HearSej Seja Vogel

Seja talks to her guest Sam Bentley (The Paper Kites) about his first touring experiences, starting in punk bands and trying to be crazy on stage. Sam tells Seja about his dad, his spirituality and being inspired by gospel music. They chat about wanting to move people with music, going shows by themselves and the unique way the Paper Kites’ new album was written and recorded.

Sam’s strange show experience was illustrated by Ethan Jenkins (@e.e.jenkins).

All illustrations can be seen on Instagram @hearsejpodcast or on the HearSej Facebook page.

Seja talks to her guest Alex Gow about the making of his new album Dizzy Spell (out in October 2023), recording to 4-track, the pressure of a single take and unexpected majors/minors. They chat about nicknames, their love of Harry Nilsson and how your body can understand music before your mind does. Alex tells Seja about feeling adult, healthy and happy, writing on the piano and what artists were played around the house when he was a child.

Alex’s strange experience illustration was done by Artificial Intelligence (orchestrated by Alex Gow).

All illustrations can be seen on instagram @hearsejpodcast or on the HearSej facebook page.

Seja talks to her guest Yon (Simon Hall) from Tripod about his new podcast called Minuscule Musical, a clever half-hour podcast where he collaborates with different people each episode to write a short musical. Yon tells Seja about being inspired by a cast recording of Annie, how the musical idea of Bono and the Edge writing a Spiderman musical came about, the process of collaborating for the first time with new people and his choir training as a young boy. Seja and Yon chat about overdoing it at the gym, the time they played Dungeons and Dragons, and how to know when I song is done.

Yon’s strange show story was illustrated by Vanessa Norlander @ness_norlander

All illustrations can be seen on instagram @hearsejpodcast or on the HearSej facebook page.

Seja talks to her guest Cash Savage about the new album So This is Love, the process of letting go of songs and connecting with one’s audience. Cash tells Seja about writing in interesting time signatures, the loss of identity during lockdown and some of her superstitions around live shows. They chat about the camaraderie in bands, games on tour and vocal heroes.

Cash’s strange show story was illustrated by Nick Finch.

All illustrations can be seen on instagram @hearsejpodcast or on the HearSej facebook page.

Seja talks to her guest Mo’Ju about the recording of their new album Oro, Plata Mata. Mo’Ju tells Seja about the making of the album including its concepts such as the importance of the number 3 based on Filipino superstition. Seja and Mo’Ju chat about their journeys towards trusting themselves in their songwriting practices, collaboration with family and their love of the Violent Femmes as teenagers.

Mo’ju’s strange show story was illustrated by Patience Hodgson. You can follow Patience on instagram @paehoddy

All illustrations can be seen on instagram @hearsejpodcast or on the HearSej facebook page.

Seja talk to her guest Astrid Jorgensen (Pub Choir) about the phenomenon that is Pub Choir over the last few years, her history of being a high school teacher and how singing in a choir the quickest way to properly experience music as an amateur. Astrid tells Seja about the mistaken notion that alcohol is a 'must' for pub choir, that she doesn’t like performing when it’s all about her, and her lack of an inner dialogue. They chat about audiation, the health benefits of singing, her inclusion of sign language in Pub Choir and all the amazing female and gender diverse artists she champions as part of the show. And course, they talk about the Kate Bush email.

Astrid’s strange story was illustrated by the Patterson kids, with artistic direction from Pub Choir manager and guitarist from the Grates John Patterson. You can follow John on instagram @Jhonpatterson or Pub Choir @pubchoir

All illustrations can be seen on instagram @hearsejpodcast or on the hearsej facebook page.