs and records and songs vs records and also what is in the pipeline for Year Two of Major Label Debut. Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from Major Label Debut !

It's been one year of MLD! We discuss lessons learned, our fav highlights from interviews, and dive in to our very first mailbag for some listener questions! Thanks for joining us on this journey and hope you enjoy the next year of MLD! Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD  t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from  Major Label Debut !

Intrepid correspondents Graham and John Paul offer their cold takes on Taylor Swift's "The Life Of A Showgirl". Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from Major Label Debut !

Graham is joined by Grammy nominated songwriter Morgan Nagler to discuss her career as one of the most sought after co-writers in indie music. In addition to perspectives on songwriting, Morgan talks about navigating creative working relationships, the magic of Kim Deal, and why AI will never replace the human connection at the heart of music. Also, Spindrift. 📻🎚️ Morgan Nagler “Cradle The Pain”...

Graham and John Paul talk about the cancellation of Future Ruins and the new Taylor Swift record. Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD  t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from  Major Label Debut !

Graham is joined by Dave Alvin to discuss The Blaster’s 1981 self-titled album. Dave also shares his perspective on labels, creative control, and loving what you do. Also, beer and BBQ. 📻🎚️ The Blasters “Marie Marie” (3:02) Carole King “Up On The Roof” (32:04) The Germs “What We Do Is Secret” (45:35) X “Los Angeles” (46:01) Los Lobos “Walking Song” (46:37) Shakin’ Stevens “Marie Marie” (55:26) Wa...

Graham is reunited with John Paul who shares his concert review of Nine Inch Nails. Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from Major Label Debut !

Joining MLD from a New England hotel lobby in the middle of tour, Monique Powell of Save Ferris talks with Graham about the band's 1997 album,  It Means Everything . They discuss questionable major label expectations in the 90s, being dropped from that label, and perseverance through a spinal condition prognosis which threatened Monique's ability to perform. Also, clam pizza. 📻🎚️ “Come On Eileen”...

*The Music Television Video Video Music Awards Major Label Debut Graham Wright Thoughts (Graham talks VMAs and the space awards shows occupy in the industry landscape) Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from  Major Label Debut !

Graham is joined by composer and true guitar polymath, Nels Cline. Through his 2016 mood music album "Lovers" released on Blue Note records, they discuss creativity and explore the abstract nature of inspiration. 📻🎚️ Nels Cline “Glad To Be Unhappy” (2:53) “The Night Porter” (7:56) “Cry, Want” (9:15) “So Hard It Hurts” (10:22 ) “Secret Love” (35:55) “It Only Has To Happen Once” (37:16) “Max, Mon A...

Surprise! In this bonus episode Graham is joined by Bret Berg of Museum of Home Video to discuss Oliver Stone’s 1991 film “The Doors”. MLD is honored to collaborate with MoHV and present Bret’s edit as the inaugural entry in the long awaited MLDMMC (Major Label Debut Music Movie Club). Join us and tune in to the stream on Museum of Home Video Tuesday, September 2 at 7:30pm PST (10:30pm EST) Wanna...

Graham saw Oasis aand he's gonna tell you about it! Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from  Major Label Debut !

Graham is joined by Alan Siegel, fellow Simpsons fan and author of "Stupid TV, Be More Funny", to discuss the 1990 album, "The Simpsons Sing The Blues". They talk about the album as well as the early years of the show, and why The Simpsons holds such a massive space in our hearts. Also, Ye Rustic Inn's buffalo wings. Check out Alan's book  "Stupid TV, Be More Funny" 📻🎚️ “Moaning’ Lisa Blues” (1:4...

Intrepid correspondent Graham discusses an issue from the front lines of Canadian indie band touring: the current situation of US work visas. Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from  Major Label Debut !

Graham is joined by veteran music industry publicity wizard, Brendan Bourke. They discuss his work with a seemingly endless list of artists including Elliott Smith, Broken Social Scene, Interpol, Clinic, and Tegan and Sara to name just a few. Word has it Brendan is probably solely responsible for Feist's "Let It Die" getting released in the US as well... Also, Jerquee  and Bob's Texas Jalapeno Chi...

Intrepid correspondents Graham and John Paul pay homage to Hulk and Ozzy and discuss what Lacy Dacus is up to. Also, Graham's ranking of Coldplay albums. Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from  Major Label Debut !

Graham is joined by Nate Jackson and Daniel Kohn, authors of Tearing Down The Orange Curtain, to talk about the history and legacy of Orange County's explosive punk scene. 📻🎚️ Social Distortion “Mommy’s Little Monster” (7:06) Agent Orange  “Bloodstains” (7:22) T.S.O.L. “Sounds Of Laughter” (8:02) China White “Dangerzone” (8:14) The Vandals “Wanna Be Manor” (8:21) Pennywise “Bro Hymn” (15:20) Mill...

Graham Wright is here and he's never wrong. Welcome to Wednesdays! Wanna watch MLD on YouTube ? Need an MLD t-shirt or mug ? And everything else from  Major Label Debut !

Do you have the time, T o listen to me pod? Graham is joined by music production legend Rob Cavallo to discuss his role in Green Day's 1994 album, Dookie. Rob shares his perspective on production, Green Day's rise through the realms of rock stardom, and the superior way to tune your guitar. Also bagels. 📻🎚️ Green Day "When I Come Around" (2:50) The Muffs “Big Mouth” (11:21) Green Day “She (4-Trac...