Before the Chorus

Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer and radio host Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus dives into the stories and experiences that shape these artists, and ultimately, the music we hear.

Episode 47: Jaws of Love 11/21/2022

Episode 47: Jaws of Love Jaws of Love is the solo project of Kelcey Ayer, one of the founding members of Local Natives. His new record, Second Life, explores big, existential questions by way of small, everyday moments. It’s about moving through life’s phases, even when change is scary & outcomes are uncertain. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/25069116

Episode 46: Mykki Blanco 10/24/2022

Episode 46: Mykki Blanco Mykki Blanco is an artist with a decade-long career. For ‘Stay Close to Music’, they pulled several pages from their own diary - the record delves into Mykki’s innermost worries and desires, asking questions about oneself & their relationships with others. Simultaneously, the record is celebratory: Mykki proudly flexes their position as a musical pioneer, & honors the icons who inspired them. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/24781464

Episode 45: Quinn Christopherson 09/26/2022

Episode 45: Quinn Christopherson Quinn Christopherson is an artist from Anchorage, Alaska. Much like his Ahtna Athabascan and Iñupiaq ancestors, he is a storyteller at heart. He writes with earnestness & compassion, handling both heavy & joyful moments with equal care. On his debut record ‘Write Your Name in Pink’, he tells us stories from his life up until now. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/24495156

Episode 44: The Amazons 09/12/2022

Episode 44: The Amazons The Amazons are a four-piece rock group from Reading, England. Their third album, How Will I Know If Heaven Will Find Me? is incredibly personal - a lot of its songs focus on frontman Matt Thomson’s long-distance relationship with his partner. In a wider sense, the record explores the feeling of loving someone from a distance & of longing for the things we miss - after the past few years, these are feelings we can all relate to. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/24344673

Episode 43: MUNA 08/01/2022

Episode 43: MUNA MUNA are a pop trio based in Los Angeles. They have garnered a devout fanbase, thanks to their bright hooks & unique approach to pop songwriting. Their lyrics cover everything from heartbreak & longing, to mindfulness, self-love, & queer & female empowerment. Their new self-titled record, their first release on Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records, is simultaneously their healthiest &, as they've said themselves, their horniest songwriting yet. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/23918370

Episode 42: Bhi Bhiman 07/11/2022

Episode 42: Bhi Bhiman Bhi Bhiman is a solo artist based in Los Angeles, who has collaborated with the likes of Chris Cornell, Keegan-Michael Key, Dave Eggers and Boots Riley. On his latest record, I’ll Sleep When I’m Famous, Bhi balances feelings of hope and grief. It’s a deeply existential album, exploring how we choose to live our lives & face our ultimate fate. But in the end, the record offers a sense of hope and peace: we can live on after tragedy, and hold on to love while we’re still here. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/23709659

Episode 41: Mysie 06/13/2022

Episode 41: Mysie Mysie is an artist based in London, England. On her latest EP ‘joyride’, she explores the complexities & heartbreak of a long-term relationship. We discuss the ways we protect ourselves in relationships, the forces - both internal and external - that can drive people apart, and discovering that, in the end, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/23406884

Episode 40: Pond 05/30/2022

Episode 40: Pond Pond are a psychedelic rock band from Perth. On their 9th album (aptly named ‘9’), they took a mostly insular approach, drawing on personal experiences and niche interests for lyrical themes. Frontman Nick Albrook wanted the album to be lengthly and sprawling, but in a democratic vote amongst band members, they decided to cap it at 9 tracks. This is where the Deluxe Edition comes in: with 4 new songs added to the tracklist, Nick and I go through all 12 songs in depth. So buckle in. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/23243045

Episode 39: Poppy Ajudha 04/25/2022

Episode 39: Poppy Ajudha Poppy Ajudha is a London-based solo artist. She has been making a name for herself in the London music scene for years, and in 2022, she has finally released her debut album The Power In Us. On this record, Poppy fiercely takes on a breadth of social issues, like abortion bans, feminism, immigration bans, mental health and more. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/22789208

Episode 38: Lady Wray 04/11/2022

Episode 38: Lady Wray Lady Wray is a solo artist based in Atlanta. She has had a long career in the world of RnB & Hip-Hop, and has experienced her fair share of highs and lows. Her latest record Piece of Me offers raw insight into her life, career, faith & the all-encompassing love she has for her daughter. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/22709621

Episode 37: Fana Hues 03/28/2022

Episode 37: Fana Hues Fana Hues is a RnB artist based in Los Angeles. Her new album flora + fana is as refreshingly botanical as it is dizzyingly psychedelic. More importantly, it’s a beautiful scrapbook of musings on heartbreak, sex, situationships, & the growth that comes with them. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/22552823

Episode 36: Metronomy 02/21/2022

Episode 36: Metronomy Metronomy are a wonky pop 5-piece from the UK. They’ve been a major indie staple in their homeland for over a decade, & it’s really no wonder why - their unique approach to pop is more than meets the ear, encompassing an eclectic concoction of other genres. Their latest record, Small World is no exception: you’ll hear indietronica rubbing shoulders with alternative rock, dream pop, & more. And it all soundtracks a hopeful message, which we’ll be discussing in this episode. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/22151183

Episode 35: Palace 02/07/2022

Episode 35: Palace Palace are a London-based indie four-piece. Their third full-length album, Shoals, is a meditation on fear - something we all struggle to come to terms with. Backed by an ethereal soundtrack, frontman Leo Wyndham takes us through his journey towards befriending the unknown - from his first interactions with fear to finding solace in human connection. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/21973892

Episode 34: Sloppy Jane 01/24/2022

Episode 34: Sloppy Jane Sloppy Jane is an artist based in New York City. Her latest record, Madison, is a concept album through and through - amongst other things, she recorded it 120 feet below ground in a West Virginian cave. The record explores the theme of unrequited love, and basks in all of its blue-washed melodrama. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/21832718

Episode 33: Munya 12/13/2021

Episode 33: Munya Munya is a solo artist, originally from Saguenay, Quebec. Like many people during the pandemic, she found herself needing an escape - so she began writing. The result was an album filled with space-themed songs, made to take the listener on an intergalactic journey. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/21433829

Episode 32: Nation of Language 11/08/2021

Episode 32: Nation of Language Nation of Language are a trio from Brooklyn, New York. Despite close comparisons to OMD, New Order & Kraftwerk, the band have managed to carve out an original sound. Their use of synthesizers is emotive & visceral, easily morphing from song to song. Their new record A Way Forward, spans the cold sounds of a concrete jungle to the euphoria of new love. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/21083663

Episode 31: Self Esteem 10/25/2021

Episode 31: Self Esteem Back in 2019, Rebecca Lucy Taylor released Compliments Please, her debut solo album under the moniker Self Esteem. She has now returned with Prioritize Pleasure, another album celebrating emotional growth, sexual freedom, healing, & queer expression. She joined me way back on Episode 3 to discuss the first record, so it is a joy to have her back now. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/20924954

Episode 30: Mr. Jukes & Barney Artist 08/16/2021

Episode 30: Mr. Jukes & Barney Artist Mr. Jukes & Barney Artist is the collaborative project between two of London’s brightest musicians. Mr. Jukes, aka Jack Steadman, is a solo jazz artist, as well as the frontman of Bombay Bicycle Club. Barney is a rapper from East London whose style is a blend of 90s era rap and jazz. On ‘The Locket’, they hope to spread a little joy, and remind us all to hold onto the things that matter most. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/19902065

Episode 29: Her's Tribute with Saam Jafarzadeh 08/09/2021

Episode 29: Her's Tribute with Saam Jafarzadeh Her’s was a duo from Liverpool, comprised of Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading. Their fans loved them for their silly antics, beautiful friendship, and most importantly, their stylish yet deeply tender songs. As the 3rd anniversary of their debut album “Invitation to Her’s” approaches, I wanted to look back on the beautiful music they made, and the wonderful people that they were. I am joined by someone who knew them well: Saam Jafarzadeh, their dear friend and producer of their debut album. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/20064497

Episode 28: Eliza Shaddad 07/19/2021

Episode 28: Eliza Shaddad Eliza Shaddad is a Sudanese-Scottish artist. Her sound is equal parts gritty grunge and soft folk, and she pens her lyrics with unabashed transparency. On ‘The Woman You Want’, Eliza writes about the lows of lockdown, new marriage, and pushing against the expectations that others put on her. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/19814303

Episode 27: Drug Store Romeos 07/05/2021

Episode 27: Drug Store Romeos Drug Stores Romeos are a trio from Fleet in the UK. For their debut album ‘the world within our bedrooms’, they’ve offered up a slice of escapism, thanks to their cushiony sonic worlds. We get to wander through subconscious thoughts & unpack the world around us from a safe emotional distance, tucked away in the safe space of one’s own bedroom. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/19695926

Episode 26: Sandunes 06/21/2021

Episode 26: Sandunes Sandunes is a composer, producer and pianist from Mumbai, India. She has been making mostly instrumental music for years, but lately she has been drawn to the emotional power of the human voice. This has been especially important for her latest EP ‘ Nowhere to Stand’, which explores the fears & questions surrounding change. On the EP, she explores both her own relationship with change, and that of the four guest vocalists who feature on it. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/19518236

Episode 25: Japanese Breakfast 06/07/2021

Episode 25: Japanese Breakfast Michelle Zauner, better known as Japanese Breakfast, is a Brooklyn-based solo artist. After writing two albums made to help process grief - ‘Psychopomp’ & ‘Soft Sounds from Another Planet’ - she felt that she deserved to finally write about joy. On ‘Jubilee’, she explores joy from all angles, from chasing it to the experience of it. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/19320881

Episode 24: Billie Marten 05/24/2021

Episode 24: Billie Marten Billie Marten is a solo artist currently based in London. Throughout her teen years, she became a rising star of UK indie folk. But until recently, she never explicitly wrote about herself, obscuring meaning behind poeticized lyrics. On “Flora Fauna” however, she has chosen to face herself directly, both celebrating the growth she has experienced, & readying herself for the growth that comes next. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/19184096

Episode 23: Small Black 05/03/2021

Episode 23: Small Black Small Black are a chillwave four-piece from New York City. Frontman Josh Kolenik has called several parts of the Tri State Area home, having grown up on Long Island and now residing in Brooklyn. Between moving around & the recent loss of his uncle, a surfboard shaper and local fixture on Long Island, Josh has been reflecting on what it means to live a fulfilling life. It is this question that has largely shaped the band’s new album, Cheap Dreams. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/18916199

Episode 22: Flyte 04/19/2021

Episode 22: Flyte Flyte are a three-piece band based in London, known for their tight harmonies & brilliant, near-perfect instrumentation. On ‘This Is Really Going to Hurt’, they intentionally dropped some of their usual polish; frontman Will had come out of an 8-year relationship, & was writing his most vulnerable songs to date. The resulting record is a true gut-punch, powerfully taking us through the pain of endings, & the healing that comes after them. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/18713312

Episode 21: Julien Baker 04/05/2021

Episode 21: Julien Baker Julien Baker is an artist from Memphis Tennessee. She is known for both her solo work, & as a member of the bands Forrister & boygenius. Her 2015 record Sprained Ankle rose her to fame with its gut-wrenchingly honest songwriting. On Little Oblivions, her third full-length album, Julien explores themes of addiction & relapse, mental health & faith, never mincing her words. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/18573434

Episode 20: Nuha Ruby Ra 03/22/2021

Episode 20: Nuha Ruby Ra Nuha Ruby Ra is a London-based experimental artist, with roots in sound art & avant-punk music. For her debut EP, she took the ups & downs of an unhealthy relationship & fashioned them into a powerful journey. How To Move is a raw, visceral, complete record that shows that while the healing process is never perfect, we can emerge with new resilience. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/18384251

Episode 19: Genesis Owusu 03/08/2021

Episode 19: Genesis Owusu Genesis Owusu is a Ghanian-Australian artist, currently based in Canberra. He has an affinity for genre-stretching sounds & storytelling; because of this, his music is full of colour & complexity. On his debut album ‘Smiling With No Teeth’, he explores the interconnectedness of depression & racism - two things that have greatly impacted his life. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/18183854

Episode 18: Claud 02/22/2021

Episode 18: Claud Claud is a solo artist based in Los Angeles. Blending elements of dream pop, indie & more, their music is as refreshingly bright as it is warm & introspective. On their debut album Super Monster, they show that growth isn’t an easy, linear process; it’s okay to fall on your face, & overcoming things does’t happen overnight. In time, we all fall into place. /episode/index/show/beforethechorus/id/17932394

Before the Chorus

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