Today on the LaunchLeft Podcast, Rain Phoenix engages in a rich dialogue with renowned music producer and composer, Tony Visconti. Tony reflects on his early influences, including his high school music teacher and his family's musical background. He shares fascinating stories about his collaborations with David Bowie and Brian Eno, highlighting the innovative techniques used in producing albums like Heroes and Low. The episode also explores Tony's work with T. Rex and Paul McCartney, offering listeners a glimpse into the unique creative processes behind some of rock music's most iconic records. Then, Tony launches Daisy the Great. Mina and Kelly, the voices behind the raw and playful album Spectacle: Daisy the Great vs. Tony Visconti give us a glimpse into their creative process and co-writing with Toni Visconti. The conversation is both nostalgic and insightful, providing a deep dive into the world of music production.

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [1:57] Tony discusses his unique and creative work with David Bowie and how they captured the unique vocal sound in the album Heroes

• [14:28] Tony reflects on how his high school music teacher, Dr. Israel Silberman, inspired him and helped build his foundation for music theory and love for music composition

• [20:00] Tony discusses the musical talent in his family, then how music found him

• [27:15] Tony reflects on his collaborations with David Bowie and Brian Eno

• [37:03] How Tony ended up composing for Paul McCarney

• [43:29] Meet Mina and Kelly, the voices behind Daisy the Great, and hear how their latest EP Spectacle: Daisy the Great vs. Tony Visconti came to be and a discussion about collaborating with Tony.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• From a young age, Toni studied the master sheet music of classical artists like Mozart and Beethoven, learning each instrument’s part, then figuring out how they came together. This is how his passion for producing music was sparked and led him to dive straight into the music industry after high school

• Tony, David Bowie, and Brian Eno worked so well together and each brought their own innovative skill sets and creative energy into the studio. Together, they created some of rock music's most iconic records. Even so, each artist would still create their own work or have other collaborations in progress, which was ideal, because it kept them from growing stagnant as artists. They were constantly learning and trying new techniques or experimenting with equipment, which they would bring into their next album together

• After decades creating music with icons, Tony is still passionate about learning from and collaborating with artists. For instance, while working with Mina and Kelly, his co-writing experience was something that he had never experienced before. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Daisy the Great Links:

Daisy The Great - Website

Spectacle: Daisy the Great vs. Tony Visconti

Daisy the Great - Instagram

Daisy the Great - TikTok

Daisy the Great - YouTube

Spectacle: Daisy the Great vs. Tony Visconti is the most expansive release from Daisy the Great yet. It is a masterclass in sonic storytelling — a dazzling exploration of the indie innovation that has defined the duo since the release of their hit “The Record Player Song” and its certified-gold follow-up, “Record Player” with AJR. The five new tracks were co-created with Grammy-winning producer Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex), and capture the New York City duo honing in on their unique brand of genre-defying music where interlocking double lead vocals and striking harmonies give their sound an artful and kaleidoscopic twist.

Tony Visconti Links:

Tony Visconti - Instagram

Tony Visconti - X

Tony Visconti - Facebook

Tony Visconti is recognized as one of the top music producers in the history of rock music.

For this episode of LaunchLeft Podcast, Rain is joined by renowned producer and musician John Congleton, who shares his journey in the music industry and his collaboration with emerging artist Sarah Kinsley. They explore the creative process, the significance of authenticity in art, and the unique dynamics of producing music. John Congleton shares his early musical influences and the pivotal moments that led him to become a producer, reflecting on his upbringing in a musically rich environment and the profound impact of punk rock on his creative journey. John launches Sarah Kinsley who reflects on working with John on her latest album, “Escaper”, highlighting the collaborative nature of music production and the challenges of translating studio work to live performances.

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

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In This Episode:

• [5:30] John Congleton's Early Music Journey

• [10:48] The Role of Artists and Creativity

• [16:43] Mentorship and Influence of Steve Albini

• [21:33] John launches Sarah Kinsley

• [27:06] Creating Music with Physical Instruments

• [33:07] The Impact of Technology on Music Creation

• [38:25] Social Media and Artistic Perception

Key Takeaways:

• ​Everyone is inherently creative, akin to breathing. It's about recognizing and nurturing that creativity in everyday life.

• Congleton believes that creativity is as natural as breathing. Everyone possesses it, but often, people forget their innate artistic potential. Recognizing and nurturing this creativity can lead to personal fulfillment and innovation.

• Artists serve as conduits for expressing the human experience. They capture the essence of what it feels like to be alive at a particular moment in time, offering insights that go beyond mere information through all forms of art and expression. 

• The digital age presents new challenges, such as the instant playback of music and the pervasive influence of social media. Artists must balance these tools with their creative instincts to maintain authenticity.

• Performing live offers a unique opportunity to connect with audiences in a shared, ephemeral experience. It allows artists to reinterpret their work and engage with listeners on a deeper level.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for John Congleton

https://www.instagram.com/congletonjohn

Links for Sarah Kinsley 

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkinsleyd

https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahkinsleyd

https://twitter.com/sarahkinsleyd

https://www.sarahkinsleymusic.com/

John Congleton’s Bio 

Producer of some of the most cutting edge music over the past ten years, Grammy award-winning producer John Congleton is known for challenging the artists with whom he works and the listeners who enjoy their work. From his astounding drum sounds to the aggressive guitar sounds he conjures, Congleton defines modern record production.

Starting as a teenager in Dallas, Congleton studied and learned the craft of engineering from the ground up. While recording bands on the local scene he developed into an engineer of note. Soon he was being called to record projects as diverse as Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, all the while continuing to work with the local indie rock scene. 

Upon returning to Dallas, Congleton quickly established himself as the best producer in town. It was while working with the Polyphonic Spree he met Annie Clark, now better known as St. Vincent. Their partnership over six albums has won Grammy awards and been universally praised by critics as some of the most important music of our times.

Now based in Los Angeles, Congleton continues to grow and flourish. In addition to the repeat business from long-time clients, he’s now established among the best of the best. Recent productions include Death Cab for Cutie, The Murder Capital, Tegan and Sara, Regina Spektor, Wallows, Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten and many more.

Join us in celebrating Tom Petty’s birthday by welcoming his daughter, artist/director Adria Petty to the pod. Adria talks about what it was like losing her father and how she is working through the emotions by honoring him. She shares deeply about the impact he had on her as an artist and her commitment to keeping his legacy alive by releasing and reissuing music and film from his archive. We talk about his Gainesville roots, his first band Mudcrutch, the film ‘Heartbreakers Beach Party’, his generosity and so much more! Adria then launches Amy Helm who discusses her new album, ‘Silver City’, and her experiences on the road from her current tour. She talks about collaborations she has done, and what is next for her. Stay till the end to hear a live version of her song, ‘Money on 7’.

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [1:35] Adria talks about losing her father to fentanyl. 
• [9:08] What is Adria’s connection to Gainesville? 
• [14:12] When things get tough, how does Adria use art to get through? 
• [20:19] How can we express our shared humanity and come back together as people?
• [21:12] What was it like for Adria to have to go through her dads estate and discover all he left behind? 
• [32:34] Adria discusses Heartbreakers Beach Party and what it’s about. 
• [35:55] Amy Helm joins the show to talk about her album, What the Flood Leaves Behind. 
• [38:15] Amy shares about being on the road and touring. 
• [43:12] We hear about Amy’s record and collaborators she worked with. 
• [52:03] What types of workshops is Amy creating?
• [55:28] Listen to a snippet of Money on 7 by Amy Helm.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Allow yourself to grieve and feel the loss of someone you love, but also think of the joyful times and how they would want you to be living your life now. 
• Music, poetry, and art are a beautiful way to create and share your emotions, pain, positivity with the world. It is a way for people to connect with one another. 
• Tom Petty’s legacy lives on with his daughter, Adria, and all the work that she is doing to continue putting his music and talent out to the world.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for Adria Petty:

Adria Petty's Instagram 

Adria Petty's Website 

Links for Amy Helm:

Amy Helm's Instagram 

Amy Helm's Facebook 

BIOGRAPHIES: 

Adria Petty’s Bio

Adria Petty is an American director, editor, art director, and artist. 

Amy Helm’s Bio

When creating her fourth album, the soulful and reflective Silver City, Amy Helm was guided by her North Star: women’s voices. “Women whispering, singing, shouting their stories - speaking the truth. I wanted to dig into that inherited narrative and reach for what I could.” The epistolary anthology is a collection of conversations that travel through time, exploring and celebrating womanhood in all its complexities. Silver City blends the folk twang of Helm’s childhood with gospel and soul, drawing inspiration from varied stories: the life of Helm’s great-grandmother, the story of a young fan struggling with substance abuse, Helm’s own life as a single mother and hard-touring singer. Recorded at Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock, New York, and produced by Josh Kaufman, the album finds Helm exploring themes of womanhood, single motherhood, and personal struggles, offering songs that are deeply personal and narrative-driven. With Silver City, Helm embraces the beauty of age, survival, and transformation through her powerful, story-rooted performances.

This week, on LaunchLeft, Rain is joined by Sharon Van Etten. In this episode Sharon talks with Rain about how she got into music and what inspires her to write. We hear about Van Etten’s latest single Every Time the Sun Comes Up, and her happiness with finding a band that excites and moves her musically. 

Sharon then introduces Maxim Ludwig to the conversation and we learn about his new music, how they met, and some of their great stories, insights, and revelations about art, touring, and friendship. The episode closes with Maxim’s song Baby, I Wanna Be Your Lover Tonight. 

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [1:17] Where does Sharon draw inspiration creatively? 
• [5:32] Sharon discusses her newly released single Every Time the Sun Comes Up.
• [7:56] Did Sharon ever envision being a musician?
• [14:18] Does Sharon prefer playing in the studio or live?
• [18:12] When was the first time Sharon really felt connected to music?
• [24:40] Maxim joins the show and Sharon share’s how they met.
• [37:03] How do music and visual art tie in together for Maxim? 
• [40:39] What are everyone's thoughts on backing tracks?
• [48:40] How long has Sharon been following Maxim? 
• [51:04] How did Maxim pick out the guitar for Sharon? 
• [56:44] Why is live music so amazing? 
• [1:00:20] Maxim introduces his song Baby, I Wanna Be Your Lover Tonight.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Take your time with your music, the pieces will fall into place when it's meant to be. Sharon is just now feeling like she has her band together after years and years of being a musician. 
• Find like minded people and mentors to help you get started. Maxim started by helping Sharon, but learned so much and has been able to make his own music. 
• There is nothing quite like the energy connection between audience and performer. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for Sharon Van Etten:

Sharon Van Etten's Website 

Sharon Van Etten's X  

Sharon Van Etten's Instagram 

Sharon Van Etten's Facebook 

Sharon Van Etten's YouTube 

Sharon Van Etten's TikTok

Links for Maxim Ludwig:

Maxim Ludwig's Instagram 

Maxim Ludwig's YouTube 

BIOGRAPHIES: 

Sharon Van Etten is an artist and recognized as one of the most influential and iconic songwriters of our time. She released her sixth full-length album, We’ve Been Going About This All Wrong, this past May. Leading into its release, Pitchfork profiled Van Etten stating, “Sharon Van Etten Is an Institution Now,” while Rolling Stone called her “one of the most fearless, soul-shredding songwriters on the planet.” Van Etten made her return to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in support of the new album and took the “soul-strengthening” (New Yorker) Wild Hearts Tour with Angel Olsen and Julien Baker all over the country. In support of Van Etten’s 2019 release, Remind Me Tomorrow, she was profiled in The New York Times’ Arts & Leisure section and the album was featured prominently in best of 2019 lists by NPR Music, Billboard, Fresh Air, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, ESQUIRE, The New Yorker and more. Van Etten has collaborated with artists ranging from Courtney Barnett and Joshua Homme to Norah Jones and Angel Olsen, and been covered by artists including Fiona Apple, Lucinda Williams, Big Red Machine and Idles. She has performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Austin City Limits TV and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Van Etten was a guest star in the Netflix series The OA and guest starred in Eliza Hittman’s “Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always.” She performed in David Lynch’s revival of Twin Peaks. Off-screen, she wrote her first score for Katherine Dieckmann’s movie Strange Weather and the closing title song for Tig Notaro’s show, Tig. Most recently, she appeared in “How It Ends,” which also featured two songs by Van Etten.

Welcome back to LaunchLeft! This week Rain is joined by Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip and Lawrence from Mozart Estate. Throughout this episode they discuss how Alexis and Lawrence met and why Alexis chose to Launch Mozart Estate. They also talk about the power of music and healing, and how music and other forms of art can make such a big impact on the world. They chat about their individual careers, what their next steps are, and how the expenses of creating new records or playing live impact their creativity. Tune in to the episode to hear why art and music are so important and enjoy Lawrence’s (Mozart Estate) new song to close the show. 

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [1:34] Was there another artist that uplifted or helped Alexis when he was getting started?

• [11:33] What are the different types of artists?

• [13:20] Lawrence from Mozart Estate joins the show. 

• [14:04] How did Lawrence and Alexis meet? 

• [25:31] Would Alexis ever do anything else other than music? 

• [30:59] What other bands have influenced Lawrence and Alexis? 

• [39:05] Has Alexis dealt with competitiveness in his time as an artist? 

• [38:58] What are Rain, Alexis and Lawrence currently focusing on for their individual careers?  

• [50:13] What is the end goal of chasing your dreams?

• [58:67] If you are a new listener of Mozart Estate what should you start listening to? 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• There are different forms of art that can help people connect and work through trauma, such as a film, or music, or piece of art.

• Artists are such an important part of our humanity. By centering the truth of art will allow the gift to continue to spread. 

• Keep holding belief in yourself and following your dreams, that’s what will pull you through when times are hard. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for Alexis Taylor:

Alexis Taylor Instagram 

Alexis Taylor Komi 

Alexis Taylor's Merchandise 

Alexis Taylor's Facebook

Links for Mozart Estate:

Mozart Estate Instagram 

Mozart Estate Facebook 

Mozart Estate X Profile 

Cherry Red Website 

Alexis Taylor’s Bio

Best known as a founding member of the UK electropop outfit Hot Chip, Alexis Taylor also pursues a solo career as an introspective singer-songwriter one moment and a synth/drum machine/guitar wig-out noise-maker the next, finding different angles on his music with each album. Taylor's debut, ‘Rubbed Out’, arrived in 2008, a mix of electronic improvisations and bubble gum lofi pop, somewhere between Alex Chilton, Paul McCartney and Arthur Russell.  Since then, Alexis has released a further five albums; ‘Await Barbarians’, ‘Piano’, ‘Listen With(out) Piano’ (to be played on two turntables simultaneously) ‘Beautiful Thing’ - with DFA/Unkle producer Tim Goldsworthy - and his latest offering ‘Silence’ -  a personal and reflective, almost entirely acoustic record released in 2021 featuring jazz improviser Kenichi Iwasa, harpist Rachel Horton Kitchlew and double-bassist Sam Becker.

Alexis has collaborated with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Robert Wyatt, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and David Byrne, as well as remixing Neu!, Au Revoir Simone and Kraftwerk (alongside his Hot Chip bandmates). He is also a member of Atomic Bomb, About Group, Fainting By Numbers & Fimber Bravo.

Mozart Estate’s Bio

Lawrence is known for fronting influential pop groups Felt, Denim and Go-Kart Mozart. Now he’s back on the road and using the moniker Mozart Estate. A new name for a new time, he says. A new band too and a brand-new album out now entitled Pop-up! Ker-ching! And The Possibilities Of Modern Shopping. The band are touring the UK all summer and beyond. Will Hodgkinson’s book Street-Level Superstar, A Year With Lawrence is published on 5th September.

Welcome back to LaunchLeft! This week I am joined by Ian Rogers who has been on the cutting edge of technology and music since '93 when he began working with the Beastie Boys. Ian’s had an innovative hand in bringing companies such as Apple Music, Beats 1, LVMH & Ledger into the digital age while maintaining a deep curiosity and passionate artful approach. We talk about Ian’s love of learning, his creative outlets, and how the past plays a part in the future. Ian shares about how his children have influenced his work and how the use of technology is changing the landscape for getting music heard. Half way through the episode, he introduces his friend and fellow Indiana native, Tim from Strand of Oaks to discuss his music and the connection between culture and technology. We all share ideas on how to get music heard today and the importance of building a brand in this new world of music. Tune in for this great conversation and hear Strand of Oaks new song ”Ananda”.

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

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LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery.

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [1:40] Ian shares about his love of learning.

• [6:09] Where does Ian find joy and how has that played out in his work?

• [8:42] How does the past play a part in the future and in technology?

• [15:55] What is Ian’s creative outlet?

• [17:15] How do Ian’s children impact his business?

• [20:10] What creates excitement for Ian in his work?

• [22:37] Do artists have the same opportunities they did in the past? 

• [26:18] Ian provides advice for emerging bands and building a brand.

• [31:24] Tim joins to talk about his album Strands of Oak.

• [32:40] What influenced the songs on Strands of Oak?

• [41:13] How did Ian help Tim when it came to release time?

• [51:01] Tim shares about a live show and how to build an audience.

• [1:06:39] Ian talks about the connection between culture and technology.

• [1:13:25] What's in the future for Tim?

• [1:16:42] Hear a song by Strand of Oaks.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Pay attention to what the younger generation says is going to take off, because they seem to be ahead of the times and have a good pulse on what is going to be successful.

• It takes time to build a brand and find the people who are going to love your music. There is no such thing as an overnight success, people just don’t see all the work that is put in before the success happens.

• The one thing that you can count on is that things never stay the same, you have to pivot, adjust with the technology, and look forward to how it will impact the future.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for Strand of Oaks:

Strand of Oaks Website 

Strand of Oaks Instagram 

Strand of Oaks Facebook

BIOGRAPHY: 

Ian Rogers is the Chief Experience Officer at Ledger, leading the consumer-facing business delivering the world’s #1 way to buy and secure cryptocurrency.  Prior, Ian was the Chief Digital Officer at LVMH for five transformative years, working with a portfolio of nearly one hundred brands across luxury including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Sephora, and Hennessy.  Ian also sits on the boards of Dr Marten’s and Lyst.

Ian spent twenty years bringing digital music to the mainstream, first with Winamp then Yahoo!, Beats, and Apple.  Ian contributed to the 2015 launch of Apple Music including Beats 1, their digital streaming channel. Ian graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science (with honors, Phi Beta Kappa) from Indiana University in 1994.  Ian built some of the earliest music-related Web sites in the early 90s and has been working with Beastie Boys since 1993.

Welcome back to the LaunchLeft podcast. This week Rain welcomes her sister Summer Phoenix to the show. Summer shares about her new business venture with co-owner Stacey Mann, STAY. 

STAY is LA’s first alcohol-free, zero-proof bar. We talk about Summer’s relationship with music and how STAY is an extension of her commitment to center an alcohol free and vegan lifestyle. Summer launches Riley Polanski in this episode. Riley discusses what led him to music, and how he shifted his focus from business law to music, and how that decision has impacted his life. Tune in to hear his story and beautiful voice as he performs a live acoustic version of his song “Eloise”.

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

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LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery.

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [01:48] Summer discusses the genesis of STAY and what it means to her. 

• [06:52] Did Summer use her background of interior design to decorate STAY?

• [07:58] Summer discusses the possibility of returning to film or TV.

• [10:07] How did music find Summer?

• [12:04] Who does Summer’s graphic design?

• [12:49] Summer shares some of her favorite female-run businesses.

• [15:59] Summer launches Riley Polanski and talks about how he brought her out of retirement. 

• [18:58] How did music find Riley Polanski? 

• [20:35] What led Riley to start creating music? 

• [21:45] Riley shares the song he will perform live and the story behind it. 

• [23:10] Riley’s song Eloise, performed live in the studio.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• You can always try something new. You can learn the skills and put your heart into it and achieve your goals. 

• Having a space to gather with friends and family or in creative community without the pressures of alcohol is important, and there should be more spaces like STAY.

• Never say never. Riley Polanski is a perfect example of someone who was going to go a very different direction in life, and then music found its way back and he is now a wonderful singer and songwriter. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for Summer Phoenix:

Summer Phoenix's Instagram 

Stay Zero Proof Website 

Stay Zero Proof's Instagram

Links for Riley Polanski:

Riley Polanski's Instagram 

BIOGRAPHY: 

Summer Phoenix’s Bio

SUMMER PHOENIX  is a single mom of two sons, an actor, musician, animal rights activist, and environmentalist. She is the founder of both August Jude Design and Some Odd Rubies having created sustainability models in fashion and interior design for over two decades. She also served on the Board of River Phoenix Center for Peacebuilding and prioritizes being alcohol and drug free. She currently is half of STAY. - LA’s first zero-proof bar. 

Riley Polanski’s Bio

Introducing Shadow Pop visionary Riley Polanski, LGBTQ+ and rooted in the vibrant cultural landscape of Los Angeles, Polanski's musical palette draws from the rich tapestry of folk and alternative pop.

In an industry often defined by its rigidity, Polanski's emergence is nothing short of extraordinary. At the heart of Polanski's artistry lies a profound desire to serve those who feel “othered.” His lyrics, born from the crucible of personal struggle with addiction and abuse, bleed with raw authenticity, inviting listeners into an intoxicating journey of self-discovery.

In both his recorded works and electrifying live performances alongside his bandmate, Distant Cowboy on cello, Polanski curates an immersive sonic experience that transcends mere entertainment. Complemented by the visual artistry of Rion Ezra and the insightful docuseries crafted by Serena Jewel, Polanski uses multimedia as a multi-dimensional glimpse into the creative Mind behind his emotionally-charged soundscapes.

Today on the podcast Rain is joined by writer and musician, Kathleen Hanna. Their conversation travels from shared memories of being in bands in the 90’s, Kathleen’s thoughts on feminism today, how anger can motivate and harm creativity, the importance of self care and why it’s best to ditch toxic relationships. Kathleen’s memoir REBEL GIRL is out now. We then hear from the incredibly inspiring writer and filmmaker Naz Riahi, who shares what it was like to work with Kathleen on Rebel Girl, how music found her in Iran as a child, what inspires her, and what’s next for her creatively. Tune in to this power hour of conversation at LaunchLeft.com/podcast. 

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

---------------------

LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery.

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [5:25] How much has feminism changed since the 80s? What is the state of feminism today?
• [10:54] What is an internal positive belief that has stayed with Kathleen since childhood that she still draws upon? 
• [12:24] Are all art forms the same or different in the process of creating? 
• [18:26] Does anger motivate Kathleen when she is writing? 
• [29:03] What does Kathleen do for self care while on the road? 
• [37:44] What is Kathleen’s advice for young women? 
• [41:05] How did music find Kathleen?
• [43:20] Kathleen introduces Naz Riahi and explains why she tipped her hat to Naz.
• [49:31] Naz joins the show and shares about what it was like working with Kathleen.
• [52:52] What about working with Kathleen influenced Naz’s own work or inspired her as a writer?
• [56:16] How did music find Naz?
• [58:36] What is next for Naz?

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [24:47] We’re all creators, we all have the ability. We’re creating every day by being alive, we are creating our reality, we’re creating the future of what we want to be and say and do in the world. 
• [38:12] If you find yourself in a toxic relationship with someone, whether that be a friend, family or lover, step away. Those toxic people are standing in the way of other people who are waiting for an opportunity to be in your life. 
• [55:11] Take chances to try new things and allow opportunities into your life, but if you are finding those things take away from your energy to do the things you love, then you know those are not for you. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for Kathleen Hanna:

Kathleen Hanna's Website 

Kathleen Hanna's Instagram 

Kathleen Hanna's TikTok 

Bikini Kill Website 

Bikini Kill Instagram 

Bikini Kill Twitter  

Bikini Kill Bandcamp 

Bikini Kill YouTube 

Le Tigre World Instagram 

Le Tigre World Facebook

Links for Naz Riahi

Naz Riahi's Website 

Naz Riahi's Instagram 

BIOGRAPHIES: 

Katheleen Hanna:

Kathleen Hanna is a punk singer, artist, and the front-woman of the influential bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. Hanna is a staple in feminist publications, from college curriculums to bestselling books, and a leading voice in the punk feminist movement. She has been named one of the best live performers of our time, earning acclaim from Rolling Stone, The New York Times, NPR, Interview Magazine, V Magazine, Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, BUST Magazine, NYLON and Los Angeles Times, to name a few.

Naz Riahi:

Naz Riahi (she/her) is a filmmaker, writer and artist. Much of her work explores the spaces, emotions and opportunities and humor of reaching for connection, informed by her experiences as an immigrant from Iran.

She was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film. Her short film Sincerely, Erik received a Vimeo Staff Pick and won a Vimeo Best of the Year Award and was named a NoBudge Best Film of the Year. It has garnered praise from Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), The New York Times T Magazine and Fast Company among numerous publications and cultural institutions.

Her essays, journalism and fiction have been published widely in outlets such as Harper’s Bazaar, Oldster, Pipe Wrench, Food & Wine, Los Angeles Review of Books, Longreads, Catapult, The Fader, Guernica and more.

Naz has performed original works at MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles) and at Dynasty Handbag’s Weirdo Night.

She was the creator of the dialogical art project, Bitten. In recognition of Bitten, Naz was invited to SXSL at the Obama White House. An essay she wrote about the experience received public praise from President Obama.

Her collection of short stories, Vibrations, will be published by Dopamine Press in 2025.

Naz holds an MFA from the New School and is the recipient of a NYFA City Artist Corps Grant.

Welcome back to LaunchLeft! Today we are celebrating our 150th episode! This episode is a unique one, where Rain left voicemail questions for singer, songwriter and guitarist, Jonathan Richman. We then hear Jonathan’s responses in the form of voice memos, answering Rain’s inquisitive questions from how music found Jonathan, to learning his purest form of eroticism, and everything in between. Then Jonathan launches singer-songwriter, Jesse DeNatale. In this conversation, we learn how music found Jesse and about his musical career. We have the honor of hearing a snippet of Jesse’s song The Hands of Time from his latest album. Join the celebration in this great episode!

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

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LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery.

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [2:45] How did music find Jonathan Richman?
• [4:31] What advice does Jonathan have for young musicians/young artists?
• [5:32] Jonathan describes something he could draw to be animated.
• [6:07] What are the enduring preoccupations that arise again and again, and what has stuck with Jonathan even from childhood?
• [8:03] Jonathan explains his love of the song, The Wind, by Nolan Strong and Diablo.
• [10:44] What is the purest form of eroticism for Jonathan?
• [22:28] Jonathan introduces the artist that he wants to launch, Jesse De Natale.
• [23:26] The episode switches over to a conversation between Rain and Jesse DeNatale. 
• [26:30] How did music first find Jesse DeNatale?
• [31:18] Tune in to hear The Hands of Time by Jesse DeNatale.

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [4:39] Advice for young artists: Do what you like for you, don’t worry about what the audience is going to like. 
• [28:44] Music finds you, it finds you in songwriting and song creation. The first inspirations are given from the gods, that first idea, and then it's up to you to continue to create it. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Links for Jonathan Richman: 

Jonathan Richman's Instagram 

Jonathan Richman's Bandcamp Link 

Jonathan Richman - Wikipedia 

Links for Jesse DeNatale

Jesse DeNatale's Website 

Jesse DeNatale's Instagram 

Jesse DeNatale's Bandcamp Link 

Jesse DeNatale's Facebook 

BIO for Jonathan Richman:

Jonathan Richman (born May 16, 1951) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. In 1970, he founded the Modern Lovers, an influential proto-punk band. Since the mid-1970s, Richman has worked either solo or with low-key acoustic and electric backing. He is known for his wide-eyed, unaffected, and childlike outlook, and music that, while rooted in rock and roll, is influenced by music from around the world.

BIO for Jesse DeNatale

Jesse DeNatale is a singer-songwriter in Northern California. He was born in San Francisco. He has released three critically acclaimed records: Shangri-La West (2000) Soul Parade (2006) and The Wilderness (2021). His next release, The Hands of Time, will be available July 14th 2023. We are excited to announce that it will also be on Blue Arrow Records.

His music has been described as evocative and hopeful, a combination of poetry and storytelling. Over the years his love of various musical genres has inspired him to expand his ideas of songwriting as he continues to find a way to reflect back the realities of being alive. Rich with imagery, intelligence and passion, his music remains timeless. Its soulful accessibility is what has garnered him praise from other artists and has kept his devoted fans listening.

On this episode of LaunchLeft, Rain welcomes Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips of LUNA. They talk about how they first met, how music found them, performing live versus the recording studio, and the volatility of the music industry. Dean shares what’s up next for them, both as a duo and as solo artists. Dean & Britta launch Ryder the Eagle to close the show and we hear about the new single and album “Autotango”. He discusses what led him to write the record and what we can expect to hear from him next. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts today! 

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

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LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery.

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IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [2:44] How did music find Dean and Britta?

• [6:00] Do Dean and Britta write together? 

• [8:06] Do they ever wish they had chosen a different profession? 

• [10:09] Dean and Britta share about the shows they have performed. 

• [13:21] When did Dean and Britta meet?

• [15:55] What was the Hooky Wooky Tour?

• [19:59] What is up next for Dean and Britta?

• [23:49] Do they have the experience of time being too compressed? 

• [25:45] How do they use social media to promote their music?

• [29:33] Do Dean and Britta have any interest in composing for TV or film?

• [32:36] Ryder the Eagle joins the podcast and talks about his process of making music.

• [34:24] Where is Ryder from?

• [37:46] Ryder shares about his music that is being released soon. 

• [39:47] We hear Ryder’s new song Autotango.
  

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [22:40] AI can be useful by using it to curate all the information that is at our fingertips that we waste so much time trying to sift through. If you can ask AI the right question, it can curate the information that you want to find online.  

• [28:32] Social media has benefits for a musician, one being that you can get your music out there affordably and it can be heard all around the world. 

• [37:25] For Britta, there is a big difference between singing in the studio and singing live for an audience. There is a feeling of being terrified, excited, vulnerable and exposed which gives her a big thrill. 

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

Dean and Britta’s Links

Dean and Britta's Website 

Dean and Britta's Facebook 

Dean and Britta's YouTube 

Britta Phillips' Website 

Dean Wareham's Website 

Ryder The Eagle’s Links

Ryder the Eagle Instagram 

Ryder the Eagle Facebook 

Ryder the Eagle Website 

BIOGRAPHIES: 

Dean and Britta BIO

Dean & Britta are husband and wife team Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips, members of Luna. They have recorded several full-length albums and soundtracks. Their first two albums were produced by Tony Visconti (Bowie, T.Rex): L’Avventura in 2003 and Back Numbers in 2007. Their most recent release is the song “The Cloud is Coming,” which they wrote and performed for the Noah Baumbach film White Noise (they were also actors in the film). They live in Los Angeles.

In addition to making records, Dean & Britta are active scoring films, notably Noah Baumbach’s The Squid & the Whale and Mistress America. They also composed songs and score for 13 Most Beautiful: Songs for Andy Warhol Screen Tests, a project commissioned by the Andy Warhol Museum, and continue to perform this multi-media show live in concert.

Dean Wareham was the singer-songwriter-guitarist behind the Boston band Galaxie 500, who released three albums between 1987 and 1991. After this Dean went on to found NYC guitar band Luna, which released seven studio albums between 1992 and 2005.  Luna disbanded in 2005 but reunited in 2015 and continue to perform live. His most recent album (2021) is I Have Nothing to Say to the Mayor of L.A.

Dean is also a published author — his memoir Black Postcards is a Penguin paperback. His most recent book — Hearing Voices — is a collection of selected lyrics, illustrated by artist Ed Templeton.

Britta Phillips joined Luna on bass guitar in 1999, recording two albums with the band. She was formerly a member of the U.K. shoegaze band Belltower. She was also the singing voice of cartoon rocker Jem in the 1980s, and starred with Julia Roberts in Satisfaction, a film about an all-girl rock band. Britta released a solo album, Luck or Magic, in 2016.

Ryder the Eagle BIO

My name is Ryder The Eagle. I was born under the sign of Cancer in the south of France and like the planets predicted, I dedicated the beginning of my life to finding true love. Two EPs, a marriage and a divorce later, I embarked on a "Follymoon", an incandescent kind of a honeymoon where loneliness meets the folly of freedom.

I traveled across the USA on the Greyhound bus, lugging my microphone along sidewalks and crossings, diners, and traffic lights. I spent two years in London crafting my break-up songs and sang them all over the globe supporting Adam Green, Jonathan Bree, and a few others.

I ended up in Mexico City, where I’m currently living. I’m driving an old Chevy Caprice which I don’t have insurance for. My trunk is full of memories from a past that I can’t let go. One day I went to this Scottish town called Plean, unloaded everything, and wrote nine songs about it.

So if you ever need a ride, I’ve got room in the car now - and we can play my first album on the stereo. Can’t wait to meet you.

On this episode of LaunchLeft, Chan Marshall of Cat Power joins Rain to introduce Linqua Franqa. Chan and Rain talk about everything from how they first met, how Cat Power was formed, the connection that music brings to people and how changing people’s perspective around money and the American Dream might  solve many of the problems we have today. Chan also shares what led her to Bob Dylan and, how activism then and now really does move the needle. Rain is then joined by Linqua Franqa to learn how they got started in music, teaching and activism and how they are all connected. At the end of the episode we hear “Wurk”, one of Linqua’s songs about Communication Workers of America, United Campus Workers of Georgia, and capitalism.

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LAUNCHLEFT OFFICIAL WEBSITE
https://www.launchleft.com 

LAUNCHLEFT PATREON 
https://www.patreon.com/LaunchLeft 

TWITTER 
https://twitter.com/LaunchLeft 

INSTAGRAM 
https://www.instagram.com/launchleft/ 

FACEBOOK 
https://www.facebook.com/LaunchLeft 

---------------------

LaunchLeft Podcast hosted by Rain Phoenix is an intentional space for Art and Activism where famed creatives launch new artists. LaunchLeft is an alliance of left-of-center artists, a curated ecosystem that includes a podcast, label and NFT gallery.

---------------------

IN THIS EPISODE: 

• [04:58] Chan describes how her, Rain and River Phoenix met.

• [17:51] What inspired Chan to get involved with music?

• [22:08] How did Chan take her music from her apartment to playing live for people?

• [43:52] What led Chan to start playing Bob Dylan’s music and what has it created?

• [53:23] Where did the American Dream come from?

• [57:57] How do children see the world?

• [58:53] What would it look like if women were voted in, how would they change the trajectory of our country? 

• [1:05:25] Mariah Parker, also known as Linqua Franqa, talks about the meaning of their artist name. 

• [1:06:11] What does Linqua do outside of music?

• [1:07:02] Who is Reverend James Lawson? 

• [1:08:50] Does Linqua agree with the fact that women in power could change our trajectory for the positive? 

• [1:10:46] Tune in to hear Wurk, one of Linqua’s songs about capitalism. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• [50:20] Music is a way to connect with people and create community regardless of what is happening in their lives, regardless of socioeconomic status or upbringing. 

• [53:23] We don’t have to fall into the habit that seems to be the strongest one out there, which is to want to be rich and famous. 

• [56:41] We all want to be safe and happy. 

• [1:05:42] Linqua Franqa is a language used to communicate across cultural boundaries, as an artist, Mariah Parker wanted her music to do that, connect people across cultural boundaries.

RESOURCE LINKS: 

LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link

CAT POWER LINKS:

Cat Power Music Website 

Cat Power Instagram

Cat Power Facebook 

Cat Power YouTube 

Cat Power Twitter 

LINQUA FRANQA LINKS:

Linqua Franqa Instagram 

Linqua Franqa Bandcamp Site 

Linqua Franqa Facebook 

Linqua Franqa Twitter 

BIOGRAPHIES: 

Cat Power BIO:

Charlyn "Chan" Marie Marshall is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and occasional actress. She adopted the name Cat Power for her first band in 1992, and has since used the name as a moniker for all of her musical endeavors. Raised in the South primarily by her grandmother, Marshall showed interest in music at an early age, and was influenced by blues and rock'n'roll.

In the early nineties, Marshall relocated to New York City, and became acquainted with Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth after opening at a show for Liz Phair. Shelley subsequently drummed on her first two albums, Dear Sir (1995) and Myra Lee (1996), both somber indie rock records featuring sparse instrumentation. After releasing several blues and folk rock-influenced albums throughout the late 1990s, Marshall released The Covers Record in 2000, which included a cover of "Sea of Love" that was featured prominently in the film Juno (2007). She released three more albums, You Are Free (2003), featuring collaborations with Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder; The Greatest (2006); and Jukebox (2008).

Marshall has had several endeavors in modeling, and has been cited as a muse of Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld. She made her acting debut in the film My Blueberry Nights (2007) in a minor supporting role alongside Jude Law.

Her most recent record, Sun (2012) was released to critical acclaim, and entered the Billboard 200 at number 10, making it her first top-ten album in the United States.

LINQUA FRANQA BIO:

Linqua Franqa is a cultural worker and emcee from Athens, Georgia. Their sophomore album, Bellringer, is also their PhD dissertation in Language and Literacy Education at the University of Georgia.