Podcast Summary: Yungblud | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Podcast: The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Host: Billy Corgan
Guest: Yungblud (Dom)
Release Date: October 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation between Billy Corgan and Yungblud (Dom Harrison), exploring Yungblud’s journey as an artist poised at a rare, transformative moment in his career. The dialogue centers around authenticity, artistic evolution, the resurgence of rock, navigating fame, and advice for sustaining a legacy in music. Billy acts as a mentor and peer, discussing legacy, authenticity, and the pressures that come with artistic breakthroughs.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Yungblud’s Transition and Artistic Vision

• Embracing Rock:

  • Yungblud describes his intention behind embracing rock unapologetically, feeling emboldened after hearing Billy Corgan’s public endorsement:

    "I want my voice to be the leader. I want my sense of imagination to be limitless, and I want to put rock music at the forefront of my brand..."
    (Dom, 00:14)

  • The album Idols symbolizes reclaiming himself and anchoring his music in rock’s authenticity.

• Crossroads and Turning Point:

  • Dom recalls feeling at a crossroads at 27, finally committing to a vision he’d harbored since he was 22, catalyzed by encouragement from his idols.
  • Billy acknowledges the rarity of such transformative moments:

    "The moment that you're in is so rare… you don't realize how rare it is."
    (Billy, 01:48, repeated sentiment at 47:15)

2. Breaking America and Musical Authenticity

• Cracking the U.S. Market:
  • Billy shares insights from his own career and the contrast between U.K. and U.S. rock sensibilities, emphasizing that American rock demands authenticity “from the street up.”
    (06:30–11:06)
  • Dom reflects on the energy of American crowds and the purity of purpose driving Idols:

    “I really went from a purist mentality with Idols... I want to create something that's going to elongate the imagination and almost reset me in a place where I want my voice to be the leader.”
    (Dom, 08:27)

3. Legacy, Authenticity, and Generational Bridges

• Confronting Legacy:

  • The Are You Ready Boy documentary and the decision to record live at Hansa Studios were both about confronting legacy head-on, not bowing down to it. (15:16)

• Authenticity in the Modern Era:

  • Dom discusses the challenge of proving authenticity in a world where everything is documented and curated.
  • Advice from Ozzy Osbourne:

    “You cannot take that on. You have to do what you do, and people will maybe probably understand it in hindsight.”
    (Dom, 19:58)

• The Pressure of the “Youngblood” Name and Blood Fest:

  • Dom narrates feeling pigeonholed by his stage name and how Blood Fest (a celebratory/funeral hybrid gig) helped him reconnect with the broader meaning and community of Youngblood. (23:33)
  • The show signaled that Youngblood had become bigger than himself—now representing a spectrum of fans beyond the original core.

4. The Rock Genre’s Uniqueness and Tribalism

• Rock’s Resurgence:

  • Dom and Billy discuss the cyclical resurgence of rock, its community and resistance to fakeness, and how it contrasts with pop and hip-hop.

    “Rock music is about pioneering while being adherent and respectful to the past…”
    (Dom, 11:06)
    “Rock is about being in the mud and being the beauty within the dirt...”
    (Dom, 35:31)

• The Power of Tribes:

  • Billy likens the rock scene to “tribes” (Pumpkins, Metallica, Slayer, Tool, etc.), highlighting unity and generational crossovers during landmark shows like the Ozzy/Black Sabbath reunion in Birmingham. (34:20)

5. Pop-to-Rock “Reverse Crossover”

• The Elton John Comparison:

  • Billy proposes that Yungblud has achieved a rare “reverse crossover”—from pop to rock—comparable primarily to Elton John, who started in pop but became a rock icon.

    “You can sing pop, you can sing a ballad, and that crowd will go with you… Elton John's one of the only people ever who was poppish, first ballady piano, who crossed over rock.”
    (Billy, 38:58–40:12)

• Future Projects & Collaborations:

  • Dom previews a five-song collaboration with Aerosmith releasing in November, reveals ongoing inspiration, and mentions “Idols Part 2” is nearly ready but is also eager to create new solo music based on current momentum. (44:09–44:45)

6. Advice for Longevity and the Path Forward

• Billy’s Core Advice:

  • The path to stadium longevity:

    “It’s only gonna work if it’s your music... They want your music, not my music through you.”
    (Billy, 52:41)

  • The importance of creative partnership, citing Elton John and Bernie Taupin as a model—but with Dom insisting the lead must be his own authentic voice. (54:11–54:19)

• Handling Pressure and Vision for the Future:

  • Dom openly shares that he’s feeling the pressure (“Whoa...”), but also feels prepared, especially with the forthcoming Aerosmith project and the authenticity of his new work. (48:09)
  • Dream: To lead rock into stadiums globally, staying true to self and growing the genre he loves.

    “I would love to be able to play stadium rock all over the world because I think that's where I come alive as a frontman...”
    (Dom, 50:36)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On Hearing Billy’s Encouragement:

“I remember going up home and going, look at this. It is time. It hit me in the face like a comet right in my... in between my eyes.”
(Dom, 00:00 and repeated sentiment at 04:15)

On Rock’s Uniqueness:

“Rock music is all about truth and all about passion and all about humanity... it pulls you right back down to earth because... rock is about being in the mud and being the beauty within the dirt and the... seeing your breath in the cold.”
(Dom, 35:31)

On Crossing from Pop to Rock:

“You can sing pop, you can sing a ballad, and that crowd will go with you.”
(Billy, 00:09/39:09)

"Elton John's one of the only people ever who was poppish, first ballady piano, who crossed over rock."
(Billy, 39:36)

On Craft and Ownership:

“It will only work... if it’s your music. Your music they want... not my music through you.”
(Billy, 52:41)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• 00:14 — Dom on leading with voice and rock’s authenticity
• 01:48 — Recognizing the rarity of breakthrough moments
• 06:30 — Billy on U.K. vs U.S. rock and authentic roots
• 11:06 — Dom on rock’s attributes and vision for Idols
• 15:16 — Recording live at Hansa Studio, confronting legacy
• 19:58 — Ozzy’s advice on authenticity
• 23:33 — Blood Fest redefining Youngblood’s identity
• 34:20 — Billy on rock tribes and community
• 38:58 — Pop to rock crossover, Elton John comparison
• 44:09 — Surprise Aerosmith project & new creative momentum
• 47:15 — Billy on seizing rare creative windows
• 50:36 — Dom on vision for his future and playing stadiums
• 52:41 — Billy on what truly sustains an artist’s legacy

Conclusion

This dynamic episode captures Yungblud at a pivotal point—embracing his rock roots, securing respect from musical legends, and inheriting the weight, challenge, and legacy of the genre. There’s a prevailing theme of authenticity: the power of self-belief, the necessity of leading with one’s vision, and the importance of seizing creative momentum while staying connected to community and roots. Billy’s mentorship and Dom’s candor offer an inspiring look at what it takes to go from being "one to watch" to potentially joining the ranks of stadium rock legends.