On this week’s episode, we’re catching up with an old friend. Ben Schwartz is on tour with his improv show “Ben Schwartz and Friends.” He’s voicing Sonic in the upcoming fourth film in the “Sonic the Hedgehog” series. And he’s just completed a passion project – a new TV series that he’s written, directed and stars in based on his popular Funny or Die web series “The Earliest Show.” 00:00 Intro 01:

Our guest this episode, Nile Rodgers, has left an indelible mark on American music, as a guitarist, producer, and leader of the band Chic. Nile was just named one of the “30 Greatest Living American Songwriters” by the New York Times. He co-wrote the #1 hits “Good Times,” and “Le Freak,” for Chic. Nile also co-wrote “Get Lucky” with Daft Punk, “Let’s Dance” with David Bowie, “I’m Coming Out” for D

Tom Morello is one of the great guitarists of our time, known for his epic albums with Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave. We talk about his many collaborations, with Chris Cornell, Bruce Springsteen, and now his 15-year-old son, Roman, on Tom's latest record, “Everyone Gets Everything They Want.” 00:00 Intro 01:02 Tom's first solo rock album after 22 records 02:02 Writing with his son Roman

Our guest this episode, Sam Smith, is one of the most popular singers in the world. Sam's music has more than 57 billion streams. We first met in 2014 in Sam's hometown in England, when their debut album was just blowing up. Now, a dozen years later, Sam came to my home to talk about their stunning fifth album, "Hazel Eyes." 00:00 "That's where I sat with you" 00:32 Welcome to Alchemy 02:13 A quee

One of my favorite singers, Sara Bareilles, is our guest this episode. Sara's released five top 10 albums, written the music and lyrics for the hit Broadway show "Waitress," and starred in a Sondheim musical. She's back with her first new studio album in seven years, "Good Grief," and it's a beauty. 00:00 Intro 01:03 Juggling an album, a tour, a film and a musical 03:24 "Good Grief": an album born

Brittany Howard has been ranked one of the greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone. Then there's that voice, which the New Yorker called "a mixture of Robert Plant and Marvin Gaye." Brittany's debut album with her band Alabama Shakes was a million-seller. Their follow-up went to No. 1. Now, after Brittany's two great solo albums, the Shakes are back with a record called "I Must Be Dreamin

Welcome to the debut episode of Alchemy! For our very first guest, I invited one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Andrew Hozier-Byrne. Between his breakout hit “Take Me to Church” and his more recent smash “Too Sweet,” he’s put out three exceptional albums. Hozier talks with us about falling in love with Simon & Garfunkel as a kid in Ireland, the mystery that always brings him back to music, and

A first look at Alchemy, where award-winning journalist Anthony Mason sits down with the artists who shape our culture. First full episode Wednesday, September 23. New episodes every Wednesday. Subscribe now.