The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre

Seriously, where is the respect for hip-hop? Despite being the most dominant genre of music, there are still many who consider hip-hop to be a frivolous and exploitative form of music. To tackle this strange phenomenon, I enlisted the help of brilliant Canadian rapper/broadcaster Shad, who also hosts the Peabody Award-winning Netflix docu-series, Hip-Hop Evolution. Together we chat about the love...

What are the challenges of being a trailblazer? Unexpectedly, that question rests at the center of today’s episode with Elsa y Elmar, a Colombian-born/Mexican-based artist whose music is challenging what people expect from music; especially in Latin America. Together we chat about Elsa’s love for music, how production influences her writing, collaborating with Raleigh Ritchie (aka Greyworm of Game...

It’s honestly such a privilege getting to bring you this chat with Foy Vance. Foy is a talented musician who hails from my second home of Northern Ireland. You know that saying “salt of the earth?” It was made to describe people like Foy, a person who’ll make you laugh while also being the person you want to go to with your troubles. His newest album, Signs of Life, features a reinvigorated Foy, b...

It’s no secret that the pandemic has been hard on creatives all over the world; especially bands who rely on touring to get by. Luckily for my old friends of ISLAND, they were able to take this contemplative time and harness it within their sophomore album, Yesterday Park (out now). It’s one of those albums that gives you the space to daydream while also allowing you to reflect on your own life at...

The first episode of season 3 exemplifies so much of what this series is all about. Gaidaa is a Sudanese-Dutch singer/songwriter who’s independently releasing music that’ll remind you of the emotional depths that can only be explored within R&B. Her project, Overture, was one of the big standouts of 2020 and still provides solace for people getting through hard times. On this episode, I chat w...

Today’s the final summer bonus episode before we enter season 3! I couldn’t be happier to share that today’s chat is with my old friend Conor O’Brien of the Irish band Villagers. Throughout the years, Conor has crafted albums that have received worldwide acclaim due to his unique talent for bridging raw passion with intricate instrumentation. The fifth album, Fever Dreams (out now) is a continuati...

Michael C. Hall, Peter Yanowitz and Matt Katz-Bohen make up Princess Goes to The Butterfly Museum, aka your next favourite band. This New York City-based outfit is what happens when an uncompromising approach to creativity is able to run rampant and unchecked within a room. You can hear that all throughout their debut album, THANKS FOR COMING (out now), which is an emotive sonic collage with tones...

Our next special summer bonus episode is with Juno Award-nominated artist, Charlotte Cardin; easily one of Montréal’s most beloved musicians. Her long-awaited debut album, Phoenix, is the cultivation of her life experiences blended with piano ballads and foot-stomping dance floor anthems. It’s an album that excels at reminding us how personal rebirths can be essential for art; which is exactly wha...

Welcome to the first of four summer bonus episodes coming at ya before season 3 kicks off in September. Genesis Owusu is a Ghanaian-Australian musician who’s beautifully shaken up the music world with his debut album, Smiling With No Teeth. The album poignantly explores the nuances of racism & mental health struggles with a punk attitude that aims to make you reflect on your life as you sweat...

A third album should solidify a legacy, which is exactly what Hinds have achieved with The Prettiest Curse. Throughout the album, the four friends from Madrid share a refined sound and resounding message that being a band is more than just a lifestyle. On our season 2 finale, I’m joined by singer/guitarist/friend Ana Perrote and together we chat playing a New Year's Eve show with The Strokes, the...

We universally find ourselves turning to poetry during confusing times. There’s something indescribable about the solace we can feel in knowing another human being has felt the feelings we carry with us throughout the day. This experience is what lead to the crafting of When I Rise Up, the next EP by my dear friend Sallay-Matu Garnett (aka Loah). Throughout the EP, Loah showcases her dynamic range...

To say that William “Billy” McCarthy has seen it all would be a severe understatement. Over the years, Billy has traveled the world playing music to thousands and in doing so he’s shed light on the specific complexities of American life. On today’s episode, I have a beautiful ramble of catch-up with my old friend about music, the injustices of our country, and why we need to remember that we’re al...

It’s truly a miracle that movies ever get made when you stop and think about the insurmountable work that goes into filmmaking. Thankfully we have people like Chinese-American filmmaker Liann Kaye who’s work ethic is truly inspirational. Throughout her career, she’s expertly crafted an eclectic range of projects from comedy sketches, music videos, short films and even directing videos at massive m...

Happy release day to the one and only Sinéad Harnett. Today’s podcast is a beautiful companion to her stellar sophomore album, Ready Is Always Too Late. This album shows us a refined Sinéad who isn’t afraid to tell you who she is and what she wants (along with impressive collabs from EARTHGANG, Lucky Daye, Masego and VanJess). On today's episode, Sinéad chats with Ken Grand-Pierre about how intern...

In a lot of ways, this episode is a love letter to Belfast, Northern Ireland (aka one of the best places on earth). Our guest is Northern Irish musician Ryan McMullan, a singer/songwriter whose affectionately intimate songs are truly one of a kind. After touring the world with Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol, Ryan’s found himself back in Belfast to work on his eventual debut album. Together we chat abo...

The idea of language barriers in music feels non-existent in 2021. Talent, emotion and intention all transcend verbal comprehension and a prime example of this is the works of celebrated Dutch musician, Eefje de Visser. Throughout her career she’s pushed the boundaries of music, leading her to craft a masterpiece in the form of Bitterzoet. On today’s episode, I chat with Eefje about making dynamic...

Today’s special bonus episode features two talented brothers who’re approaching music with a unique vision. Christian Tierney is a world-class photographer who’s worked with your favorite stars (Hailee Steinfeld, Niall Horan, etc.) and Alex is a gifted musician who is amassing thousands of streams worldwide. On today’s episode, we chat about how their working relationship has grown throughout the...

Let’s be honest, a lot of us find exercising to be a chore. But thankfully they’re people who remind us that fitness can be fun and can bring us closer to our own bodies. My dear friend Ellie Richardson is a talented personal trainer in London who’s grown as a teacher throughout the pandemic. On today’s episode, I chat with Ellie about her experience of building a virtual community, the rush of pu...

Today I’m joined by my friend Brittany Brave, a rare kind of comedian who’s able to have no filter whole also considering the feelings of others. Her jokes remind us why it’s important to have silliness in our lives and that we can get through painful moments in life. Along with performing live, Brittany also produces The Friday special at The Tiny Cupboard in Brooklyn, a space that’s made the pan...

“ We should never give others the authority to define who we are. ” is a quote that MICHELLE shared when releasing their single, FYO. It’s a quote that perfectly encapsulates what this young music collective is all about. Within their short career, they’ve already self-released an album, built a strong bond, while also providing a voice for people of colour, queer and non-binary people within the...

What can creativity mean to you? The state of the world has made this a difficult question to explore, but luckily today’s guest has a beautiful answer for you. Brandon Stosuy is an author/artist manager/event curator whose life mission has been to give people of all walks of life a platform to share their stories. His website, The Creative Independent, is full of stories of people crafting their...

Today’s a special bonus episode where you’re not only getting one but TWO interviews with two brilliant Irish artists. If you were to ask why Irish music stands out, many people would agree it’s due to the perpetual honesty that Irish musicians present to the world. Our two guests today are a true testament to that and both of their debut albums are pushing music forward (both were nominated for R...

What does it take to create art that has nothing to prove? Irish alt-pop band Soda Blonde makes it look easy. On today’s episode, I chat with talented frontwoman Faye O’Rourke about creativity being limitless, how the pandemic lockdowns played a role in showing her what the band could be and why Soda Blonde will never compromise their creative spirit. Be sure to check out their upcoming debut albu...

How do you speak out on the injustices of your field while you’re also trying to make a name for yourself? For Australian rapper/producer Kwame, it’s practically second nature. 2020 was a massive year for Kwame, with the release of his EP, Please, Get Home Safe and a social media post that went viral within Australia’s music industry. On today’s episode, we chat about those moments, along with why...

What does it take to not only chase your dreams, but to truly make them into a reality? I explore this with my friend Kasturi Shan (aka Kaz) Senior Director of Public Relations at Interscope Records. Kaz has become a crucial voice within the music industry after Immigrating to New York and then LA from her native Australia. On today’s episode, we chat about what it really takes to build a career i...