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Tori Amos has never shied away from confronting the world through metaphor, but her 18th studio album, In Times of Dragons, may be her most ambitious statement yet. Speaking with Kyle Meredith, the legendary songwriter dives into the record’s sweeping narrative, which uses Celtic mythology, dragons, witches, and lizard demons to explore democracy, tyranny, and the dangerous allure of power. Along the way, she also discusses writing under intense pressure, revisiting the spirit of Silent All These Years, collaborating once again with longtime bandmates, and sharing the creative process with daughter Tash. Listen above or wherever you get your podcasts.
For Amos, the story began with only an opening and an ending, leaving the rest to reveal itself through instinct. “This time last year, there was no record,” she admits, explaining that she knew she had to arrive at the album’s closing destination, “23 Peaks,” but had to trust the muses to guide everything in between. She rooted the fantasy in real-life experiences, saying the only fictional leap was imagining herself marrying the symbolic “lizard demon,” an amalgamation of powerful men she’s encountered throughout her life. The emotional center comes in “Shush,” where Amos intentionally reconnects with the fearless young woman who wrote “Silent All These Years.” “The woman who wrote ‘Silent All These Years’ is somewhere inside you,” she says. “You better find her fast.”
That reflection extends beyond the lyrics and into the music itself. Amos acknowledges that revisiting older work while preparing anniversary editions of previous albums unexpectedly reopened creative pathways. “Sometimes records can affect each other,” she explains, comparing decades of songwriting to rediscovering forgotten ingredients in a kitchen cupboard. Reuniting in the studio with drummer Matt Chamberlain and bassist Jon Evans for the first time since 2009 also helped rekindle an organic chemistry that shaped songs like “Gasoline Girls.” “It’s not about logic,” Amos says. “It’s just grab an instrument and start jamming.”
Amos is on the road supporting In Times of Dragons on an extensive summer tour. Get tickets here.
Listen to Tori Amos talk about In Times of Dragons and more in the new episode above or by watching the video below. Keep up on all the latest episodes by following Kyle Meredith With… on your favorite podcast platform; plus, check out all the series on the Consequence Podcast Network.
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