WNXP Podcasts

Many artists have fallen victim to the sophomore slump. It’s hard to follow up the success of a widely-accepted, slam dunk debut. Yet, Orla Gartland has struck gold once again with her second LP Everybody Needs A Hero.

After launching her career as a teen on YouTube, the London-based, Dublin-born singer, songwriter has continued to use her quick wit to win fans over. Listeners often find themselves in on the joke before being sucker-punched with Gartland’s equally emotional songwriting. This rollercoaster is prevalent throughout her sophomore effort. The 12-song collection explores the turmoil of romance and womanhood. The instrumentation takes a similar ride — transitioning from soft, gentle arrangements to pop-punk riffs. It builds on the foundation Garltand built with 2021’s Woman on the Internet and shows a range well beyond her years. 

Hear her discuss the inspiration behind the record and the struggles of touring while on the record with WNXP. Watch Orla Gartland perform “Little Chaos,” “Backseat Driver” and “Late To The Party” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

The Hard Quartet is a new four-piece composed of Stephen Malkmus, Emmett Kelly, Matt Sweeney and Jim White, each of whom boasts big bona fides and decades of output in indie rock. The band's sonically diverse self-titled debut record on Matador features the members taking turns on lead but always gelling thanks to their affinity for each other and the "social experience" of music-making. Hear Kelly and Sweeney discuss the LP and the enviable, agenda-free hang that is The Hard Quartet.

Episode 2 of Music Citizens tells the story of Piper Payne, a scrappy, independent record manufacturer who opened up in the middle of the recent vinyl boom. But as her story unfolds, we discover the vinyl industry is at a profound inflection point that no one has reported on — until now.

This week for What Where When-sday, we discuss the Frist Arts Fest happening this Sunday with Meagan Rust, Interpretation Director of the museum. 

Pressure Heaven is a new band in the Nashville music scene that's making big waves. They were named Best New Band by the Nashville Scene in their Best of Nashville issue. Pressure Heaven's sound is Deftones meets Sleigh Bells meets Nine Inch Nails, and we love it. Their EP "Head Start" is our Record of the Week.

Over the last several years, Chuck INDigo has emerged as a leading voice in Nashville hip-hop. The Nashville Scene alt-weekly just named him the city’s best rapper, and he's WNXP's Nashville Artist of the Month. But senior music writer Jewly Hight says that it’s taken INDigo until his seventh project, Until I Get There, to figure out that where he wants his music to come from is where he really does come from.

After three EPs and a few viral videos, the world anxiously awaited a full length from Australia’s Royel Otis. The Sydney duo comprised of Royel Maddell and Otis Pavlovic delivered a debut well worth the hype with Pratts & Pain. Produced by esteemed indie mastermind Dan Carey (Fontaines D.C., Wet Leg, Foals), the feel-good, breezy album is indie pop perfection. With infectious hooks and smooth baselines, the 13-song collection is sonic sunshine.

Watch Royel Otis perform stripped-down versions of “Sofa King” and “Til The Morning” live at WNXP’s Sonic Cathedral here.

After a grueling election week, we can all use a laugh. In this What Where When-sday, we discuss the 8th annual Third Coast Improv Fest happening this weekend with Emma Supica, founding director of Unscripted, and Luke Watson, co-owner of Third Coast Comedy Club. 

This week our WNXP Record of the Week is Observations from a Crowded Room from Nashville singer/songwriter Joy Oladokun. Dealing with hard times while on tour, she had a day off in Bend, Oregon where she wrote the first song for the new album “Letter From A Blackbird” a response to The Beatles “Blackbird.” The album’s songwriting from there would take a raw and honest account of what its like being a Black, queer artist in spaces that aren’t always welcoming. She hopes this album will serve as accountability for some and inspiring for others coming behind her.

This week for What Where When-sday, we talk with Jesse Feld about the 9th Annual Kosher Nashville Hot Chicken and Jewish Arts & Music Fest happening this Sunday at the Gordon Jewish Community Center.