In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji sits down backstage at The Barbican with Casper Clausen of Danish band Efterklang to dive into the quiet evolution of their track “Getting Reminders,” from the album Things We Have In Common.

Unlike their typical in-the-box production style, “Getting Reminders” grew slowly and organically — first as a sketch on Casper’s mother’s old guitar in his Lisbon studio, then as a living, breathing piece shaped by years of live performance. The song blends simplicity with deep emotional nuance, capturing a tension between the natural world and human control, between personal surrender and global disintegration.

Casper opens up about the instrument’s worn character, the river outside his window that served as a kind of spiritual metronome, and how songwriting became a feedback loop of intuition and revision. He also reflects on the magic of collaboration, including how Beirut’s Zach Condon brought trumpet arrangements that transformed the track’s DNA.

Listeners will hear an exclusive live session of “Getting Reminders,” offering a rare glimpse into the raw, evolving version of a song that has taken on new shape each time it’s played.

Artist: Efterklang
Song: “Getting Reminders”
Album: Things We Have In Common

Host and Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording and Mix Engineer: Max Walker
Creative Team: Callum Baker & Giovanni Almonte
Recording Location: The Barbican & Thin White Duke Studios, London

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In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji is joined by Ashaine White to explore the emotional and creative depths of her song “Hotel.”

Ashaine opens up about how the track was sparked by a phrase she often heard growing up: “You treat this house like a hotel.” At the time, it felt like a criticism — one that stirred up rebellion, anxiety, and a desire for independence. But as she matured and moved into her own space, the phrase took on new meaning, revealing the unspoken fears and sacrifices of her single mother raising daughters in a complicated world.

In a deeply reflective conversation, Ashaine walks us through the dual perspectives woven into “Hotel”: her teenage self seeking freedom, and her adult self understanding the protective love behind her mother’s words. She shares how a simple change — swapping “you” for “Ash” in the lyrics — unlocked the emotional clarity she needed to write the song honestly and with empathy.

The episode concludes with an intimate acoustic performance of “Hotel,” showcasing Ashaine’s raw vocal delivery and dynamic guitar work. This stripped-back version invites listeners to hear the emotional layers embedded in the song — a diary entry in sound, balancing defiance with understanding.

Artist: Ashaine White

Song: “Hotel”

Host and Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer & Mix: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker (Photography), Giovanni Almonte (Videography)

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

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In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji is joined in the studio by Matt Thomson of The Amazons to unpack the creative journey behind two defining songs: “Black Magic” and “Joe Bought a Gun.”

Matt reflects on the early days of writing “Black Magic,” a track that first came together when the band were teenagers. Born from heartbreak and shaped by years of experimenting, the song laid the foundation for the band’s layered and instinct-driven approach to songwriting. He shares how this process—throwing everything onto the page before carefully chiseling it down—has come to define their musical identity.

The conversation then turns to “Joe Bought a Gun,” a powerful track from their latest album 21st Century Fiction. Inspired by a friend’s decision to buy a weapon out of fear of societal collapse, the song tackles themes of fear, masculinity, and modern anxiety. Matt opens up about how current cultural tensions have shaped the record’s narrative and why “Joe Bought a Gun” sits at the emotional and conceptual heart of the album.

The episode features intimate acoustic performances of both songs, offering a stripped-back look at the band’s evolving sound and emotional depth.

Artist: The Amazons

Songs: “Black Magic” and “Joe Bought a Gun”

Host and Executive Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Chris Goldsmith

Mix Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji is joined in the studio by musician Ora Cogan to explore the intricate journey behind her song "Crickets." Ora shares how the song took shape over an extended period, written across multiple landscapes—including New Mexico, the Pacific Northwest, and Italy—all of which left a deep imprint on its sound and themes.

The conversation delves into the challenge of translating her connection to the natural world into music, as well as the turbulent political climate that influenced her creative process. Ora also reflects on the song’s unconventional time signature and structure, which pushed her beyond her usual songwriting methods.

The episode concludes with a special performance of "Crickets," offering listeners an immersive experience into the song’s haunting and atmospheric world.

Artist: Ora Cogan
Song: "Crickets"
Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker
Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte
Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji is joined in the studio by Amahla to explore the creation of her song "Apathy." The conversation delves into the deeply personal journey behind the track, touching on themes of emotional overwhelm, detachment, and the vices people turn to when life becomes too difficult.

Influenced by folk and gospel music, Amahla shares her process of finding her voice and the guilt that comes with tuning out from the world's problems. She also reflects on the song’s lyrics, the creative blocks she faced during its composition, and the profound impact of artists like Nick Drake and Lauryn Hill on her music.

The episode concludes with a stripped-back performance of "Apathy."

Artist: Amahla

Song: "Apathy"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji sits down with Canty to explore the emotional depth behind his track "hahaha." Canty opens up about the personal struggles he faced during this period, from navigating the challenges of the music industry to dealing with personal health issues.

He shares how these experiences shaped the song, which captures a paradoxical blend of joy and seriousness. The conversation delves into the ways laughter can mask deeper emotions and how music became both a coping mechanism and a source of strength for him. The episode concludes with a special performance of the track.

Artist: Canty

Song: "hahaha"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji sits down with singer-songwriter Molly Payton to explore the journey behind her song "You're On Your Own This Time, Again."

Molly opens up about the deeply personal inspiration for the track, which reflects on her father’s arrest when she was 18. She shares how finishing the song years later became a cathartic process, allowing her to navigate complex emotions and understand its impact on both her relationships and music career.

The conversation offers an intimate look at Molly’s creative process and emotional resilience. The episode concludes with a special performance of this deeply heartfelt track.

Artist: Molly Payton

Song: "You're On Your Own This Time, Again"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji sits down with Rosie Lowe to explore the story behind her song "Gratitudes." Rosie recounts the intense and challenging journey of creating the track during a session in Berlin with her collaborator D'Monk.

She shares the frustration of losing the original session due to a power cut and the eventual acceptance that led to creating something entirely new. Reflecting on this experience, Rosie discusses the valuable life lessons it taught her about gratitude and moving forward.

The conversation also delves into her creative process, the significance of morning rituals, and the transformative impact of motherhood on her music. The episode concludes with a stripped-back performance of "Gratitudes," offering listeners a deeper connection to the lyrics and the emotions behind them.

Artist: Rosie Lowe

Song: "Gratitudes"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker, Dylan Roberts, and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

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In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji is joined by Rohan and Lou from the band Kiioto to discuss the challenges behind their song "Wild Geese." The conversation explores the complexities of balancing individual creativity within both a romantic and professional partnership. Rowan and Lou share how the song evolved from its initial concept, "Goldfinch," into the final version of "Wild Geese," showcasing their dynamic and collaborative creative process. The episode also highlights the intricacies of their songwriting, the importance of creating space within their music, and the diverse themes they explore beyond personal relationships.

Artist: Kiioto

Song: "Wild Geese"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

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In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji sits down with singer-songwriter Lexie Carroll to discuss her track "laundry detergent." Lexie opens up about the challenges she faced in creating the song, delves into her songwriting process, how she collaborates with her producer, and the real-life events that inspired her heartfelt lyrics. Recorded at Thin White Duke Studios in Soho, London, the episode concludes with a full performance of "laundry detergent."

Artist: Lexie Carroll
Song: "laundry detergent"
Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji
Recording Engineer: Max Walker
Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte
Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.