The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre

I gotta say, it’s kind of crazy how much this episode embodies what this entire series is all about. I say the tagline in every intro (that “everyone has a story to tell”) and it’s honestly something that’s so crucial towards how I see the world; that remembering that everyone has their own individual stories can help me better understand my own. Today’s guest is someone who also believes this, both in the context of her professional and personal life. Say hello to Tiger Darrow, an award-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from Texas that’s based here in New York City. Her reputation as a producer has made her one of the most in-demand creative voices here in New York, allowing her to collaborate with dozens of artists including L’Rain, Durand Jones and the Indications, Alex Warren, and more. All of the guests of this series are the kinds of people who live life by the beat of their own drum, but I’d be hard-pressed to think of someone who embodies that more overtly than Tiger. Together we discuss how Tiger got involved in music, what drives her creative spirit, and how working with others has helped her grasp a better understanding of the world around her.

The best thing about today’s episode is that it doesn’t take long before it gets personal. British punk musician Frank Carter is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, both on stage and off. Along with being a prolific musician, he’s also a deeply respected tattoo artist, which led him to create Rose of Mercy, a tattoo shop in London. The shop's mantra of “always in bloom, bloom in all ways” drives Carter’s resolve and approach towards business, which are just some of the elements we get into on today’s podcast. We also chat about his band's most recent album, Sticky, which features Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes at their most visceral. If you’re in Europe, you’ll be able to catch Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes across numerous music festivals, with a proper tour kicking off later this autumn; starting on November 4th in Sweden. Visit the band's website for more info.

You know I love it when we get to have an Irish act on the pod. Say hello to Naomi Hamilton (aka Jealous of the Birds). NPR has hailed her music as a “remarkable gift” and once you hear her album, Peninsula, it becomes obvious how that came to be. Throughout the album's 11 tracks, Naomi contrasts sincerity and attitude with flecks of indie rock, folk, and soul. Similar to previous guests on this series, Naomi has achieved a sound that’s distinctly her own and that’s exactly what we discuss on today’s bonus podcast.

For the last 15 years, Ezra Furman has released some of the most daring music in the indie rock world. Along with putting out critically acclaimed albums, she’s also toured the world with an unbelievable live band, has DJed for the BBC and she also created the soundtrack for Netflix’s hit show, Sex Education. But now, Ezra is gearing up to release the most personal music of her life, in the form of her next album, All Of Us Flames (out August 26th). Part of the album features Ezra being candid about not just her experience as a trans woman in the states but also as a mother; an aspect of her life she shared with the world very recently. This is an episode dripping in honesty, an unflinching resolve, and moments of humor in which Ezra doesn’t hold back from sharing her thoughts and feelings on the dire support of trans people. Creating this episode was a massive privilege, as is getting to share it with you, big thanks to Ezra for being so open, and another thanks to you for listening to today’s podcast.

Ezra Furman and her amazing band will be touring the states starting on May 19th in Los Angeles, along with an additional US tour kicking off in October. Be sure to visit Ezra’s website for more tour dates and info.

I can defiantly say that you have never come across an artist like BARKAA before. She’s a Malyangapa, Barkindji woman based in Sydney, Australia who is using rap to tell the stories, the truths, and the issues impacting First Nations people. But part of representing a group is being able to also tell your own story, which is something BARKAA does in a fierce manner that’s continuously unflinching. At a young age, she found herself addicted to drugs and alcohol, leading to several stints in juvie and prison (where she also gave birth to her third child). Music provided solace, a means to tell her story, and it was through music that she climbed out of this abyss to release music that’s gone on to win the hearts of critics and fans alike. In a few short years, BARKAA has gone on to perform at iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and having her music integrated within the curriculum in Australian schools; to educate students on racism and the plights of indigenous people. But how did this all come to be? Well, you’re going to have to listen to today’s bonus podcast to find out.

Samm Henshaw is an unbelievably talented singer and producer from London that’s unabashedly elevating R&B to new heights. The most striking thing about Samm’s music is how it has this throwback vibe from his love of soul and gospel, yet his music never feels out of place within our modern age. His debut album Untidy Soul, presents Samm as a clear student of music, with a warmth that’ll undoubtedly catch you off-guard. Lyrically, the album sees Samm embracing the fact that we’re all a little fucked up inside and that there’s a beauty in trying to have a better day than the last. On today’s episode, we chat about the importance of those life lessons and how they can inform the work that goes into our art.

You can catch Samm Henshaw live during his upcoming US tour that will be kicking off on June 3rd at the Cafe Du Nord in San Francisco. Be sure to visit Samm’s website here for more tour dates.

Also be sure to check out the official New Exchange Playlist, which features a song from each musical guest that has guested on the series.

What do The Killers, Foals, Alex Lahey, Wolf Alice, and Manchester Orchestra have in common? They’ve all had transformative experiences working with Catherine Marks, a music producer/mixer/engineer from Australia who’s become the missing puzzle piece to so many of our favourite acts (most recently the Grammy award-winning Boygenius, featuring Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus). Throughout the years, Catherine has built a reputation of being a hard-working collaborator who knows how to think like an artist. On today’s bonus podcast, I chat with Catherine about producing our favourite records, along with how she got involved in music, how each situation of working with a band is different, and how most of her bands tend to ask themselves “what would Catherine Marks do?”

In a lot of ways, today's episode feels like I’m returning to my roots. I got my start in music through music journalism, writing about artists and their albums for blogs, newspapers, and magazines. The thrill I got from it, was being able to recommend music that I really enjoyed, knowing that you’d most likely be unfamiliar with it. I have a feeling that’ll be the case with you and today's guests, Dutch rock band De Staat. Though, calling these guys a “rock band” doesn’t do enough justice in expressing just how unique they are. De Staat are a bonkers fucking band, in the best way. They routinely utilize humor in a way that’s both daring and often heartfelt, while also pushing the boundaries of what you can achieve in a live show (like their 2019 Lowlands performance and their 2020 Larger Than Live show from the Ziggo Dome). Their latest undertaking is called Red, Yellow, Blue; which features the band releasing 3 new songs at one go, with each song allowing them to explore a different side of De Staat’s diverse sonic palette. On this episode, I chatted with frontman, Torre Florim, both about the distinctive history of the band and the exciting future that awaits them.

De Staat will be embarking on an extensive European tour that starts on May 13th in Belgium. You’ll find more information and full tour dates here. 

It’ll genuinely surprise me if a more personal episode happens this season. The chat you’re about to hear with Caleb Eberhardt (aka Rosehardt) really “goes there” in a way that I wasn’t intending it to, but I’m massively grateful that this talk happened. Caleb is a talented musician and actor based here in New York, who’s building a community of art lovers through his vulnerable works. His music has shimmering flecks of R&B, soul, jazz, rap and lyrically he isn’t afraid to tell you what’s exactly on his mind. The last bit was in full display in Live At National Sawdust, a music documentary and concert film that depicts a stark portrait of Caleb’s experience of being an artist during the pandemic. Together we chat about not just being an artist, but the struggles of being a human being and why we need to learn to be kinder to ourselves.

Simply put: Mannequin Pussy are a badass punk band from Philadelphia that take no prisoners. A staple of their songwriting is throttling headfirst towards the willful ignorance of people who fight against progressive values. Having music with a strong moral compass isn’t a new phenomenon, but the way Mannequin Pussy put their beliefs at the forefront does feel unique, exhilarating, and vital. Those beliefs (that Black Lives Matter, that the rights of LGBTQ+ and disabled people matter, etc.) greatly inform everything that they do and on this bonus episode, I chat with Missy and Bear of the band to find out why: why does this band of misfits deeply give a shit about the world around them?

Mannequin Pussy will be touring the states, starting with sets at Coachella and a club show on April 26th at Humphreys By the Bar in San Diego. Full tour dates can be found at https://mannequinpussy.com/ don’t miss out!