Sonic Smoothie

Yearning Nation, Rise! It's Emily McNally!

 

Today, your host, caramelized onion expert Russ Stone, talks to purple-loving NYC based icon Emily McNally.

 

Emily is a queer indie artist, who is, "creating the track for the lovelorn and anxious generation.”

 

The NYU graduate and classically trained musician has a long history of writing, performing, and busking around the city. Lately, Emily has been keeping busy by writing theme songs for podcasts, scoring films, and doing anything and everything in between. 

 

On this episode of Sonic Smoothie, the two talk about the moments that define us as artists, rocks we just can't get rid of, and more yearning.

 

To keep up with Emily McNally, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

Song Featured: "I Was Here"Emily McNally, 2019

On today's episode, host and human Russ Stone sits down with Tokyo Tramps, a Boston-based rock and blues power couple.

 

Songwriter/guitarist Satoru Nakagawa and vocalist/bassist Yukiko Fujii came to the US from Japan over 2 decades ago to pursue their rock n' roll dreams, heavily influenced by legends like Bon Jovi and Springsteen. Tokyo Tramps formed in 1999, and the couple have created an incredible legacy, winning numerous awards and performing at countless festivals and venues. Satoru and Yukiko, self described as "too rock for blues, too blues for rock," create a gorgeous and unique sound together that is both familiar and exciting.

 

Today, Russ sits down with the two to talk about their influences, following your dreams, and keeping busy during lockdown.

 

To keep up with Tokyo Tramp, visit their website and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Song Featured: "I'm A Tiger"Tokyo TrampsReleased : October 31, 2020Guitar, Vocal : Satoru NakagawaBass, Vocal, Keybords : Yukiko Fujii

Today, Russ Stone, the same man who marinated paneer in hot cheetos this week, sits down with Brooklyn singer, songwriter, and good pal Rachel Yohe.

Rachel's origin story begins in a small town in Pennsylvania as a "singer-theatre-weirdo-kid" who volunteered for all of the musical parts in her summer camp shows. Rachel fell in love with performing and spent her teen years in the school choir, competing in singing competitions, and auditioning for all the local musicals.

When Rachel's high school doppelganger introduced her to the ukulele, her musical world broadened and suddenly performance was portable. Rachel is a staple of the Brooklyn indie music scene: a singer, songwriter, and ukulele wizard with tens of thousands of Soundcloud streams and shows with her college roommate, Goldye Horan, at several large New York venues on her resume.

On this episode, Russ and Rachel talk about supporting local businesses, Anthony's dog, and the rivalry between comedy and musical open mics.

Plus, maybe a synth version of the song featured if you ask politely?

To keep up with Rachel Yohe, follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

Song Featured: "Waiting at the Door"by Rachel Yohe

Today, host and future high school teacher Russ Stone chats with Paulina Vo, an eclectic and brilliant indie/pop songwriter, sample maker, and producer from New Orleans. 

As a child, Paulina would walk around writing music out loud, inspired primarily by Vietnamese karaoke and the Spice Girls. Eventually, she convinced her Dad, a man who played the bass in a Beatles cover band in Vietnam, to get her a guitar so she could bring a new dimension to her acoustic pre-teen girl band. She learned two chords and started playing with sounds in Garage band and Logic, and then adult Paulina created a sample pack. 

The artist has an impressive catalogue of award winning music. She's scored films, played all around New York, and has been recognized among the top sound creators in the city. Paulina is so cool, guys. She has a unique sound and an incredibly fun, exciting energy that makes you a fan before you've even heard her songs. Fortunately for you, a new die hard-Vo-head, the music more than holds up.

In this episode, the two talk about creativity in lockdown, how excited they are to get back to riding the smelly subway, celebrating big victories (like making dinner), and video game music. 

Also: we are pairing this episode with some glacial sounds and Thai Tea ice cream.

To keep up with Paulina, visit her website and follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram!

 

Song Featured: "Sweetie"

Released February 11, 2021Performed, written, and produced by Paulina VoCo-produced by Dragi IvanovDrums: Kevin PiersonRecording Engineer: Danny BobbyMixing: Vira ByramjiMastering: Raelynn JanickeCreative Direction: Paulina Vo and Chris LaineRecorded in the study and Morocco Studios (rip) in Brooklyn and New York City.

Today, host Russ Stone, who wore a cape every day for a year when was 3, talks to 2 staples of the New York/New Jersey indie music scene, Rory D'Lasnow and Phil Robinson.

Rory and Phil met at a house party over a year ago and became fast friends and collaborators, playing all around the tri-state area. Between the two, the list of accomplishments, performances, and events is too long to cover, but some highlights include regular online showcases and a new song that's so catchy, you'll start hearing it in your dreams. Rory and Phil share a love of Bruce Springsteen a similar creative warmth, and thick reptilian skin from playing so many cover gigs.

On the show, the three get deep into their musical origin stories, the new song and the accompanying video, and the animals they identify most closely with.

Plus, what version of "Happy" are you ready for next? Metal? Ska? Let us know below!

To keep up with Rory, visit his website and follow him on Instagram, and Facebook. Also, check out his weekly showcase here! 

To keep up with Phil, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Be sure to also check out Roomful of Sky for events, virtual performances, and the monthly show in collaboration with Mary O's pub. 

To watch the music video for "Happy", click here. 

Song Featured: "Happy"by Rory D'Lasnow, FT. Phil Robinson℗ 2020 Rory D'Lasnow

Today, karaoke fiend turned mild mannered podcast host Russ Stone chats with the brilliant multi-genre musician, Renée Asteria.

The pop/world-fusion/jazz/reggae artist, with roots in Bolivia and the Netherlands, has an expansive catalogue of top charting singles, internationally recognized albums, and award winning tunes. We're not joking; Renée's discography has so many songs, we lost count. She also writes music in several different languages, often creating several versions of the same song.

So, Renée is really cool.

A large part of her process is consistency, "dusting off cobwebs," and experimenting. Creativity is something to be nurtured: "Whatever it is, write a page; it doesn't matter what you write!" Usually based out of California, Renée calls in from France to talk with Russ about her eclectic and unique processes, new instruments, deciding when something is "done enough," and French rap.

Plus, Russ has fully lost track of time! What day is it?

To keep up with Renée and her many projects, visit her website and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 

Song Featured: "What I Love"Produced, composed, arranged, performed, mixed by Renee Asteria/Razteria⠀Co-written and performed by @jay.beatz.oneMastered by @trakworxmastering.⠀Released September 4, 2020

Today, host and hot sauce masochist Russ Stone sits down with Brooklyn based genre-bending artist and business man Siilk Legend.

Growing up in Kingston, Jamaica, Siilk was surrounded and fascinated by music and the performing arts. He created all throughout high school but doubled down on his musical studies years later when he went to study his craft at Garmex Heart Academy. Described as "personal and universal," Siilk pulls inspiration from everything, often creating beautiful melting pot tunes that combine R, hip hop, dancehall, reggae, and more. He's also collaborated with musicians from all over the world, and he helps develop and produce for fellow artists through the label he founded, DLSD Royale ENT, LCC. On this episode,

Russ and Siilk talk about how rivalry can make you stronger, and forging your own path as a musician.

Plus, snow is terrible - be careful!

To keep up with Siilk Legend, visit his website and follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Song Featured: "Real Rasta Man"Siilk Legend, DSLD Royale ENT., LLC. from KEEP IT CALM, released December 20, 2019

On this episode, host Russ Stone, a guy on the same sleep cycle as a raccoon, talks with dark indie pop Queen Eliza May right before the New Year.

 

Eliza is a creative and innovative multi-instrumentalist based in Birmingham, UK who spends the time she's not creating music sharing it, whether it be through busking or over a livestream, through her rabid social media presence, or as a volunteer with local organizations. The UK artist started her career on the clarinet before adopting the saxophone (did you know if you play the clarinet to a high standard you can figure out the sax? #themoreyouknow), ukulele, keys, and guitar.

 

As she got older and prepared for school, Eliza knew she wanted to continue and expand her musical career and graduated from Falmouth University with a degree in "Popular Music" (awesome). Her latest EP, "The Fall," debuted in 2020, and it's immediately clear that not only is Eliza a brilliant writer and composer, but she surrounds herself with a creative team of like minded artists. It's really a great listen.

 

Today, Russ talks with the up and coming artist about busking horror stories, the secret life of a clarinet player, and moving out of an exclusively musical space and into the real world. Also, why is it so hard to find a drummer?

 

Keep up with Eliza May by visiting her website and following her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

 

Song Featured: "I Plead"

Eliza May, The FallJune 22, 2019

Today, host and celery adversary, Russ Stone, sits down with Timo Epping and Gabriel Patrascu of Rufusking, a passionate and exciting project based in the Netherlands, affectionately self-described as "a band of friends."

Timo and Gabriel met in their high school band and have been playing music together since. Joined by Jan Dekker on bass and Sander Stolk on drums in 2017, the rock group formally came together under the name Rufusking after a billing typo at their first gig. Lately, the four have been focusing on virtual performances in addition to filling their musical catalogue with awesome, danceable material inspired by all of life's potential misadventures-- including, but not limited to, food pirates.

On this episode, Russ talks with 50% of the band about biking in the Netherlands, rocking hard in a high school band, and collaborating during lockdown. Plus, Timo and Gabriel discuss their latest track, "Poor Mister Lee", and the excellent story behind the tune (story time with Timo!).

Plus, a quick Dutch lesson!

To keep up with Rufusking, visit their website and follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Song Featured: "Poor Mister Lee"

Today, pre-pandemic karaoke fiend turned podcast host, Russ Stone, chats with Memphis based percussive guitarist and folk musician, Senie Hunt.

The artist fell in love with the djembe drum early in his life, while living in an orphanage during the Civil War in Sierra Leone. When Senie came to America and held his first guitar, his first instinct, naturally, was to flip it over and play it like a drum. This has informed his beautiful rhythmic style, especially in his live shows, where powerful originals and George Ezra covers are performed with an acoustic guitar and a loop pedal with the gusto of a full band.

The artist makes music that is uniquely Senie. It's so good, guys. 

On this episode, the two talk about how it's never too early to get ready for Christmas (music), the horrors of song titling, and premium gas.

Plus, a new album is in the works, which may feature a, "False Winter Hop"!(?)

To keep up with Senie, visit his website and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! 

Song Featured: "Winter Meadow"Written and performed by Senie Hunt℗ Salone Records, 2020