Object Of Sound

“I came into my own and I was able to find my voice through my writing,” says artist Ravyn Lenae. The making of her album, HYPNOS, was a four-year-long journey of blood, sweat and tears—but the result is a meticulously crafted debut, a collection of songs on which Ravyn herself has curated every element, right down to individual snares and bass lines. In this episode, the first in our three part mini-series, “The Wonders of Songwriting,” Hanif and Ravyn dig into the editing process that produced the many sonic moods and colors on HYPNOS. And, in an Object of Sound exclusive, Ravyn walks Hanif through the earlier mixes of her song, ‘Inside Out,’ and explains why this track in particular needed over 2,000 vocal recordings before it was just right. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode, including ‘Inside Out, head over to radio.sonos.com.

Music In This Week’s Episode: 
Inside Out - Ravyn Lenae
We’re So Good - Kids On A Crime Spree
Hold On - The Internet
One For the Griot - J-Live
Don’t Go Near The Water - The Beach Boys
Migratory Birds - Earth From The Moon
Let’s Pretend We’re Not In Love - The Reds, Pinks, and Purples
Tender Falls the Rain - Randy Crawford

Show Notes: 
This episode is part of our mini series, “The Wonders of Songwriting,” three special episodes on Object of Sound devoted to the art of how songs become songs. Hanif talks to artists Ravyn Lenae, Nick Hakim, and Carly Rae Jepsen to understand where their love of language comes from, how words become images become music, where the ideas begin, and how they morph as they move from the page into the intangible space of melody and vibration.

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.

“It’s like digging a hole and moving into it, and listening to a lot of bass, and loving it.” So says Björk of the meaning behind the word ‘Fossora’—the title of her tenth studio album, just released today. On this episode, Hanif and Björk break Fossora down concept-by-concept, from the sextet of bass clarinets that shape the album’s grounded, sonic world, to the album’s themes of digging deeply into our ancestral roots, and the pleasures of setting down new ones. To close the show, Hanif riffs on Fossora’s autumnal vibes with a playlist of music for the coming season. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to radio.sonos.com.
 

Music In This Week’s Episode: 
Sorrowful Soil - Björk
God In Wilson - Dijon
let it be me - Joy Oladokun
ACTING NORMAL - BLACKSTARKIDS
I Don’t Know How To Love - The Drums
Longing To Hold You - Black Harmony
Pulling Leaves Off Trees - Wallows
Sowing Seeds - The Jesus and Mary Chain
 

Show Notes: 

Björk’s album Fossora is out now.
 

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.

“When I'm onstage, it's the happiest I feel. It's the most in love with myself I feel,” says Danielle Ponder. “I know that’s my purpose.” On this episode of Object of Sound, Danielle and Hanif talk about how Danielle left her successful career as a public defender to follow her purpose and become a musician full time—and how Danielle sees storytelling as a vital skill for both professions. Hanif and Danielle dig into the making of her debut album ‘Some Of Us Are Brave,’ and Danielle reveals how connecting with other people through the stories in her songs helps her feel more alive, and less alone. At the end of the episode, Hanif creates a playlist of some of the very first songs he fell in love with. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to radio.sonos.com.

Music In This Week’s Episode: 
Some Of Us Are Brave- Danielle Ponder
Pirate Jenny (Live at Carnegie Hall) - Nina Simone
The Good Humor Man He Sees Everything Like This - Love
Rich - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Call the Doctor - Sleater-Kinney
Banquet - Bloc Party
Here Lies the Man That Never Changed - Jacob Banks
Flirted With You All My Life - Vic Chesnutt

 

Show Notes: 

Danielle Ponder’s debut album, Some of Us Are Brave, is out now.

The album takes its title from the book, All the Women are White, All the Blacks are Men, But Some of Us Are Brave, a groundbreaking collection of black feminist scholarship published in 1982.

Catch Danielle Ponder on tour across the US through November.

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.
 

Welcome to Season Four of Object of Sound! To kick us off, Hanif sits down with Madison Cunningham, who just released her latest album, Revealer. Hanif and Madison dig deep into the songwriting process: the vulnerability and ultimately, the surrender that is required to put a piece of yourself out into the world. Throughout the conversation, Hanif and Madison investigate what it is like to confront our own reflections, and find the balance between who we think we are, and who exists behind that image. Plus, Hanif closes the episode with a playlist of his top road trip tunes. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to www.mixcloud.com/sonos.

Music In This Week’s Episode: 
Sunshine Over the Counter - Madison Cunningham
Think Nothing - Sydney Sprague
Frontline - Kelela
Honeycomb - Kadhja Bonet
Warm Winds (feat. Isaiah Rashad) - SZA, Isaiah Rashad
I Think You’re Alright - Jay Som
High Lonesome - The Gaslight Anthem
Hey Jealousy - Gin Blossoms

Show Notes: 

Madison Cunningham’s album Revealer is available now. 

Madison recorded ‘Life According to Raechel’ at Sonic Ranch in El Paso, Texas.

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.
 

“I have lived half my life in fear of judgment,” says Margo Price. “I'm so done with it.” In the final episode of this season, recorded from the back lounge of Margo’s tour bus, Margo reveals how the experience of writing her autobiography, Maybe We’ll Make It, empowered her to let go of her fear and tell her personal story. Plus, Margo talks to Hanif about her on-the-road reading list, her upcoming Sonos show Runaway Horses, and what she thinks of the evolving Nashville music scene. Hanif closes the episode with a playlist of autobiographical songs. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to https://bit.ly/oos-margo-price.

/ Music In This Week's Episode: /
This Town Gets Around - Margo Price
Sports, Drugs and Entertainment - Cam’ron
Nutbush City Limits - Tina Turner
Rehab - Amy Winehouse
Coal Miner’s Daughter - Loretta Lynn
Piano Man - Billy Joel
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy - Elton John
Are You Leaving For The Country - Karen Dalton

Show Notes: 
Margo Price’s memoir, Maybe We’ll Make It, is out October 4 on University of Texas Press.

Margo’s bookstack includes a collection of poems by Mark Strand, Kalamazoo Gals: A Story of Extraordinary Women & Gibson's 'Banner' Guitars of WWII, Crying At H Mart, and Citizen Cash.

Hanif previously interviewed Margo’s friend and fellow musician, Adia Victoria, during Season 2 of Object of Sound. He spoke to Allison Russell about Outside Child earlier this year. 

Margo’s upcoming Sonos show, Runaway Horses, will be released later this year. 

This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. We had wonderful help this week from Columbus producer, Jeremy Steckel. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.

So many coming-of-age stories focus on leaving where you’re from—but what compels someone to come back? Musician PJ Morton returned to his hometown of New Orleans in 2016, and since then, he’s established an independent record label, founded a non-profit organization, and worked to restore the home of jazz pioneer Buddy Bolden. In this episode, Hanif and PJ talk about embracing the strength in your roots, and the making of his just-released album, Watch the Sun, which features appearances from artists like Stevie Wonder, Nas, Jill Scott, and more. To close the episode, Hanif takes us on a musical tour of his home state of Ohio. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to https://bit.ly/oos-pj-morton.

Music In This Week’s Episode:
Be Like Water (feat. Stevie Wonder and Nas) - PJ Morton
Freedom Now - Tracy Chapman
Pride & Vanity - Ohio Players
Don’t Know What To Do - The Edsels
Dead End America - The Pagans
Tunnel Bound - Mood
Heat Night - The Waitresses
We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off - Jermaine Stewart
 

Show notes:
Watch the Sun is out today.

PJ Morton is working to save Buddy Bolden’s house. Once restored the house will become a community center, museum, and recording studio, offering music-business education for young performers and celebrating the jazz originator's legacy.

Watch the Sun was recorded at Studio in the Country in Bogalusa, LO.

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.
 

“I still have every bit of my voice,” says singer and civil rights icon Mavis Staples. “It’s still here, and I’m still here.” Throughout her career, Mavis has used her voice to uplift the truth through song, and after seventy years, she has no interest in slowing down. This year Mavis is on tour throughout the US and Europe, and on May 20th, she will release a new album, Carry Me Home, recorded with The Band’s Levon Helm. On this episode, Hanif speaks to Mavis about the album, why she won’t be retiring anytime soon, and the secrets behind the longevity of her career—including how Mahalia Jackson taught her to take care of her voice. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to https://bit.ly/oos-mavis-staples.

/ Music In This Week’s Episode /
I’ll Take You There - The Staple Singers
The Last Waltz Suite: The Weight (feat. The Staple Singers) - The Band, The Staple Singers
How I Got Over - Live at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church - Aretha Franklin
Summertime / Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child - Mahalia Jackson
Heaven - Mary Mary
Down in My Soul - Ingram Singers
BL3$$3D - Trek Manifest

Show Notes: 
Carry Me Home, a collaborative live album from Mavis Staples and Levon Helm, will be released May 20th. The first single, “You Got To Move,” is out now; the music video features footage of Mavis and Levon from the making of the album.

Carry Me Home was recorded at Levon Helm Studios. The Studio is a barn designed and acoustically engineered by Levon himself, and it stands today as a one-of-a-kind musical landmark. Levon Helm Studios welcomes artists for intimate concerts, recording sessions, rehearsals, writing retreats, and private events.

On May 20th, Mavis Staples will perform at Brooklyn Academy of Music, as part of the spring music series curated by Hanif. Amy Helm, Levon Helm’s daughter, will open. You can follow Mavis’ full tour this year on her website.  

Every Thanksgiving, Hanif watches the Last Waltz. 

The Staple Singers appeared on Soul Train in 1974.

A recent favorite song of Mavis’ is Black Pumas’ Colors.

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.

“Anyone who loves music can karaoke.” So declares Raina Lee, Karaoke Queen and author of Hit Me With Your Best Shot: The Ultimate Guide to Karaoke Domination. In celebration of National Karaoke Week, our new favorite niche holiday, we’re devoting a whole episode to karaoke. We’ll hear tips for picking the perfect song and what it takes to rule the karaoke stage from Raina and 2020 World Karaoke Champion Garvaundo Hamilton. Plus, listeners from across the country call in to perform some of their karaoke favorites. Marianne Chan closes out the episode with a reading of her poem, ‘In Defense of Karaoke.’ For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to www.mixcloud.com/sonos.

/ Music In This Week’s Episode: /

I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston

Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield

U Remind Me - Usher

No Scrubs - TLC

Don’t Stop Believin’ - Journey

Show Notes: 
National Karaoke Week is the fourth week of April. Check your local karaoke venues for special events to celebrate the occasion.

Raina Lee is a visual artist and the author of Hit Me With Your Best Shot: The Ultimate Guide To Karaoke Domination.  If you’re in the LA area and looking for a local karaoke spot, she recommends the San Franciscan. 

Garvaundo Hamilton is the 2020 World Karaoke Champion. He is also the Washington State Director for the 2022 Karaoke World Championships. Qualifying competitions have already begun. Check out the Karaoke World Championship website to find an event near you!

Marianne Chan is the author of In Defense of Karaoke, which is available in her book, All Heathens. Hanif often opens his own readings with the poem, and has previously read it for the 92Y.

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.

What does anger look like? In Yaeji’s case, the answer is simple: a fearsome, bedazzled hammer. At least, that’s the idea behind her forthcoming debut album. “It's a story about me and my anger,” says Yaeji. “My anger is materialized into this hammer that I befriend.” In this episode, Hanif sits down with Yaeji to talk about her songwriting process, her debut album, and the usefulness, the beauty, and the complicated nature of anger. Hanif closes the episode with a final thought: when we stop pushing away our anger and listen to what it is telling us, what greater acts of love, service, and creativity can that anger propel us towards? For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to https://bit.ly/oos-yaeji.

Music In This Week’s Episode:
When I Grow Up - Yaeji
Hit ‘Em Up Style - Blue Cantrell
You Oughta Know - Alanis Morissette
Caught Out There - Kelis
Never Again - Kelly Clarkson
Breaking Point - Keri Hilson
What About - Janet Jackson
 

Show Notes: 
Hanif’s essay collection, A Little Devil in America: Notes in Praise of Black Performance, was released just over a year ago. 

Check out the music video for ‘29,’ Yaeji’s recent single with OHHYUK, where she appears wielding a hammer. 

Recently, Yaeji has been reading Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong.

You can see Jiji in all her cuteness on Yaeji’s instagram.

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.

Jack White has won twelve Grammys, founded his own label, and is regularly ranked as one of the top guitarists of all time—but, “I’ve never felt like I’ve arrived or felt satisfied,” he tells Hanif. It’s that restlessness and discomfort with success that keeps pushing Jack into new creative territory. In this episode, we talk to Jack about his two forthcoming albums, Fear Of The Dawn and Entering Heaven Alive, and what it means to consistently return to the challenge of making something new—a daunting and inspiring task that all artists face. Plus, Hanif makes a playlist highlighting his favorite vinyl record purchases so far this year. For the playlist of songs curated for this episode head over to https://bit.ly/oos-jackwhite.

Music in this episode:
Hi-De-Ho - Jack White, Q-Tip
Party Girl - Linda Ronstadt
Lonely, Lonely - Nancy Wilson
Way Out - Steve Arrington’s Hall of Fame
Emotion - Merry Clayton
You’re Just What I Need - Betty Wright
Talk Talk - Talk Talk|
Let the Church Roll On - Mahalia Jackson

Show Notes:

You can check out the final product of Hanif’s reupholstery project on his instagram, @nifmuhammad. Find select Jack White upholstery projects documented here.

Fear of the Dawn is out April 8. Entering Heaven Alive will be released July 22. Catch Jack White on tour across North America and Europe, starting on April 8 and continuing through August. 

Check out Cab Calloway’s 1934 short film Hi-De-Ho. Calloway is sampled on Jack White and Q-Tip’s track of the same name. 

Jack White previously collaborated with Q-Tip on the A Tribe Called Quest album, We got it from Here... Thank You 4 Your service, where he appeared on several tracks as a guest artist.

Hanif has performed in The Blue Room, a performance venue housed inside Third Man Records in Nashville, Tennessee.

Special thanks to Brett and Amy at Spoonful Records in Columbus, Ohio for their hospitality! 

Credits:
This show is produced by work by work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Kathleen Ottinger, Rhiannon Corby, and by Hanif Abdurraqib. The show is mixed by Sam Bair. Extra gratitude to Joe Dawson and Saidah Blount at Sonos.