Inside the Issues with Amrit Singh · Spectrum News 1
Anchor & Host · Los Angeles
The Lede
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.
Selected Interviews
Sen. Alex Padilla
On redistricting, civil liberties, and the weeks since his arrest at a DHS briefing.
U.S. SenateMayor Karen Bass
Housing, homelessness, and leading Los Angeles through its most consequential moment.
Los AngelesMark Mothersbaugh of DEVO
DEVO at 50: on de-evolution, the band's origins, and the strange accuracy of their predictions.
Music & ArtThe Longer Story
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.
Contact
Conversations with the elected officials, thinkers, and artists shaping the moment.
In The Headlines
Rep. Ro Khanna
On gas prices, wealth taxes, and the economic argument Democrats aren't making loudly enough.
NationalTom Steyer
The California gubernatorial candidate on his campaign and the debate over debate inclusivity and jungle primaries.
CaliforniaMayor 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 AngelesGubernatorial Candidates
Former HHS Sec. Xavier Becerra
The former U.S. Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate on healthcare, immigration, and California's national role.
CaliforniaTom Steyer
The California gubernatorial candidate on his campaign and the debate over debate inclusivity and jungle primaries.
CaliforniaMayor Matt Mahan
San Jose's mayor and gubernatorial candidate on homelessness, tech, and governing California's third-largest city.
CaliforniaAntonio Villaraigosa
The former LA mayor and gubernatorial frontrunner on California's future and his political moment.
CaliforniaSheriff Chad Bianco
The Riverside County Sheriff and gubernatorial candidate on law enforcement, immigration, and the race for California's top office.
CaliforniaSteve Hilton
The former Fox News host and California gubernatorial candidate on his run and the state of the right.
CaliforniaState Supt. Tony Thurmond
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction and gubernatorial candidate on education, equity, and his run for governor.
CaliforniaFormer State Controller Betty Yee
The former State Controller and gubernatorial candidate on fiscal policy, accountability, and her vision for California.
CaliforniaLA Mayoral Candidates
Mayor Karen Bass
Housing, homelessness, and leading Los Angeles through its most consequential moment.
Los AngelesCouncilmember Nithya Raman
On jumping into the mayor's race, her record on homelessness, and what she'd do differently.
Los AngelesAdam Miller
The LA mayoral candidate on housing, public safety, and his vision for the city's next chapter.
Los AngelesRae Huang
The LA mayoral candidate on what it will take to lead the city through its most consequential moment in decades.
Los AngelesElecteds & Candidates
Sen. Alex Padilla
On redistricting, civil liberties, and the weeks since his arrest at a DHS briefing.
U.S. SenateAG Rob Bonta
California's Attorney General on fighting federal overreach, gun laws, and the next chapter.
CaliforniaRep. Kevin Kiley
The Republican congressman on education reform, federal overreach, and his vision for California's future.
U.S. HousePolicy & 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 & IdeasLAPD Chief Jim McDonnell
Protests, use of force, and the recordings that changed the public conversation.
Policy & IdeasJames 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 & IdeasArts & Culture
Debbie Allen
The legendary choreographer, director, and producer on the Chocolate Nutcracker, her lifetime Oscar, and that viral Tom Cruise dance moment.
Arts & CultureMark Mothersbaugh of DEVO
DEVO at 50: on de-evolution, the band's origins, and the strange accuracy of their predictions.
Music & ArtLarry 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 & TVMore Interviews
Bakari Sellers
The CNN analyst and author on race, politics, fatherhood, and his latest book.
Policy & IdeasRick Caruso
The developer and former mayoral candidate on Los Angeles, leadership, and what the city needs now.
Los AngelesRep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove
On foreign policy, progressive leadership, and representing Los Angeles in Washington.
U.S. HouseMarlee Matlin
With Shoshannah Stern — on Deaf representation, Hollywood's progress, and what still needs to change.
Film & TVMr. Nobody Against Putin
The Oscar-winning documentary from director David Borenstein — and the extraordinary story at its center.
DocumentaryRep. Laura Friedman
The California congresswoman on her priorities in Washington and what her district needs most.
U.S. HouseRep. Maxine Waters
The longest-serving woman in Congress on power, justice, and what it means to reclaim the time.
U.S. HouseCouncil President Marqueece Harris-Dawson
The LA City Council President on leading through the city's most consequential period in decades.
Los AngelesLAHSA CEO Gita O'Neill
Joined by Amber Sheikh of LAHSA — on Los Angeles's homelessness crisis and the path toward meaningful solutions.
Los AngelesRecording 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.
MusicToo $hort
The Bay Area rap legend on Freaky Tales, his legacy, and five decades in the game.
MusicFormer RNC Chair Michael Steele
The former Republican National Committee chair on the party's identity crisis and what conservatism needs to reckon with.
Policy & IdeasCutting 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.
DocumentaryRep. Robert Garcia
The Long Beach congressman on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and what it means to be a new voice in Congress.
U.S. HouseDA Nathan Hochman
Los Angeles's District Attorney on public safety, prosecution priorities, and the state of criminal justice in the county.
Los AngelesCity Attorney Heidi Feldstein-Soto
Los Angeles's City Attorney on legal priorities, accountability, and serving the city's residents.
Los AngelesCouncilmember Traci Parks
The LA City Councilmember on her district, public safety, and the city's path forward.
Los AngelesCouncilmember Katy Yaroslavsky
The LA City Councilmember on housing, homelessness, and what her district needs from city leadership.
Los AngelesSupervisor Lindsey Horvath
The LA County Supervisor on homelessness, county governance, and her vision for the region.
Los AngelesSupervisor Holly Mitchell
The LA County Supervisor on social services, equity, and the county's response to its most pressing crises.
Los AngelesSupervisor Kathryn Barger
The LA County Supervisor on public safety, regional governance, and representing the county's most expansive district.
Los AngelesAsm. Nick Schultz
On California's post-production tax incentive and what it means for the state's film and television industry.
CaliforniaRep. Mike Levin
The San Diego-area congressman on energy, veterans' issues, and the fight for California's coastal communities.
U.S. HouseRep. Mike Garcia
The Republican congressman from Santa Clarita on defense, border security, and representing a swing district.
U.S. HouseRep. Dave Min
The Orange County congressman on his district, gun safety, and what flipping a competitive seat means for California.
U.S. HouseRep. Judy Chu
The veteran California congresswoman on Asian American representation, civil rights, and her decades in public service.
U.S. HouseRep. Derek Tran
One of the most closely watched House pickups of 2024 — on his district, his community, and what's at stake.
U.S. HouseRep. George Whitesides
The former Virgin Galactic CEO and new congressman on space, defense, and what a tech background brings to Capitol Hill.
U.S. HouseRep. Jimmy Gomez
The Los Angeles congressman on housing, immigration, and fighting for working families in Washington.
U.S. HouseRep. 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. HouseOC Supervisor Don Wagner
The Orange County Supervisor on regional governance, public safety, and the political landscape of Southern California.
CaliforniaOC 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.
CaliforniaState Sen. Susan Rubio
The California State Senator on domestic violence legislation, education, and representing the San Gabriel Valley.
CaliforniaState Sen. Ben Allen
The California State Senator on education, environment, and the issues defining California's legislative moment.
CaliforniaSenate President Pro Tem Monique Limón
The California Senate's President Pro Tempore on leading the chamber and the legislation shaping the state's future.
CaliforniaAsm. Rick Chavez Zbur
The California Assemblymember on LGBTQ+ rights, housing, and representing West Hollywood and the Westside.
CaliforniaAsm. Corey Jackson
The California Assemblymember on criminal justice reform, youth policy, and representing the Inland Empire.
CaliforniaYacht Rock: A Dockumentary
Director Garrett Price and story producer Steven Hyden on the making of the film and the enduring, complicated genius of smooth.
DocumentaryLAFD Chief Anthony Marrone
Leading the department through the fires and the reckoning about what comes next for Los Angeles.
Los AngelesSupt. Alberto Carvalho
LAUSD's recovery from pandemic learning loss, federal funding freezes, and keeping students engaged.
Policy & IdeasDr. Lucy Jones
The seismologist and public safety advocate on earthquake preparedness and California's risk reality.
CaliforniaPort of LA CEO Gene Seroka
On trade, tariffs, and what the port's activity tells us about the state of the American economy.
Los AngelesSoCal Edison Communications Director Kathleen Dunleavy
On the utility's role in the LA fires and what accountability and recovery look like going forward.
Los AngelesAlissa Walker
The public transit expert and advocate on LACMA's new Geffen Galleries and the road ahead to the LA28 Olympics.
Los AngelesOndi Timoner
The documentary filmmaker on All The Walls Came Down — her film about the Eaton fire and the community it left behind.
DocumentaryDeepfaking Sam Altman
The filmmaker on AI, identity, and the ethics of synthetic media.
DocumentaryThe Alabama Solution
The filmmakers on true crime, justice, and the documentary ethics of telling this story.
Documentary