The Track Star Podcast

Today on Track Star*, we’re putting Emmy-nominated actress Dakota Fanning’s music knowledge to the test with a mix of Southern classics, childhood favorites, and songs that shaped her along the way.

Ahead of her new film The Sun Never Sets, Dakota reflects on growing up between Hollywood film sets and a traditional Southern upbringing, sharing stories from her childhood, career, and the music tied to it all. Watch the full episode as Dakota Fanning puts her music knowledge to the test and shares stories from a life spent on and off screen.



This Episode's Track List:

Little Deuce Coupe - The Beach Boys

Cherry Bomb - The Runaways

Shoes - Lil Wayne

Jesus was a Crossmaker - Judee Sill

Weather for Tennis - Hilary Duff

The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia - Reba McEntire

Una Palabra - Carlos Varela

Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing Alabama’s very own Whitmer Thomas on home-state classic hits and punk-driven 2000s tracks. Showcasing his own musical influence and childhood upbringing, Whitmer Thomas takes us on a tour through his journey as a singer and stand-up comedian and how they intertwined, with anecdotes that shaped his career along the way.

From stories of van tours as a teenager, being raised by his musical mother, and his love-hate relationship with Alabama, Whitmer Thomas has us hooked on this episode of Track Star.

This Episode's Track List:

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd

Reckless Abandon - Blink-182

First Day of My Life - Bright Eyes

Trying To Reason With Hurricane Season - Jimmy Buffett

Why Can’t We Be Friends - War

If It Makes You Happy - Sheryl Crow

Every Morning - Sugar Ray

Little Criminals - Randy Newman

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing the iconic Australian pop star Troye Sivan on Y2K euphoria and melancholy R&B classics. Revealing the extent of his own musical influence and knowledge, Troye Sivan gives us the opportunity to learn about his journey as a singer and performing artist and his recent experience touring with legendary genre-bending musician Charli XCX.



With personal stories, a rapid guessing speed, and sunglasses that Jack himself wants to purchase now, Troye Sivan brings a laidback chatty vibe to this episode of Track Star.

This Episode's Track List:

Happy & Sad - Kacey Musgraves

No Ordinary Love - Sade

Virtuoso - Ryan Beatty

SS26 - Charli XCX

All For You - Janet Jackson

Since I Left You - The Avalanches

Music - Madonna

Sleeping In - The Radio Dept.

Today on Track Star*, we are quizzing legendary rapper Too $hort on Funk deep-cuts and influential Hip-Hop classics. Revealing the extent of his music knowledge, Too $hort gives us the opportunity to learn about and appreciate the overlapping worlds and influences of Motown, Funk, and Hip-Hop.

Too $hort takes the time today to show us some of the music he was raised on, breaking down how his father’s love of Funk and Motown influenced his own creative process and musical appreciation.

With personal stories and impressive knowledge, Too $hort presents a unique and important perspective on early Hip-Hop figures and influences.



This Episode's Track List:

Distant Lover - Marvin Gaye

Mary Jane - Rick James

Computer Love - Zapp

You Dropped A Bomb On Me - The Gap Band

It Was a Good Day - Ice Cube

I Get Around (ft. Shock G, Money B) - 2Pac

Stompin’ And Pimpin - 8Ball & MJG

EARFQUAKE - Tyler, The Creator

I Don’t F**k With You - Big Sean

DADZ LOVE - Justin Bieber, Lil B

Last Time That I Checc’d (ft YG) - Nipsey Hussle

Fantastic Voyage - Lakeside

Love’s Train - Con Funk Shun

Today on Track Star*, we are joined by Brandon Flowers to talk about some of the songs and artists that have inspired his work, both as a solo artist and frontman of The Killers.

Listening to some classic songs and sharing personal stories of bleached hair, Strokes-induced depression, and playing with Bruce Springsteen, Brandon breaks down how artists like Bruce, The Strokes, and others became a part of his life and fundamentally changed how he approached music.



Brandon takes the time today to share with us his love for a wide range of music and show us the importance of listening to and learning from a wide variety of influences.



This Episode's Track List:

Crying - Roy Orbison

Cry! Cry! Cry! - Johnny Cash

Hard to Explain - The Strokes

Louisiana 1927 - Randy Newman

Badlands - Bruce Springsteen

Watching the Detectives - Elvis Costello

Everyday - Weyes Blood

Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) - Squeeze