THE PLUG W/ JUSTIN JAY

Nikolai Fraiture / The Strokes

ENCORE EPISODE — To celebrate the landmark performance The Strokes delivered at Coachella 2026, we're revisiting this conversation. Nikolai Fraiture — bassist and founding member of The Strokes — sits down to talk about what it actually looked like from the inside of one of the most hyped band launches in rock history, and what's happened in the two decades since. We get into the Grammy win for The New Abnormal and the making of Reality Awaits with Rick Rubin in Costa Rica — and what it took for Rubin to get a band that started in a New York basement back to playing like one. The Strokes were the first band any of them had ever been in. After 20 years, Nikolai describes a lock-in with his bandmates that he says can't be manufactured: "I wouldn't walk away from something that special that comes along so rarely." And he's candid about early fame in a way that doesn't feel performed: "I don't think I handled it very well." Reality Awaits is coming. This is where it started. YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@theplugwithjustinjay [https://www.youtube.com/@theplugwithjustinjay] Website → https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com [https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/] Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-plug-w-justin-jay/id1517322794 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-plug-w-justin-jay/id1517322794] Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3M3BwnadvgbuwtErUHN1pl [https://open.spotify.com/show/3M3BwnadvgbuwtErUHN1pl] Email → theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com [theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Andrew McCarthy

This episode we sit down with actor, director, and New York Times bestselling author Andrew McCarthy for a candid conversation about friendship, identity, and reinvention. Best known for iconic roles in St. Elmo's Fire, Pretty In Pink, Weekend at Bernie's and some of your favorite 80's films, McCarthy has spent the last decade carving out a second act as a deeply introspective writer. His latest book, Who Needs Friends, documents a 10,000-mile solo road trip across America, where he spoke with strangers—from cowboys to cops—to explore the often unspoken realities of male friendship. The conversation dives into why men struggle with vulnerability, how friendships evolve (or fade) over time, and what happens when a life in Hollywood gives way to a quieter, more reflective creative path. McCarthy also opens up about the complicated legacy of the Brat Pack, the loneliness of the open road, and the surprising honesty he found in conversations with strangers. Our conversation with Andrew is a thoughtful look at connection in modern life—and a reminder that it's never too late to redefine who you are. Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1 Purchase Who Needs Friends by Andrew McCarthy https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andrew-mccarthy/who-needs-friends/9781538768945/ [https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/andrew-mccarthy/who-needs-friends/9781538768945/] HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.hi1k.com/] Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com ⁠⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/] ⁠⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/ [https://justinjay.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

De La Soul / Posdnuos

This episode we sit down for a chat with Posdnuos AKA Plug One, a founding member of one of the most influential and acclaimed groups in hip-hop history - De La Soul. For years, De La Soul's music was caught in a complicated web of licensing issues and corporate politics, leaving their catalog unavailable on streaming platforms and out of reach for an entire generation of listeners. Now, nearly three decades after their groundbreaking debut Three Feet High and Rising, their full body of work is finally accessible again—sparking a long-overdue rediscovery. We discuss Cabin in the Sky, the group's first release following the 2023 passing of friend and bandmate Dave Jolicoeur AKA Trugoy the Dove. Pos reflects on the group's commitment to honoring Dave's legacy while continuing forward. Pos also talks about navigating grief, the decision to carry on as De La Soul, and the defining "Beat Street moment" that reframed loss into purpose. He also reflects on the long fight to reclaim their catalog and the frustration of being absent from the streaming era. From cassette tapes and crate-digging to algorithms and viral discovery, this episode is a deep look at legacy, artistry, and staying true to the music across decades of change. Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1 HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠⁠https://www.hi1k.com/⁠⁠ [https://www.hi1k.com/] Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com ⁠⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠⁠ [https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/] ⁠⁠https://justinjay.com/ [https://justinjay.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

KAVES

Michael "Kaves" McLeer is a Brooklyn-born painter, recording artist, graffiti artist, author, tattoo artist and creator of Brooklyn Pop - an astounding immersive experience celebrating the borough of Brooklyn. The installation features hip-hop memorabilia, graffiti, movie collectibles, historical artifacts, and personal items celebrating the neighborhood that shaped him. In this episode we discuss his path from the proverbial wrong side of the tracks in Bay Ridge, to becoming a renowned graffiti writer and founder of the rap/punk rock group Lordz of Brooklyn. We also chat about the neighborhood gangsters growing up, why free Adidas tracks suits sometimes fell from the sky above Verranzano Bridge, and how Brooklyn based movies and television like The Warriors, Saturday Night Fever and Welcome Back Kotter played a key role in developing self-identity and career goals. Throughout his career he's designed exclusive visuals for Audemars Piguet, Jaguar, NIKE, Rockstar Games, WWE, MTV, ADIDAS, Van's Warped Tour, and created logos & graphics for world-renowned artists such as the Beastie Boys and Metallica. Kaves' energy and thirst for creative expression took him to the world of acting and filmmaking. In 2006, Kaves created, produced and directed The Brooklyn Way, a multi-episode docu-series about his family's life. From 2011 to the present day, Kaves has been featured in short and feature films including The Many Saints of Newark, Gravesend, The Humdinger, Star and The Eulogy. The Brooklyn Pop interactive installation is open to the pubic at Industry City. See link below for details. Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com ⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠ [https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/] ⁠https://justinjay.com/⁠ [https://justinjay.com/] HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠https://www.hi1k.com/⁠ [https://www.hi1k.com/] Brooklyn Pop ⁠https://thebrooklynpop.com/⁠ [https://thebrooklynpop.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Arto Saari

Arto Saari is a Finnish professional skateboarder and photographer. He is one of only two Europeans to ever win Thrasher Magazine's prestigious Skater of the Year award, and he's one of the most respected and influential skaters of his generation. Arto built his legacy through groundbreaking video parts and endured numerous brutal injuries along the way. Eventually, he transitioned from professional skating to pursue his passion for photography. His recently released book, Bike Path, intimately captures the vibrant culture and community of Hawaii's North Shore. In this episode, we dive into the contrasts between skateboarding and surfing culture, we dig into the complex interplay of pain, injury, substance abuse, and addictive personalities in skateboarding, and we discuss the challenging path many pro skaters face as they navigate life beyond their skating careers Bike Path by Arto Saari: ⁠https://www.artosaari.com/bikepath-book⁠ [https://www.artosaari.com/bikepath-book] Check out video clips of this episode and other conversations on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNH5UGRKI5E1AUBWAk-OkrA?sub_confirmation=1 HI 1K - 10 Years / 1000 Moments On Hawaii's North Shore by Justin Jay: ⁠https://www.hi1k.com/⁠ [https://www.hi1k.com/] Have any comments, feedback or suggestions for upcoming guests? We'd love to hear from you. Email The Plug w/ Justin Jay at: theplugpodcast.jj@gmail.com ⁠https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/⁠ [https://www.theplugwithjustinjay.com/] ⁠https://justinjay.com/ [https://justinjay.com/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]