For today's episode, I chat with Sydney Rae White from The Wild Things all about her favorite songs by drag race alumni, mood killers at karaoke bars, meeting her bandmate and now-husband Rob Kendrick in a touring production of Quadrophenia, being mentored by the one and only Pete Townsend. ✨ MORE ABOUT THE WILD THINGS ✨ The Wild Things is a rock and roll four-piece from London who released their debut record 'You're Really Something' in 2018. The band went on to collaborate with Pete...

For today's episode, I chat with folk singer-songwriter Ruth Theodore, who joins me to discuss her new album 'I Am, I Am.' Ruth and I discuss her battle with breast cancer and how it influenced the making of the album, her love of Nina Simone, and losing and regaining confidence. ✨ MORE ABOUT RUTH THEODORE ✨ Ruth Theodore is a folk artist based in the UK, whose unique style and sound dissolves the boundaries of gender and genre and subverts the typical singer-songwriter conventions. Her...

Today I'm joined by Austin-based rocker Emily Wolfe to discuss her latest song "Kill The Love," and self-producing her most recent album, 'The Blowback.' We discuss Emily's unorthodox method approach to recording the album opener "Silencer," touring with the legendary Joan Jett and Heart, and why living well is the best revenge. ✨ MORE ABOUT EMILY WOLFE ✨ Emily Wolfe is a singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Austin, TX who is known for her mile-long riffs and anthemic,...

For today's episode, I am joined by Ale and Emile from Las Nubes to discuss a variety of topics including writing songs about the Power Puff Girls, playing in Iggy Pop's band, creating their upcoming album 'Tormentas Malsanas,' (out June 19th) and more! ✨ MORE ABOUT LAS NUBES ✨ Las Nubes is a multilingual garage rock/dream pop duo based out of Miami, Florida made up of Ale Campos (vocals, guitar) and Emile Milgrim (drums, vocals). Known for their giant and "f*****g loud" DIY lo-fi sound,...

Today I'm joined by Jael Holzman, lead singer of the rising DC noise punk band Ekko Astral, to talk about her carefully crafted and intentional lyric writing process, art's profound ability to change lives, and what working as a climate and energy reporter has taught her about the failures of modern media. ✨ MORE ABOUT EKKO ASTRAL ✨ Ekko Astral is a “mascara moshpit” noise punk band from DC made up of Jael Holzman (vocals, lyrics, guitar), Liam Hughes (lead guitar), Miri Tyler (drums),...

For today's episode, my guest is Anna Mērnieks-Duffield, the lead singer of Toronto sextet Beams. Anna joins me to discuss the new Beams album 'Requiem for a Planet,' out May 3, working with trees as a consulting arborist, remaining hopeful for a better future, and more. ✨ MORE ABOUT BEAMS ✨ Beams is a Toronto based art rock band consisting of Martin Crawford (electric guitars, lap steel), Mike Duffield (drums), Keith Hamilton (vibraphone, singing saw, vocals), Heather Mazhar (vocals),...

For today's episode, I'm joined by writer Grace Robins-Somerville to peel back the very nuanced layers of performing femininity online, the victories (and setbacks) of the boygenius renaissance, and why her favorite writers are the people who blend criticism with deeply personal reflections. ✨ MORE ABOUT GRACE ROBINS-SOMERVILLE ✨ Grace Robins-Somerville is a writer and music critic who is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Non-Fiction at the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Her...

In today's episode I'm joined by writer, essayist, and poet Danielle Chelosky to discuss her brilliant new book 'Pregaming Grief,' a provocative and deeply engaging confessional about falling in love during the plague, fast cars, loss, and heartbreak. We also talk about the innovative brilliance of the Tumblr era and of course, Joyce Manor. ✨ MORE ABOUT DANIELLE CHELOSKY ✨ Danielle Chelosky is a writer, poet, and music journalist based in New York whose work has appeared in Stereogum, NPR,...

For today's episode, I am joined by Jeni Magaña to discuss everything from touring with Mitski to her current solo project, Magana. We also discuss her decision to plan the release of her brand new album 'Teeth' on the night of the worm moon's peak illumination. ✨ MORE ABOUT MAGANA ✨ Magana is the solo indie rock project of LA-based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeni Magaña, who has spent the last few years on the road with Mitski and as one-half of the pop duo pen pin with...

For today's episode, I'm joined by psychedelic pop rock outfit Strawberry Launch to discuss their sophomore EP 'Emily' and pitch my persistent campaign to get them to cover The OC theme song in the style of ABBA. ✨ MORE ABOUT STRAWBERRY LAUNCH ✨ Strawberry Launch is an indie pop rock band based in New York. They released their debut EP in 2021 to wide acclaim and built a devoted following in New York City, sharing stages with Beach Bunny, Small Crush, Hot Flash Heat Wave, and the Toxhards....

For today's episode, I am joined by award-winning author, photographer, and musician Ali Smith to discuss her thrilling new memoir 'The Ballad of a Speedball Baby.' We discuss her early stages of creativity, playing in an art-punk band in the '90s and her goal to always prioritize women's stories and the female gaze in her work. ✨ MORE ABOUT ALI SMITH ✨ Ali Smith is a visual artist, photographer, and musician from New York. She is the award-winning author of 3 books, 'Laws of the Bandit...

For today's episode, I'm joined by independent pop sensation and queer Gen Z icon, girli, to discuss her upcoming album 'Matriarchy' and the beauty of radical emotional honesty. Digressions include: the genius of Rihanna, Saltburn, and the boring redundancy of year-end wrap-ups. ✨ MORE ABOUT GIRLI girli, is a pop singer-songwriter from London, England who emerged with her debut album ‘Odd One Out’ in 2019, stealing the hearts of fans with her electric pop punk sound. Her sophomore album...

For today's episode, I am joined by Dublin-based singer-songwriter Kate Dineen to discuss her unique approach to crafting a song and the inspiring story of how she built her career from the ground up as an artist without connections or resources. ✨ MORE ABOUT KATE DINEEN ✨ Kate is an indie singer-songwriter who grew up in the rural village of Kerry, Ireland. Her love of music started early when she learned to play tin-whistle at primary school at the age of five and read her father's CD...

For today's episode, I am joined by independent rising synthpop star Ariana and the Rose to discuss her love of vintage synthesizers, the rapturous euphoria of partying and nightlife, and her relatable "piano chat" TikToks—we also nerd out about the granular science of pop songwriting and the genius of Max Martin. ✨ MORE ABOUT ARIANA AND THE ROSE ✨ Ariana and the Rose is a rising NYC synthpop artist known for her dazzling, from-the-heart songwriting, which was introduced to the world with...

It's EPISODE 100 folks!!! I couldn't be prouder to have stuck with a project this long to reach such a milestone. To celebrate, we vibe, rant, and listen to five beautiful songs. My guest today is Lisa Machac, who runs Little City Sounds and Omni Sound Project. Lisa joins me to discuss the latest industry developments and news, the neurological science of what happens in your brain when you listen to music, and her five favorite songs of 2023. ✨ MORE ABOUT LISA MACHAC ✨ Lisa Machac is a...

For today's episode, I'm joined by Ashrita Kumar from Pinkshift to discuss their wild career trajectory over the past four years, from studying medicine at Johns Hopkins University to touring all over the country opening for acts like Mannequin Pussy, PUP, and L.S. Dunes. Other topics of discussion include our shared obsession with No Doubt, finding solace in writing as a daily practice, and the politics of visibility in the punk scene. ✨ MORE ABOUT PINKSHIFT ✨ Pinkshift is a post-hardcore...

Content Warning: This episode contains detailed discussions of generational trauma and suicide. For today's episode, I'm joined by one of my current favorite modern essayists and cultural critics Matt Mitchell (Paste, Pitchfork, MTV, Altpress) to discuss how identity, pop culture, and personal grief are fundamental elements of their work. Additionally, we delve into the somber brutality of Neil Young's Tonight's The Night, our shared adoration of Freaks and Geeks, and why queer...

For today's episode, I chat with alternative country artist Brennan Wedl. We delve into their latest single "2 Dollar Pistol," their pivotal role in co-founding the iconic viral cult queercore band Dazey and the Scouts, the valuable lessons they've drawn from living across various regions in the country, and bidding farewell to Nashville. ✨ MORE ABOUT BRENNAN WEDL ✨ Nashville-based alternative country artist Brennan Wedl redefines the genre with intention and resilience, infusing themes of...

For today's episode, Blair Howerton from Why Bonnie joins me to dig deep into the writing process behind her debut album '90 in November,' her pensive nostalgia for her hometown in Texas, and the one Taylor Swift song she wishes she wrote. ✨ MORE ABOUT WHY BONNIE ✨ Why Bonnie is a five-piece indie rock outfit based in Brooklyn, New York whose wistful raw-edged indie sound put them on the map in 2022 with their debut album '90 in November.' They've since conquered SXSW with numerous critics...

Today I sit down with Brandon MacDonald and Tilley Komorny from Home Is Where to discuss their monumentally acclaimed sophomore album the whaler, a brazenly cathartic reaction to the end of the world... and how it's taking forever. Digressions include our hypothetical cast for a Ken Burns emo documentary, the surprising amount of people who fall in love at their shows, and Emma Seligman's queer cinematic masterpiece Bottoms. ✨ MORE ABOUT HOME IS WHERE ✨ Home Is Where is a fifth-wave emo...

Today I sit down with Andrea Walker and Solange Igoa from Portland-based queer indie folk-rock band Glitterfox. We discuss their experience living in a van, how their lived experiences drive the creative direction of their art, Solane's love of puppets, and their dedication to representing the most authentic versions of themselves with their art, by any means necessary. ✨ MORE ABOUT GLITTERFOX ✨ Glitterfox is a queer indie pop/rock band from Portland, Oregon, fronted by married...

Today's episode is a chat with the high-energy post-punk outfit Mary Shelley. They tell me all about their upcoming single "She's a Star," and wild tour stories involving some of the big-name indie bands they've become really close with – and also the ones they haven't. Digressions include LCD Soundsystem making us cry, songs that have no business being on our playlists, and BBLs. ✨ MORE ABOUT MARY SHELLEY ✨ Mary Shelley is a four-piece dancepunk band based in Brooklyn, New York imbuing...

For today's episode, I sit down with singer-songwriter Andrea Silva from Loyal Lobos, Silva's bilingual indie reggaeton/pop project. We discuss her fascination with the myth of La Loba - the wolf woman -the liberation of getting in touch with the more primitive side of femininity, singing at funerals, and how her latest project LOBA: Vol I, marks a new chapter of stepping into her most authentic self. ✨ MORE ABOUT LOYAL LOBOS ✨ Loyal Lobos is a bilingual, genre-fluid singer-songwriter from...

For today's episode, I am joined by Linying to discuss her upcoming project 'House Mouse,' first memories, meditating on longing, intense emotions, and how any place can be made into a home. ✨ MORE ABOUT LINYING ✨ Linying is an electronic dream pop artist from Singapore who first got her start in the biz as a topliner for artists like DJ Felix and Lost Frequencies. Her ephemeral sound represents joy and abandon, her breakout single "Sticky Leaves" amassing millions of streams and critical...