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Bassist and Singer-Songwriter Thundercat Talks About 'Drunk,' and A Year in the Spotlight

Thundercat

Just two and half years ago, Stephen Bruner — the artist otherwise known as Thundercat — said he never thought his voice would ever overshadow his virtuoso six-string bass guitar playing. Then came Drunk, the standout album he released this year, which put his vocals and songwriting at the center of the frame. 

Bruner spotlights a range of vocal cameos on the album, by artists like Michael McDonald, Kenny Loggins, Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar. A few of those songs landed him an endorsement from Dave Chappelle, and multiple appearances on late-night network talk shows.

On this Checkout podcast, Thundercat talks about the disorienting blare of attention, the many meanings behind the album’s name, and how as a teenager he often found himself in the “Friend Zone” with female schoolmates.

Subscribe to The Checkout podcast on iTunes and Stitcher.

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For more than 15 years, Simon Rentner has worked as a host, producer, broadcaster, web journalist, and music presenter in New York City. His career gives him the opportunity to cover a wide spectrum of topics including, history, culture, and, most importantly, his true passion of music from faraway places such as Europe, South America, and Africa.