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Back in the pandemic era of Medium, Josh Herring’s music reviews and essays were a bright light. His takes on modern hip-hop and R&B albums were a refreshing shift from the regular rock and pop reviews permeating the platform. He was doing all of this while being a student at Auburn, where he majored in English. Soon after he began writing on Medium, he created his own music publication called Modern Music Analysis. There, he worked with writers like me on our reviews and essays about the albums and artists affecting culture at the time. Music writing is only one of many artistic interests Josh has as well. He dabbled in podcasting for a bit, writes a lot of poetry, and even has published a novella. Writing and telling stories has always been a passion of his, but it hasn’t always been easy. The endless rat race over time drove him to reevaluate his relationship with writing and ultimately led to him shutting down Modern Music Analysis as a publication. We talk a little after that announcement to learn more about the moments that led him to make that decision. We also dive into his journey as a writer, the life events that have happened in the last few years, and what its like living in Nashville. CHECK OUT JOSH’S SUBSTACK HERE EXPLORE JOSH’S INSTAGRAM HERE Interested in more music interviews? Subscribe now! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com/subscribe

Naylon is back in Los Angeles and back on the pod! The Nebraska-born singer, songwriter, and producer is one of the most talented pop artists I know. Since our last conversation, she has remained steadfast in her quest to save pop music. There’s a lot to love about her sound, from the bubbling synths to the love-soaked lyricism and the virtuoso singing. She reminds us that pop music can be fun and flirtatious even when it’s about something heartbreaking. Naylon has lived a lot of life since the summer of 2024. She was personally affected by the California fires in 2025 and moved back home to Nebraska as a result. In those long months back in Omaha, she worked on her songwriting skills by keeping up a consistent writing schedule. She also doubled down on learning how to produce her own music, a feat she was previously anxious about. Out of this craft-honing period, Naylon built out several incredible songs, which we dive into during our conversation today. Subscribe for more music interviews! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com/subscribe

Zack King is an inspiring example of an artist who uses his platform to improve the lives of others. In his career, he’s known for talking, creating music, and lecturing about the challenges surrounding musicians’ mental health. He doesn’t just talk the talk as well. Through his albums, Mess and Songs I Wrote Instead of Texting You, he shares his own struggles with self-worth and romantic relationships. These are thoroughly enjoyable projects too and showcase the exceptional levels of musicianship he puts into his songs, from the album concept to his songwriting. Zack’s projects in the early years had a more indie rock/singer-songwriter edge to them. They were revealing without being saddening. Vulnerable in the most relatable way. As he gained better control of his sound, he transitioned to a grander pop-punk sonic direction on his sophomore album, and the results are marvelous. His visuals are on point, and the messaging couldn’t be clearer. This is an artist who isn’t afraid to share his story in order to help others find their way quicker. Mental health affects us all in the music industry, so it’s encouraging for artists like him to speak about ways he’s overcoming some of the downfalls in his public lectures and performances. In our conversation today, we go back to the therapy sessions that changed Zack’s life and put him on a creative professional path. We also discuss concrete steps artists can take to get out of the psychological lows that come from pursuing a career as a musician. All of Zack’s great albums and EPs are covered in detail in our podcast episode today too. You will also learn a little bit about the great music Zack is working on for 2027. LISTEN TO ZACK’S NEW ALBUM HERE VISIT JACK’S WEBSITE HERE This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com/subscribe

Momo Boyd is a star. Plain and simple. At the Bowery Ballroom, she welcomed hundreds of her fans dressed in glamorous metallic dresses and outfits complemented with cute frills. It was a show filled with laughter, a ton of dancing, and a potent sense of community. Soaring off a breakthrough year for her as a solo artist, Momo is truly coming into her own.I had the pleasure of speaking with Momo briefly after the show. She gave each of her fans several minutes of her time near the merch table, where she gave hugs, talked about the show, and took fun photos. Check out her thoughts on her Miss Michigan Tour as she reflects on the end of the US leg of the tour. Subscribe to see more interviews! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com/subscribe

During the pandemic, Frederico Bosco, artistically known as Bosco, spent many days and many months producing songs on Ableton. For a while, he was developing songs to construct an aesthetic he found pleasing. After listening to 22, A Million by Bon Iver, he figured out how to add more emotion to the electronic tunes he was crafting. Soon, his music became more personal. Suddenly, his emotions led the songs to their final destination. Across four projects and one EP, Bosco has demonstrated the rich tapestry of experimental electronic and hip-hop music. On some of his projects, like Corona, he leans more towards the vocal chops. Alternatively, on Oscuro Casi Ceirto, he dives deeper into minimalism. When he made his third album, Asi es, Bosco more confidently addressed the current political climate in Argentina. From land exploitation to corruption, Bosco’s music from this point on took on a more socially conscious feel. We hear this even more aggressively on his great new album, Ellos. In our conversation today, we discussed the making of this project, from its lyrics to its production. Further, we unpack Bosco’s view of Argentina’s current political culture. There are wonderful insights into Bosco’s creative process, all the way down to the details about the mood he was in when he created certain songs. LISTEN TO BOSCO’S NEW ALBUM HERE LEARN MORE ABOUT BOSCO ON HIS WEBSITE HERE This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com/subscribe

Even though Mike Bankhead began making music a little later than he would have liked, it didn’t stop him from dedicating a lot of time and effort to the art form for over two decades. From Dayton, Ohio, the songwriter and recording academy member has long been releasing albums for fans of rock music and many of its subgenres. In addition to the music, Mike also runs the You Could Be My Aramis Podcast, where he interviews musicians about their latest releases and the inspiration behind their songs. Mike also sees art as a necessary tool to reflect cultural events and history. A few years ago, he embarked on the multimedia project I AM Experienced, which reflects on black artistry in the music industry. The project contains original songs, essays, poems, and guest pieces reflecting on the black experience in the music industry and addressing a lot of the injustices that still exist. Mike is a firm believer in physical media and still gets a lot of his art pressed on CD. There’s a terrific array of topics we discuss in today’s podcast episode. Some of them include the following: What are the true benefits of being a Recording Academy member? What’s it like being a black music journalist/artist in today’s age? How much time goes into making every album and song? Where do you pull inspiration from? This conversation will feel like a cool hang between friends, and that’s because it is. CHECK OUT MIKE BANKHEAD’S WEBSITE HERE Subscribe for more music interviews! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com Charlotte Greve makes avant-garde jazz fun and inviting. The incredibly talented saxophonist and composer has led musical groups for well over a decade, from the jazz quartet Lisbeth Quartett to the experimental indie pop band, Wood River. There’s an attention to detail, exquisite flair for the refined that runs through Charlotte’s work. Through Lisbeth…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com Jim Duff has been making music for decades and isn’t showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. Nor should he. His latest tunes, from Walk With Me to More Than Love are touching tributes to faith and surviving cancer. Duff has steadily refined his folk-rock side and is as captivating an artist as he’s ever been. There are a few spaces in the studio whe…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com Sarah Davachi is one of the preeminent minimalist and electroacoustic composers of her time. For decades, she’s released captivating albums that challenge our understanding of historic instruments and advance our knowledge of timbre and resonance. I was drawn in from 2017 after hearing her 2017 project, All My Circles Run, came out. Soon after, I saw he…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com If you are looking for the next great group of singer-songwriters, then look no further than Ruby and Sasha. The London-raised, Brooklyn-based sister duo make dreamy, acoustic-driven tunes that dive deep into the emotional terrain of early adulthood. Despite the heavier, introspective nature of their songwriting, the music is beautifully light and embra…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com Tina Halma is a gem of an artist and person. Her plethora of experiences, from A&Ring at a label to working on a cruise ship, has provided her with profound industry knowledge that has informed her decision to become a solo artist. Although she is still very early in her artist career, she’s actually decades into her music industry profession. With a ma…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com Finding her voice in jazz as a harpist was difficult, but Julie Campiche persevered. Finding her place in several jazz bands was complicated, but Julie Campiche developed her sound despite the challenges. Based out of Geneva, Switzerland, the pioneering jazz artist has spent decades reconfiguring harps standing in the genre as well as developing its pos…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com Sophia Yau Weeks is one of the most promising new indie rock artists in the genre right now. During the pandemic, two strikingly different things happened to Sophia. First, she found out she was immunocompromised after catching COVID. Second, she discovered her love for songwriting. A bit before the COVID diagnosis, Sophia was performing some originals …

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com In Mark Rechler’s world, genres aren’t walls to feel confined by; they’re tools to fuse and bend to your liking. For decades, the funk rock band frontman has amazed critics and audiences with his incredible group, Circus Mind. Since the early aughts, they’ve dropped several albums, pushing the boundaries of funk music and reimagining its relationship wi…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit ifeveryourelistening.substack.com Ever since Annisse was a little girl, she had a big voice. Her gift for singing was championed through her mom’s support and her years in the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir. In it, she got to perform at both of President Barack Obama’s presidential inaugural prayer services, the John F Kenny Center for the Performing Arts, and m…