MGMT are the musical duo of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser, known for creating irresistibly catchy, genre-blurring music.
In this Encore Episode, we dive into how they continually push the boundaries of pop and indie music while still maintaining their unmistakable sound. We also discuss the politics of performing at Madison Square Garden, their unexpected rise to TikTok fame, and how their views on drugs have evolved since their debut album.
Since their time as art students in the early 2000s, they've released five studio albums, garnered critical acclaim, and cultivated a devoted fan base. Their newest album Loss of Life is available now.
Don't miss this fascinating conversation with the artists behind the hits 'Kids' and 'Little Dark Age
00:00 MGMT on Pop Music vs. Experimentation
00:29 Welcome to The Plug w/ Justin Jay
01:03 Can AI Replace Human Songwriting?
01:59 Introducing MGMT & the Album Loss of Life
02:56 First Reactions to MGMT's New Album Loss of Life
03:22 Post-Album Letdown & Choosing Not to Tour
05:47 Touring Burnout, Aging & Changing Priorities
07:39 Writing Catchy Pop Songs Without Compromise
10:04 Genre Labels, Adult Contemporary & Steely Dan Influence
13:24 MGMT Influences: Roxy Music, Prince & 80s Synth Pop
17:07 The Role of Producers & Working With Dave Fridmann
21:28 Music Videos, Self-Promotion & Streaming Economics
30:00 Drugs, Lyrics & Growing Older as a Band
31:56 Final Plugs, Artists to Support & Closing Thoughts
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Website → https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com
Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-plug-w-justin-jay/id1517322794
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Email → theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com
Justin Jay Photography → https://justinjay.com
HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay → https://www.hi1k.com
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