Before The Chorus

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chewing, aka 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, to finding acceptance in turbulent times. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 of youth, while also recognizing the flaws of the past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

James McVey's latest EP, Letters Home, 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I spoke with songwriter & fellow Canadian Donovan Woods about his new record 'Things Were Never Good If They're Not Good Now'. On the album, he is brutally honest - he brings the same level of honesty to our conversation. We discuss the problems with creating an image of 'perfection', opening up to a partner about one's feelings, & the power of saxophones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Recap episodes are back! Sofia reflects on her favourite record & concerts from June 2024! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Feller and Marc Gilfry, the duo that make up NEIL FRANCES, came by to talk all things 'It's All A Bit Fuzzier', the deluxe edition of last year's 'It's All A Bit Fuzzy'. Our conversation spanned everything from dance floor communities & identity, to yacht rock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Superfan (the moniker of Kali Flanagan) & I hopped on a Zoom call to discuss his debut record 'Tow Truck Jesus'. The record touches on everything from transitioning & hormone replacement therapy, to navigating new love. And even though this record comes from his unique perspective, he reminds us that its themes are very much universal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I interview Orlando Weeks about his third full-length album LOJA. The album is an ode to him, his partner & their son's shared new life in Lisbon, & a reflection on their time in London. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Taylor Sackson's debut solo EP 'You Are Not A Friend', she finds catharsis in speaking up for herself, calling out toxic behaviour, & healing for her younger self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawrence Matthews is an artist from Memphis, Tennessee. As he sheds his previous moniker Don Lifted, he is centring on his own story & that of his environment. His first record under his own name, 'Between Mortal Reach And Posthumous Grip', shifts between haunting & celebratory moments, & presents itself with a Southern Gothic drawl. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abby Sage is a Canadian-British artist. On her debut album The Rot, she muses on the cyclical nature of learning & unlearning. The record covers moments from her childhood all the way up to the present day, & embraces both the ugly & the beautiful parts of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices