LaunchLeft cover art

LaunchLeft

LaunchLeft

By: LaunchLeft and Kast Media
Listen for free

About this listen

LaunchLeft is a music discovery podcast where famed creatives launch emerging artists. Hosted by Rain Phoenix you can expect in-depth conversations with well-known musicians discussing their process and, throwing light to emerging artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of artists who break from the norm and lean into the unique. We enlist famed creatives to launch emerging artists. For full video episodes go to LaunchLeft.com/Podcast

2023 LaunchLeft and Kast Media Music Politics & Government Social Sciences
activate_mytile_page_redirect_t1
Episodes
  • CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH launch Knifeplay

    CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH launch Knifeplay
    Apr 29 2025
    Indie rock pioneers Clap Your Hands Say Yeah are celebrating 20 years with a special reissue. But what's the real story behind their unconventional rise to fame? In this episode of LaunchLeft, host Rain Phoenix and CYHSY frontman Alec Ounsworth, meet at Licorice Pizza in Studio City to unpack the band's journey from DIY darlings to indie rock icons. They touch on CYHSY's decision to remain unsigned. It wasn't just about rebellion, it was a commitment to artistic integrity that shaped their entire career. Ounsworth candidly discusses how his stubborn streak both helped and hindered the band's trajectory. Twenty years on, Alec reflects on how his views on collaboration and the music industry have matured. Alec then launches the up-and-coming Philly band Knifeplay, who'll be supporting CYHSY on tour. The generational exchange offers a fascinating glimpse into how the indie landscape has shifted. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolution of indie music and the challenges of maintaining artistic authenticity in a changing industry. IN THIS EPISODE: (00:00) Intro: LaunchLeft podcast with Rain Phoenix (05:03) Early 2000s indie music scene and industry changes (10:27) Alec's approach to independence and a discussion about self-sabotage (15:00) CHYSY’s approach to music videos (20:55) Alec's songwriting process and lyrical influences (31:40) Knifeplay is launched and TJ joins the conversation (34:58) TJ's musical influences and background (37:37) Using social media as musicians in a digital landscape (43:24) TJ's balanced approach to using social media (48:40) Authenticity and sustainability in music careers KEY TAKEAWAYS: Maintaining artistic integrity can be challenging but is crucial for genuine connection with audiences. The music industry has seen significant changes, making it harder for new artists to break through. Collaboration can be a way for artists to promote each other and expand their audience. Social media presents both opportunities and challenges for musicians striving to balance authenticity with promotion. RESOURCE LINKS: LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link CYHSY LINKS: https://www.cyhsy.com/ https://www.facebook.com/clapyourhandssayyeah https://www.instagram.com/clapyourhandssayyeah/ https://www.youtube.com/clapyourhandssayyeah Knifeplay Links: http://instagram.com/knifeplay_music/ BIOGRAPHIES: Clap Your Hands Say Yeah celebrate the 20th anniversary of their landmark self-titled debut album throughout 2025 with a worldwide tour performing the album in its entirety alongside other surprises, and an exclusive new reissue. A heady blend of leftfield pop and melodic, exuberant indie rock, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah is unquestionably among the finest and most influential independent releases of the 2000s. The celebration officially gets underway with the premiere of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah’s original 2004 version of the fan favorite, “Heavy Metal”. The newly remixed and mastered track was recently discovered among the original project files and captures what Clap Your Hands Say Yeah founder and frontman Alec Ounsworth calls “a special moment in time – a young group of guys all piling into one hotel room to wake up and go to a real studio (!) to try to come up with something special just for the fun of it.” In addition to the digital anniversary release featuring the original version of “Heavy Metal,” a special deluxe reissue will arrive on limited edition vinyl LP in early 2025, released on CYHSY’s own label via Secretly Distribution, the defiantly independent home to over two decades of Alec Ounsworth’s music. Knifeplay is a band that eludes definition, existing somewhere between the nihilistic detachment of shoegaze and the emotional honesty of folk songwriting. Originally a solo bedroom recording project of Tj Strohmer’s, they’ve made a slow and careful shift into a collaborative, production focused, studio recorded band. Through their ever-expanding genre palette, range of fidelities, and long list of collaborators runs a unique current that ties everything together. Informed by his experiences living in Philadelphia and their contrast with his rural southern Maryland upbringing, Strohmer’s sometimes straightforward, sometimes dreamlike, but always philosophical lyrics feature scenes of darkness from many different aspects of life. He deals with themes of death, drugs, heartbreak, abuse, and self-destruction, all expressed through a delicate vocal style, which, combined with the band’s lush orchestral instrumentation gives a beautiful lightness to the heavy subject matter. Since their 2017 debut of home-recorded EPs, Knifeplay have earned a dedicated cult following through acclaimed debut album Pearlty (2019) and a lengthy B-Sides Compilation (2020), all either self-released or through small run tape labels. In 2021 they entered the studio with producer Jeff Zeigler, known for his work with Kurt Vile, Nothing, The War...
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • DON WAS launches Maya Delilah

    DON WAS launches Maya Delilah
    Mar 25 2025
    Today on LaunchLeft, Rain Phoenix hosts an insightful conversation with acclaimed music producer Don Was, who shares his journey through the music industry and his philosophy on creativity. Don reflects on his diverse career, emphasizing the importance of avoiding being pigeonholed and the value of one’s emotional connection in music. Don recounts his experiences working with iconic artists like Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, and the Rolling Stones, highlighting the timeless nature of genuine artistry. The discussion also touches on Don's roots in Detroit's vibrant music scene and his latest project, the Pan Detroit Ensemble, which celebrates the city's rich musical heritage. Later, Don launches Maya Delilah, whose debut album, "The Long Way Round," is set to release with Blue Note Records. Maya shares her journey from social media sensation to recording artist, expressing gratitude for the creative freedom and support she received from the label. The episode offers a compelling look at the intersection of legacy and emerging talent, underscoring the enduring power of authenticity in music. IN THIS EPISODE: (00:16) Don Was's Career and Production Philosophy: Discover Don's approach to music production, emphasizing authenticity and emotional connection(25:00) The Influence of Detroit's Music Scene: Learn how Detroit's unique cultural mix shaped Don's musical perspective(35:00) Blue Note Records and Artist Development: Explore Blue Note's nurturing approach to artist development(45:00) Maya Delilah's Debut Album Creation: Maya shares her transformative recording experience(50:10) Collaborative Effort in Artist Development: Don and Maya discuss the supportive environment at Blue Note Records KEY TAKEAWAYS: Authenticity in music production is crucial for creating timeless music that resonates emotionally.Detroit's raw, honest sound has significantly influenced Don's production style and creative process.Blue Note Records prioritizes nurturing an artist's unique voice over conforming to trends.Maya Delilah's debut album “The Long Way Round,” aims to evoke nostalgia and comfort, reflecting her artistic vision.Collaboration and creative freedom are vital in developing successful artists. RESOURCE LINKS: LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link DON WAS LINKS: https://donwas.com/ https://www.instagram.com/donwas/ MAYA DELILAH LINKS: https://www.mayadelilah.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mayadelilahh/ https://www.facebook.com/mayadelilahh/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mayadelilahh https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHZBLbph9tL9e7LAfZm_pjg BIOGRAPHIES: Don Was is one of music’s most significant artists and executives, excelling in multiple roles and serving as one of the industry’s beacons for integrity and forward-thinking. As an in-demand, highly acclaimed and commercially successful producer since the late 1980s, Was has been honored with Grammy Awards for his production work in each of the past four decades: In 1989 for producing Bonnie Raitt’s breakthrough classic Nick Of Time, in 1994 as Producer Of The Year for his work with artists ranging from The Rolling Stones to Willie Nelson to Roy Orbison, in 2009 for his production work on Ziggy Marley’s Best Musical Album For Children, Family Time, in 2018 for helming The Rolling Stones’ Best Traditional Blues Album. Blue & Lonesome a, and in 2019 for producing Intocable’s Latin Grammy-winning Best Norteño Album, percepción. The artists Was has produced in this decade alone are a testament to his talents as a producer spanning a broad array of music genres: The Rolling Stones’ aforementioned worldwide hit album (Blue & Lonesome) Gregg Allman’s final album (Southern Blood), John Mayer (two of his most recent albums, Born And Raised and Paradise Valley), Aaron Neville (My True Story, co-produced with Keith Richards), French superstar Johnny Hallyday (Rester Vivant) and Neil Diamond’s Melody Road. Albums produced by Was have achieved dozens of multi-platinum, platinum and gold certifications and have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide. As the President of Blue Note Records since 2011, Was is both the company’s leader and an ambassador for its music, charged with bringing the label’s 21st Century jazz artists and its expanding pallet of contemporary musicians to larger audiences. Maya Delilah is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist. Maya Delilah has been signed to jazz record label Blue Note Records since 2022.
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • DIANE WARREN launches Mergui

    DIANE WARREN launches Mergui
    Feb 25 2025
    For episode 160 of the podcast, join Rain Phoenix at Licorice Pizza as she hosts an engaging conversation with legendary songwriter Diane Warren and rising musician Mergui. This episode offers a deep dive into Diane's illustrious career, her creative process, and her collaboration with Mergui on the song "Criminal." The discussion provides unique perspectives on the music industry, including insights from one of modern music’s most celebrated songwriters. IN THIS EPISODE: [5:05] Diane Warren's early musical influences [11:10] Writing I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing and OSCAR nominations [13:00] Diane launches Mergui [15:28] Diane's versatility across musical genres [20:00] Mergui’s insights on sampling Elton John’s song KEY TAKEAWAYS: Diane Warren's journey into songwriting began at a young age, sparked by her fascination with record credits. She would study the names of songwriters on albums, dreaming of seeing her own name there one day. This early passion and determination set her on a path to becoming one of the most successful songwriters in the industry. Despite the challenges faced by women in the music industry, Diane never let her gender define her capabilities. Inspired by trailblazers like Carole King, she pursued her career with confidence, never doubting her potential to succeed as a songwriter. Collaboration with artists like Mergui showcases Diane and Mergui's ability to adapt and thrive in different musical genres. Diane’s intuitive sense for matching songs with the right artists has led to successful partnerships, allowing her to continue creating timeless music across various styles. It’s important for songwriters to find the right artist to sing and produce their songs, someone who will honor and preserve the meaning and the music. That’s when the magic happens. RESOURCE LINKS: LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link DIANE LINKS: https://www.realsongs.com/ https://x.com/Diane_Warren https://www.instagram.com/dianewarren/ https://www.facebook.com/DianeWarrenMusic https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGZlUzfjZd10wW5yDYUKJ0g Mergui LINKS: https://www.Mergui.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@Mergui https://www.instagram.com/Mergui https://www.facebook.com/Merguiofficial/ https://x.com/Mergui https://www.youtube.com/@Mergui_ BIOS: Diane Warren is one of modern music’s most celebrated songwriters. She has penned nine #1 and thirty-three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and is tied for having written the most #1 songs as a sole writer in Billboard history. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001 and received the prestigious Johnny Mercer Award from the organization in June 2024. She has received 16 Academy Award nominations, is a GRAMMY winner with 15 nominations, an EMMY winner, and is a two-time Golden Globe winner whose songs have been featured in more than 150 films. In November 2022, Warren became the first songwriter in history to receive an Honorary Oscar, as voted on by the Academy's Board of Governors. She recently wrote the original song "The Fire Inside," performed by Becky G for the film Flamin' Hot, directed by Eva Longoria, which marked her 15th Oscar nomination. She most recently wrote the original song “The Journey” performed by H.E.R. for the feature film The Six Triple Eight directed by Tyler Perry which marked her 16th Oscar nomination. She is the sole owner of her publishing company Realsongs, the most successful female-owned and operated business in the music industry. Warren is a recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a nod to her legendary career, having worked with many of today's most popular artists, including Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, H.E.R., Snoop Dogg, Paloma Faith, Jon Batiste, Maren Morris, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Andra Day, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Hudson and Janelle Monáe, in addition to having written songs for iconic artists such as Whitney Houston, Cher, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and many more. Mergui has made it his mission to push the limits of modern pop music. He’s accomplished some incredible feats such as opening for Bruno Mars and Maroon 5. His talent has been recognized by publications such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, Wonderland Magazine, and Notion. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of early 20th-century Italian opera and the nostalgic allure of ‘70s AM pop, Mergui’s sophomore EP Shadows of Blue was a remarkable fusion of influences. Notable tracks from the EP include the Elton John-approved “Cry,” and “Happy Now?”, which he performed on The Kelly Clarkson Show and NBC’s The TODAY Show, resulting in the track skyrocketing to the Top 10 on the U.S. iTunes Singer/Songwriter charts. Mergui’s music has been featured in top-notch editorial playlists across digital service platforms including Spotify’s New Music Friday (US & Global), Chill Pop, New Pop Picks, and Just Good Music. Mergui’s unguarded sense...
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins

What listeners say about LaunchLeft

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com.au reviews

Amazon Reviews
No Reviews are Available
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.