Vigorously with Val Kleinhans
by Val Kleinhans
Latest episode
Metallica, Midterm Elections, and an Opinion That Should (Or Should…
Metallica, Midterm Elections, and an Opinion That Should (Or Should…
About this podcast
Vigorously with Val Kleinhans, includes artist interviews, conversations with creatives, and solo reflections from me that go past promo and into the real human side of creativity.
Candid conversations that go beyond the surface — exploring who artists are, how creators think, why music matters, and what inspires the work we connect with.
Through interviews, solo reflections, and commentary on artist news, Val explores the psychology of creativity, the pressure of visibility, and what modern music culture is doing to artists and fans behind the scenes. Vigorously.
New episodes go live on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube weekly.
Inquiries: [email protected]
Episodes
The newest 20 of 208 episodes
- Metallica, Midterm Elections, and an Opinion That Should (Or Should Not?) Be · 29 minThis week, Americans voted in midterm elections that were so hotly discussed that even James Hetfield of Metallica got in on the politics conversation recently…whether he wanted…
- Full Metal Jessie on Metal, Makeup, and Making Her Mark · 50 minMetal, makeup, and making your mark! Full Metal Jessie joins Val on Vigorously to talk about finding her place in the metal community, developing her passion for heavy vocals…
- Reflecting on Mitch Lucker, Suicide Silence, and the Grip Core Still Has on Us · 24 minVal has said multiple times on this podcast that in recent years, and even today, core has taken over the metal scene. It seems to be what sells now. It seems to be what we’re…
- Osyron on Funding Music, Finding Purpose, and Defining Success · 46 minFour years after Momentous, OSYRON is entering a new era. Val sits down with lead vocalist Reed Alton to discuss the band's upcoming self-titled album, the power of collective…
- Amon Amarth, Enslaved and America’s Love for Scandinavian Metal · 33 minIf you’ve ever been to an Amon Amarth concert, a Týr concert, an Enslaved concert, in the US - you know full well that Americans love a viking moment. But why are we so obsessed?…
- Peekay on Bridging Cultures, Breaking Expectations & Finding Your Identity · 51 minPeekay are one of the fastest growing metalcore groups from India. The eyes of the world are on them right now, and that's something vocalist Prantati Khanna takes in stride. Val…
- THE UNCRTN on MACHINE, Finding Your People, and Fighting for Your Humanity · 54 minIn the year of our lord 2026, it's very easy for things to feel very dystopian. If you're looking for the perfect soundtrack to this, THE UNCRTN may have just provided it in…
- The Albums That Feel Like October · 21 minAfter a small vacation, Val is back to welcome October the only way she knows how - by honoring the best albums to celebrate the month. Watch on YouTube…
- Banks Arcade on Identity, Choosing Your Hard & SECOND PLACE SUPERSTAR · 28 minLife is hard, but what do you do with it? When you want to accomplish something, do you let the "hard" win? If you ask alternative/electronic/hip-hop fusion group Banks Arcade…
- Moon Darling on Making Psychedelic Indie Feel Saucy, Stylish and Bewitching · 49 minWhat else matches the season better than some psychedelia and indie vibes? For your fix this fall, we present Moon Darling. Mike and Eliza join Val for a chat about their biggest…
- From Goth to Metal: Building the Perfect Spooky Season Playlist · 23 minHalloween playlists might have a problem. Every year, we get the same songs. “Monster Mash.” “Thriller.” Maybe some Rob Zombie if we're feeling particularly dangerous or…
- Lindsay Schoolcraft [RE-RUN] · 27 min(Originally aired 8/26/24) Lindsay Schoolcraft chats with Val about cats, astrology, and the new music she'd been working on and the singles that formed Harrowing before it…
- Slipknot, Ministry, and the Art of Knowing When to Walk Away · 24 minThe new Slipknot single "Arsenal" has raised many questions about longevity in metal. When should a band hang it up? Are they required to retire at a certain point? Val examines…
- The Moth Anatomy on Embracing ‘Change’ in Metalcore · 49 minIn this episode, Val welcomes Jay and Kevin from metalcore band The Moth Anatomy to discuss navigating the industry (with the delicate yin and yang of a moth) in a world that…
- Scarhaven on Protecting the Art in an Age of Artist Brands [NEW MUSIC FRIDAY] · 29 minModern grunge that hasn't forgotten its roots can be found in Scarhaven. In this New Music Friday episode, meet the band introducing grunge to the younger masses - Scarhaven…
- How to Find Your Next Favorite Band · 29 minVigorous ones, I’m here to help solve a problem that I’m noticing lately - and that problem is there’s sooooooo much music to go through! Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good problem…
- Forgotten Shrine and the Fight to Keep Our Sense of Whimsy Alive · 54 minWhimsy is a buzzword at the moment, and it's because today, as a collective, it's easy to feel like we're losing ours. Folk metal duo Forgotten Shrine has the medicine you'll…
- cut the cord. on Choosing Yourself, Starting Over and Rebuilding Who You Are [NEW MUSIC FRIDAY] · 36 minSevering ties isn't always the worst thing in the world. If anyone knows that, it's alternative rockers cut the cord. Val chats with singer Dylan about navigating mental health…
- Why Did We Underestimate Dolly Parton and Travis Barker? · 32 minWhenever someone lives their life vigorously in public, they’re not immune to feedback or criticism - and that goes for everybody, even the angel that is Dolly Parton…and drummer…
- Zahna on What It Really Takes To Release a New Album · 44 minVal welcomes back Zahna for a very special occasion! Break or Breakthrough is out Friday. Easily Zahna's most aggressive and vulnerable piece of work, Val and Zahna chat about…
