Ep. 240: EJAE | A Career Built Slowly and Heard All at Once

Today’s guest is the frontman of one of the most defining bands of the 2010s — a songwriter whose voice helped shape an era of alternative pop that still echoes today.Before arenas. Before permanence. Before “Sweater Weather” became cultural shorthand.Now, after over a decade of hits, reinvention, and evolution, he looks back on the long arc of The Neighbourhood with clarity — and with honesty about what success did and didn’t solve.And The Writer Is… Jesse Rutherford of The Neighbourhood!In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Jesse opens up about:• Growing up in the industry before he understood it• The unlikely formation and endurance of The Neighbourhood• His journey through childhood acting, getting discovered, + losing his dad on the brink of success• The advice he’d give himself before it worked• And much more…Hit subscribe and turn on notifications.Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music.Follow us on socials: @andthewriterisA special thank you to our sponsors…Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.Chapters:0:00 Intro2:09 I Never Wanted To Be Alternative
4:02 Why Thousand Oaks Produces Massive Bands7:39 Becoming a Child Actor at 6
8:35 “My Self-Worth Is Tied to Entertaining”
9:55 Discovered in a Movie Theater at 5
14:16 Reconnecting With His Dad Before He Passed
17:28 Success Without the Fame He Expected27:10 High School Metalcore Bands33:17 How The Neighbourhood Formed
36:06 The First Riff of “Sweater Weather”
40:00 Getting Discovered Online by Their Manager
44:23 His Manager’s Warning…47:20 Writing the Lyrics to “Sweater Weather”
48:42 Pop Writing Rules
55:23 Learning to Let Go of Instant Validation
59:32 Daddy Issues
1:02:30Watching Your Own Lyrics Affect Relationships
1:10:01 Why He Needs Alone Time1:10:23 Feeling Invisible, the “Chip Chrome” Era
1:11:17 Touring the Same Venues & The Plateau Feeling
1:12:31 Why Chip Chrome Became His Favorite Creative Risk
1:13:48 “You’ve Got to Get People to Look to Listen”1:16:00 Creative Direction as Identity Control
1:19:30 Self-Sabotage vs Reinvention
1:32:00 Band Brotherhood & Growing Up Together
1:36:00 Legacy, Impact & What Really Matters1:41:00 Advice to His Younger SelfHosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London & Jad SaadEdited by Jad SaadPost-Production VFX by Pratik KarkiWatercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is a Grammy-winning songwriter, global pop architect, and one of the most quietly influential voices shaping modern music across borders.Before the world heard her voice, she spent years training inside the K-pop system — learning discipline, structure, and endurance long before recognition ever arrived. When the system didn’t know what to do with her, she pivoted. Slowly. Intentionally. And built a career that would eventually be heard everywhere.Now, as a songwriter whose work spans K-pop, pop, animation, and beyond — and as an artist stepping into her own voice — she represents a different kind of success: one built patiently, shaped by pressure, and defined by longevity rather than speed.And The Writer Is… Ejae!In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Ejae opens up about:The reality of the K-pop training system and what it actually teaches you about discipline and survivalRejection and why her voice didn’t fit the moment — and how that shaped her writingLearning to work alone after years inside a rigid systemHow songwriting became a safer, more powerful entry point than performingThe pivot that reframed her career and led to global successAnd much more…Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications.Every week, we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music.Follow us on socials: @andthewriterisA special thank you to our sponsors…Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:30 Early life & finding music6:10 Inside K-Pop training9:00 Ejae's writing process...28:00 Rejection from auditioning to be a K-Pop Idol... and $5 Karaoke training to pass.41:00 Ejae sings her first song41:37 Sponsor Spotlight: NMPA42:18 Sponsor Spotlight: Splice14:45 Discipline, pressure, and identity23:20 Being let go by the system26:19 The truth about the K-Pop system30:40 Rebuilding in isolation39:15 Discovering songwriting as power50:00 K-Pop's ultimate evaluation: Auditioning to debut50:37 Ejae's rejection and rock bottom... and the pivot that would change everything56:10 Global songs & delayed recognition1:00:00 How she wrote her first songs1:04:00 Writing her first song for film1:07:00 Writing 'Psycho' for Red Velvet at her first session1:13:00 K-Pop vs Pop music... And the reference to 'Psycho'1:14:00 K-Pop Demon Hunters1:20:00 The story behind 'Golden'1:26:00 The original 'Golden' voice memo...1:30:00 The process of co-writing the songs for K-Pop Demon HuntersHosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London & Jad SaadCreative Directed by Jad SaadPost-Production VFX by Pratik KarkiWatercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a festival headliner, Grammy-winning songwriter, and the architect of a sound that accidentally changed the course of folk, country, and alternative music forever.From singing as a family around a kitchen table to headlining arenas with banjos and mandolins, Marcus Mumford built something no one saw coming — and has spent years learning not to get in his own way once the stakes got real.Now, as a solo artist and band leader, he's as honest about the creative process as he is about the pitfalls of ego, overthinking, and the quiet ways success can sabotage itself.And The Writer Is... Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons!In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Marcus opens up about:His theory of "catching" songs rather than forcing themHow Mumford & Sons structured equal ownership to stay togetherWhat Bob Dylan said to him that he wants tattooed on his bodyThe Pharrell moment that reframed his entire relationship to successWhy showing up — again and again — is the only way judgment is earnedAnd much more...Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications...Every week we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music.Follow us on socials at @andthewriterisA special thank you to our sponsors…Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:00 Desert Island Mix: Radiohead3:00 The Greatest Band of All Time?7:00 A Hilarious Story About Bob Dylan — His Songwriting Grandfather11:00 How Mumford & Sons Structured Equal Ownership13:35 How Mumford & Sons Writes Music17:00 Where Great Music Comes From18:35 His Songwriting Ethos: "Catching Fairies"22:00 Favorite Poetry and Getting Lost in Words Before Writing23:46 Childhood25:00 Growing Up in Church33:50 Why Drummers Make the Best Producers50:00 Testing Demos on the Road52:00 Working on His Solo Record58:00 The Empowering Pharrell Story1:03:00 The Chris Martin Story1:05:00 Rapid Fire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a multi-platinum DJ, producer, and songwriter who turned personal devastation into one of electronic music's most emotionally resonant careers.From opioid addiction in high school to wilderness therapy at rock bottom, he rebuilt his entire life in Denver—sober, alone, and teaching himself music theory from scratch.Now 13 years clean, he's become a voice for mental health in a scene built on excess, collaborating with Jon Bellion, Halsey, Teddy Swims, and countless others to create music that connects survivors.His latest album, Odyssey, is a cinematic journey through heartbreak, recovery, and the sessions that saved his life.And The Writer Is... Illenium!In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Nick Miller (Illenium) opens up about:* Moving every two years as a kid and never having roots* Falling into opiates at 15 and hitting bottom by 2011* Moving to Denver alone and getting sober at 21* The Good Things Fall Apart session (and demo)* How music saved his life entirelyand much more...Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications...Every week we go deep with the most interesting creatives in music.Follow us on socials at @andthewriterisA special thank you to our sponsors…Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:00 Childhood and Moving Every Two Years5:00 Getting Into Music Through Tiesto's Album6:30 The Electronic Artist That Inspires Industry Musicians9:00 Getting Sober—His Rough Patch in 201110:00 Escapism and Addiction12:30 The Wilderness Program That Saved His Life16:30 Getting Lost in Music and How He Learned to Create17:30 Illenium's Roots18:00 Learning From Other Producers and YouTube20:00 Thinking of Sound as a Picture21:00 World Building and Finding His Brand… and His Purpose23:00 Ross Opens Up on How Music Saved Him24:00 The Personality Trait All Successful Creatives Have26:00 How He Popped Off31:00 Working With Unknown Artists and How He Picks Them33:00 How to Find Your Sound34:30 NMPA and Splice Midroll41:00 Touring—The Downs After a Show44:00 Good Things Fall Apart47:00 Collaboration in DJ Culture49:00 Why He Doesn't Chase Big Songs54:24 COVID1:13:00 Gaming on Tour1:17:00 Good Things Fall Apart DemoHosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London and Jad SaadCreative Direction by Jad SaadPost-Production VFX by Pratik KarkiGuest Watercolor Art by Michael White Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest is a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer, and performer, best known as one-third of The Smeezingtons and a foundational creative force behind Bruno Mars’ career. He has co-written and helped shape some of the most influential pop songs of the last two decades, including Just the Way You Are, Billionaire, Locked Out of Heaven, When I Was Your Man, 24K Magic, Nothin’ on You, and many more...And The Writer Is... Bruno Mars!In this episode of And The Writer Is…, Philip Lawrence tells his story in full—for the first time- How a $5 bus pass led to Bruno Mars- The hidden cost of early success- Real stories behind pop’s biggest records- The pivot that made everything 'click'- A breakdown at the peak—and the call that brought him backand much more...A special thank you to our sponsors…Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.Chapters:0:00 Intro4:00 “I Just Might” and Bruno Mars10:31 Childhood and Not Feeling Good Enough14:00 Early Career20:00 Leaving School and Auditioning for Disney26:00 The Disney Break Room: The Beginning of His Journey27:00 His First Session30:00 Meeting Steven Seagal34:00 Moving to LA37:09 Losing Everything He Had So Far39:00 Finding His Manager43:00 Finding His Way Through the Industry44:42 His Ego Death45:50 The Pivot That Really Started His Career46:50 Be Friends With All the Assistants47:20 NMPA and Splice48:45 How to Write for Radio49:30 Developing His Songwriting Ethos50:29 Spending His Last $5 to Meet Bruno Mars (Before He Was Bruno Mars)1:05:09 How Bruno Stayed on His Early Hook Placements1:07:28 The Story of Nothin’ on You1:09:20 Billionaire1:11:50 Just the Way You Are1:19:15 Talking to the Moon1:20:49 Ross’s CeeLo Story1:23:00 “F*** You” Was Not Supposed to Happen1:28:00 How Locked Out of Heaven Happened1:33:22 When I Was Your Man / Flowers (Miley Cyrus)1:36:50 Five Songs He Wishes He Wrote1:38:34 24K Magic1:40:36 His Breakdown at the Peak of Success1:48:45 The Comeback Phone Call With Bruno1:50:18 APT1:52:39 Advice for Songwriters + Rapid-Fire QuestionsHosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London and Jad SaadPost-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's guest has quietly shaped the sound of a generation.He has written and produced some of the biggest songs of the last 15 years—from One Direction's "Story of My Life" to Niall Horan's "Slow Hands," Sabrina Carpenter's "Taste", Teddy Swims' "Lose Control," and Olivia Dean's "So Easy to Fall in Love."A true songwriter's songwriter, John Ryan doesn't just chase hits—he shapes careers, defines sounds, and knows exactly when inspiration is knocking.In this episode, John breaks down what it really takes to stay relevant across multiple eras, why authenticity always wins, and how he went from a Berklee kid living in his manager's parents' house to becoming one of the most trusted voices in pop music.We talk about:- The hardest years of his career- The real batting rate of the best songwriters- Meeting Sabrina Carpenter and Teddy Swims- Working with One Direction and losing Liam- Gems upon GEMS for up and coming musicians, songwriters, and producersand a special live performance of some of his biggest hits.A special thank you to our sponsors…Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.Chapters:00:00 Intro: John Ryan02:30 How John Got Into the Music Industry06:30 Songs from Eighth Grade & Writing Early10:30 Writing Like a Kid Again (The Picasso Effect)13:00 Berklee, Pro Tools & Learning the Craft17:00 How Many Songs Actually Make It Out?19:30 Maroon 5’s “Cold”21:30 Niall Horan: From One Direction to Solo Artist24:15 The Lowest Point of His Career26:00 The Realization That Saved Him28:00 Meeting Teddy Swims & Sabrina Carpenter31:00 Social Media, Virality & “I Don’t Have That on My Phone”33:30 Writing “Heaven” with Niall Horan34:00 Sabrina Carpenter’s “Feather”36:00 Stop Chasing Numbers. Start Betting on People38:00 Co-Writing with Amy Allen41:56 How John Ryan Produces Songs44:50 Country Music & Expanding Taste47:20 Liam Payne51:03 Olivia Dean – “So Easy to Fall in Love”56:45 John Ryan’s Take on Collaboration58:50 Writing “Tears” with Sabrina Carpenter59:40 Managing Life, Energy & Relationships1:02:01 “Steal My Girl” & “Night Changes” Should’ve Been Bigger1:04:52 Choosing Great People Over “Sure Things”1:07:00 John Plays & Sings His Hits1:20:00 Why 10,000 Hours Isn’t Enough1:21:06 GEM: Ruthlessly A/B Your Music to Get BetterHosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London and Jad SaadEdited by Jad SaadPost-Production VFX by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest isn’t just a living legend.He’s one of the architects of modern music.As a songwriter and producer, he’s discovered artists, shaped careers, and defined entire eras.This one is required listening.A once-in-a-generation legendary hybrid of songwriting and production,And The Writer Is... David Foster!In this episode, David breaks down what actually makes music last, the cost of greatness, and what it really takes to survive and stay relevant in the music business over decades, not moments.Not to mention his best advice for people in the business right now...We talk songwriting vs. production, discovering artists like Céline Dion and Michael Bublé, working with legends like Whitney Houston and Paul McCartney, the mistakes artists make chasing hits, and why longevity matters more than hype.Oh, and the only artist who could pull him out of retirement...A special thank you to our sponsors…Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association.Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period.Chapters:00:00 Mount Rushmore of Producers02:00 Canadians03:42 David Foster’s Parents05:23 Discovering Perfect Pitch07:03 Musical Roots and Learning Jazz07:40 Jazz Voicings Explained10:24 “Leave Songwriters Alone” – Publishing Talk11:20 Writing His First Songs12:21 Advice He’d Give His Younger Self17:00 David Foster’s Trick for Reading People17:58 Surviving a Plane Crash20:22 The Start of His Early Career22:00 Is “Africa” by Toto a Perfect Song?27:20 The Greatest Songwriters Ever30:25 Kanye West’s “Through the Wire” Sample Story32:27 Songwriting vs Sampling (Blurred Lines Case)34:21 His Documentary, Workflow, and Band Relationships38:53 How David Foster Writes Songs42:42 How Seven People Write One Song43:39 Presented by NMPA & Splice48:19 The Critical Mistake in “Uptown Funk”49:49 “Unforgettable” with Nat King Cole51:08 Paul McCartney55:17 Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”57:10 Top Five Singers He’s Worked With59:06 Discovering Céline Dion59:56 How David Foster Sees His Life1:05:13 What Makes a Song Great?1:09:40 The “Nashville No”1:11:51 The Arc: A Holistic Approach to Songwriting1:12:42 Discovering Michael Bublé1:15:29 Star vs Superstar1:16:39 Andrea Bocelli & Josh Groban1:19:04 The Cost of Greatness1:19:46 How to Make It in the Music Business1:24:11 Family Life (Katharine McPhee & Kids)1:25:50 “I Told Céline the Titanic Song Would Ruin Her Career”1:31:01 Songs He Wishes He Wrote1:31:39 Artists He Passed OnHosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London and Jad SaadPost production by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And The Writer Is... Diplo! This episode isn’t about hits. It’s about how culture actually gets made. Taste, burnout, and building culture without permission. From growing up in Florida crate-digging scenes no one cared about, to turning underground instincts into global movements, Diplo breaks down the uncomfortable truth behind longevity in music: following your taste when everyone else wants safety. We get into: The real physical and mental toll of nonstop touring in a world that never shuts off The power of branding and how he did it (and why you have to, to) Breaking scenes before they’re acceptable Burning out, disappearing, and rebuilding without chasing relevance Why instinct beats public approval every single time And the reality of turning risk into influence and underground energy into global impact This episode is for anyone building anything. Thank you for listeningA special thank you to our sponsors… Our lead Sponsor, NMPA— the National Music Publishing Association. Your support means the world to us. And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Chapters 00:00 – Diplo Is Here 01:02 – Episode Intro 01:45 – AI, Sora, and the Future 03:18 – How Diplo Uses AI in Music 06:15 – Using Prompts to Produce 07:44 – How Diplo Got Into Music 10:32 – How Ross and Diplo Met 14:05 – Life as a World-Touring DJ 16:04 – Dr. Luke Signed Me to Steal My Drums 16:36 – Diplo’s Origin Story 17:13 – Riff Raff, Culture, and Being Hated 18:43 – Making “Where Are Ü Now” 20:04 – Creating Jack Ü with Skrillex 21:37 – Orlando DJ Gigs to Philadelphia 24:33 – First Session with Vybz Kartel 27:23 – Branding, the Internet, and Selling Mixtapes 35:01 – The Story of “Paper Planes” (M.I.A.) 36:44 – How to Find Success in Music 37:57 – NMPA + Splice (Sponsors) 39:25 – “Climax” and Finding His Strengths 43:54 – Why He Started Mad Decent 46:41 – Learning Music and the Birth of Major Lazer 49:30 – The Story of “Lean On” 53:04 – Diplo’s Cheat Code for Creating Fearlessly 54:06 – Country Music 55:28 – “Heartless” and Morgan Wallen 56:19 – Collaborator Rapid Fire 1:00:28 – Diplo’s Branding Advice 1:03:32 – Charli XCX 1:05:00 – How He Doesn’t Lose Himself on Tour 1:06:59 – Nothing Is Perfect. Everything Gets Better. 1:07:19 – Diplo’s Run Club 1:08:00 – Diplo’s Final Advice Hosted by Ross Golan Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Post Production by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

And The Writer Is… Alex Warren.Alex joins the podcast to talk openly about resilience, finding his voice, and what it actually takes to turn pain into songs that connect.In this episode, he breaks down:Overcoming homelessness and instability while chasing musicEarning credibility in an industry that didn’t immediately take him seriouslyHow vulnerability became his songwriting superpowerWhat his writing process looks like when the emotions are real — not manufacturedThe difference between being seen and being heardAnd the single most powerful way to get your music heard against all odds..This ones about humble beginnings, trusting your voice when no one will listen, and learning how to write your way out of survival mode.A special thank you to our sponsors…Our lead sponsor, NMPA — the National Music Publishers’ Association.Your support means the world to us.And @splice — the best sample library on the market. Period. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest didn’t just enter the music industry — he grew up inside it. He isn’t just a Grammy-winning producer or a respected solo artist. He’s one of the rare creatives who’s built a career rooted in loyalty, advocacy, and taste — while learning in public and evolving in real time.And The Writer Is… FINNEAS!In this episode, he breaks down:Growing up in the industry without losing your footingThe quiet flaw baked into today’s music industry — and the one trait he’s seen in every truly exceptional artistLoyalty over leverage — and why relationships still matterAdvocating for artists when you already have a seat at the tableLearning as you go without pretending you have it all figured outThis one is grounded and essential for anyone trying to build something that actually lasts.A special thank you to our sponsors... Our lead sponsor, NMPA aka the National Music Publisher's Association. Your support means the world to us!And  @splice  the  best sample library on the market, period.Chapters0:00:00 Teaser 0:02:37 What FINNEAS Would Change About the Music Industr0:07:40 “What Do You Do?” Identity & Being Multihyphenate0:08:54 Why taste beats momentum 0:10:51 FINNEAS & Ashe 0:12:51 From Workaholism to Efficiency0:14:17 Tools, Shortcuts & Speed in the Studio0:16:13 Him and Billie and Their Creative Differences0:20:11 Stage Fright, SNL & Performing Under Pressure 0:24:23 Writing Songs for Film vs Albums0:27:49 Writing “What Was I Made For?0:30:46 Writing Honest Lyrics in LA:0:32:48 Parenting, Legacy & Keeping Ego Out of the House0:36:42 Creativity and Parenting0:38:47 Homeschooling, Childhood & Creative Freedom0:41:46 Make your kids work with adults0:44:42 When You're Inspired... Collaborate With Your Influences0:46:30 Artists FINNEAS Would Love to Work With0:48:46 How Not to Chase Trends: Why reference points should be old, weird, and far away 0:50:02 NMPA Ad0:50:42 Splice Ad0:51:30 Favorite Albums to Listen to Deeply0:53:06 Writing with Billie, Honesty, Family & Creative Trust0:55:55 Claudia, Love, Partnership & Sustaining Ambition1:00:37 The 20% Rule1:02:00 The 'Lowest Point of His Career' and His Personal Victory From It1:04:57 Separating Your Work From Your Worth1:06:00 The Barometer of Success For A Solo Artist1:06:40 Doing The Apple TV Sound1:08:14 Not Comparing His Success With Billie, New Album, Knowing When to Pivot1:11:04 Repeating Success... Birds of a Feather, Taste as a Long-Term Advantage1:15:00 Signing Writers1:17:55 Why Some Artists Plateau1:21:11 Publishing Deals, Reversion, and Leverage.. Bad Deals with Good People and Good Deals with Bad People1:24:33 Avoiding burnout in a high-output career 1:28:01 Writing 'Lonely' for Justin Bieber with Benny Blanco1:31:14 Aging in the Industry... Collaborating with Ashe1:39:08 Big Songs On Deluxe Albums1:42:50 Writing for Prompts and Film1:45:01 What Still Excites Him About Music1:43:41 Are You Happy?1:52:37 Separating The Art From The Artist1:51:58 Building something that lasts without losing yourselfHosted by Ross GolanProduced by Joe London and Jad SaadEdit by Jad SaadPost Production by Pratik Karki Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.