Before The Chorus

On his debut, self-titled record, Michigander runs through a gamut of questions. It reckons with the existential qualms around turning 30, how to let the people we love be imperfect, & speaking up for what you believe in, regardless of who it might alienate. Be sure to listen to 'Michigander' wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Michigander on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0oL26D...

Nilüfer Yanya's 'My Method Actor' gets existential over angular grooves. Each song asks a multitude of questions, often using the concept of method acting as a lens to explore them. We discuss the connections between reality & art, setting new boundaries, & learning to trust your inner voice. Be sure to listen to 'My Method Actor' wherever you stream or buy your music! And get tickets for her US t...

It's no secret that January 2025 has been rough for Los Angeles (And the US as a whole), but there were a few good moments that kept me going. I'm sharing a few of them here! Events & Artists mentioned: Open Folk LA: https://www.instagram.com/openfolkla/?hl=en Gilbert Louie Ray: https://open.spotify.com/artist/26UBas4xYeXIco2bWX3Xb5 Plus, check out previous episodes featuring artists that I saw pe...

Victoria Canal’s debut record ‘Slowly, It Dawns’ is a tale of unraveling in your twenties. Moving from stories of puppy love to existential spirals, it lets us sit with the early adulthood’s turbulence. Be sure to listen to 'Slowly, It Dawns' wherever you stream or buy your music! And get tickets for her US tour HERE: https://www.victoriacanal.com/tour Find Victoria on Spotify: https://open.spotif...

On 'Taboo', Niambi (who you may know as one half of the duo OSHUN) asks the uncomfortable questions out loud. She challenges our society's rigid views of motherhood, womanhood, relationships, friendships, & so much more. The EP forces us to look within ourselves &, just maybe, break free from convention. Be sure to listen to 'Taboo', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Niambi on Spotify: h...

On the final EP of a four-part set, 'Act Four: Atonement', Mon Rovîa is atoning, letting go & finding footing. He describes the four EPs as a hero's journey of sorts. This last chapter reminds us that love truly is our greatest healer, a salve for guilt, apathy & trauma. Be sure to listen to 'Act 4: Atonement', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Mon Rovîa on Spotify: https://open.spotify....

Over a four-part episode series, Sofia will be looking back on the music & memories of 2024, & looking forward to what 2025 has in store. On this episode, Sofia's shares the albums she's excited for in 2025. Albums mentioned: Ethel Cain - Perverts (Jan 8) Mon Rovia - Act 4: Atonement EP (Jan 10) Victoria Canal - Slowly, It Dawns (Jan 17) FKA twigs - EUSEXUA (Jan 24) The Weeknd - Hurry Up Tomorrow...

Over a four-part episode series, Sofia will be looking back on the music & memories of 2024, & looking forward to what 2025 has in store. On this episode, we turn our eyes to the new year with Sofia's Artists To Watch In 2025. Links to artists mentioned: Tin Angel Apple: https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/tin-angel/1765244022 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7L3LoOLdiZ6RM4NEsH84nJ?si=BnRYMm...

Local Natives have been on this podcast many times, & it is an honour to have them as the final guests of 2024. This is also a pivotal time for them: they have just released their final album with founding member Kelcey Ayer. We discuss the double (nay, triple) record, the unchanging love between the original five members, & supporting each other not just as bandmates, but as brothers. Be sure to...

Over a four-part episode series, Sofia will be looking back on the music & memories of 2024, & looking forward to what 2025 has in store. On this episode, she shares her favourite music memories from the past year. Links to events & artists mentioned: Nu School Jamzz Open Folk LA The Beatle Jam James Spaite (guitar teacher) MICHELLE Red Rum Club Jamila Woods Madison McFerrin Night Talks Robin Peck...

Over a four-part episode series, Sofia will be looking back on the music & memories of 2024, & looking forward to what 2025 has in store. On this episode, she shares her eclectic AoTY list, & tells you why you should be listening to these incredible albums. Links to albums: Empress Of - For Your Consideration  Orville Peck - Stampede Orlando Weeks - LOJA Clairo - Charm MICHELLE - Songs About You S...

Georgia Parker's debut record 'Same Time Tomorrow' examines relationships gained & lost with honesty - even when it's uncomfortable. In our conversation, she reflects on learning to speak up for herself, her love of nuance, & not letting a sad song shy away from truth. Be sure to listen to 'Same Time Tomorrow', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Georgia on Spotify: https://open.spotify.co...

Lucky Kilmartin's debut record 'Borders, Baby' is an ode to letting go & letting in. It's also a love letter to the people that he cares for most: his friends, his partner & his father. Be sure to listen to 'Borders, Baby', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Lucky on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2uWg345joqNfcay4l13YoN On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lucky-kil...

Jonah Yano & the Heavy Loop is is a reflection on Jonah's most recent experiences. But even with its stream of consciousness-style writing, when we look closer, themes like desire, assimilation, & a need to belong emerge. Be sure to listen to 'Jonah Yano & the Heavy Loop', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Jonah on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Js9qeA7KMFyjBYHEjFaeJ On Apple...

Jake Isaac's new record BENJAMIN takes us through all of life's highs & lows. From both celebrating & questioning one's faith, to sharing the stories of his Caribbean immigrant ancestors, Jake invites us into his world with open arms. Be sure to listen to 'BENJAMIN', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Jake on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6q94KewnCnut4Ta36dCoaB On Apple Music:...

Spencer Sutherland's sophomore album, The Drama, is a rock opera centred around the highs and lows of the fame game. For the 100th episode of this podcast, Spencer & I spoke about ego deaths, the art of high camp, and the fact that, sometimes, a little bit of delusion is healthy. Be sure to listen to 'The Drama', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Spencer on Spotify: https://open.spotify....

St. Lundi's debut album 'The Island' celebrates both the artist's journey away from home, & the home that was left behind. It recognizes that we can honour the place that we came from & the people that we love, while still pursuing our own path. Be sure to listen to 'The Island', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find St. Lundi on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3i94wxAKQqlJyiPLDmjNd...

MICHELLE's infectious brand of pop yearning is in full force on 'Songs About You Specifically', but comes with a slight change to their process: the bulk of the record was written in Ojai, California instead of their hometown of New York City. We spoke about songwriting as a discipline, holding space for others to tell their stories, & so much more. Be sure to listen to 'Songs About You Specifical...

I spoke with Nina Nesbitt about her latest record 'Mountain Music', which is all about re-connecting with home. We often look forward to leaving home when we're young, but later come to cherish it. Nina explores this journey on 'Mountain Music', & much more. Be sure to listen to 'Mountain Music', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Nina on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7AzjETXRU...

I spoke with Lutalo about their new record The Academy, which chronicles the artists early life in Vermont. They detail their many experiences, life lessons, & the points of view they adopted from them. The resulting record is an unvarnished look at race, class, oppressive systems in the United States, & more. Be sure to listen to 'The Academy', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Lutalo o...

Chewing, aka Local Natives' Nik Ewing, wanted to create a sonic scrapbook of sorts for his daughter Linnéa. When she was an infant, he would hold her in one arm, & play the piano with the other. The improvised melodies soon became full songs, & those songs in turn became an album: Songs For Linnéa. Our conversation covers everything from childhood music memories & bonding with one's own children,...

I spoke with Matthew Koma of Winnetka Bowling League, on the heels of their first LP 'Sha La La' & the standalone single "This Is Life", featuring Medium Build & Dawes. Both the album & the single share a healthy mix of nostalgia & unfiltered honesty - two things that are rarely seen together. But that's what makes Winnetka Bowling League great: they remind us that we can long for the simplicity o...

Paris Paloma's debut record, "Cacophony", is a 15-song hero's journey. It puts into question the patriarchal structures that hold women down, & proves that we can rebuild ourselves without them. Paris & I spoke over Zoom, discussing the themes that resonated with so many people on her viral single 'labour', sisterhood, & finding peace after trauma. Be sure to listen to 'Cacophony', wherever you st...

It's time for another one-on-one catchup! Sofia looks back on July's music news & personal highlights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Letters Home', the latest solo EP from The Vamps' James McVey, came together on the road. As him & his friends/ collaborators sat on the tour bus, they wrote about the people they'd left behind, childhood memories, mental health, & more. Be sure to listen to 'Letters Home', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find James on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1LXsEmvNi2vdi1oOfVTK3r?si=WTkX...