Join Kenny and Mark for an ultra-thick FOUR HOUR conversation about the Mount L’Olympia of Madonna tours - 2012’s MDNA Tour. Topics include the legacy of Christopher Ciccone, trading recipes, the first selection for the Alain Delon Film Club, new faces on tour, fighting (already) with Interscope, transgression, FREEDOM, Australia, Zoey Bartlett and The West Wing, cosplay, the return of the Pussy Posse, priests under beds, the perfect hotel room for $45, a polarizing “Hung Up” and “Like a Prayer”, Baby Jesus on Sixth Avenue, “Born This Way”, batons, unshackling one’s self from old ideas, Ryan Murphy’s inspiration, George Michael, Miley Cyrus, masturbation, gas masks, slavery, zip lines, trust falls, Yankee Stadium, a goth Monte Pittman, David Crosby’s benefit, the evolution of gender-bending, Mark’s obsession with drummers, Wilco, Madonna as PTA President, the Williamsburg in Virginia, Kevin Antunes, harmonizing with the Kalakan trio, the Golden Triangle bitches, Kenny’s thwarted trip to Dallas, lip-syncing to “Justify My Love”, plastic surgery, musical checking of the box, the return of Gus: Floor Mopper, Joan Ciccone, the lackluster Nicki Richards, the blend-able Kiley Dean, the fickleness of the Generation Gap, the waste of a social media nude, keeping your finger on the zeitgeist, and whether it’s better to show your ass or show your feelings. Plus, a comping through of all that bootleg pre-show rehearsal footage from around the world and Madonna makes a run for the car! As Season Six: BUSINESS, WOMAN (2010-2012) wraps, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to every single listener to the show - and to Madonna herself for keeping Mark and Kenny on their toes. “This is a song about LOVE!”
All I Want To Do Is Talk About Madonna
S6- Ep16- Best Friend
Mark and Kenny decode the restlessly bold and confessional final track on the deluxe edition of MDNA. Topics include the final return of the Benassi Brothers, the slender difference between friendship and romantic love, Sheridan Smith, Alex Rodriguez, the vocal pushing away and the pulling in, the specters of 2012, confessions and celebrations, lyrical bread crumbs and evolutions, Bjork’s “Hunter”, and we phone a friend and reach mega-listener Vernon to discuss his special connections with this song, and who was ultimately Madonna’s most successful relationship. Plus, Kenny blows his Madonna narrative up into epic proportions, a tribute to the long-suffering significant others of Madonna fans, and an extra special announcement to share at the top of the episode - does it really have to end?
S6-Ep15 - B'Day Song
Kenny and Mark light some candles to celebrate one of the most frequently-streamed song in the Madonna canon - and the return of M.I.A.! Should MDNA have had THIRTEEN official album tracks? Topics include: M.I.A.’s “Come Walk With Me”, the joys of silliness, Sixties Mod-sters, The Beatles, secret final tracks, Stevie Wonder and the other anthemic birthday songs. Plus, Mark works at Chi-Chi’s and Tina makes a brief (and topless) cameo!!
S6- Ep14 - I Fucked Up
Mark and Kenny bust out their decoder rings to interpret the diaristic lyrics on this bonus track from MDNA and fight over what constitutes a “bonus track.” Topics include swimming pools, Madonna’s art collection, Rocco’s canvases, Madonna going hiking, lyrical exorcisms, fantasy roads not taken, potential duets, and whether or not we can forgive (and forget). Plus, Kenny introduces a new catch phrase into the conversation, and Mark offers to join Shawn Mendes in performing their break-up song at Madison Square Garden. And who’s still sending email?
S6- Ep13- Beautiful Killer
Kenny and Mark pull on their Burberry trenches to investigate this fan favorite from the deluxe edition of MDNA while Madonna role plays femme fatale with Martin Solveig, the Alain Delon Appreciation Film Festival is launched, and the girls from Madame X give a preview at an extra special live show at the Paris Olympia. Plus an extra special announcement to share at the top of the episode - maybe it’s what you’ve been dreaming about?
S6-Ep12 - Falling Free
Mark and Kenny wrap up the standard album version of MDNA with a deep and vulnerable discussion about heartbreak, relationships, mortality, and freedom. William Orbit collaborates with Torch Song bandmate Laurie Mayer and Joe Henry’s back to assist his sister-in-law. Plus, Special Guest Miguel Gutierrez performs a cover version of the ballad as “Sadonna” from the August 2024 live show. We love you, Jack.
Miguel Guitterez as Sadonna live at the Francis Kite Club 8/8/24
S6-Ep11 - Love Spent
Kenny and Mark re-string their banjos to break down BOTH versions of this fan favorite ballad (?) from MDNA. Topics include family prenups, Sex and the City’s Bunny MacDougal (as well as Charlotte and Trey’s doomed marriage), Marian Seldes, Lynn Cohen, Muni Long, Free School, the veteran Alain Whyte, Morrissey’s Your Arsenal, MIKA, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, corsets, J Lo and Ben Affleck, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Ricky Gervais, Larry David, William Orbit’s rewriting remixes, and the appeal of a Classic Six on the Upper East Side. Plus, Madonna starts soliciting cash from her audiences - and appears on The Marriage Ref. “Wondering where it all went” indeed!
S6- Ep10 - I'm A Sinner
Mark and Kenny get down on their knees to discuss the sparkling and oh-so-Catholic shoulda-been single from MDNA. Topics include Kelis and the album she co-wrote with Jean Baptiste Flesh Tone, the return of poppy William Orbit, the Pet Shop Boys, Thomas Aquinas, Mark’s grandfather, ICE CREAM, Kenny’s play about miracles and Golda Meir, and the potential first Millennial saint. Plus, the transformative Orbit remix and Madonna’s prayer in front of 10,000 fans in St. Louis - I like it that way!
S6-Ep9 - I Don't Give A...
Kenny and Mark bust out their To-Do lists and revisit this autobiographic and confessional track from MDNA. Topics include a return to rap, operatic escalations, time management lessons from Trixie Mattel and Joan Rivers, meeting the new tech guy, the musical variety of collaborator Julien Jabre, and whether or not Madonna truly ever yearns to hop off that never-ending treadmill. Plus, the supreme Nikki Minaj helps this non-single chart South Korea, and favorite assistant Tina gets an award in Wisconsin!
S6- Ep8 - Superstar
Mark and Kenny take their insulin shots to survive the sugary-sweet return to 1980s Madonna, Topics include a pair of mystery songwriter/producers, a special suprise remix, and - oh no! - Lola starts smoking! Ooh La La indeed!
S6- Ep7 - Some Girls
Kenny and Mark strap on their pumps and dance with one of the darker, secret tracks on MDNA. Topics include William Orbit, the brilliant Klas Åhlund & his collaborations with Robyn, lyrical weaponry, the sleaze of the Rolling Stones, the return of Dita Parlo, and a special three song story (across three albums) about vengeance. Quiet in the limousine!
S6- Ep 6 - Give Me All Your Luvin' (LIVE!)
Kenny and Mark bust out the pom-poms for a LIVE show at the Francis Kite Club in Alphabet City to discuss the first single and so much more from MDNA. Topics include cheerleading, female collaborators, garage rock, bananas, ZZ Top, Burgundy wine, Martin Solveig, Michael Tordjman, Bob Costas, mascots, Megaforce, trench coats and baby carriages, THE SUPER BOWL HALFTIME PERFORMANCE, Midwestern farm hands, the NY Giants and the New England Patriots, Kelly Clarkson, LMFAO, CeeLo Green and the ultimate version of “Like a Prayer”, slack lining, the brilliant Moment Factory collaboration, and setting up a stage in under eight minutes. Plus, an appreciation of the star power of Nicki Minaj and Kenny deep dives into the fascinating and complicated M.I.A. Special thanks to the fabulous staff at Francis Kite Club, our Special Guest Sadonna, and all of the beautiful listeners, friends, and family who came out on a rainy night to celebrate the show with us. See you in two weeks!
S6- Episode 5 - Turn up the Radio
Live from the Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City! Mark and Kenny hop back in the car with Madonna to rave about the final single from MDNA. Topics include Martin Solveig, Jade Williams, Bridgette Bardot and Barcelona, cleavage and convertibles, handsy chauffeurs, sweetheart Brahim Zaibat, Laidback Luke, R3hab, Tom Munro, missing dance breaks, the chart-toppers Autograph, and whether this song should have been the opening of the entire MDNA Tour. Plus, a deep dive into travel time management at airports - and exactly who would get to join Madonna on a road trip when she swings by the studio. La festa è finita, adesso allacciati la cintura stronzetta!
Special thank you to Mr. Joe Hazan for his assistance - both technical and emotional - with this episode.
S6- Ep 4 - I'm Addicted (w/Rich Juzwiak)
Live from the Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center in New York City! Kenny and Mark welcome special guest (and notorious Madame X critic) Rich Juzwiak for a joyous and EDM-tinged discussion about the hard-driving dance track from MDNA. Topics include critical exchanges and reassessment, the beloved Madonna bridge, Katy Perry and naked running, “dom energy”, competitive producers, drugs and the meaning of MDNA, Jay Leno, fanny packs, the Dead Mouse controversy, immutable wake-up times, the vibes while dancing, the commodification and gate-keeping in the EDM world, illegal raves, potential future Record Store releases, and the soundcheck footage from the MDNA tour. Okay, we need to dance!
Find Rich on IG at @richjuz, @potpsychology.
Special thank you to Mr. Joe Hazan for his assistance - both technical and emotional - with this episode.
S6-Ep 3 - Gang Bang
Mark and Kenny explore the dark and vengeful corners of MDNA on this audacious and visceral story song. Topics include sunset trickery, transforming a demo, studio nerd-dom, William Orbit, Demolition Crew, the power of dubstep, the arrival of a new Madonna voice going there, Tori Amos’ Strange Little Girls album, the emergence of musical mash-ups, and another reckoning with Madonna’s visual (and lyrical) obsession with guns. Plus, Kenny and Mark figure out who wound up with all of THEIR jack and also rescue a lost unofficial Tracy Young. Now DRIVE, bitch!
S6- EP2 - Girl Gone Wild (w/ Charlotte Salmon)
Here it comes - Mark and Kenny get wild while breaking apart the second single from Madonna’s MDNA, her first on Interscope Records. Topics include the returns of the Benassi Bros. and Mert and Marcus, the liberation from constraints, Kazaky, ghosting in Provincetown, the inspiration of new collaborators and influences, Quentin Tarantino, 60s mod style, Jimmy Fallon and Facebook Live, cover albums, Madonna as DJ, and Kenny makes a strong case for an official re-release of this banger. Plus, Kenny and Mark phone one of their favorite girls gone wild - mega-fan and loyal listener Charlotte Salmon!!
S6- Ep 1 - Masterpiece
Kenny and Mark kick off a packed Season Six assessing the many non-musical ventures Madonna embarks on into the second decade of the 21st century including clothing lines, fragrances and gyms. Plus, a deep dive conversation about W.E. and its official theme song “Masterpiece”. Topics include: the emergence of Lourdes Leon, Taylor Momson, Zendaya and the rest of the Material Girl models, Madonna as stylist, the departures of Tracy Anderson and Caresse Henry, co-writing with Alex Keshishian, Wallis Simpson as played by Andrea Riseborough, Oscar Isaac, the aloofness of Abbie Cornish, David Harbour, the silent songwriting team of Julie Frost and Jimmy Harry, the Stephen Sondheim auction, the matchmaking prowess of William Orbit, Abel Korzeniowski, Henry Mancini, Dimitry from Paris, Hagen Bogdanski, HYDRANGEAS!, the spat at the Golden Globes with David Furnish and Sir Elton John, it’s all so reductive… We are thrilled to be back and to be hanging in the Louvre - totes mcgotes!
SPECIAL SUMMER EP: A Conversation with Ann Powers
SPECIAL SUMMER EPISODE: A Conversation w/ Ann Powers, author of Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell
For Part Two of our celebration of Joni Mitchell, the great ANN POWERS, esteemed rock writer and NPR music critic, joins Mark for a conversation about her brilliant new book Traveling: On the Path of Joni Mitchell. Topics include: the question of critical enthusiasm, Ann Beattie, Don DeLillo & Don Henley, Joni’s plug into the pulse of the culture, Joan Didion and Play It As It Lays, Roberta Flack, Miles Davis, Art Nouveau and Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter, Joni’s evolving obsession with rhythm (and percussionists), Los Lobos, Chaka Khan, Prince’s song for Joni, the Jazz Fusion scene of the mid-1970s, Jaco Pastorius, Brandi Carlisle and the Joni Jams, Taylor Swift and a celebration of the studio nerd, the underrated Larry Klein, Joni’s relationship with the press, Joni’s live performances, Michelle Mercer, and what moment in music Ann would travel in a time machine. Plus, a passionate reappraisal of Joni’s four 1980s albums on Geffen Records and the value of meeting (and not!) your musical heroes. Special thank you to Dey Street Books and Mr. Brian Ulicky for his assistance with this conversation.
summer special- Joni Mitchell’s Hejira
Mark and Kenny spend a long awaited spring afternoon in conversation about one of Madonna’s early musical influences - Joni Mitchell - and their favorite album 1976’s Hejira, as well as road trips and motels, a crackerjack collection of jazz fusion musicians, a genius’ search for bravery and clarity in both personal relationships and the relationship with herself, a renewed search in the American Dream. This episode is part of a two-part celebration of Joni Mitchell..Part Two arrives on friday June 14th, “No regrets Coyote”.
S5- Episode 29 - Celebration
Kenny and Mark wrap up some loose threads (and Season Five!) with a celebratory discussion of the title song from Madonna’s THIRD greatest hits album. Topics include: the continuing challenges of a greatest hits record, Paul Oakenfold, Ciaran Gribbin, INXS and the late great Michael Hutchence, a tribute to Fine Young Cannibals, Benny Benassi, a desire for the throb, the Dance of Life, Jesus Luz and his song “Running Man”, Kenny’s fan fiction starring Steven Klein, David Letterman and the “Madge” debate, hockey sticks, Jimmy Fallon, SNL, Lady Gaga, Lourdes, Akon, and the scattering of remixes. Plus, unearthing “Broken” and its brutal poetic truths, and the Mirwais/Monte Pittman collaboration “It’s So Cool.” THANK YOU 4 LISTENING to Season Five: GODDESS (nothing lasts forever). “We need love, love, LOVE!"
