SMLE & ATHENA

  NEW INTERVIEW with talented composer and producer with ODD COUPLE As a producer oddCouple has been busy the last few years but this track marks his first official release since his critically acclaimed debut album Liberation which came out in 2016. The album finds oddCouple returning to the spotlight and delves into appreciating how a winding path in life helps shape one’s current self, reflecting on your journey, and more.  

  NEW INTERVIEW with talented artist and songwriter RILEY CLEMMONS Riley Clemmons is a 21-year-old artist from Nashville, TN who has accumulated over 210 million global streams and 50 million YouTube video views since the beginning of her almost decade-long career. After spending years honing her craft in writers’ rooms, Riley sky-rocketed onto the scene with her 2017 Capitol CMG debut single “Broken Prayers,” which has generated over 30 million global streams since its release. Her 2018 self-titled debut quickly entered the Billboard Heatseekers Albums Chart, debuting at No. 13. Her latest single, “Keep On Hoping,” has become Riley’s fastest-growing single, garnering over 5 million streams across digital platforms in its first 8 weeks and climbing the radio airplay and Billboard charts. In 2021, she was nominated as Female Artist of the Year at the 9th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards, marking a first in her career in addition to becoming the youngest nominee in the show’s history. An accomplished composer, performer, producer, and recording artist, Riley draws inspiration from life experiences, blending musical influences ranging from pop to classic rock to create music that is as catchy as it is relatable. Her sophomore album, Godsend, will be released on June 4th.  

  New conversation with talented producer and multi-media genius CRANKDAT Gear up. It’s what fuels the Crankdat project to its very core and embodies what 22-year-old Christian Smith is inspiring others to do on a daily basis. In just a few years, the multi-faceted Ohio-based artist has amassed nearly a quarter of a billion total streams, toured 4 continents, and has played hundreds of shows — more than a dozen of which reside in Las Vegas where he holds a Hakkasan Group residency. His originals and remixes dominate the festival circuit with heavy rinsing from Marshmello, DJ Snake, The Chainsmokers, and many more. Beyond producing and DJing, though, Smith is a true creative. From designing his own artwork to animating and executing his own live show visuals, the Crankdat experience is coming from none other than the creator himself. He is the physical embodiment of what he preaches, having an independent mindset and self-starter mentality that encourages hard work, dedication, and perseverance.    

  New interview with SMLE  & ATHENA TV Award-winning video game Rocket League’s leading female streamer Athena just announced her first foray into music, joining forces with Grammy-nominated duo smle for their vibrant new single, “Eternal.” Out on Monstercat, the unmatched gamer turned singer-songwriter introduces her powerful vocal chops and pop sensibilities, elevated by smle’s masterful production skills. The upbeat, energetic single is currently Rocket League’s main menu track and will soon feature as a Player Anthem in the game’s Item Shop, a crossover that bridges Athena’s dedicated community with her exciting new music endeavors. Athena shares, “Creating “Eternal” will forever be a pivotal moment in my life. Music has always been a huge passion of mine, and to be able to create something that has never been done before is unforgettable. I hope everyone can feel how much heart we have put into this song. Get excited for more future releases!” smle adds, “‘Eternal’ is a pretty special moment for us, Athena, and the music and gaming worlds. It’s the first time a Rocket League content creator pairs up with an artist who’s had in-game music to make a song specifically for the game. It’s been so fun getting everything together for this - from having some of the other top Rocket League content creators cameo in the video, to working closely with Monstercat and Psyonix to make this a major moment, has been nothing short of exciting. We hope those listening feel as energized as we are, because this one’s really special to us.” Arriving with the single, the “Eternal” music video follows Athena as she gears up for a Mad Max-style race in the desert against smle and fellow Rocket League streamers Rizzo and SunlessKhan. While the queen holds the 'eternal' potion prize at the finish line, smle and Athena discreetly work together to beat the others and ride off with their magic serum into the sunset. Emmy-nominated director Rick Wayne, known for his work with brands like NIKE, Bud Light, and McDonald's, along with producer Danny Pollack, known for his work with artists like The White Stripes, Alesso, and Machine Gun Kelly, deliberately centered the video around cars as a nod to the artists’ involvement in Rocket League.    

  TISOKI is back on the podcast to talk about angel investing, fashion, and his new album release. British bass producer Tisoki today released his poignant debut album, ‘01953’ on Monstercat. Featuring ten tracks that traverse classic dubstep stylings, trap-fueled grime, experimental bass, and beyond, his genre-fluidity is a glimpse into the varied musical journey that brought him to where he is today. The new single, “Made 4 This” signals a shift in Tisoki’s artistic evolution, catering to an introspective listening experience prompted by the last year spent in isolation. With the album title paying homage to the postal code of his hometown in Wymondham, UK, ‘01953’ is a collection of formative influences drawn from the underground culture and spaces that shaped him. Tisoki reveals, “I'm so excited to share my debut album ‘01953’ with the world. It's been a year in the making through some very tough times and I feel it's a true representation of the art I want to put out.” Tisoki’s impressive catalog has earned him support from household names across electronic music including Excision, Mija, Annie Nightingale, Skrillex, and DJ Snake to name a few. With a background in rock and metal bands, his high-octane performance chops have landed him on world-renowned stages such as Red Rocks, EDC Las Vegas, and Coachella. As live music returns this year, fans can look forward to experiencing the prolific producer’s new material in a proper warehouse setting soon.    

  A conversation with talented artist ANAGEL ENGLUND Anabel Englund’s sound is entrancing in its dichotomy; bright and carefree with her authentic Southern California breeziness. Other times she irresistibly alluring with her dark, smoldering touch. The singer-songwriter explores the dynamics of that captivating contrast with her debut album Messing with Magic. The Los Angeles-based artist spent late 2019 and all of 2020 putting out singles from Messing With Magic leading into its formal release in December on MK’s AREA10 label with Ultra Records. Beyond two #1 US Dance Airplay singles “So Hot (MK & Nightlapse Remix)” and “Picture Us,” the album highlights a variety of dance floor friendly tracks and heartfelt compositions including singles like “Underwater” with MK, “Warm Disco” with Lee Foss and “See the Sky.” There are a select few voices of house music that have paved their own pathway to legendary. Singer, songwriter & DJ Anabel Englund carries unforgettable, powerful melodies, and choruses to huge success. Listen to Anabel's Music on Spotifiy: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ky8xBRraNNzxzXEw6Ga0c?si=Uuiy5WTlQNK2XXZGudTAmQ&dl_branch=1    

  Interview with amazing musician KATE SCHUTT Kate is an award-winning songwriter, singer, guitarist, and producer. In 2018, Schutt gave a TEDx talk, “A Grief Casserole - How to Help Your Friends & Family through Loss,” which has been called “nothing short of life-changing” for people dealing with grief.  Kate took a 5-year break from songwriting, performing, and touring to be her mom’s primary caregiver. Her new album, Bright Nowhere, details her emotional journey through the five years as her mother’s primary caregiver, including moments of hope, despair, optimism and acceptance. Bright Nowhere is a gift to her mother and the culmination of their bittersweet journey together Today's episode gets very deep. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this special chat between the two of us. 

Interview with talented musician HUSKS Brooklyn, NY- Husks is the brainchild of Brooklyn singer, producer, and composer Connor Small. A multi-instrumentalist, Small has a penchant for crafting dark, experimental electronic-pop atmospheres: fusing icy synths and booming industrial percussion with delicate, vulnerable vocals. His work is influenced by his religious upbringing, exploring themes of purity, anxiety, tension and isolation in the face of cosmic uncertainty.

  Interview with multi-talented actor, writer, and musician JOHN ROBERTS Hailing from Edison, NJ, John Roberts's deep-rooted love for music can be traced back to his youth. At the onset of the 90's he fell in love with the New York City rave scene and frequented the storied warehouse parties mythologized in movies like “Go.” He visited Other Music in the city’s fashion-forward Village neighborhood on a weekly basis to buy new releases from Orbital, Moby, and more. Blondie tapped him to drop some lyrical fire on “Love Level” from their critically acclaimed 2017 chart-topper Pollinator. "Looking," a wild anthem produced by Big Black Delta, followed in 2019, marked his solo debut with remixes by Tensnake, Junior Sanchez, and Gerd Janson. The song—which landed at #19 on UK club charts--along with “Dirty Little Secrets” and “Lonely Boys Have Fun Too” appeared on his self-titled EP released last summer. Flashforward to 2020, Roberts entered the studio with longtime club friend Junior Sanchez for its follow-up. “Freaks” due out this fall is one of the many songs the two collaborated on which will be released in 2021. John is a cast member of the EMMY Award-winning “Bob’s Burgers” as lovable & loud matriarch Linda Belcher which landed him the first EMMY nod in the category of “Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance” (2015). Listen to John Roberts' Music on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5HGXZdpWmmXoDqbCCsBlYt?si=ak5eTTw3RUS01aYXF8Q_5A&dl_branch=1  

  Interview with talented duo FORESTER Formed in 2019, Forester is a new indie electronic duo that has already made a lasting impact in the scene. The Los Angeles-based group is comprised of Xander Carlson and David Parris, both of whom write, produce and sing. Their music blends acoustic instrumentation with electronic elements that transport the listener to wide-open spaces, allowing for introspection as well as the desire to dance. In May 2020, they landed a major label deal with Palm Tree Records, a Sony Music joint venture co-founded by Kygo. With millions of streams already under their belt and an ethos that calls for an eyes-closed escape, Forester’s future is looking brighter than ever.