Music Makes You Think | Interviews with musicians

Music Makes You Think is for people who experience music a little more deeply than the average listener. All articles are written by Julie Simmons and most were previously featured in other publications.

FEATURED STORY

Fuel for Thought

How do fuel prices impact musicians, fans and the industry? A look back on when oil prices surged in 2006.

22 hours ago5 min read

In this photo from the artists, Brae is standing behind Joey. Brae is wearing a NY Yankees baseball hat and Joey is wearing a pink beanie hat. This image is most likely from when they were 22 years old (or younger).

Interview with Joey Valence & Brae: Can They Succeed Without the Music Industry?

How old are Joey Valence and Brae? What we should be asking is whether it's possible to maintain success without a label.

Feb 254 min read

Image of Josh Dun singing into a microphone. This is probably from the Clancy tour (2023) in which he sang backing vocals on "Leave the City"

Interview with Josh Dun: How twenty one pilots’ Drummer Found His Voice

Josh talks about challenging himself to do more interviews to singing to becoming a dad. This is Julie Simmons' third interview with Josh Dun.

Sep 26, 20257 min read

Neyla Pekarek is shown playing cello and singing into a mircophone. This image is meant to show her getting out on her own.

Interview with Neyla Pekarek, Cellist of The Lumineers, as She Steps Out on Her Own with "Rattlesnake"

In this rare interview, Neyla talks about the solo project that confirmed her departure from The Lumineers.

Aug 14, 20256 min read

ABOUT
JULIE SIMMONS

Julie Simmons is an American music journalist and creator of Music Makes You Think.

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MMYT Spring 2026 Mix

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push the pipe - Joey Valence & Brae
I Just Might - Bruno Mars
PINNACLE - Jon Batiste
Hula Girl - The Neighbourhood
Run It - URF Tone
Vagabond Moon - Willie Nile
Lonely Road - Natalie Bergman
Where I'm From - Digable Planets
Crossbow - Tamar Aphek
Award Tour (feat. Trugoy The Dove) - A Tribe Called Quest
What's In The Tea? - Calimossa
On My Soul - Bruno Mars
Ava Adore - The Smashing Pumpkins
M.E. - Wand
Jazz (We've Got) - A Tribe Called Quest
Tell Your Heart Heads Up - Mutemath
Mute - The Neighbourhood
Always Tried - Charity Work
KEROSENE - Capital Soiree
Neighbourhood - Fangclub
Out Of My Head - Fangclub
Taste Back - Harry Styles
The Happy Dictator (feat. Sparks) - Gorrilaz, Sparks
bustamove - Joey Valence & Brae
Private - The Neighbourhood
Drag Path - twenty one pilots
Orange County - Gorillaz
Something Serious - Bruno Mars
YOU MADE ME THIS WAY - grandson
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - Willie Nile
1-2 - URF Tone
Lil Ol Me - The Neighbourhood
The Bird - Anderson .Paak
Stockholm Syndrome - Muse
Aperture - Harry Styles
Lulu - The Neighbourhood
God Was Showing Off - Bruno Mars
What About Jane - Still Blank
Sign of the Times - Harry Styles
Never Is - But There But Not Really
Stupid Boy - The Neighbourhood
Letting Go - Hollyy
Every Time I Hear - Sharp Pins
(I Wanna) Be Your Girl - Sharp Pins
The Teardrop Explodes - Stew & The Negro Problem
Get Over It - OK GO
Be With You - Muse

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