Off The Record - An American Songwriter Podcast

Grace Potter: Motherhood, Kenny Chesney and Self-Discovery Behind Trespasser

In this episode of Off the Record, Grace Potter joins host Lisa Konicki for a wide-ranging conversation about her upcoming album Trespasser, songwriting, creativity, family life, and the experiences that shaped her latest music. Potter reflects on the 15th anniversary of “You and Tequila,” her friendship with Kenny Chesney, and the creative freedom she found while traveling across the country and writing songs inspired by the people and places she encountered. Listeners will hear Potter discuss the themes at the heart of Trespasser—belonging, wandering, identity, and self-acceptance. She describes the album as a deeply personal journey, saying, “I think the masks have come off,” and explains how the songs reflect a fuller understanding of who she is as an artist, wife, mother, and storyteller. The conversation also explores the unusual stories behind songs such as “Lost Cafe,” “Gasoline,” and “War On The Mountain.” Thoughtful and humorous, Potter sums up the album’s spirit with a memorable observation: “No matter how crazy you feel at any moment in your life, you can find solace in knowing that there is a weirder fire burning in a different dumpster somewhere right over the horizon.” Let’s go Off the Record with Grace Potter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Shane McAnally: AI, Hit Songs and the Future of Country Music

In this episode of Off the Record, hit songwriter Shane McAnally joins Editor in Chief Lisa Konicki to share the story behind his journey. McAnally reflects on the challenges he faced in his career, the moments that kept him going, and what it means to be recognized as one of the 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters. He shares how embracing his true self as a songwriter helped unlock a deeper level of creativity and connection with listeners. “When I realized it was a superpower... it really turned something that I thought would keep me out of country music into something that put me square in the middle of it,” he says. The conversation also explores the future of songwriting, including social media, streaming, and AI, while focusing on McAnally’s belief in the power of authentic storytelling. He also goes behind the stories of some of country music’s biggest songs, including “Merry Go ’Round,” “Mama’s Broken Heart,” “Vice,” and “Body Like a Back Road,” and dives into his creative partnerships with artists like Kacey Musgraves, Miranda Lambert, and Sam Hunt. Let’s go Off the Record with Shane McAnally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Ziggy Marley: Mental Health, Racism and Staying Positive

In this inspiring episode of Off the Record, host Lisa Konicki sits down with reggae legend Ziggy Marley to discuss his new album, Brightside, a project that he describes as a healing journey. Marley opens up about songwriting as therapy, mental health, embracing vulnerability, and creating music that reflects his own experiences. “I made this album for myself. It was never like, ‘Let me make this album for the world.’ This music was for me,” Marley shares. Listeners can look forward to an engaging conversation that goes beyond music. Marley reflects on the legacy of his father, Bob Marley, the inspiration behind songs like “Many Mourn For Bob” and “Racism Is A Killa,” his fascination with the healing power of music, and his unique approach to creativity. Throughout the episode, he shares personal stories and life lessons, offering a glimpse into his world. Whether you're a longtime fan of Marley, a music lover, or someone looking for inspiration and positivity, this episode offers an honest look at an artist who continues to evolve while staying true to himself. Let’s go Off the Record with Ziggy Marley. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Niall Horan: Love, Creativity and Nostalgia

Join host Lisa Konicki for the season two premiere of Off the Record as she welcomes the talented Niall Horan. In this engaging conversation, Niall shares insights about his highly anticipated solo album, Dinner Party, which explores themes of love, loss, and the journey of relationships. "It's an album of love and romance and doubts that you may have," Horan reveals, emphasizing the personal nature of his songwriting process. Listeners can expect a fun conversation, including Niall’s experiences on The Voice and his thoughts on returning to the show. He reminisces about his time on the series with humor, saying, "I’m the champion. Yeah, I take it very seriously." Niall also dives into the creative process behind Dinner Party, highlighting how the album was shaped by random jam sessions rather than traditional studio constraints. He reflects, "I just wanted to see what came out of me naturally." With tracks like "Boys Are Fun" and "Die If I Don’t," this season two premiere episode promises a mix of heartfelt stories and and fun times. Tune in for an unforgettable chat that’s sure to resonate with avid fans and new listeners alike. Let’s go Off the Record with Niall Horan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Luke Grimes: Grief, Growth and Red Bird

Off the Record its first season with a brand new episode. In the final episode of the season, Episode 11, available now, Host Lisa Konicki sits down with actor/singer/songwriter Luke Grimes. In this episode of Off The Record, Grimes reflects on his growth as both a musician and actor since his debut album, touching on fatherhood, loss, and the persistence of imposter syndrome. Discussing his role in The Marshals, Grimes explains the need to evolve his character beyond a “happy ending,” saying, “If we're going to do another show about him… there had to be some sort of drama. It couldn't just be happy ever after.” Grimes’ new album Red Bird, a deeply personal and autobiographical project, is the central focus of the interview. Grimes emphasizes its emotional honesty, saying, “It’s honestly all over the place… we were trying to take sort of a portrait of a person at a time.” In the podcast, Grimes dives into the stories behind the songs, his collaborative songwriting process, and how fatherhood and grief influenced the record. Grimes will also be discussing, the emotional and creative journey behind Red Bird, the transition from Yellowstone to The Marshals and the parallels between acting and music as forms of storytelling. Let’s go Off the Record with Luke Grimes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]