In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji welcomes singer-songwriter SOFY to discuss the personal journey behind her song "Pirates," featured on her upcoming 2025 record. Marking a shift in her songwriting approach, SOFY explains how "Pirates" moves from observational storytelling to a more autobiographical perspective.

She opens up about the emotions that inspired the track, exploring the complexities of a friendship on the verge of becoming something more. SOFY also shares insights into her evolving creative process and the challenges she faces in refining her abundant material into a cohesive project.

This episode offers an exclusive preview of "Pirates," concluding with a full performance that allows listeners to connect with the heartfelt lyrics and emotions that shape her work.

Artist: SOFY

Song: "Pirates"

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 Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, and producer Tim Atlas to delve into the story behind his track "Out Cold" from his 2024 album Enchanté. Tim reflects on how the song took shape during his time in Brooklyn, weaving together themes of trust issues and the lingering effects of past relationship trauma. He shares the challenges he faced and insights into the creative process behind this deeply personal track. The episode wraps up with an intimate, stripped-back performance of "Out Cold." Be sure to subscribe and follow us on all major platforms to stay connected.

Artist: Tim Atlas

Song: "Out Cold" 

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 is joined by the multi-national band Los Bitchos to explore the evolution of their track "Don't Change." Formed in London in 2017, the band shares the intricate journey of refining one of their earliest demos over the course of four years. They discuss the challenges they faced in restructuring the song, collaborating with Alex Kapranos, and how the band’s creative process has evolved. The conversation highlights the unique balance of joyful and melancholic elements that define the sound of this track. The episode wraps up with a special live performance of "Don't Change" and some exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into their songwriting process.

 

Artist: Los Bitchos

Song: "Don't Change" 

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

 

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker, Dylan Thomas, 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 Soph Nathan from the band Our Girl to explore the creative process behind their powerful track "Something About Me Being A Woman" from their 2024 release, The Good Kind. The conversation delves into the emotional intensity behind the song, which stems from frustration and anger. Soph shares insights into the songwriter's journey, balancing raw emotion with artistic integrity, the collaborative dynamics within the band, and their work with producer Fern Ford. 

Artist: Our Girl

Song: "Something About Me Being A Woman"

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, Loren Kramar joins host Kieron Banerji to explore the creative journey behind his music. The conversation focuses on the transformation of a personal monologue into the song "Hollywood Blvd" from the 2024 album Glovemaker. Loren shares insights on working with his producer Sean O'Brien, integrating live band elements, and the deeper themes of fame and self-worth woven into his work. Loren also touches on navigating artistic expression through personal experiences. The episode concludes with a live performance of the song.

Artist: Loren Kramar

Song: "Hollywood Blvd"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Musical Director & Guitar: Sean O'Brien

Keys: Alex Casnoff

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London.

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The inaugural episode of The Hardest Part featuring musician Morgan Harper Jones explores the story behind her challenging songwriting process, especially for the song 'Main Character.' Hosted by Kieron Banerji, the episode delves into Morgan's battle with writer's block and the pressure of creating music under a deadline, which ultimately led to a raw, authentic outpour of her experiences and emotions. The conversation reveals her struggles with self-doubt, vulnerability, and the cathartic process of writing music from a place of personal truth. The episode concludes with a performance of "Main Character".

Artist: Morgan Harper-Jones

Song: "Main Character"

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.

Welcome to "The Hardest Part," a new podcast from Palm Tree Island that’s all about peeling back the layers of some of the most challenging songs ever written. 

In this show, host Kieron Banerji explores the challenges faced by artists in writing their most difficult songs. Each week features an artist who discusses and performs their hardest song to write, tackling themes like creative blocks, painful memories, and the courage to share their work.

Available on all major platforms. Subscribe today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.