The Spark Parade

Indie-pop songwriter and producer Carter Vail joins Adam to talk about how Wes Anderson’s film The Royal Tenenbaums became a major creative Spark in his life. Carter shares how discovering the movie in high school—and being struck by its soundtrack, meticulous visual style and mix of whimsy and deep sadness—reshaped the way he thinks about storytelling, world-building and emotional honesty in his own music and videos. From his “Richie Tenenbaum” headband phase to the way he uses color palettes and character details in his visual work, Carter explains why this film still feels endlessly rewatchable and creatively energizing.You’ll also hear Adam and Carter dig into Wes Anderson’s evolution as a filmmaker, the balance between style and substance and why The Royal Tenenbaums might be Anderson’s most emotionally effective film. They discuss grief, family dynamics, taboo romance, and what it means to make art that’s specific, vulnerable and sometimes polarizing instead of “digestible slop.”What you’ll hear in this episode:How The Royal Tenenbaums blew Carter’s mind as a teen and pushed him toward being an artistWhy Wes Anderson’s visual style and color choices are so influential for musicians and filmmakersThe emotional impact of balancing whimsy, humor, and devastating momentsHow Carter channels character-driven storytelling and big feelings into his songwriting and videosThoughts on risk-taking, originality, and not playing it “cool” in creative workAbout Carter Vail:Carter Vail is an American indie-pop songwriter, producer, and content creator known for blending melodic, emotionally rich songs with offbeat humor and viral musical sketches. After studying audio engineering at the University of Miami, he began releasing music in the late 2010s and has since put out projects including Red Eyes, The Interstellar Tennis Championship and 100 Cowboys, building a devoted audience across streaming platforms and social media.About The Royal Tenenbaums:Released in 2001, The Royal Tenenbaums is a comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson about a dysfunctional family of former child prodigies navigating failure, grief and reconciliation. Featuring an ensemble cast led by Gene Hackman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller and Luke Wilson, the film is celebrated for its symmetrical framing, carefully curated color palettes and eclectic soundtrack. It has become a defining work in Anderson’s filmography and a lasting influence on contemporary visual storytelling.

Award-winning songwriter and composer Jeremiah Fraites, co-founder of The Lumineers, joins Adam to explore the powerful impact of Bruce Springsteen’s minimalist masterpiece, Nebraska. Jeremiah reveals how Springsteen’s stripped-down storytelling and raw, lo-fi production inspired his own creative journey—from writing chart-topping hits with The Lumineers to scoring the feature film Deliver Me From Nowhere, which tells the story behind Nebraska’s creation.Discover how Nebraska’s themes of vulnerability, artistry, and blue-collar Americana resonate across generations of musicians and why Jerome believes this album changed the musical landscape forever. This candid conversation also delves into Jeremiah’s process composing for film (including The Long Walk), lessons learned from Springsteen’s risk-taking and the lasting influence of home-recorded innovation.What you’ll hear in this episode:How Nebraska transformed Jeremiah’s views on songwriting and vulnerabilityThe creative spark and intention behind scoring Deliver Me From NowhereThe continued influence of Nebraska’s lo-fi recording techniquesThe parallels between Springsteen’s career-defining risks and The Lumineers’ artistic choicesReflections on authenticity, musical legacy, and American storytellingAbout the Guest:Jeremiah Fraites is a Grammy-nominated composer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, known for his work with The Lumineers and acclaimed film scores including Deliver Me From Nowhere and The Long Walk.About Nebraska:Released in 1982, Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska is an influential, stripped-back album recorded solo on a four-track cassette recorder. Its stark, narrative-driven songs—and themes of isolation, honesty and hope—have earned it a place among the most celebrated works in rock history.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor joins Adam to talk about her Spark: Charli XCX’s bold and boundary-pushing album Brat.They share the story of how the album’s daring production and confessional lyrics sparked Sophie’s creative inspiration just before it exploded into the mainstream. From its genre-blurring sound to its cross-generational appeal, they explore how Brat embodies the fearless honesty and queer cultural vibrancy shaping today’s pop music landscape.If you love innovative pop, authentic songwriting or insights into the evolving music industry, this episode is your gateway to a fascinating conversation.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Sophie’s first encounter with Charli XCX’s Brat and family connectionsHow Brat’s bold, minimalistic sound challenged pop conventionsThe importance of honesty and vulnerability in modern songwritingBrat’s impact across different generations and queer communitiesSophie’s reflections on her own career reinvention and classic hits like “Murder on the Dancefloor”

Join comedian and actor Gianmarco Soresi for a campy, nostalgic journey into his Spark: Spiceworld, the 1997 Spice Girls album and film phenomenon. Gianmarco share memories of first hearing the album in childhood, the theatrical personas of Baby Spice and friends and the explosive pop energy that defined an era.Gianmarco dives into the group’s dynamic, the album’s enduring charm, and why Spice Girls remain a touchstone of girl power, camp, and 90s pop culture. What you’ll learn in this episode:How Spiceworld introduced Gianmarco to the power of camp and theatrical popThe chaotic, hilarious plot of the Spice World movieThe Spice Girls’ impact on 90s culture and girl power anthemsBehind-the-scenes insights on the band’s fame and solo projectsWhy Gianmarco still listens to and celebrates Spiceworld today

Join legendary horror drag icons The Boulet Brothers for a campy, queer journey into their Spark: The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Adam and the Boulets share first encounters with the groundbreaking cult film, its impact on their lives, and why it remains a loud, proud anthem for queer joy, radical self-expression, and chosen family.Swantula takes us back to being a closeted 14-year-old, blown away by Rocky Horror’s uninhibited queerness, campy horror, and radical self-expression that expanded their world overnight. Drac recalls renting the VHS and falling in love with the iconic queer characters that spoke to their gothic, outsider spirit.We dive into queer representation, midnight screenings, Tim Curry’s unforgettable Frank-N-Furter, and the legendary audience participation that keeps the cult classic alive. The Boulet Brothers break down what makes Rocky Horror a radical anthem of chosen family, joy, and queer celebration — and how it continues to inspire their boundary-pushing drag art and TV series Dragula.You’ll also hear about The Boulet Brothers’ latest creative projects and why their Rocky Horror Spark lights their queer artistry to this day.What you’ll learn in this episode:How Rocky Horror hit Swantula and Drac at formative momentsThe unique mix of horror, camp, musical theater and queer cultureThe cultural impact and enduring legacy of Rocky Horror midnight showsThe meaning behind “Don’t Dream It, Be It” for the Boulet BrothersWhy Rocky Horror’s queer spirit fuels Dragula and their work today

Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low joins Adam to share the story of his Spark: Jimmy Eat World’s Futures.Alex takes us back to his teenage years in Baltimore, discovering Futures on a chance trip to the record store and instantly connecting with the album’s emotional depth, powerful rock energy and flawless sequencing. From the freedom of those first windows-down drives to how Gil Norton’s masterful production revealed the band’s most refined work, Alex explains why Futures remains a peak creative moment in Jimmy Eat World’s career — and a defining influence on his own songwriting.We dive into nostalgia, label pressure, creative integrity and how artists navigate expectations after a major breakthrough. Alex breaks down the peaks, valleys and sequencing magic that make Futures endlessly replayable, plus why it’s the perfect soundtrack for a sunset drive.You’ll also hear about All Time Low’s upcoming album Everyone’s Talking! out October 17, 2025, and why fans should be excited for a fresh batch of anthems from one of pop-punk’s most beloved bands.What you’ll learn in this episode:How Alex discovered Jimmy Eat World’s Futures and why it resonated instantlyThe emotional and political themes that make the album timelessThe challenges Jimmy Eat World faced creating Futures after breakout successWhy production choices kept the album powerful without listener fatigueAlex’s advice for the best way to experience Futures in full

Pop singer-songwriter Maggie Lindemann joins Adam to share how Lana Del Rey’s landmark album Born to Die sparked her creative journey. Maggie opens up about falling in love with Lana’s cinematic world, relatable storytelling and signature Old Hollywood-meets-Tumblr vibe—and explains how that influence shaped her own music.In this episode:How Born to Die inspired Maggie’s angsty, alt-pop soundNostalgia, performance nerves, and Tumblr-era fandomWhy Lana Del Rey’s persona and visuals shifted pop cultureThoughts on pop stardom, authenticity, and growing as an artistMaggie’s new album I Feel Everything out October 17, 2025About Maggie Lindemann:A Dallas-raised, LA-based artist best known for her viral hit “Pretty Girl,” Maggie is praised for her raw lyrics, pop-punk attitude and boundary-pushing style. With over 1.6 billion streams and projects like Suckerpunch, she’s carving a bold new lane for Gen-Z pop.About Born To Die:Lana Del Rey’s Born to Die (2012) fused cinematic pop, hip-hop and nostalgia, spawning hits like “Video Games” and “Blue Jeans.” The album redefined pop stardom, charted for over 500 weeks and continues to influence a generation.

Grammy-winning country singer-songwriter Cam joins Adam for an intimate conversation about her Spark: the Indigo Girls’ acclaimed album All That We Let In. Cam explores her journey from discovering the Indigo Girls at choir camp, to wearing out her copy of the album, to becoming friends and collaborators with Emily Saliers herself. The episode delves into the ways this folk-rock classic continues to shape Cam’s songwriting, activism and sense of community in country music and beyond.Episode HighlightsCam’s first encounter with the Indigo Girls and the everlasting impact of All That We Let InHow the Indigo Girls’ harmonies and activism shaped Cam’s creative voiceStories about meeting her heroes, collaborating with Emily Saliers, and friendship in the music industryA conversation on family, identity, and what it means to create from a place of authenticityInsights into Cam’s new album "All Things Light" and her musical evolutionAbout Cam:Cam is a Grammy-winning, genre-bending country singer-songwriter known for her emotionally charged storytelling and acclaimed hits like “Burning House,” “Diane,” and “Redwood Tree.” She is a celebrated solo artist, songwriter for stars like Beyoncé and Sam Smith, a global touring act, and a passionate advocate for diversity in music. Cam won a Grammy in 2024 for her contributions to Beyoncé’s album "Cowboy Carter," continuing her legacy as a voice for inclusion and innovation.About Indigo Girls & All That We Let In:The Indigo Girls’ 2004 album All That We Let In is celebrated for its stunning harmonies, personal lyricism, and blend of folk, country, and rock influences. The album showcases the duo’s enduring commitment to activism, storytelling, and musical risk-taking, featuring standout tracks like “Perfect World,” “Dairy Queen,” and the beloved title track.