Sturgill Simpson | Broken Record (Hosted by Rick Rubin)

Kentucky singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson is used to doing what he wants, when he wants… at least until contracting COVID in early March sidelined him.
After a rough, months-long battle with the virus, Sturgill was itching to get back in the studio. So, in October he dropped a surprise bluegrass album called “Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1” that masterfully reworks his back catalogue.
Sturgill was in his mid-30s when he found fame as a country artist in Nashville. He had already lived a full life including a stint in the Navy, and years spent working in Salt Lake City rail yards. His outsider status in Nashville boosted his outlaw appeal. But as time passed, Sturgill began to despise the relentless expectations of the major label system. In true rebel fashion, Sturgill has now taken back control of his career and returned to his independent roots.
In his interview with Rick Rubin, Sturgill explains why his bluegrass album is the purest expression of his work, why it bothers him that people often overlook the stories in his songs, and why being classified as a country star has been perhaps the biggest detriment to his career.
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ABOUT BROKEN RECORD
From Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam, and Justin Richmond. The musicians you love talk about their life, inspiration, and craft. Then play.
ABOUT RICK RUBIN
Frederick Jay “Rick” Rubin is an American record producer and former co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, he is the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings and also established American Recordings. With the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Geto Boys, and Run-DMC, Rick helped popularize hip-hop music.
In 2007, MTV called him “the most important producer of the last 20 years,” and the same year he was named one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World.
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[@BrokenRecordPodcast]

Hear the full episode with even more music now: podcasts.pushkin.fm/broken-record-sturgill-simpson?sid=yt

[@SlinkyT82]

Have loved Sturgill for years now. His bluegrass albums are my favorite.

[@Bradenmadebeats]

Sturgill, your humility and adventurous approach are inspirational. Thank you so much for every word, every note. Don’t ever change and keep on changin’ like you do 😉

[@GodseyKnives]

I get the stories Sturgill is amazing I pray he keeps writing and performing . The tributes to his grand parents DOOD AND JUANITA , AND HERO so good .

[@ExpatMarauder]

I fell in love with your lyrics, Sturgill

[@APKyle]

51:21 isn’t long enough, if you ask me. I love Sturgill, man. I never really understood what people meant when they said “This (band/artist) changed my life.” A Sailor’s Guide to Earth had just come out when I began to really dive into his discography. Conveniently, I was going through one of the strangest, most difficult times of my life. I can’t tell you how many times I played that album from Welcome to Earth, to Call to Arms. I was able to begin to make some sense of life again. It’s other worldly, sometimes- what music can do.

[@aobfgzdgazlk-kj5ot]

im in this rn brother

[@APKyle]

@@aobfgzdgazlk-kj5ot keep faith, man. God is good.

[@aobfgzdgazlk-kj5ot]

i appreciate you thank u@@APKyle

[@markhansen8039]

Sturgill will push your boundaries when it comes to music. I suggest just letting go and enjoying the ride. Really loved hearing about his early influences. Happy to have recently been exposed to him.

[@charlescannoy5562]

Fantastic interview. No fluff no bullshit just a straight up conversation. And I know Sturgill appreciated this format

[@Mark_Maze]

Notes & words that carry ALL the weight that makes this life lighter have been less n less. Thanks to both of these guys for giving us More!!!

[@ExpatMarauder]

I woke up to take a shit at 1am I just realized it's damn near 230 and I am still on the toilet...Amazing interview

[@theycallyouthebandit]

Mr. Rubin, Mr. Simpson, BIG fan here of the Art you both have created. I've spent many, a many a Day with it. Beginning with "License To Ill." Anyways, I've pre-prepared before my proper "Volume" arrives by self-declaring myself as a Country Singer who is NOT a Country Artist. I prefer the term Popular Artist or Pop Artist. I believe Resonation is the Legit "Bees Knees." You can feel it. You can create it. You can watch it roll like a Spring storm. That feeling of a positive emotion, one that allows you to connect & feel as if you are not alone, is a mighty popular feeling to experience. I've learned that from singin' my words to all who crossed my path & would listen for a bit. From the dusty Coalminers, to the Steel Drivers, the Cowgirls & Boys, the Bikers, those Free Spirited both fresh & weathered, to the folks in the fine suits & dresses. That lovin' cute couple wantin' to waltz on a Texas Saturday night or the two drunks fixin' to fight. The Veterans who i've sat & listened to, plus of course, all the Dogs, Birds, Cats, Fish, & little Kids too. Understanding & fully accepting the ability to truly Resonate comes from a Place way bigger than you, that's when "your" Art honestly can become true. Truth resonates. Mr. Rubin, Sir, not if, when you read these words, please write back. I got a tune that'll have us sittin' in Bob Dylan's kitchen by Fall bullshittin' bout Mr. Billy Joe Shaver & talkin' boxin'. ✌️

[@jessehamilton7343]

My wife and I walked down the aisle to Turtles

[@Ducklingy57]

Congrats!

[@frankwebster9110]

That's pretty awesome. Beautiful stuff

[@charleswilliampemberton639]

My girlfriend says that we can do that too if that will make me walk down the aisle with her 😂

[@bigglilwayne7050]

Tremendous!

[@thescaleofnature5775]

This conversation made my day!

[@michaeljustin9722]

Unreal!!!

[@chuck6033]

Legendary. Probably my favorite producer speaking with one of my all time favorite recording artists. Legendary. And fun to listen to.

[@TheEliteMovers]

Im going through some shit. I listened to this tonight. I can relate to Simpson. Cool dude

[@Maurathelighthealer]

Billy Strings and Sturgill -- id love to see a collab a hillbilly astral weeks with a few heavy metal songs on top. Keep it real Sturgill I love your critical honesty and openness and I have loved every record. Because you are an amazing artist!

[@Dolphus1111]

Fantastic.

[@user-rr3sh3yn6v]

Luckily his wife recognized who he was...women play a big roll in these situations.

[@medic2807]

I've found that I don't really align politically with Sturgill, but both Sailor's Guide and Metamodern got me through some tough stops in life.

[@nickabee1149]

nah man. the blue grass versions of those songs took away all the punch and angst that they had on the first two albums. the slower tempo combined with the drum gave them the added feels. i miss it. but different strokes for different folks i suppose. ill keep on cranking the first two tho.

[@bryanmeisberger1707]

Check out sunday valley stuff...

[@skyportalmusic7178]

Jesus Loves You

[@marksimons4108]

Yes not long now! Baruch Haba Hashem Adonai👑🕯🙌

[@palacecat]

He's talking about his new social media presence--what platform is he on?

[@joesiebeneck1]

Instagram

[@dylnthmsn420]

Did they not talk at all about Sound & Fury? WTF is that?

[@n0n1337h41]

These aren’t like normal interviews where there are pre-written questions and prompts that are intended to be a part of the promotional circuit. Rick just has a legit conversation with people. Simpson could have brought up S&F, but it just didn’t seem to come up. I don’t know how many of these you’ve listened to, but Rick almost never combs through any artists’ full discography unless they’re a very new artist.

[@dylnthmsn420]

Seems strange, seeing as it's the best album in the catalog and has an animated Netflix movie based on it.

[@tylershannon9903]

@@dylnthmsn420 he also hates it. plus he has a newer record

[@hstephens78]

@@dylnthmsn420 I really tried but I just cannot get into that album. I watched the Netflix movie thinking it would help...no dice.

[@JEEDUHCHRI]

I will say I saw Sturgill in Fall of 2019 at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park NJ(benefit for the vets), and Asheville NC in late Feb of 2020(last live show I really saw). He played a lot of Sound and Fury stuff which I wasn’t really into. But seeing it live, and seeing how he took songs from each record and played them in different genre forms was pretty damn awesome. I think it’s just one of those albums that can be really appreciated live. It was a straight up rock show. Which I love rock n roll, but I could see other people just wanted his country stuff, others came with their girl for the soulful love stuff, some just came for the loud rock n roll. Either way it’s a good thing to see your favorite artists having more fun than you. They’re pulling us along on their journey. To quote Buffy St. Marie- “You can travel all alone, or you can come along with me!!”

[@Kato-kine]

Did you vaccinated Sturgill?

[@starstart23]

masks still dont work Sturgill

[@KevinDanielMusic]

Thanks for posting! If you have a minute, I uploaded a cover of Jason Isbell. As a fellow music fan, I'd love if you would check it out. It's on my channel. Hope you like it!

[@CharlieHustle1687]

Not trying to stir anything up but I fell off Sturgil after that weird album and just his negativity. Hopefully he gets that old sound again.

[@TsmithJustin]

I doubled down after that weird album. Didn't get it. Ate some mushies and listened again. Then I got it.

[@Skwid-Lives]

It’s the album that got me into him. It’s dope and your ears aren’t working too well

[@nontraditionaltech2073]

Even though I love country (mostly red dirt stuff) and most other kinds of music, Sound & Fury is what brought me to Sturgill. That weird album is seriously one of my favorite albums of all time. To me, it’s perfect

[@CaponeCraps]

Thank God these two got to sit down and chat! Sturgill is todays bluegrass/country version of vintage Rick. Could you imagine them makining an album together when they both decided to just go for it?!? Please god make it happen

[@caseywilson7768]

I grew up in the midwest and despised country and blue grass my entire life. Sturgill and Billy Strings are changing that ever so slightly. Good stuff

[@markhansen8039]

Same

[@bigglilwayne7050]

By far the most informative and deepest Sturgill interview I've heard, Rick Rubin is as good of an interviewer as he is a record producer...

[@ferminjimenez1462]

When Rick asked sturg if going outside the norm in bluegrass was acceptable sturgills response made me believe in what I'm doing. I'd love to play them my Spanish bluegrass corridos.

[@sil-80nick]

We need to hear more about what Sturgill and Donald Glover were planning during their video call. I’m really excited for what they would make in a collaboration.

[@ExpatMarauder]

I hated country until you..Now I go down the merle haggard rabbit hole.y Dad used to listen to it all when I was a kid but once I found Metallica I stayed hard rock for years

[@wsmac27]

"We don't play to be seen. I'm addicted to music, not audiences." ~ Miles Davis

[@Steve_643]

Bluegrass reminds me of going to the Eagles Club with my grandparents when I was a kid. I didn’t know I liked it till I was older I guess I wasn’t ready

[@MyYouTubeNameisTaken]

Haha, my mom threw away my Appetite for Destruction tape bc of the artwork too.

[@JEEDUHCHRI]

As per convo around 38:19. Don’t forget about JJ Cale.

[@boonesboroughbeachboy9341]

Dude, you and Rick Rubin. Wtf lol!!!! I’m proud and happy for you. You blow my mind so many times. I really love your music. Fame and success is one thing but I love all your songs. Dave letterman was mind blowing, Grammy, friends with John Prine (2sylabels) , touring with Willie doing Waylons parts. It’s a beautiful thing man. Love you brother

[@kylehuber4831]

Rick is a terrific interviewer and Sturgill is a great interviewee

[@nikopoa6555]

7:45 28:40