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. The proof is in her upcoming album, Dreamstate (out October 18th on George Daniel’s DH2 label). As the title suggests, Kelly wants to welcome you into a world where you can feel safe to dream, to put your guard down, and dance your troubles away. Crafting the album came from a period of internal and external upheaval in Kelly’s life and on today’s podcast we chat about the importance of doing that: taking stock in one’s life and gaining clarity towards what you want to put out into the world.

Kelly Lee Owens will be touring Europe this autumn, starting on October 29th in Berlin. All tour dates can be found at kellyleeowns.com.

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 string sections, and catching numbers, but what makes Contigo excel is Jinte’s constant desire to “go there.” Listening to this album for the first time stopped me dead in my tracks on multiple occasions, because in all honesty, hearing a man be so bare and direct about his feelings felt starkly refreshing to me. Throughout the album’s runtime, Jinte never attempts to hide behind a veil, and in doing so he’s willing to expose a lonely, confused (and sometimes petulant) crooner who’s in the throes of an identity crisis. It’s a beautiful album full of character, whimsy, and wit, and it’s such a privilege that we got to explore it in depth for the first bonus episode of season 8.

J. Bernardt will be going on tour throughout Europe this autumn, starting on September 29th in Denmark. Be sure to visit https://www.jbernardt.com for all tour dates.

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 future. That’s been the case with Matt Lowell, my friend and frontman of indie-alt rock band Lo Moon. Lo Moon are a group of creatives that oscillate between brash dynamics and elegant progressions. Their approach towards arrangements, hell, and their dedication to the craft is infectious. Whenever I listen to them, I hear a rock band that strives to be more than a rock band; and in doing so they hit it out the park every time.

Those elements of the band have never shone brighter than they do on their latest album, I Wish You Way More Than Luck (which is out now). It’s the kind of album that reminds you that a band can be more than a band, and this conversation I had with Matt centers on the multitudes of what creatively drives him and his bandmates. Lo Moon will be touring Europe and the UK starting on October 30th and they will also touring Mexico and the US starting on November 15th. All tour dates can be found at lomoonofficial.com.