Both Helado Negro and Sylvan Esso are rewriting the rules of what a pop song can sound like. The friends and current tourmates sat down for the Talkhouse Podcast to discuss the creative process and artistic evolution. Their talk takes in the songwriter's quest for self-expression, freedom, money, and transcendence — and just how bonkers searching for all of those things at once really is. It also covers artistically growing up in public, how creating can be a necessary escape during troubled times, vibing on YMCA boot-camp workout music, and how occasionally they write their best work ... while peeing. Check it out, and subscribe now on iTunes or Stitcher to stay in the loop on future episodes of the Talkhouse Podcast. Catch Sylvan Esso and Helado Negro on tour together through the end of September.

— Elia Einhorn, Talkhouse Podcast host and producer

Today’s episode was recorded, mixed and co-produced by Mark Yoshizumi.