This is where the Spotify product story begins. In this episode, we dive into the world that set the stage for Spotify and the streaming music revolution. In the early 2000s, piracy was killing the music industry. Music had moved to digital, and there was no going back - but something had to be done. We hear from some of the key players from that time - including Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Sean Parker of Napster, strategist Matthew Ball, and Spotify CEO Daniel Ek. The transcript is available here. 

This week features Lars Ulrich, the iconic drummer of Metallica, known for redefining heavy metal. He shares hilarious tales about a thrilling helicopter ride and his quirky transition from tennis to rock stardom. Discover his unforgettable concert in Antarctica and the challenges of balancing band life with family duties. Ulrich also reflects on the changing music industry, discussing how tech has shifted the landscape for independent artists. Expect fun banter and insights into the unique journey of a rock legend!

In this lively conversation, Lars Ulrich, the energetic drummer and co-founder of Metallica, shares his excitement about the band's 11th studio album, '72 Seasons.' He reveals hilarious tales from Metallica's concerts on every continent, including an unforgettable show in post-perestroika Russia. Lars also describes the fascinating parallels between drumming and tennis, while Conan humorously proposes new baseball rules. This dynamic chat perfectly balances music nostalgia with light-hearted banter.

Metallica formed in 1981. They were teenagers. Since then, they’ve gone on to become one of the most successful bands of all time, selling over 110 million records worldwide. In November 2016, they released their tenth album, Hardwired…to Self-Destruct. In this episode, the song “Moth into Flame" gets taken apart by singer and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich. songexploder.net/metallica

Steve Buscemi, Lars Ulrich, Aidy Bryant, Alan Cummings, and Jeff Daniels play Not My Job.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy