New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi thought his touring days could be over as he struggled to recover from a crucial but risky vocal surgery. Now he and his band are back and preparing to head out on their first major tour in four years, including a residency at New York's Madison Square Garden and three nights at Wembley Stadium in London. He and Roisin discuss how he felt opening up about such a tricky time in the band's documentary, 'Thank You, Goodnight', their recent album 'Forever (Legendary Edition)', and his joy over his growing family. Also, his views on today's new music (a Chappell Roan fan, it turns out) and what he made of the Oasis reunion, and the moment he finally teamed up on record with his childhood hero, Bruce Springsteen!Subscribe to The Independent's music newsletter, Now Hear This here, to get your weekly dose of the latest news, music and artists grabbing Roisin's attention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episode 21: Zara Larsson
Zara Larsson has entered a new era. The Swedish pop star got her first taste of fame when she was just 10 years old, after winning the Swedish version of Got Talent back in 2008. Her single “Lush Life” catapulted her to international attention aged 17, the first of a series of hit singles including “Ain’t My Fault”, “Girls Like” with Tinie Tempah and “Ruin My Life”. Her fifth studio album, the dazzling Midnight Sun, was released in September 2025 ahead of her spot opening for Tate McRae on her Miss Possessive Tour. Still riding that high, she chats with Roisin about her pop girl status, the support she’s received from her peers and why she can’t help but fire back at the haters.Subscribe to The Independent's music newsletter, Now Hear This here, to get your weekly dose of the latest news, music and artists grabbing Roisin's attention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episode 20: Bret McKenzie
Bret. Brit? Britney? Oscar and Grammy-winning Flight of the Conchords star, composer, musician and actor Bret McKenzie is back with his new album Freak Out City, a lush, psychedelic trip of a record that takes its cues from The Beatles and ELO. In this episode, he regales Roisin with tales of his touring misadventures (heard the one about the tour manager who misplaced $5,000?), explains why bakeries are dangerous territory for a Conchord ("baguette?") and reveals how a mischievous Sir Ian McKellen got him scolded by Peter Jackson on the set of The Hobbit. He and Roisin also discuss the perils of dating in a small town, the weird briefs he gets while composing music for Hollywood blockbusters, and whether he and Jemaine Clement are working on a FOTC reunion...Subscribe to The Independent's music newsletter, Now Hear This here, to get your weekly dose of the latest news, music and artists grabbing Roisin's attention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episode 19: Taylor Swift special ft Professor Stephanie Burt
Professor Stephanie Burt is described by The New York Times as "one of the most influential poetry critics of [her] generation", and in 2024 made headlines around the world when she offered a class at Harvard University titled "Taylor Swift and Her World". Her new book, Taylor's Version, is inspired by that course and offers in-depth critical studies of Swift's body of work for a wider audience. As the pop star releases her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, Professor Burt tells Roisin about how she first became drawn to Swift's songwriting and why she believes it's possible to make comparisons between her work and the poetry of Alexander Pope or William Wordsworth. She also picks her favourite Swift songs (currently) and unpacks "the two sides" of Swift: the relatable and aspirational. Subscribe to The Independent's music newsletter, Now Hear This here, to get your weekly dose of the latest news, music and artists grabbing Roisin's attention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episode 18: Kojey Radical
Kojey Radical doesn't rush greatness. His debut album, 2022's Reasons to Smile, received a spot on the Mercury Prize shortlist and plenty of critical acclaim to boot. Three years later, he's back with an even better work, Don't Look Down, which develops its predecessor's themes of fatherhood, Blackness, co-parenting, love, success and self-doubt. Seven years since they first met, he opened up to Roisin about why he's struggled to make relationships work and why, despite his fantastic career, he's still hit by feelings of imposter syndrome. They also dived into the making of Don't Look Down, which features an astonishing who's-who of some of the most talented musicians working today.Subscribe to The Independent's music newsletter, Now Hear This here, to get your weekly dose of the latest news, music and artists grabbing Roisin's attention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Independent’s music editor Roisin O’Connor invites musicians, producers and songwriters from all genres and walks of life into the studio, where her lively, engaging and warm interview style allows them to open up like never before. Episodes delivered fortnightly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
New Zealand