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 sax…

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

There are countless times when an artist realizes that the best way to create art is by getting personal. Naturally, one hopes to be in the right headspace for that, but what about those times in life when you feel stuck, unsure, and daresay; stagnant? If you deem yourself a professional, you must make art any way you can and more imperatively find…

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 a…

It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to A Summer in New York. In case you missed the announcement, this will be a mini-season of the podcast where I’ll be talking to some incredibly talented people about the things that make New York City special. What brings all these talks together is a desire that we have to explore the question “why is thi…

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/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

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/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

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 abo…

Welcome to A Summer in New York! The first episode drops on June 25th BUT you can hear the special NYC playlist right now over on Spotify (right over here).

The Wikipedia page for today’s guest describes her as a musician that plays with genres such as “synth pop” “dance-punk” and “punk rock.” Though there’s a kernel of truth to that, it exemplifies how words continue to fail the artist known as Peaches. For over three decades Peaches has remained a vital voice in the worlds of music, visual art, and r…

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…

Empathy is a word we all know and yet there are times when it can feel elusive in our lives. One of the best antidotes for that is witnessing how it shows up in other people's lives, especially when it’s an individual that’s exerting it outwardly. That’s been the case as of late with Nabil Ayers, American music industry entrepreneur, musician, and …

Crumb are a band from New York City. On their latest record AMAMA, the band navigate our universal need to feel at home, all while taking us through deliciously strange soundscapes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

This is the last bonus episode of season 7 and to call it a special one feels like a massive understatement. Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning radio host, producer, and podcaster based in Los Angeles who’s made being a music fan a full-time job. Her podcast, Before the Chorus, centers on exploring the emotional journeys of a songs inception to it…

Marc Fennell is a wild multi-hyphenate from Australia and…to be honest with you, even saying that doesn’t feel fitting enough. Along with being a decorated journalist, he’s a television host, documentary presenter, radio personality, a writer, a dad, and as he simply likes to put it: a maker of things. Marc is also a person who’s directly inspired …

Chandler Leighton is an artist based in Los Angeles. On 'Proof You Weren't The Only One', she openly examines her own coping mechanisms. The end result is a deeply relatable record, one she hopes will help others heal too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

You know, it’s a wild thing to think about how today’s guest goes about his craft. TOBi wouldn’t be the first artist to be a lover of the old school while also carving out his own path…but honestly, we’ve never seen it done like this before. Hailing from both Lagos, Nigeria, and Brampton, Canada, TOBi is an artist full of multitudes. His latest alb…

Infinity Song are a group of four siblings from New York City. On Metamorphosis, the group celebrate the things that make them unique, & aim to empower others in the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

It’s mentioned towards the end of this episode, but it should also be said here: Danielle Ponder is a person who exemplifies grace. Her humbleness is part of that, but what also shines through is her tenacious passion for justice. An ex-lawyer turned professional musician, Ms. Ponder is an artist who’s on the rise in a magnificent way. Her debut al…

The episode you’re about to hear is one of my favourites of this entire series. Adia Victoria is a singer-songwriter who combines elements of blues, folk, and gothic country to tell stories. She’s also punk af, which is conveyed all-across today’s podcast. You see, Adia is the type of person who strives to live her words, constantly proving how tru…

The Staves are a duo from Watford, England. On their latest record All Now, sisters Camilla and Jessica find release in their most anthemic writing yet, learning to let go of indecisiveness, the past, & the fear of speaking up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

By now you’ve probably clocked the tagline of this podcast that reads “a podcast about music” with music scratched off and the word “people” above it. That tagline is as literal as possible to depict what drives this podcast and what intrigues me the most: the lives of people and what we can learn from them. I’d be hard-pressed to think of an episo…

Sofia looks back on her favourite memories, releases, & gigs from April 2024! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

Having gratitude for life is something that’s a perpetual journey for me. It’s something I’ve admittedly been pretty bad at over the years. That said, the gratitude I feel for today’s episode is something that can’t be overstated. Local Natives are a band from Orange County, California that I’ve loved since I was in college. It’s always a special t…

X Ambassadors are a band with roots in Ithaca, New York. On 'Townie' they set their sights homeward: reflecting on teenage restlessness, leaving for bigger cities, & how home shapes who we are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

Another Sky are a band based in London, England. Four years after their first time on this podcast, they return to discuss their sophomore album 'Beach Day'. On the record, the band learns to embrace anger & find compassion for our younger selves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

It comes up pretty early on in this podcast: but Jesse Boykins III is the kind of person that people smile about when they hear his name. I’ve seen it happen numerous times throughout the years, both across the US and abroad. Sure, much of that has to do with how celebrated Jesse is as an artist, but so much of that love also has to do with how Jes…

Griff is an artist based in the UK. On ver2igo vol. 2, the follow-up to vert1go vol. 1, Griff continues the arc of someone processing an ending. Through the power of her own incredible pop songwriting, she makes these big emotions a little easier to digest... maybe even dance to. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Our first bonus episode of season 7 is another chat I’ve been dying to have for a long time and I love that it happened under these circumstances. You see, Denai Moore is a British-Jamaican artist I’ve gotten to know over the years through her music (which is fucking excellent by the way). We do chat about her music career across this podcast, but …

Sofia shares her artist highlights from SXSW! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

Say hello to Cristal, Alisa, Katie, and McKenna. There are a few episodes this season that I’ve been wanting to make since way back in season 1 and this is one of them. The Aces are a rock band from Utah that I’ve been privileged to have gotten to know over the years. They made their first album here in New York, and I fondly remember witnessing th…

Empress Of is a Honduran-American artist based in Los Angeles. On 'For Your Consideration', she explores transactional relationships & desire through a raw, unfiltered, & danceable lens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

Harmless is an artist based in Los Angeles. On his latest record 'Springs Eternal', he tells stories of identity & relationships to his younger self. In our conversation, we discuss the benefits & costs of anger, self-deprecation, & rediscovering one's identity after trauma. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

One of the most perplexing things on earth is how immigrants perpetually deal with unfair treatment throughout many corners of the world. The hard work, expressions of passion, and technicolor of culture are often ignored for fear-drenched sensationalism in the news. It’s in understanding that, where the vitality of a band like Gogol Bordello conti…

Mick Jenkins is a rapper from Chicago by way of Alabama. On his latest album The Patience, Mick grounds himself in his craft & the support of his day-ones. We spoke about the Deluxe Edition of the album, which includes two new songs: "2011" & "Perm". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Welcome back to The New Exchange podcast and to very the beginning of season 7. I am beyond excited to share these talks with you, starting with a guest I’ve been dying to have on here for a long time. Seye Adelekan is a Nigerian-British artist who’s toured with Lana Del Rey, Emeli Sandé, KT Tunstall, and Paloma Faith; though he is best known as a …

Jamila Woods is an artist from Chicago, Illinois. On Water Made Us, Jamila dives into the phases of love & heartbreak, exploring the habits & cycles that shape them. It's a refreshing, emotionally intelligent take on the endlessly-explored topic, & we unpack it further in this interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice…

Sofia looks back on the highlights of February 2024, including her top new music releases, gig, & more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

Sofia is joined by Sara Feigin & Jenna Million, hosts of Name 3 Songs for a chance to talk shop! The conversation covers everything from reclaiming the word 'fangirl', to swapping interview notes, our local music scenes & much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

Red Rum Club are a band from Liverpool, UK. For their new album Western Approaches, they were inspired by the docks in their hometown where ships once came in from the Atlantic. It became a parallel for their own travels to America, & the home that they missed while they were gone. The record spans many topics, but ultimately finds the band centrin…

ĠENN are a Maltese-British band based in Brighton, UK. On their debut album 'unum', the band search for oneness, detouring through French existentialism, Greek mythology, & presentations of identity on the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

Spiritune is a mobile application that uses music to help alter you mental state. With a team of music therapists & composers, founder Jamie Pabst built the app to help people improve their mental wellbeing. I spoke to her & composer Diego Rodoni about their work, & the transformative power of music. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon…

Sofia looks back on the first month of year, sharing her favourite new releases AND some of yours! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

Black Honey are an indie rock band from Brighton, UK. On their 2023 LP 'A Fistful of Peaches', as well as on their latest single "Lemonade", the band sits in a space of radical honesty; both the record & standalone single are about accepting exactly where one is at, no mater what that looks like. Together, they form a love letter to the weirdos, th…

Vacations are a band from New South Wales in Australia. Within the last couple of years, frontman Campbell Burns was diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, better known as OCD. On the band's latest album No Place Like Home, Campbell sings about learning to cope with OCD, big life changes, love as a touring musician, & more. Learn more about …

In this 4-episode series, Sofia looks back at the music that moved her this year, & looks forward to 2024. Up third: albums to watch our for in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

In this 4-episode series, Sofia looks back at the music that moved her this year, & looks forward to 2024. Up third: artists to watch in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro

Madison Cunningham is an artist based in Los Angeles. On her Grammy award-winning album 'Revealer', Madison faces hard inner truths, questions priorities, & unpacks family dynamics with compassion & curiosity. We spoke about the Deluxe Edition of the record, which includes extra songs that did not make the original cut. Learn more about your ad cho…

In this 4-episode series, Sofia looks back at the music that moved her this year, & looks forward to 2024. Up second: her favourite albums of 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Sofia Loporcaro