Grooves of Influence

Ep 23 | The Party by Andy Shauf | Raegan Leilani

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/ [https://www.instagram.com/raeganleilani/] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5odMVdV5SmuJJzWbgDuBsX?si=i1zGLF2wSfa7XbBYE8z1_A [https://open.spotify.com/artist/5odMVdV5SmuJJzWbgDuBsX?si=i1zGLF2wSfa7XbBYE8z1_A] Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/raegan-leilani/1730148094 [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/raegan-leilani/1730148094] Upcoming Concert Tickets: https://raeganleilani.com/show-dates [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

Ep 22 | I Love the Blues, She Heard Me Cry | Jacob Bruner (Sugar Bomb)

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 [https://www.instagram.com/sugarbombjazz/?hl=en] Website: https://www.sugarbomb.band [https://www.sugarbomb.band] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sugarbombjazz [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

Ep 21 | Pink Moon by Nick Drake | Fiona (Whisper Doll)

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 [https://linktr.ee/whisperdoll] https://linktr.ee/whisperdollInstagram: @whisperd0ll [https://www.instagram.com/whisperd0ll/] https://www.instagram.com/whisperd0ll/Website: https://whisperdoll.neocities.org/ [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

Ep 20 | Revolver by The Beatles | Koan (Penelope Road)

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 [https://www.instagram.com/peneloperoad] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2BxNY82SWxJkGveOWm2oxH?si=JUH-BFDMQLG6CIib5erNZw [https://open.spotify.com/artist/2BxNY82SWxJkGveOWm2oxH?si=JUH-BFDMQLG6CIib5erNZw]

Ep 19 | Revolver by The Beatles | Ryan Tuohy (Wide Orbit)

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 [https://www.youtube.com/@UCaV7p5qECQ6bMCVJ_gS38SA] YouTube Music - https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC708c4Zoom4FGQSnBRJ-RyQ [https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC708c4Zoom4FGQSnBRJ-RyQ] Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/wide-orbit/1790129450 [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/wide-orbit/1790129450] Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/76wnntKKXAHupWwI7tD94X?si=BV-p4V2gTKSOZrF0XpuHfQ [https://open.spotify.com/artist/76wnntKKXAHupWwI7tD94X?si=BV-p4V2gTKSOZrF0XpuHfQ] Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wide.orbit [https://www.instagram.com/wide.orbit] TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@wideorbit [https://www.tiktok.com/@wideorbit]