The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre

What if we changed the way we viewed fear? That question rests at the center of the new Palace album, Shoals, which is out now. Across this body of work, the band explores the multitudes within fear and how they’re different textures that are present when we’re afraid. But they even take it a step further, by asking: what does it look like when fear becomes a companion? To make sense of this I chatted with Leo and Rupert of the band about how these songs came to life.

Truth be told, it wouldn’t surprise me if it came out that today’s guest was a low-key Avenger. It’s such a privilege to welcome back Haviah Mighty to the pod, especially as part of our bonus episodes leading up to season 4. Haviah is a rapper/producer/businesswoman from Canada who made history when her album, 13th Floor, won the prestigious Polaris Music Prize. Last year was both a challenging and rewarding year for Haviah, both externally and internally. On today’s podcast, we explore the importance of taking stock of life in real-time and how it’s an artist's duty to meld those experiences within their craft. We also chat about the work behind Haviah’s game-changing mixtape, Stock Exchange, which is out now.

There are people in the world who don’t embody virtues, but rather show how we can live a different kind of life. Zambian-Irish rapper Denise Chaila is one of the bravest people I’ve ever met and it’s a massive privilege to have her as our finale guest for season 3. Winner of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize for Irish Album of the Year in 2020 (for her debut mixtape Go Bravely), Denise is a once-in-a-lifetime artist; the kind of artist that reminds you what it means to be true to your principles. On today’s episode we chat about the ways there’s power in being an outsider and the ways living such a life can lead you to build a community. And yes, we do explore why she is not your queen, she is your pharaoh.

Isha Shah is a London-based photographer that’s challenging the way people view photography. Along with working closely with brands like Nike, Apple Music, ADIDAS, and artists such as Miguel, Mahalia, Lewis Capaldi; Isha has proven that her hard work knows no limits. But what makes her work truly stand out is her ability to convey an unmatched authenticity towards her immersion in culture. On today’s bonus podcast, we chat about how she got her start, why it’s important for her to showcase people of colour in a first-class way, and her unique approach to social media.

Most of us have heard self-help gurus say that validation should come from within and not from external voices. But what does that actually look like? South London rapper/singer/producer Kay Young has done that work and the proof is in the music she’s released throughout the pandemic. Each song has been cleverly crafted to reflect Kay’s experiences with family, friends, self-doubt, and self-rediscovery. Together we chat about how those experiences inspired her music, along with leading her to be discovered by Jay Electronica and Jay Z and ultimately signing with Roc Nation.

The ability that movies have to transport us to other worlds is beyond remarkable. Just stop and think about the ways movies helped you take in an outside life experience you would’ve never conceived of and at the same time, entertain you in a joyous way. On today’s episode, we explore a variety of the emotional aspects of film with some of my closest friends; who funnily enough have never met each other prior to this chat. They’re all writers who excel at embedding themselves within everything that they do, especially the ferocity of their passion for art. Those remarkable people are Nicole Almeida, Kat Manos, and Matt Arena.

A main component of this podcast is making sense of ‘why’ people do what they do; along with the ‘how.’ Out of all the paths a person can explore, what is it that leads them to their chosen profession? Today’s episode with journalist Joseph Darius Jaafari is a prime example of how even the most desperate of circumstances can lead a person to not only bettering themselves but also to their calling. On today’s episode, we delve into Joseph’s experiences of being homeless, overcoming drug addiction, and why he’s dedicated his life to informing people of the injustices of the American prison system.

A tradition of this podcast is that every season we have at least one episode that could be called a “beautiful ramble.” To me, that signifies the magic of podcasting, where you can hear someone share their thoughts and processes in a way that bounces tangents in a way that real-life conversations do. My guest today is my friend Adrian Galvin (aka Yoke Lore, a singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who views creativity in an all-encompassing way. Together we chat about how he sees music and we also delve deeply into his experience of scoring the film, Pink Skies Ahead (written and directed by Kelly Oxford).

In more ways than one, it’s a massive privilege getting to bring you today’s episode. Alex Lahey and Sophie Payten (aka Gordi) are two Australian singer-songwriters AND multi-instrumentalists who’re not only leaving their mark in the world of music but they’re also carving their own paths in the process. Within our chat, we explore their experience in collaborating with each other on the affectionately brilliant tune, Dino’s, as well as writing music for Netflix movies and performing at the historic Sydney Opera House.

Northern Irish musician Jordan Adetunji, could be best described as a wild card; a true shock to the system. To call him a “genre-bender” doesn’t do his eclectic approach to music justice. It’s still the early days of Jordan’s career but if his first few singles are anything to go by; he’s an artist that’s here to stay. On today’s special bonus episode, we chat about his journey in music, how Jordan owns the fact that he’s a trailblazer and we also explore the ways that hip hop has become the new punk rock.