Amrit Singh at the Spectrum News 1 anchor desk

Inside the Issues with Amrit Singh · Spectrum News 1

Amrit Singh

Anchor & Host · Los Angeles

Amrit Singh is a founding anchor of Spectrum News 1 in Los Angeles, hosting Inside The Issues with Amrit Singh — the network's flagship nightly interview program, where politics meets culture and the people shaping both — and Your Afternoon, live daily at 12PM. The road here was not direct — it ran through white shoe law firms and the years when online music journalism was still inventing itself — but every detour was research.

Politics

Sen. Alex Padilla

On redistricting, civil liberties, and the weeks since his arrest at a DHS briefing.

U.S. Senate
City & Policy

Mayor Karen Bass

Housing, homelessness, and leading Los Angeles through its most consequential moment.

Los Angeles
Arts & Culture

Mark Mothersbaugh of DEVO

DEVO at 50: on de-evolution, the band's origins, and the strange accuracy of their predictions.

Music & Art
More interviews →

Amrit graduated magna cum laude from Boston University — studying political science, philosophy, and music — and then, in a move that made considerable sense at the time, went to law school. He served as an editor of the International Law Journal at the University of Wisconsin and worked as an attorney in corporate securities litigation in New York. It was there, improbably, that he found his voice — in the city's burgeoning indie music scene and the entirely new kind of online journalism forming around it.

Amrit went from attorney to music journalist, becoming Stereogum's first hire and its executive editor. Over eight years he helped build one of the defining voices of the online indie music era — thousands of posts, nearly as many concerts, and an early champion for many of the artists who would go on to shape the culture. He was among the first writers anywhere to spotlight artists like Vampire Weekend — who mailed him a handwritten letter and a homemade blue CD-R before they'd ever received a blog post. He made them a Band To Watch in April 2007.

That world also produced Dosa Hunt — Amrit's short film, born organically from the artists and community around him. Ostensibly a quest for the best dosa in New York City alongside members of Vampire Weekend, Das Racist, Yeasayer, Neon Indian, and Vijay Iyer, it hit as a conversational meditation on authenticity and comfort in a multicultural landscape — tasty and funny, screened at film festivals around the world, and to the praise of the BBC, New York Magazine, Interview, and KCRW. And hosting it was Amrit's biggest step yet toward his life on camera.

TV had been calling as the next stop for Amrit's interviewing and storytelling. When the opportunity came to join a new network called REVOLT TV as a founding host, Amrit entered a five-year crash course in live TV — a daily variety show before a studio audience, red carpets, interviews with thought leaders and artists in all contexts, intimate sit-downs with the likes of Rick Rubin, a live televised town hall with then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, political roundtable debate shows, and live coverage from both the Republican and Democratic National Conventions of 2016. And as ever, all of this was preparation.

At Spectrum News 1, Amrit anchors election nights and breaking news alongside his daily newscast and nightly interview show, which has become a required stop for candidates, officeholders, and civic leaders across California — and for the writers, filmmakers, musicians, and thinkers who are shaping the national conversation. The work has received awards from the LA Press Club, NY Press Club, and Golden Mikes — for everything from newscasts to on-location series and documentaries. He was also the host of the Spectrum News Challenge, a nationwide current events quiz show with student contestants, and Music Diaries, a limited documentary series exploring the ways music, art, and community reflect and shape each other — a subject he has never been able to leave alone.

Away from the studio, he is a husband, a father, a daily meditator, and a voracious consumer of culture in all its forms — convinced that the interview, done right, is one of the most reliable paths to clarity, empathy, and common ground. That, and a good song.

Get in touch

Tips and recs?

hey@amritsingh.com

Interviews

Conversations with the elected officials, thinkers, and artists shaping the moment.

Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Ro Khanna

On gas prices, wealth taxes, and the economic argument Democrats aren't making loudly enough.

National
Electeds & Candidates

Tom Steyer

The California gubernatorial candidate on his campaign and the debate over debate inclusivity and jungle primaries.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Mayor James Butts

The Inglewood mayor on the prospect of ICE at SoFi for the World Cup — and his response to what DHS is saying.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Former HHS Sec. Xavier Becerra

The former U.S. Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate on healthcare, immigration, and California's national role.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Tom Steyer

The California gubernatorial candidate on his campaign and the debate over debate inclusivity and jungle primaries.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Mayor Matt Mahan

San Jose's mayor and gubernatorial candidate on homelessness, tech, and governing California's third-largest city.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Antonio Villaraigosa

The former LA mayor and gubernatorial frontrunner on California's future and his political moment.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Sheriff Chad Bianco

The Riverside County Sheriff and gubernatorial candidate on law enforcement, immigration, and the race for California's top office.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Steve Hilton

The former Fox News host and California gubernatorial candidate on his run and the state of the right.

California
Electeds & Candidates

State Supt. Tony Thurmond

The State Superintendent of Public Instruction and gubernatorial candidate on education, equity, and his run for governor.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Former State Controller Betty Yee

The former State Controller and gubernatorial candidate on fiscal policy, accountability, and her vision for California.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Mayor Karen Bass

Housing, homelessness, and leading Los Angeles through its most consequential moment.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Councilmember Nithya Raman

On jumping into the mayor's race, her record on homelessness, and what she'd do differently.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Adam Miller

The LA mayoral candidate on housing, public safety, and his vision for the city's next chapter.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Rae Huang

The LA mayoral candidate on what it will take to lead the city through its most consequential moment in decades.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Sen. Alex Padilla

On redistricting, civil liberties, and the weeks since his arrest at a DHS briefing.

U.S. Senate
Electeds & Candidates

AG Rob Bonta

California's Attorney General on fighting federal overreach, gun laws, and the next chapter.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Kevin Kiley

The Republican congressman on education reform, federal overreach, and his vision for California's future.

U.S. House
More electeds & candidates →
Policy & Ideas

Director Laura Poitras (Citizenfour)

The Oscar-winning director of Citizenfour on the moment Snowden first approached her, the state of journalism under duress, and her new film Cover-Up — the story of legendary investigative reporter Seymour Hersh.

Policy & Ideas
Policy & Ideas

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell

Protests, use of force, and the recordings that changed the public conversation.

Policy & Ideas
Policy & Ideas

James Carville

The legendary strategist — and subject of director Matt Tyrnauer's documentary — on his life, the film, and the state of American politics right now.

Policy & Ideas
More policy & ideas →
Arts & Culture

Debbie Allen

The legendary choreographer, director, and producer on the Chocolate Nutcracker, her lifetime Oscar, and that viral Tom Cruise dance moment.

Arts & Culture
Arts & Culture

Mark Mothersbaugh of DEVO

DEVO at 50: on de-evolution, the band's origins, and the strange accuracy of their predictions.

Music & Art
Arts & Culture

Larry Charles (Seinfeld, Borat)

On his memoir Comedy Samurai — a hilarious and wise hero's journey through one of the most singular careers in American comedy.

Film & TV
More arts & culture →
Policy & Ideas

Bakari Sellers

The CNN analyst and author on race, politics, fatherhood, and his latest book.

Policy & Ideas
Los Angeles

Rick Caruso

The developer and former mayoral candidate on Los Angeles, leadership, and what the city needs now.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove

On foreign policy, progressive leadership, and representing Los Angeles in Washington.

U.S. House
Arts & Culture

Marlee Matlin

With Shoshannah Stern — on Deaf representation, Hollywood's progress, and what still needs to change.

Film & TV
Arts & Culture

Mr. Nobody Against Putin

The Oscar-winning documentary from director David Borenstein — and the extraordinary story at its center.

Documentary
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Laura Friedman

The California congresswoman on her priorities in Washington and what her district needs most.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Maxine Waters

The longest-serving woman in Congress on power, justice, and what it means to reclaim the time.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson

The LA City Council President on leading through the city's most consequential period in decades.

Los Angeles
Policy & Ideas

LAHSA CEO Gita O'Neill

Joined by Amber Sheikh of LAHSA — on Los Angeles's homelessness crisis and the path toward meaningful solutions.

Los Angeles
Arts & Culture

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.

On the Grammys, AI's impact on music, and the future of the business — and why the power of music has never been more important.

Music
Arts & Culture

Too $hort

The Bay Area rap legend on Freaky Tales, his legacy, and five decades in the game.

Music
Policy & Ideas

Former RNC Chair Michael Steele

The former Republican National Committee chair on the party's identity crisis and what conservatism needs to reckon with.

Policy & Ideas
Arts & Culture

Cutting Through Rocks

The first woman elected to her village council in Iran — fighting child marriages, teaching women to ride motorcycles, and making change one person at a time. A film about what one life can mean.

Documentary
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Robert Garcia

The Long Beach congressman on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and what it means to be a new voice in Congress.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

DA Nathan Hochman

Los Angeles's District Attorney on public safety, prosecution priorities, and the state of criminal justice in the county.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

City Attorney Heidi Feldstein-Soto

Los Angeles's City Attorney on legal priorities, accountability, and serving the city's residents.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Councilmember Traci Parks

The LA City Councilmember on her district, public safety, and the city's path forward.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky

The LA City Councilmember on housing, homelessness, and what her district needs from city leadership.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Supervisor Lindsey Horvath

The LA County Supervisor on homelessness, county governance, and her vision for the region.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Supervisor Holly Mitchell

The LA County Supervisor on social services, equity, and the county's response to its most pressing crises.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Supervisor Kathryn Barger

The LA County Supervisor on public safety, regional governance, and representing the county's most expansive district.

Los Angeles
Electeds & Candidates

Asm. Nick Schultz

On California's post-production tax incentive and what it means for the state's film and television industry.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Mike Levin

The San Diego-area congressman on energy, veterans' issues, and the fight for California's coastal communities.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Mike Garcia

The Republican congressman from Santa Clarita on defense, border security, and representing a swing district.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Dave Min

The Orange County congressman on his district, gun safety, and what flipping a competitive seat means for California.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Judy Chu

The veteran California congresswoman on Asian American representation, civil rights, and her decades in public service.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Derek Tran

One of the most closely watched House pickups of 2024 — on his district, his community, and what's at stake.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. George Whitesides

The former Virgin Galactic CEO and new congressman on space, defense, and what a tech background brings to Capitol Hill.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Jimmy Gomez

The Los Angeles congressman on housing, immigration, and fighting for working families in Washington.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

Rep. Jay Obernolte

The only member of Congress with a PhD in AI — on artificial intelligence policy, Big Bear, and governing in a tech-driven era.

U.S. House
Electeds & Candidates

OC Supervisor Don Wagner

The Orange County Supervisor on regional governance, public safety, and the political landscape of Southern California.

California
Policy & Ideas

OC GOP Chair Will O'Neill

The Orange County Republican Party chair on the state of the California GOP and what a conservative future looks like here.

California
Electeds & Candidates

State Sen. Susan Rubio

The California State Senator on domestic violence legislation, education, and representing the San Gabriel Valley.

California
Electeds & Candidates

State Sen. Ben Allen

The California State Senator on education, environment, and the issues defining California's legislative moment.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón

The California Senate's President Pro Tempore on leading the chamber and the legislation shaping the state's future.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Asm. Rick Chavez Zbur

The California Assemblymember on LGBTQ+ rights, housing, and representing West Hollywood and the Westside.

California
Electeds & Candidates

Asm. Corey Jackson

The California Assemblymember on criminal justice reform, youth policy, and representing the Inland Empire.

California
Arts & Culture

Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary

Director Garrett Price and story producer Steven Hyden on the making of the film and the enduring, complicated genius of smooth.

Documentary
Policy & Ideas

LAFD Chief Anthony Marrone

Leading the department through the fires and the reckoning about what comes next for Los Angeles.

Los Angeles
Policy & Ideas

Supt. Alberto Carvalho

LAUSD's recovery from pandemic learning loss, federal funding freezes, and keeping students engaged.

Policy & Ideas
Policy & Ideas

Dr. Lucy Jones

The seismologist and public safety advocate on earthquake preparedness and California's risk reality.

California
Policy & Ideas

Port of LA CEO Gene Seroka

On trade, tariffs, and what the port's activity tells us about the state of the American economy.

Los Angeles
Policy & Ideas

SoCal Edison Communications Director Kathleen Dunleavy

On the utility's role in the LA fires and what accountability and recovery look like going forward.

Los Angeles
Arts & Culture

Alissa Walker

The public transit expert and advocate on LACMA's new Geffen Galleries and the road ahead to the LA28 Olympics.

Los Angeles
Arts & Culture

Ondi Timoner

The documentary filmmaker on All The Walls Came Down — her film about the Eaton fire and the community it left behind.

Documentary
Arts & Culture

Deepfaking Sam Altman

The filmmaker on AI, identity, and the ethics of synthetic media.

Documentary
Arts & Culture

The Alabama Solution

The filmmakers on true crime, justice, and the documentary ethics of telling this story.

Documentary