The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre

Creativity should evoke a sense of freedom and no one proves that better than ALA NI. Her sophomore album, ACCA, is what happens when an artist sheds all forms of expectation from the outside world. On this episode, we discuss the realities of being a black artist, going to school with Amy Winehouse, collaborating with Lakeith Stanfield, and delve deeply into her rendition of Claudia Jones Lament For Emmett Till.

Please check out the petition by the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, which hopes to bring justice to the 65 year old murder of Emmett Till.

https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/charge-surviving-accomplice-in-65-year-old-emmett-till-open-murder-case-now-justiceforemmetttill

The ways that art can enrich our lives is indescribable, which is the central theme of today’s episode. I’m joined today by Kaitlin Chow, an accomplished artist based in Philadelphia who creates astonishing murals; among many things. We chat about the actual work that goes behind creating art, the realities of being a small business and what it’s been like existing as a creative in 2020.

There’s no better way to put this: Abraham Alexander is as cool as they come. Originally hailing from Athens, Greece, he now calls Fort Worth, Texas his home. In many ways his career has just begun and yet he’s achieved so much. On this episode we talk about his career, recording with Leon Bridges, the grant he’s working on called Sounds of Resilience and his own podcast called Find The Light.

Director Patrick Willems joins me today to discuss one of my favorite things: movies. Over the last few years, Patrick's made a name for himself on YouTube with his thought-provoking video essays which have garnered thousands of views. On today’s episode we breakdown the creative “talk-show” he created during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If music is a journey, then no one has conveyed that better than Charlene Kaye; aka KAYE. Within this episode, she chats with Ken Grand-Pierre about navigating the world as an Asian American artist and the singles she’s released leading up to her album, Conscious Control (which is out now!)

Aysia Marotta is a photographer that has toured with The 1975, Pale Waves, Lewis Capaldi and more. Within this episode, she chats to Ken Grand-Pierre about how her photo-project, Come To My Window, has made the COVID pandemic more bearable for her friends and family.

Overcoats are two best friends that are here to remind you why there’s power in owning your emotions. In this episode we discuss the making of their latest album, The Fight; an album that highlights the various fights womxn have been combating within Trump’s America.

Today’s guests are Rory Friers and Niall Kennedy of Northern Irish band, And So I Watch You From Afar. Together they chat with Ken Grand-Pierre about why being in a band takes intense hard-work and dedication. This episode is dedicated to Andrew Dunbar, we love you and miss you.