Eclectic Soundtrax Podcast (ESP) – Détails, épisodes et analyse

It's our 100th episode! and we're joined by NYC-based songwriter Nikita Lev. We discuss Nikita's brand new EP, Suspend, her upbringing in Manhattan, music influences, and the culture and music scene New York City.

Suspend reflects the city that shaped her. Born and raised in a household steeped in music – from chamber ensembles to 90s alt-rock – Nikita began writing songs at ten years old. After a brief stint in LA, she returned to New York with a sharper edge and deeper sense of artistic identity. That energy drives every part of Suspend, a collection that fuses delicate songwriting with raw emotion, full of moments that are both bruised and luminous.

The latest single “⁠No One Is Gonna⁠” a warm, emotionally rich reflection on love and presence – on what it means to feel fully connected to someone, even if only for a fleeting moment.

Nikita shares insights into her songwriting process with her guitarist/producer and we delve into the challenges of navigating political discourse within the arts, the impact of AI on music creation, and the importance of authenticity in artistic expression. The conversation also touches on the role of cover songs and tribute bands in the music industry, as well as her future projects and artistic collaborations.

Momentum continues to build for Nikita, from the dreamlike unease of “Kill Her Mind” to the quiet certainty of “No One Is Gonna,” Nikita continues to establish herself as one of indie-pop’s most emotionally resonant new voices. With each release, she invites listeners deeper into her world – a place where introspection, contradiction, and beauty coexist in delicate tension. 

Website | Apple Music | Spotify | Instagram | X | YouTube

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ESP Playlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

**SUPPORT ORIGINAL MUSIC CREATED BY HUMANS!**

Oklahoma-based husband and wife duo, Shane Henry and Maggie McClure, join us to talk about ⁠The Imaginaries⁠ brand new album, Fever. Released Today!

The 12-track collection , recored at the legendary Muscle Shoals, showcases the full spectrum of the duo's talents. Maggie’s intimate lyricism and piano-led storytelling are perfectly paired with Shane’s tastefully impressive guitar work and blues-rooted swagger. The highly anticipated sophomore album also features collaborations with iconic guitarists Vince Gill, Joe Bonamassa, and Ariel Posen.

Blending the cinematic soul of its birthplace with the emotional power and songwriting of artists like Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and Bonnie Raitt, the record stands as both a roots-rock statement and a deeply personal milestone. With Fever (watch the video), The Imaginaries have created their most personal and dynamic work to date - an album that marks the other side of struggle and celebrates breakthrough.

From the driving rock n' roll power of the title track⁠⁠⁠⁠ to an intimate song that encapsulates the couple’s shared journey as life partners and musical collaborators in “Little By Little”, Fever features a powerful, hopeful range of sonic stories; a soul-stirring album filled with gritty blues-rock riffs, shimmering pop-Americana melodies, and a spirit of defiant hope. “Little by little and inch by inch / We’re never giving up, gonna ride the wave / You and me baby gonna get there someday.”

The Imaginaries journey began when Maggie opened for Shane at a show in Oklahoma and the two began a musical relationship that blossomed into partnership in both music and marriage. They moved to LA sharing a tiny apartment and a big dream, and as they struggled in pursuit of their passion the band name came to Shane in a dream, a beacon of creative ambition in the midst of hard times.

Early singles and their debut self-titled album set a standard that The Imaginaries maintain when recording at famed Muscle Shoals studio in Alabama with The Swampers, a group of musicians with resumes spanning Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Paul Simon, Gregg Allman, Jason Isbell, among others.

The Imaginaries have built an impressive, independent career: from solo projects to scoring feature films and landing over 75 sync placements across Netflix, Hallmark, and more. The band has and shared stages with Judy Collins, Sixpence None the Richer, John Waite, and more. Maggie also works as a music supervisor, and Shane co-founded the boutique pedal company Westerlund Audio.

Catch The Imaginaries ON TOUR NOW! spanning across Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, Tennessee, California, Colorado with appearances at Texas Music Revolution, deadCenter Film Festival, and Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor.

Their offical album release shows are August 22nd at Hotel Café in Hollywood and September 5th at Beam Live in OKC. More 2025 US dates TBA and a European tour set for 2026. Fore more on The Imaginaries: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠ | ⁠X⁠

Thanks for listening!

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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ESP Playlist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

**SUPPORT ORIGINAL MUSIC CREATED BY HUMANS!**

On this episode Skunk, along with co-host Vic, interviews longtime friend and musical colleague, Sukunya. A talented musician from a young age, Sukunya (aka Suki) was forced to leave behind her teenage success in Thailand when her family relocated to San Antonio, TX. Sukunya knew very little English at the time and had to learn the language while attending music classes at San Antonio College. It was at this time she met San Antonio native Chris Wright (now better know as Skunk Manhattan).

Sukunya tells us about her journey from Thailand to San Antonio to Los Angeles California, where she now resides. She moved there after a few years in SA to attend the prestigious Musician's Institute. After studying at GIT and performing at a variety of venues including residency's at Thai bars and restaurants Suki gravitated towards film. Over the last two decades she has worked as a producer, director, composer, editor, and actress, often taking on multiple roles in a single project.

Though busy with film and video projects, music has remained a passion close to Suki's heart. In recent years she returned to her roots, not only as therapeutic and rewarding self endeavor, but as a tribute to her son. Her debut EP 'Tiger Heart' (though she has released singles and music videos in the past) came out October 2024 with the title track as a tribute to her half Thai half American son, Indy. The two traveled, along with Suki's father to Thailand to star in the video, which was produced and directed by Sukunya. The song and video depicts the generational evolution of the family and pays homage to the roots, traditions and values of their heritage. As a whole, the 4 song EP is incredibly touching as Suki writes and sings about her most personal triumphs and tragedies. The latest single, a particularly moving song, is "December". Suki has already performed at major Thai festivals promoting the release and can be seen opening for the Thai pop band Cocktail on January 23rd at the Vermont Hollywood.

We discuss the emotional authenticity of Sukunya's music, the challenges of perfectionism in production, and the healing power of storytelling through her documentary work in 'Cooking With Love'. The film was produced by Sukunya and shot entirely on location in Thailand. She wrote, directed and produced the film with the help of her supporting husband, who also works in the TV and film industry. The documentary focuses on the daily lives of women in Thailand who cook for their families and often their humble villages. The authentic content further emphasizes Sukunya's value of family and traditions as well as human bonding, regardless of background and culture. The film is an homage to tradition, the importance of home-cooked meals and family time, the creative outlets found during motherhood, and a connection between food and music as universal experiences.

For more on Sukunya check out the links below. And be sure to follow us for more amazing guests!

Sukunya: ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Spotify | ⁠⁠Apple Music⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠ | IMDb

Eclectic Soundtrax Podcast: ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠| ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠

⁠ESP Playlist | Sukunya's Playlist

Today we talk with Zoë Espinoza, a multi-talented friend and former guitar student of Skunk's.  

Zoë talks about Rush and being a renaissance metal head who doesn’t like Megadeth!  We also talk about the vast array of talents and endeavors (BJJ, lock picking, guitar, video games etc...) Zoë has taken on while also being blind, and then we delve into Zoë’s journey with gender identity.Support this podcast:

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⁠⁠⁠⁠ESP Playlist⁠⁠⁠

Superhero Origin Story, but with more Geddy Lee.  

Today we talk with Skunk’s longtime friend, Dave - aka: Fruit Loop, aka: Corndog, aka: Dave-the-nickname-guy. They discuss how Metallica was a knock off version of the Crüe, and what to look fo, or not look for in a recording studio when you’re starting out.  "Here's twenty bucks".

Support this podcast:

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⁠⁠⁠⁠ESP Playlist⁠⁠⁠

Yuri Diogenes is a technologist with a focus in cyber security.  We talk about fitness, mindset, setting goals and of course... Iron Maiden.  Up the Irons!Support this podcast:

YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠ESP Playlist⁠⁠⁠

Skunk and Vic introduce themselves and ramble on about getting old, current events, South Park, Ted 2 & music.

Support this podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠| ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠ESP Playlist⁠⁠⁠

On this episode, Ruthie Craft, a talented musician and singer-songwriter, joins us to discuss her journey in music, from her early influences and experiences on American Idol to her recent EP, Sound of Blue.

Ruthie shares her struggles with Tourette's syndrome and how singing initially became a source of comfort and expression. Her passion led her to pursue a career in music, and after a turbulent marriage at a young age Ruthie relocated to Austin, TX to realize her dream. She talks about her move from Washington to the live music capital of the world, the dynamics between her bandmates, and her unexpected success in acting and commercials.

Ruthie discusses the cultural insights gained from her travels, the impact of online comments on artists, and her future plans in music, including further collaborations with artists and producers who have inspired her. This conversation is filled with humor, personal anecdotes, and a genuine passion for music and connection.

Ruthie Craft: ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Spotify⁠ | ⁠Apple Music⁠ | ⁠YouTube⁠ I ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠ | TikTok

Eclectic Soundtrax Podcast: ⁠YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠| ⁠Instagram⁠ |⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook

ESP Playlist | Ruthie's Playlist

This episode features Omar Jahwar II, drummer of the EDM meets jam band 2Lot. We discuss the band's formation during a time of personal loss and social change, their unique sound that blends electronic music with improvisational elements, and their mission to inspire and activate change via music. The conversation delves into the challenges of addiction, the importance of community support, and the hard work required to succeed in the music industry as Omar shares personal stories that highlight the power of music as a unifying force and the band's commitment to social advocacy. Omar discusses the freshly released debut album entitled Entropy and upcoming tour plans for the band.

The band's name, '2Lot', symbolizes overcoming life's challenges and the emotional journey conveyed through their music, particularly in the title track 'Entropy'. The connection between jam music and EDM is explored, emphasizing the significance of live performances in creating memorable experiences for audiences. Omar also talks about what resonated musically during his teenage years and the musical influences that shaped his career in conjunction with the profound impact of music on personal empowerment and the importance of authenticity in artistic expression.

Omar, Vic & Skunk also curate a playlist that reflects Omar's personal musical journey as they discuss influential albums and artists, share memorable performances, and delve into the impact of 90s hip-hop and grunge.

In this engaging conversation, Vic and Skunk Manhattan sit down with Kevin Keller, a renowned composer in the ambient and neoclassical music scene. They explore the essence of ambient music, its atmospheric qualities, and how it can transport listeners to new places.

Kevin shares his musical journey, from his early influences in rock and classical music to his experiences in film scoring and contemporary dance. The discussion delves into the role of technology in music production, the importance of live musicians, and Kevin's upcoming projects, including a ballet inspired by his latest album, 'Evensong.'

Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the impact of influential composers and the evolving landscape of music composition. In this engaging conversation, Kevin Keller discusses the profound influence of ambient music, particularly the works of Harold Budd, and how it shapes his own compositions. He delves into the creative process behind his latest album, 'Evensong,' which incorporates ancient melodies from Hildegard of Bingen, and reflects on the evolution of musical modes throughout history. Keller shares his eclectic musical tastes, highlighting modern influences and the impact of music in film, particularly in the context of Hans Zimmer's work on 'Dune.'

The discussion culminates in Keller's insights on creating meaningful music through collaboration and experimentation.