October 7, 2025 • 12 mins
Booker and Stryker sit down with the super talented Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine. She talks about the making of her new Album "Everybody Scream" and how long it took her to make the 12 songs. If she is constantly tinnkering with her music and her love for the studio. The planned release on Halloween and her favorite Halloween costume. We appreciate her coming by to chat with us and wish her the best.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Booker and Striker and Florence while she is Florence in
the machine and we are so excited.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
To have you, thank you so much for having me.
And these flowers are a beautiful thank you.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Do you really think they're a lovely flower arrangement? Here?
Is it good?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
No? I think it's it's pretty good. Actually, yeah, the
tones are very nice, like it's not like too bright,
there's a little faded.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
I like that for radio standards.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Yes, it's exactly good.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
It's good.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Everybody scream. Six full length albums. It drops on Halloween,
three years in between albums. How long did it actually
take you to make the twelve songs?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Oh? My god? Uh see, it's hard, isn't it? Because
like it's I started writing it while I was still
on tour. So I think a song like one of
the greats was kind of written while I was on
tour and then so I think it took about two
(01:00):
years to make. Yeah, And are.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
All the songs fully complete? We're three weeks away from Halloween?
Are you done?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Why would they not be? Is that? Like?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Is it? Well?
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Actually? I guess now with digital people can change it
up until the last minute.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Are you you shouldn't tell me that I can do
that because like now I'm like now, I'm like, I
have some I have some changes.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I managed you're shaking a head and I have to
have someone take it off me.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
You shouldn't when you were when you are finished with
the song? Are you at peace with the song? When
you walk out of the studio, you're like, it's finished?
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Or do you hear it?
Speaker 1 (01:41):
And if you ever went back and said, you know what,
I could do something different, are you going.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
To open up a Pandora's box for me? It's like no,
I think like I actually there's a thing of like
it's pretty hard. I had Aaron Destna was really good
at telling me basically when things were done and to
stop tinkering like I would. I would like making the
record is my absolute favorite part of the process. The
(02:08):
making it, like the performance, the sort of like putting
it out my nervous system. It's like it's kind of
terrifying for me, but those two bits feel so sort
of like, yeah, I feel really safe in those spaces.
So I would honestly like make a record forever if
I could, and keep tinkering it. And I do need
(02:29):
people around me to be like it's it's done. It's done.
Stop like taking and I get really obsessive and just
take that little sound out. No, put it back in.
No take it out again, you put it back in,
just like lower it in volume, like slightly.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Okay. The studying Witchcraft, how did it affect your life?
How did it affect you creatively?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
For the album, I think it was more like it
was something I was drawn to because I think there
was like there's so much about the body on this record,
and like what I put myself through on stage, and
the sort of like miraculous feats almost that the body
(03:16):
is able to perform, you know, when it's in a
performance state. And also like there has been this strange
like prescient thing that the songs are always three steps
ahead of me, and some time of stuff happens that
I've sung in songs like years before, and so I
just was like, Okay, if there is a mystical quality
(03:37):
to this, like, let me really just look into it,
you know, let me like really look at the history
of I went to. You know, a lot of my
albums become semi research projects. The last album I got
really obsessed with this phenomenon called corea Mania, which was
like a medieval dancing plague, and that was the seed.
So I was researching that, and I think I would
(03:58):
have loved to be a history I'm like my mom,
but I cannot remember a single date, so and that
seems really key, Like I'm really dyslexic. So I was like,
never going to be an academic. But the albums themselves
become some like research projects sometimes, and I went to
libraries that specialize in, you know, esoteric imagery and you know,
(04:20):
looking into medieval history of magic and witchcraft and things.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Wow, and the albums. Everybody screamed, So was it quite
fortuitous that this would come out on Halloween? Did that's
just how it happened?
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Oh? No, no, it was planned, completely planned. And I mean
that's why I had to stop tinkering, because I was like,
we're making this date. We are making this date. We
have to get Halloween is the only time it can
come out.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
I mean you mentioned not remembering years. I remember two
thousand and nine, I remember the debut album.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
I don't.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I remember vividly hearing you and seeing you, and I'm like,
this person is unbelievable.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
It's different for us though, like the fan Like hearing
you was like wow, and I think we you know,
we have that feeling. You've always had that feeling you
were bored with no, no.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
No, But I was just like when I you know,
when that first blew up, Like I hardly remember remember
any really you know, Yeah, it happens so fast, you're
traveling so much, like there's some drinking, but you're kind
of like so that the whole thing when it kind
of started blowing up, like it's like there are whole
sections of it that I just have.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Did you know or did you I mean, do you
have a sense.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
To take whenever if it's on your first record. Weirdly,
you think it's something that just happens. You're like you
just sort of like don't then you just kind of
are going with it because you have no experience, Like
you're like, oh, okay, like I guess this is what
we're doing. You know. I think it's only consected on
consecutive records when you don't win the awards that you
(05:51):
realize like it's not something that just happens. You're like,
oh okay, like that wasn't That's not something they just
give you.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
There's no participant, you earn them. We got it? Okay, good.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
I love following you on social media. Do you enjoy
posting on social media or do you enjoy looking at
other people's stuff more?
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Oh my god, I don't know if I like any
of it?
Speaker 3 (06:16):
All right?
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Sorry? Is that the wrong thing?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
No, there's no such thing as the wrong thing.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
No, Just because like I find it really anxiety inducing,
so I try to spend like as little time on
there as possible. Honestly, I'm like, I get in and
get out, Like I have app blockers, I have Like
I mean, I think, actually, if you're it's a medium,
isn't it. And I try and find ways to what
I do think it's really useful for and I see
other people really using that as a direct communication with
(06:45):
your fans, with your aesthetic, and as I'm such an
image based person, I do find that really helpful because
I think the nuances of what I do is really complicated,
and you can get like your you can get like
the imagery that you want or your visual way that
you see the world, like directly to the people that
(07:06):
are fans of you, which I find really useful. But
the actual like scrolling, I find like totally destroys my brain,
so I try to get in and get out.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
Gotcha.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
You mentioned that you know, love being in the studio
and it's your favorite part of things. Rate your love
for performing? Are you having as much fun as we
are watching you twirl? I mean, is it? Does it
give you as much I don't know life as it
does us? Because you said you love the studio part
the most, well, I think I love these.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
It's this sort of like the sort of like, yeah,
I think the studio bit and the performance bit are
my two favorite parts. The actual sort of like putting
out music bit by bit into the world is like
so so like find to me because I'm sort of
someone who is weird in this sort of One of
(07:59):
the themes of this record is like my ambition is
often at odds with my personality, you know, is that
I am I don't want to be that visible. I
don't want to be like I want as many people
as possible to listen to my music and come to
my shows, but you know, don't look at me and
don't discuss me, Like that's pretty impossible. And so it's
at odds with being a kind of shy person who
(08:21):
needs a lot of time away from the spotlight and
actually being someone who wants to connect with as many
people as possible and to share these emotions. And I
think the album kind of wrestles with those two things.
When I get on stage, though, it is a different world.
Like I feel so free because I'm not speaking. I'm
not like having to explain. I'm just allowing whatever the
(08:45):
song is to kind of come through me. And in
that sense, like I feel very like it's almost like disappearing,
Like I'm not thinking about whether people are looking at me.
It's so free for me, Like it's almost like vanity
or self consciousness just goes away. And I think, yeah,
like when I'm doing promo that there's not a way, okay,
(09:09):
I look nice.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Whether it's through song or on stage. The authentic connection
you have made with people worldwide, it's just been so
cool to see over the years. This is my second
to last thing at Your album drops on Halloween. What's
your favorite Halloween costume you've ever dressed up as over
the years?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Oh my god, do you like Halloween?
Speaker 2 (09:33):
I did I dress? I dressed up was Joan.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Of Arc Okay, very good.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
I dressed up was Jon of Arc and I went
I ended up. I mean this was you know, pre sobriety.
I dressed up as Joan of ARC. That was an
amazing costume actually, like I had a full I was
covered in chair mil like I had a sword. And
then some friends of us were at like an awards
ceremony after Baudy and Award that like we had not
(10:02):
been nominated for. So I just showed up to this
after party and like full suit of armor with a sword,
being like, hey, I'm not nominated, but I'm here a
full suit Obama. So yeah, that was good.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Like that.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
When where you've announced a tour that doesn't involve the
United States, ask the question, are we going to need
a pass Do.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
I need my passport to see you? Or potentially there
could be some things that are really fun that involve
you on stage in the US.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
I mean potentially.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Potentially.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
You know, when you've done this, you know you're a
boss at this. You could play wherever you wanted. Do
you kind of pick places like if you think of
la and I don't want you to trash any place
or lift any place up, But is there a place
in mind when you're like I'm playing here, When I
come to Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
I don't know many art that do their own routine.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
I know you have no you can't say no to
a venue.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
I don't. I don't, I've never would never even have
it in my mind, Like I'm like, where are we
going today? And then you're going here.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
I'm like, great, fair enough, Well listen, it's so fun
hanging out with you with the cameras are rolling run
on the eights. O Money's booker and striker speak of
beflorence before we play. Everybody's scream give us if you
don't mind. Doesn't have to be the plot of the song,
but lead us into the track before we press play. Here.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Yeah, it's it's sort of like it's good to be
talking about shows and like the potential of because this
song was definitely made about live performance. You know. It
was about the every time I go back on tw it, it
takes a little more out of me, but I always
go back because it gives me something I can't get
(12:00):
anywhere else. You know. I think the song kind of
describes the feelings that I have on stage and then
like and the sort of like ecstasy and horror of that,
you know, of like always returning to that place, and
I really wanted to just as well, just give people
a place that they could scream, you know.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Nice.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
The album comes out on Halloween. We're so lucky to
have her. Florence Welch of Florence in the machine.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Thank you, Thanks for everything. That was really fun hanging
with you. Great job. You can take these home with you.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Guys. It is all ninety eight to seven.
Booker and Striker and Florence while she is Florence in
the machine and we are so excited.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
To have you, thank you so much for having me.
And these flowers are a beautiful thank you.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
Do you really think they're a lovely flower arrangement? Here?
Is it good?
Speaker 2 (00:14):
No? I think it's it's pretty good. Actually, yeah, the
tones are very nice, like it's not like too bright,
there's a little faded.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
I like that for radio standards.
Speaker 3 (00:23):
Yes, it's exactly good.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
It's good.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Everybody scream. Six full length albums. It drops on Halloween,
three years in between albums. How long did it actually
take you to make the twelve songs?
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Oh? My god? Uh see, it's hard, isn't it? Because
like it's I started writing it while I was still
on tour. So I think a song like one of
the greats was kind of written while I was on
tour and then so I think it took about two
(01:00):
years to make. Yeah, And are.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
All the songs fully complete? We're three weeks away from Halloween?
Are you done?
Speaker 2 (01:07):
Why would they not be? Is that? Like?
Speaker 3 (01:12):
Is it? Well?
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Actually? I guess now with digital people can change it
up until the last minute.
Speaker 1 (01:17):
Are you you shouldn't tell me that I can do
that because like now I'm like now, I'm like, I
have some I have some changes.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I managed you're shaking a head and I have to
have someone take it off me.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
You shouldn't when you were when you are finished with
the song? Are you at peace with the song? When
you walk out of the studio, you're like, it's finished?
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Or do you hear it?
Speaker 1 (01:41):
And if you ever went back and said, you know what,
I could do something different, are you going.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
To open up a Pandora's box for me? It's like no,
I think like I actually there's a thing of like
it's pretty hard. I had Aaron Destna was really good
at telling me basically when things were done and to
stop tinkering like I would. I would like making the
record is my absolute favorite part of the process. The
(02:08):
making it, like the performance, the sort of like putting
it out my nervous system. It's like it's kind of
terrifying for me, but those two bits feel so sort
of like, yeah, I feel really safe in those spaces.
So I would honestly like make a record forever if
I could, and keep tinkering it. And I do need
(02:29):
people around me to be like it's it's done. It's done.
Stop like taking and I get really obsessive and just
take that little sound out. No, put it back in.
No take it out again, you put it back in,
just like lower it in volume, like slightly.
Speaker 3 (02:47):
Okay. The studying Witchcraft, how did it affect your life?
How did it affect you creatively?
Speaker 2 (02:54):
For the album, I think it was more like it
was something I was drawn to because I think there
was like there's so much about the body on this record,
and like what I put myself through on stage, and
the sort of like miraculous feats almost that the body
(03:16):
is able to perform, you know, when it's in a
performance state. And also like there has been this strange
like prescient thing that the songs are always three steps
ahead of me, and some time of stuff happens that
I've sung in songs like years before, and so I
just was like, Okay, if there is a mystical quality
(03:37):
to this, like, let me really just look into it,
you know, let me like really look at the history
of I went to. You know, a lot of my
albums become semi research projects. The last album I got
really obsessed with this phenomenon called corea Mania, which was
like a medieval dancing plague, and that was the seed.
So I was researching that, and I think I would
(03:58):
have loved to be a history I'm like my mom,
but I cannot remember a single date, so and that
seems really key, Like I'm really dyslexic. So I was like,
never going to be an academic. But the albums themselves
become some like research projects sometimes, and I went to
libraries that specialize in, you know, esoteric imagery and you know,
(04:20):
looking into medieval history of magic and witchcraft and things.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Wow, and the albums. Everybody screamed, So was it quite
fortuitous that this would come out on Halloween? Did that's
just how it happened?
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Oh? No, no, it was planned, completely planned. And I mean
that's why I had to stop tinkering, because I was like,
we're making this date. We are making this date. We
have to get Halloween is the only time it can
come out.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
I mean you mentioned not remembering years. I remember two
thousand and nine, I remember the debut album.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
I don't.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
I remember vividly hearing you and seeing you, and I'm like,
this person is unbelievable.
Speaker 1 (04:56):
It's different for us though, like the fan Like hearing
you was like wow, and I think we you know,
we have that feeling. You've always had that feeling you
were bored with no, no.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
No, But I was just like when I you know,
when that first blew up, Like I hardly remember remember
any really you know, Yeah, it happens so fast, you're
traveling so much, like there's some drinking, but you're kind
of like so that the whole thing when it kind
of started blowing up, like it's like there are whole
sections of it that I just have.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Did you know or did you I mean, do you
have a sense.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
To take whenever if it's on your first record. Weirdly,
you think it's something that just happens. You're like you
just sort of like don't then you just kind of
are going with it because you have no experience, Like
you're like, oh, okay, like I guess this is what
we're doing. You know. I think it's only consected on
consecutive records when you don't win the awards that you
(05:51):
realize like it's not something that just happens. You're like,
oh okay, like that wasn't That's not something they just
give you.
Speaker 1 (05:59):
There's no participant, you earn them. We got it? Okay, good.
Speaker 3 (06:04):
I love following you on social media. Do you enjoy
posting on social media or do you enjoy looking at
other people's stuff more?
Speaker 2 (06:14):
Oh my god, I don't know if I like any
of it?
Speaker 3 (06:16):
All right?
Speaker 2 (06:17):
Sorry? Is that the wrong thing?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
No, there's no such thing as the wrong thing.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
No, Just because like I find it really anxiety inducing,
so I try to spend like as little time on
there as possible. Honestly, I'm like, I get in and
get out, Like I have app blockers, I have Like
I mean, I think, actually, if you're it's a medium,
isn't it. And I try and find ways to what
I do think it's really useful for and I see
other people really using that as a direct communication with
(06:45):
your fans, with your aesthetic, and as I'm such an
image based person, I do find that really helpful because
I think the nuances of what I do is really complicated,
and you can get like your you can get like
the imagery that you want or your visual way that
you see the world, like directly to the people that
(07:06):
are fans of you, which I find really useful. But
the actual like scrolling, I find like totally destroys my brain,
so I try to get in and get out.
Speaker 3 (07:16):
Gotcha.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
You mentioned that you know, love being in the studio
and it's your favorite part of things. Rate your love
for performing? Are you having as much fun as we
are watching you twirl? I mean, is it? Does it
give you as much I don't know life as it
does us? Because you said you love the studio part
the most, well, I think I love these.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
It's this sort of like the sort of like, yeah,
I think the studio bit and the performance bit are
my two favorite parts. The actual sort of like putting
out music bit by bit into the world is like
so so like find to me because I'm sort of
someone who is weird in this sort of One of
(07:59):
the themes of this record is like my ambition is
often at odds with my personality, you know, is that
I am I don't want to be that visible. I
don't want to be like I want as many people
as possible to listen to my music and come to
my shows, but you know, don't look at me and
don't discuss me, Like that's pretty impossible. And so it's
at odds with being a kind of shy person who
(08:21):
needs a lot of time away from the spotlight and
actually being someone who wants to connect with as many
people as possible and to share these emotions. And I
think the album kind of wrestles with those two things.
When I get on stage, though, it is a different world.
Like I feel so free because I'm not speaking. I'm
not like having to explain. I'm just allowing whatever the
(08:45):
song is to kind of come through me. And in
that sense, like I feel very like it's almost like disappearing,
Like I'm not thinking about whether people are looking at me.
It's so free for me, Like it's almost like vanity
or self consciousness just goes away. And I think, yeah,
like when I'm doing promo that there's not a way, okay,
(09:09):
I look nice.
Speaker 3 (09:11):
Whether it's through song or on stage. The authentic connection
you have made with people worldwide, it's just been so
cool to see over the years. This is my second
to last thing at Your album drops on Halloween. What's
your favorite Halloween costume you've ever dressed up as over
the years?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Oh my god, do you like Halloween?
Speaker 2 (09:33):
I did I dress? I dressed up was Joan.
Speaker 3 (09:37):
Of Arc Okay, very good.
Speaker 2 (09:40):
I dressed up was Jon of Arc and I went
I ended up. I mean this was you know, pre sobriety.
I dressed up as Joan of ARC. That was an
amazing costume actually, like I had a full I was
covered in chair mil like I had a sword. And
then some friends of us were at like an awards
ceremony after Baudy and Award that like we had not
(10:02):
been nominated for. So I just showed up to this
after party and like full suit of armor with a sword,
being like, hey, I'm not nominated, but I'm here a
full suit Obama. So yeah, that was good.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
Like that.
Speaker 1 (10:17):
When where you've announced a tour that doesn't involve the
United States, ask the question, are we going to need
a pass Do.
Speaker 3 (10:25):
I need my passport to see you? Or potentially there
could be some things that are really fun that involve
you on stage in the US.
Speaker 2 (10:33):
I mean potentially.
Speaker 3 (10:36):
Potentially.
Speaker 1 (10:38):
You know, when you've done this, you know you're a
boss at this. You could play wherever you wanted. Do
you kind of pick places like if you think of
la and I don't want you to trash any place
or lift any place up, But is there a place
in mind when you're like I'm playing here, When I
come to Los Angeles.
Speaker 2 (10:58):
I don't know many art that do their own routine.
Speaker 1 (11:02):
I know you have no you can't say no to
a venue.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
I don't. I don't, I've never would never even have
it in my mind, Like I'm like, where are we
going today? And then you're going here.
Speaker 3 (11:12):
I'm like, great, fair enough, Well listen, it's so fun
hanging out with you with the cameras are rolling run
on the eights. O Money's booker and striker speak of
beflorence before we play. Everybody's scream give us if you
don't mind. Doesn't have to be the plot of the song,
but lead us into the track before we press play. Here.
Speaker 2 (11:38):
Yeah, it's it's sort of like it's good to be
talking about shows and like the potential of because this
song was definitely made about live performance. You know. It
was about the every time I go back on tw it, it
takes a little more out of me, but I always
go back because it gives me something I can't get
(12:00):
anywhere else. You know. I think the song kind of
describes the feelings that I have on stage and then
like and the sort of like ecstasy and horror of that,
you know, of like always returning to that place, and
I really wanted to just as well, just give people
a place that they could scream, you know.
Speaker 3 (12:19):
Nice.
Speaker 1 (12:20):
The album comes out on Halloween. We're so lucky to
have her. Florence Welch of Florence in the machine.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Thank you, Thanks for everything. That was really fun hanging
with you. Great job. You can take these home with you.
Speaker 1 (12:32):
Guys. It is all ninety eight to seven.
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com