Today’s guest is an artist whose voice cuts through like a blade—sharp, emotional, and unforgettable. Emerging from the shadows of alternative R&B and electro-pop, she’s crafted a sonic identity that’s both intimate and cinematic. Her lyrics are deeply confessional, fearless in their vulnerability, and her production choices push boundaries while staying rooted in undeniable emotion. From viral beginnings to critical acclaim, she’s stayed true to her vision, building an aesthetic that’s dark, empowering, and always evolving. All the way from Los Angeles, California—this is the sound of raw artistry at its finest. And the writer is… BANKS!

00:00 - Intro

01:07 - Growing Up in L.A.

03:52 - Music as Math?

06:16 - 100% Songs, No Concept First

08:08 - First Song Became a Jack Collab

10:04 - Social Anxiety + Going Out Hard

12:06 - Fans, Fame & Divine Feminine Energy

15:41 - Jillian vs. BANKS

18:10 - Stage Fright to Frontwoman

21:13 - Regrets & Album Titles That Got Away

22:28 - Streaming Era Beginnings

27:02 - Indie Artist Real Talk

31:12 - Viral Hits vs. Tour Culture

34:09 - “Don’t Try To Write a Hit”

36:04 - Underrated BANKS Songs

38:05 - Why This Album, Why Now

39:28 - How “I Hate Your Ex” Happened

41:24 - Voice as a Shape-Shifter

42:02 - Collaboration Energy Shift

43:03 - Studio Magic Stories

44:14 - Writing for Other Artists?

46:18 - Why Artists Look to BANKS

48:06 - 3 Life-Changing Decisions

49:40 - Five-for-Five Lightning Round

53:08 - Music + Visuals Are One

54:16 - Ross on BANKS’ Legacy

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is one of the most original minds in modern music—a genre-defying powerhouse who returns to this podcast six years after his first unforgettable visit. Hailing from Long Island, this producer, performer, and lyrical architect has built a sonic universe entirely his own. He’s the mastermind behind cinematic pop records that blur the line between the underground and the mainstream, with a resume that spans from crafting platinum hits for chart-toppers to delivering soul-baring solo projects that redefine authenticity. Now a father of three, his creativity has only deepened, as he balances vulnerability and virtuosity with relentless hustle. He’s not just a hitmaker—he’s a visionary, a builder, and a storyteller for a generation that craves depth. And the writer is… Jon Bellion!

Episode Timestamps:

0:00 Bellion’s Return & Industry Fire

0:36 Ross ATWI Intro

2:05 Supporting Songwriters’ Rights

2:41 Jon Bellion Returns After 6 Years

3:56 Jon vs. the Algorithm

6:56 AI, Effort & Meaning

9:22 Craft Over Convenience

11:57 Identity, Process & Philosophy

18:21 Credit, Ego & Industry Power

25:32 Sponsor Message from NMPA

27:09 Staying Dangerous with Purpose

32:06 Becoming the Label

45:07 Removing Ego from the Process

50:41 Returning to Joy in Creation

54:58 Art vs. Math in Production

57:23 Hits Beyond the U.S.

1:05:16 On Raising Creative Kids

1:07:52 Jon's Words of Advice to His Younger Self

1:18:06 Grief, Healing & Writing Through Loss

1:22:32 What Success Really Means in 2025

1:25:00 Writing vs. Recognition

1:47:58 ATWI Credits & Closing Reflections

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is a genre-shifting phenomenon who’s redefining what it means to break through in music today. With a sound that fuses indie, alt-pop, R&B, and emo influences, he’s crafted a raw, emotionally charged catalog that’s connected with a generation—and he did it all from his sister’s closet on a phone. In just a few years, his music has racked up billions of streams, topping global charts and earning him a fiercely loyal fanbase. But beyond the numbers, he’s an artist who leads with vulnerability, reshaping how young creators think about art, success, and authenticity. He’s not just making songs—he’s shifting culture, and sharing how at the same time.

And the writer is… D4vd!

0:00 Trailer Hook — Billion Streams Surprise

1:32 Intro — From Phone to Playlist

3:15 Growing Up — Early Life and Music Influences

8:45 First Uploads — BandLab, YouTube, and Finding His Sound

13:20 Going Viral — The Moment Everything Changed

17:50 Pressure and Expectations — How He Handled the Blow-Up

20:42 My Process — How I Make Music on a Phone

23:10 Behind the Hits — How ‘Here With Me’ + ‘Romantic Homicide’ Happened

26:17 What SZA Told Me That Changed Everything

34:08 Advice for Young Artists — Make Music Nobody Wants

36:09 Beyond Music — Directing, Acting, Manga Dreams

43:35 Disrupting the Industry — Freaking Out the Business

44:40 Validation Moment — Sitting Where Legends Sit

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is a Latin music powerhouse whose pen has changed the game globally. With a genre-defying catalog that spans regional Mexican, reggaeton, pop, and bachata, he’s crafted chart-topping hits that cross borders and break records. His work has earned him 26 Grammy wins, making him one of the most decorated writers in the industry today. But beyond the accolades, he’s a true musical chameleon—effortlessly fusing cultural roots with modern sounds to create melodies that resonate worldwide. He brings heart, hustle, and authenticity to everything he touches.

And the writer is… Edgar Barrera!

00:00 Intro: 27 Grammys and Counting

02:00 Growing Up on the Texas-Mexico Border

07:30 Breaking Tradition in Latin Music

10:30 Globalizing Regional Mexican Music

16:00 Teaching Writers to Own Their Publishing

20:00 The Business of Songwriting

30:00 Writing for the Next Generation

34:00 Patience Over Virality

38:00 How Maluma Changed My Career

44:00 The Difference Between LA and Miami Studios

48:00 Why Shakira Is a Studio Perfectionist

53:00 Watching Ariana Grande Record a Perfect Take

57:00 Meeting Max Martin (And Getting Starstruck)

65:00 Dreaming Beyond Latin Music

70:00 The Real Peso Pluma Story

75:00 Loving Music Beyond Awards

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is the mastermind behind some of the most captivating sounds in modern R&B and pop. With an ear for creating melodies that feel as intimate as they do expansive, he’s responsible for shaping hits that make you feel everything from joy to heartbreak. Whether he's behind the boards or penning the perfect lyrics, his ability to blend vulnerability with irresistible hooks has made him a go-to collaborator for some of the biggest names in music. From soulful ballads to undeniable bangers, his tracks are the ones that never leave your head—and always leave you wanting more.

And the producer and songwriter is...Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II!

00:00 - Cold Open: Gaga, Bruno & a Midnight Session

00:28 - Intro: Welcome to And The Writer Is

01:22 - How D’Mile Got His Name

05:10 - Growing Up with Jazz, Gospel & Biggie

10:30 - Producing His First Song at Age 6

12:15 - Almost Signed to Universal at 19

16:45 - Rodney Jerkins & Darkchild Studio Era

21:05 - 9 Creatives in a 3-Bedroom Apartment

25:30 - Inspiration vs. Competition in the Come-Up

27:20 - D’Mile Nearly Quit Music in 2017

34:17 - The Comeback: Lucky Daye & Victoria Monét

38:16 - How Silk Sonic Started from One Song

46:44 - Making “Leave the Door Open”

50:18 - “Die With A Smile” feat. Gaga & Bruno

51:58 - Producing the Artist’s Soul

59:00 - Copy-Paste Industry vs. Timeless Records

01:01:08 - Final Thoughts: Doing It His Way

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is a genre-defying vocal powerhouse who’s been taking the music world by storm. Raised in the South with a love for soul, country, R&B, and rock, he blended these influences into an unmistakable style that’s all his own. With a voice that’s as powerful as it is emotive, he doesn’t just sing—he connects, turning raw, soulful covers into hits and proving he’s more than just a voice. He’s a true artist and songwriter who’s crafted songs about love, loss, and everything in between, resonating with millions around the world. Oh, and did we mention he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet? If you haven’t heard his music yet, trust us, you’ll want to.

And the writer is... Teddy Swims

Timestamp | Chapter Title

00:00 | Quick Message from Our Sponsor

01:43 | Meet Your Host: Ross Golan

02:39 | Teddy Swims: From Georgia to Global

03:30 | Leaving Football Behind for Music

08:00 | Finding His Voice Through Theater

12:30 | Tattoos, Identity, and Early Reinvention

17:00 | First Bands, Bad Songs, and Growing Up

21:50 | Sponsor Break

22:00 | The Dark Side of Touring and Mental Health

26:30 | Why Teddy Started Therapy (and How It Changed Him)

31:00 | Songwriting Camps, Magic, and the "Elf Theory"

35:30 | How Teddy Learned to Choose Songs Like a Pro

40:00 | The Origin of "Teddy Swims" (and a Crazy Early Tour)

44:00 | How Covers Blew Up Teddy’s Career During the Pandemic

47:00 | Signing with Warner: Building a Real Career

50:00 | Losing Faith, Rebuilding, and Finding His Sound

53:00 | Breaking Out with "Lose Control"

56:00 | What It Takes to Really Make It (Lessons Learned)

58:00 | 5 for 5: Teddy Swims Rapid Fire Q&A

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re excited to announce a special bonus interview with Sung Cho, the CEO & Founder of our incredible sponsor, Chartmetric. Ross recently sat down with Sung to discuss how his company is building the world’s best analytics team in the music industry. Read below to find out more about Chartmetric and listen to this conversation on any platform you find your podcasts!

Chartmetric is the all-in-one platform for artists and music industry professionals, providing comprehensive streaming, social, and audience data. Since 2016, Chartmetric has strived to ensure everyone can have a successful career in music. Their easy-to-understand and powerful analytics on over 10 million artists and 100 million tracks will help answer all of your questions, from tracking your stats to discovering new talents. From playlist placements to stream counts to follower demographics and much more, it’s never been easier to understand how your artists fit in the music industry, and how they can grow. What’s even better is that Chartmetric does the work for you, providing actionable insights and beautiful visuals on their up-to-date global data from over 15 different social and streaming platforms. Find out more at chartmetric.com!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is a true jack-of-all-trades—part artist, part entrepreneur, and full-on icon. From nurturing a die-hard fanbase to dominating the charts across genres, he’s built an empire over the course of his incredible career. This diamond certified superstar is the pride of Pittsburgh and has proven time and time again that you can do it all—and do it well.

And The Writer Is…Wiz Khalifa!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.