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 recognize that these talks tend to get deep and hand-on-heart; it shatters my mind how open the guests get across these next 15 episodes.

Starting today with Vanessa Brown (aka VV Brown), an indie alt-pop singer-songwriter, model, and producer from Northampton, UK. The word ‘trailblazer’ should also be added to the mix, especially due to her recent album, Am I British Yet? Which you can infer from the title, is a direct critique of how British society can make people of other races and cultures feel less then. Though the conversation starts with a focus on Vanessa’s lived experience, it doesn’t take us long to utilize a birds-eye view of how what she’s experienced mirrors what so many people of colour and I have experienced across the world. We explore those feelings and experiences in-depth across this episode, along with highlighting the vitality of having joy within the resistance.

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. Eoin was a deeply curious person, tenaciously creative, kind to all and a fantastic friend. I thought about how I wanted to honor him, which led me to listening back to some of our past conversations (from the times I interviewed him for magazines and podcasts). This led me to re-listen our very first conversation, which you’ll hear in this episode. Recorded back in the summer of 2018, it’s just….so wild how much of Eoin’s spirit can be heard across this conversation. Listening to this made me smile and laugh as I remembered my friend, and I hope it does the same to you. Codladh go maith agus i síocháin.

Photo in the artwork was taken by me in Manhattan during our chat. This episode features a performance of In Time by Talos, recorded in Greenhouse Studios in Reykjavík, Iceland.

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 shrink’ is the kind of album that proactively refuses to be confined into a box. It’s a maelstrom of sonic textures, harsh pivots of genres and emotions…and yet it somehow feels cohesive; it somehow feels measured. Like many of the talks for this mini-season, the album reflects what it’s like to live and create art in New York. A beautiful aspect of this particular episode is how so many of the areas we touch on were experiences that Caleb thought about for the first time since working on the album; allowing you to hear him in real-time come to the realization of how much New York means to him. We recorded this chat at the Circle in Square Theatre on Broadway, ahead of one of Caleb’s performances as Hovstad on An Enemy of the People, the Tony Award-winning play starring Jeremy Strong.

Thank you for indulging me this summer with this mini-season. It’s been a long time coming, creating a series of talks highlighting why I decided to make this city my home and I hope it comes across with these five talks that when it comes to New York; there isn’t another place like it. Season eight will be starting very soon in September.

Intro song is NY Vibes by Bonus Points.

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 York her home. Some have gone on to describe her music as “bedroom pop” but her debut album Aperture is so much more diverse and wide-ranging than that descriptor would lead you to believe. Beyond the multitudes of sonic textures across the album are also lyrics that feel inhabited with fresh emotions and an ever-evolving perspective towards people. Personally speaking, I do feel like that aspect of growth happening in real-time happens so intensely here in New York, and it was such a joy getting to share stories and experiences with Hannah during our chat.

After you fall in love with Hannah’s music, you’ll have the chance to see her on November 14th as she opens up for Slow Pulp at Webster Hall.

Intro song is NY Vibes by Bonus Points.

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 music of B. Miles evokes this mixture of effortless cool and intimate vulnerability that’s perpetually striking. That ability to be open in her songs reflects the strong bond Brenna has built with her bandmates and on today’s podcast, we explore the special nature of that bond; along with the specific ways in which NYC feeds into that. Also joining us is Eric Nizgretsky, songwriter/bassist/co-producer/resident hockey fan of B.Miles.

The band will be playing their next gig at Bowery Ballroom on September 7th, easily one of the best venues in the city; be sure not to miss out on this one.

Intro song is NY Vibes by Bonus Points.

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 the light within those dark times. This journey reflects the work of my friend, Charles Fauna, and his aptly titled album Limbo (out July 12th). Throughout its runtime, Charles reminds us that we can dance through the hardships of life, while also finding time to reflect and contemplate where we are and where we’re going in equal measure. We chat about all this, and more, with a crucial focus on how living and existing in a city like New York can strangely be a great antidote to that feeling of limbo.

Charles will be playing an album release show on July 24th at Nublu, I hope to see you there.

Intro song is NY Vibes by Bonus Points.

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 this city the place that we call our home?”

The first episode of this run is with a band I’ve been privileged to have known for many years now, San Fermin. They’re a group based in Brooklyn that have always challenged the conventions of what a band could be. And yet, all those traveled roads have led them to their latest album, Arms, their most personal and straightforward body of work yet. It’s a breakup album that’s equally about rediscovering oneself and the sadness left behind after such an experience. New York City plays a persistent role across the album, which we tackle throughout our chat. For this one I ventured to Better Company Studios in Fort Greene, Brooklyn; and I was joined by San Fermin bandmates Ellis Ludwig-Leone, Allen Tate, and Claire Wellin.

Intro song is NY Vibes by Bonus Points.

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).