Episode 39: Poppy Ajudha

On Ace, Madison Cunningham processes the cycles of heartbreak and falling in love again. For this episode, Madison's second time on the podcast, we sat down at her LA home and discussed the record at length. Find Madison on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3h9TfIgwhovQELlP2jj4xL?si=poBMbSTbT9u4QcNWMO4vvw On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/madison-cunningham/461080475 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madicunningham/?hl=en Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ouri's latest album, Daisy Cutter, is a release of control, an excavation of inner truths, & an indulgence of sensuality. As always, we dive into the record's themes in depth, & we make sure to nerd out about Imogen Heap & FKA twigs along the way. Find Ouri on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/41gxyJbzbAaChEyrZ9j3rv?si=RCBJvcV6TeKATOOYCHIB1g On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ouri/584625515 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ouri.riou/?hl=en Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flock of Dimes, aka Jenn Wasner, created an album that is as warm as it is raw. Amidst its perfectly crafted & pared back instrumentation, 'The Life You Save' explores themes of codependency, people pleasing, & letting go. In this episode, we discuss the themes of the album, & what helped her tell these stories on her own terms. Find Flock of Dimes on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1TTfuOdEtj8lin2zR4OWmP?si=-h3WrTzJTTCQ8IoX3LLPoQ On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/flock-of-dimes/561740721 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flockofdimes/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/flockofdimes Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jack Garratt's latest full-length album, Pillars, wrestles with longing: longing for reciprocity, longing for love, & longing for fulfillment. We discuss everything from the relationship between artists & their audiences, situationships, & navigating an increasingly difficult music industry. Find Jack Garratt on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Zp054Jc86WVKCxKEqZGOA?si=JKCs6VMDSgeWGHpRbtyLvw On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jack-garratt/895155327 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jackgarratt/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jackgarratt Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Kilo Kish's 'Negotiations', robotic soundscapes mirror the transactional, 'churned-out' side of the music industry. She asks "what am I worth?" - not to an unforgiving business model, but to herself. In this interview, we discuss this tension, & the importance of art on one's own terms. Find Kilo Kish on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lsnwlX6puQ7lcpSEpJbZE?si=LkhaVZsZTs-7Xaky7StGSA On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kilo-kish/487657156 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kilokish/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kilokish Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On June 25th 2025, in collaboration with Open Folk, we presented our first ever live interview event in Los Angeles. As Open Folk put it: "In These Lines is a live event where three artists each bring one song — not just to perform, but to explore. They sit down with Sofia Loporcaro, host of Before The Chorus, to talk about where the song came from, what it meant to write it, and what it still holds. Then they play it. Just the song, and the truth behind it." Find Open Folk on Instagram: @openfolkla Find Gaby on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0K9pSmFx0kWESA9jqx8aCW?si=Wz4RUP88Qlm_RKs7QTLvWQ On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/gaby-moreno/472697737 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaby_moreno/ Find Lily on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0p0ksmwMDQlAM24TWKu4Ua?si=Bmdg-uIUTHu-zRUc_dqL3g On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/lily-kershaw/526884610 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilykershaw/ Find James on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3u50TPoLvMBXNT1KrLa3iT?si=OoLoq7ZTRZyUiytQcz0FsQ On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/james-spaite/905076868 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesspaite/ Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benét writes songs while in the eye of life's storms. Because of this, his lyrics are raw & visceral, bringing us right to the core of what he's been feeling. 'Make 'Em Laugh' is no exception - through songs of heartbreak & self-examination, we're taken on a journey of healing, & just plain trying to figure life out. Find Benét on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/05YfgfbZtY7XRjc7So1DGB?si=FYz7irNwQVChvixvbAdJrg On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/ben%C3%A9t/56685750 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benantics/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@benantics Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daisy The Great's 'The Rubber Teeth Talk' takes us on a winding road through dream states. Amongst these dreams, real questions occur: "Have I accomplished enough?" "Am I behind?" "Will everything be okay in the end?" Dreams, as they often do, become a vessel for processing reality. In this interview, we talk about the band's weirdest recurring dreams, & trusting the path they take you down. Find Daisy The Great on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0SrIPejckovMwhrN3MZFPB?si=oo3x1isKSbKKxv0kJ4nXNg On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/daisy-the-great/1249883179 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daisythegreatband/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daisythegreat?lang=en Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MRCY's ' VOLUME 2' is a celebration of life that never gets preachy. Rooted in soul music, it sanctifies the human experience in all of its good & bad. In this interview, we speak about the power of soul, life's unanswered questions, & so much more. Find MRCY on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4fHvJqxNjCIVcJekRTHoVh?si=G2OdpBw0R5SzqHZfIXNlEw On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/pl/artist/mrcy/1725388761 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrcy.mrcy.mrcy/?hl=en TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrcy.mrcy.mrcy.mrcy?lang=fr Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Melchor's latest album, 'The Diary of Living', balances honesty with levity. He talks about friends who passed away too young, missed connections, & trying to find meaning among all of it. In the end, the record encourages us to forgive ourselves & live life to the fullest Find Adam on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/54tv11ndFfiqXiR03PwdlB?si=a27HBHw2TEKL4JMcd50GGA On Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/adam-melchor/849341905 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adammelchor/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adammelchor?lang=en Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠https://beforethechorus.bio.to/listen⁠⁠⁠ Sign up for our newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.beforethechorus.com/⁠⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@beforethechoruspodcast⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠@soundslikesofia⁠⁠⁠ About the podcast: Welcome to Before the Chorus, where we go beyond the sounds of our favourite songs to hear the stories of the artists who wrote them. Before a song is released, a record is produced, or a chorus is written, the musicians that write them think. A lot. They live. A lot. And they feel. A LOT. Hosted by award-winning interviewer Sofia Loporcaro, Before the Chorus explores the genuine human experiences behind the music. Sofia’s deep knowledge of music and personal journey with mental health help her connect with artists on a meaningful level. This is a space where fans connect with artists, and listeners from all walks of life feel seen through the stories that shape the music we love. About the host: Sofia Loporcaro is an award-winning interviewer and radio host who’s spent over 8 years helping musicians share their stories. She’s hosted shows for Amazing Radio, and Transmission Roundhouse. Now on Before the Chorus, she’s had the chance to host guests like Glass Animals, Feist, Madison Cunningham, Mick Jenkins, & Ru Paul's Drag Race winner Shea Couleé. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices