On the Record with Poppy Reid

Shelly Peiken is a two-time Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum songwriter whose music has shaped the soundtrack of pop culture. She’s written some of the most iconic songs of the last 30 years including “Bitch” (Meredith Brooks), “What a Girl Wants” (Christina Aguilera), “Almost Doesn’t Count” (Brandy), and countless others recorded by Britney Spears, Celine Dion, Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus, and more.In this episode, Shelly opens up about:– Her 10-year struggle before her first hit– The unexpected moment that inspired “Bitch”– Writing hits in an era before social media– The shock of hearing her song on the radio for the first time– Why modern pop has become a “wordplay competition”– How streaming destroyed songwriter income– The fight for songwriter rights and transparency– The rise of AI in music and why originality is more important than ever– Her creative shift into writing musicals--------Follow Poppy :Instagram.com/itspoppyreid/Follow Shelly PeikenIntsagram.com/shellypeikenFollow Curious MediaInstagram.com/itscuriousmedia/--------If you love songwriting, pop history, creativity, or personal reinvention, this episode is for you. 

Hooligan Hefs joins Poppy Reid for an honest conversation about the journey from Western Sydney underground rap to becoming one of Australia's biggest hip-hop artists. While Send Itturned him into a household name and one of Australia's most streamed rap artists, this episode goes far beyond the party anthem that changed everything.Hefs opens up about building a sound that blended street rap, UK drill, EDM and party music into something uniquely Australian, why rap purists initially rejected his music, and how trusting his own instincts helped him break through. He reflects on the success of Send It, the police reaction to its infamous music video, the misconceptions people had about him, and why authenticity has always mattered more than following trends.The conversation also explores his new album Sixth Sense, the meaning behind its title, his collaboration with Wiley, and his vision for taking Western Sydney's sound onto the global stage. Hefs also discusses Australia's music industry, supporting fellow artists instead of competing with them, growing up with a single mother and two older brothers, and the mindset that's driven his career from the very beginning.A candid conversation about ambition, identity, loyalty, creativity and the next chapter of one of Australian rap's biggest success stories.Topics discussed:• The story behind Send It• The making of Sixth Sense• Why rap purists didn't understand his music• The evolution of Western Sydney hip-hop• Supporting Australian artists• Global ambitions for Australian rap• Growing up in Western Sydney• The Send It music video controversy• Creativity vs chasing trends• Authenticity, confidence and legacyPoppy Reid is dressed by American ApparelShop the looks at https://www.americanapparel.com.au/-------------------Follow Poppy :https://www.instagram.com/itspoppyreid/Follow : Hooligan Hefshttps://www.instagram.com/hooliganhefs/Follow Curious Media :https://www.instagram.com/itscuriousmedia/

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Sublime is writing a brand new chapter.In this episode of On The Record, Poppy Reid sits down with Jakob Nowell and Bud Gaugh to talk about the emotional return of one of alternative music's most iconic bands. Jakob opens up about stepping into the role once held by his father, Bradley Nowell, and the responsibility of carrying such an influential legacy.The band reflects on how Bradley's songwriting was rooted in real life, why songs like "Date Rape" were written with genuine social significance, and how that same honest approach continues to shape Sublime's music today. They also share stories from their long-awaited reunion, the pressure and exhilaration of returning on the Coachella stage, and why this new era finally feels right after decades apart.From family, grief and legacy to songwriting, touring Australia and recording their first new album together, this is an honest conversation about honouring the past while building the future.Topics discussed:• Jakob Nowell becoming Sublime's new frontman• Bradley Nowell's songwriting philosophy• The real story behind "Date Rape"• Reuniting after nearly three decades• The pressure of performing at Coachella• Family, legacy and finding the missing piece• Recording Sublime's first new album in 30 years• Touring Australia and embracing a new generation of fansPoppy Reid is dressed by American ApparelShop the looks at https://www.americanapparel.com.au/-------------------Follow Poppy :https://www.instagram.com/itspoppyreid/Follow Sublime :https://www.instagram.com/sublime /Follow Curious Media :https://www.instagram.com/itscuriousmedia/

In this episode, Joel Birch of Amity Affliction opens up in one of his most raw and vulnerable conversations yet. What starts as a discussion about the 10 year anniversary of the seminal album This Could Be Heartbreak turns into a powerful conversation about addiction, living with bipolar disorder, grief, identity, family trauma, and learning how to keep moving when everything feels like it’s falling apart.Joel reflects on what he calls “the worst 18 months” of his life navigating public backlash, personal loss, online judgment,and nearly walking away from the band entirely. He speaks honestly about a period where alcohol controlled his life, and later realising how much addiction had shapedhis behaviour.The conversation explores Joel’s mental health journey, how understanding his patterns changed the way he approaches life, and the complicated reality of getting sober while finallyconfronting emotions that had been buried for years.One of the most emotional parts of the episode focuses on childhood, memory, and family. Joel talks about remembering almost nothing from ages 4–18, unpacking painful familydynamics, and how the loss of his mother forced him to question everything he thought he understood about his upbringing.Along with host Poppy Reid, they also dive into his songwriting as catharsis, why Joel chooses to be brutallyhonest in his lyrics, the responsibility he feels toward fans, and how music became both survival and self-discovery.Topics discussed:• Addiction and getting sober• This could be heartbreak 10 years after it was released• Living with bipolar disorder• Public criticism and identity• Childhood trauma and memory• Family relationships and grief• Writing music as catharsis• The pressure of being a frontman• The exit of band member Ahren Stringer• Nearly quitting the band• Healing, growth, and rebuilding lifeIf this episoderesonates with you, let us know your thoughts in the comments and subscribe for more conversations like this.CONTENTWARNINGThis episode contains open and honest discussion of addiction, grief, family abuse, trauma, mental health, and suicidal ideation.Please take care while listening.If this brings anything up for you, support is available.Lifeline Australia13 11 14 lifeline.org.au-------------------Follow Poppy :https://www.instagram.com/itspoppyreid/Follow Joel Birch :https://www.instagram.com/joeldtd/Follow Curious Media :https://www.instagram.com/itscuriousmedia/

Over the past decade, Morgan Evans has quietly built one of the most globally successful careers in Australian country music from Newcastle to Nashville, with chart-topping hits, over a billion streams, and sold-out tours across the world.In this episode of On The Record, Morgan revisits a defining chapter of his journey: his 2018 album Things to Drink To.The record marked a turning point debuting at #1 in Australia, breaking into the US Billboard 200, and featuring standout tracks like Kiss Somebody and Day Drunk. But behind the success, Morgan was navigating something far deeper.Written in the aftermath of losing his longtime manager and mentor, Morgan opens up about the grief, pressure, and personal challenges that shaped the music and how the album carried a kind of “stubborn optimism” even as life was unravelling.With distance and perspective, this conversation explores:What that album really meant at the time What wasn’t possible to say back then The reality behind success, fame, and creative pressure And how Morgan sees that chapter of his life today If you’re new here, I’m Poppy Reid, and this is On The Record where we revisit pivotal releases with the artists who lived them.This is Morgan Evans. On The Record.-------------------Follow Poppy :https://www.instagram.com/itspoppyreid/Follow Morgan Evans :https://www.instagram.com/morganevansmusic/Follow Curious Media :https://www.instagram.com/itscuriousmedia/