LaunchLeft

Musician, photographer and writer Melissa Auf der Maur shares stories from her memoir Even the Good Girls Will Cry and her pro human artistic approach. She explores her analog era artistic process from her touring years before digital media transformed creative culture.

Melissa, host of this episode, launches interdisciplinary sculptor Petra Szilagyi to discuss their interactive prayer space work and the Apocalypse Anonymous project. Together, they explore a 12 step spiritual framework, sacred artistic spaces, and how independent artists build community outside corporate spaces.

What You Will Learn in This Episode

✅ How Melissa Auf der Maur draws from her analog era artistic process.
✅ Why Petra Szilagyi built an interactive prayer space for real connection.
✅ How the Apocalypse Anonymous project creates community through recovery.
✅ How cross generational creative connection sustains art outside corporate spaces.

LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft!

TIMESTAMPS

00:05 Melissa Auf der Maur introduces Petra Szilagyi
02:07 Meeting through Hawthorne Valley Farm and shared spiritual Waldorf connections
10:10 Breakthrough spiritual moments and Melissa on memoir Even the Good Girls Will Cry 18:00 Petra on studying politics, music, and the unveiling after September 11th
23:30 Studying performance art, West Africa experiences, and Yoruba knowledge systems 28:20 Leaving tour life to found Basilica Hudson non profit arts center
36:30 Petra on 12 step recovery, prayer, and building the first interactive prayer space
44:48 Petra Szilagyi is launched as they discuss post human experience and technology
55:02 Exploring the Apocalypse Anonymous project and redefining the apocalypse
01:05:24 Translating 12 step spiritual framework into community arts and future gatherings

KEY TAKEAWAYS

ABOUT THE GUESTS

MELISSA AUF DER MAUR Before becoming the bassist for 90s alternative rock bands Hole and the Smashing Pumpkins, Montreal born Melissa Auf der Maur studied photography at Concordia University. She maintained her daily practice while on the road, requesting a roll of 35mm film at every venue as part of her rider, resulting in over 10,000 images documenting life onstage and away from crowds. A major exhibition of Auf der Maur's photographs is on view at the Art Gallery of Ontario from September 2, 2026, accompanied by a hardback photobook published by the AGO and DelMonico Books. Her photographs have been featured in National Geographic and Spin, and in 2010 she cofounded the non profit arts center Basilica Hudson in upstate New York. This past March, Auf der Maur published her memoir, Even the Good Girls Will Cry.

PETRA SZILAGYI Petra Szilagyi is an interdisciplinary sculptor, artist, and educator currently based in Somerville, Massachusetts. Raised in Los Angeles and educated at Williams College and VCU, Szilagyi works extensively with woodworking, installation, performance, and visual art and sculpture. Their work focuses on exploring spiritual awakening through contemporary art and sculpture while designing non denominational sacred artistic spaces that invite public participation. Szilagyi created the Apocalypse Anonymous project, an interactive initiative blending a 12 step spiritual framework with contemporary art and performance. Their installations have been featured at major venues including MASS MoCA and the Center for Contemporary Arts in Lagos, Nigeria.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

GUEST RESOURCES

MELISSA LINKS:

PETRA LINKS:

SEO KEYWORDS

LaunchLeft podcast, Melissa Auf der Maur interview, Petra Szilagyi, Hole, Smashing Pumpkins, independent musicians, DIY music artists, women in alternative music, creative process interview, artistic authenticity, self-produced music, alternative rock podcast, underground music scene, Emerging artists music, Independent music podcast, Rain Phoenix podcast, Alternative rock podcast, Underground music, new wave and punk podcast, Even the Good Girls Will Cry, analog era artistic process, Apocalypse Anonymous project, interactive prayer space, pro human artistic approach, visual art and sculpture, cross generational creative connection, 12 step spiritual framework, post human experience, non profit arts center, sacred artistic spaces.

Guest host Rich Tupica sits down for an electrifying John Flansburgh interview, diving headfirst into four decades of They Might Be Giants magic. John shares insider stories about their latest album, The World Is to Dig, the true craft behind pop music songwriting, wild vocal lessons, and why staying curious keeps an indie band thriving.

Then, John proudly launches Texas duo Tele Novella, taking listeners into their world of folk fantasy music. Discover how their cassette-tracked magic and visual flair prove that radical DIY artistry is alive and kicking.

What You’ll Learn This Episode: 
✅ How John Flansburgh approaches pop music songwriting and creative growth. 
✅ Why Tele Novella embraces folk fantasy music and theatrical visual art.
✅ The role of independent record labels in shaping underground scenes.
✅ How vocal training for singers and studio curiosity foster longevity.

LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft!

💎 Creative freedom thrives when artists focus on making captivating work rather than chasing temporary industry trends.
💎 Tele Novella builds a distinct identity by pairing analog textures with theatrical storytelling free of self-conscious vanity.
💎 True artistic longevity requires curiosity, continuous skill development, and embracing studio experimentation.
💎 Performing for small, dedicated crowds builds resilient foundational confidence that sustains long musical careers.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

BIOGRAPHIES: 

John Flansburgh is a founding member of the multi-Grammy-winning duo They Might Be Giants, who treat the entire history of popular music as a trampoline rather than a rulebook. Alongside John Linnell, he has built an iconic four-decade career defined by esoteric references, melodic left turns, and unyielding creative independence. On their album The World Is to Dig (Idlewild Recordings), the band continues to fire ideas like particles in a perpetual motion experiment. Untethered from trends and immune to nostalgia, Flansburgh remains a relentless champion of left-of-center music and artistic curiosity.

Tele Novella is a Texas-based duo currently residing in the small rural town of Lockhart, Texas, where they find inspiration for their medieval-western sound. With fable-like storytelling and thoughtfully crafted arrangements, their cinematically evocative recordings often contain chimes, dulcimers, toys, and vibraphones. Self-described as Folk-Fantasy and Magical Realism, their lyrics carry an otherworldly transmission recorded via cassette 8-track recorder. Released via Kill Rock Stars, Tele Novella crafts a distinct American Gothic vision that blends childlike wonder with wise storytelling.

Music icons Chuck D of Public Enemy and John Densmore of The Doors explore the concept of LaunchLeft and examine how raw creative expression bridges generations. The conversation centers on the intersection of hip hop and poetry, highlighting how rhythms and spoken word art carry powerful cultural histories.

Shifting the spotlight left of center, these legends launch two phenomenal independent creators: Oklahoma City rapper and community activist Jabee, and visionary LA poet Kamau Daaood. From founding historic jazz spaces to using hip hop for neighborhood revitalization, this episode uncovers how building community through independent music creates an enduring artistic legacy.

What You’ll Learn This Episode: 

✅ How John Densmore honors social justice poetry and uses music mentorship to elevate new voices

✅ Why Jabee embraces a grassroots movement framework to transform local communities

✅ The power of a collaborative record to unite diverse genres like jazz and hip hop

✅ How independent creators preserve creative expression by staying true to their neighborhoods

LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft!

IN THIS EPISODE: 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

SHEPARD FAIREY

https://obeygiant.com

https://www.instagram.com/obeygiant

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepard_Fairey

CHUCK D

https://www.instagram.com/mrchuckd

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_D

JOHN DENSMORE

https://www.johndensmore.com

https://www.instagram.com/johndensmore

https://www.facebook.com/johndensmore1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Densmore

JABEE LINKS:

https://www.instagram.com/mynameisjabee

https://jabee-mmg.bandcamp.com/

KAMAU DAAOOD LINKS:

https://www.leimertparkmovie.com/team/kamau-daaood/

BIOGRAPHIES: 

John Densmore is the legendary drummer of the seminal rock band The Doors. Beyond his foundational place in rock history, he is an accomplished author, poet, and advocate for independent artists. His lifelong dedication to creative expression fuels his current work bridging the worlds of jazz, rock, and spoken word poetry. 

Chuck D is the iconic co-founder and frontman of the legendary hip hop group Public Enemy. A fierce activist, author, and digital pioneer, he continues to redefine music mentorship through his global curatorial platform, Rap Station. He works tirelessly to support independent musicians and community-driven arts programs worldwide.  

Jabee is an acclaimed hip hop artist and Emmy-award-winning community activist based in Oklahoma City. Known for his sharp lyrical execution and grassroots movement projects, he owns local businesses that serve as creative hubs for the neighborhood. He uses hip hop as a direct vehicle for community empowerment and social change. 

Kamau Daaood is a celebrated Los Angeles poet, educator, and a fixture of the West Coast spoken word art community. He co-founded The World Stage in Leimert Park, a legendary performance space fostering jazz and poetry. He remains a vital carrier of ancestral knowledge and creative expression. 

Shepard Fairey hosts cultural icons Chuck D of Public Enemy and John Densmore of The Doors as they discuss their groundbreaking collaboration, DOPE | No Country for Old Men. What happens when different genres collide with a purpose? Their conversation explores activism, artistic responsibility, hip hop and rock history, creative evolution, spoken word, poetry, social change, and the power of music to challenge systems. Together, they reveal how generations of artists can unite to create meaningful work in a time of distraction and division.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Chuck D and John Densmore merged hip hop, rock, poetry, and activism to create DOPE.

✅ Why artists have a responsibility to challenge power structures and inspire critical thinking.

✅ The similarities between rap lyricism, spoken word poetry, and jazz improvisation.

✅ How collaboration across generations and genres can spark new creativity and cultural dialogue.

LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft!

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Welcome to LaunchLeft

00:01:34 Shepard Fairey praises Chuck D's book Hour of Chaos

00:05:58 Activism, civil rights movements, and why DOPE matters now

00:17:00 How the DOPE collaboration first came together

00:22:54 John Densmore on rap as an art form equal to jazz improvisation

00:25:52 Learning hip hop production, drum machines, and creative evolution

00:28:15 Etheridge Knight, poetry, and spoken word influences on the album

00:38:00 "Artificial Intelligence vs. Ancestral Intelligence" discussion

00:44:29 Revisiting Doors history through the song "Doomsday"

00:46:56 "Everybody gets older, but they don't get elder"

01:05:21 Building bridges through art, education, and cultural conversation

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

💎Great Art Bridges Generations and Genres: DOPE demonstrates that meaningful collaboration isn't limited by age, genre, or background. Chuck D and John Densmore found common ground through activism, storytelling, and a shared desire to create art that matters.

💎Activism Remains Central to Creativity: Music can be a vehicle for social awareness and change. Their work continues the tradition of artists using their platforms to challenge injustice and inspire dialogue.

💎Hip Hop and Rock Share More Than People Realize: The conversation reveals deep connections between rap, rock, jazz, poetry, and spoken word. Great music transcends genre labels and is rooted in expression, rhythm, and truth.

💎Experience Doesn't Automatically Create Wisdom: One of the most powerful themes is the distinction between aging and becoming an elder. The discussion centers on mentorship, responsibility, and passing knowledge to future generations.

ABOUT THE GUESTS: 

SHEPARD FAIREY is a contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, and founder of OBEY Clothing and creative agency Studio Number One. In 1989, while at Rhode Island School of Design studying for his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, Shepard Fairey created the “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker that later evolved into the OBEY GIANT art campaign. In 2008, his portrait of then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama became an internationally recognized emblem of hope. He is known for the “We The People” campaign debuted during the 2017 Women’s Marches worldwide. Fairey has painted more than 140 public murals, become one of the most sought-after and provocative artists globally, and changed the way people converse about art and view the urban landscape.

JOHN DENSMORE is the drummer for the legendary rock band The Doors. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and since then, he has earned a Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to his three books, the best-selling Riders on the Storm: My Life with Jim Morrison & The Doors, The Doors Unhinged: Jim Morrison’s Legacy Goes On Trial and The Seekers: Meetings With Remarkable Musicians (and Other Artists), his writing has also been featured in the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, the Guardian, the Nation, and Chicago Tribune, among others. He lives in Los Angeles.

CHUCK D is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, cultural icon, hip-hop legend, social activist, author, digital music pioneer, visual artist and multi-media producer. Known worldwide as the co-founder of Public Enemy, he ignited a movement with his fearless lyrics and remains one of the most influential figures in contemporary culture. 

Creating and delivering groundbreaking music since 1987, Public Enemy and Chuck D have been the subjects of exhibits at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the GRAMMY Museum and the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. 

In addition to his work with Public Enemy and his solo career, Chuck D released an album with John Densmore of The Doors. He is also a visual artist whose work has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide and is included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. A retrospective of his work was published by Genesis Books in 2023 entitled “Livin’ Loud” and he has released a series of graphic novels and illustrated books. Chuck runs a magazine titled Rap Central Station, the cultural media app Bring the Noise, hosts a show on SiriusXM and has written several books.

RESOURCES:

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

GUEST RESOURCES: 

SHEPARD FAIREY

https://obeygiant.com

https://www.instagram.com/obeygiant

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepard_Fairey

CHUCK D

https://www.instagram.com/mrchuckd

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_D

JOHN DENSMORE

https://www.johndensmore.com

https://www.instagram.com/johndensmore

https://www.facebook.com/johndensmore1

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Densmore

Books Mentioned: 

Hour of Chaos: The History of Public Enemy and American Rap Music by Chuck D

Follow the Music by Jack Holzman

Bones of My Father by Etheridge Knight

Today on LaunchLeft, guest host Rich Tupica chats with Jenny Lee Lindberg for a candid conversation about longevity and creativity, collaboration, and artistic independence. Jenny opens up about balancing music and painting, Warpaint’s evolving future, and finding freedom through visual art. Then, Jenny launches Sierra Swan, who reflects on growing up around music, self-producing her work, and embracing a fearless DIY spirit. Together, they discuss Los Angeles nightlife, artistic authenticity, dance, and why creating without compromise matters more than ever.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:
✅ How Jenny Lee balances painting, songwriting, and life outside Los Angeles

✅ Why Sierra Swan embraces complete creative control over her music and visuals

✅ The impact of the changing music industry on independent artists

✅ How friendship, dance, and artistic community fuel long-term creativity

LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft!

TIMESTAMPS:  

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

💎Creativity thrives in freedom. Painting gave Jenny a level of artistic freedom she rarely experienced in collaborative music settings. Working alone allows her to reconnect with her instincts and create without compromise or outside pressure.

💎Sierra Swan sees value in handling every aspect of her creative work herself—from songwriting and directing videos to self-releasing music. 

💎The music industry has dramatically changed. Jenny reflects on how exhausting and financially unsustainable the modern music business has become for many artists. Streaming culture and constant online promotion have fundamentally shifted artistic careers.

💎Community and friendship sustain artists. Jenny and Sierra’s decades-long friendship demonstrates the importance of encouragement, collaboration, and mutual inspiration.

ABOUT THE GUESTS: 

Jenny Lee Lindberg is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative work bridges the raw pulse of post-punk music with the intuitive expressionism of visual art. She is best known as the bassist and founding member of the critically acclaimed band Warpaint.

Parallel to her music career, Jenny Lee is a prolific painter whose visual work reveals the same spontaneity and emotional honesty that defines her sound. Working primarily in acrylics and mixed media, her paintings often explore form, color, and gesture through an abstract lens. Her visual art, like her music, resists easy categorization - favoring mood, movement, and process over polish or perfection. 

With a DIY ethos and a fiercely independent spirit, Jenny Lee continues to evolve as an artist across mediums, crafting immersive experiences that are deeply personal, rhythmically rich, and emotionally resonant.

Sierra Marie Swan was born in the San Fernando Valley with music in her blood. Her father Billy Swan had his first hit when he was sixteen with Lover Please. During Sierra’s many nights backstage while her father played rhythm guitar for Kris Kristofferson, she conjured up her own dreams of becoming a professional musician.​​

As a teenager, Sierra listened to Prince, Queen, Oingo Boingo, The Beatles, Grant Lee Buffalo, Mozart and Patsy Cline. It was Patsy Cline who inspired her singing career. When she was 16 she began playing at L.A. coffeehouses.

In 1997 Sierra joined the alternative rock band Dollshead and was signed to MCA Records. Two years later Sierra decided to leave the band and become a solo artist signing with Atlantic Records. She went on to work with some illustrious producers including Chad Hugo from The Neptunes, Howard Benson, Anne Preven and Scott Cutler. It was during the making of this record that she met Linda Perry. While they began to collaborate on material for her album she was let go from her contract with Atlantic. Linda decided to sign her to her label via Interscope, and Ladyland was released shortly thereafter. 

Typical of the music industry, she was let go from her contract with Interscope. Not to be deterred, Sierra decided to make it on her own producing and performing the beautiful and haunting EP entitled “Coward", followed by “Queen of the Valley,” Sierra’s 80’s pop homage to her Valley Girl roots. She then produced her third full length album ‘Girl Who Cried Wolf’, following a cover EP with her critically acclaimed father Billy Swan at the legendary Sun Studios in Memphis.

Sierra has also toured and collaborated with the likes of The Smashing Pumpkins, William Patrick Corgan, Aimee Mann, Bill Bottrell, Dave Stewart, Linda Perry, Ringo Starr, and Frank Black.

Sierra Swan embodies the true spirit of a musical artist. She’s had major label deals and major label drops. Through it all Sierra doesn’t miss a beat.

In 2013 she began recording her most personal record yet with William Patrick Corgan sitting in the producer's chair. 

In William's words “Sierra’s new songs are the best batch of material I have heard from any songwriter in forever.” The album named Good Soldier is available for download here.  This whimsically gorgeous album is a must have album. The outcome of Sierra Swan's Good Soldier is truly remarkable. There is simply nobody like her. 

Currently Swan is recording an EP in her basement in her Minneapolis home. There is also another project brewing but she is not quite sure what will become of it...yet.

RESOURCES:

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

GUEST RESOURCES: 

JENNY LEE LINKS:

https://www.jennyleelindberg.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jennylibrary/

https://www.instagram.com/warpaint/

https://www.warpaintwarpaint.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@WarpaintOfficial

SIERRA SWAN LINKS:

https://www.sierraswan.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sierraswan/

https://www.facebook.com/Swan5/

https://www.tiktok.com/@sierraswanmusic

Today on LaunchLeft, rock legend Michael Des Barres joins Donita Sparks for a wildly entertaining and deeply reflective conversation on creativity, resilience, and reinvention. From glam rock beginnings and acting alongside icons to fronting The Power Station at Live Aid, Michael shares unforgettable stories, moments of happenstance and hard-earned wisdom. Plus, the rising duo Night Mover is launched. Night Mover discusses their musical history, their genre-blending sound, nightlife roots, and evolving artistry. Catch a sneak peek at one of Night Mover’s songs. 

What You’ll Learn This Episode: 

✅How Michael Des Barres built a multi-decade career through reinvention and fearless creativity

✅Why self-belief and authenticity are essential for artistic longevity

✅The realities of rock stardom—from Live Aid to behind-the-scenes chaos

✅How Night Mover blends global disco, punk, and electronic influences into a modern sound

IN THIS EPISODE: 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

💎 Authenticity beats trends. Great artists don’t chase, they create.

💎 Reinvention is a skill that sustains long-term success.

💎 Rock and roll is as much about attitude and emotion as it is about sound.

💎 Collaboration and shared passion are driving forces behind new creative projects.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

MDB Links:

https://michaeldesbarres.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mdesbarres

https://www.facebook.com/mdesbarres

https://www.youtube.com/user/MichaelDesBarresBand

NIGHT MOVER LINK:

https://www.instagram.com/nightmovermusic/

BIOGRAPHIES: 

Michael Des Barres is an actor, rock singer, songwriter, and radio host. His arrival in the entertainment world began as a Marquis attending boarding school in England, where he first started acting at age eight in commercials and school plays. 

At nineteen, Michael played the androgynous rock star Rose in the nude musical The Dirtiest Show In Town. Andrew Lloyd Webber saw Michael’s performance and went backstage to tell him that he should form a real rock band. Michael quickly wrote his first song. That song lead  to the formation of Silverhead, a raucous glam rock experiment. 

After two albums and two world tours Silverhead disbanded and Michael moved to Los Angeles where he formed the band Detective. Detective was signed to Swan Song Records by Jimmy Page and recorded two albums. 

In 1982 Michael formed the band Chequered Past featuring Steve Jones, Clem Burke, Nigel Harrison and Tony Sales. After they opened for Duran Duran in 1984, Michael was chosen to replace Robert Palmer as lead singer of The Power Station, fronting the band at the 1985 Live Aid concert.

As a songwriter Michael co-wrote “Obsession” with Holly Knight, which was famously covered by the L.A. based New Wave group Animotion and was a number one hit in twenty-seven countries. 

Michael's love of acting had never subsided and in 1985 he was cast in the role of “Murdoc” in the ABC hit series MacGyver. Additional credits include Melrose Place, Seinfeld, WKRP in Cincinnati, Miami Vice, Alf, Roseanne, The Rockford Files, Northern Exposure, and many more.

In 2014 Michael was asked by Steven Van Zandt to bring his encyclopedic knowledge of rock and soul music to Little Steven’s Underground Garage, SiriusXM, Channel 21 where he can be found DJing every weekday from 5am-8am P/T, and 9pm-12am P/T. 

Michael’s highly lauded documentary “Who Do You Want Me To Be?” began streaming July 10th, 2020 on Amazon Prime. 

Currently MDB has a new single out on Rumbar Records entitled "Kiss or Kill Me."

NIGHT MOVER is a DJ and production duo made up of Alix Brown and James Matthew Seven, crafting cinematic sets shaped by film soundtracks and underground club culture. Their sound blends global disco, rock ‘n’ roll, obscure library music, and cosmic grooves into hypnotic, transportive experiences for hi-fi listening rooms and dance floors alike.

Alongside their work as performers, they run a boutique music agency and supervision studio, bringing a refined, cinematic approach to sonic identity across fashion, film, and nightlife.

Originally from Atlanta, Alix Brown is a DJ, music supervisor, and film producer whose work spans cinema, fashion, and culture. She has collaborated with Chanel, Gucci, and Fendi, and performed alongside artists like Nile Rodgers, Mark Ronson, James Murphy, Paris Hilton, and Jellybean Benitez. Her supervision work with companies including Lionsgate, Rai Cinema, and Warner Brothers informs NIGHT MOVER’s distinctly narrative-driven sound.

James Matthew Seven, originally from Toronto, is a producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and DJ whose work draws from disco, soul, psychedelia, and rock. As a touring musician, he has shared stages with Oasis, Wu-Tang Clan, and Iggy Pop, bringing a deep musicality and expansive sonic palette to the project.

Together, NIGHT MOVER creates immersive, stylish sets and bespoke edits and remixes, weaving rare records and timeless cuts into a sound defined by mood, movement, and a sense of atmosphere.

In this special episode of LaunchLeft, guest host Thurston Moore launches rising artist Devon Ross to celebrate the release of her new EP, Pinups. The project—a four-song digital release on Moore’s Daydream Library Series—reimagines classic tracks through Ross’s raw, minimalist, and emotionally charged lens.

From analog nostalgia to DIY recording techniques, this conversation dives deep into Ross’s creative process, musical influences, and the timeless power of reinterpretation. Then, listeners will be treated to ‘Killer’, the song that first put Devon Ross on Thurston Moore’s radar.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:
✅ The story behind Devon Ross’s EP Pinups and its stripped-down, home-recorded sound

✅ How artists like Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, and Randy Newman shaped Devon’s musical identity

✅ Tension between convenience and connection in modern music consumption

✅ Why cover songs can be acts of discovery, not imitation

✅ Ross’s approach to recording entirely solo using minimal tools (even a phone drum app)

LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft!

TIMESTAMPS:  

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

💎Devon Ross approaches cover songs not as replicas, but as reinterpretations that reflect her own artistic voice. By maintaining the emotional core while reshaping the sonic landscape, she creates something that feels both familiar and entirely new. 

💎Despite being part of a digital-native generation, Devon deeply values analog music culture—vinyl records, CDs, and physical collections. This influence shapes not only her listening habits but also her artistic sensibility, grounding her sound in timeless traditions. 

💎Devon recorded Pinups entirely on her own, using minimal equipment—including a drum machine app on her phone. This stripped-down process allowed for complete creative control and emotional authenticity. This kind of intimacy often translates into a more compelling and honest listening experience.

💎Great songwriting transcends decades, whether it’s Buddy Holly in the 1950s or Randy Newman in the 1970s. Devon gravitates toward songs with strong emotional resonance, proving that simplicity and sincerity remain powerful across generations.

💎While Pinups is a focused, intimate project, Devon hints at a bigger, louder, and more fully realized full-length album on the horizon. The groundwork laid by this EP reflects her evolving confidence and artistic clarity. 

ABOUT THE GUEST: 

Thurston Moore started Sonic Youth in 1980. Since then Thurston Moore has been at the forefront of the alternative rock scene since that particular sobriquet was first used to signify any music that challenged and defied the mainstream standard.

With Sonic Youth, Moore turned on an entire generation to the value of experimentation in rock n roll – from its inspiration on a nascent Nirvana, to Sonic Youth’s own Daydream Nation album being chosen by the US Library of Congress for historical preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2006.

Thurston records and performs in a cavalcade of disciplines ranging from free improvisation to acoustic composition to black/white metal/noise disruption. He has worked with Yoko Ono, John Zorn, Bobby Gillespie, David Toop, Cecil Taylor, John Paul Jones, Faust, Glenn Branca and many others. His residency at the Louvre in Paris included collaborations with Irmin Schmidt of CAN and Stephen O’Malley. Alongside his various activities in the musical world, he is involved with publishing and poetry, and teaches writing at The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University, Boulder CO, a programme founded by Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman in 1974. Thurston also teaches music at The Rhythmic Music Conservatory (Rytmisk Musikkonservatorium) in Copenhagen.

Presently Thurston Moore resides in London. He performs and records solo, with various ensembles and in his own band, The Thurston Moore Group. 

Devon Ross is a model, actress, musician, and poet who splits her time between London and Los Angeles. Born in Toronto, Ross grew up touring with her father, Lenny Kravitz's guitarist Craig Ross. Music has always been a defining part of her life, and she started playing guitar as a teenager. 

RESOURCES:

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

GUEST RESOURCES: 

THURSTON MOORE LINKS:

https://www.thurstonmoore.com/

https://www.instagram.com/thurstonmoore58/

https://www.facebook.com/ThurstonMooreOfficial/

DEVON ROSS LINKS:

https://www.instagram.com/devonross

In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, guest-host Donita Sparks welcomes the legendary Lenny Kaye—guitarist, historian, curator, and eternal champion of rock ‘n’ roll—to launch drummer and artist Bryan Lee Brown, also known as Dark Brown.

From the 50th anniversary tour of Horses with Patti Smith to the making of Lenny Kaye’s first-ever solo album Going Local, this episode explores what it means to stay creatively alive across decades. Lenny reflects on the joy of playing without expectation, the freedom of releasing music later in life, and why work itself is the reward.

The conversation dives deep into Lenny’s acclaimed book Lightning Striking, a cultural history of rock’s geographic “culture quakes”—from Memphis and New Orleans to Liverpool, Detroit, New York, London, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Along the way, he shares stories about Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, the origin of the groundbreaking Nuggets compilation, and the power of local scenes.

Finally, they turn the spotlight to launch Dark Brown and his track “Rhythm Surfer,” featuring surf guitar pioneer Dick Dale. Bryan shares the surreal story of meeting Dale at NAMM—and two days later heading to the Mojave Desert to jam before touring Europe with him.

This episode is a love letter to rock history, artistic longevity, and the electric present tense of making music.

What You Will Learn in This Episode:

✅Why Lenny Kaye believes rock and roll has moved from its “innovative period” into its “interpretive period” — and why that excites him.

✅How local music scenes become cultural earthquakes that reshape history.

✅Why being a “worker” in music matters more than hype, expectations, or industry validation.

✅How Dark Brown’s American Instrument honors the drum set as a foundational force in American music — and how Dick Dale became part of the story.

LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft!

TIMESTAMPS:  

00:00 Donita introduces Lenny Kaye and the 50th anniversary of Horses

02:00 Playing Disney Hall & the lifeline of a 50-year-old record

05:17 Announcing Lenny’s first solo album Going Local

08:00 Living in the present tense of music

11:00 The pure joy of local bar gigs

17:48 Lightning Striking and the geography of rock revolutions

19:47 Memphis, New Orleans & the birth of rock

20:35 New York 1975, punk London, and metal Scandinavia

25:32 Writing, curating, and the legacy of Nuggets

27:00 Waylon Jennings, storytelling & the human behind the legend

35:15 SiriusXM and spinning the “platters that matter”

36:15 Dark Brown is launched

37:24 Working with Dick Dale

49:02 Dark Brown’s track, “Rhythm Surfer”

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

💎 Longevity comes from curiosity, not nostalgia. Kaye doesn’t cling to the past — he keeps playing, writing, and exploring because the act itself keeps him alive.

💎 The Local is sacred. Whether it’s Memphis in 1954 or a Wednesday night bar gig in New Jersey, scenes grow from small rooms into cultural revolutions.

💎 Music is a lifeline. From Horses to Nuggets to Going Local, Kaye sees music as an evolving conversation — not a finished monument.

💎 The process is the reward. Once a record is mastered, it no longer belongs to the artist. The joy is in the making.

ABOUT THE GUESTS: 

LENNY KAYE: As musician, writer, and record producer, Lenny Kaye has been intimately involved with the creative impulse that marks the music.  He is a founding member of Patti Smith and Her Band, dating from their first performance as a duo at St. Marks Church in New York’s East Village on February 10, 1971, and has worked with such artists as Suzanne Vega, Jim Carroll, Allen Ginsberg, Soul Asylum, and Jessi Colter.  His books include You Call It Madness: The Sensuous Song of the Croon (2004); Waylon: An Autobiography (1994); and the newly released Lightning Striking: Ten Transformative Moments in Rock and Roll.  His seminal anthology of garage rock, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts of the First Psychedelic Era, is regarded as defining a genre and recently celebrated its golden anniversary.

DARK BROWN: 

Bryan Lee Brown is a Los Angeles-based composer and musician known for crafting immersive, rhythm-driven scores that blend abstract minimalism with melodic psychedelia. His work has been integral to Dave Grohl’s productions What Drives Us and HBO’s Emmy-winning Sonic Highways, for which Rolling Stone praised his score as "the show's unsung sonic element.”

A lifelong percussionist, Brown’s deep-rooted connection to rhythm shapes his compositions, layering hypnotic textures with cinematic energy. He first emerged as the powerhouse drummer for LA’s underground band Bluebird—signed to Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records—before expanding into TV and film as a sought-after session musician, recording with icons like Frank Black, Jerry Cantrell, and Duff McKagan. Most notably, his touring and recording with surf guitar legend Dick Dale have cemented his reputation as a dynamic and versatile musician.

Expanding beyond Sonic Highways and What Drives Us, Brown’s music resonates across a diverse range of projects, including CSI: Vegas, Unlocking The Truth, Jackass Forever, feature doc L7: Pretend We’re Dead, horror classic The Collection, and Stacy Peralta’s film Bones Brigade: An Autobiography.

Brown’s creative reach extends into contemporary art. His collaboration with acclaimed new media artist Jennifer Steinkamp on the video installation S.W.E.L.L. is now part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA)—a defining achievement for the Art Center College alum and a testament to his impact at the intersection of sound and visual innovation.

Bryan is currently in the studio recording drums with the Afghan Whigs and preparing for their upcoming 2026 tour.

RESOURCES:

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

GUEST RESOURCES: 

Lenny Kaye: 

https://www.instagram.com/lenny_kaye

Photo Credit: Dina Regine

Dark Brown: 

https://www.instagram.com/darkbrownmusic

https://linktr.ee/darkbrown

https://darkbrown.bandcamp.com

In this episode of LaunchLeft, guest host Donita Sparks is joined by legendary no wave pioneer Lydia Lunch, celebrating her fearless artistry and the launch of Genre is Death. Lydia Lunch dives deep into her boundary-busting career, from her start in the 1970s New York underground to her influence across music, spoken word, and activism. The episode also shines a spotlight on emerging NYC band Genre is Death—members Taylor and Ty join the conversation, sharing their journey from Georgia to the NYC scene. Together, they explore the spirit of artistic rebellion, creative resilience, and the power of radical self-expression. Tune in for candid stories, inspiration, and a special performance from Genre is Death’s upcoming album, Attractive People.

What You’ll Learn This Episode: 

✅Lydia Lunch recounts her teenage escape to New York, driven by the inspiration of the New York Dolls, her formation of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, and the gritty, creative chaos of 1970s and pioneering “no wave”

✅Insights into Lydia’s constantly shifting creative identities—from tight, abrasive bands to big band projects and experimental spoken word. She breaks down her approach to musical collaboration, creative ownership, and why she curates her own sonic universe.

✅Lydia and Donita reflect on giving back, including workshops for women writers, bringing newcomers onto the spoken word stage, and the power of solidarity among outsider artists.

✅From Lydia’s ongoing podcast “The Lydian Spin” to new recordings, collaborations, and upcoming tours—plus tales of performing anywhere for the love of art, even in alleys ankle-deep in urine. There’s also talk of legendary collaborations, archival ambitions, and what it means to keep hustling in independent music.

LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft!

IN THIS EPISODE: 

00:00 Intro: Lydia Lunch’s Origins: From Runaway Teen to No Wave Pioneer  

02:22 1970s New York City: Chaos, Cheap Rent, and Artistic Revolution  

05:11 The Birth of No Wave: Rejecting Genres and Reinventing Sound  

09:16 Art as Instigation: Owning Your Work in Underground Music  

13:24 Confrontational Performance Art: Politics, Anger, and the Stage  

20:40 Mental Health, Trauma, and Survival as a Creative  

31:05 Being a Woman in Radical and Experimental Music Spaces  

47:08 Genre Is Death is Launched: Supporting New Bands and the Future of No Wave Spirit 

53:13 Performance video of Genre is Death’s new song Attractive People

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

💎Inventing a Genre, Defying Rules: Lydia discusses the birth of “no wave,” her resistance to artifice, why her work is “no everything,” and the difference between no wave’s personal/creative revolt versus punk’s political edge.

💎Confrontation as Art: Lydia self-identifies as a “cuntfrontationalist”—always willing to push boundaries and provoke thought. The episode gets candid about being a woman in a hyper-male art world, using language as a weapon, and surviving decades in radical art.

💎Launching Genre is Death: Lydia introduces Taylor and Ty from Genre is Death, a rising New York duo merging heavy fuzz bass and DIY performance art. Learn how they met Lydia, relocated from Georgia, and found their creative family in NYC’s underground.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Lydia Lunch links:

https://www.lydia-lunch.net

https://www.instagram.com/lydia.lunch.official/

https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLunch/

https://www.youtube.com/c/lydialunchofficial

https://lydialunch.bandcamp.com

Genre is Death Links:

https://www.instagram.com/genreisdeath/

https://genreisdeath.bandcamp.com

BIOGRAPHIES: 

Donita Sparks Best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the pioneering punk band L7, Donita Sparks is a cultural force whose influence spans decades. Her creativity, artistry, and humor have made her an iconic figure in music. In 2026, Sparks joins LaunchLeft as a guest host, bringing her insight and generous spirit to conversations with independent and emerging artists.

Genre is Death In 2024, GID was crowned the 3rd hardest working band in NYC by Oh My Rockness. In March 2025, the duo played the New Colossus Festival. Their debut LP 'Talk' was released November 1st, with a limited run of cassettes released by Insecurity Hits. The pair have opened up for legendary acts Gogol Bordello, Lydia Lunch, Cherubs, Bush Tetras, and will be opening for Jon Spencer February 1 in Philadelphia. Their upcoming record was recorded with celebrated sound engineer Martin Bisi & will be out this year on IN THE RED Records.

Lydia Lunch is passionate, confrontational and bold. Whether attacking the patriarchy and their pornographic war mongering, turning the sexual into the political or whispering a love song to the broken hearted, her fierce energy and rapid fire delivery lend testament to her warrior nature. 

Queen of No Wave, muse of The Cinema of Transgression, writer, musician, poet, spoken word artist and photographer, she has released too many musical projects to tally, has been on tour for decades, working with such luminaries as Rowland S Howard, Thurston Moore, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Karen Finley, Jerry Stahl, The Last Poets, and Hubert Selby JR. 

She has published dozens of articles, half a dozen books translated into 9 languages, appeared in numerous documentaries, conducted workshops, taught at Universities including The San Francisco Art Institute and simply refuses to just shut up.

Genre Is Death is an uncompromising noise duo made up of Ty V (guitar, vox) and Tayler Lee (bass, vox). Their sound is abrasive yet melodic, using heavy distortion, dissonant riffs, and reverberating vocals to create a wave of boldly hypnotic noise. The duo have been compared to the likes of Sonic Youth and Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, yet have managed to create a sound that is distinctly their own, avoiding mimicking the zeitgeist of decades before. Beyond the integrity of their music, Tayler’s intimidating glare, or Ty’s staggering gait, the duo share something truly inimitable— the overwhelming feeling that their music is a byproduct of the high esteem they hold of each other.

It’s time to turn the tables in this special episode of LaunchLeft. Rain Phoenix passes hosting duties over to punk icon Donita Sparks of L7. Donita interviews Rain about the origins of LaunchLeft, her lifelong journey in music and artistry, collaborating with her brother River Phoenix, navigating grief, and the evolution of her creative process. Rain also shares updates on her current projects, including Escape Artist Lovers and the inspiration behind her next solo record.

Together, Rain and Donita explore artistic identity, spiritual growth, joyful collaboration, and the power of feeling ‘seen' in the artistic community. Then, Rain launches Evelyn Frances, who shares her experimental approach to music, blending classical, jazz, and electronic soundscapes to explore climate change, human connection, and personal transformation.

This episode is perfect for musicians, music lovers, independent artists, and fans of LaunchLeft, offering insight into how collaboration, grief, and purpose-driven art can shape careers and creative paths.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN THIS EPISODE

✅ Rain’s goal for creating LaunchLeft to uplift independent artists and creatives
✅ How music shaped Rain’s life from childhood to her current projects
✅ The evolution of Escape Artist Lovers and Rain’s creative partnership with Kirk Hellie
✅ Rain’s mission-oriented solo record and her work as a death doula
✅ Evelyn Frances’ experimental music process and the themes of her albums Seed and Human Patience
✅ How collaboration, grief, and personal growth influence creative partnerships

00:00 Introduction: Meet Donita Sparks
03:42 How Rain stays grounded while navigating the pressures of the music industry
07:15 Early experiences that shaped Rain’s artistic identity and mission
12:08 Rain’s approach to vulnerability and honesty in her creative work
16:54 Overcoming obstacles on her artistic path and lessons learned
21:30 Maintaining community and connection while uplifting emerging artists
26:02 The role of creative partnership in Rain’s journey with Escape Artist Lovers
31:40 Balancing artistic expression with the realities of the music business
36:12 Advice for artists struggling with self-doubt
40:55 Key takeaways from Rain’s mission-driven work and what she hopes listeners carry forward

💎 Visibility from a respected artist can transform the career of an emerging musician
💎 Creativity evolves through grief, growth, and reinvention
💎 Music becomes a refuge, a truth-teller, and a way back to oneself
💎 Purpose-driven art brings comfort at life’s most vulnerable moments
💎 Experimental and avant-garde music blends genres to challenge perception and inspire reflection

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link: https://www.launchleft.com

Rain Phoenix
Website: https://www.rainjphoenix.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainjphoenix/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainjphoenix333/

Donita Sparks
Website: https://www.donitasparks.com
L7 Official: https://www.l7theband.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donitasparks
Spotify Artist Page (L7): https://open.spotify.com/artist/0vYzyVYjv80FVRbH0qD5GG

Evelyn Frances
Website: https://www.evelynfrancesmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelynfrancesmusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evelynfrancesmusic/

Prim: https://sundaydrive-records.com/collections/prim?srsltid=AfmBOorkjt4_3eLFgL5LNXafSW2uGKPx3bQ0O33m9hcCmyd80yP4til4

Rain Phoenix: Musician, activist, and creator of LaunchLeft, Rain has spent her life in music and artistic projects, from performing with her brother River in Aleka’s Attic to leading projects including Paper Cranes, Venus and the Moon, and Escape Artist Lovers. Her work blends artistic expression with spiritual intention, uplifting emerging independent artists while exploring vulnerability, joy, and truth. Rain’s forthcoming solo album Lullaby (BYE) expands her mission to bring comfort through music at pivotal life moments.

Donita Sparks: Best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the pioneering punk band L7, Donita Sparks is a cultural force whose influence spans decades. Her creativity, artistry, and humor have made her an iconic figure in music. In 2026, Sparks joins LaunchLeft as a guest host, bringing her insight and generous spirit to conversations with independent and emerging artists.

Evelyn Frances is an experimental, avant-garde musician and songwriter from Upstate New York, now based in Seattle. Her work blends classical flute and jazz training with electronic soundscapes to explore climate change, humanity’s relationship with nature, and personal struggles with mental health.  Her first album, Seed, was recorded at Electric Lady Studios while she interned there and met producer Phil Joly. Her second album, Human Patience, was created over five years with Matthew Politoski (producer/mixing engineer), Phil Joly (producer/mixing engineer), Tristan Allen (producer), and John Thayer (mastering engineer).