Art that reflects a lived experience is more vital than ever. Beyond allowing us an opportunity to learn about others, it also gives us the chance to have something to believe in. I find it very important to have people that I can believe in when it comes to life, and today’s guest is someone I deeply believe in; the amazing Lana Lubany. She’s a Pa…

I mention it within the intro for this, but holy f*cking sh*t, Jamila Woods is on my podcast. If you’re unfamiliar with her, Jamila is a supremely talented singer, writer, poet, and activist. Musically she creates these worlds where you can safely pour your emotions into. Socially, she strives for a similar feeling with how she uses her voice, her …

It’s been a while since I’ve had a fellow photographer on the podcast, and it does bring a massive smile on my face to finally introduce you to my friend Jennifer McCord. This bonus chat with Jenny is essentially a part 2 of the Half Moon Run pod that dropped earlier this week. Jenny is a photographer primarily based in London that takes the kind o…

If this is your first time listening to the podcast, then know I’m very excited to hear that. In many ways this chat I had with Connor and Dylan of Canadian indie band Half Moon Run feels like how I want every episode of this podcast to feel: lovers of art talking about how life influences art. Don’t get me wrong, we tend to achieve that across our…

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: three friends in Germany get together to essentially create their own world. The focal point is their aim to celebrate and progress hip-hop, along with integrating fashion, filmmaking, and photography in a way that has a unique impact. No, you’re not having a fever dream, this is indeed real and it’s the sto…

There aren’t any shortages of the narrative that life brings about the unexpected. That said, there are still times in which we need to be reminded of the beauty of that; which is very much what happens with this conversation I had with Jason Aalon Butler. Jason is a frontman that’s largely existed in the world of hardcore music, though to say that…

(ByLwansta chat starts at 3:37 and Dope Saint Jude chat starts at 60:47). This next bonus episode is a very special one, especially since you’re essentially getting two chats for the price of one. Last year, we had a very different season of the podcast called The Passport Season, which featured us highlighting six countries across six episodes. On…

Something tells me that after the first few minutes of this episode, the last thing you’ll call today’s guest is “modest.” But something I grew to learn from talking to London-based artist Master Peace, was just how much that confidence has been earned. I could already tell from his stellar debut album, How to Make a Master Peace, an album full of …

I feel that this episode's title might be a paradox to some of you. In all honesty, fair, I mean how could someone straddle that line of tradition? But to hear Dawn Richard talk about it ends up making all the sense in the world. In our hearts we know that people are nuanced, but how often do we come across people who wear that on their sleeves wit…

In a few short years, Kelly Lee Owens has become one of the most prolific artists of her generation. Her unique approach to combining hypnotic beats with pop melodies certainly has a lot to do with it (along with her euphoric live shows), but what continues to make Kelly stand out is how her curiosity about life continues to drive her creativity. T…

Is there anything more cliche than a sad boi crooning about a lost love? Well….probably not, actually, but it’s that self-awareness that shines through on J. Bernardt’s latest effort, Contigo. With this moniker, my friend, Jinte Deprez (of Belgian indie rock legends Balthazar) has crafted the perfect break-up album. Yes, there’s whining, sweeping s…

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion that’s omnipresent in our day-to-day lives. Because of this, we’re living in a time where indulging in nostalgia can feel lazy, tired and simply put: old. But once in a while, we’re reminded of the magic that can come from retreading our pasts, as well as the rare instances where it can give us clarity towards our fu…

Would ya look at that? We’ve made it to season 8! Once again, it brings me immense joy to share these talks with you over the next few months. Especially when I reflect on how these talks have evolved beyond my wildest expectations from what I envisioned for this podcast. Even if you’re a new listener to this series, it won’t take you long to recog…

This is something very different than our usual episodes, but one that I felt was important to share. A few weeks go, a good friend of mine, Eoin French (aka Talos) passed away. Eoin was one of the most talented artists I’ve met from Ireland. His artistry is exemplary of what makes that island special, along with how he carried himself off stage. E…

This last summer episode couldn’t be with a more fitting guest. Caleb Eberhardt (aka Rosehardt) is a polyglot of a musician, and someone I very much feel lucky enough to call a friend. Caleb exemplifies New York's creative abandon across songwriting, production, and acting. His latest body of work, ‘the world gets smaller each day it seems to shrin…

I think one of the reasons people gravitate towards stories set here in New York is because of how overtly people carve their own paths here. My next guest is such a prime example of that, and it’s even wilder to think that her story has only just begun. Hannah Jadagu is a singer-songwriter who originally hails from Texas but has swiftly made New Y…

It’s not a secret that friendships in New York City are of a unique breed. Especially in the music world, it’s always clear when the artists who are collaborating also care about one another. That’s consistently been the case with B. Miles, an alternative indie/pop band based here in New York. Led by vocalist/pianist/songwriter Brenna Miles, the mu…

There are countless times when an artist realizes that the best way to create art is by getting personal. Naturally, one hopes to be in the right headspace for that, but what about those times in life when you feel stuck, unsure, and daresay; stagnant? If you deem yourself a professional, you must make art any way you can and more imperatively find…

It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to A Summer in New York. In case you missed the announcement, this will be a mini-season of the podcast where I’ll be talking to some incredibly talented people about the things that make New York City special. What brings all these talks together is a desire that we have to explore the question “why is thi…

Welcome to A Summer in New York! The first episode drops on June 25th BUT you can hear the special NYC playlist right now over on Spotify (right over here).

The Wikipedia page for today’s guest describes her as a musician that plays with genres such as “synth pop” “dance-punk” and “punk rock.” Though there’s a kernel of truth to that, it exemplifies how words continue to fail the artist known as Peaches. For over three decades Peaches has remained a vital voice in the worlds of music, visual art, and r…

Empathy is a word we all know and yet there are times when it can feel elusive in our lives. One of the best antidotes for that is witnessing how it shows up in other people's lives, especially when it’s an individual that’s exerting it outwardly. That’s been the case as of late with Nabil Ayers, American music industry entrepreneur, musician, and …

This is the last bonus episode of season 7 and to call it a special one feels like a massive understatement. Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning radio host, producer, and podcaster based in Los Angeles who’s made being a music fan a full-time job. Her podcast, Before the Chorus, centers on exploring the emotional journeys of a songs inception to it…

Marc Fennell is a wild multi-hyphenate from Australia and…to be honest with you, even saying that doesn’t feel fitting enough. Along with being a decorated journalist, he’s a television host, documentary presenter, radio personality, a writer, a dad, and as he simply likes to put it: a maker of things. Marc is also a person who’s directly inspired …

You know, it’s a wild thing to think about how today’s guest goes about his craft. TOBi wouldn’t be the first artist to be a lover of the old school while also carving out his own path…but honestly, we’ve never seen it done like this before. Hailing from both Lagos, Nigeria, and Brampton, Canada, TOBi is an artist full of multitudes. His latest alb…

It’s mentioned towards the end of this episode, but it should also be said here: Danielle Ponder is a person who exemplifies grace. Her humbleness is part of that, but what also shines through is her tenacious passion for justice. An ex-lawyer turned professional musician, Ms. Ponder is an artist who’s on the rise in a magnificent way. Her debut al…

The episode you’re about to hear is one of my favourites of this entire series. Adia Victoria is a singer-songwriter who combines elements of blues, folk, and gothic country to tell stories. She’s also punk af, which is conveyed all-across today’s podcast. You see, Adia is the type of person who strives to live her words, constantly proving how tru…

By now you’ve probably clocked the tagline of this podcast that reads “a podcast about music” with music scratched off and the word “people” above it. That tagline is as literal as possible to depict what drives this podcast and what intrigues me the most: the lives of people and what we can learn from them. I’d be hard-pressed to think of an episo…

Having gratitude for life is something that’s a perpetual journey for me. It’s something I’ve admittedly been pretty bad at over the years. That said, the gratitude I feel for today’s episode is something that can’t be overstated. Local Natives are a band from Orange County, California that I’ve loved since I was in college. It’s always a special t…

It comes up pretty early on in this podcast: but Jesse Boykins III is the kind of person that people smile about when they hear his name. I’ve seen it happen numerous times throughout the years, both across the US and abroad. Sure, much of that has to do with how celebrated Jesse is as an artist, but so much of that love also has to do with how Jes…

Our first bonus episode of season 7 is another chat I’ve been dying to have for a long time and I love that it happened under these circumstances. You see, Denai Moore is a British-Jamaican artist I’ve gotten to know over the years through her music (which is fucking excellent by the way). We do chat about her music career across this podcast, but …

Say hello to Cristal, Alisa, Katie, and McKenna. There are a few episodes this season that I’ve been wanting to make since way back in season 1 and this is one of them. The Aces are a rock band from Utah that I’ve been privileged to have gotten to know over the years. They made their first album here in New York, and I fondly remember witnessing th…

One of the most perplexing things on earth is how immigrants perpetually deal with unfair treatment throughout many corners of the world. The hard work, expressions of passion, and technicolor of culture are often ignored for fear-drenched sensationalism in the news. It’s in understanding that, where the vitality of a band like Gogol Bordello conti…

Welcome back to The New Exchange podcast and to very the beginning of season 7. I am beyond excited to share these talks with you, starting with a guest I’ve been dying to have on here for a long time. Seye Adelekan is a Nigerian-British artist who’s toured with Lana Del Rey, Emeli Sandé, KT Tunstall, and Paloma Faith; though he is best known as a …

A short explainer of what to expect between now and the launch of season 7 (March 2024).

Let’s be honest, if we had to make a list of the acts we’ve taken with us from our high school years into adulthood….the list would be pretty short. So imagine how trippy it feels for me to have not only done that with Ash (my favourite band) but that I’ve also found myself in a position to say they’re still making their most vital works. Their lat…

Honestly, when it came to planning this season, I knew the finale had to be about my home, Ireland. But the end result has turned out to go well beyond what I expected. Ireland is a country that’s embraced me for over a decade now and I’m constantly gobsmacked by the amount of love and generosity I feel when I’m there. It’s a place that’s been cruc…

In just a few short decades, Germany has transformed into an epicenter of the arts. Whether it’s painting, writing, or music, artists from all over the world know that Germany is a place where your creativity can flourish. That reputation has led many to this European country, not just to create art, but also to appreciate it in a more tangible way…

Sulene is an accomplished songwriter, producer, performer, and composer from Cape Town who’s one of the most creative New Yorkers that I know. When I decided on featuring South Africa in this season, I knew it’d be important to explore the country considerably; especially since I’ve never been there before. One of the earliest talks I had for this …

It’s pretty crazy, this episode marks the first episode of the season to feature a country I’ve yet to experience. South Africa is a nation full of history, home to over 60 million people, and is one of the most culturally diverse places on earth (12 languages are spoken regionally throughout South Africa). Along with these attributes, the music an…

The next episode of this season is about a country that reinvigorated me just a few months ago. Brazil is a part of the world that’s famous for its warmth, it’s vibrancy, and enthusiasm across its people, but I have to say; getting to experience that firsthand is really something else. Getting to go there, I got to experience some of the most overt…

Michaël Brun is a ridiculously talented DJ, producer, and songwriter from Haiti that’s perpetually manifesting his dreams. In a few short years he’s already collaborated with acts like Ed Sheeran, J Balvin, Maesgo, and honestly, the list is practically endless. Haiti is also the home country of my family, and getting to make this episode was a beau…

To call today’s episode personal would be a massive understatement. France is a country that’s become quite a second home to me, a sentiment I’m fortunate to feel about several places but it’s a very different beast when it comes to France. My family are Haitian and French, with our roots extending between the two countries for actual centuries. I,…

Welcome to Season 6 of The New Exchange Podcast: The Passport Season. This is an idea that’s been kicking in my head for quite a while now and getting to have it materialize for you feels unreal. Traveling has been a major part of my whole life and the thing that I value the most about traveling is how I’ve perpetually gotten to meet people who’re …

It’s finally time to announce season 6 of the podcast: The Passport Season. Six episodes, six different countries, and six additional radio broadcasts sharing music from each country. To further explain how this season will work, I welcomed back my buddy Toby Tenenbaum to ask me about the who, what, when, why, and how of this different kind of seas…

Welcome to the last off-season episode before the launch of season 6 (which will be announced very very soon!). Getting to finish off this series of talks with Nottingham-based singer-songwriter Yazmin Lacey feels like the perfect situation, and I’m proper excited about you falling in love with Yazmin’s music the way I have. Her debut album, Voice …

Corniness be damned: you just gotta love when good things happen to good people. My brother (and returning pod guest) Abraham Alexander is having a stellar year, all off the back of hard work and authenticity. His debut album, SEA/SONS is a contemplation on loss, redemption, and anguish, but also light, joy, and most importantly; hope. In a time of…

Naaz is a Dutch-Kurdish alternative pop singer that brilliantly exemplifies what this podcast is all about. I’d forgive you for mistaking this series as a podcast about music, after all, I do talk to a lot of musicians. But no, this series is really about humanity and you have to admit, behind every great song and every great album is some form of …

This is an episode I feel an immense sense of gratitude towards. SAIAH is a west-coast based musician that intrigued me with their authenticity and unapologetic approach to writing. I don’t think it’s breaking new ground by stating how in 2023 we live in a society that constantly asks us to be “perfect.” Honestly, in my opinion, the best artists ar…

I’ll be real with you: I’m incredibly biased when it comes to today’s guests. But hand-on-heart, I do feel like they’re one of the best rock bands in the world and their latest album has only further solidified that thought. They’re called July Talk, they hail from Toronto and they deeply care about the human condition. Specifically, how can the mu…