This week Derick met with Luis Ocasio, a producer, musician, and host of KMHD's Jazz Radio show The Joint. Luis plays in the progressive soul band, Live Island, and live-DJs under the alias, Tenface. They discuss the ins and outs out hosting a music-based radio show, the 2019 version of digging for records, Live Island's latest project titled Atlas Suite (2017), and the evolution of music in Portland in the last twenty-years before discussing the social status that comes with having your music on Apple Music or Spotify, go over Hidden Trax of the Week, debate the efficacy of word of mouth vs. social media clout, and lastly, evaluate how social currency is obtained and how it impacts society.

This week Derick met with Ryshel Sampson, an entrepreneur and owner of her brand, Cloud Nine. They discuss the outlook and mission statement of the brand Cloud Nine, how to get started when creating your own business, and using social media as a business tool before discussing the long-term projections of a startup project , the isolating nature of leadership, the flawed image that social media projects of entrepreneurship, and lastly, supporting your local community.

This week Derick met with Jack Mortensen, a bassist and audio engineer who plays for the improvised dirt music hip-hop band Dusty The Gorilla and OSMO, a new group consisting of Brenden Osborn, Jack Mortensen and Kenneth Osborn. They discuss the early influences that shaped Jack’s musical journey, attempt to define what a musician is, and stigmas associated with young artists in the music industry before discussing the value of isolation, go over Hidden Trax of the Week, talk Jack's behind-the-scenes insight on Foley artistry, using communication to hash-out polarized topics, and lastly, avoiding chasing social clout when pursuing one’s endeavors.

This week Derick met with Keith Cheek, a flutist and saxophonist who plays for R&B/neo-soul band Adebisi and Jay Si Proof, a quintet inspired by contemporary funk and groove music. They discuss Keith’s musical origin story, the best and worst green-room environments, and the craziest crowds he has played in front of before discussing the consequences of the 2018/2019 government shutdown, go over Hidden Trax of the Week, talk Keith’s favorite food joints in PDX, separating a musician’s music from their individual beliefs and opinions, and lastly, hashing over Portland social climate.

This week Derick met with Jordan Luyamba, a creative who recently executive produced his first music video. They discuss Jordan's creative work in the realm of digital design, African-American's connection to their roots (heritage), and the history of degradation towards Africa via social conditioning in the U.S. before discussing how mentorship is a two-way street, Portland's very own Black Star Grill – a West-African fusion food truck, go over Hidden Trax of the Week, talk Jordan's role as the executive producer of Mal London's Wayvmode music video, the global impact of soccer, and lastly, maintaining positivity even when your environment is negative. WATCH Mal London's visual for Wayvmode: https://youtu.be/AQHX6y4cYh4

This week Derick met with Brandon Davis, a photographer, creator, and teacher. Brandon is also the creator and operator of his brand, Btoopositive. They discuss Brandon's trip to a myriad of countries in Europe, racial sigmas that exist in the U.S. compared to European countries, the black culture that exists internationally, and the impact of divorce on today's youth/adolescents before discussing the value of positive coping mechanisms, the way today's generation treats women, Brandon's new line of hats (available now), and lastly, dope food joints in the Bay Area.

This week Derick met with Jake Soffer, a guitarist, songwriter, and teacher who plays for the instrumental funk rock band, Easy There Tiger and the disco/funk band, Brizzleman. They discuss mentorship and the value in teaching, the similarities and differences between Oregon and California, and the origin of his band's name Easy There Tiger before discussing the inherent connection between philosophy and writing, the value and intent of "noodling," go over Hidden Trax of the Week, attempt defining the essence of funk, sold out shows on New Years Eve, and lastly, finding happiness in simplicity.

This week Derick met with Marquis, a jack of all trades, who dabbles in photography, designing clothes, making music, and brand development. They discuss the the pros and cons of overthinking, the reoccurring patterns of fashion in the U.S. (and Portland specifically), and ponder if people are inherently individual, before discussing the challenge of living a completely sober life, going over the current state of comedy vs. the state of comedy from the 70s/80s/90s, growing from traveling, and lastly, the need to suffer to find true growth.

This week Derick met with Miguel Hernandez, a guitarist and member of neo-soul/R&B band Adebisi and improvised hip-hop dirt music group Dusty The Gorilla. They discuss the 2020 psilocybin service initiative of Oregon, the developing attitude of hemp in America, and tryptamine hallucinogens before discussing how psychedelics tend to reveal the truth within ourselves, go over Hidden Trax of the Week, the lack of critical thinking in public education, and lastly, the evolutionary function of dreaming.

This week Derick met with Portland native, Stevie Wismer, a drummer and the host of KPSU's Plate of $hrimp radio show. They discuss the current state of music streaming, the pros and cons of actively searching for inspiration, and social conditioning before giving our takes on Anderson .Paak's 2018 album Oxnard, go over Hidden Trax of the Week, self-imposed mental blocks that halt progress, and lastly, the current social climate in Portland compared to other places in the country.