Before The Chorus

Local Natives have been on this podcast many times, & it is an honour to have them as the final guests of 2024. This is also a pivotal time for them: they have just released their final album with founding member Kelcey Ayer. We discuss the double (nay, triple) record, the unchanging love between the original five members, & supporting each other not just as bandmates, but as brothers. Be sure to listen to 'Time Will Wait For No One But I'll Wait For You', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Local Natives on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/75dQReiBOHN37fQgWQrIAJ On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/local-natives/321144825 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/localnatives/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@localnatives Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over a four-part episode series, Sofia will be looking back on the music & memories of 2024, & looking forward to what 2025 has in store. On this episode, she shares her favourite music memories from the past year. Links to events & artists mentioned: Nu School Jamzz Open Folk LA The Beatle Jam James Spaite (guitar teacher) MICHELLE Red Rum Club Jamila Woods Madison McFerrin Night Talks Robin Pecknold / Fleet Foxes Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over a four-part episode series, Sofia will be looking back on the music & memories of 2024, & looking forward to what 2025 has in store. On this episode, she shares her eclectic AoTY list, & tells you why you should be listening to these incredible albums. Links to albums: Empress Of - For Your Consideration  Orville Peck - Stampede Orlando Weeks - LOJA Clairo - Charm MICHELLE - Songs About You Specifically Abby Sage - The Rot Paris Paloma - Cacophony Fontaines D.C. - Romance Nilüfer Yanya - My Method Actor Griff - Vertigo Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia Parker's debut record 'Same Time Tomorrow' examines relationships gained & lost with honesty - even when it's uncomfortable. In our conversation, she reflects on learning to speak up for herself, her love of nuance, & not letting a sad song shy away from truth. Be sure to listen to 'Same Time Tomorrow', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Georgia on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4OGodtGAXXUvXC4mmJzZNf On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/georgia-parker/1281309148 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgiaparkermusic/?hl=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lucky Kilmartin's debut record 'Borders, Baby' is an ode to letting go & letting in. It's also a love letter to the people that he cares for most: his friends, his partner & his father. Be sure to listen to 'Borders, Baby', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Lucky on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2uWg345joqNfcay4l13YoN On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lucky-kilmartin/1701896108 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucky.kilmartin/?hl=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah Yano & the Heavy Loop is is a reflection on Jonah's most recent experiences. But even with its stream of consciousness-style writing, when we look closer, themes like desire, assimilation, & a need to belong emerge. Be sure to listen to 'Jonah Yano & the Heavy Loop', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Jonah on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4Js9qeA7KMFyjBYHEjFaeJ On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jonah-yano/1237016701 Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Isaac's new record BENJAMIN takes us through all of life's highs & lows. From both celebrating & questioning one's faith, to sharing the stories of his Caribbean immigrant ancestors, Jake invites us into his world with open arms. Be sure to listen to 'BENJAMIN', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Jake on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6q94KewnCnut4Ta36dCoaB On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/hu/artist/jake-isaac/398900314 Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spencer Sutherland's sophomore album, The Drama, is a rock opera centred around the highs and lows of the fame game. For the 100th episode of this podcast, Spencer & I spoke about ego deaths, the art of high camp, and the fact that, sometimes, a little bit of delusion is healthy. Be sure to listen to 'The Drama', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Spencer on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6mjz3NMhNE5SK7GsbJIg6C On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/md/artist/spencer-sutherland/769508624 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spencermusic/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@spencermusic?lang=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

St. Lundi's debut album 'The Island' celebrates both the artist's journey away from home, & the home that was left behind. It recognizes that we can honour the place that we came from & the people that we love, while still pursuing our own path. Be sure to listen to 'The Island', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find St. Lundi on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3i94wxAKQqlJyiPLDmjNdH On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/st-lundi/1498668369 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/st.lundi/?hl=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MICHELLE's infectious brand of pop yearning is in full force on 'Songs About You Specifically', but comes with a slight change to their process: the bulk of the record was written in Ojai, California instead of their hometown of New York City. We spoke about songwriting as a discipline, holding space for others to tell their stories, & so much more. Be sure to listen to 'Songs About You Specifically', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find MICHELLE on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4yYvor6Rq4fG82J1L47DYp On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/michelle/465052514 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemichelle/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wearemichelle?lang=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I spoke with Nina Nesbitt about her latest record 'Mountain Music', which is all about re-connecting with home. We often look forward to leaving home when we're young, but later come to cherish it. Nina explores this journey on 'Mountain Music', & much more. Be sure to listen to 'Mountain Music', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Nina on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7AzjETXRUKNRSJHMW9GIqd On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nina-nesbitt/484254148 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninanesbitt/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ninanesbitt?lang=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I spoke with Lutalo about their new record The Academy, which chronicles the artists early life in Vermont. They detail their many experiences, life lessons, & the points of view they adopted from them. The resulting record is an unvarnished look at race, class, oppressive systems in the United States, & more. Be sure to listen to 'The Academy', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Lutalo on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0gSmzBSSMT1yJanwTK16Ln On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lutalo/1432180470 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lutalojones/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@.lutalo?lang=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chewing, aka Local Natives' Nik Ewing, wanted to create a sonic scrapbook of sorts for his daughter Linnéa. When she was an infant, he would hold her in one arm, & play the piano with the other. The improvised melodies soon became full songs, & those songs in turn became an album: Songs For Linnéa. Our conversation covers everything from childhood music memories & bonding with one's own children, to finding acceptance in turbulent times. Be sure to listen to 'Songs For Linnéa', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Chewing on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/23uUTeYuVFOEVK9VfN8kTl On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/chewing/1446479994 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikchewing/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nikchewing Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I spoke with Matthew Koma of Winnetka Bowling League, on the heels of their first LP 'Sha La La' & the standalone single "This Is Life", featuring Medium Build & Dawes. Both the album & the single share a healthy mix of nostalgia & unfiltered honesty - two things that are rarely seen together. But that's what makes Winnetka Bowling League great: they remind us that we can long for the simplicity of youth, while also recognizing the flaws of the past. Be sure to listen to 'Sha La La' & "This Is Life" feat. Dawes & Medium Build, wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Winnetka Bowling League on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ug3P1K8BaCdJXROrqHqhu?si=ZUexk5iiQIyLSgthFJMkNw On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/winnetka-bowling-league/1421521203 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winnetkabowlingleague/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@winnetkabowlingleague?lang=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paris Paloma's debut record, "Cacophony", is a 15-song hero's journey. It puts into question the patriarchal structures that hold women down, & proves that we can rebuild ourselves without them. Paris & I spoke over Zoom, discussing the themes that resonated with so many people on her viral single 'labour', sisterhood, & finding peace after trauma. Be sure to listen to 'Cacophony', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Paris on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2EXpthNgSeTDeX8nGwxppp On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/paris-paloma/1530898376 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parispaloma/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@parispalomaofficial?lang=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for another one-on-one catchup! Sofia looks back on July's music news & personal highlights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

'Letters Home', the latest solo EP from The Vamps' James McVey, came together on the road. As him & his friends/ collaborators sat on the tour bus, they wrote about the people they'd left behind, childhood memories, mental health, & more. Be sure to listen to 'Letters Home', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find James on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1LXsEmvNi2vdi1oOfVTK3r?si=WTkXLMZzSPWwsuBeJNqEaw On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/james-mcvey/311903088 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesmcvey/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jamesmcvey Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 saxophones. Be sure to listen to 'Things Were Never Good If They're Not Good Now', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find Donovan on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4SOtk3HtPYKqxnVuxNBMti?si=pfib1FPuQjiKLE8GGpWq7A On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/donovan-woods/275859076 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donovanwoods/profilecard/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@donovanwoods?lang=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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. Be sure to listen to ''It's All A Bit Fuzzy'', wherever you stream or buy your music! Find NEIL FRANCES on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/587PA35pRGL1JwQr6idJbb?si=PjJGSoz1RBmKqrCwLnDAmA On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/neil-frances/1220582680 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilfrances/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@neil_frances?lang=en Subscribe: https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen Sign up for our newsletter: https://www.beforethechorus.com/ Follow on Instagram: @beforethechoruspodcast & @soundslikesofia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices