Explore every episode of the podcast LaunchLeft
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| IAN SVENONIUS launches Crush | 27 oct. 2026 | 01:06:29 | |
Guest host Ian Svenonius takes over LaunchLeft to explore the boundaries of underground rock and roll. As an author, musician, and filmmaker, Ian shares his unique perspective on navigating music industry trends, exploring various music genres, and preserving artistic authenticity in a highly digital world. Ian officially launches the independent music duo Crush, featuring Cole Alexander and Zumi Rosow of the Black Lips. Cole and Zumi discuss their debut vinyl release, the raw power of the live music experience, and how they channel their creative chaos to formulate a sound that refuses to be categorized or restrained. What You Will Learn in This Episode LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! TIMESTAMPS
TAKEAWAYS ABOUT THE GUESTS ABOUT THE HOST RESOURCES MENTIONED KEYWORDS | |||
| MELISSA AUF DER MAUR launches Petra Szilagyi | 29 sept. 2026 | 01:12:01 | |
Musician, photographer and writer Melissa Auf der Maur shares stories from her memoir Even the Good Girls Will Cry and her pro human artistic approach. She explores her analog era artistic process from her touring years before digital media transformed creative culture. Melissa, host of this episode, launches interdisciplinary sculptor Petra Szilagyi to discuss their interactive prayer space work and the Apocalypse Anonymous project. Together, they explore a 12 step spiritual framework, sacred artistic spaces, and how independent artists build community outside corporate spaces.
What You Will Learn in This Episode ✅ How Melissa Auf der Maur draws from her analog era artistic process. LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft!
TIMESTAMPS 00:05 Melissa Auf der Maur introduces Petra Szilagyi
KEY TAKEAWAYS
ABOUT THE GUESTS MELISSA AUF DER MAUR Before becoming the bassist for 90s alternative rock bands Hole and the Smashing Pumpkins, Montreal born Melissa Auf der Maur studied photography at Concordia University. She maintained her daily practice while on the road, requesting a roll of 35mm film at every venue as part of her rider, resulting in over 10,000 images documenting life onstage and away from crowds. A major exhibition of Auf der Maur's photographs is on view at the Art Gallery of Ontario from September 2, 2026, accompanied by a hardback photobook published by the AGO and DelMonico Books. Her photographs have been featured in National Geographic and Spin, and in 2010 she cofounded the non profit arts center Basilica Hudson in upstate New York. This past March, Auf der Maur published her memoir, Even the Good Girls Will Cry. PETRA SZILAGYI Petra Szilagyi is an interdisciplinary sculptor, artist, and educator currently based in Somerville, Massachusetts. Raised in Los Angeles and educated at Williams College and VCU, Szilagyi works extensively with woodworking, installation, performance, and visual art and sculpture. Their work focuses on exploring spiritual awakening through contemporary art and sculpture while designing non denominational sacred artistic spaces that invite public participation. Szilagyi created the Apocalypse Anonymous project, an interactive initiative blending a 12 step spiritual framework with contemporary art and performance. Their installations have been featured at major venues including MASS MoCA and the Center for Contemporary Arts in Lagos, Nigeria.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
GUEST RESOURCES MELISSA LINKS: PETRA LINKS:
SEO KEYWORDS LaunchLeft podcast, Melissa Auf der Maur interview, Petra Szilagyi, Hole, Smashing Pumpkins, independent musicians, DIY music artists, women in alternative music, creative process interview, artistic authenticity, self-produced music, alternative rock podcast, underground music scene, Emerging artists music, Independent music podcast, Rain Phoenix podcast, Alternative rock podcast, Underground music, new wave and punk podcast, Even the Good Girls Will Cry, analog era artistic process, Apocalypse Anonymous project, interactive prayer space, pro human artistic approach, visual art and sculpture, cross generational creative connection, 12 step spiritual framework, post human experience, non profit arts center, sacred artistic spaces. | |||
| THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS launch Tele Novella | 25 août 2026 | 00:54:57 | |
Guest host Rich Tupica sits down for an electrifying John Flansburgh interview, diving headfirst into four decades of They Might Be Giants magic. John shares insider stories about their latest album, The World Is to Dig, the true craft behind pop music songwriting, wild vocal lessons, and why staying curious keeps an indie band thriving. Then, John proudly launches Texas duo Tele Novella, taking listeners into their world of folk fantasy music. Discover how their cassette-tracked magic and visual flair prove that radical DIY artistry is alive and kicking.
What You’ll Learn This Episode:
LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! TIMESTAMPS
KEY TAKEAWAYS 💎 Creative freedom thrives when artists focus on making captivating work rather than chasing temporary industry trends.
RESOURCE LINKS: JOHN FLANSBURGH LINKS:
TELE NOVELLA LINKS:
BIOGRAPHIES: JOHN FLANSBURGH (THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS)John Flansburgh is a founding member of the multi-Grammy-winning duo They Might Be Giants, who treat the entire history of popular music as a trampoline rather than a rulebook. Alongside John Linnell, he has built an iconic four-decade career defined by esoteric references, melodic left turns, and unyielding creative independence. On their album The World Is to Dig (Idlewild Recordings), the band continues to fire ideas like particles in a perpetual motion experiment. Untethered from trends and immune to nostalgia, Flansburgh remains a relentless champion of left-of-center music and artistic curiosity. TELE NOVELLA Tele Novella is a Texas-based duo currently residing in the small rural town of Lockhart, Texas, where they find inspiration for their medieval-western sound. With fable-like storytelling and thoughtfully crafted arrangements, their cinematically evocative recordings often contain chimes, dulcimers, toys, and vibraphones. Self-described as Folk-Fantasy and Magical Realism, their lyrics carry an otherworldly transmission recorded via cassette 8-track recorder. Released via Kill Rock Stars, Tele Novella crafts a distinct American Gothic vision that blends childlike wonder with wise storytelling.
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| CHUCK D & JOHN DENSMORE launch Jabee & Kamau Daaood | 28 juil. 2026 | 00:18:45 | |
Music icons Chuck D of Public Enemy and John Densmore of The Doors explore the concept of LaunchLeft and examine how raw creative expression bridges generations. The conversation centers on the intersection of hip hop and poetry, highlighting how rhythms and spoken word art carry powerful cultural histories. Shifting the spotlight left of center, these legends launch two phenomenal independent creators: Oklahoma City rapper and community activist Jabee, and visionary LA poet Kamau Daaood. From founding historic jazz spaces to using hip hop for neighborhood revitalization, this episode uncovers how building community through independent music creates an enduring artistic legacy. What You’ll Learn This Episode: ✅ How John Densmore honors social justice poetry and uses music mentorship to elevate new voices ✅ Why Jabee embraces a grassroots movement framework to transform local communities ✅ The power of a collaborative record to unite diverse genres like jazz and hip hop ✅ How independent creators preserve creative expression by staying true to their neighborhoods LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS: SHEPARD FAIREY https://www.instagram.com/obeygiant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepard_Fairey CHUCK D https://www.instagram.com/mrchuckd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_D JOHN DENSMORE https://www.instagram.com/johndensmore https://www.facebook.com/johndensmore1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Densmore JABEE LINKS: https://www.instagram.com/mynameisjabee https://jabee-mmg.bandcamp.com/ KAMAU DAAOOD LINKS: https://www.leimertparkmovie.com/team/kamau-daaood/ BIOGRAPHIES: John Densmore is the legendary drummer of the seminal rock band The Doors. Beyond his foundational place in rock history, he is an accomplished author, poet, and advocate for independent artists. His lifelong dedication to creative expression fuels his current work bridging the worlds of jazz, rock, and spoken word poetry. Chuck D is the iconic co-founder and frontman of the legendary hip hop group Public Enemy. A fierce activist, author, and digital pioneer, he continues to redefine music mentorship through his global curatorial platform, Rap Station. He works tirelessly to support independent musicians and community-driven arts programs worldwide. Jabee is an acclaimed hip hop artist and Emmy-award-winning community activist based in Oklahoma City. Known for his sharp lyrical execution and grassroots movement projects, he owns local businesses that serve as creative hubs for the neighborhood. He uses hip hop as a direct vehicle for community empowerment and social change. Kamau Daaood is a celebrated Los Angeles poet, educator, and a fixture of the West Coast spoken word art community. He co-founded The World Stage in Leimert Park, a legendary performance space fostering jazz and poetry. He remains a vital carrier of ancestral knowledge and creative expression. | |||
| SHEPARD FAIREY launches DOPE | 30 juin 2026 | 01:15:19 | |
Shepard Fairey hosts cultural icons Chuck D of Public Enemy and John Densmore of The Doors as they discuss their groundbreaking collaboration, DOPE | No Country for Old Men. What happens when different genres collide with a purpose? Their conversation explores activism, artistic responsibility, hip hop and rock history, creative evolution, spoken word, poetry, social change, and the power of music to challenge systems. Together, they reveal how generations of artists can unite to create meaningful work in a time of distraction and division. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why artists have a responsibility to challenge power structures and inspire critical thinking. ✅ The similarities between rap lyricism, spoken word poetry, and jazz improvisation. ✅ How collaboration across generations and genres can spark new creativity and cultural dialogue. LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome to LaunchLeft 00:01:34 Shepard Fairey praises Chuck D's book Hour of Chaos 00:05:58 Activism, civil rights movements, and why DOPE matters now 00:17:00 How the DOPE collaboration first came together 00:22:54 John Densmore on rap as an art form equal to jazz improvisation 00:25:52 Learning hip hop production, drum machines, and creative evolution 00:28:15 Etheridge Knight, poetry, and spoken word influences on the album 00:38:00 "Artificial Intelligence vs. Ancestral Intelligence" discussion 00:44:29 Revisiting Doors history through the song "Doomsday" 00:46:56 "Everybody gets older, but they don't get elder" 01:05:21 Building bridges through art, education, and cultural conversation KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎Great Art Bridges Generations and Genres: DOPE demonstrates that meaningful collaboration isn't limited by age, genre, or background. Chuck D and John Densmore found common ground through activism, storytelling, and a shared desire to create art that matters. 💎Activism Remains Central to Creativity: Music can be a vehicle for social awareness and change. Their work continues the tradition of artists using their platforms to challenge injustice and inspire dialogue. 💎Hip Hop and Rock Share More Than People Realize: The conversation reveals deep connections between rap, rock, jazz, poetry, and spoken word. Great music transcends genre labels and is rooted in expression, rhythm, and truth. 💎Experience Doesn't Automatically Create Wisdom: One of the most powerful themes is the distinction between aging and becoming an elder. The discussion centers on mentorship, responsibility, and passing knowledge to future generations. ABOUT THE GUESTS: SHEPARD FAIREY is a contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, and founder of OBEY Clothing and creative agency Studio Number One. In 1989, while at Rhode Island School of Design studying for his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, Shepard Fairey created the “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker that later evolved into the OBEY GIANT art campaign. In 2008, his portrait of then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama became an internationally recognized emblem of hope. He is known for the “We The People” campaign debuted during the 2017 Women’s Marches worldwide. Fairey has painted more than 140 public murals, become one of the most sought-after and provocative artists globally, and changed the way people converse about art and view the urban landscape. JOHN DENSMORE is the drummer for the legendary rock band The Doors. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and since then, he has earned a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to his three books, the best-selling Riders on the Storm: My Life with Jim Morrison & The Doors, The Doors Unhinged: Jim Morrison’s Legacy Goes On Trial and The Seekers: Meetings With Remarkable Musicians (and Other Artists), his writing has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, the Guardian, the Nation, and Chicago Tribune, among others. He lives in Los Angeles. CHUCK D is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, cultural icon, hip-hop legend, social activist, author, digital music pioneer, visual artist and multi-media producer. Known worldwide as the co-founder of Public Enemy, he ignited a movement with his fearless lyrics and remains one of the most influential figures in contemporary culture. Creating and delivering groundbreaking music since 1987, Public Enemy and Chuck D have been the subjects of exhibits at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the GRAMMY Museum and the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. In addition to his work with Public Enemy and his solo career, Chuck D released an album with John Densmore of The Doors. He is also a visual artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide and is included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. A retrospective of his work was published by Genesis Books in 2023 entitled “Livin’ Loud” and he has released a series of graphic novels and illustrated books. Chuck runs a magazine titled Rap Central Station, the cultural media app Bring the Noise, hosts a show on SiriusXM and has written several books. RESOURCES: GUEST RESOURCES: SHEPARD FAIREY https://www.instagram.com/obeygiant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepard_Fairey CHUCK D https://www.instagram.com/mrchuckd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_D JOHN DENSMORE https://www.instagram.com/johndensmore https://www.facebook.com/johndensmore1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Densmore Books Mentioned: Hour of Chaos: The History of Public Enemy and American Rap Music by Chuck D Follow the Music by Jack Holzman Bones of My Father by Etheridge Knight | |||
| JENNY LEE (WARPAINT) launches Sierra Swan | 26 mai 2026 | 00:47:35 | |
Today on LaunchLeft, guest host Rich Tupica chats with Jenny Lee Lindberg for a candid conversation about longevity and creativity, collaboration, and artistic independence. Jenny opens up about balancing music and painting, Warpaint’s evolving future, and finding freedom through visual art. Then, Jenny launches Sierra Swan, who reflects on growing up around music, self-producing her work, and embracing a fearless DIY spirit. Together, they discuss Los Angeles nightlife, artistic authenticity, dance, and why creating without compromise matters more than ever. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why Sierra Swan embraces complete creative control over her music and visuals ✅ The impact of the changing music industry on independent artists ✅ How friendship, dance, and artistic community fuel long-term creativity LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! TIMESTAMPS:
KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎Creativity thrives in freedom. Painting gave Jenny a level of artistic freedom she rarely experienced in collaborative music settings. Working alone allows her to reconnect with her instincts and create without compromise or outside pressure. 💎Sierra Swan sees value in handling every aspect of her creative work herself—from songwriting and directing videos to self-releasing music. 💎The music industry has dramatically changed. Jenny reflects on how exhausting and financially unsustainable the modern music business has become for many artists. Streaming culture and constant online promotion have fundamentally shifted artistic careers. 💎Community and friendship sustain artists. Jenny and Sierra’s decades-long friendship demonstrates the importance of encouragement, collaboration, and mutual inspiration. ABOUT THE GUESTS: Jenny Lee Lindberg is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative work bridges the raw pulse of post-punk music with the intuitive expressionism of visual art. She is best known as the bassist and founding member of the critically acclaimed band Warpaint. Parallel to her music career, Jenny Lee is a prolific painter whose visual work reveals the same spontaneity and emotional honesty that defines her sound. Working primarily in acrylics and mixed media, her paintings often explore form, color, and gesture through an abstract lens. Her visual art, like her music, resists easy categorization - favoring mood, movement, and process over polish or perfection. With a DIY ethos and a fiercely independent spirit, Jenny Lee continues to evolve as an artist across mediums, crafting immersive experiences that are deeply personal, rhythmically rich, and emotionally resonant. Sierra Marie Swan was born in the San Fernando Valley with music in her blood. Her father Billy Swan had his first hit when he was sixteen with Lover Please. During Sierra’s many nights backstage while her father played rhythm guitar for Kris Kristofferson, she conjured up her own dreams of becoming a professional musician. As a teenager, Sierra listened to Prince, Queen, Oingo Boingo, The Beatles, Grant Lee Buffalo, Mozart and Patsy Cline. It was Patsy Cline who inspired her singing career. When she was 16 she began playing at L.A. coffeehouses. In 1997 Sierra joined the alternative rock band Dollshead and was signed to MCA Records. Two years later Sierra decided to leave the band and become a solo artist signing with Atlantic Records. She went on to work with some illustrious producers including Chad Hugo from The Neptunes, Howard Benson, Anne Preven and Scott Cutler. It was during the making of this record that she met Linda Perry. While they began to collaborate on material for her album she was let go from her contract with Atlantic. Linda decided to sign her to her label via Interscope, and Ladyland was released shortly thereafter. Typical of the music industry, she was let go from her contract with Interscope. Not to be deterred, Sierra decided to make it on her own producing and performing the beautiful and haunting EP entitled “Coward", followed by “Queen of the Valley,” Sierra’s 80’s pop homage to her Valley Girl roots. She then produced her third full length album ‘Girl Who Cried Wolf’, following a cover EP with her critically acclaimed father Billy Swan at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis. Sierra has also toured and collaborated with the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins, William Patrick Corgan, Aimee Mann, Bill Bottrell, Dave Stewart, Linda Perry, Ringo Starr, and Frank Black. Sierra Swan embodies the true spirit of a musical artist. She’s had major label deals and major label drops. Through it all Sierra doesn’t miss a beat. In 2013 she began recording her most personal record yet with William Patrick Corgan sitting in the producer's chair. In William's words “Sierra’s new songs are the best batch of material I have heard from any songwriter in forever.” The album named Good Soldier is available for download here. This whimsically gorgeous album is a must have album. The outcome of Sierra Swan's Good Soldier is truly remarkable. There is simply nobody like her. Currently Swan is recording an EP in her basement in her Minneapolis home. There is also another project brewing but she is not quite sure what will become of it...yet. RESOURCES: GUEST RESOURCES: JENNY LEE LINKS: https://www.jennyleelindberg.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jennylibrary/ https://www.instagram.com/warpaint/ https://www.warpaintwarpaint.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@WarpaintOfficial SIERRA SWAN LINKS: https://www.instagram.com/sierraswan/ | |||
| MICHAEL DES BARRES launches Night Mover | 28 avr. 2026 | 00:59:24 | |
Today on LaunchLeft, rock legend Michael Des Barres joins Donita Sparks for a wildly entertaining and deeply reflective conversation on creativity, resilience, and reinvention. From glam rock beginnings and acting alongside icons to fronting The Power Station at Live Aid, Michael shares unforgettable stories, moments of happenstance and hard-earned wisdom. Plus, the rising duo Night Mover is launched. Night Mover discusses their musical history, their genre-blending sound, nightlife roots, and evolving artistry. Catch a sneak peek at one of Night Mover’s songs. What You’ll Learn This Episode: ✅How Michael Des Barres built a multi-decade career through reinvention and fearless creativity ✅Why self-belief and authenticity are essential for artistic longevity ✅The realities of rock stardom—from Live Aid to behind-the-scenes chaos ✅How Night Mover blends global disco, punk, and electronic influences into a modern sound IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Authenticity beats trends. Great artists don’t chase, they create. 💎 Reinvention is a skill that sustains long-term success. 💎 Rock and roll is as much about attitude and emotion as it is about sound. 💎 Collaboration and shared passion are driving forces behind new creative projects. RESOURCE LINKS: MDB Links: https://www.instagram.com/mdesbarres https://www.facebook.com/mdesbarres https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelDesBarresBand NIGHT MOVER LINK: https://www.instagram.com/nightmovermusic/ BIOGRAPHIES: Michael Des Barres is an actor, rock singer, songwriter, and radio host. His arrival in the entertainment world began as a Marquis attending boarding school in England, where he first started acting at age eight in commercials and school plays. At nineteen, Michael played the androgynous rock star Rose in the nude musical The Dirtiest Show In Town. Andrew Lloyd Webber saw Michael’s performance and went backstage to tell him that he should form a real rock band. Michael quickly wrote his first song. That song lead to the formation of Silverhead, a raucous glam rock experiment. After two albums and two world tours Silverhead disbanded and Michael moved to Los Angeles where he formed the band Detective. Detective was signed to Swan Song Records by Jimmy Page and recorded two albums. In 1982 Michael formed the band Chequered Past featuring Steve Jones, Clem Burke, Nigel Harrison and Tony Sales. After they opened for Duran Duran in 1984, Michael was chosen to replace Robert Palmer as lead singer of The Power Station, fronting the band at the 1985 Live Aid concert. As a songwriter Michael co-wrote “Obsession” with Holly Knight, which was famously covered by the L.A. based New Wave group Animotion and was a number one hit in twenty-seven countries. Michael's love of acting had never subsided and in 1985 he was cast in the role of “Murdoc” in the ABC hit series MacGyver. Additional credits include Melrose Place, Seinfeld, WKRP in Cincinnati, Miami Vice, Alf, Roseanne, The Rockford Files, Northern Exposure, and many more. In 2014 Michael was asked by Steven Van Zandt to bring his encyclopedic knowledge of rock and soul music to Little Steven’s Underground Garage, SiriusXM, Channel 21 where he can be found DJing every weekday from 5am-8am P/T, and 9pm-12am P/T. Michael’s highly lauded documentary “Who Do You Want Me To Be?” began streaming July 10th, 2020 on Amazon Prime. Currently MDB has a new single out on Rumbar Records entitled "Kiss or Kill Me." NIGHT MOVER is a DJ and production duo made up of Alix Brown and James Matthew Seven, crafting cinematic sets shaped by film soundtracks and underground club culture. Their sound blends global disco, rock ‘n’ roll, obscure library music, and cosmic grooves into hypnotic, transportive experiences for hi-fi listening rooms and dance floors alike. Alongside their work as performers, they run a boutique music agency and supervision studio, bringing a refined, cinematic approach to sonic identity across fashion, film, and nightlife. Originally from Atlanta, Alix Brown is a DJ, music supervisor, and film producer whose work spans cinema, fashion, and culture. She has collaborated with Chanel, Gucci, and Fendi, and performed alongside artists like Nile Rodgers, Mark Ronson, James Murphy, Paris Hilton, and Jellybean Benitez. Her supervision work with companies including Lionsgate, Rai Cinema, and Warner Brothers informs NIGHT MOVER’s distinctly narrative-driven sound. James Matthew Seven, originally from Toronto, is a producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ whose work draws from disco, soul, psychedelia, and rock. As a touring musician, he has shared stages with Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, and Iggy Pop, bringing a deep musicality and expansive sonic palette to the project. Together, NIGHT MOVER creates immersive, stylish sets and bespoke edits and remixes, weaving rare records and timeless cuts into a sound defined by mood, movement, and a sense of atmosphere. | |||
| THURSTON MOORE launches Devon Ross | 24 mars 2026 | 00:45:25 | |
In this special episode of LaunchLeft, guest host Thurston Moore launches rising artist Devon Ross to celebrate the release of her new EP, Pinups. The project—a four-song digital release on Moore’s Daydream Library Series—reimagines classic tracks through Ross’s raw, minimalist, and emotionally charged lens. From analog nostalgia to DIY recording techniques, this conversation dives deep into Ross’s creative process, musical influences, and the timeless power of reinterpretation. Then, listeners will be treated to ‘Killer’, the song that first put Devon Ross on Thurston Moore’s radar. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How artists like Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, and Randy Newman shaped Devon’s musical identity ✅ Tension between convenience and connection in modern music consumption ✅ Why cover songs can be acts of discovery, not imitation ✅ Ross’s approach to recording entirely solo using minimal tools (even a phone drum app) LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! TIMESTAMPS:
KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎Devon Ross approaches cover songs not as replicas, but as reinterpretations that reflect her own artistic voice. By maintaining the emotional core while reshaping the sonic landscape, she creates something that feels both familiar and entirely new. 💎Despite being part of a digital-native generation, Devon deeply values analog music culture—vinyl records, CDs, and physical collections. This influence shapes not only her listening habits but also her artistic sensibility, grounding her sound in timeless traditions. 💎Devon recorded Pinups entirely on her own, using minimal equipment—including a drum machine app on her phone. This stripped-down process allowed for complete creative control and emotional authenticity. This kind of intimacy often translates into a more compelling and honest listening experience. 💎Great songwriting transcends decades, whether it’s Buddy Holly in the 1950s or Randy Newman in the 1970s. Devon gravitates toward songs with strong emotional resonance, proving that simplicity and sincerity remain powerful across generations. 💎While Pinups is a focused, intimate project, Devon hints at a bigger, louder, and more fully realized full-length album on the horizon. The groundwork laid by this EP reflects her evolving confidence and artistic clarity. ABOUT THE GUEST: Thurston Moore started Sonic Youth in 1980. Since then Thurston Moore has been at the forefront of the alternative rock scene since that particular sobriquet was first used to signify any music that challenged and defied the mainstream standard. With Sonic Youth, Moore turned on an entire generation to the value of experimentation in rock n roll – from its inspiration on a nascent Nirvana, to Sonic Youth’s own Daydream Nation album being chosen by the US Library of Congress for historical preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2006. Thurston records and performs in a cavalcade of disciplines ranging from free improvisation to acoustic composition to black/white metal/noise disruption. He has worked with Yoko Ono, John Zorn, Bobby Gillespie, David Toop, Cecil Taylor, John Paul Jones, Faust, Glenn Branca and many others. His residency at the Louvre in Paris included collaborations with Irmin Schmidt of CAN and Stephen O’Malley. Alongside his various activities in the musical world, he is involved with publishing and poetry, and teaches writing at The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University, Boulder CO, a programme founded by Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman in 1974. Thurston also teaches music at The Rhythmic Music Conservatory (Rytmisk Musikkonservatorium) in Copenhagen. Presently Thurston Moore resides in London. He performs and records solo, with various ensembles and in his own band, The Thurston Moore Group. Devon Ross is a model, actress, musician, and poet who splits her time between London and Los Angeles. Born in Toronto, Ross grew up touring with her father, Lenny Kravitz's guitarist Craig Ross. Music has always been a defining part of her life, and she started playing guitar as a teenager. RESOURCES: GUEST RESOURCES: THURSTON MOORE LINKS: https://www.thurstonmoore.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thurstonmoore58/ https://www.facebook.com/ThurstonMooreOfficial/ DEVON ROSS LINKS: | |||
| LENNY KAYE launches Dark Brown | 24 févr. 2026 | 00:56:21 | |
In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, guest-host Donita Sparks welcomes the legendary Lenny Kaye—guitarist, historian, curator, and eternal champion of rock ‘n’ roll—to launch drummer and artist Bryan Lee Brown, also known as Dark Brown. From the 50th anniversary tour of Horses with Patti Smith to the making of Lenny Kaye’s first-ever solo album Going Local, this episode explores what it means to stay creatively alive across decades. Lenny reflects on the joy of playing without expectation, the freedom of releasing music later in life, and why work itself is the reward. The conversation dives deep into Lenny’s acclaimed book Lightning Striking, a cultural history of rock’s geographic “culture quakes”—from Memphis and New Orleans to Liverpool, Detroit, New York, London, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Along the way, he shares stories about Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, the origin of the groundbreaking Nuggets compilation, and the power of local scenes. Finally, they turn the spotlight to launch Dark Brown and his track “Rhythm Surfer,” featuring surf guitar pioneer Dick Dale. Bryan shares the surreal story of meeting Dale at NAMM—and two days later heading to the Mojave Desert to jam before touring Europe with him. This episode is a love letter to rock history, artistic longevity, and the electric present tense of making music. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅Why Lenny Kaye believes rock and roll has moved from its “innovative period” into its “interpretive period” — and why that excites him. ✅How local music scenes become cultural earthquakes that reshape history. ✅Why being a “worker” in music matters more than hype, expectations, or industry validation. ✅How Dark Brown’s American Instrument honors the drum set as a foundational force in American music — and how Dick Dale became part of the story. LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Donita introduces Lenny Kaye and the 50th anniversary of Horses 02:00 Playing Disney Hall & the lifeline of a 50-year-old record 05:17 Announcing Lenny’s first solo album Going Local 08:00 Living in the present tense of music 11:00 The pure joy of local bar gigs 17:48 Lightning Striking and the geography of rock revolutions 19:47 Memphis, New Orleans & the birth of rock 20:35 New York 1975, punk London, and metal Scandinavia 25:32 Writing, curating, and the legacy of Nuggets 27:00 Waylon Jennings, storytelling & the human behind the legend 35:15 SiriusXM and spinning the “platters that matter” 36:15 Dark Brown is launched 37:24 Working with Dick Dale 49:02 Dark Brown’s track, “Rhythm Surfer” KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Longevity comes from curiosity, not nostalgia. Kaye doesn’t cling to the past — he keeps playing, writing, and exploring because the act itself keeps him alive. 💎 The Local is sacred. Whether it’s Memphis in 1954 or a Wednesday night bar gig in New Jersey, scenes grow from small rooms into cultural revolutions. 💎 Music is a lifeline. From Horses to Nuggets to Going Local, Kaye sees music as an evolving conversation — not a finished monument. 💎 The process is the reward. Once a record is mastered, it no longer belongs to the artist. The joy is in the making. ABOUT THE GUESTS: LENNY KAYE: As musician, writer, and record producer, Lenny Kaye has been intimately involved with the creative impulse that marks the music. He is a founding member of Patti Smith and Her Band, dating from their first performance as a duo at St. Marks Church in New York’s East Village on February 10, 1971, and has worked with such artists as Suzanne Vega, Jim Carroll, Allen Ginsberg, Soul Asylum, and Jessi Colter. His books include You Call It Madness: The Sensuous Song of the Croon (2004); Waylon: An Autobiography (1994); and the newly released Lightning Striking: Ten Transformative Moments in Rock and Roll. His seminal anthology of garage rock, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts of the First Psychedelic Era, is regarded as defining a genre and recently celebrated its golden anniversary. DARK BROWN: Bryan Lee Brown is a Los Angeles-based composer and musician known for crafting immersive, rhythm-driven scores that blend abstract minimalism with melodic psychedelia. His work has been integral to Dave Grohl’s productions What Drives Us and HBO’s Emmy-winning Sonic Highways, for which Rolling Stone praised his score as "the show's unsung sonic element.” A lifelong percussionist, Brown’s deep-rooted connection to rhythm shapes his compositions, layering hypnotic textures with cinematic energy. He first emerged as the powerhouse drummer for LA’s underground band Bluebird—signed to Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records—before expanding into TV and film as a sought-after session musician, recording with icons like Frank Black, Jerry Cantrell, and Duff McKagan. Most notably, his touring and recording with surf guitar legend Dick Dale have cemented his reputation as a dynamic and versatile musician. Expanding beyond Sonic Highways and What Drives Us, Brown’s music resonates across a diverse range of projects, including CSI: Vegas, Unlocking The Truth, Jackass Forever, feature doc L7: Pretend We’re Dead, horror classic The Collection, and Stacy Peralta’s film Bones Brigade: An Autobiography. Brown’s creative reach extends into contemporary art. His collaboration with acclaimed new media artist Jennifer Steinkamp on the video installation S.W.E.L.L. is now part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA)—a defining achievement for the Art Center College alum and a testament to his impact at the intersection of sound and visual innovation. Bryan is currently in the studio recording drums with the Afghan Whigs and preparing for their upcoming 2026 tour. RESOURCES: GUEST RESOURCES: Lenny Kaye: https://www.instagram.com/lenny_kaye Photo Credit: Dina Regine Dark Brown: https://www.instagram.com/darkbrownmusic https://darkbrown.bandcamp.com
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| LYDIA LUNCH launches Genre is Death | 27 janv. 2026 | 00:57:26 | |
In this episode of LaunchLeft, guest host Donita Sparks is joined by legendary no wave pioneer Lydia Lunch, celebrating her fearless artistry and the launch of Genre is Death. Lydia Lunch dives deep into her boundary-busting career, from her start in the 1970s New York underground to her influence across music, spoken word, and activism. The episode also shines a spotlight on emerging NYC band Genre is Death—members Taylor and Ty join the conversation, sharing their journey from Georgia to the NYC scene. Together, they explore the spirit of artistic rebellion, creative resilience, and the power of radical self-expression. Tune in for candid stories, inspiration, and a special performance from Genre is Death’s upcoming album, Attractive People. What You’ll Learn This Episode: ✅Lydia Lunch recounts her teenage escape to New York, driven by the inspiration of the New York Dolls, her formation of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, and the gritty, creative chaos of 1970s and pioneering “no wave” ✅Insights into Lydia’s constantly shifting creative identities—from tight, abrasive bands to big band projects and experimental spoken word. She breaks down her approach to musical collaboration, creative ownership, and why she curates her own sonic universe. ✅Lydia and Donita reflect on giving back, including workshops for women writers, bringing newcomers onto the spoken word stage, and the power of solidarity among outsider artists. ✅From Lydia’s ongoing podcast “The Lydian Spin” to new recordings, collaborations, and upcoming tours—plus tales of performing anywhere for the love of art, even in alleys ankle-deep in urine. There’s also talk of legendary collaborations, archival ambitions, and what it means to keep hustling in independent music. LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Intro: Lydia Lunch’s Origins: From Runaway Teen to No Wave Pioneer 02:22 1970s New York City: Chaos, Cheap Rent, and Artistic Revolution 05:11 The Birth of No Wave: Rejecting Genres and Reinventing Sound 09:16 Art as Instigation: Owning Your Work in Underground Music 13:24 Confrontational Performance Art: Politics, Anger, and the Stage 20:40 Mental Health, Trauma, and Survival as a Creative 31:05 Being a Woman in Radical and Experimental Music Spaces 47:08 Genre Is Death is Launched: Supporting New Bands and the Future of No Wave Spirit 53:13 Performance video of Genre is Death’s new song Attractive People KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎Inventing a Genre, Defying Rules: Lydia discusses the birth of “no wave,” her resistance to artifice, why her work is “no everything,” and the difference between no wave’s personal/creative revolt versus punk’s political edge. 💎Confrontation as Art: Lydia self-identifies as a “cuntfrontationalist”—always willing to push boundaries and provoke thought. The episode gets candid about being a woman in a hyper-male art world, using language as a weapon, and surviving decades in radical art. 💎Launching Genre is Death: Lydia introduces Taylor and Ty from Genre is Death, a rising New York duo merging heavy fuzz bass and DIY performance art. Learn how they met Lydia, relocated from Georgia, and found their creative family in NYC’s underground. RESOURCE LINKS: Lydia Lunch links: https://www.instagram.com/lydia.lunch.official/ https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLunch/ https://www.youtube.com/c/lydialunchofficial https://lydialunch.bandcamp.com Genre is Death Links: https://www.instagram.com/genreisdeath/ https://genreisdeath.bandcamp.com BIOGRAPHIES: Donita Sparks Best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the pioneering punk band L7, Donita Sparks is a cultural force whose influence spans decades. Her creativity, artistry, and humor have made her an iconic figure in music. In 2026, Sparks joins LaunchLeft as a guest host, bringing her insight and generous spirit to conversations with independent and emerging artists. Genre is Death In 2024, GID was crowned the 3rd hardest working band in NYC by Oh My Rockness. In March 2025, the duo played the New Colossus Festival. Their debut LP 'Talk' was released November 1st, with a limited run of cassettes released by Insecurity Hits. The pair have opened up for legendary acts Gogol Bordello, Lydia Lunch, Cherubs, Bush Tetras, and will be opening for Jon Spencer February 1 in Philadelphia. Their upcoming record was recorded with celebrated sound engineer Martin Bisi & will be out this year on IN THE RED Records. Lydia Lunch is passionate, confrontational and bold. Whether attacking the patriarchy and their pornographic war mongering, turning the sexual into the political or whispering a love song to the broken hearted, her fierce energy and rapid fire delivery lend testament to her warrior nature. Queen of No Wave, muse of The Cinema of Transgression, writer, musician, poet, spoken word artist and photographer, she has released too many musical projects to tally, has been on tour for decades, working with such luminaries as Rowland S Howard, Thurston Moore, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Karen Finley, Jerry Stahl, The Last Poets, and Hubert Selby JR. She has published dozens of articles, half a dozen books translated into 9 languages, appeared in numerous documentaries, conducted workshops, taught at Universities including The San Francisco Art Institute and simply refuses to just shut up. Genre Is Death is an uncompromising noise duo made up of Ty V (guitar, vox) and Tayler Lee (bass, vox). Their sound is abrasive yet melodic, using heavy distortion, dissonant riffs, and reverberating vocals to create a wave of boldly hypnotic noise. The duo have been compared to the likes of Sonic Youth and Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, yet have managed to create a sound that is distinctly their own, avoiding mimicking the zeitgeist of decades before. Beyond the integrity of their music, Tayler’s intimidating glare, or Ty’s staggering gait, the duo share something truly inimitable— the overwhelming feeling that their music is a byproduct of the high esteem they hold of each other. | |||
| RAIN PHOENIX launches Evelyn Frances | 16 déc. 2025 | 00:48:32 | |
It’s time to turn the tables in this special episode of LaunchLeft. Rain Phoenix passes hosting duties over to punk icon Donita Sparks of L7. Donita interviews Rain about the origins of LaunchLeft, her lifelong journey in music and artistry, collaborating with her brother River Phoenix, navigating grief, and the evolution of her creative process. Rain also shares updates on her current projects, including Escape Artist Lovers and the inspiration behind her next solo record. Together, Rain and Donita explore artistic identity, spiritual growth, joyful collaboration, and the power of feeling ‘seen' in the artistic community. Then, Rain launches Evelyn Frances, who shares her experimental approach to music, blending classical, jazz, and electronic soundscapes to explore climate change, human connection, and personal transformation. This episode is perfect for musicians, music lovers, independent artists, and fans of LaunchLeft, offering insight into how collaboration, grief, and purpose-driven art can shape careers and creative paths. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN THIS EPISODE ✅ Rain’s goal for creating LaunchLeft to uplift independent artists and creatives 00:00 Introduction: Meet Donita Sparks 💎 Visibility from a respected artist can transform the career of an emerging musician LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link: https://www.launchleft.com Rain Phoenix Donita Sparks Evelyn Frances Rain Phoenix: Musician, activist, and creator of LaunchLeft, Rain has spent her life in music and artistic projects, from performing with her brother River in Aleka’s Attic to leading projects including Paper Cranes, Venus and the Moon, and Escape Artist Lovers. Her work blends artistic expression with spiritual intention, uplifting emerging independent artists while exploring vulnerability, joy, and truth. Rain’s forthcoming solo album Lullaby (BYE) expands her mission to bring comfort through music at pivotal life moments.
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| RAIN PHOENIX launches Team LaunchLeft | 18 nov. 2025 | 00:55:18 | |
In this inspiring episode of LaunchLeft, host Rain Phoenix chats with Lorraine Petel, Geoff Ryan, Jennifer Tefft, and Rich Tupica, aka the team behind LaunchLeft! Take a dive deep into the creative process, independent music, film, and the challenges facing artists today. From Geoff Ryan’s journey in narrative filmmaking and experimental shorts to Lorraine Petel’s rise in radio and underground music curation, the conversation covers the intersections of creativity, community, and the evolving digital landscape. Jennifer Tefft shares her insights on live music venues and fostering community engagement, while Rich Tupica reflects on finding audiences and promoting indie artists in a saturated music world. The episode also explores artist sustainability in the age of streaming, social media’s influence on creative discovery, and the importance of physical venues for cultivating artistic communities. Whether you’re an independent musician, filmmaker, or visual artist, this episode offers valuable perspectives on building a career in the arts, navigating industry challenges, and celebrating radical creativity. What You’ll Learn This Episode: ✅Meet the creatives who make LaunchLeft happen. ✅How to sustain and promote creative projects in today’s digital and streaming-focused environment. ✅The role of live venues and community spaces in developing artistic careers and fostering audience connections. ✅Strategies for independent artists to navigate the challenges of modern media, from social media algorithms to audience engagement. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Introduction to LaunchLeft and supporting underground music, independent artists, and creative communities 06:42 Geoff’s experience in filmmaking, experimental shorts, and indie film production, including challenges in the industry and returning to music video projects 11:05 Lorraine Petel shares how she fell into radio, her career at NTS London, underground music curation, and artist promotion 16:30 Jennifer Tefft on the importance of live music venues, audience engagement, and community-building, comparing in-person experiences to social media discovery for artists 20:31 Geoff Ryan’s experiences filming under challenging conditions, music video production, and creative collaboration 24:52 Lorraine Petel discusses the growth of her show at NTS and supporting underrepresented musicians, promoting indie artists, and curating unique music 28:26 Artist income, streaming challenges, indie music promotion, and sustaining creative careers in a digital-first world 35:00 Rich Tupica on connecting with fans, online communities, promoting music, and supporting artistic growth, highlighting strategies for success in the modern music and art landscape 44:00 Local music venues & community spaces showcase the importance of live performance spaces, artist development, indie music venues, and community engagement 52:00 The team reflects on the year, expresses gratitude to the LaunchLeft community, creative collaborators, and indie artists, and encourages listeners to support music, art, and independent filmmaking KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎Independent artists face challenges in income, audience reach, and digital saturation, but community support and live venues can bridge the gap 💎Experimental projects and creative exploration are essential for artistic growth, even outside of mainstream success 💎Platforms like NTS London, Bandcamp, and LaunchLeft empower underground and independent artists, providing visibility and connection with audiences 💎Building a local and online community is critical for sustaining artistic careers, from small venues to curated online spaces 💎Supporting artists directly through merch, ticketed events, and Bandcamp can have a tangible impact on their ability to create RESOURCE LINKS: | |||
| BEN GIBBARD launches Casey Dienel | 28 oct. 2025 | 00:56:46 | |
In this episode, Rain Phoenix chats with Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie to explore his journey in indie music, songwriting, and touring. From the early days of Death Cab For Cutie, to forming The Postal Service, to navigating the music industry, Ben shares insights on creativity, collaboration, and the evolution of alternative rock. Later, Ben launches Casey Dienel, and they dive into her approach to music, artistry, and the challenges new artists face in today’s industry. Casey also shares details about her upcoming album "My Heart as an Outlaw" and her return to live performance after a decade. This episode is packed with indie music insights, songwriting tips, and behind-the-scenes stories from touring life. Don’t miss this candid conversation that celebrates music, creativity, and emerging talent. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Ben Gibbard came to music Death Cab For Cutie & the Postal Service ✅ Behind-the-scenes of touring, recording, and navigating the music industry ✅ Casey Dienel’s unique approach to songwriting and creativity ✅ Strategies for new artists breaking into alternative rock and indie music Subscribe to LaunchLeft for more indie music stories. Follow us on socials for updates and bonus content. IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 Intro: Ben Gibbard joins LaunchLeft Podcast 05:38 Ben reflects on music industry changes 11:32 Ben's songwriting process and inspiration 16:41 Ben's favorite aspect of making music 21:31 Ben's passion for ultramarathon running 26:27 Ben launches Casey Dienel 32:32 Discussing studio recording experiences and preparation 39:12 How Ben and Casey first met 44:15 Casey talks about her new album "My Heart as an Outlaw" 47:58 Song: "17" by Casey Dienel KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎Ben Gibbard's career spans 27 years, marked by unexpected success and a gradual acceptance of music as a viable career path 💎The music industry has shifted dramatically, with artists facing new economic challenges due to the loss of album sales as a primary revenue stream 💎Ben's songwriting process is deeply personal, focusing on prolific writing rather than trying to predict which songs will resonate with audiences 💎Community and long-term relationships play a crucial role in Ben's life and artistic accountability 💎Casey Dienel's new album "My Heart as an Outlaw" marks her return to music after an eight-year hiatus, showcasing her evolution as an artist RESOURCE LINKS: BEN GIBBARD LINKS: https://www.deathcabforcutie.com/ https://www.instagram.com/deathcabforcutie/ https://www.instagram.com/gibbstack/ https://www.facebook.com/deathcabforcutie https://www.facebook.com/bengibbard https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOtn115fCfFKIxG7_Quv9ZA CASEY DIENEL LINKS: https://www.whoiscaseydienel.com/ https://www.instagram.com/casey_dienel/ https://www.tiktok.com/@casey.dienel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp_WKK5gnDQH53qkRxBDeOw https://www.facebook.com/CaseyDienelOfficial BIOGRAPHIES: Benjamin Gibbard is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Death Cab for Cutie, formed in 1997. The band has since recorded ten studio albums, including, most recently, the critically acclaimed Asphalt Meadows (2022). Gibbard is also one half of the electronic duo The Postal Service, whose sole album, Give Up (2003), is certified platinum and the second best-selling title in the 37 year history of Sub Pop Records. Gibbard released his debut solo album Former Lives in 2012. In 2009, in collaboration with Jay Farrar (Uncle Tupelo, Son Volt), he released the album One Fast Move or I'm Gone (2009), which also served as the soundtrack to the eponymous Jack Kerouac documentary. He has scored two films: Lynn Shelton’s Laggies (2014) and, along with musician and producer Steve Fisk, the Kurt Cobain documentary About a Son (2006). Additionally, he wrote and recorded two original songs featured in the 2011 remake of the classic film Arthur. Gibbard is an avid ultra-marathon runner and a longtime resident of Seattle, WA. Casey Dienel is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Dienel, who has also performed and recorded as White Hinterland, plays piano, keyboards and ukulele. My Heart Is An Outlaw is Casey Dienel’s seventh album and first studio release. It arrives after eight years away, the result of a renewed trust in collaboration as a radical act of surrender. The album’s 11 tracks—each a film and a melodic treasure trove—offer a reckoning with freedom, identity, and the conflicting desire for both solitude and intimacy. Recorded at Altamira Sound in Los Angeles, Figure 8 Recording in New York, and Chamber of Commerce in Vermont, the record zooms from micro to macro, intimate breath to mic drop. | |||
| THE B-52'S FRED SCHNEIDER launches Dagger Polyester | 23 sept. 2025 | 00:46:17 | |
In this episode of LaunchLeft, host Rain Phoenix welcomes Fred Schneider of The B-52’s as he launches Dagger Polyester. Fred takes us back to the Athens, Georgia music scene where The B-52’s began, sharing stories of DIY shows, thrifting, and how their left-of-center style changed pop culture. He also dives into side projects including Halloween anthems, poetry reissues, and unexpected collaborations. Later, Dagger Polyester joins the conversation to talk about punk influences, resisting background-noise music, and how individuality fuels their artistry. Together, they explore creativity, collaboration, and the future of music in an AI-driven world. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why thrifting, vintage fashion, and DIY culture shaped The B-52’s identity ✅ Fred Schneider’s side projects and creative collaborations outside of the B-52’s ✅ Dagger Polyester’s insights on punk, pop culture, and music that resists algorithms 🎧 Listen to the full LaunchLeft podcast here: LaunchLeft Podcast 👉 Subscribe for more conversations with independent artists and cultural icons. TIMESTAMPS:
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ABOUT THE GUEST: Fred Schneider is an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the frontman of the new wave band The B-52s. With his distinctive vocal style and quirky lyrics, Schneider has been a pivotal figure in the alternative music scene since the late 1970s. The B-52s, known for hits like "Love Shack" and "Rock Lobster," have left an indelible mark on pop culture and continue to influence musicians today. Dagger Polyester is an emerging musician known for blending elements of punk, new wave, and experimental rock. With a growing following in the underground music scene, Dagger's unique sound and approach to songwriting are garnering attention from both fans and industry veterans alike. RESOURCES: GUEST RESOURCES: Fred Schneider https://www.instagram.com/funfred1/ https://www.instagram.com/theb52sband/ https://www.facebook.com/OfficialFredSchneider/ https://www.facebook.com/theb52s/ Dagger Polyester https://www.instagram.com/daggerpolyester/ https://www.youtube.com/channel SEO Keywords: Fred Schneider, B-52s, Dagger Polyester, punk rock, Athens music scene, 1980s music, thrift store fashion, rock and roll hall of fame, indie music, new wave, alternative rock, music industry, touring experiences, record collecting, AI in music, Ramones, girl groups, Phil Spector, Ronnie Spector, vinyl records, music collaboration, songwriting, music influences, pop culture, music history, LGBTQ+ representation in music | |||
| LILI HAYDN & PAUL CANTELON launch Itai Disraeli | 26 août 2025 | 01:01:32 | |
In this episode of LaunchLeft, Rain Phoenix hosts a profound and intimate conversation that explores the transformative potential of art and the enduring bonds between artists with long time friends and musicians Paul Cantelon and Lili Haydn. Paul and Lili open up about the deeply personal origins of their heartfelt album "Lullabies for the Brokenhearted", created in the wake of Paul's wife Angela McCluskey's passing. They share deeply personal stories about their musical journeys and the inspirations behind the album and discuss the importance of vulnerability in their creative process and how the project has been healing for them both. Then, they launch Itai Disraeli who discusses his groundbreaking solo bass project “He is Free Now” and the spiritual nature of his music. Tune in for a preview of tracks from both "Lullabies for the Brokenhearted" and an excerpt of Itai's ”Continuation Day”, offering listeners a glimpse into these profound musical journeys. IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: LILI HAYDN LINKS https://www.instagram.com/lilihaydn/ PAUL CANTELON LINKS https://www.instagram.com/paulcantelon/ Lullabies For the Brokenhearted – a new album by Lili Haydn & Paul Cantelon You Could Start A Fight In An Empty House Podcast ITAI DISRAELI LINKS https://www.instagram.com/itai_disraeli/ https://www.instagram.com/maetarmusic/ BIOGRAPHIES: Violinist-composer Lili Haydn and pianist-composer Paul Cantelon have created Lullabies for the Brokenhearted—a poignant and transcendent album shaped by personal loss and the redemptive power of music. After the sudden passing of Cantelon’s wife, singer Angela McCluskey, grief left him unable to play. Haydn, a lifelong friend and collaborator, invited him into her home and gently rekindled his creative spirit. The result is 8 deeply felt compositions, recorded in just 10 days, with influences ranging from Chopin to Arvo Part. The lead single, “The Edgeless Safety of the Sea,” was released June 27, offering a first glimpse of the album’s cinematic, emotionally resonant sound. Among the album’s most striking moments are “The Last Serenade,” a melody Haydn received at her mother’s deathbed and has since played for others in their final moments, and “Point No Point,” a piece central to Cantelon’s early work and later featured in The Diving Bell and the Butterfly. While rooted in sorrow, the music is full of light, hope, and reverence. Haydn, a Grammy winner and Emmy-nominated composer (Netflix #1 hit Ginny & Georgia), and Cantelon, a Juilliard-trained artist with acclaimed film scores, bring decades of experience to this collaboration—a musical offering that gently holds space for grief, memory, and healing. Itai Disraeli is a Grammy-winning bassist, composer, producer, and spiritual teacher whose music blends groove, psychedelia, and deep emotional truth. Best known for his work with Opium Moon and Maetar, Itai now turns his focus toward a revolutionary solo bass project that is melodic, hypnotic, and entirely human. He is the founder of the music department at the renowned Wildwood School in L.A. and has mentored Grammy winning artists including Thundercat, Gracie Abrams, and Emmy winning composer Zach Robinson. As a composer for film and TV, he has contributed additional music to the Netflix hit Ginny & Georgia, as well as numerous films and documentaries. As a student of the revered Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh, Itai believes music is a blueprint for peace. His sound is both a spiritual practice and a funky, soul-stirring ride. Now, after decades of shaping sound in collaborative spaces, Itai steps forward with a groundbreaking solo bass project: He is Free Now is an album that is hypnotic, melodic, psychedelic, layered, groovy, and unlike anything you’ve heard before. This is bass as lead voice, as meditation, as movement. It’s not a solo record. It’s a soul record. | |||
| TUNE-YARDS launches Esotérica Tropical | 29 juil. 2025 | 00:46:23 | |
Join the vibrant conversation between Rain Phoenix and Merrill Garbus of Tune-Yards as they dive into Merrill’s musical journey and creative process. Merrill reflects on her experience with 4AD Records, maintaining authenticity in an ever changing industry, and the delicate balance between artistic expression and social responsibility. Then Merrill launches MaJo, aka, Esotérica Tropical. MaJo shares her unique approach to music-making, rooted in healing and connection with the natural world. Together, they highlight the power of music as a tool for personal growth and social change, while also exploring the artists' collaborative projects. The conversation wraps up with Esotérica Tropical’s song "Realismo Magico" featuring Merrill and MaJo’s stunning harmonies. IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: Tune-Yards Links: https://www.instagram.com/tuneyards/ https://www.facebook.com/tuneyards/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU4wLkBnwIM https://tune-yards.bandcamp.com/ TUNE-YARDS BIO: Formed by Merrill Garbus in 2006, Tune-Yards has become a name synonymous with creativity and forward motion. Known for explosive performances, surprising song structures, and danceable rhythms, their music also highlights connections between song and social consciousness. The New York Times praised their debut album, BiRd-BrAiNs, as “a confident do-it-yourselfer’s opening salvo,” and relentless touring established Garbus as a commanding live performer. Garbus stepped into the producer role with 2011’s w h o k i l l, a bold and sonically inventive album that earned critical acclaim, including the #1 spot on The Village Voice’s Pazz and Jop poll. By 2021’s sketchy., Garbus and bassist Nate Brenner had solidified their partnership, creating a fully collaborative work. The duo has announced their sixth studio record, Better Dreaming, to be released on May 16, 2025 on 4AD. Tune-Yards also excels in scoring, contributing to Boots Riley’s Sorry to Bother You, I’m A Virgo, and the forthcoming I Love Boosters. Their artistry continues to expand across music, film, and television. Esotérica Tropical: https://www.esotericatropical.com/ https://www.instagram.com/esotericatropical/ https://www.facebook.com/esotericatropical https://soundcloud.com/esotericatropical https://esotericatropical.bandcamp.com/ Esotérica Tropical BIO: Esotérica Tropical is a queer Boricua bruja who transcends musical boundaries with her commanding voice, intuitive folk harp, and a fusion of Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba rhythms and electronic innovation. Her work boldly challenges colonial mentality, advocating for sovereignty and surrealism. A chance encounter with a Celtic harp on a Puerto Rican beach in 2009 transformed her from an acupuncturist into a genre-defying musical magician. Drawing on 20 years as a healer, Esotérica’s ritualistic performances have captivated audiences at major venues and festivals worldwide including, Festival Color Caribe (PR), Oakland Museum of California, Teatro Municipal de Cusco (Perú), and Teatro el Supremo (CDMX). In 2022, she featured on Argentinian producer Chancha Via Circuito’s album La Estrella. Her self-titled debut album was named the Best Bay Area Music in 2024 by KQED. | |||
| JODY STEPHENS OF BIG STAR launches Luther Russell | 24 juin 2025 | 01:05:17 | |
Ever wonder what it's like to be part of rock history? Our latest LaunchLeft episode pulls back the curtain on Big Star's legacy. Rain Phoenix hosts an illuminating conversation with Jody Stephens, drummer of the legendary band Big Star. The discussion delves into Jody's early musical influences in Memphis, his experiences with Big Star, and the band's enduring legacy. Jody shares insights about recording at Ardent Studios and working with John Fry, offering a glimpse into the creation of Big Star's iconic sound. Jody then launches Luther Russell. They discuss their collaboration in their band Those Pretty Wrongs, exploring their songwriting process and creative dynamic. Luther provides additional perspective on their partnership and his own musical journey. The episode also touches on Jody's recent induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame and Luther's latest solo album. Throughout, the conversation highlights the importance of maintaining a joyful, pressure-free approach to creativity in music. IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: JODY STEPHENS BIO: Jody Stephens (born October 4, 1952, in Memphis, Tennessee) is an American drummer best known as a founding member of the influential power pop band Big Star. Formed in 1971, Big Star’s original lineup included Alex Chilton, Chris Bell, Andy Hummel, and Stephens. The band released three albums—#1 Record (1972), Radio City (1974), and Third/Sister Lovers (recorded in 1974, released in 1978)—which, despite initial commercial struggles, later garnered critical acclaim and influenced numerous artists . In 1993, he participated in a reformation of the band alongside Chilton and members of The Posies, resulting in the 2005 album In Space. Beyond Big Star, Stephens has collaborated with various groups. He joined the alt-country supergroup Golden Smog (with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco), contributing to albums like Weird Tales (1998) and Another Fine Day (2006) . In 2015, he formed Those Pretty Wrongs with Luther Russell, releasing their self-titled debut in 2016, followed by Zed for Zulu (2019) and Holiday Camp (2023) . Stephens has also been a longtime fixture at Ardent Studios in Memphis, where Big Star recorded their albums. He joined the Ardent staff in 1987 and has served as Vice President of Production am— and other titles, working under founder John Fry (who died in 2014 at age 69). Under his tenure, Ardent has continued to be a vital recording venue for artists across genres. Today, Jody Stephens remains active in music, performing, recording, and contributing to the legacy of Big Star and Ardent Studios (he still works at Ardent). He is the last surviving member of Big Star’s original lineup, but still plays the music with the Big Star Quartet at shows across the world. | |||
| KRISTIN HERSH of THROWING MUSES launches Wallace False | 27 mai 2025 | 01:05:35 | |
Kristin Hersh of THROWING MUSES joins Rain Phoenix on LaunchLeft for a raw, unfiltered conversation about artistic integrity and the music industry's dark underbelly. Kristin reflects on her journey in the music industry, discussing her experiences with major labels and her commitment to making music that feels true to her. She shares insights into her creative process, including her approach to songwriting and production. The conversation touches on themes of authenticity, the spiritual aspects of music, and the challenges of maintaining artistic vision in a commercial industry. Kristin Hersh then launches Wallace False, who offers his unique perspective on creating original music and art. The episode provides a fascinating look into two generations of musicians who prioritize creative expression over commercial success, offering listeners a glimpse into the world of independent and experimental music-making. IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: KRISTIN HERSH LINKS: WALLACE FALSE LINKS: https://dondekko.bandcamp.com/album/signal https://medium.com/@wyatt.true.oconnell/the-fortune-letters-bc68e47777ea BIOGRAPHIES: KRISTIN HERSH: "One of indie rock's most fascinating figures" - The Guardian The inimitable Kristin Hersh is a musician's musician, a songwriter's songwriter, and an innovator's innovator. The Queen of Grunge's first band, Throwing Muses, began recording and playing out when they were just 14 years old and they're still going. 2020's critically acclaimed Sun Racket was hailed as a "perfect record." Hersh's refusal to participate in a corporate industry saw her leave a Warner Brothers recording contract at the top of her success in order to become listener-supported. "Music is humanist and so are we," as she puts it. Wildly prolific, she has released more than 20 albums - solo, with Throwing Muses, and her noise rock band 50 Foot Wave ("A group that runs laps around most rock bands" said Pitchfork, on 2022's Black Pearl). She's also a celebrated author: Rolling Stone named her first book, Rat Girl (Penguin) one of the ten best rock memoirs of all time. NPR said of her second book, Don't Suck, Don't Die, "Not only one of the best books of the year, but one of the most beautiful rock memoirs ever written." Her third book, the game-changing Seeing Sideways, pushes the envelope of creative non-fiction while telling the story of raising her 4 sons on a tour bus. Hersh lives in New Orleans and New England. WALLACE FALSE: Wyatt True, sometimes known as Wallace False, is a writer, animator, and musician. True was born in Rhode Island and raised just about everywhere else. He now resides in the Deep South. The common thread in True's work is a grotesque dismantling of any and all familiar structures. Guitars twang sour, sorrowful sonatas, protagonists are lost amongst melting walls and rooms that time forgot. He is mostly docile and will only bite if cornered.
LaunchLeft, Music, Live Music, Music Inspiration, Musician Stories, Kristin Hersh, THROWING MUSES, Wallace False, music industry critique, artistic integrity, independent music, creative process, songwriting, music production, alternative rock, female musicians, Warner Brothers, music marketing, artistic authenticity, music streaming, musical literacy, studio recording techniques, sound experimentation, music collaboration, music touring, European music scene, music inspiration, music and spirituality, artistic personality, experimental music, DIY music production, music ownership | |||
| CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH launch Knifeplay | 29 avr. 2025 | 00:52:09 | |
Indie rock pioneers Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are celebrating 20 years with a special reissue. But what's the real story behind their unconventional rise to fame? In this episode of LaunchLeft, host Rain Phoenix and CYHSY frontman Alec Ounsworth, meet at Licorice Pizza in Studio City to unpack the band's journey from DIY darlings to indie rock icons. They touch on CYHSY's decision to remain unsigned. It wasn't just about rebellion, it was a commitment to artistic integrity that shaped their entire career. Ounsworth candidly discusses how his stubborn streak both helped and hindered the band's trajectory. Twenty years on, Alec reflects on how his views on collaboration and the music industry have matured. Alec then launches the up-and-coming Philly band Knifeplay, who'll be supporting CYHSY on tour. The generational exchange offers a fascinating glimpse into how the indie landscape has shifted. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolution of indie music and the challenges of maintaining artistic authenticity in a changing industry. IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: CYHSY LINKS: https://www.facebook.com/clapyourhandssayyeah https://www.instagram.com/clapyourhandssayyeah/ https://www.youtube.com/clapyourhandssayyeah Knifeplay Links: http://instagram.com/knifeplay_music/ BIOGRAPHIES: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah celebrate the 20th anniversary of their landmark self-titled debut album throughout 2025 with a worldwide tour performing the album in its entirety alongside other surprises, and an exclusive new reissue. A heady blend of leftfield pop and melodic, exuberant indie rock, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is unquestionably among the finest and most influential independent releases of the 2000s. The celebration officially gets underway with the premiere of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s original 2004 version of the fan favorite, “Heavy Metal”. The newly remixed and mastered track was recently discovered among the original project files and captures what Clap Your Hands Say Yeah founder and frontman Alec Ounsworth calls “a special moment in time – a young group of guys all piling into one hotel room to wake up and go to a real studio (!) to try to come up with something special just for the fun of it.” In addition to the digital anniversary release featuring the original version of “Heavy Metal,” a special deluxe reissue will arrive on limited edition vinyl LP in early 2025, released on CYHSY’s own label via Secretly Distribution, the defiantly independent home to over two decades of Alec Ounsworth’s music. Knifeplay is a band that eludes definition, existing somewhere between the nihilistic detachment of shoegaze and the emotional honesty of folk songwriting. Originally a solo bedroom recording project of Tj Strohmer’s, they’ve made a slow and careful shift into a collaborative, production focused, studio recorded band. Through their ever-expanding genre palette, range of fidelities, and long list of collaborators runs a unique current that ties everything together. Informed by his experiences living in Philadelphia and their contrast with his rural southern Maryland upbringing, Strohmer’s sometimes straightforward, sometimes dreamlike, but always philosophical lyrics feature scenes of darkness from many different aspects of life. He deals with themes of death, drugs, heartbreak, abuse, and self-destruction, all expressed through a delicate vocal style, which, combined with the band’s lush orchestral instrumentation gives a beautiful lightness to the heavy subject matter. Since their 2017 debut of home-recorded EPs, Knifeplay have earned a dedicated cult following through acclaimed debut album Pearlty (2019) and a lengthy B-Sides Compilation (2020), all either self-released or through small run tape labels. In 2021 they entered the studio with producer Jeff Zeigler, known for his work with Kurt Vile, Nothing, The War on Drugs, and more, first producing the Hurt Someone EP (Born Losers Records) before recording their upcoming sophomore full-length, Animal Drowning, to be released via Topshelf Records on October 19, 2022. | |||
| DON WAS launches Maya Delilah | 25 mars 2025 | 00:54:26 | |
Today on LaunchLeft, Rain Phoenix hosts an insightful conversation with acclaimed music producer Don Was, who shares his journey through the music industry and his philosophy on creativity. Don reflects on his diverse career, emphasizing the importance of avoiding being pigeonholed and the value of one’s emotional connection in music. Don recounts his experiences working with iconic artists like Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and the Rolling Stones, highlighting the timeless nature of genuine artistry. The discussion also touches on Don's roots in Detroit's vibrant music scene and his latest project, the Pan Detroit Ensemble, which celebrates the city's rich musical heritage. Later, Don launches Maya Delilah, whose debut album, "The Long Way Round," is set to release with Blue Note Records. Maya shares her journey from social media sensation to recording artist, expressing gratitude for the creative freedom and support she received from the label. The episode offers a compelling look at the intersection of legacy and emerging talent, underscoring the enduring power of authenticity in music. IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: DON WAS LINKS: https://www.instagram.com/donwas/ MAYA DELILAH LINKS: https://www.instagram.com/mayadelilahh/ https://www.facebook.com/mayadelilahh/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mayadelilahh https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHZBLbph9tL9e7LAfZm_pjg BIOGRAPHIES: Don Was is one of music’s most significant artists and executives, excelling in multiple roles and serving as one of the industry’s beacons for integrity and forward-thinking. As an in-demand, highly acclaimed and commercially successful producer since the late 1980s, Was has been honored with Grammy Awards for his production work in each of the past four decades: In 1989 for producing Bonnie Raitt’s breakthrough classic Nick Of Time, in 1994 as Producer Of The Year for his work with artists ranging from The Rolling Stones to Willie Nelson to Roy Orbison, in 2009 for his production work on Ziggy Marley’s Best Musical Album For Children, Family Time, in 2018 for helming The Rolling Stones’ Best Traditional Blues Album. Blue & Lonesome a, and in 2019 for producing Intocable’s Latin Grammy-winning Best Norteño Album, percepción. The artists Was has produced in this decade alone are a testament to his talents as a producer spanning a broad array of music genres: The Rolling Stones’ aforementioned worldwide hit album (Blue & Lonesome) Gregg Allman’s final album (Southern Blood), John Mayer (two of his most recent albums, Born And Raised and Paradise Valley), Aaron Neville (My True Story, co-produced with Keith Richards), French superstar Johnny Hallyday (Rester Vivant) and Neil Diamond’s Melody Road. Albums produced by Was have achieved dozens of multi-platinum, platinum and gold certifications and have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide. As the President of Blue Note Records since 2011, Was is both the company’s leader and an ambassador for its music, charged with bringing the label’s 21st Century jazz artists and its expanding pallet of contemporary musicians to larger audiences. Maya Delilah is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. Maya Delilah has been signed to jazz record label Blue Note Records since 2022. | |||
| DIANE WARREN launches Mergui | 25 févr. 2025 | 00:24:36 | |
For episode 160 of the podcast, join Rain Phoenix at Licorice Pizza as she hosts an engaging conversation with legendary songwriter Diane Warren and rising musician Mergui. This episode offers a deep dive into Diane's illustrious career, her creative process, and her collaboration with Mergui on the song "Criminal." The discussion provides unique perspectives on the music industry, including insights from one of modern music’s most celebrated songwriters. IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: DIANE LINKS: https://www.instagram.com/dianewarren/ https://www.facebook.com/DianeWarrenMusic https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGZlUzfjZd10wW5yDYUKJ0g Mergui LINKS: https://www.tiktok.com/@Mergui https://www.instagram.com/Mergui https://www.facebook.com/Merguiofficial/ https://www.youtube.com/@Mergui_ BIOS: Diane Warren is one of modern music’s most celebrated songwriters. She has penned nine #1 and thirty-three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and is tied for having written the most #1 songs as a sole writer in Billboard history. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001 and received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the organization in June 2024. She has received 16 Academy Award nominations, is a GRAMMY winner with 15 nominations, an EMMY winner, and is a two-time Golden Globe winner whose songs have been featured in more than 150 films. In November 2022, Warren became the first songwriter in history to receive an Honorary Oscar, as voted on by the Academy's Board of Governors. She recently wrote the original song "The Fire Inside," performed by Becky G for the film Flamin' Hot, directed by Eva Longoria, which marked her 15th Oscar nomination. She most recently wrote the original song “The Journey” performed by H.E.R. for the feature film The Six Triple Eight directed by Tyler Perry which marked her 16th Oscar nomination. She is the sole owner of her publishing company Realsongs, the most successful female-owned and operated business in the music industry. Warren is a recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a nod to her legendary career, having worked with many of today's most popular artists, including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, H.E.R., Snoop Dogg, Paloma Faith, Jon Batiste, Maren Morris, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Andra Day, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson and Janelle Monáe, in addition to having written songs for iconic artists such as Whitney Houston, Cher, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and many more.
Mergui has made it his mission to push the limits of modern pop music. He’s accomplished some incredible feats such as opening for Bruno Mars and Maroon 5. His talent has been recognized by publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, Wonderland Magazine, and Notion. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of early 20th-century Italian opera and the nostalgic allure of ‘70s AM pop, Mergui’s sophomore EP Shadows of Blue was a remarkable fusion of influences. Notable tracks from the EP include the Elton John-approved “Cry,” and “Happy Now?”, which he performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show and NBC’s The TODAY Show, resulting in the track skyrocketing to the Top 10 on the U.S. iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts. Mergui’s music has been featured in top-notch editorial playlists across digital service platforms including Spotify’s New Music Friday (US & Global), Chill Pop, New Pop Picks, and Just Good Music. Mergui’s unguarded sense of vulnerability shines through in his art, landing him a coveted spot on People Magazine’s Emerging Artists of 2024 list. Following a successful tour with Forest Blakk and a collaboration with Sam Feldt in the latter half of 2024, Mergui is ready to take 2025 by storm with the release of his latest EP Nobody Really Knows. | |||
| THE DANDY WARHOLS launch Miranda Lee Richards | 26 janv. 2025 | 01:06:15 | |
In this episode of LaunchLeft captured at Licorice Pizza, Rain Phoenix welcomes Courtney Taylor-Taylor of The Dandy Warhols. They delve into The Dandy Warhols' history, touching on the 90s and how the band has adapted over three decades and the changing landscape of the music industry, from the MTV era to the current digital age. Courtney launches Miranda Lee Richards, who offers insights into her own musical career. The discussion shifts to the creative process, with both Courtney and Miranda sharing their approaches to songwriting. The episode culminates in a special acoustic performance of Kristin Hersh’s iconic song “Your Ghost”, showcasing the raw talent of both artists. IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: DANDY WARHOLS: https://www.instagram.com/thedandywarhols https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-HcL5BBMRHXkijhIniuu0Q MIRANDA LEE RICHARDS: https://www.mirandaleerichards.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mirandaleerichards/ https://www.facebook.com/mirandaleerichards https://soundcloud.com/mirandaleerichards https://www.youtube.com/user/MirandaLeeRichards1 BIOS: Courtney Taylor-Taylor is an American singer-songwriter from Portland, Oregon. He is the lead singer and guitarist of alternative rock band The Dandy Warhols, a band he co-founded. Taylor-Taylor has written the majority of the band's songs. Miranda Lee Richards is known for her distinctive brand of enchanting “chamber folk rock meets cosmic country," Miranda Lee Richards’ latest long-player, Existential Beast, is provocative in every sense, from the breadth of musical ambition to its politically-driven lyrics (10/10 Americana UK). She has collaborated in the studio and/or performed onstage with The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Mark Gardener of Ride, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Dandy Warhols, Bridgette St. John, Susan Vega, Grant Lee Philips, The Cordovas, Juliana Hatfield, Albert Hammond, GospelbeacH, The Beachwood Sparks, and Charlie Overbey, among many others. Miranda Lee Richards is currently working on an album of solo Americana material, and two collaborative folk albums: one with the U.K.-based Lords of Thyme and another with the Los Angeles-based MIROMA trio. In 2019, she was voted best folk-roots artist by the LA Weekly. | |||
| TONY VISCONTI launches Daisy the Great | 17 déc. 2024 | 00:54:43 | |
Today on the LaunchLeft Podcast, Rain Phoenix engages in a rich dialogue with renowned music producer and composer, Tony Visconti. Tony reflects on his early influences, including his high school music teacher and his family's musical background. He shares fascinating stories about his collaborations with David Bowie and Brian Eno, highlighting the innovative techniques used in producing albums like Heroes and Low. The episode also explores Tony's work with T. Rex and Paul McCartney, offering listeners a glimpse into the unique creative processes behind some of rock music's most iconic records. Then, Tony launches Daisy the Great. Mina and Kelly, the voices behind the raw and playful album Spectacle: Daisy the Great vs. Tony Visconti give us a glimpse into their creative process and co-writing with Toni Visconti. The conversation is both nostalgic and insightful, providing a deep dive into the world of music production. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: Daisy the Great Links: Spectacle: Daisy the Great vs. Tony Visconti Spectacle: Daisy the Great vs. Tony Visconti is the most expansive release from Daisy the Great yet. It is a masterclass in sonic storytelling — a dazzling exploration of the indie innovation that has defined the duo since the release of their hit “The Record Player Song” and its certified-gold follow-up, “Record Player” with AJR. The five new tracks were co-created with Grammy-winning producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex), and capture the New York City duo honing in on their unique brand of genre-defying music where interlocking double lead vocals and striking harmonies give their sound an artful and kaleidoscopic twist. Tony Visconti Links: Tony Visconti is recognized as one of the top music producers in the history of rock music. | |||
| JON CONGLETON launches Sarah Kinsley | 19 nov. 2024 | 00:46:41 | |
For this episode of LaunchLeft Podcast, Rain is joined by renowned producer and musician John Congleton, who shares his journey in the music industry and his collaboration with emerging artist Sarah Kinsley. They explore the creative process, the significance of authenticity in art, and the unique dynamics of producing music. John Congleton shares his early musical influences and the pivotal moments that led him to become a producer, reflecting on his upbringing in a musically rich environment and the profound impact of punk rock on his creative journey. John launches Sarah Kinsley who reflects on working with John on her latest album, “Escaper”, highlighting the collaborative nature of music production and the challenges of translating studio work to live performances. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- In This Episode:
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RESOURCE LINKS: Links for John Congleton https://www.instagram.com/congletonjohn Links for Sarah Kinsley https://www.instagram.com/sarahkinsleyd https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahkinsleyd https://twitter.com/sarahkinsleyd https://www.sarahkinsleymusic.com/ John Congleton’s Bio Producer of some of the most cutting edge music over the past ten years, Grammy award-winning producer John Congleton is known for challenging the artists with whom he works and the listeners who enjoy their work. From his astounding drum sounds to the aggressive guitar sounds he conjures, Congleton defines modern record production. Starting as a teenager in Dallas, Congleton studied and learned the craft of engineering from the ground up. While recording bands on the local scene he developed into an engineer of note. Soon he was being called to record projects as diverse as Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, all the while continuing to work with the local indie rock scene. Upon returning to Dallas, Congleton quickly established himself as the best producer in town. It was while working with the Polyphonic Spree he met Annie Clark, now better known as St. Vincent. Their partnership over six albums has won Grammy awards and been universally praised by critics as some of the most important music of our times. Now based in Los Angeles, Congleton continues to grow and flourish. In addition to the repeat business from long-time clients, he’s now established among the best of the best. Recent productions include Death Cab for Cutie, The Murder Capital, Tegan and Sara, Regina Spektor, Wallows, Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten and many more. | |||
| ADRIA PETTY launches Amy Helm | 22 oct. 2024 | 01:00:50 | |
Join us in celebrating Tom Petty’s birthday by welcoming his daughter, artist/director Adria Petty to the pod. Adria talks about what it was like losing her father and how she is working through the emotions by honoring him. She shares deeply about the impact he had on her as an artist and her commitment to keeping his legacy alive by releasing and reissuing music and film from his archive. We talk about his Gainesville roots, his first band Mudcrutch, the film ‘Heartbreakers Beach Party’, his generosity and so much more! Adria then launches Amy Helm who discusses her new album, ‘Silver City’, and her experiences on the road from her current tour. She talks about collaborations she has done, and what is next for her. Stay till the end to hear a live version of her song, ‘Money on 7’. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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Links for Amy Helm:
BIOGRAPHIES: Adria Petty’s Bio Adria Petty is an American director, editor, art director, and artist.
Amy Helm’s Bio When creating her fourth album, the soulful and reflective Silver City, Amy Helm was guided by her North Star: women’s voices. “Women whispering, singing, shouting their stories - speaking the truth. I wanted to dig into that inherited narrative and reach for what I could.” The epistolary anthology is a collection of conversations that travel through time, exploring and celebrating womanhood in all its complexities. Silver City blends the folk twang of Helm’s childhood with gospel and soul, drawing inspiration from varied stories: the life of Helm’s great-grandmother, the story of a young fan struggling with substance abuse, Helm’s own life as a single mother and hard-touring singer. Recorded at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York, and produced by Josh Kaufman, the album finds Helm exploring themes of womanhood, single motherhood, and personal struggles, offering songs that are deeply personal and narrative-driven. With Silver City, Helm embraces the beauty of age, survival, and transformation through her powerful, story-rooted performances. | |||
| SHARON VAN ETTEN launches Maxim Ludwig | 24 sept. 2024 | 01:05:54 | |
This week, on LaunchLeft, Rain is joined by Sharon Van Etten. In this episode Sharon talks with Rain about how she got into music and what inspires her to write. We hear about Van Etten’s latest single Every Time the Sun Comes Up, and her happiness with finding a band that excites and moves her musically. Sharon then introduces Maxim Ludwig to the conversation and we learn about his new music, how they met, and some of their great stories, insights, and revelations about art, touring, and friendship. The episode closes with Maxim’s song Baby, I Wanna Be Your Lover Tonight. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: Links for Sharon Van Etten: Links for Maxim Ludwig:
BIOGRAPHIES: Sharon Van Etten is an artist and recognized as one of the most influential and iconic songwriters of our time. She released her sixth full-length album, We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong, this past May. Leading into its release, Pitchfork profiled Van Etten stating, “Sharon Van Etten Is an Institution Now,” while Rolling Stone called her “one of the most fearless, soul-shredding songwriters on the planet.” Van Etten made her return to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in support of the new album and took the “soul-strengthening” (New Yorker) Wild Hearts Tour with Angel Olsen and Julien Baker all over the country. In support of Van Etten’s 2019 release, Remind Me Tomorrow, she was profiled in The New York Times’ Arts & Leisure section and the album was featured prominently in best of 2019 lists by NPR Music, Billboard, Fresh Air, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, ESQUIRE, The New Yorker and more. Van Etten has collaborated with artists ranging from Courtney Barnett and Joshua Homme to Norah Jones and Angel Olsen, and been covered by artists including Fiona Apple, Lucinda Williams, Big Red Machine and Idles. She has performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Austin City Limits TV and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Van Etten was a guest star in the Netflix series The OA and guest starred in Eliza Hittman’s “Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always.” She performed in David Lynch’s revival of Twin Peaks. Off-screen, she wrote her first score for Katherine Dieckmann’s movie Strange Weather and the closing title song for Tig Notaro’s show, Tig. Most recently, she appeared in “How It Ends,” which also featured two songs by Van Etten. | |||
| HOT CHIP's ALEXIS TAYLOR launches Mozart Estate | 20 août 2024 | 01:07:46 | |
Welcome back to LaunchLeft! This week Rain is joined by Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip and Lawrence from Mozart Estate. Throughout this episode they discuss how Alexis and Lawrence met and why Alexis chose to Launch Mozart Estate. They also talk about the power of music and healing, and how music and other forms of art can make such a big impact on the world. They chat about their individual careers, what their next steps are, and how the expenses of creating new records or playing live impact their creativity. Tune in to the episode to hear why art and music are so important and enjoy Lawrence’s (Mozart Estate) new song to close the show.
----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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Alexis Taylor’s Bio Best known as a founding member of the UK electropop outfit Hot Chip, Alexis Taylor also pursues a solo career as an introspective singer-songwriter one moment and a synth/drum machine/guitar wig-out noise-maker the next, finding different angles on his music with each album. Taylor's debut, ‘Rubbed Out’, arrived in 2008, a mix of electronic improvisations and bubble gum lofi pop, somewhere between Alex Chilton, Paul McCartney and Arthur Russell. Since then, Alexis has released a further five albums; ‘Await Barbarians’, ‘Piano’, ‘Listen With(out) Piano’ (to be played on two turntables simultaneously) ‘Beautiful Thing’ - with DFA/Unkle producer Tim Goldsworthy - and his latest offering ‘Silence’ - a personal and reflective, almost entirely acoustic record released in 2021 featuring jazz improviser Kenichi Iwasa, harpist Rachel Horton Kitchlew and double-bassist Sam Becker. Alexis has collaborated with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Robert Wyatt, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and David Byrne, as well as remixing Neu!, Au Revoir Simone and Kraftwerk (alongside his Hot Chip bandmates). He is also a member of Atomic Bomb, About Group, Fainting By Numbers & Fimber Bravo. Mozart Estate’s Bio Lawrence is known for fronting influential pop groups Felt, Denim and Go-Kart Mozart. Now he’s back on the road and using the moniker Mozart Estate. A new name for a new time, he says. A new band too and a brand-new album out now entitled Pop-up! Ker-ching! And The Possibilities Of Modern Shopping. The band are touring the UK all summer and beyond. Will Hodgkinson’s book Street-Level Superstar, A Year With Lawrence is published on 5th September. | |||
| IAN ROGERS launches Strand Of Oaks | 23 juil. 2024 | 01:21:58 | |
Welcome back to LaunchLeft! This week I am joined by Ian Rogers who has been on the cutting edge of technology and music since '93 when he began working with the Beastie Boys. Ian’s had an innovative hand in bringing companies such as Apple Music, Beats 1, LVMH & Ledger into the digital age while maintaining a deep curiosity and passionate artful approach. We talk about Ian’s love of learning, his creative outlets, and how the past plays a part in the future. Ian shares about how his children have influenced his work and how the use of technology is changing the landscape for getting music heard. Half way through the episode, he introduces his friend and fellow Indiana native, Tim from Strand of Oaks to discuss his music and the connection between culture and technology. We all share ideas on how to get music heard today and the importance of building a brand in this new world of music. Tune in for this great conversation and hear Strand of Oaks new song ”Ananda”. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS: Links for Strand of Oaks: BIOGRAPHY: Ian Rogers is the Chief Experience Officer at Ledger, leading the consumer-facing business delivering the world’s #1 way to buy and secure cryptocurrency. Prior, Ian was the Chief Digital Officer at LVMH for five transformative years, working with a portfolio of nearly one hundred brands across luxury including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Sephora, and Hennessy. Ian also sits on the boards of Dr Marten’s and Lyst. Ian spent twenty years bringing digital music to the mainstream, first with Winamp then Yahoo!, Beats, and Apple. Ian contributed to the 2015 launch of Apple Music including Beats 1, their digital streaming channel. Ian graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (with honors, Phi Beta Kappa) from Indiana University in 1994. Ian built some of the earliest music-related Web sites in the early 90s and has been working with Beastie Boys since 1993. | |||
| SUMMER PHOENIX launches Riley Polanski | 25 juin 2024 | 00:27:40 | |
Welcome back to the LaunchLeft podcast. This week Rain welcomes her sister Summer Phoenix to the show. Summer shares about her new business venture with co-owner Stacey Mann, STAY. STAY is LA’s first alcohol-free, zero-proof bar. We talk about Summer’s relationship with music and how STAY is an extension of her commitment to center an alcohol free and vegan lifestyle. Summer launches Riley Polanski in this episode. Riley discusses what led him to music, and how he shifted his focus from business law to music, and how that decision has impacted his life. Tune in to hear his story and beautiful voice as he performs a live acoustic version of his song “Eloise”. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS: Links for Summer Phoenix: Links for Riley Polanski:
BIOGRAPHY: Summer Phoenix’s Bio SUMMER PHOENIX is a single mom of two sons, an actor, musician, animal rights activist, and environmentalist. She is the founder of both August Jude Design and Some Odd Rubies having created sustainability models in fashion and interior design for over two decades. She also served on the Board of River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding and prioritizes being alcohol and drug free. She currently is half of STAY. - LA’s first zero-proof bar.
Riley Polanski’s Bio Introducing Shadow Pop visionary Riley Polanski, LGBTQ+ and rooted in the vibrant cultural landscape of Los Angeles, Polanski's musical palette draws from the rich tapestry of folk and alternative pop. In an industry often defined by its rigidity, Polanski's emergence is nothing short of extraordinary. At the heart of Polanski's artistry lies a profound desire to serve those who feel “othered.” His lyrics, born from the crucible of personal struggle with addiction and abuse, bleed with raw authenticity, inviting listeners into an intoxicating journey of self-discovery. In both his recorded works and electrifying live performances alongside his bandmate, Distant Cowboy on cello, Polanski curates an immersive sonic experience that transcends mere entertainment. Complemented by the visual artistry of Rion Ezra and the insightful docuseries crafted by Serena Jewel, Polanski uses multimedia as a multi-dimensional glimpse into the creative Mind behind his emotionally-charged soundscapes.
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| KATHLEEN HANNA launches Naz Riahi | 21 mai 2024 | 01:02:55 | |
Today on the podcast Rain is joined by writer and musician, Kathleen Hanna. Their conversation travels from shared memories of being in bands in the 90’s, Kathleen’s thoughts on feminism today, how anger can motivate and harm creativity, the importance of self care and why it’s best to ditch toxic relationships. Kathleen’s memoir REBEL GIRL is out now. We then hear from the incredibly inspiring writer and filmmaker Naz Riahi, who shares what it was like to work with Kathleen on Rebel Girl, how music found her in Iran as a child, what inspires her, and what’s next for her creatively. Tune in to this power hour of conversation at LaunchLeft.com/podcast. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS: Links for Kathleen Hanna: Links for Naz Riahi
BIOGRAPHIES: Katheleen Hanna: Kathleen Hanna is a punk singer, artist, and the front-woman of the influential bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. Hanna is a staple in feminist publications, from college curriculums to bestselling books, and a leading voice in the punk feminist movement. She has been named one of the best live performers of our time, earning acclaim from Rolling Stone, The New York Times, NPR, Interview Magazine, V Magazine, Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, BUST Magazine, NYLON and Los Angeles Times, to name a few. Naz Riahi: Naz Riahi (she/her) is a filmmaker, writer and artist. Much of her work explores the spaces, emotions and opportunities and humor of reaching for connection, informed by her experiences as an immigrant from Iran. She was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Her short film Sincerely, Erik received a Vimeo Staff Pick and won a Vimeo Best of the Year Award and was named a NoBudge Best Film of the Year. It has garnered praise from Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), The New York Times T Magazine and Fast Company among numerous publications and cultural institutions. Her essays, journalism and fiction have been published widely in outlets such as Harper’s Bazaar, Oldster, Pipe Wrench, Food & Wine, Los Angeles Review of Books, Longreads, Catapult, The Fader, Guernica and more. Naz has performed original works at MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles) and at Dynasty Handbag’s Weirdo Night. She was the creator of the dialogical art project, Bitten. In recognition of Bitten, Naz was invited to SXSL at the Obama White House. An essay she wrote about the experience received public praise from President Obama. Her collection of short stories, Vibrations, will be published by Dopamine Press in 2025. Naz holds an MFA from the New School and is the recipient of a NYFA City Artist Corps Grant. | |||
| JONATHAN RICHMAN launches Jesse DeNatale | 30 avr. 2024 | 00:37:27 | |
Welcome back to LaunchLeft! Today we are celebrating our 150th episode! This episode is a unique one, where Rain left voicemail questions for singer, songwriter and guitarist, Jonathan Richman. We then hear Jonathan’s responses in the form of voice memos, answering Rain’s inquisitive questions from how music found Jonathan, to learning his purest form of eroticism, and everything in between. Then Jonathan launches singer-songwriter, Jesse DeNatale. In this conversation, we learn how music found Jesse and about his musical career. We have the honor of hearing a snippet of Jesse’s song The Hands of Time from his latest album. Join the celebration in this great episode! ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS: Links for Jonathan Richman: Jonathan Richman's Bandcamp Link Links for Jesse DeNatale Jesse DeNatale's Bandcamp Link
BIO for Jonathan Richman: Jonathan Richman (born May 16, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. In 1970, he founded the Modern Lovers, an influential proto-punk band. Since the mid-1970s, Richman has worked either solo or with low-key acoustic and electric backing. He is known for his wide-eyed, unaffected, and childlike outlook, and music that, while rooted in rock and roll, is influenced by music from around the world.
BIO for Jesse DeNatale Jesse DeNatale is a singer-songwriter in Northern California. He was born in San Francisco. He has released three critically acclaimed records: Shangri-La West (2000) Soul Parade (2006) and The Wilderness (2021). His next release, The Hands of Time, will be available July 14th 2023. We are excited to announce that it will also be on Blue Arrow Records. His music has been described as evocative and hopeful, a combination of poetry and storytelling. Over the years his love of various musical genres has inspired him to expand his ideas of songwriting as he continues to find a way to reflect back the realities of being alive. Rich with imagery, intelligence and passion, his music remains timeless. Its soulful accessibility is what has garnered him praise from other artists and has kept his devoted fans listening. | |||
| DEAN & BRITTA launch Ryder The Eagle | 26 mars 2024 | 00:45:44 | |
On this episode of LaunchLeft, Rain welcomes Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips of LUNA. They talk about how they first met, how music found them, performing live versus the recording studio, and the volatility of the music industry. Dean shares what’s up next for them, both as a duo and as solo artists. Dean & Britta launch Ryder the Eagle to close the show and we hear about the new single and album “Autotango”. He discusses what led him to write the record and what we can expect to hear from him next. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts today! ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS: Dean and Britta’s Links Ryder The Eagle’s Links BIOGRAPHIES: Dean and Britta BIO Dean & Britta are husband and wife team Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips, members of Luna. They have recorded several full-length albums and soundtracks. Their first two albums were produced by Tony Visconti (Bowie, T.Rex): L’Avventura in 2003 and Back Numbers in 2007. Their most recent release is the song “The Cloud is Coming,” which they wrote and performed for the Noah Baumbach film White Noise (they were also actors in the film). They live in Los Angeles. In addition to making records, Dean & Britta are active scoring films, notably Noah Baumbach’s The Squid & the Whale and Mistress America. They also composed songs and score for 13 Most Beautiful: Songs for Andy Warhol Screen Tests, a project commissioned by the Andy Warhol Museum, and continue to perform this multi-media show live in concert. Dean Wareham was the singer-songwriter-guitarist behind the Boston band Galaxie 500, who released three albums between 1987 and 1991. After this Dean went on to found NYC guitar band Luna, which released seven studio albums between 1992 and 2005. Luna disbanded in 2005 but reunited in 2015 and continue to perform live. His most recent album (2021) is I Have Nothing to Say to the Mayor of L.A. Dean is also a published author — his memoir Black Postcards is a Penguin paperback. His most recent book — Hearing Voices — is a collection of selected lyrics, illustrated by artist Ed Templeton. Britta Phillips joined Luna on bass guitar in 1999, recording two albums with the band. She was formerly a member of the U.K. shoegaze band Belltower. She was also the singing voice of cartoon rocker Jem in the 1980s, and starred with Julia Roberts in Satisfaction, a film about an all-girl rock band. Britta released a solo album, Luck or Magic, in 2016.
Ryder the Eagle BIO My name is Ryder The Eagle. I was born under the sign of Cancer in the south of France and like the planets predicted, I dedicated the beginning of my life to finding true love. Two EPs, a marriage and a divorce later, I embarked on a "Follymoon", an incandescent kind of a honeymoon where loneliness meets the folly of freedom. I traveled across the USA on the Greyhound bus, lugging my microphone along sidewalks and crossings, diners, and traffic lights. I spent two years in London crafting my break-up songs and sang them all over the globe supporting Adam Green, Jonathan Bree, and a few others. I ended up in Mexico City, where I’m currently living. I’m driving an old Chevy Caprice which I don’t have insurance for. My trunk is full of memories from a past that I can’t let go. One day I went to this Scottish town called Plean, unloaded everything, and wrote nine songs about it. So if you ever need a ride, I’ve got room in the car now - and we can play my first album on the stereo. Can’t wait to meet you. | |||
| CAT POWER launches Linqua Franqa | 27 févr. 2024 | 01:15:30 | |
On this episode of LaunchLeft, Chan Marshall of Cat Power joins Rain to introduce Linqua Franqa. Chan and Rain talk about everything from how they first met, how Cat Power was formed, the connection that music brings to people and how changing people’s perspective around money and the American Dream might solve many of the problems we have today. Chan also shares what led her to Bob Dylan and, how activism then and now really does move the needle. Rain is then joined by Linqua Franqa to learn how they got started in music, teaching and activism and how they are all connected. At the end of the episode we hear “Wurk”, one of Linqua’s songs about Communication Workers of America, United Campus Workers of Georgia, and capitalism. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS:
CAT POWER LINKS:
LINQUA FRANQA LINKS:
BIOGRAPHIES: Cat Power BIO: Charlyn "Chan" Marie Marshall is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and occasional actress. She adopted the name Cat Power for her first band in 1992, and has since used the name as a moniker for all of her musical endeavors. Raised in the South primarily by her grandmother, Marshall showed interest in music at an early age, and was influenced by blues and rock'n'roll. In the early nineties, Marshall relocated to New York City, and became acquainted with Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth after opening at a show for Liz Phair. Shelley subsequently drummed on her first two albums, Dear Sir (1995) and Myra Lee (1996), both somber indie rock records featuring sparse instrumentation. After releasing several blues and folk rock-influenced albums throughout the late 1990s, Marshall released The Covers Record in 2000, which included a cover of "Sea of Love" that was featured prominently in the film Juno (2007). She released three more albums, You Are Free (2003), featuring collaborations with Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder; The Greatest (2006); and Jukebox (2008). Marshall has had several endeavors in modeling, and has been cited as a muse of Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld. She made her acting debut in the film My Blueberry Nights (2007) in a minor supporting role alongside Jude Law. Her most recent record, Sun (2012) was released to critical acclaim, and entered the Billboard 200 at number 10, making it her first top-ten album in the United States.
LINQUA FRANQA BIO: Linqua Franqa is a cultural worker and emcee from Athens, Georgia. Their sophomore album, Bellringer, is also their PhD dissertation in Language and Literacy Education at the University of Georgia. | |||
| IAN MACKAYE | LAUNCHED ARTIST THE BOBBY LEES | 23 janv. 2024 | 01:36:36 | |
Ian MacKaye imbues 2024 with all goodness through his inspiring take on life and music. His knack for expressing the way he lives and what punk rock means to him dominates and radiates through this conversation with Rain. They discuss everything from spirituality to Fugazi, living life joyfully, and the importance of doing the work. We then launch The Bobby Lees and Sam shares about their decision to take a break in 2024 by highlighting the financial struggles bands face on the road. We close this special episode with THE BOBBY LEES infectious song “Radiator”. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
Watch the interview on YouTube. Listen to “Radiator by The Bobby Lees on YouTube. Connect with The Bobby Lees on Instagram
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS Ian MacKaye The Bobby Lees
BIOGRAPHY: Ian Mackaye founded Dischord Records as a teenager in 1980 with partner Jeff Nelson. Their original intent was simply to release a single to document their recently defunct band, Teen Idles. However, the label has gone on to release music from more than 60 bands, with more than 160 albums over the last 25 years and counting. As musicians Ian and Jeff went on to form Minor Threat, who along with Bad Brains are credited in the early 80s with introducing the D.C. hardcore ethic to an audience well beyond Washington, D.C. In 1986, Ian formed Fugazi with Joe Lally, Brendan Canty and Guy Picciotto. Over 20+ years the band has released seven albums and toured the world extensively covering all fifty United States, Europe, Australia, South America, Japan and many points in between. Fugazi is self managed and maintains a policy of affordable access to their work through low record and ticket prices and all concerts are all-ages. In 2003 Fugazi decided to take an indefinite hiatus from recording and touring as young families and other priorities began to take center stage. Since 2001, Ian has played in The Evens, a duo with Amy Farina. The Evens revel in short-circuiting the conventions of rock music and perform mostly in non-traditional music spaces — libraries, art spaces, schools, theaters, etc. They have released two albums and have toured extensively in North America, Europe, South America, Australia, and New Zealand. Ian has also been taking on speaking engagements, delivering talks that take the form of informal Question and Answer sessions. | |||
| MIKE MILLS launches The Lemon Twigs | 12 déc. 2023 | 00:49:14 | |
Mike Mills of R.E.M. joins Rain to introduce The Lemon Twigs. Mike and the sibling duo, Brian and Michael, who make up The Lemon Twigs, prioritize harmony in their musical style. In today's conversation, Mike and Rain delve into politics, exploring how political language and ideas can create division within a family. Mike shares a personal anecdote about discussing with his uncle, each taking a different side. However, Mike developed a rule that they must hug and express love at the end of their conversations. Additionally, Mike imparts valuable advice to aspiring artists.
IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS The Lemon Twigs - Bio and Website
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| HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER launches Johanna Samuels | 29 août 2023 | 00:41:27 | |
Tune in to today's episode of LaunchLeft, where Rain Phoenix is joined by MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger to launch Johanna Samuels. Rain and MC engage in conversations about the artistic process, exploring how the emotions and creativity of artists contribute to the final musical outcomes. They agree on the irreplaceable human element in music creation and songwriting, asserting that AI will never replicate this human touch. Johanna and MC recount their initial meeting, her new record, and the importance of a songwriters community. Listen to the end to hear Johanna's powerful song "Holy Mother." ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
BIOGRAPHIES: HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER Johanna Samuels is broadening the confines of pop music. The New York and Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter’s work is lyrically and melodically driven, singing about the depths and dualities of life with her unique bell-like voice. With her deep understanding and reverence for the musical greats of the 1960s and 70s, Samuels has created a sound and musical place that is all her own - and invites you in. Her debut album “Excelsior!” (2021), produced by Sam Evian and released by Mamabird Recording Co., garnered praise for its lush beauty and complex explorations. NPR described Johanna’s music as "...so compulsively listenable, and so smart in the way she assesses space and communication, it's just brilliant...what a voice." Johanna’s recent release EP "Scam Likely," produced by Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman, The National, Bob Weir and Hiss Golden Messenger...) with collaborations with Fruit Bats is just a taste of what's to come. Her forthcoming work, sophomore LP "Bystander,” also produced by Kaufman, will be released in June 2023. Samuels has shared stages with artists such as Faye Webster, Madison Cunningham, The Hold Steady, Bonny Light Horseman, Lomelda, Courtney Marie Andrews, Tallest Man on Earth, Fruit Bats, Anaïs Mitchell, Cassandra Jenkins, Haley Heynderickx, Buck Meek, Sam Evian, Sean & Sara Watkins and more.
RESOURCE LINKS HISS GOLDEN MESSENGER LINKS: Hiss Golden Messenger - Website Hiss Golden Messenger - Instagram Hiss Golden Messenger - Twitter Hiss Golden Messenger - Facebook Hiss Golden Messenger - YouTube Hiss Golden Messenger - SoundCloud Hiss Golden Messenger - BandCamp JOHANNA SAMUELS LINKS: Johanna Samuels Music - Facebook
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| SON LUX launches Qasim Naqvi | 25 juil. 2023 | 00:46:17 | |
Join Rain on LaunchLeft today as they welcome Oscar-nominated Son Lux to kick off Qasim Naqvi's launch. Tune in for an engaging conversation with Ryan, Ian, Rafiq, and Qasim Naqvi as they discuss their unique experiences and creative processes in music-making. This versatile group excels as a live band, studio recording artists, and composers, embracing various aspects of the art they cherish. As a special treat, you'll have the privilege of hearing Qasim Naqvi's captivating performance of "The Curve" at the end of the episode. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
BIOGRAPHIES:: SON LUX BIO: From the start, Son Lux has operated as something akin to a sonic test kitchen. The Academy Award® and BAFTA-nominated band strives to question deeply held assumptions about how music is made and reconstruct it from a molecular level. What began as a solo project for founder Ryan Lott expanded in 2014, thanks to a kinship with Ian Chang and Rafiq Bhatia too strong to ignore. The trio strengthened their chemistry and honed their collective intuition while creating, releasing, and touring six recordings, including Brighter Wounds (2018) and the triple album Tomorrows (2021). The result is a carefully cultivated musical language rooted in curiosity and balancing opposites that largely eschews genre and structural conventions. And yet, the band remains audibly indebted to iconoclastic artists in soul, hip-hop, and experimental improvisation who themselves carved new paths forward. Distilling these varied influences, Son Lux searches for an equilibrium of raw emotional intimacy and meticulous electronic constructions. Son Lux has most recently scored the new Daniels film for A24, Everything Everywhere All at Once (March 2022). The full score album features new collaborations with Mitski, David Byrne, Randy Newman, and Moses Sumney, among others. Based in New York, Rafiq Bhatia is the first-generation American son of Muslim immigrant parents who trace their ancestry to India through East Africa. Early influences such as Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, and Madlib—as well as mentors and collaborators including Vijay Iyer and Billy Hart—prompted him to see music as a way to actively shape and represent his own identity, not limited by anyone else’s prescribed perspective. When Ian Chang describes his creative process, the phrase "third culture” keeps coming up. Born in the colony of Hong Kong in 1988, Chang has lived a nomadic life. Stationed out of New York for ten years and since relocated to Dallas, Texas, he built an impressive roster of progressive pop collaborators such as Moses Sumney, Joan As Policewoman, and Matthew Dear, among others, all while performing internationally and recording as a member of Son Lux and Landlady. Ryan Lott makes his home in Los Angeles but grew up all over the United States. Music was the one constant in his formative years spent at the piano. In addition to an extensive career writing music for dance, he has become a sought-after composer for advertising, television, and film. Lott’s feature film credits include The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby (2014), Paper Towns (2015), and Mean Dreams (2017). He has co-produced and co-written music for and with Woodkid, Sufjan Stevens, and Lorde.
BIOGRAPHY: QASIM NAQVI Qasim Naqvi is a drummer and founding member of Dawn of Midi. Outside of his role in D.O.M., Qasim works on various projects, from electronic music to composing for orchestras, chamber groups, dance and film. His concert music has been performed/commissioned by The BBC Concert Orchestra, Jennifer Koh, The London Contemporary Orchestra, Stargaze, Bang on a Can All-Stars, Crash Ensemble, The Now Ensemble, The Erebus Ensemble, yMusic, The Helsinki Chamber Choir, Alexander Whitley, Cikada, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra(MusicNOW Season) and others. He has been a featured composer at the Musica Nova Festival in Helsinki, the Spitalfields Festival in London, Ultima Festival, Southbank Centre and the Rest is Noise Festival in Holland.
Qasim's soundtracks for the film have appeared on HBO, NBC, PBS, Showtime, New York Times Op-Docs, VICE Media, at The Tribeca, Sundance, Toronto, Rotterdam and London Film Festivals, at dOCUMENTA 13 and 14, The Guggenheim Museum, The Tate Britain (Turner Prize 2018), MOMA P.S. 1, IDFA, Berlinale and others. He has worked with such notable filmmakers as Laura Poitras, Mariam Ghani, Marc Levin, Naeem Mohaiemen, Smriti Keshari, Prashant Bhargava and Erin Heidenreich. Acoustic trio Dawn of Midi has released two albums. Their most recent Dysnomia was acclaimed by Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Spin, The Guardian and the New Yorker. Radiohead personally picked Dawn of Midi as their support band for two sold-out concerts at New York's Madison Square Garden for their Moon Shaped Pool tour.
Qasim earned his B.F.A in performance from the New School Jazz and Contemporary Music program and his M.F.A in composition and performance from California Institute of the Arts. He studied drums and performance with Andrew Cyrille, Joe Chambers, Reggie Workman, Buster Williams, Ralph Peterson Jr., Charlie Haden and Rashied Ali and composition with Wolfgang von Schweinitz, James Tenney, Morton Subotnick, Marc Sabat, Wadada Leo Smith, Michael Jon Fink and Anne LeBaron. He is a 2016 N.Y.F.A Fellow in Music and Sound and has received other fellowships and awards from Chamber Music America, The Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Mid-Atlantic Arts Council, Harvest Works, The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, S.T.E.I.M. and Art OMI. Presently, Qasim lives in Brooklyn, New York and works on various projects as a freelance composer and drummer. He is represented by Erased Tapes Publishing.
RESOURCE LINKS
SON LUX LINKS:
QASIM NAQVI LINKS:
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| JIM WHITE launches Ane Diaz | 27 juin 2023 | 00:51:05 | |
Rain welcomes Jim White who launches Ane Diaz today on LaunchLeft. Jim and Ane have an interesting history of 20 years, culminating in collaborating in the recording studio for her new record Despechada. Jim's ascent to fame followed an unconventional route that few artists experience. An author, composer and musician, Jim shares how David Byrne had a lot to do with lifting him up early in his career. Hailing from Venezuela, Ane possesses a captivating narrative behind the music she brings to life, the process of working with Jim and co-producer Paul Fonfara in the studio, and how she came to release Despechada on LaunchLeft’s label. Tune in to hear about the journey of these two talented individuals and stay to the end for the inspired song 'Carmela'. Album Ane Diaz Despechada: https://ingrv.es/despechada-6x4-m ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
BIOGRAPHY: “Despechada means heartbroken or without your soul,” explained Ane Díaz about the title of her evocative new album, out June 9th via LaunchLeft. “It’s a very powerful word used for love affairs, but that’s also how I feel about losing my country.” The beloved homeland that inspired Díaz is her birthplace of Caracas, Venezuela, where she was first exposed to the music she would go on to reimagine for Despechada. And while she moved to the United States decades ago, and carved her own path in the alternative music scene, now she is melodiously facing her innate homesickness with these songs, handpicked by her mother, on an intimate Venezuelan folk LP. The result is a sonically lush and lyrically nostalgic journey through her heritage. “For people that lose their country, there’s always this sadness — this thing you can’t go back to,” said the singer and multi-instrumentalist. “That’s why I called it Despechada. “As time has passed, my memory of my country is fading. It’s almost like a loved one you’ve lost. I don’t want to forget their face or forget how they felt. So it’s this fear of losing my country that made me record this album.” The new record is being released by Rain Phoenix’s LaunchLeft, a Los Angeles-based label. Phoenix met Díaz in the late ‘80s in Gainesville, Florida’s thriving music scene. Their then-bands shared countless bills and even toured together. During the 1990s, Phoenix and Díaz connected again in The Causey Way, a punk-rock band on Jello Biafra’s Alternative Tentacles label. By 2001, Diaz had formed her own band, Producto, comprising original songs sung in both English and Spanish. Along the way, her dynamic discography has earned praise from the likes of Jonathan Richman of The Modern Lovers (with whom she opened for in 2018) and Michael Stipe of R.E.M. Looking back, Díaz said the long road through the American underground is what ultimately led her back to her Venezuelan roots. “After I went through a few genres, I realized, ‘this is me,’” Díaz reflected. “It’s my bliss. It’s really where my voice lives.” Aiding in the production, mixing and mastering of Despechada are Jim White, Paul Fonfara and John Keane. “I approached Jim White because his music is exactly what I wanted for these songs,” Díaz said. White is an acclaimed American singer-songwriter, visual artist and author. “He understands sounds that are non-traditional. He knows how to create sounds with tin cans and forks ... it’s a super organic feeling. I wanted him to help create an environment that wasn’t anywhere else, something altogether unique in regard to these traditional folk songs, and I think he masterfully delivered. ” Her family roots are further utilized through the album’s cover art, which features a painting by her brother Miguel. “We have the same nostalgia, he and I. You can see it in his paintings,” Díaz said. “This one is really beautiful. It’s my cousin Vanessa sleeping.” Though, that sense of family is something that pervades her work on Despechada — just ask her old friend Michael Stipe, who said this about her catalog: “To meet her, to see her perform, to hear her music, to hear her voice ... you sense something,” Stipe said. “There is a familiarity; there’s that kind of thing. That electric pulling … that you feel when amongst family.” Despechada TRACKLIST:
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| PEACHES launches Isis Salam | 13 juin 2023 | 00:35:08 | |
Rain welcomes Peaches to launch Isis Salam on LaunchLeft Podcast today. Peaches describes her performing style and explains why humor is an effective way to reach an audience. Peaches also shares her journey into the music realm as an independent artist- then Isis and Peaches talk about how they met and why they bonded. Stay till the end to hear Isis Salam’s track “Free D Hard Way”. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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| JIM JAMES launches Jenny O. | 30 mai 2023 | 00:29:15 | |
Rain welcomes Jim James to LaunchLeft today, where he launches Jenny O. Jim shares his history with Jenny O. and discusses her distinct musical style. In addition, they delve into Jim's band and the vital role that effective communication between its members has contributed to its success. They also explore the challenges of touring, being away from loved ones, and fatigue. This episode is fast, fun, and informative. Don’t miss it. IN THIS EPISODE:
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| JOHN VANDERSLICE Launches Spacemoth | 25 avr. 2023 | 00:42:10 | |
Rain welcomes John Vanderslice to LaunchLeft today. John launches Spacemoth, and together we discuss how getting away from the handbook and taking risks can make a lasting piece of art. John doesn’t hold back on his views of creativity, production, artists' treatment, and more. Spacemoth joins in to discuss recording studios and her music. Stay tuned to the end to hear Spacemoth’s vibey track ‘UFO Bird’. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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BIOGRAPHY: The Reintroduction of John Vanderslice by Grayson Haver Currin Nearly 20 years ago, or just after the start of this century, John Vanderslice made some of his generation’s most masterful singer-songwriter records. Life and Death of an American Four-Tracker, Cellar Door, Pixel Revolt: Every year or so, he’d release another set of engrossing songs set expertly on edge, vulnerable excavations animated by a new dawn of endless-war unrest. Those albums sounded like little else, each blown-out drum line or warped calliope melody or sun-baked synthesizer layer a testament to Vanderslice’s laborious process and tireless ingenuity. (There were rumors, possibly true, he once cut 500 hours of tape for a single album.) This dovetailed, of course, with his emergence as a keen analog revivalist and the proprietor of one of the best studios in the country, San Francisco’s Tiny Telephone. But on a sunny winter day in his gently sloped Los Angeles backyard, feet from the little green cabin where he now makes music, Vanderslice beams as he disavows all of it. “I went from this scrappy dude who wanted to own a studio to someone able to record in a big room with a full orchestra, like fucking Frank Sinatra, the end result of an obsession with songwriting,” he says of his maximalist apogee, 2011’s White Wilderness, brushing hair so blonde it sometimes seems white from his suddenly trenched brow. “I should have wrapped it up right there—no more tape, no more reel-to-reel, no more linear format. Let’s blow it up. It took me a long time to learn how.” Let’s round it, in fact, to a dozen years: Crystals 3.0—the culmination of a span of ecstatic experimentation with harsh noise and hard drugs, curious samples and cascading sequencers—is both a new pinnacle for Vanderslice and the manifestation of a revelatory outlook. A seamless 19-minute sequence of melodies so memorable they belong in an ice cream truck, static bursts so meticulous they belong on a Merzbow tribute and beats so spring-loaded they belong on a trap record, Crystals 3.0 applies the unencumbered enthusiasm of vintage Vanderslice records to his ideas about breaking old molds, about avoiding easy interpretation. “Songwriting is inherently conservative, and I just don’t have the mindset to write something like ‘Exodus Damage’ again,” Vanderslice, now 55, says, grinning broadly in his contagious way. “I want to make music that poses more questions than it answers.” The essential elements here are nothing unprecedented for Vanderslice. He was, after all, the sample guy in his acclaimed band of ’90s weirdos, MK Ultra, and his approach to crosshatching rhythms and hooks in playful patterns betrayed a love of hip-hop and electronica at least since 2004’s Cellar Door. During pandemic lockdowns, though, a budding fascination led him to embrace those elements unabashedly—drugs, from acid and coke to mushrooms and MDMA. After years as the songwriter who didn’t drink on tour for fear of how it might impact his craft, the spoils of a libertine Los Angeles became distinct tools, allowing him to tunnel into his creativity in distinct ways. He would build electronic trances on ecstasy or up the mushrooms on recording days, looking for unimagined connections. During 2022, Vanderslice would often sit in his backyard studio in some pleasant psychedelic state and work while a film—maybe something by the Maysles Brothers or Frederick Wiseman—played in the background. If something caught his ear, he’d often weave it into the music, using the distortion inherent in those decades-old documentaries to counter the rigidly clean tones of digital instruments. No context, just the serendipity of overlapping moments. Those samples populate Crystals 3.0 like reawakened ghosts, maybe guests of honor at one of the drug parties Vanderslice throws in the backyard with his partner, Maria. The whole dense little record feels like a distilled fête, its 13 overlapping tracks functioning as fragments from conversations and encounters. Bits of singing that might have fit on Pixel Revolt about sequences that Chicks on Speed would have loved; celebrations of jungle drums run into sunken-keyboard miasmas, like an old friend pulling you aside to deliver some bad news. Vanderslice spent a year building, sorting, and stitching together these pieces; despite the brevity, you may spend just as long trying to unpack every layer, and decode every secret. It is no mystery that the music Vanderslice made at the start of this century is no longer in supreme vogue, not a source of major cachet. He’s not only OK with that but also invigorated by it, the way it permits him to pursue whatever excites him. When he talks about music, he hopscotches between modern rappers and classical composers, abrasive producers and Charles Mingus, beaming as he goes. He gloats about one day dying broke, about creating with no master plan except what’s right in front of him. “You have to move on to more challenging silos,” he says, “or you’re just going to be a boring fucking artist.” Named for a novel method of synthesizing pure LSD, Crystals 3.0 overflows with youthful vim, the sense that to settle into an old pattern is to be dead already. If you have previously loved John Vanderslice, you will hear him here instantly, whether it’s that familiar warble during “Crystals 26” or the way he cavorts with hooks. If you’ve never known him, you will instead instantly hear a mind on post-modern fire, trying, like always, to make sense of our modern mess. This side of John Vanderslice’s sound hid in plain sight for two decades on records that remain essential because of those very interests; it has never sounded more full, dauntless, or thrilling than on Crystals 3.0.
RESOURCE LINKS John Vanderslice - Bandcamp - Website | |||
| Alex Ebert Launches Try | 28 mars 2023 | 00:44:52 | |
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Alex Ebert joins LaunchLeft and launches Try. Is there such a thing as a “happy accident?” Can a human fail in ways AI cannot? Tune in for thoughtful conversation with Rain, Alex and Sam i + Shmuck the Loyal from Try. Try music was born during the pandemic, and you will hear about their new, innovative, and creative process. Listen to the end to hear Try’s music and the full lively conversation between these award winning artists. IN THIS EPISODE:
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BIOS: Alexander Ebert is an American singer-songwriter and composer. He is best known for being the lead singer and songwriter for the American bands Ima Robot and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. On January 12, 2014, Ebert won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score for his musical score to the film All Is Lost (2013).
Shmuck the Loyal is an experimental music producer based out of Nashville, TN. His idealistic approach to production is driven by the pursuance of maximalism and a deeper, more emotive side of electronica. After a stint of exclusively focusing on working for artists such as , , and others, Shmuck developed a finely tuned project that defines his most realized creative self. The diversity and versatility that he showcases during this project superbly highlights his talents as an upcoming electronic music artist. His music and visuals showcase the overlay of his passions for music, film and car culture.
Grammy-nominated producer, DJ, composer, music director and film director Sam i is a multifaceted artist. His latest album, Random Shit From The Internet Era, features collaborations with Doja Cat, Anderson .Paak, Tropkillaz, Sia, Busta Rhymes and more. His recently released single, Shake feat. Alex Greenwald of Phantom Planet fuses alt-pop vocals with disco, funk and electro-pop and features a remix by French Ed Banger legend Breakbot. Sam i's music has been used in countless films, TV and commercials. Most recently, Suéltate feat. Anitta, BIA & Jarina De Marco has been the focus track for Sing 2, charting in Brazil and gaining momentum around the world. With his recently retired DJ duo N.A.S.A., Sam collaborated with Wu-Tang Clan, Kanye West, M.I.A., Childish Gambino, David Byrne, George Clinton, Lykke Li and many more. He's also produced artists like Lizzo, Yeah Yeah Yeah's, Crystal Castles, and Fatlip. RESOURCE LINKS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| GINA BIRCH launches Tianna Esperanza | 28 févr. 2023 | 00:34:11 | |
Founding member of pioneering band The Raincoats, Gina Birch joins LaunchLeft to discuss the independence she has shown throughout her career, her love of the arts and the transformative impact creativity has had on her life. Gina’s new album, I Play My Bass Loud, dropped on February 24th on Third Man Records. Gina pays it forward by launching Tianna Esperanza and her fantastic debut record Terror. The granddaughter of The Slit's Palmolive, Tianna embodies a depth of talent and heart well beyond her years. Tune in to hear vibrant conversations and excitement from these two talented artists. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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BIOS: GINA BIRCH Gina Birch is a founder member and songwriter of pioneering post punk band The Raincoats. Over 4 albums, The Raincoats helped shape the timeless notion that punk is what you make it to be – an act of raw expression, not any one sound. They set a crucial precedent for feminist work within a DIY punk context. Gina has made videos and super 8 films, performance art, played with Red Crayola /Art and Language, and among many other achievements she has been raising two daughters with her husband Mike. Birch has been painting solidly for four years. TIANNA ESPERANZA Tianna Esperanza is a singer/songwriter who embodies a depth of talent and heart well beyond her years. Her music has been described as having hints of Sade, Public Enemy, and Gil Scott-Heron. Tianna is known for her personally inspired lyrics with roaring protest undertones, making for a powerful and unforgettable experience. RESOURCE LINKS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| BEN LEE and IONE SKYE launch Emily Waurramara | 31 janv. 2023 | 00:55:18 | |
Ben Lee and Ione Skye join this episode of LaunchLeft. They discuss how a couple can work together and thrive, activism, and quantifying success. Later in the show, Ben and Ione Skye launch Emily Wurramara, an Australian songwriter who composes her music in English and her native indigenous language. She performs her song “Stay the Fuck Away from Me” acoustic to close this genuinely inspiring episode. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS BIO: Originating from Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory, the AIR award-winning and ARIA-nominated artist released an 11-track album Milyakburra, educating and informing in both English and Anindilyakwa languages. The critically acclaimed 2018 album features the emotive Lady Blue (over 6.5 million Spotify streams) and Black Smoke, amassing over 1.2 million Spotify streams and rotation on Triple J, ABC Local, and ten weeks in the AMRAP charts. Emily has performed on many global stages, including Woodford Folk Festival, Bluesfest, TEDX Sydney, GARMA, Port Fairy Folk Festival, BIGSOUND, and International Folk Alliance showcase in Kansas, Canada, and New Orleans, as well as shows in Chicago, New York, Paris and across so-called Australia. She has toured and played with iconic artists, including Archie Roach, Mavis Staples, John Farnham, Busby Marou, Coloured Stones, Missy Higgins, Shellie Morris, Jessica Mauboy, Cat empire, and John butler, just to name a few! Emily is a six-time Queensland Music Award winner; she was selected for the AMP Tomorrow Maker Award and won the AIR Awards Best Blues and Roots Album of the Year. What's next? Emily recently signed to the record label ABC Music and is currently in the studio working on her new album, set for release in 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Rooney Mara Launches Suay Sew Shop | 03 janv. 2023 | 00:58:51 | |
Rooney Mara joins Rain on LaunchLeft and launches Suay Sew Shop. The conversation begins with family, film, music, and activism before welcoming Lindsay Rose Medoff, CEO and Lead Designer of Suay. Lindsay tells us about the mission and services that this unique retail shop provides. The best news is that Suay is cultivating a workforce of textile recyclers dedicated to eliminating post-consumer waste and giving opportunities for under-appreciated workers fair pay and recognition. With its original location in Los Angeles, Suay will open another location in New York. Don’t miss this episode of LaunchLeft to catch up with Rooney Mara and learn all about Suay Sew Shop. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS LinkedIn - Lindsay Rose Medoff BIO: Rooney Mara: Actress and philanthropist Rooney Mara was born on April 17, 1985 in Bedford, New York. She made her screen debut in the slasher film Urban Legends: Bloody Mary (2005), went on to have a supporting role in the independent coming-of-age drama Tanner Hall (2009), and has since starred in the horror remake A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), the biographical drama The Social Network (2010), the thriller remake The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), and the romantic drama Carol (2015). Patricia Rooney Mara is one of four children of Kathleen McNulty (née Rooney) and NFL football team New York Giants executive Timothy Christopher Mara. Her grandfathers were Wellington Mara, co-owner of the Giants, and Timothy Rooney, owner of Yonkers Raceway, and her grand-uncle is Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney, the former Ambassador to Ireland. She is the great-granddaughter of Art Rooney, the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers football franchise. Her father has Irish, German, and French-Canadian ancestry, and her mother is of Irish and Italian descent. After graduating from Bedford's Fox Lane High School, she went to Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia in South America for four months as part of the Traveling School, an open learning environment. She attended George Washington University for a year and then transferred to New York University, where she studied international social policy psychology and nonprofits. She took her degree from New York University in 2010. Her studies focused on non-profit organizations, as her family has a tradition of involvement in philanthropic causes. She had thought of acting after watching old movies and attending musical theater, but did not think of it as a serious vocation and was afraid she might fail at this. As a result of her reservations, she appeared in only one play while in high school. She began seriously focusing on acting when she was at New York University, appearing in student films. Inspired by her older sister, actress Kate Mara, she began to pursue the craft, auditioning for acting jobs at age 19. She appeared with her sister Kate in the video horror movie Urban Legends: Bloody Mary (2005), billing herself as "Patricia Mara". As "Tricia Mara", she had guest roles on television and won her first lead in the movie Tanner Hall (2009), which was shot in the fall of 2007. She originally auditioned for the supporting role of Lucasta in "Tanner Hall", a $3-million independent film, but director Tatiana von Fürstenberg was so impressed by the young actress, she had her return to audition for the lead role of Fernanda, which Mara won. Furstenberg was delighted with her nuanced performance, saying, "Still waters run deep". Continuing to call herself Tricia Mara, this was during the making of "Tanner Hall" that she considered changing her professional name to Rooney Mara, soliciting the advice of the cast and crew. After premiering at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival, her performance in "Tanner Hall" brought the rechristened Rooney Mara a "Rising Star" award at the 2009 Hamptons Film Festival and a "Stargazer Award" at the 2010 Gen Art Film Festival. She received her first lead role in a major feature, in the $35 million remake A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010). The movie proved disappointing at the box office, grossing only $63 million domestically and racking up a worldwide gross of just under $116 million. However, she was noticed by critics in the small but pivotal role of the Boston University undergrad Erica Albright who dumps Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network (2010). Director David Fincher subsequently cast her as the lead, Lisbeth Salander, in his thriller remake, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), based on Stieg Larsson's Millennium book series. She received critical acclaim for her performance, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama. She starred in the thriller film Side Effects (2013), the independent drama Ain't Them Bodies Saints (2013), and the acclaimed sci-fi romantic drama Her (2013). The following year, she starred in the adventure drama Trash (2014). She garnered further critical acclaim for her performance in Todd Haynes' romantic drama Carol (2015), for which she won the Best Actress Award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, and was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama and the SAG, BAFTA, and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. In the spirit of her family's philanthropic endeavors, Rooney created Faces of Kibera, a charity that provides food, medical care and housing to orphans in Nairobi, Kenya's Kibra district, a small slum that houses a million people. There are many orphans as AIDS is rampant in the slum.
Lindsay Rose Medoff, CEO and Lead Designer of Suay: SUAY SEW SHOP is creating a culture of community and reuse. As our global community demands change from corporations, our dedication to design, coupled with a drive for activism, is putting reclaimed products at the center of a social, economic and environmental revolution. Cultivating upcycling as the priority will not only massively impact our planet, but our daily quality of life. SUAY is a Los Angeles based 100% vertical sewing, production and consulting shop founded in 2017 by CEO, Lindsay Rose Medoff. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Rain Phoenix Launches Johanna Warren | 20 déc. 2022 | 00:40:54 | |
Johanna Warren joins LaunchLeft to talk about her new album, Lessons for Mutants, and share her thoughts about the creative process. Johanna is also involved in writing a play, The Buckeye, and will do a live workshop in Bristol, England, in February. In addition, Johanna speaks boldly about how she has found energy and creativity in nature and discusses rebelling against parts of society that put deadlines and expectations on artists and people in general and how that can compromise your well-being. The episode closes with a live performance of her song "Lessons For Mutants" from the Garden Sessions at PULP studio in Gainesville, Florida. Join us this week for a truly inspiring episode. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS BIO: As a little kid, I knew who I was: a wild magical creature who delighted in the gifts of the Earth and the mysteries of the universe - feasting on red clover and honeysuckle, grinding berries between stones to make "potions," thatching faerie huts with slabs of damp moss, talking to bugs, singing to birds, drawing channeled images of interdimensional angels, and happily passing long afternoons with my face pressed in the dirt watching golden light dance through blades of grass. Then, as most of us do, I forgot. The magic was conditioned out of me and replaced with corn syrup, plastic and The Pledge of Allegiance. And I got very sick, and very very sad. I was slapped with a long string of diagnoses, including Type 1 diabetes. My adolescence and young adulthood was a horrorshow of illness and medications that caused side effects for which more medications were prescribed. After ten years of this nightmare, I realized I had no idea who I was without the antidepressants, birth control pills, antibiotics, acne medications, antiandrogens, prescription migraine drugs and insulin injections I had been taking regularly since before I was old enough to question any of it. I started experimenting with phasing out pharmaceuticals and exploring "alternative" (ancient, sacred) healing modalities: herbalism and folk medicine, acupuncture, Qi Gong, meditation, fasting. I started working on biodynamic farms and learning directly from plants. Getting back outside to be in direct communion with the natural cycles of the Earth, as I did so naturally as a child, has been absolutely vital to my personal healing. Since most of my illnesses were stemming from toxic foods, getting directly involved with the source of my nourishment was pivotal. I can’t overstate how difficult it was to get off the pharmaceuticals, but I was determined — I knew in my bones that there was a better way. Over the course of a harrowing year, I weaned myself off the insane slew of drugs I’d been on for years — all except insulin, which I still currently rely on to help manage Type 1 diabetes (a profound teacher I am continuing to learn from!) The next major event in my training as a healer came In 2012, when I was in a fatal car crash. At the moment of the collision, I had a lucid experience of being saved by the angelic form of my best friend, who had died a year prior: I felt his presence as a warm bubble of white light that shielded me from injury. By all accounts, given the circumstances and severity of the impact, it was miraculous that I lived at all – but in fact I was left without a scratch on my body. The car crash was an initiation. It cracked me wide open. It was like I was catapulted into a different dimension where magic was real again. Suddenly I was talking to dead people, seeing colors I’d never seen before, feeling like I could start a fire with the light and heat coming out of my hands. My work as a healer has been about finding my way home, back to the wise child who knew who she was, and helping others do the same. Remembering that we are all deeply connected. Reclaiming our magic. Dancing for the trees. Singing for the squirrels. Fasting in the wilderness sometimes. Learning from plants. Learning from people. Listening within. Falling more deeply in love with myself/ You/ Nature/ God every day. As I continue to walk the healing path, I come again and again to the understanding that pain, suffering and disease are invitations: portals to awakening. Our bodies are constantly communicating to us in poetic metaphors densely encoded with information, and they can teach us everything we came here to learn. All we have to do is listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| Creem Magazine | JJ Kramer launches Zachary Lipez | 06 déc. 2022 | 00:41:24 | |
JJ Kramer, who is rebooting Creem Magazine, joins LaunchLeft today. JJ shares about the impact of Creem Magazine and what it means to bring back the iconic magazine his father started in the 70s. He launches Zachary Lipez, the Editor at Large, who discusses his love for writing, music and even going into the office. Listen in on this enthusiastic conversation between music lovers about the history and future of Creem Magazine. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
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RESOURCE LINKS BIO: JJ Kramer, Chairman, CREEM Magazine JJ Kramer is the only child of CREEM's late founder, Barry Kramer. After his father's death in 1981, CREEM was bequeathed to JJ who, at four years old, was named the magazine Chairman. For the better part of his adult life, JJ has been fighting to preserve CREEM's storied legacy (including an actual fist fight). In 2022, JJ comes full circle and resumes his role as Chairman of CREEM Entertainment. In addition, as a practicing intellectual property and entertainment attorney with 20 years of experience, JJ has worked with some of the world's biggest brands, influencers, and recording artists.
Zachary Lipez, Editor at Large, CREEM Magazine Zachary Lipez is a writer and bartender based in NYC. His byline has appeared in The Washington Post, Talkhouse, VICE/Noisey, Bandcamp Daily, Pitchfork, The Fader, and Penthouse. He is the co-author (with Stacy Wakefield and Nick Zinner) of 131 Different Things, Please Take Me Off The Guestlist, Slept In Beds, and No Seats On The Party Car. He sang in the post-punk band Freshkills (about which he wrote the Talkhouse essay, “Playing in a Band No One Likes”). He is currently the singer in two bands, Publicist UK and Telematics, both goth-adjacent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| S. CAREY | Portrait | 22 nov. 2022 | 00:11:35 | |
Carey, Wisconsin-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, joins LaunchLeft. Most notably as the drummer and backing vocalist of Bon Iver, S. Carey shares with Rain how he balanced writing a very personal album while collaborating with other artists to create Break Me Open. He also talks about his experience growing up with his music teacher father, finding his love for percussion, and how many art forms have inspired and shaped his career in the music industry. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
BIO: Carey is the moniker of Eau Claire, Wisconsin-based multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Sean Carey, commonly recognized as the drummer, backing vocalist, and second-longest serving member of Bon Iver. Over the past decade, Carey has fostered his flourishing solo career via themes of nature and sustainability, songwriting built from jazz beginnings, and heartfelt, emotive lyricism. His latest and fourth album, Break Me Open, adds to a discography of three full-length releases, two EPs, and countless collaborations. As S. Carey developed his songwriting and producing talents, he was commissioned by Will Arnett to write the track "Rose Petals" for his Netflix series Flaked, co-wrote "Hold The Light" with Dierks Bentley for feature-length film Only The Brave, contributed to Sufjan Stevens' album Carrie & Lowell, and has produced for and written with the likes of Low, Mike Kinsella, Pieta Brown, and Ed Tullett of Novo Amor. Carey and his adept band of longtime friends and collaborators celebrate their 12th year of touring everywhere from international headline shows to intimate living room performances to theater stages. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| SCOUT LARUE WILLIS | Portrait | 08 nov. 2022 | 00:21:54 | |
Scout Willis has always been musical throughout her life, but she didn’t know she would end up focusing on music in such a big way. Choosing to do a solo record was a big decision, leading to her first self-titled album, Scout Larue Willis. On this episode of LaunchLeft, Scout shares with Rain about the art of creative collaboration, her earliest musical memories, and excitement about performing her new songs in front of an audience. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
RESOURCE LINKS BIO: Imbued with wistful melodies and eloquent, eccentric arrangements, Scout LaRue Willis’ self-titled debut is an unflinching chronicle of hard decade, a coming-of-age album that turns this young auteur’s darkest fears into hurt yet distinctly hopeful songs that both soothe and catalyze.
While it’s immediately apparent that she’s an original voice, it took her many years to find the courage to share it. After harboring tender, childhood aspirations of being a musician, she felt discouraged by certain experiences in high school and all but suppressed the dream. It wasn’t until she started writing songs and singing as one-half of the duo Gus + Scout while at Brown University that she realized it was something she could really pursue. In between classes they managed to tour and record a 2012 EP that mixes early rock and doo-wop sounds. “We’d go away for the weekend, play a little festival and then have to come back and finish papers. It was thrilling getting to run away and moonlight as a rockstar for a little while.” The pair paused musically upon graduation, and Willis spent years believing she couldn’t pursue music as a career. “Somewhere between fear and misperception I had this idea that I shouldn’t and couldn’t pursue music full time. My reasoning was based in self judgement, that I needed a ‘real job’ and that especially coming from privilege, music didn’t fall into that category. Later though, I realized this was just a very clever way to hide from the deep, unconscious fear I had around sharing myself and my art with the world” This safety net led her to a number of other jobs in the interim, all the while continuing to first teach herself to play guitar and then starting to write music on her own for the first time. In February of 2016 Willis played her first ever solo show and began writing prolifically. After a number of years of feeling lost with her work, this was a moment of rededicating herself wholly to music. Though she knew she wanted to make an album, the songs she wrote during this period were also a means of processing the intensity of her emotions, “I’d have feelings that were so enormous I thought they’d destroy me, and the best tool I had at my disposal was music, so I would just start writing. I wrote ‘Love Without Possession’ in the throes of massive love addiction. I wrote it in real time, as it was all happening, and performed it live the day I finished it, as a means of communicating with the person I wrote it about. I was nearly crying onstage, such high drama! Even with all of the emotional ups and downs, it was such a beautiful and growth provoking time in my life!” Even as she compiled a poignant and honest catalog of songs, Willis made little progress towards recording and releasing them. “In my conscious mind, I really wanted to get my musical career off the ground and share my work, it always felt like there was a wrench in the machine though and nothing was happening.” She says of the period between 2017 and 2019 especially “Ultimately, I came to realize that I was unconsciously holding myself back, which made sense because of course music is the thing I am most proud of in the world, it’s my heart laid bare and if I were to finally share that and still be found lacking somehow, either internally or externally, it would feel like death! After this realization it became much easier to be compassionate towards the parts of myself that were terrified to wholeheartedly pursue the thing that matters most to me. I came to see how this old story and the protective mechanisms around it had been running the show, enabling me to find a million different reasonable excuses to put it off” Understanding the subtle workings of her inner world proved to be the key because within a few months of that epiphany, Willis was in the studio recording her debut solo record.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||
| RAIN PHOENIX launches The Steens | 25 oct. 2022 | 00:13:40 | |
The Steens, Elijah and Isaiah, are two brothers from Orange County, CA, who formed their band in 2021. Growing up in the music and TV production industry, the brothers had a lot of influence from early on in their lives. Tune in to hear the brothers and Rain talk about growing up with music and how they used it to evolve into the duo they are now. ----------------- LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE LAUNCHLEFT PATREON TWITTER INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK --------------------- LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery. --------------------- IN THIS EPISODE:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
BIO: The Steens are two brothers from Orange County, CA. They formed their band in 2021 using their surname. Naming the band was an easy decision with the duo’s sound and vision being firmly planted in their roots. At an early age their father was actively working in the music industry as an A&R/ artist manager while their mother was pursuing a promising career as a stylist. This all changed when their dad was arrested and went on to serve a 10 year prison sentence. The Steen’s “future rock n’ roll” sound picks up where their fate dropped them off. Feeding back and buzzing like gleaming gold through a distorted lens, the brother’s have woven a sound very much in tune with their childhood. Blown out 808s clip your speakers while fuzz injected guitars and vocals invite ancestors like Little Richard to perhaps take some more uppers. Someone suggested their band was like “the Black Strokes or something.” The Steens weren’t offended by the comparison but later stated, “The Strokes are great, but they’re a little polite, no? If we were gonna be the “black anything” and not “the Black Beatles” can’t we at least be “the Black Iggy Pops.” RESOURCE LINKS See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. | |||