Two weeks before releasing a twenty-song double album and two weeks before becoming a first-time father, Cooper Alan sat down with Erik Zachary — and yes, he’s feeling all the emotions at once.

In this episode, Cooper talks about choosing “Starting the Show” for his Today Show debut and why it was the rare moment where one of his own songs actually made him cry. He explains how Winston-Salem turned into a sprawling two-disc project, why he kept adding tracks until the absolute last second, and how writing every day has become both his routine and his reset.

Cooper also opens up about the whirlwind of impending parenthood, the surprisingly unhelpful advice people give new dads, and the grounding force of the hometown he loves so much. He shares the stories behind Winston-Salem’s quirks, the family moments that shaped this record, and the mental-health journey that inspired the Cooper Alan Foundation — now one of the most meaningful parts of his career.

From shoeys in Australia to an upcoming UK run, from working with Flo Rida to navigating the strange feeling of not wanting to listen to his own music once it’s out, Cooper is honest, funny, and fully himself. And as he prepares for both a new album and a new baby, he reflects on what he hopes people feel when they hear this project front to back.

Winston-Salem is out now. 

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On this episode of Spout, host Nick Major sits down with genre-bending artist Charlotte Sands for a wide-open conversation about touring, creativity, independence, and the strange, exhilarating world of being a musician in 2025.

Charlotte opens up about her move from Nashville to LA, why touring feels like her “dream reality,” and how she balances stimulation, routine, and the chaos of life on the road. She and Nick swap travel-hacks (including an inflatable neck pillow demo), laugh about Halloween guilt, and dive into what it’s like to thrive creatively in an era where social media demands nonstop output.

They unpack Charlotte’s sonic evolution—from rock-leaning releases to acoustic influences and experimental pop—plus the stories behind her latest singles “Afterlife,” “Hush,” and more. Charlotte shares how she approaches genre without limits, what inspires her writing, and how she unexpectedly ended up co-writing “In My Head” for Demi Lovato.

The conversation also explores her childhood music roots, the blue-hair origin story, her dad’s DIY home studio, touring with Youngblud, collaborating with The Maine and Taking Back Sunday, and what it actually felt like to attend (and play) Warped Tour for the very first time.

Charlotte also teases new music, new shows, and what fans can expect heading into 2026—plus an honest look at the pressure, thrill, and gratitude that drive her as an independent artist.

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In this episode of Spout, host Tamara Dhia sits down with rising alt-pop force Sophie Powers—an artist redefining what it means to build a world, an aesthetic, and a career completely on her own terms.

Sophie opens up about the wave of singles kicking off her 2025, why her long-awaited album won’t land until 2026, and how she’s building an entire sonic and visual universe to match it. She breaks down the five-year journey behind her deeply personal new single “Spiderwebs,” the emotional weight she carried while writing it, and what it feels like to finally release a track rooted in survival, therapy, and truth.

From her viral Crash Adams freestyle (60M+ views), to directing her own visuals, to shooting music videos on an iPhone, to performing K-Pop collabs on festival stages in Korea, Sophie details the process, discipline, and surprising side quests that shape her artistry. She opens up about going independent after being dropped, the reality of financing and controlling her work, and why she’s never been more creatively free.

They also get into fan culture, deadpan delivery, touring with YUNGBLUD, EDM roots, the story behind Grimes’ Coachella-played remix, and yes—how she ended up spending eight hours in a mud tank promoting her single “Muddy.”

Plus: K-Pop fandoms, hot chocolate reviews, performing at Warp Tour Orlando, and a teaser about a major upcoming collaboration dropping this December.

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Ashnikko joins Nick Major for a wildly fun and unexpectedly heartfelt deep dive into Smooches, her bold new era filled with bunny-coded visuals, body-horror buck teeth, alter-egos, and the most personal music of her career.

In this episode, Ashnikko opens up about:

   •   The making of Smooches, her most autobiographical album yet

   •   How Sunday Smooch became the mischievous lead character of the Smooch World universe

   •   Learning to create from joy instead of pressure (and why TikTok virality can be a trap)

   •   The surprising stories behind “It Girl,” “Lip Smacker,” “Skin Cleared,” and her favorite lyrics

   •   Her evolution from teenage poet to global touring artist

   •   How heartbreak, intuition, and healing shaped the new music

   •   The ambitious vision for her upcoming Smooch World Tour—think musical theater meets cabaret meets fever-dream circus

   •   Her love of side quests: fossil hunting, sword-making, crafts with her mom, pottery, and building household items from scratch

   •   Life on the road with her dog Wednesday (aka Winnie Penny Chickadee Chicken Chach Chicken Girl)

It’s Ashnikko like you’ve never heard her—witty, introspective, creatively unhinged, and fully in command of her artistic universe.

If you’re a fan of bold pop, world-building artists, or creative reinvention, this episode is a must-listen.

Check out Smooches everywhere now and catch Ashnikko on tour across the globe.

⁠https://www.skims.com⁠

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Days before his debut album There I Go dropped, rising country artist Vincent Mason sits down with Tamara Dhia to talk about the three-year journey behind the record and how heartbreak, hustle, and a John Mayer co-sign helped shape it.

Mason opens up about writing his fastest-growing single “Damn I Do,” what he learned touring with Luke Bryan, and why playing the Grand Ole Opry still makes him nervous. He also shares stories from the road, the song that changed everything (“How Is a Dance Floor”), and how Peyton Manning ended up in one of his tour announcement videos.

Highlights:

The story behind There I Go and its emotional timeline

John Mayer calling his songwriting “101”

Lessons from Luke Bryan, Parker McCollum & Riley Green

From opener to headliner: selling out How Is a Dance Floor Tour

The Grand Ole Opry moment that left him speechless

Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at https://www.skims.com/spout⁠ #skimspartner

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Singer-songwriter Lily Lane joins Nick Major on Spout to talk about her bold new era and upcoming EP, Domesticated— a cheeky, soulful reflection on marriage, womanhood, and redefining what “happily ever after” really means.

Lily opens up about the inspiration behind her latest singles “Don’t Stop,” “Crybaby,” and “Reciprocation,” and why her favorite unreleased track, “Amnesia,” might be her most personal yet. She shares how her love of Motown shaped her sound, how growing up in Boston led her to NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, and why she’ll always be “extra gluten, please.”

From collecting stop-sign purses to writing Christmas songs to being proposed to mid–wiffle ball game, Lily’s storytelling is as colorful as her music. Plus, she and Nick dive into the nostalgia of Warped Tour, Kelly Clarkson’s legacy, and what it means to make music that lasts longer than the algorithm.

Stream Lily Lane’s Domesticated EP, out November 28th.

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Singer, songwriter, and guitar powerhouse Lindsay Ell opens up in this revealing episode of Spout. From touring the world with Shania Twain to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with John Mayer, Lindsay shares what it’s really like to play beside your heroes — and then realize you’ve become one yourself.

She talks about walking away from Nashville’s country box to finally make the pop-rock music she’s always dreamed of, the bold emotional honesty behind her new EP Fence Sitter, and the deeply personal decision that inspired its title track — the question of whether to become a mother.

Lindsay also reflects on being vulnerable online, hosting Canada’s Got Talent, starting her Make You Movement for survivors of sexual trauma, and the powerful lessons she’s learned from icons who’ve shaped her journey.

If you’ve ever wrestled with identity, purpose, or the pressure to fit in, this episode is your permission slip to own every side of your story.

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Singer-songwriter Ellise joins Tamara Dhia to unpack the heartbreak, honesty, and Halloween energy behind her sophomore album Pretty Evil. From writing “Bite” in the middle of a toxic relationship to reclaiming her creative control after leaving a major label system, Ellise opens up about rediscovering her voice, the power of independence, and why darkness feels more natural than bubblegum pop.

She talks about Ariana Grande, Lana Del Rey, and Paramore as her biggest inspirations, reflects on the viral success of 911, and teases her next era — one that’s “less heartbreak, more sex tape.” 👀

Plus, hear how she’s blending her Iraqi heritage into her new music, why she loves touring more than TikTok, and what it means to stand in your own power as a woman in the industry.

Listen as Ellise gets candid about love, loss, rebirth, and being “Pretty Evil” in all the best ways.

Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at https://www.skims.com/ #skimspartner

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On this episode of The Spout Podcast, host Tamara Dhia sits down with LANY — Jake and Paul — to talk about their sixth studio album, Soft. The band opens up about the record’s meaning, how Jake’s near-fatal car accident reshaped his outlook, and why holding onto your softness might be the hardest thing to do in a hard world.

They unpack how Soft blends R&B roots, ‘90s nostalgia, and elevated musicianship with help from Tommy King and legendary bassist Pino Palladino. From the symbolism of the lamb on the album cover to the fan-favorite single “Know You Naked,” LANY reflects on growth, male vulnerability, and the art of staying real — even while running their own social media six albums in.

The conversation ends with talk of upcoming shows, surprise pop-up events, and an unexpected crusade to save the bees.

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Content creator, actor, and Broadway hopeful Jess Val Ortiz joins Erik Zachary for a conversation that’s as funny as it is heartfelt. From viral sketches to real-life auditions for Wicked and Moulin Rouge, Jess opens up about her journey from musical theater student to digital powerhouse — and the grind behind chasing a Broadway dream.

She talks about meeting Lin-Manuel Miranda (yes, it was just as wild as you’d imagine), the balance between authenticity and brand work, and why she uses her platform to speak on serious issues even when it’s not “on trend.” Plus, Jess shares how therapy, her golden retriever, and the hustle of New York keep her grounded while navigating rejection, social media, and self-belief.

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