We wanted to share an awesome new podcast from Jaxsta called Humans of Music, hosted by former Rolling Stone editor Rod Yates and featuring an all-star guest list of key players in the music business.

Yates is the Head of Original Content at Jaxsta: the only official music credits database in the world. If you want to know who produced or mixed your favourite albums head to Jaxsta.com and start exploring now!  

He's also an expert interviewer, delivering in-depth and revealing conversations with some of music’s biggest stars as they tackle the big questions like how they got where they are and "what made them who they are?" to uncover "funny, occasionally heartbreaking, often educational and always very, very revealing" stories that ultimately make "these music-makers human."

With over 55 Humans of Music episodes and counting, there’s plenty to dive into! We’re shining a spotlight on some stellar episodes we think ILYOS listeners wouldn’t want to miss below. You can check out the full series on Spotify, here.

Bob Marlette 

From his early work with artists like Laura Branigan and Tracy Chapman to his last few decades, performing, producing and writing with acts like Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rob Zombie and more, hear all about Bob’s long and winding career path, as he shares priceless anecdotes along the way. 

Ilan Rubin (Nine Inch Nails, Angels & Airwaves)

Ilan Rubin is one of the world’s top session musicians. In 2020, Rubin became the youngest person ever inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame for his work with Nine Inch Nails, and his impressive CV also lists Beck and Angels & Airwaves, founded by former blink-182 guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge. Hear the fascinating story of his entire career, starting with how he ended up on Vans Warped Tour at age 11… 

Kim Thayil (Soundgarden)

Soundgarden’s landmark LP Badmotorfinger turns 30 this year. It arrived in a tsunami of alt-rock classics that made 1991 one of the most defining years in music, including Nirvana’s Nevermind and Pearl Jam’s Ten. 

Hear Kim explain how, back in 1984 when he formed Soundgarden with Hiro Yamamoto and Chris Cornell, they vowed to make the mainstream – instead they’d make it come to them. And come it did. Kim and Yates also talk about what life was like in Seattle as the scene was exploding, the tragic moment Kim heard of Kurt Cobain’s passing, and Kim’s memories of Chris Cornell, who we lost in 2017.

Gary Kemp (Sandau Ballet)

Gary Kemp was the driving force behind Spandau Ballet’s rise in the 80s, penning some of their biggest hits, including True, Gold and many more. Hear all about Gary's upbringing and path into music, the rise of Spandau Ballet, his experiences with fame and the creation of his first solo album in 26 years, INSOLO and more. 

Billy Duffy (The Cult)

Since forming The Cult with vocalist Ian Astbury in 1983, Billy Duffy has proven himself to be one of those guitarists who can shapeshift musically, yet still, sound like Billy Duffy. This interview takes us back through Billy’s upbringing in Northern England, his earliest experiences playing music with Johnny Marr and Morrissey before they went off to form The Smiths, the birth of The Cult and their late '80s success, and loads more. 

Andrew Farriss (INXS)

This fascinating chat with Aussie rock legend Andrew Farriss covers everything, from his latest career move, to well as his upbringing and path into music, the rise of INXS and his songwriting partnership with Michael Hutchence, what it was like carrying on with the band following Michael’s death and more.

Damon Johnson (Brother Cane, Alice Cooper, Thin Lizzy)

Strap in for an action-packed listen – Damon Johnson boasts one of the most impressive resumes in rock! He first came to international attention in the early '90s as the frontman for Alabama rockers Brothers Cane, and following the band’s split, went on to play guitar with artists such as John Waite, Alice Cooper, Van Halen and Thin Lizzy. He’s also co-written songs for Stevie Nicks and Carlos Santana, including Santana’s mega-hit, Just Feel Better.  

Check out all the episodes of Humans of Music with Rod Yates on streaming below!

Listen to Humans of Music: A Jaxta Podcast on Spotify:

Listen to Humans of Music: A Jaxta Podcast on Apple Music: