Raegan Leilani joins Grooves of Influence to talk about The Party by Andy Shauf and why its layered storytelling, shifting perspectives, and subtle character connections make it her most influential album. We discuss honest songwriting, writing from emotion instead of perfection, and how songs can stay personal while still leaving room for listeners to find their own meaning. Raegan also shares how her band helped shape songs in the studio, how she writes through voice memos and instinct, and why jazz, pop, and vulnerability all meet in her music. A thoughtful conversation about storytelling, production, interpretation, and learning to trust what comes naturally.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raeganleilani/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5odMVdV5SmuJJzWbgDuBsX?si=i1zGLF2wSfa7XbBYE8z1_A

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/raegan-leilani/1730148094

Upcoming Concert Tickets: https://raeganleilani.com/show-dates

00:00 Podcast Intro | Grooves of Influence Music Podcast

00:19 Raegan Leilani Interview | Jazz Pop Sound and Musical Style

01:06 Most Influential Album: The Party by Andy Shauf

02:33 Andy Shauf’s The Party | Hidden Storylines and Album Concept

03:20 Songwriting from Different Perspectives

04:15 Favorite Storyline from The Party Album

06:44 Interpreting Characters in Andy Shauf’s The Party

07:40 Songwriting Tips | How Specific Should Lyrics Be?

08:49 Raegan Leilani Songwriting Process

09:33 How Raegan Leilani’s Songs Come Together

10:26 Studio Recording Process with Her Band

11:32 Writing “Keep It Boring Girl” | Songwriting Story

12:12 Writing Introspective Songs and Simple Emotions

13:36 The Magician | Mystery in Andy Shauf’s The Party

14:58 Discovering Andy Shauf Through Clarinet

15:55 How Raegan Leilani Met Her Band

17:13 Growing Up with Jazz and Playing Clarinet

18:20 Jazz Influence in Raegan Leilani’s Music

19:13 Michael Bublé and Early Music Influences

20:26 Funny Story About Only Watching Movie Sequels

21:44 Listening to Your Own Music After Releasing It

22:25 Sharing Personal Songs with Family

23:36 How Raegan Hopes Listeners Connect with Her Music

24:45 Favorite Songs from The Party by Andy Shauf

25:57 “Alexander All Alone” | The Ending of The Party

27:07 The Party Album Artwork and Character Connections

28:03 Production Style and Waltz Rhythm in The Party

28:59 Where to Find Raegan Leilani | Tour and Music Links

Jacob of Sugar Bomb joins Grooves of Influence to talk about improvisation, musical freedom, and choosing I Love the Blues She Heard Me Cry by George Duke as his most influential album. We discuss what jazz means today, why listenability and experimentation are always in tension, and how a great performance can make a whole room feel present together. Jacob shares how Sugar Bomb’s songs evolve on the road before they hit the studio, why live recordings can reveal a song’s real identity, and what it looks like to build a sound without getting boxed into one genre. A thoughtful conversation about groove, arranging, deep listening, and staying curious as a musician.

Instagram: @Sugarbombjazz

Website: https://www.sugarbomb.band

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sugarbombjazz

00:18 Meeting Jacob of Sugar Bomb

00:48 How Sugar Bomb Describes Their Sound

01:28 What Jazz Means Now

03:17 Choosing George Duke as His Most Influential Album

03:31 Why I Love the Blues She Heard Me Cry Matters

07:01 What Sugar Bomb Wants the Audience to Feel Live

10:08 Soft Moments vs Festival Energy

10:28 Recording the Second Record and Touring Songs First

12:42 Rubber Studio vs Live Version and Why It Changes

14:41 Improvisation, Head Charts, and Keeping It Fresh

16:49 George Duke Songs Sugar Bomb Wants to Play

18:10 Freedom in Music and Why It Matters

25:33 Balancing Experimentation and Listenability

31:39 Why Everyone Should Check Out George Duke

35:47 There Is Always More Music to Discover

35:57 Where to Find Sugar Bomb and How to Support Them

37:25 Upcoming Releases and Timeline for the Next Album

38:15 The Sugar Bomb Video Game and What’s Next

Photo Credits: Tyler Franz

Fiona of Whisper Doll joins Grooves of Influence to talk about finding community, building a band in Brooklyn, and choosing Pink Moon by Nick Drake as her most influential album. We discuss honest songwriting, vulnerability over perfection, and how discovering Nick Drake during COVID shaped her approach to music and lyricism. Fiona shares stories about writing late at night, recording voice memos, and using instrumentation to help tell emotional stories. A warm conversation about creativity, nature, spiritual curiosity, and learning to trust your instincts as an artist.

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/whisperdoll

Instagram: @whisperd0ll

Website: https://whisperdoll.neocities.org/

00:00 Meeting Fiona of Whisperdoll – Brooklyn Shoegaze Dream Pop Band Introduction

00:52 Forming Whisperdoll & Finding the Brooklyn Indie Music Scene

02:32 Choosing Nick Drake – Pink Moon | Most Influential Album Discussion

03:52 Vulnerability Over Perfection in Honest Songwriting

06:22 Nature, Spirituality & Meaning in Lyrics | Creative Process in Music

08:02 Favorite Tracks on Pink Moon (Nick Drake Album Breakdown)

09:57 Writing Late at Night, Voice Memos & Music Inspiration

12:27 Trusting Instincts & Writing Honest Songs

14:12 Building Community Through Music

16:42 Using Instruments to Tell Emotional Stories

19:12 Band Collaboration & Expanding a Shoegaze Dream Pop Sound

22:42 Advice for Independent Artists Seeking Community

25:32 Where to Find Whisperdoll + Upcoming Album

0:38 – Meet Koan of Penelope Road

2:44 – Why Penelope Road Can’t Be Boxed Into One Genre

3:56 – The Album That Changed Everything: The Beatles’ Revolver

6:20 – Tomorrow Never Knows and the Power of Experimentation

10:55 – Indian Classical Music and the Roots of Psychedelic Rock

14:55 – Philosophy, Creativity, and Writing Honest Songs

19:08 – Koan’s Guitar Pedalboard and Vintage Tone Hunt

24:55 – Other Albums That Shaped Koan (Radiohead, Bowie, Arcade Fire)

29:12 – The Balance Between Experimentation and Listenability

Koan of Penelope Road joins us on the Grooves of Influence music podcast to reflect on Revolver by The Beatles and the search for creative freedom in songwriting. We talk about developing a signature sound as an indie band, using experimental guitar tones, and writing with intention across genres like alternative rock, shoegaze, and film scores. Koan shares stories about growing up in a musical family, building pedalboards, and composing for theater and screen. A thoughtful artist interview exploring sound design, emotion in music, and how bands evolve their identity.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peneloperoad

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2BxNY82SWxJkGveOWm2oxH?si=JUH-BFDMQLG6CIib5erNZw

00:00 Introduction to Wide Orbit and Influences

02:56 The Impact of The Beatles' Revolver

05:49 Musical Journey and Early Experiences

08:50 The Mixing Process and Production Techniques

11:58 Balancing Influences and Originality

14:46 Exploring Genres and Songwriting Process

17:39 The Evolution of Musical Identity

20:39 Production Inspirations and Techniques

23:45 The Future of Wide Orbit and Upcoming Projects

Ryan Tuohy of Wide Orbit joins us to talk about Revolver by The Beatles, the record that shaped the sonic vision behind Wide Orbit’s debut album. We explore Ryan’s journey from cello to guitar, his production philosophy rooted in warmth and saturation, and how analog-inspired techniques brought modern songs to life. He shares stories of learning to let go, trusting the process, and embracing both influence and experimentation with honesty. A deep dive into DIY recording, playful grooves, and the beauty of making music that feels free.

Wide Orbit's Music:

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@UCaV7p5qECQ6bMCVJ_gS38SA

YouTube Music - https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC708c4Zoom4FGQSnBRJ-RyQ

Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/wide-orbit/1790129450

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/76wnntKKXAHupWwI7tD94X?si=BV-p4V2gTKSOZrF0XpuHfQ

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wide.orbit

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@wideorbit

Album of Influence: "Rage!" by Lettuce

Summary: In this episode of Grooves of Influence, host Xavier interviews multi-instrumentalist Austin Long, who shares his musical journey and the profound impact of the funk band Lettuce on his career. They discuss the album 'Rage' by Lettuce, exploring its standout tracks, the essence of live performances, and the transition from jazz to funk. Austin also delves into his songwriting process and upcoming projects, highlighting the importance of feel and groove in music.

Austin's Music: Funky Unkle

Album of Influence: "The Real Thing" by Faith No More

Summary: In this episode of Grooves of Influence, host Xavier interviews Bryan Dilling, the lead singer of the metal band Five Foot Thick. They discuss Bryan's musical journey, the influence of Faith No More's album 'The Real Thing', and the importance of creativity in music. Bryan shares insights into his songwriting process, vocal influences, and the evolution of his musical tastes. The conversation also touches on the risks of covering classic songs and the significance of finding one's unique voice in music. Bryan highlights the excitement of new projects and the joy of making music for the sake of creativity.

Bryan's Music:

Five Foot Thick

William Garrett joins us to reflect on Zapped, a strange and genre-bending sampler curated by Frank Zappa that opened his ears to the wildest corners of music. We talk about discovering Captain Beefheart, Willie the Pimp, and why this record became a turning point in his curiosity as both a listener and producer. William shares stories from decades behind the board — from cleaning studios and watching Aerosmith record, to running Spotify’s flagship recording program and working with artists like John Legend, Ed Sheeran, and Brandi Carlile. A deep conversation about creative instinct, experimentation, and staying open to sound in all its forms.

Album of Influence: Zapped by Various Artists

William Garrett's Instagram

Songs Produced/Recorded/Mixed by William Garrett