Grooves of Influence

Raegan Leilani joins Grooves of Influence to talk about The Party by Andy Shauf and why its layered storytelling, shifting perspectives, and subtle character connections make it her most influential album. We discuss honest songwriting, writing from emotion instead of perfection, and how songs can stay personal while still leaving room for listeners to find their own meaning. Raegan also shares ho...

Jacob of Sugar Bomb joins Grooves of Influence to talk about improvisation, musical freedom, and choosing I Love the Blues She Heard Me Cry by George Duke as his most influential album. We discuss what jazz means today, why listenability and experimentation are always in tension, and how a great performance can make a whole room feel present together. Jacob shares how Sugar Bomb’s songs evolve on...

Fiona of Whisper Doll joins Grooves of Influence to talk about finding community, building a band in Brooklyn, and choosing Pink Moon by Nick Drake as her most influential album. We discuss honest songwriting, vulnerability over perfection, and how discovering Nick Drake during COVID shaped her approach to music and lyricism. Fiona shares stories about writing late at night, recording voice memos,...

0:38 – Meet Koan of Penelope Road 2:44 – Why Penelope Road Can’t Be Boxed Into One Genre 3:56 – The Album That Changed Everything: The Beatles’ Revolver 6:20 – Tomorrow Never Knows and the Power of Experimentation 10:55 – Indian Classical Music and the Roots of Psychedelic Rock 14:55 – Philosophy, Creativity, and Writing Honest Songs 19:08 – Koan’s Guitar Pedalboard and Vintage Tone Hunt 24:55 – O...

00:00 Introduction to Wide Orbit and Influences 02:56 The Impact of The Beatles' Revolver 05:49 Musical Journey and Early Experiences 08:50 The Mixing Process and Production Techniques 11:58 Balancing Influences and Originality 14:46 Exploring Genres and Songwriting Process 17:39 The Evolution of Musical Identity 20:39 Production Inspirations and Techniques 23:45 The Future of Wide Orbit and Upcom...

William Garrett  joins us to reflect on  Zapped , a strange and genre-bending sampler curated by Frank Zappa that opened his ears to the wildest corners of music. We talk about discovering Captain Beefheart, Willie the Pimp, and why this record became a turning point in his curiosity as both a listener and producer. William shares stories from decades behind the board — from cleaning studios and w...

Anthony Yeh joins us to talk about five seconds flat by Lizzy McAlpine, the album that helped him fall in love with songwriting and understand how to tell a story across a full project. We talk about acapella, vocal layering, and how Lizzy’s use of doubling and space shaped the way Anthony produces his own music. He shares the story behind his debut album Late Night Thoughts, his love for bossa no...

Alvin Cobb Jr. shares how Stretch Music by Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott) shaped his artistic vision, blending southern hip hop, jazz, and experimental rhythm into something entirely his own. We talk about Alvin’s move from gigging drummer to intentional bandleader, and how writing music for his trio became a personal form of reflection and healing. He opens up about building community th...

Jacob on the Moon  joins us to talk about  Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino  by Arctic Monkeys, a cinematic concept album that shaped the ideas behind his latest EP  The Gemini Club . We explore Alex Turner’s dense lyricism, visual world-building, and the creative risks that inspired Jacob’s own moonlit funk grooves. He shares how his seven-piece band evolved, why he loves auxiliary percussion, a...

ROSiE CQ joins us to talk about the album that made music feel real and reachable for her, The Story by Brandi Carlile. We talk about growing up in a children’s choir in Montana, sharing a track with Brandi herself, and how that early experience shaped Rosie’s path as a performer and songwriter. She shares insights on learning to balance emotion and technique, writing for vibraphone and voice, and...

ANDIE (ANDIE and the Bandits) joins us to talk about the record that first made her believe she could be a songwriter, Corinne Bailey Rae’s 2006 self-titled album. We talk about growing up with the CD on a pink Walkman, the impact of vocal harmonies, and how songs like “Till It Happens to You” still hit just as hard today. ANDIE reflects on her journey as a queer and polyamorous artist navigating...

Jimmy James (The True Loves, The Parlor Greens) joins us to reflect on a lifetime shaped by family, feeling, and sound. We talk about hearing Smash Hits for the first time, how it scared him a bit, and how he later came to see Jimi Hendrix as a symbol of freedom. Jimmy shares stories of growing up in a house filled with records, learning guitar by ear, and watching his mom reunite with her old sin...

Steve Borth II (Link 80, RX Bandits, Satori) joins us to reflect on a lifetime in music — from ska-punk roots to dub-infused, improvisational jazz in Copenhagen. We talk about Talking Book by Stevie Wonder, the role of instinct in the creative process, and how trust in the studio leads to timeless recordings. Steve shares stories from Guiding Star Orchestra, I Am An Instrument, and his newest proj...

J.I. Gassen of Time Worm joins to break down Revolver by The Beatles — the album that flipped the switch for his love of experimentation, groove, and sonic weirdness. We talk about using the studio as an instrument, playing drums and singing live, and how Time Worm’s upcoming debut album is embracing risk, vibe, and raw energy. If you love genre-bending music and fearless artistry, this one’s for...

Producer and artist William Wild (Garrett Sale) joins us to dive deep into Neil Young’s  After the Gold Rush  — a record that taught him the beauty of imperfection and raw emotion. We talk about capturing feeling over perfection, the evolution of Garrett’s own sound, and the hidden magic of lo-fi moments. From first picking up a guitar to crafting his upcoming album Touchy , Garrett shares the rea...

Chicago-based musician Zac, also known as Smooth Rogers, explores the influence of Broadcast’s Haha Sound and how its experimental yet nostalgic sound shaped his artistic journey. He reflects on how the album’s unique textures and boundary-pushing production opened the door for him to explore new creative avenues, from electronic music to live instrumentation. Along the way, he discusses the impac...

Musician Jason Perry joins Grooves of Influence to discuss The Doors’ debut album and its lasting impact on his musical journey. From the album’s blues and jazz influences to its raw, live energy, Jason breaks down what makes it a masterpiece. He shares insights on Light My Fire, Jim Morrison’s poetic vision, and how the album’s unique composition has influenced his own approach to songwriting and...

Album of Influence: "Born to Die" by Lana Del Rey Summary: In this episode of Grooves of Influence, host Xavier speaks with independent artist Nev, who shares her musical journey and the profound impact of Lana Del Rey's album 'Born to Die' on her artistry. They discuss themes of emotional vulnerability, the evolution of music production, and the challenges faced by independent artists. Nev reflec...

Album of Influence: "Voodoo" by D'Angelo Summary: In this episode of 'Grooves of Influence', host Xavier speaks with musician Nico Ducarme about his journey in music, the profound impact of D'Angelo's album 'Voodoo', and the vibrant soul music scene in Brussels. Nico shares insights into his songwriting process, the importance of groove in music, and the lyrical depth found in D'Angelo's work. The...

Album of Influence: "Rage!" by Lettuce Summary: In this episode of Grooves of Influence, host Xavier interviews multi-instrumentalist Austin Long, who shares his musical journey and the profound impact of the funk band Lettuce on his career. They discuss the album 'Rage' by Lettuce, exploring its standout tracks, the essence of live performances, and the transition from jazz to funk. Austin also d...

Album of Influence: "Love? Songs" by Jordy Searcy Summary: In this episode of Grooves of Influence, host Xavier interviews Eli Winde, a Nashville-based singer, songwriter, and producer. They discuss Eli's journey in the music industry, the influence of specific albums on his life, and the themes of jealousy and competition in music. Eli shares insights into his production techniques, the importanc...

Album of Influence: " The Real Thing" by Faith No More Summary: In this episode of Grooves of Influence, host Xavier interviews Bryan Dilling, the lead singer of the metal band Five Foot Thick. They discuss Bryan's musical journey, the influence of Faith No More's album 'The Real Thing', and the importance of creativity in music. Bryan shares insights into his songwriting process, vocal influences...

Album of Influence: " A Night in San Francisco" by Van Morrison Summary: In this episode of Grooves of Influence, host Xavier interviews guitarist and educator Mellad Abeid about the influence of Van Morrison's live album 'A Night in San Francisco' on his musical journey. They discuss the power of live music, the role of AI in music production, the intricacies of improvisation, and the art of arra...

Welcome to Grooves of Influence , the official podcast of Nostalgic Groove ! In this intro episode, host Xavier shares what the podcast is all about—unscripted conversations with guest artists about the albums that shaped their lives and sparked their creative journeys. If you’ve ever wondered what makes certain records unforgettable or just love geeking out about music, this is the podcast for yo...