Major Label Debut

Major Label Debut

Graham Wright (Tokyo Police Club, CBC Radio) interviews musicians, producers, and writers about what happens when bands sign to a major label. Candid conversations about the intersection of art and commerce. Debuting Monday October 28! New episode every other week!

Episodes

December 31, 2025 16 mins
Intrepid correspondents Graham and John Paul talk about the future - Happy New Year!

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In this spirit of the season we reflect on the support of our dearest friends with this rebroadcast. From all of us at MLD, take care and Happy Holidays!

Graham is joined by drummer, composer, songwriter, long-time friend and grilled cheese wizard, Greg Alsop to discuss the industry through the lens of their band, Tokyo Police Club. A candid conversation between two friends about creativity, musicianship, and the end of a nearly twe...
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December 17, 2025 28 mins
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 Alvin's New Album with The Third Mind Right Now...
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 mid 00's fascination with robots. Also...
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Intrepid correspondents Graham and John Paul talk about Jack White and Eminem's performance at the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving halftime show. 

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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.

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We Are Scientists “Nobody Move, Nobody Get Hurt” (2:20)
Art Brut “Formed A Band” (20:15)
We Are Scientists “The Great Escape” (24:55 )
Ambulance Ltd. “Primit...
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November 19, 2025 23 mins
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.

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November 13, 2025 65 mins
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.

📻🎚️
Chris Stamey “Of Time and All She Bri...
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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.

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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!

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Intrepid correspondents Graham and John Paul offer their cold takes on Taylor Swift's "The Life Of A Showgirl".

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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” (4:09)
Kim Deal and Morgan Nagler “Ra...
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October 8, 2025 18 mins
Graham and John Paul talk about the cancellation of Future Ruins and the new Taylor Swift record.

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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)

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September 24, 2025 30 mins
Graham is reunited with John Paul who shares his concert review of Nine Inch Nails.

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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”  (1:08)
“Spam” (21:50)
The Specials “Gho...
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September 10, 2025 16 mins
*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)

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September 3, 2025 74 mins
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.

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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 Amour” (46:01)
Victor Young Orchestra “Beaut...
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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)

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August 27, 2025 16 mins
Graham saw Oasis aand he's gonna tell you about it!

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