The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre

Let’s be honest, most of us tend to proclaim to our friends that “social media is evil” at least once a week. But what if it’s not? And what if the very way we look at social media is flawed? Those are some of the questions I tackle with today’s guest, Katy Leeson, Managing Director of Social Chain UK and host of the stellar podcast, I Shouldn’t Say This, But. Within her podcast, Katy does a brilliant job at showcasing the remarkable experiences that can come from stepping out of our comfort zones, all while never sugar coating anything. She consistently gets real about her experiences with imposter syndrome, therapy, and the realities of navigating the professional world as a woman. Within our chat, she talks me through the experiences that lead her to where she is today and the empowering feeling that comes from taking the reins of your mental health. Be sure to follow Katy on all socials after our chat, especially so you don’t miss out on a new season of I Shouldn’t Say This, But.

Dan is affectionately known as “America’s only music writer” and when you glance at his impact, it’s easy to know why. Throughout the years he’s told brilliantly human stories about artists like Jimmy Eat World, Laura Jane Grace, and PUP, while also gracing publications like VICE, Noisey, The Guardian, Billboard, etc. On today’s special bonus podcast, I chat with Dan about both REPLY ALT, his successful wild card of a newsletter, and his new book SELLOUT: The Major Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994-2007). Be sure to get a copy of SELLOUT after you hear today’s chat; the book is out now!

What if I told you that throughout 2020-2021, there was a band that safety played stadium shows while we were all locked in our homes? You’d probably ask “was this was in New Zealand?” and I’d reply with “Yes, duh” but the important bit is the band at the center of that; Six60. They’re homegrown heroes who’ve ascended to stadium status by writing authentic songs that have won the hearts of people worldwide. To be a Six60 fan is to feel as though you’re part of a loving tribe that’s got your back. That sense of whānau (family in māori) means everything to the band and on today’s podcast, I chat with frontman Matiu Walters to figure out why.

If you’re listening in the UK and Europe, you’ll be able to catch Six60 live in a few week's time. Their tour kicks off in Paris on November 18th and they’ll be in that part of the world up to December 4th when the tour ends with a massive show at Brixton Academy in London. Don’t miss out!

Can universal emotions erode language barriers? It sounds like a trick question, but the answer becomes obvious as you listen to the music of Prateek Kuhad, a singer-songwriter from India who’s winning the hearts of people all over the world (including former US president, Barack Obama). Prateek’s latest body of work, Shehron Ke Raaz, is a beautiful example of how you don’t need to know a language to have the music resonate with you. On today’s bonus episode, I chat with Prateek about the meanings behind his songs, writing in Hindi, and the unique inspiration you can get from big cities.

How do you reconcile with the fact that an established way of doing things just doesn’t work for you? This question is exactly what Israeli producer/musician Noga Erez had to ask herself as she worked on her sophomore album, KIDS. The end result has been an album that’s both critically and commercially acclaimed worldwide; largely due to Noga’s bravery in challenging both herself and listeners. On today’s episode, I chat with Noga about the ever-evolving journey in music, as well as how creativity bleeds into every facet of her life. We also chat a bit about her next album, KIDS (Against The Machine), which will be out on November 5th.

Welcome to the pilot episode of Real Exchanges! Basically, think of this as a series within a series (thank you, Inception). These talks will be looser than the usual podcasts, with an unfiltered approach towards passionate conversations where we’ll explore a variety of topics. The first episode had to be about music and it brings me so much joy that I’m joined by my peers in music journalism/photography: Will Oliver, Aysia Marotta, and Dana Pacifico. Together, we explore the ridiculous degree of love we have towards music.

What happens when you take an unapologetic set of lyrics and mesh them with a love of indie rock and pop-punk? Well, you might get something cool, but it’ll not be as badass as PRONOUN, the music project of my friend Alyse Vellturo. On her latest EP, OMG, I MADE IT (out now), Alyse has solidified her sound as PRONOUN, with a searing passion that feels like a pure shock to the system. On today’s bonus episode, I catch up with Alyse about how she made the EP and we share some laughs along the way.