Brandi Carlile

Summary

Good Hang with Amy Poehler — Brandi Carlile

Podcast: Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Host: Amy Poehler
Guest: Brandi Carlile
Date: March 31, 2026
Producer: The Ringer

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Amy Poehler welcomes acclaimed singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile for a warm, freewheeling conversation that explores Brandi’s new album Returning to Myself, her experiences meeting musical heroes, the changing symbolism of hair, her approach to performing under pressure, and the joys and puzzles of aging as an artist and parent. The episode opens with guest questions from Maren Morris, highlighting Brandi’s collaborative spirit and their shared history in the Highwomen.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Maren Morris on Meeting Brandi & The Highwomen (02:21–09:54)

• Maren Morris joins to reminisce about first meeting Brandi and forming the group The Highwomen:
  • She describes being contacted by Brandi, “I'm putting this girl group together... It’s gonna be me, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby… It’s kind of like a tribute or extension of the Highwaymen…” (04:20)
  • Maren highlights singing with Brandi as one of her "crown jewel" career moments, including performing with Dolly Parton at Newport Folk Festival.
  • Shared admiration for Dolly’s professionalism and glamour (“She’s just a legend and a real hero of mine… [She] exceeded expectations... very punctual.” — Maren, 05:48)
  • Discussion about vocal maturity, Dolly's ability to still sing in original keys, and how artists adapt their music as they age.

Brandi Carlile on Performing & Connections (11:27–17:13)

• SNL & Thriving Under Pressure
  • Brandi and Amy bond over their love of SNL and the adrenaline of live performance timelines.
• Introversion vs. Extroversion
  • Brandi’s Returning to Myself reflects longing for solitude and self-discovery:
    • "It's definitely about who am I when I am alone?" (13:35)
    • Both admit struggling to be alone, preferring company even in silence ("I just find that [a silent retreat] appalling." — Brandi, 14:17)
• Trim Carpentry & Friendship
  • Brandi enjoys downtime through carpentry with old friends—a nonverbal, companionable silence.
  • “I just spent six hours caulking window trim. …I wanted to spend the day with him. Not talking.” (15:40–16:33)
• Childhood Chaos
  • Both Amy and Brandi grew up in busy, chaotic homes thriving with visitors and activity—a dynamic echoed today in their work styles and comfort under pressure.

Musicians and Comedians: A Mutual Admiration Society (20:17–21:42)

• Discussion on why musicians love comedians and vice versa, with theories from both:
  • “Musicians kind of worship comedians because of the risk that they’re taking… And then I think comedians just think they’re at the top of the pyramid.” (20:59 — Brandi)
  • Amy reciprocates: “Every comedian wishes they were a musician, and every musician thinks they're a comedian.” (20:21)

Harmonizing and Heroes: Indigo Girls Fan Frenzy (22:05–27:40)

• Indigo Girls Tribute
  • Brandi’s formative experience hearing Indigo Girls motivates her career, singing and dissecting their harmonies with Amy.
  • “There was just something galvanizing about their voices…the way they were making music that just, like, pulled me out of myself.” (22:39 — Brandi)
  • Amy: “There are artists... who are relaxed and honestly confident in their talent… and they say, come in, come over.” (24:05)
• Spontaneous Duet
  • Amy and Brandi attempt to sing “Closer to Fine,” trading Amy/Emily parts ("Girl, you got it... If we had time, we would do nothing else but cover Indigo Girls for the next hour." — Brandi, 27:31)

On Finding Your Voice and Performing Live (27:40–32:38)

• Early Talent
  • Brandi remembers early validation as a singer, “I really felt I had a good voice at, like, 7 years old” (28:10)
  • Describes her first performance with childlike clarity and belonging: “Most understood and loved place I could ever be." (29:03)
• Nerves and ‘Performing Stupidity’
  • Both discuss a performer’s special “lack of contextual intelligence” that makes them comfortable onstage.
  • Brandi: “You have to lack an element of contextual intelligence to do it... it’s like that repetition of stupidity is what gives us our gift." (30:16)
• Mistakes Make You Stronger
  • Brandi explains how mistakes onstage can rally the audience and bring unforgettable moments ("One mistake draws everyone in… his victory becomes your victory." — 32:29)

On Fun, Relaxation, and Stage Routines (35:31–39:03)

• Relaxing Before a Gig
  • Brandi admits to previously using a drink to relax and the complications it brings; she no longer mixes drinking with work. (35:50–39:03)
  • Humorous story about a misunderstood Tenacious D joke on stage (38:42)

Reflections on Aging and Joy in Maturity (39:16–41:08)

• Growing Older
  • Both Amy and Brandi express love for getting older:
    • “Every year I get older, I love being older more than I loved being younger.” (39:46 — Brandi)
    • Amy: “My 50s have been my favorite decade. By far.” (40:16)
• Advice for Young Fans and Self-Reinvention
  • Brandi loves seeing younger generations discover icons like Joni Mitchell via her performances
  • On encountering her own idols, Brandi says, “There is a part of that that never goes away...you did it, you did it.” (43:08)

Collaborating with Icons: Elton John, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell (43:39–46:53)

• Elton John: “Once in a millennium man… no trace of narcissism.” (44:13 — Brandi)
• Dolly Parton: “She does not miss… she’s just amazing.” (44:44)
• Joni Mitchell: “Her music was so complex and inaccessible to me at first… getting to sit shotgun next to Joni… it’s a really wild thing.” (45:24–46:24)

Performing with and Mentoring the Next Generation (46:53–50:08)

• Brandi recounts an emotional performance of “The Joke” with Benicio Bryant, emphasizing triumph after a failed first try on network TV.
  • “If there was anything [valuable] in that, it was that mistake, that failure… turned into a total triumph.” (49:48)

Gender, Hair, and Identity (50:09–53:59)

• Hair Evolution
  • Amy prompts Brandi on how hair choices relate to gender, identity, and change.
  • Brandi: “Without thinking, I said, when I cut my hair [was when I stepped into my authentic self]… It was so freeing. I loved that my mom hated it.” (50:43)
  • Discussion about hair as self-esteem, transformation, and subtle rebellion, especially in queer communities.

Tour Life, Sleep Rituals, and Self-Care (53:59–61:41)

• Touring:
  • Brandi shares that touring is now about accumulating people, places, and experiences in each city. She’s careful with her voice, enjoying a day off, and strict about not sleeping all day.
• Sleep:
  • Both obsess over sleep quality, sleep routines, and the importance of the right mattress:
    • “The first thing I did when I made money was buy every single person I know a mattress.” (59:03 — Brandi)
    • Brandi recommends Purple and Tempur-Pedic mattresses, lauds zero gravity sensation, and jokes about sharing a bed but “don’t touch me.” (60:42)
• Rider Requests:
  • Brandi’s tour rider is straightforward: avocado, lemons, cold La Croix, tuna salad, and bananas — “and I don’t even like any of those things, but they’re part of my routine.” (62:13)

Family, Motherhood & Audience (62:32–68:21)

• On Balancing Motherhood & Touring
  • In response to Maren’s question: Brandi reflects on her daughters’ responses to her music and public life:
    • “They seem more excited by the way I interact with fans as a person, as a public person, than actually how I do music… They’re very proud of that.” (65:34–66:04)
  • "Having a girl on the precipice of being a teenager, I think would be really neat to show them." (63:49)

Competition, Awards, and a Healthy Attitude (68:21–68:41)

• Brandi: “I’m driven, but I’m not competitive. ...If I’m up for an award and somebody else beats me, I mean, I’m deflated for, like, three and a half seconds until they get up and do their speech. Then I’m, like, fighting back tears from feeling so happy for them.” (67:45)

Laughter & What’s Making Brandi Laugh (69:16–71:08)

• Brandi’s comic touchstones:
  • Movies: Tommy Boy, Bridesmaids, Tenacious D, Sisters
  • SNL sketches: “Liza Minnelli tries to turn off a lamp” (Kristen Wiig), Tracy Morgan fan.
• Quote:
  • “Let's watch that for a second… Physical comedy, not great for podcasts!” (70:08 — Amy)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brandi, on solitude and music: “It’s definitely about who am I when I am alone?” (13:35)
• Amy, on the inclusive magic of certain artists: “There are artists…who are relaxed and honestly confident… and they say, come in, come over.” (24:05)
• Brandi, on iconic mentors: “Once in a millennium man… no trace of narcissism.” (44:13, on Elton John)
• On making mistakes on stage:
  “One mistake draws everyone in… his victory becomes your victory.” (32:29 — Brandi)
• Brandi, on aging: “Every year, I get older, I love being older more than I loved being younger.” (39:46)
• On performing with her kids in the audience:
  “They seem more excited by the way I interact with fans as a person… than actually how I do music.” (65:34)

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Timestamps By Topic

• [02:21–09:54] — Maren Morris on meeting Brandi, The Highwomen, and Dolly Parton
• [11:27–17:13] — Brandi on SNL, pressure, introversion/extroversion, carpentry as therapy
• [20:17–21:42] — Musicians vs comedians: admiration and the will to risk
• [22:05–27:40] — Indigo Girls fandom, harmonizing, performance anecdotes
• [27:40–32:38] — Early performance memories, nerves, mistake magic
• [35:31–39:03] — Pre-show rituals, drinking, on-stage mishaps (the “rock slide” story)
• [39:16–41:08] — Happiness in aging, joy of maturity
• [43:39–46:53] — Collaborating with Elton John, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell
• [46:53–50:08] — Mentoring young artists, Benicio Bryant story
• [50:09–53:59] — Hair as identity, queerness, and evolution
• [53:59–61:41] — Touring, sleep, self-care, the importance of a good mattress
• [62:32–68:21] — Parenting, daughters, and evolving as a public figure
• [69:16–71:08] — What makes Brandi laugh: favorite movies and SNL
• [71:08–73:15] — Wrap-up notes, correction about Benicio’s performance (Late Night with Seth Meyers)

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Tone and Vibe

The tone of this episode is distinctly easygoing—funny, intimate, and genuine—a "good hang" between two artists who care deeply about their work, their families, and their communities. It’s a conversation filled with laughter, humility, and a true spirit of mutual admiration, punctuated by Amy’s quick wit and Brandi’s candor and good humor.

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Final Takeaways

Anyone listening will come away with a sense of Brandi Carlile as a gifted, driven connector—someone who brings people together, bridges generations, honors her heroes, and models self-acceptance through every stage of life. The episode is a celebration of creative kinship, the joy of not taking yourself too seriously, and the ongoing adventure of becoming yourself—on stage, in family, and in your own skin.

Transcript

[Amy Poehler]

This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. That's smart. Not checking the meaning of a word all the kids say before using it yourself. Not smart. Not slay worthy. Yeah, checking first is smart. So check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary, subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois Foreign. Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We have the talented, funny, warm, incredible Brandi Carlile joining us today. And boy, I feel like we became really good friends in this interview. And we talked about so many good things. We talked about her music and meeting her heroes. We talked about hair and the changing hairstyles and how that defines you. We talked about her new record returning to Myself and how great it is. We may have even harmonized a little bit, so get ready for that. But before we start this interview, we always talk to a person who knows our guest and wants to give me a question to ask this guest. And boy, we have a star in her own right, an incredibly talented singer, songwriter, musician from Texas, Maren Morris. Maren, you know from all of her hits from the High Women, which she performed with Brandy, and she's just incredible. And we are so thrilled to have Maren with us today. So, Maren, hi, can you hear me? This episode of Good Hang is presented by Subaru. Some cars go the extra mile long range. Subaru hybrids take that to a whole new level with up to 597 miles per tank in the Crosstrek hybrid, a car that I've given my family. And up to 581miles per tank in the Forester hybrid, another car that I also enjoy. Subaru Love goes the extra mile. Visit subaru.com hybrid to learn more. Range based on EPA estimated combined fuel economy and a full tank of fuel. Actual mileage and range may vary. Hey, Maren.

[Maren Morris]

Hi.

[Amy Poehler]

How are you? Where are we talking to you from?

[Maren Morris]

I am on tour right now in the uk so I'm playing a show in Manchester tonight. So I'm backstage.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, gosh, you're in pre show mode.

[Maren Morris]

Yeah, but I got ready a little bit earlier today to look okay for you. And yeah, it's. It's kind of nice weather today. Like breezy, good walking weather.

[Amy Poehler]

But yeah, I'm excited we're talking to Brandi Carlisle today. Really appreciate that you're here to talk to us about her because the Work that you. You did together with the High Women was. Was so special. When did you first meet Brandi?

[Maren Morris]

Well, thank you so much. I remember when I met you at that Beatles event, you had mentioned that you. You loved the Highwoman album.

[Amy Poehler]

Loved that record.

[Maren Morris]

I think a few months later, I was on the Tonight show talking to Jimmy, and he brought up the picture of us, and I was so embarrassed because I was crying. When I met you, I'd already had, like, three glasses of wine.

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh, my gosh.

[Maren Morris]

You were so sweet to me that night.

[Amy Poehler]

Of course. It's such a pleasure to meet you. I love your music.

[Maren Morris]

Thank you. But, yeah, the High Women record, that was, like, pretty early in my relationship with Brandi. I think we just clicked. And we met randomly at this event in Nashville where I was receiving an award for something, but they were also doing a bunch of duets that night. And so I remember Brandy and I both sang Carole King. Also Aretha Franklin's you Make Me Feel like a Natural Woman. And having been a Brandy fan since probably junior high, being able to sing that song with her and just go toe to toe vocally was so fun. I think it was probably a few months later, Brandy called me. And again, it was like the day or the week. My second record was coming out, and I was at 30 Rock. I was at the Tonight show, like, randomly. And just in the dressing room about to go on, she calls, and she's like, I'm putting this girl group together, and I want to know if you want to be a part of it. It's going to be me, Amanda Shires, and Natalie Hemby. And I was like, huh? And she goes, it's kind of like a tribute or extension of the Highwaymen, like the Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings record. And I was like, oh, my.

[Brandi Carlile]

I'm in.

[Maren Morris]

I didn't really have any more questions. I didn't have any questions.

[Amy Poehler]

Amazing.

[Maren Morris]

And it was just, yeah, like a sort of microcosm event because we did that one album. We did a few shows. We did, like, Newport Folk Festival, brought out Dolly Parton, which was insane. But a lot of these really major career moments like that I treasure that are my crown jewels are the Highwayman experiences.

[Amy Poehler]

What was it like singing with Dolly Parton?

[Maren Morris]

You need to interview her. I think that would be. Yeah, sure.

[Amy Poehler]

Dolly Maren said that we would be great together.

[Maren Morris]

She just moved from the long list to the short list.

[Amy Poehler]

Dolly, anytime, anywhere. Yeah. Oh, my God. She's just a legend and a real hero of mine. What was she like to be around?

[Maren Morris]

I think very few people. I'll include you in this. Exceed your expectations. When you have such a. A surveyed, like, history watching someone or being inspired by someone from afar. So, yeah, just exceeded expectations is really punctual. I love that she.

[Amy Poehler]

Of course she.

[Maren Morris]

Because I put such a precedence on being on time. Oh, wow.

[Amy Poehler]

Of course. Dolly is very punctual.

[Maren Morris]

Actually, she was early.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, of course she was. Can you imagine running late for Dolly Parton? That is a stress dream. Like, can you imagine just like in traffic and, you know, Dolly's waiting for you.

[Maren Morris]

Yeah. Just disappointing her. I just think I'd probably quit music.

[Amy Poehler]

Totally. Just say, you just call ahead and you say, I'm sorry, I'm not gonna make it in time. I quit. I quit music.

[Maren Morris]

Music, Dolly. But no, she's so lovely. And she's obviously just, like, hysterical dressed to the nines. I. I mean, I assume she's maybe doing her own glam because this is like sort of a not filmed day in the studio. But she's putting us all to shame because she's in full hair and makeup, like 8 inch heels. We're both quite short, so we bonded over that.

[Amy Poehler]

How tall are you?

[Maren Morris]

I'm five one.

[Brandi Carlile]

Ooh.

[Maren Morris]

How tall are you?

[Amy Poehler]

I'm a towering five two.

[Maren Morris]

Oh.

[Amy Poehler]

And what's it like down there?

[Maren Morris]

Also, this is something that I hope that I take away when I hopefully do this, decades and decades on, is that she sings every one of her songs in the original key of the year it came out.

[Amy Poehler]

Dang.

[Maren Morris]

A lot of people have to as they age, and sometimes women, our voices mature at, like, I think they say, like 35 or 36.

[Amy Poehler]

I think about that with songwriters that are people starting to be aware in their 30s and 40s that they need to sing in lower keys.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Maren Morris]

I mean, I've found out the hard way, like.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

When you go out.

[Maren Morris]

Yeah. And then you have to do it live. And you're like, I made this way too high and fast.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Maren Morris]

But, yeah, just incredible singer Brandy really made it happen. I feel like she's reached out to these icons over the years and brought them into a space where we can fall in love with them over and over again.

[Amy Poehler]

That's what I want to talk to her about is she is really good at exactly that. Drawing out the heroes of hers and of ours and kind of bringing them in and making them feel comfortable. Like, she feels like she's. You said it yourself, she's like a doer. She makes things happen. She's a producer. She's also a good host. You know, she's just making people feel comfortable, but also which I really relate to is just quietly making them do things without them knowing that they're being pushed. Like, she's a pusher to get things done, but everyone feels good when that's happening. That's a rare combination, I think, that

[Maren Morris]

being able to go witness something really communal and almost like church, but for people that want to come together in a way that feels inclusive and safe for all and. Yeah, just connect through these magic vibrations. I think, you know, just that's. That's her. Her rare gift.

[Amy Poehler]

That's so cool. Okay, so do you have a question that you think I should ask Brandi today?

[Maren Morris]

I'm just wondering, as she watches her girls get older and she's making music and touring and collaborating and achieving these incredible dreams she has. Yeah. The integration of family throughout that, I feel like, has always been really at the forefront for her and Catherine. And I'm just wondering, like, as her girls get older, because my son's now five and a half, like, what. What is it like when they go to shows now? Like, are they excited to be there? Are they proud? Are they over it?

[Amy Poehler]

It's a great question, and actually, it's a question, you know, it speaks to the bigger idea of, like, being a working mother. How does your kid want you to, you know, divide your time and. And how do you divide your time? And how do you make your kid feel really seen? And. And also, how do you pursue your dream and not. And be, like, a good model for what it looks like to be a woman who loves to, you know, loves what she's doing.

[Brandi Carlile]

So it's.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, it's. It's a question I think working women are always asking each other, and I think that's what women do so well is they say, how do you do it? And what are you doing? And how did it change? And what did. How did 5 look different than 10 and. Yeah, yeah, great question. Great question. Maren, I'm obsessed with you. I really appreciate that you're talking to us on the before show. Thank you for that.

[Maren Morris]

No, thank you, Pete.

[Amy Poehler]

It's so good to talk to you. Have a great show. Break a leg.

[Brandi Carlile]

Thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, see you soon. Thank you again. This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. That's smart. Not checking the meaning of a word all the kids say before using it yourself. Not smart. Not slay worthy. Yeah. Checking first is smart, so check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary, subject to terms, conditions, and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and Affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. Brandi Carlisle is here, and we're talking already about snl. Because you love doing snl.

[Brandi Carlile]

I love it. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

And you love the time pressure.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yes. I think watching all those people thrive under pressure is just. It's a really unique thing. You don't see that anywhere else.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. And we were saying that, like, the idea of, like, a minute or two in snl, time feels like years. Because I've done live things where they get you ready and they put you at the side of the stage and you're like, I know I have two more awards before my award or whatever.

[Brandi Carlile]

It's like, 40 minutes. 40 minutes. They're getting you out of your seat.

[Amy Poehler]

You're like, at snl, you'd be having dinner uptown.

[Brandi Carlile]

Exactly. They don't even come into your dressing room or give you a warning at two minutes. That's like, I know.

[Amy Poehler]

Brandy. Hi.

[Brandi Carlile]

Hi. I love you so much.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God. Same. I love you. I was very, very excited to talk to you today, and, you know, there's a million things I want to talk to you about today, but I want to stay in the present for a second because I'm loving your new record.

[Brandi Carlile]

Thank you.

[Amy Poehler]

I love all of your music, but this one feels very, very. It feels like not to imprint myself on it, but it really feels like it's speaking to me, and, you know, it's returning to myself. Came out in October. As we start today, I want to ask you about the push and pull between being, like, introvert, extrovert. Your push and pull between being a connector and wanting and, like, needing time to yourself. And I was kind of joking with someone that I was saying what I love about Brandi's new record is it feels like it's like, can I have five minutes to myself, please? That's what it feels like.

[Brandi Carlile]

That's in the subtext. And not very many people have seen that about it, but you have.

[Amy Poehler]

And, you know, when I've been learning about you, it's like, you know, you have definite, benevolent, natural, captain energy, and you like to bring people together. And you. You know, you live with a lot of people. You have a lot of people around. You live a life that's very big and has a lot of people around. And I love that a lot of the songs on this record are about. Can I just like figure out what I actually want? Like, who am I in real time and when I'm alone? Is the music about that? Is the record about? What is it like to be alone?

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, it's definitely about who am I when I am alone?

[Amy Poehler]

Who are you when you're alone?

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, well, I have sort of yet to figure that out. Same.

[Amy Poehler]

Really?

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. Is it because you prefer the company of other people and then don't take the time?

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, that's the thing. So I don't know. And I've got to an age now where I've learned that that's sort of seen as maybe unevolved in some ways. And I got kind of self conscious about it within the last year or two and went, oh, do I have a made up mind? Am I a bit unevolved that I haven't learned who I am when I'm alone?

[Amy Poehler]

That's so. Have you ever thought about doing a silent retreat?

[Brandi Carlile]

I have thought about it.

[Amy Poehler]

Does it scare you?

[Brandi Carlile]

It just really turns me off. Like, I just find that appalling. I do too.

[Amy Poehler]

It's like, what, eight days of no talking.

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh, waste of time.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm doing a podcast and you can tell I like, love talking. But yeah, it's like, okay. And I'm always fascinated by people who are silent in general. I'm always fascinated by people who stay still. I do find you have a stillness. You're not a. Again, I'm just getting to know you, but I don't feel like you have a hectic energy.

[Brandi Carlile]

No, I don't think I do. In terms of. Other than just committing to a lot of things all the time.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Brandi Carlile]

And that would my. So my wife would tell you that I am chaotic in that way.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

But not to bring up trim carpentry right away, but yesterday I had the day off.

[Amy Poehler]

Have you heard about. We've been talking about trim carpentry on this episode. Oh, I heard about this episode.

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh, I heard about. Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Kate McKinnon.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yes.

[Amy Poehler]

Big fan of trim carpentry and said she spoke to you about trim carpentry.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. And then I heard that you are also a fan of trim carpentry but are intimidated by working with wood big time.

[Amy Poehler]

Because Nick Offerman, friend of the pod, friend of mine, also incredible woodworker. I'm sure he's into trim carpentry.

[Brandi Carlile]

Sure. As you would be.

[Amy Poehler]

That just seems to me like next level. What does trim carpentry have to do with what we're talking about?

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, the Reason I was gonna. I had the day off yesterday and I just spent six hours caulking window trim. Just trim carpentry for just six hours. All I was doing was caulking, just filling in gaps with like a bronze colored caulk and nail holes and kind of perfecting the appearance of the carpentry. And I was doing it with this guy that I used to play in a band with when I was a teenager. And he's like. I guess he's one of my best friends. We only see each other once every few years, but when we do, we just get together and don't talk.

[Amy Poehler]

Wow, that's nice.

[Brandi Carlile]

There's like a bag of Fritos involved. There's like a bad radio station and there's just some curses. You know, occasionally when a mistake is made. And I wouldn't have done that day. That's not how I would have spent the day if I had had the option to do it alone. I wanted to spend the day with him. Not talking.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Brandi Carlile]

And so that's how I do my time with other people. I'd rather be together, but that doesn't mean that I want to, like, lay myself down across the puddle like a jacket to spend time with you. We may not talk.

[Amy Poehler]

You know, your music reminds me of this feeling, and the record does too, which is that feeling when you're in another room and you can hear people talking, like there's a party.

[Brandi Carlile]

I love that feeling.

[Amy Poehler]

Me too. Because I like the party. I want the party. I want people around, but I want to not be talking.

[Brandi Carlile]

When's your birthday?

[Amy Poehler]

September 16th.

[Brandi Carlile]

I wonder if that's characteristic of your sign.

[Amy Poehler]

I wonder. Why are you. What's your sign?

[Brandi Carlile]

I'm a Gemini.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh.

[Brandi Carlile]

June 1st.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Brandi Carlile]

It's a very outward person.

[Amy Poehler]

I can't understand Geminis.

[Brandi Carlile]

Really? Yeah. That look you just gave me every

[Amy Poehler]

day, it's like, what are we get. What are we getting?

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, I know.

[Amy Poehler]

What are we getting? What's the real deal? Gemini. Twin city.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, I know. I don't know. You tell me.

[Amy Poehler]

Did you feel like when you were a kid, I mean, you have eldest daughter energy. You are. Like I said, you are. You're a doer. You like to get things done, and you kind of quietly motivate people in ways that they don't realize they're being pushed.

[Brandi Carlile]

Stop it.

[Amy Poehler]

Game recognize. Game recognize. Game. But okay. You grew up in the middle of nowhere.

[Maren Morris]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Was it quiet where you were? And were you alone a lot?

[Brandi Carlile]

It was chaotic. And I still live in the Middle of nowhere. But it was chaotic, you know, moved all the time, lived in tiny places. A lot of times people lived with us. Lots of friends over. Lots of jam sessions. Just lots of chaos all the time. Unpredictable environments. And I really thrive in those. And I still have this, like. Did you have. What was your childhood like?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, suburban in many ways, but small house, and everyone very kind of on top of each other. And we were kind of the house where people would come. So it was nice that way because people would come over, but busy house. Yeah. Yeah. And I felt like, you know, I wanted to do a lot of hiding, like, a lot of, like, going into the woods and going, like, you know, getting on my bike and just like. Like balancing quiet time and busy time. But a lively house full of a lot of love.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. I just realized my house, like, when we were just driving, my house felt like Saturday Night Live.

[Amy Poehler]

No way. People moving giant pieces of furniture, everything

[Brandi Carlile]

to the last second. Tons of pressure. Anything could. Nothing is guaranteed.

[Amy Poehler]

And you have a lot of ADHD in the house.

[Brandi Carlile]

I mean, probably undiagnosed entirely, I would think. I mean, I would think it's like, everyone would be. Would fall into that waiting. So that explains why I love being there so much, because I'm like, why am I just thriving in this environment?

[Amy Poehler]

You're just crushing, like, right before the deadline.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. Just loving it.

[Amy Poehler]

But that helps with performing, I think, because you just, you know, you can only have, like, so much time in the day where. I mean, some people spend their whole day getting ready for their performance, but you just have to kind of create, like, a countdown for the performance. You can't stay performance ready all day.

[Brandi Carlile]

No. And I mean, depending on, like, what your zone is and, like, what kind of performer you are, too, the element of, like, risk involved gets really. Can get really heavy. Like, I know exactly how to sing. Like, so if I'm. It just almost doesn't matter how high the stakes are. Like, if I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna be okay. But I have this theory that. And, I mean, I could be wrong. And this is not to downgrade anybody else's prose, but I think that, like, musicians are obsessed with comedians. Have you not noticed that?

[Amy Poehler]

Well, here's my theory.

[Brandi Carlile]

Okay, tell me.

[Amy Poehler]

Every comedian wishes they were a musician, and every musician thinks they're a comedian. Because I can't tell you how many musicians have been like, I'm really funny. And I'm like,

[Brandi Carlile]

well, I'm glad they think that.

[Amy Poehler]

But, no, we get along. We get along because I think we really appreciate what the other does, and there's a similarity. But also, we sometimes feel like. I like, I love. Some of my favorite memories of SNL is watching musicians. Like, I just am in awe of what musicians get to do. But what do you think? Why do you think we kind of love each other?

[Brandi Carlile]

I think that, you know, musicians kind of worship comedians because of the risk that they're taking. Like, we know what it means to do our thing and then have that die to no reaction. And. And then I think comedians just think they're at the top of the pyramid. I wish they were all said because they're so intelligent.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, and they also are, like, the cockiness. To your point, you have to be cocky to get out there and bomb or you're really in trouble.

[Brandi Carlile]

I mean, what do you do? It's like I said, I can sing no matter how high the stakes are. And if I'm gonna play 12 songs, it's not the 12 songs I'm afraid of. It's the 15 seconds in between the songs and what I have to say in that moment.

[Amy Poehler]

Get out of here.

[Brandi Carlile]

That's what I'm afraid of.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. That's why I'm not a musician, because I would have no problem with that. But the singing.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. So if we, like, recreated the Indigo Girls, like, if we were a band together, your banter and my singing would be unstoppable.

[Amy Poehler]

You know, this is early in the interview, but I want to talk to you about your heroes, but can we just talk about the Indigo Girls for a second?

[Brandi Carlile]

All day long?

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, first of all, the fact that one of them was called Amy was already, like, a dream. Emily and Amy, you just. You've heard them, like, when you were, like, a teenager, right? 14, 15. And you say that they really motivated you to pick up a guitar. I mean, you were singing 100%. What was it about them when you heard them? Because I have a theory about what it was for me, like, why I was. And it's the same way I feel about your music. So go ahead. You first.

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, I heard their voices first in that film Philadelphia. They were covering that rodstroke. I can tell by your eyes that you've probably been crying forever. And I was like, what is that tone? Like, they don't sound male or female. They don't sound like they're singing to the same people that everyone else is singing to. There was just something galvanizing about their voices and the way they were making music that just, like, pulled me out of myself. As like a 14 year old made me curious about who they were. It wasn't even one of their songs. And that's when my friend from school, Brianna Graco, loaned me her Swamp Ophilia cd and I was like, what is this? Listening to these harmonies, like, who's singing when it's staggered, it's out of time, it's amazing, you know, and the drums, really, I just became so obsessed with their musical complexity and harmonies that I just became devoted, a disciple. I went to everything they ever did. I sat in the line all day, from morning till night. As a major fan, still a major fan, what drew you to them?

[Amy Poehler]

I guess sometimes it feels like there's different artists. There's artists that are in their own simulation, their own kind of world, and you get to come in and peek, but they're in their world, right?

[Brandi Carlile]

And it has a style of dress and a style of speak and a presence. There's a culture around that artist and

[Amy Poehler]

you can visit their world and you get to just peek in. And then there are artists, and I consider you one of them, who are relaxed and honestly confident in their talent. Just like the Indigo Girls. And they say, come in, come over. Like, come over here. And they felt that way. We wanted to sing every one of their songs. I knew their lyrics. I felt like I sounded like them. Which everybody who sings the Indigo Girls think they sound good. They don't, we don't. And it's the same with your music. Like when I sing along to your music, I'm like, I think I'm really good because there's a spirit behind it that isn't. That's, that's inclusive. And that doesn't like, shut the door. Yeah, it's really, it's, it's, it's hard to explain, but you know what I'm talking.

[Brandi Carlile]

I know exactly what you're talking about. They're so unaffected. They sound like grown ass women and they always have. So, like when they open their mouths to sing, their actual voice comes out. They're not trying to please men or certain kind of women. They're not trying to sound like anybody else on the radio. There was just something so human about even with the clothes they wore and the way that they presented themselves. And you're right, that does invite you in. And also the Indigo Girls, they come to you. They're famous for touring the small towns and the sheds and the community theaters.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you know me and Dratch played them on snl?

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, I do remember that.

[Amy Poehler]

Me and Rachel. Dratch one scene, it never came back.

[Brandi Carlile]

I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

And it was the Lance Armstrong comedians comedies. Lance Armstrong was the host and Neil Young was a musical guest.

[Brandi Carlile]

What a night.

[Amy Poehler]

And we had Neil come into the Indigo Girls scene, and. And we just were like. I think we were just pretending we were doing a talk show. Probably, like, you know, and it was us and, like, 14 dogs.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. That is exactly how Amy lives to this day. I think she's probably only got eight or nine right now, but.

[Amy Poehler]

And I feel like we'll move off the Indigo Girls, but I just have to say that it feels like as an alto, as a surprising alto,

[Brandi Carlile]

because

[Amy Poehler]

you would think, I don't know. I think my voice. I think my voice is lower than it is, but I think it pitches quite high. But switching to your point, switching back and forth, like, wanting to decide if you want to sing Emily's part or Amy's part. Can we sing?

[Brandi Carlile]

Can we sing? Can we sing?

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, let's sing closer to vine. Here we go. Sorry, let me get my notes.

[Brandi Carlile]

Not only could we do closer to fine, we could do a deep cut. We could do anything you want.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, here we go. I'll try to do Amy's part.

[Brandi Carlile]

Okay, you start from.

[Amy Poehler]

I went to the Doctor. Here we go on three. One, two.

[Brandi Carlile]

What key are we in, Amy?

[Amy Poehler]

I don't know. I went to the doctor I went to the mountains I should be lower.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, so I think you're. I went. That's you. I went to the doctor.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay.

[Brandi Carlile]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

Yep.

[Brandi Carlile]

Two, three, four.

[Amy Poehler]

I went to the doctor I went to the mountains I looked to.

[Brandi Carlile]

Traveled a little bit. Just a little bit. Little bit off. Yeah, just.

[Amy Poehler]

Fucking hell.

[Brandi Carlile]

You're right there, though. You're in the zone.

[Amy Poehler]

Let's go again. Yeah. 2, 3, 4. I went to the doctor I went to the mountains I looked to the children I drank from the fountains Girl, you got it.

[Brandi Carlile]

Look at how good you are. Brandy. Making me feel so good. If I had time, a good, we would do nothing else but cover Indigo Girls for the next hour.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm totally sweating. I'm so sweating. That was so exciting. But who was the first person that told you you had a good voice? Because when someone says you have a good voice, like, you remember it for a lifetime.

[Brandi Carlile]

No one's ever asked me that before. I think it was my Grandma Dolores or my mom, and then definitely me. I really felt like I had a good voice at, like, 7 years old.

[Amy Poehler]

That's a fucking great voice.

[Brandi Carlile]

But I didn't. When I listen back to it now I'm like, what is that?

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, at 7?

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know? But I actually got on stage for the first time as, like an 8 year old. I got in, like, a community theater show called the Northwest Grand Ole Opry, where we reenacted the Grand Ole Opry.

[Amy Poehler]

So cute.

[Brandi Carlile]

And you'd go on Wednesday night and you'd teach the Opry band your song, and then they'd get you out on Friday and Saturday. And I was like, the only kid and. And I did Tennessee Flat Top Box by Rosanne Cash. And I just remember, like, the very first time I did that, I walked out on stage and I wasn't nervous. I had glasses on. And I can remember the lights in my glasses and seeing the kind of silhouette of like 300 people and being like, this is where I belong. This is the safest, most understood and loved place I could ever.

[Amy Poehler]

I could ever be.

[Brandi Carlile]

Like, this is my job now. And it just never. It never went. That just stayed.

[Amy Poehler]

Wow. And so the audience told you that you could sing. Like, in that moment, the audience was like, yes, we accept you here. You're great. And you knew it. So great.

[Brandi Carlile]

And the whole thing. They would come up to you at the end of the show and you'd sign their program and you'd sign your little autograph. And I just remember thinking, yeah, no, this is it. This is my job.

[Amy Poehler]

Wow, that's awesome. I mean, that's a good example, too, of, like, feeling calm in stressful situations. I tend to get like you. I'm not so nervous when I'm doing something. Sometimes after it's done, I have, like, this discharge of nerves. Does that happen to you?

[Brandi Carlile]

I was reading an article in the Guardian that is. It was such a smart article, and it made me feel so, like, stupid, but kind of proud to be stupid, where it basically says that, like, that what you're talking about is totally necessary in terms of performers. It's such a unnatural thing to have your psychosympathetic nervous system to do what we do, that you have to lack an element of contextual intelligence to do it.

[Amy Poehler]

Baby, I lack it.

[Brandi Carlile]

I lack it. And they liken it to people that can do penalty kicks and free throws. It's like we have this thing where we don't think anything could go wrong.

[Amy Poehler]

Totally. And I kind of dissociate in a way of, like, whatever, babe. What's the worst that can happen?

[Brandi Carlile]

I give. Exactly. Yeah. And then if something does go wrong. So if you do miss the free throw or you do Miss the penalty, which you do all the time. You don't think, well, of course I did. Chances are I would. It's a tiny ball, tiny net. You just go, that was weird. That'll never happen again. And it's like that repetition of stupidity is what gives us our gift.

[Amy Poehler]

It's so true.

[Brandi Carlile]

It is.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, like. But SNL is a really good training ground for that. Live performance, in general is really good because you have a mistake. Does this happen to you when there's a tiny mistake? Not a terrible. Like, you don't want something bad, but when there's a tiny mistake, do you get a little energized?

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. Because you're like, I gotta save it. I can do one, I can't do two.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. And it's a little bit exciting.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. Cause two mistakes. No, but one is, like, kind of good.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you remember a mistake that happened when you were performing and you just, you know, I don't know, like, a mic went out or someone didn't come and get the. Like. And you just had a moment of, like, pure excitement and that, like, the tingle of that.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, but it happens so often. There isn't, like, a notable one. There's this guy I know that does guitar solo. Like this, like, guitar solo master. He's a dude that, like, I've toured with. Just because if I can have this happen twice in a show, it's, like, takes the show over the top. So this dude, and he will never admit this, but, like, he'll start out his guitar solo with, like, a couple of, like, maybe stock licks or just like, a couple of notes that are like, oh, those are tasteful. And then he'll make a mistake. And then it rallies everyone to his support. Like, we rage to his side and we go, oh. Oh, no. He might not have this. Oh, God. And then he looks a little frazzled and he shakes his head a little bit and he kind of does the next lick and it's okay. And by the end of it, he's just shredding. And you realize that there's no way he could ever make a mistake. But that mistake, drawing everyone in not just to listen to him, but to, like, you want to support.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

And then his victory becomes your victory. So one mistake does that in a performance or a song, two mistakes is like, she's not prepared.

[Amy Poehler]

It's so true. And you're absolutely right, the way you take in the mistake. Like, ha, ha.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

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[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

If you're having a good time, we're having a good time. It's like, if the bride has a good time at the wedding, it's a fun wedding. Like, period, the end. But it's a hard lesson to learn, which is try to. I mean, telling people to relax is really hard.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

How do you relax when you're about to perform? How do you. Like, how do you just. You just. It just comes natural and always has.

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, I used to drink a little bit.

[Amy Poehler]

Sure.

[Brandi Carlile]

And if you drink a little bit and then you stop drinking a little bit before you got on stage, then it's like starting over from never having drank a little bit. So that sucked.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, I don't drink anymore. It's like I can't. I can't handle it. I mean, like, it just. I just get too drunk too fast. I have no tolerance.

[Brandi Carlile]

I drink a lot of things. Things really fast. Like, I'm like a camel. Yeah, no, I know what you mean.

[Amy Poehler]

Just a little bit. And suddenly you're like, oh, I am not on my game. Like, I'm not a shark.

[Brandi Carlile]

Right. And then it's like the spiral afterwards, that's the thing I can't deal with. And then, like, pretend the spiral just happened in front of, like, you know, a few thousand people.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

And then, like, whatever you say, like, you have to, like, stand by that the next day. Right. So that's not right.

[Amy Poehler]

I love it. We're back to the few minutes before between the song.

[Brandi Carlile]

Back to the few minutes between the song.

[Amy Poehler]

Right.

[Brandi Carlile]

Where you decide to get, like, overtly political in, like, an unironic way. Or. Or you just. You make the joke and, you know you were in the Pick of Destiny.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

Tenacious D. Yeah. I'm not gonna tell this story again. I just told this story on Stern.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, you already told him. Well, I don't want any Stern. I don't want any sloppy Stern seconds.

[Brandi Carlile]

I don't want any Stern seconds. But you were in the film.

[Amy Poehler]

You gotta tell Stern when you. I love Howard, but when you. When you're on Stern, you gotta give Stern a good story. Like, you gotta bring some meat to.

[Brandi Carlile]

I'm gonna tell you the story, and you can edit it out if you want to. But I just think that you appreciate this because we were on the subject of drinking and then getting on stage in front of people. So I thought everyone had seen the pic of Destiny. And I mean, I don't mean to be offensive, but like, not everyone has seen the Pick of Destiny. And for people who should.

[Amy Poehler]

People, this is Jack Black and Kyle Gass. Tenacious D. Yes. So Jack Black is in a band called Tenacious D, which made a movie called the Pick of Destiny, which is a real cult classic.

[Brandi Carlile]

It's a cult classic, but it was my favorite movie and I had memorized every line and these guys, because this was like how I gre I was in bands like this. They have to win the battle of Bands because they have to pay their rent. But they're never going to win the Battle of Bands without the Pick of Destiny, which is like a piece of the devil's horn or toenail or something. But to win the Battle of Bands, they've got to learn a couple of moves. And one of the moves is called the rock slide. The other move is called the cock push up.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, they used to do cock push ups.

[Brandi Carlile]

They used to do cock pushups. And so my audience, audience didn't see the Pick of Destiny, but I believed everyone had seen the Pick of Destiny. Right? So I was in Las Vegas and I was on stage and I was having a few drinks and I decided to jump off the drum riser and my brandy, the knees just didn't hold. They just buckled. And so I kind of like went on my knees and I kind of styled it and I did like the rock back on the knees thing. And after the song, I stood up and this is the, this is why I'm afraid of the 15 seconds between the songs. And I said to the audience, I said, well, now that you've seen my rock slide, now it's time for my cock push up.

[Amy Poehler]

This is a good, this is a good story for Stern.

[Brandi Carlile]

And that, that didn't go over. Nobody knew. Nobody knew why Brandi was telling, you know, a couple thousand middle aged lesbians that she was going to do a cock push up.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you have.

[Brandi Carlile]

So I don't drink anymore.

[Amy Poehler]

Are you done drinking?

[Brandi Carlile]

Are you done drinking? I'm not done. I'm done drinking and working. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Also, I just think it gets harder as we get older. I just think it's like everything is harder and everything is better. Yeah, like it's better. What's good about getting older?

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, I mean, what do you think is good? I travel with this migraine medication in my pocket at all times.

[Amy Poehler]

Not a sponsor. Not a sponsor.

[Brandi Carlile]

No. It's unsponsored. But that's just there. Yeah. Okay. So I can't really drink.

[Amy Poehler]

Also, can we talk about these packages? I'm not going to. How do you get into it?

[Brandi Carlile]

You rip it apart with your teeth because you're desperate.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, that's because you have your own teeth. Not everybody has their own teeth.

[Brandi Carlile]

So what were you asking?

[Amy Poehler]

How is it to get older?

[Brandi Carlile]

Okay, so anyway.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes.

[Brandi Carlile]

Getting older. Every year, I get older. I love being older more than I loved being younger.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, me too.

[Brandi Carlile]

I just love it. I like everything. I like the way that my reverence has grown and sense of humor has changed. I choose myself in more situations. I like the way my face looks. I like. You know, I like it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, me too. I mean, I don't think enough people talk about it. They just don't talk about, like. I mean, 50s have. I'm 54. The 50s have been my favorite decade. Oh, by far.

[Brandi Carlile]

That's what I think is gonna happen.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, by far. My 50th birthday was so fun. I mean, I know there's a lot that comes along with it, and especially for people who don't feel like they're in the place they should be, like, that feels hurt can be really hurtful and stressful, or they're not with the person they should be with, or they've had a lot that they've gone through, but I don't think enough people talk about how it just can get better and better and better. We're just so. We're just so obsessed with youth, you know? Yeah. Really? We really. And I love young people, too.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, me too. I love young people. And I'm always like, oh, enjoy that space. Be there. You know? And I have kids, too, and I'm like, oh, my God, be a kid. Be a kid. But if I'm really honest, that wasn't my favorite part of my life. Even if, you know, I walked in front of a bus tomorrow and I got to, like, my life flash before my eyes. I think I'd probably see the last five years.

[Amy Poehler]

Yes. Yeah. Very cool.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, there's a lot of young people that love you and relate to you and feel seen by you and love your music, and you do this thing, I think, for a lot of people, where you bridge older artists and bring them back into this, like, present world, and there's a million people that you work with, incredible artists. First of all, what is it like to work with your heroes, like Elton John, Joni Mitchell, like, when you meet them, how do you manage that feeling of Indigo Girls, where you are. Like, I was a young Brandy, was a fan waiting outside, and now we're together, and I'm gonna. You know, I'm kind of helping produce this thing we're doing together. How do you. What's that feeling? Like, how do you do it?

[Brandi Carlile]

That's a really good question. And it's a sacred feeling. It's a really sacred feeling because, like. And I guess also the older I get and the more young people do come up to me and say things to me that I remember saying to my heroes. Like, I'm that kind of fan. Like, I'm a wait outside your tour bus kind of fan. So, like. Like, I'm hearing these words and I'm like, I remember those words, and I'm just remembering, like, I'm just understanding how full circle life can be and how human we all are. I actually don't see. I don't even understand, like, what a fan is without the context of me, you know, because everybody that, like, I. I really idolize, like, I've got to be friends with. And so there is a part of that that never goes away. And it's sort of like, sneaks up on you, like deja vu or something. You'll be in an interaction that is feeling totally normal, and then suddenly one thing will flash through the room and you'll be like, oh, my God, this is Elton John. And it's like, those moments are. I really cherish them. I just grab them and hold onto them and I go, yeah, yeah, you did it. You did it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. And it's also an indication that you're still in touch with that part of yourself. Like, you don't feel, like, above it or beyond it or over it. That's really cool.

[Brandi Carlile]

And staying in touch with that part of myself keeps me honest in my responsibility. Within my job, too, to other people that like my music and buy that concert ticket and get the babysitter and get dressed up and go out for the night. I'm really gonna show up for that gig because I just understand.

[Amy Poehler]

What's Elton like? I've never met him, and he seems incredible also. He's always discovering new artists.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, always.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, he's really into new music all the time.

[Brandi Carlile]

You've never met him? No, See, that's the other thing is most people have met Elton because he's so social and he's just so. Like, you will meet him, like, real extrovert. Absolutely love him. Total extrovert. But, like, one of those people that's reached maybe the most Iconic status that you can possibly reach with absolutely no trace of narcissism.

[Amy Poehler]

Whoa.

[Brandi Carlile]

I know. Like, he's competitive and he's intense, and he knows he's Elton John.

[Amy Poehler]

You have a competitive person.

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh, God. I know. So do I.

[Amy Poehler]

You know, you gotta want to try to win a little bit.

[Brandi Carlile]

But he will ask you questions and listen to your answers and be just genuinely intrigued, like, by you, you know, and that's why he's discovering all these younger artists. He's just an exceptional man. Once in a millennium, man.

[Amy Poehler]

And you've worked with Dolly, who just.

[Brandi Carlile]

That's another one.

[Amy Poehler]

What is it like to sing next to Dolly? What does that feel like? Dolly Parton.

[Brandi Carlile]

She's impeccable. She does not miss. So the standard is, like, so high. Like, Dolly is the boss. And so when I show up for Dolly, like, I show up on time, buttoned all the way up to the top button, and I don't miss. I know everything I'm supposed to do. And she doesn't, like, ask you to meet that standard, but it's there. Like, Dolly has high expectations, and, yeah, she's just amazing.

[Amy Poehler]

And the work you've done recently with Joanie, by Joni's side, is just so cool. It felt like you were the professional and the fan at the same time on stage.

[Brandi Carlile]

That's such a nice thing to say. Oh, that's such a nice thing to say and a nice way to look at it. I felt like a student a lot of the time because that music was so wildly complex and inaccessible to me at first. Even though I was a fan of it, I had never had to get inside of it and learn phrasing and learn, you know, the key changes, the melody. It's a roller coaster. The melodies are roller coasters. You don't. Having those twists and turns ready. And then take that and combine it with the fact that Joni doesn't ever like to do the same thing twice. And if she thinks you know what she's gonna do, she's not gonna do it. So it's a really wild thing, getting to sit shotgun next to Joanie. And as her recovery has progressed and she's gotten more and more and more that way, and I see the spirit of who Joni Mitchell has always been more and more every day that she delves into her own music.

[Amy Poehler]

And it must be so cool to talk to, like, young teenagers who are discovering her for the first time.

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, they come up to me in mass. That's probably the thing I end up talking about. The most. And I love it. Like, I never grow tired of talking about Joni and the Joni Journey, but, like, younger people and much older people alike, that is the thing. Everyone comes to me and says, okay, look, I've got Joni's Mitchell's lyrics tattooed on my arm. You know, like, really? Like Gracie Abrams. Like, that's how I met Gracie, you know?

[Amy Poehler]

I'm also thinking about that sweet performer, Benicio. Oh, yeah, Benicio, who sang the Joke with you many times, which is. Watching it. What an incredible song. And just the way, you know, it's not easy to sing with, like, legends and young people, like, who are kind of just starting out on their journey. Like, the way you performed with. I'm like, Chris Farley. I'm like, remember that? That's my question.

[Brandi Carlile]

Do you remember when you did it? I do. I remember Benicio.

[Amy Poehler]

But, like, that was such a beautiful moment, too. And it really changed. How does a song change depending on who you perform it with?

[Brandi Carlile]

That. The. Well, first of all, the innocence of that with Benicio, I was so impulsive back then. Like, I was just. The school I went to, the public school I went to in the town I live in. A couple times a year, I'll do something for them. I'll just go speak in an assembly or whatever. You know. Actually feels good to, like, be cool in that school now that I'm an adult.

[Amy Poehler]

Because you were not as a kid.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, no. No one was. So I. You know, I went there and, like, Benicio came up and he sang that song, and it was just. It was stunning. And I was like, I'm gonna be on TV next week. Come with me to New York. And I could be so impulsive. Like, the stakes were, like. I don't want to say they were low, but it felt like the stakes were really low. Like, back then, Like. Like I didn't know what I was gonna wear. And I just took a kid from my school with me, you know? And I remember, like, it had been no big deal to me. Cause I'd already been doing it so much at that point, you know, and when we. They say on those. What was the. What was it Seth? Or was it.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, this is a great question. Cause I tried to look it up. Conan, I have a laptop.

[Brandi Carlile]

Okay.

[Amy Poehler]

I can't find it.

[Brandi Carlile]

I can't remember which one it was,

[Amy Poehler]

but it said Late show, which could mean 45 different shows. Yeah, I said they had the word late in it. And I thought it was Jimmy Fallon, but then it might have been cobarre.

[Brandi Carlile]

Cherry was late at night, and it

[Amy Poehler]

was a white man. I should be able to find it, but I cannot find it. And also, I'm not great at looking things up.

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, in these shows, which I love doing, they say you can go, you can retake if you need to, but you don't. You're not supposed to. But Benicio froze and he totally froze. And we walked backstage at the thing and he was just crying, and I was like, benny, I understand. You know, it's like, you're so young and maybe, I don't know, I should have talked to you about this a little bit more. It's okay. Like, listen, you're not supposed to retake it, but let me go out and see if they'll let us do it again. And they did. And so the band went back out, reset up, and we did it again. Brandy and I just. The real lesson in that was, like, if there was anything about that that was, I think, really good for Benicio's growth was that mistake, that failure, that moment of catastrophe turned into a total triumph.

[Amy Poehler]

It was so triumphant. And that makes so much sense because your joy in the way he was singing with you, you could feel it in that performance. And it makes a lot of sense that you were really excited that he was nailing it. Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

And it was twice the victory because he got it together. That thing we have to do, we have to pull it together and just try.

[Amy Poehler]

That's what winners do.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, not like it's a competition, but well done, Benicio. Can I ask you your relationship to your hair? Because it's a deeper question for me about how we all play around with our masc and femme energy, basically.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, totally.

[Amy Poehler]

And you, you know, when you were young, watching lilithair, and then when you came out as an artist, like, when I first saw you, you know, you had. Had, like, long hair. And I'm curious how. How you have changed and how your hair has changed and, like, are they connected?

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. And that's such a, like, interesting and intuitive question. Like, no one has ever asked me a question like that before, but. And now I'm very conscious of my hair.

[Amy Poehler]

Me too. I mean, but I think. I think hair is political. Right? Like, and it's. It's interesting, our relationship with it, and it changes all the time. And we're telling people who we are through it.

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, somebody asked me recently about coming out, about, like, when I really, truly felt like I had, like, stepped into my authentic self. And I just, without even thinking about it, said, When I cut my hair. When I cut my hair. And at that time in my life. Yeah. If you saw in the Lilith doc, I had like a little boy, like, almost buzz cut, like, haircut. And I loved it. It was so freeing. I loved having it off my neck. I loved that my mom hated it. I loved everything about, like, that haircut. And then. Yeah, and then I definitely have played around with and felt comfortable moving in and out of kind of gender representation throughout all of my adolescence. And a lot of times it would depend on my girlfriend, like, what girlfriend I had and what her hair was like. But I've always liked how I looked and changing that and asking myself if I liked, you know, where I was at. And yeah, hair is like the first thing it is to address. Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

You know, we kind of make jokes in the world where, like, someone has the same hairstyle for 40 years. But what's behind that? What's behind that is like a fear of, like, if I change.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

Will I recognize myself?

[Brandi Carlile]

Right?

[Amy Poehler]

Will I recognize myself? Because so many people want to, you know, they want to feel younger. They want to feel like the version of themselves when they were feeling the best about themselves. That's what happens. I know. When so much of it is hair. And like, we make fun of like men with comb overs, for example.

[Brandi Carlile]

Right.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, we make fun of people who like, won't let go. But, like, I don't know, it's just. There's just a lot of self esteem that comes from hair. I'm not making any sense here.

[Brandi Carlile]

No, you're making, like too much sense. Plus, I do feel like for me, if I wanted to grow my hair, I don't think it would grow long past a certain point. Yeah, I feel like it would, like, actually physically just be like, nope, you're getting a bob split at the ear. Totally. But no, I know what you mean. Like, that is something that comes in all the time and then add queerness to that and the gender issue that you so intuitively pointed out to that, and then it can get another layer of complication for sure. But I have definitely seen that when a central core group of lesbians will sort of set a trend for themselves. And not alone, by the way. Usually it takes a team, like it does with me. But then you will start to see lesbians everywhere looking like. I've noticed that me and Kate McKinnon are morphing into each other in more ways than one.

[Amy Poehler]

I didn't say it. Okay, I want to talk to you a little bit about touring. You really nicely came when Tina and I were on tour. You really nicely came one time and did our show, which was so nice of you.

[Brandi Carlile]

I don't think you know how enthused I was to get to do that. I don't think what I did to get home so that I could do that.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, Brandi, thank you.

[Brandi Carlile]

It wasn't even a thank you thing. It was like. It's a thank you from me. I was so, so excited to get to do that. I love you guys so much. You said famously that, like, you're. You're. First of all, I love everything you've done. All the movies and everything. Stop right now. Pick a destiny. Devonlee. But you said the best SNL cast is the one when you're 13. Not. Not for me. It was the late 90s to mid, early 2000s. That was my. That is my SNL cast. So you guys are like everything to me. And I was so excited to get to go there.

[Amy Poehler]

We had an amazing couple years. I gotta say, when I look at who I was on SNL with at the time, it was crazy. Heavy hitters.

[Brandi Carlile]

Ana, Maya, you, Tina, Rachel. I mean, Will, Horatio. Yes. Did you cross over with Chris? Cassandra?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, just.

[Brandi Carlile]

I don't know. I'm just. All I'm saying is you can cut this if you want, but I'm just such a fan and to get to do that with you guys.

[Amy Poehler]

It's funny that you bring up Kris Tan. Just yesterday, my kid was eating mango and he was like, do you want the mango? And I was like, do you want the mango?

[Brandi Carlile]

And he was like, what?

[Amy Poehler]

And I was like, oh, there's a character named Mango that you wanted the mango. I'm going to show it to you. I was like, you have no idea. You haven't met Mango yet.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. No.

[Amy Poehler]

And so, but touring is its own thing and its own, you know, and. And I'm sure you have it down. You've toured a million different ways and you figured out, like, how you like to tour. What do you like about touring? And what have you adjusted now to make you like it more? How do you adjust it? Brandy style, so you know what I mean? Like, oh, if I'm gonna be in the city, I'm gonna make sure that I don't visit anybody and don't do anything but just do my show. Or I'm gonna back back time three hours from the show and make sure I have a steak or whatever.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, well, it's changed so much because you've accumulated people.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

And restaurants and Places and parks and walks and little, you know, urban rivers to fish in, in my case.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, Big fish.

[Brandi Carlile]

You love to fish. Yeah. So I've. I've ac in each of these places. They're my place now. And so, yeah, I go there and I do all those things. And now that I'm older and I can't sing as uninhibitedly as I used to when I was younger and I used to just blow my voice out all the time. I'm really careful about days off, so I wind up getting a day off usually in most cities to sort of experience it. One thing I can't do is sleep all day. That's not good for me emotionally. And like I said, I can't do too much drinking.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. And let's talk about sleep for a second.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. Sleep, man.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you like it?

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, we gotta do it.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you get enough?

[Brandi Carlile]

I do. I do.

[Amy Poehler]

What do you do? What's your bedtime routine?

[Brandi Carlile]

Okay. Well, it involves a heating pad.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you know about the biomat?

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. You know, Alanis Morissette just sent me one. And it's life.

[Amy Poehler]

It's changed my. First of all, it's impossible to get up off of it. Once you get on, it sucks you in, like.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. And you gotta be so careful not to bedrot when you're not sleeping. Like, don't go back to that bed.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

Once you get out, do you put

[Amy Poehler]

your biomat in your bed?

[Brandi Carlile]

I mean, I've been known to.

[Amy Poehler]

For those people that don't know, it's. There's many versions of it, but it's basically like a giant heating pad that has crystals in it or whatever.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, whatever they say.

[Amy Poehler]

And it grounds you. And it's incredible.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, it's incredible. And I love a heating pad. Like, I travel with one, you know, but my bedtime routine is. Yeah. I get on the heating pad and I take a melatonin gummy.

[Amy Poehler]

Nice.

[Brandi Carlile]

And I talk with my wife and we do the debrief of the day. That's, I think, so important for. I just think that's so. I don't know. Do you do that?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. I love the. I love the being able to kind of review. Like, have a review. Yes. Of the day.

[Brandi Carlile]

Get out of your own head and the way that you saw yourself and your own behavior. Here's somebody else's take on it. If you're developing conspiracy theories about other people or starting to crystallize into, like, weird political, you know, belief systems, you learned you went down a rabbit hole or whatever. And then you just. You have a conversation with a human being that knows you at night, and it's a real head cleansing experience.

[Amy Poehler]

And it's also a time where you can kind of decide, like, I'm gonna drag some of these things to trash, and then some I'm gonna kind of take with me to the next day, you know? Like, some I'm gonna just kind of talk through, and they're gonna float away. And other things I'm gonna remember and keep.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. And you kind of dream calibrate.

[Maren Morris]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

And then you get.

[Amy Poehler]

Do you wear an eye shade?

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah, lately.

[Amy Poehler]

Interesting. Earplugs?

[Brandi Carlile]

No, I feel claustrophobic when I put in earplugs.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, same. I can't do earplugs and eye shade. I can't really do either.

[Brandi Carlile]

What's your sleep routine and do you get enough?

[Amy Poehler]

I try to get so much. I love sleep so much. All I think about is when can I get sleep? And, like, how many hours can I get?

[Brandi Carlile]

And what's your mattress?

[Amy Poehler]

That's where I need some.

[Brandi Carlile]

Okay, I got some thoughts.

[Amy Poehler]

Really? Tell me.

[Brandi Carlile]

Okay. So I'm a big mattress person. The first. The very first thing I did when I made any money was buy every single person I know a mattress. Whoa.

[Amy Poehler]

That's such a baller move.

[Brandi Carlile]

It was like when tempur pedics first came out and I didn't have that much money. Some of them I financed.

[Amy Poehler]

You were like, I'm gonna get this paid someday.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yes, exactly.

[Amy Poehler]

That is awesome.

[Brandi Carlile]

But I could because of the sleep thing. Like, you know, but that was like. That was when tempur ped out. So I was like a big tempur pedic person. I do not get paid by Tempur Pedic. But I. Yet. But I bought everyone a Tempur Pedic mattress. And lately I've really been into this other mattress called the purple mattress.

[Amy Poehler]

Hold on.

[Brandi Carlile]

So these two.

[Amy Poehler]

I need a new mattress. Okay.

[Brandi Carlile]

These are the ones.

[Amy Poehler]

And. And.

[Brandi Carlile]

And.

[Amy Poehler]

And a new mattress is one of those, like, adult things that literally feels impossible. Like, you're like, I guess I can never get it. Like, I'm really good at adulting. I get a lot of stuff done. I'm not a procrastinator, but something about a new mat. I'll just never get a mattress.

[Brandi Carlile]

I don't know.

[Amy Poehler]

Like, it's really hard to move. Okay, what do you like about this mattress?

[Brandi Carlile]

Well, I mean, sell me this mattress. Okay. The purple mattress.

[Amy Poehler]

Sure.

[Brandi Carlile]

Okay. So it's anything that feels like this, like, zero gravity Mattress situation where you, like. In my mind, I tell myself, if I'm not, like, pressed up against something hard and my, like, blood can flow freely throughout my body and my circulation is good, then I'm healing when I'm sleep.

[Amy Poehler]

So you, like. You don't like. Do you like a softness, then? You don't like a firm mattress?

[Brandi Carlile]

You know, it's like less blankets, more blankets. It's like a combination of things. I just think that, like, Tempur, Pedic, and purple, these two mattresses, they provide this kind of zero gravity feeling where if you wake up in the middle of the night, no part of you feels pressed up against something else.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

And also, if we ever sleep in the same bed, which I feel like is a possibility, don't touch me. Can we get the rumors started being touched by other people when I was leaving 100?

[Amy Poehler]

No touch. No. Absolutely no touching. Well, also, I'm a certain age where, like, I have to find cool spots a lot, but still, like, think it's very hot, so. And I don't like. I don't like touching. And also, I've said this many times before on the podcast, and I'm sorry I'm saying it, but I wear a CPAP machine. Oh. So. And because I have sleep apnea, we

[Brandi Carlile]

are so hot when we go to bed.

[Amy Poehler]

So is that gonna. I think that's gonna really.

[Brandi Carlile]

Eye mask. Know your plugs. It's gonna. Yeah. Special mask. So hot. That's like.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, it's true love, actually. It's Whoever. Whoever can get past that is. It's really true love. Yeah. But what's in your rider? Do you have a rider? Yeah, I do. Anything fun?

[Brandi Carlile]

No, it's so boring. Like, I'm just.

[Amy Poehler]

I'm really normal person.

[Brandi Carlile]

Very boring to you?

[Amy Poehler]

Like, no. People that are. Have Weird.

[Maren Morris]

Ridiculous.

[Amy Poehler]

Honestly, it feels like it's a stressful way to get people to run around for them.

[Brandi Carlile]

It is. Because, you know, my best friend, her job was riders for a while, and that's kind of when I was like, no, my rider is, like, normal.

[Amy Poehler]

It's like, what kind of stuff you got on there?

[Brandi Carlile]

I need an avocado.

[Amy Poehler]

Perfect.

[Brandi Carlile]

I need lemons.

[Amy Poehler]

Yep.

[Brandi Carlile]

I need just some, like, La Croix.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

And it's gotta be cold and then, like, tuna salad.

[Amy Poehler]

Love that.

[Brandi Carlile]

Every show, so I always have to have tuna salad and bananas. And I don't like any of those things, but they are part of my routine. I have to have them.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay. Well, the rider question brings me to. We do this thing on the show where we have people who know our guest. Zoom with me before I talk to our guest, to speak well behind their back and also to give me a question. So we talked to Maren Morris today.

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh, God, I love Maren.

[Amy Poehler]

I know. I do too. And, I mean, the high women were. That is such an incredible. Such a great example of you and all of those women, of course, but, like, women working together in real time to make really cool stuff. And everyone's saying yes right away. And Brandi being the one that's like, let's do it. I'm gonna make it happen. Here are the dates. Let's go. And then making this great record and performing with Dolly, like, it just feels like that whole experience was so awesome. Was it?

[Brandi Carlile]

It was. It was not uncomplicated, but it was awesome and just like, something I am so proud we did and actually something I think we should do again, because it's like that combination of women was really interesting and wild, and I want that back in a way, especially as my. Well, as my girls are getting older. I just. They were so little when I did it, and now you know that they are where they are. I just want us. I want them to watch us do it.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

I think they'd really learn from it. And then our kids, you know, like, we did that. Maren didn't have a child yet. And, you know, it's like, now they're all so big. Mercy's big and Sammy Joe's big, and my kids are getting big, and I just. Having a girl on the precipice of being a teenager, I think would be really neat thing to show them.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, that's exactly what Maren's question was, is. She was basically saying, like, you have two daughters. You're watching your girls get older. They're coming to your shows. Like, you know, her question was like, you know, any advice? You know? Cause, you know, Marian's got a little boy, and just. And what we were talking about was even extrapolating from that. It's just this idea of, like, a working mother. Like, how do we figure out how to invite our kids into the world and show them? You know, it's such a great. It's such a great thing to watch your mom do what she loves to do. It's a big day.

[Maren Morris]

Yeah.

[Brandi Carlile]

It's a big deal.

[Amy Poehler]

And especially for young girls. So when they come and watch you, do they. What do you think about when they're. When they're around you, when you're on tour? I know you've brought them, of course, many times on tour. Like, what are you thinking about now with your daughters?

[Brandi Carlile]

And. And.

[Amy Poehler]

And what you want them to see? And what do they do? They like watching you perform.

[Brandi Carlile]

The girls like watching me perform. They're both really into sports, which is mystifying to me because I never, you know, but, like, they were, like, watching the World Series and they were crying when the Mariners got defeated. And now they won't ever even go to Toronto because they're so mad at the Blue Jays. Like, I have no feelings about sports whatsoever, but I'll take them to a game, and then I'll watch them watch that. And I'm like, you know, concerts don't really register in the same place.

[Amy Poehler]

Well, it's just like, how do you rebel when your mom's a rock star? Is you become a jock?

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh, I hope this is not a sign of things to. But they seem more like. And this is occurring to me as I'm saying it, they seem more excited by and interested in the way I interact with fans as a person, as a public person, than actually how I do music. They're more interested in the fact that I'm a little bit famous than whether I'm a good or a bad singer. And they're very interested right now in the way my music interfaces with Polish.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, wow.

[Brandi Carlile]

And maybe that's why I'm so interested in Maren's question and in being a part of another chapter for the Highwayman is. I think they would really like it. Their very favorite song from my album is Church and State. They loved the SNL performance, and they're very proud of that. Even with their limited knowledge, they know there's a struggle and that our family's a part of it. And they're very proud of that and more interested in that than they even seem to be. The musical aspect.

[Amy Poehler]

And they probably are just figuring that out. That, oh, my mom's art. Her job is speaking to that. I bet you they're just figuring that out for the first time.

[Brandi Carlile]

They are. They like it.

[Amy Poehler]

Very cool.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah. And that's. They seem to be just energized about those kinds of things. And it does sort of translate to their behavior in sports and stuff. I took them to, like, a Seattle Range, a soccer game, and they were. Just Took on a life of their own. You know, that song youg Without Me from my album, Them in Sports is a you without me moment. I don't know who they are when they're screaming those things and they're like, be aggressive. Be, be aggressive. I'm like, no, don't be aggressive. But they're like, that's a chant, Mom.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, that's a chant, Mom. They're like, but that's so interesting, though, because. Because I feel like you have a. You are positively competitive, and you have a player's attitude toward your work.

[Brandi Carlile]

I'm driven, but I'm not competitive.

[Amy Poehler]

Okay, you're not competitive.

[Brandi Carlile]

It's crazy. No, it's actually annoying, I think. Interesting, and I think it puts me a little bit on the outs with some of my friends. Even my relationship with Elton, he's constantly annoyed by my lack of it. But if I'm up for an award and somebody else beats me, I mean, I'm deflated for, like, three and a half seconds until they get up and do their speech. And then I'm, like, fighting back tears from, like, feeling so happy for them. And, like, I'll go see my own kid play soccer. And I'm just so. I'm so proud of all those little girls out there. I don't even know how to root for my own kid because I'm so. You know what I mean?

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah, but what you're saying, you just have a healthy relationship to competition, maybe, because awards are crazy, and they're crazy, of course. And you go there, and it's like, if you actually, you know, what is winning? Winning is just being at the show. And same with, you know, watching your. Like, anyone who, like, yells on the sideline is a total nut bag. Okay, so my last question is, and I ask all my guests this, and I know you're a real comedy fan, like, real learning that. So you have. You probably have a refined taste, and comedy is probably something that you seek out, pay attention to, and care about. What are you listening to? Watching a video, a TV show, a movie, Old, new, or, like, what makes you laugh? How are you, like, in these times? Where do you go when you want to feel that lift?

[Brandi Carlile]

Where do I go? I go to a few core movies. Like, I'll go to a few core comedy movies. Um, and without sounding too retro or old school, I mean, I love Tommy Boy.

[Amy Poehler]

Oh, my God, I love Tommy Boy.

[Brandi Carlile]

I mean, Bridesmaids, everything, Tenacious D. I loved Sisters. I felt like that was a really important one for a lot of reasons. And then snl. I, like, never miss snl. I love snl. And I've got my favorite old episodes and my favorite.

[Amy Poehler]

What's one of your favorite SNL sketches?

[Brandi Carlile]

One of my favorite SNL sketches.

[Amy Poehler]

We can watch it together.

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh, my God, there's so many good ones. One that I come back to a lot is the Liza Minnelli turns on a lamp. Did you ever see that one?

[Amy Poehler]

Kristen Wiig, a total genius.

[Brandi Carlile]

That's a really good one.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, let's watch that for a second.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

I mean, and by the way, hilarious physical comedy, not great for podcasts, but okay, the title says Liza Minnelli tries to turn off a lamp.

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh, that's what it is.

[Amy Poehler]

Yeah. I mean, Wig Greg is so friggin funny. I know. And okay, let's watch this.

[Brandi Carlile]

I'm also a huge Tracy Morgan fan.

[Amy Poehler]

Tracy Morgan. Okay, so this is. We've got.

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh, sure.

[Maren Morris]

I'd be delighted.

[Brandi Carlile]

Just let me turn off some of these lamps. Charm her like a ball. I'm the under the chain. Remember that? Brandy is dying. I chopped on a shrimp. I love it. I love her.

[Amy Poehler]

When she was on TV as a young kid, I was like, who? Who is that? Yeah. Liza, you're very talented.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yes. You should stick with it, Liza.

[Amy Poehler]

Stick with it. Stick with it, Liza. You picked the right job. And Brandi, so did you. You picked her. You're just the best singer. Congrats on your voice, on this record, on all the things that you're the best.

[Brandi Carlile]

You are the love talking. The most interesting person I really feel. I hope this is the beginning of a long friendship. Seriously.

[Amy Poehler]

I know you have a lot of people live in your house. You have like a lot of people in your house.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

One or two more, you might not even notice.

[Brandi Carlile]

No. If you need a trim carpenter, if you're afraid to work with wood, I can strengthen your results.

[Amy Poehler]

I am. I feel like that's this time around. I'm probably not gonna do that.

[Brandi Carlile]

Yeah.

[Amy Poehler]

But that's okay. God is fair. Thank you so much for doing. This is so fun.

[Brandi Carlile]

I really enjoy. It was everything I hoped it would be.

[Amy Poehler]

Thank you so much. Brandy, you are incredible. And it was so, so fun hanging with you. And yeah, you know, we talked about so many good things. One thing that we spoke about, which I just wanted to kind of correct or plunge deeper into in the polar plunge, was the performance that her and Benicio Bryant did together for the incredible song the Joke, which we all know is one of Brandi's best, and that was on Late night with Seth Meyers. And Seth, I'm sorry that I forgot that I love your work, Seth. I love what you do. I'm a big, big fan, but I can't remember where things, you know, air anymore. And so it sounded like it would be something that you would have done. Great, great idea. Whoever I, you know, I'm sure it wasn't your idea, but whoever on your staff said to do it so smart. And I'm sorry that I might have attributed that, that performance to another late night show. You're the only late night show I care about. So Seth, congrats on that. And Brandy, beautiful work. And listeners, thank you again for tuning in.

[Brandi Carlile]

See you soon.

[Amy Poehler]

You've been listening to Good hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by the Ringer and Paper Kite for the Ringer production by Jack Wilson, Cat Kaia McMullen and Alaia Zaneris. For Paper Kite. Production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell and Jenna Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy Miles. This episode is brought to you by TaxAct. Look, nobody wakes up excited to do taxes. Luckily, Tax act makes tax season easy, walking you through every step of the way. Get tips along the way, add expert assist to talk to tax experts or let our experts do your taxes for you. With exper full service, TaxAct helps you find the deductions and credits you deserve so you can get them over with. Visit taxact.com to learn more. Conditions apply. See taxact.com for details.

[Peacock Promo Voice]

Streaming only on Peacock. A classic love story.

[Amy Poehler]

You are my forever person.

[Brandi Carlile]

I love you.

[Peacock Promo Voice]

But there's one tiny problem. The husband makes the wife feel small.

[Brandi Carlile]

Oh no.

[Peacock Promo Voice]

Lindy, can I other words? The husband accidentally shrinks the wife to 6 inches tall using his super secret project. But he doesn't know how to unshrink her and she might be stuck. Mini Forever.

[Amy Poehler]

Make me big again.

[Peacock Promo Voice]

Now a classic love story starring Elizabeth banks and Matthew McFady, the miniature wife. Streaming April 9th. Only on Peacock.