The Sonical.ly Podcast

🎙️ Brooke Combe opens up about the reality of the music industry, why she walked away from a major record label, and how finding her authentic voice changed everything.In this episode of the Sonical.ly Podcast, Brooke shares the creative journey behind her award-winning debut album Dancing At The Edge Of The World, the challenges of protecting your artistry, and why staying true to yourself matters more than chasing success.We also dive into:🎵 Growing up in Scotland and discovering soul music🎤 Writing her very first song, "Are You With Me"💔 The inspiration behind "How Can I Tell You? (To Love Me More)" and "Guilt"🎚️ Recording with a live band and embracing analogue production🎙️ What really happened inside major label songwriting sessions🎧 Why limitations can actually make you more creative🎼 The importance of finding your own sound‍🎮 Brooke takes on the Off The Topline Songwriting Challenge and creates a brand-new topline in just 3 minutes!Whether you're a songwriter, producer, artist, or simply love honest conversations about creativity, this episode is packed with insights that every music creator can learn from.

In this episode of the Sonical.ly Podcast, Natalie Layne joins us to talk about songwriting, faith, creativity, and her new album All Joy. Interview by Elmo ChongWe dive into:How Natalie developed her sound blending pop, worship, jazz & soulThe emotional story behind All JoyBuilding an audience through TikTok and social mediaWhy joy and vulnerability can coexistHer songwriting and production processCreativity, burnout, faith, and staying groundedAdvice for aspiring music creatorsNatalie also opens up about the deeper meaning behind her music and how she’s learned to create from a place of honesty instead of pressure.If you're a songwriter, artist, producer, or creative trying to stay inspired, this episode is packed with wisdom.🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations where music creators educate music creators.0:00 Natalie Layne on the Bible Verse She “Hated” at First0:14 Introducing Natalie Layne & the Story Behind All Joy1:02 Growing Up in a Family of Musicians & Worship Leaders2:46 From Classical Piano to Jazz Improvisation4:59 Natalie’s First “Aha” Moment Creating Music5:31 Writing Her First Songs Using Scripture7:07 Why Natalie Chose Faith-Based Music Over Mainstream Themes9:23 The Hardest Parts of Building a Music Career in Nashville12:39 Leaning on Faith Through Doubt, Burnout & Pressure13:56 How TikTok Changed Natalie Layne’s Career15:06 Letting Fans Help Write Her Songs Online17:55 The Meaning Behind the Album All Joy19:18 “Joy Is Not a Fruit of Ourselves”21:00 The Bible Verse That Inspired the Title Track All Joy21:50 “Count It Joy” — The Scripture Natalie Struggled With Most23:09 Fans Telling Natalie Her Music Helped Them Find Joy Again24:21 The Emotional Story Behind “Fragile”26:30 The Small Moment That Inspired “Amen”28:57 Natalie Layne Opens Up About Being a “Church Kid”30:03 Why Church Kids Have Powerful Testimonies Too32:25 The Youth Conference That Changed Natalie’s Life Forever35:25 Natalie Layne’s Dream for the Impact of Her Music37:24 Natalie’s Honest Thoughts on AI Music & Fake AI Songs38:28 Hearing AI Songs Made With Her Voice39:32 “Human-Made Music” vs AI-Generated Music41:20 Advice for Aspiring Artists & Songwriters43:00 What’s Next for Natalie Layne?#NatalieLayne #christianmusic #songwriter #musicpodcast #musiccreators #songwriting #nashvillemusic #indieartist #popmusic #worshipmusic

Jena Malone joins the Sonical.ly Podcast for a deeply honest conversation about creativity, love, and identity. Interview by Elmo Chong Co-edited by Carter KimKnown for her roles in films like Donnie Darko and The Hunger Games, Jena is now stepping into a new chapter with her upcoming Netflix series The Boroughs (from the Duffer Brothers) and her new album Flowers for Men.In this episode, we go beyond acting and into her world as a songwriter — unpacking how she writes, what inspires her lyrics, and how life experiences shape her music.We also get real about relationships, and how those experiences influenced her songwriting.🔑 What you’ll learn:• How Jena Malone writes deeply personal lyrics• The meaning behind her new album Flowers for Men• Why she started questioning traditional ideas of love and relationships• The emotional realities behind modern dating• How acting and music influence each other in her creative process• What it takes to stay authentic as an artist🎧 Listen if you’re:• A songwriter or artist• Navigating relationships and self-discovery• Interested in the creative process behind music and film• Trying to find your authentic voice

Interview by Elmo ChongOn this episode of the Sonical.ly Podcast, Riley Clemmons opens up about doubt, grief, and the practice of making honest music. We discuss the origin of Broken Prayers, the empathy behind Jesus Cries, the process of building Church Pew in two months with Jeff Pardo & Blessing Offor, and the essential artist advice Riley lives by: “your art is part of you — not all of you.” If you’re a music creator or someone wrestling with faith and creativity, this conversation is for you.0:00 – 1:04 — Opening + TeaserQuick emotional hook: Riley’s moment of questioning faith → show teaser soundbite to hook listeners.1:04 – 3:02 — Welcome & Musical UpbringingIntro, where Riley describes growing up in a music-filled home in Nashville and early influences.3:02 – 5:22 — Finding the ProcessHow she discovered songwriting, combining writing + music, “sponging” in studios, long learning curve.5:22 – 9:01 — Biggest Challenges: Comparison & PressureTalking about signing young, the pressure to repeat success, social media comparison, and staying present.9:01 – 11:01 — Getting Unstuck: Practical TipsWhat she does when blocked — scales, journaling, community, “fill your tank” advice.11:23 – 14:08 — “Broken Prayers” — Origin & VulnerabilityStory behind the breakthrough single, wrestling with faith at 18, invitation to the broken.14:15 – 16:33 — Industry Tradeoffs & Staying TrueThe tension: Christian music as an industry vs. ministry voice; learning to choose honesty over chasing trends.16:59 – 19:13 — Songwriting Growth & ConfidenceHow her process matured (titles, confidence to say yes/no in the room).19:20 – 22:20 — “Jesus Cries” — Empathy of JesusInspiration for the song, John 11:35, grief, and the image of a weeping Savior.22:26 – 25:07 — “Let Them Run Like a River” — Grief & SurrenderOn surrender, grieving, questioning faith, and how emotional release fuels art.26:00 – 27:44 — Fan Impact StoriesPowerful listener responses (e.g., school-shooting story) and why those moments matter.27:50 – 31:07 — “Church Pew” — Concept & Radical WelcomeWhy telling faith through a pew is powerful; the memoir-like, everyday holiness message.31:16 – 35:54 — “Faith Runs Deep” — Sonic Choices & ProductionHow title + collaborators (Jeff Pardo, Blessing Offor) shaped its Motown/gospel feel and production decisions.36:00 – 37:14 — Advice for Aspiring SongwritersCore advice: “Your art is a part of you, not all of you.” Practical, identity-centered guidance.37:22 – 38:17 — What’s Next / Tour & New ProjectRiley teases an upcoming thematic project and tour details.38:28 – 38:42 — Closing / OutroThanks, final encouragement, CTA.

Em Beihold joins the Sonical.ly Podcast to break down the mindset and craft behind Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter — and why honest music connects deeper than perfect music.This episode is a masterclass in relatable songwriting, emotional clarity, and creative psychology.🧠 What you’ll learn• How to turn overthinking into songwriting ideas• Why humor makes emotional songs hit harder• The difference between clever lyrics vs. honest lyrics• How “Hot Goblin” and vulnerable songs build fan connection• Why artists shouldn’t tie their self-worth to their art• How to write songs people feel seen by• Why imperfection creates better music than polish• The mental framework behind her creative process• How albums like Tales of a Failed Shapeshifter are conceptually built• The real reason relatable artists build stronger communitiesWhether you’re a songwriter, producer, or music fan — this conversation shows how authenticity outperforms perfection.