TurnOntheAC TurnOntheAC

Over the past several years, Maral has been building a broad discography of club music that blends raw digital samples and sounds with textures of Iranian folk music. In this episode, Anna & Alex talk to Maral about her childhood in the States and in Iran, how she began DJing at college house parties in Virginia, and how she uses her positionality as an artist to build meaningful collaborations with the trailblazing artists of today.

Maral hosts a monthly show on Dublab, has an exciting tour schedule lined up for the rest of 2023 (including opening for legends Panda Bear and Sonic Boom!), and her latest single “‘Setar Rock” just dropped this week. You can hear all of the details in the episode.

REHMA is a fierce and introspective LA-based artist blending lush arching vocals, R&B beats, and lyrics that communicate her experience as a Pakistani-American woman in music. She first collaborated with Anna and Alex last summer as a performer at TurnOnTheAC’s event, Summer Sauce, and now she’s back for more.

In this episode, the three muse over the balance of "moody" and "booty" qualities in contemporary sounds and the brilliant makers behind the music who have influenced REHMA over the years. She discusses what it was like navigating the creative process with other artists remotely throughout the pandemic, the joys and pressures that come with repping for her community, and her forthcoming project born out of real conversations with women, set to drop any day now. 



But first Anna & Alex share some of their heavy music rotation selects for the fast approaching summer...

Alex first saw Synead doing a cover of Outkast’s “Hey Ya” at a Paramount artist showcase for rising Black musicians, and it was love at first listen. In this episode, Alex and Anna interview Synead about what it means to be a musician in New York today, how she infuses her music with her life experiences and Trini heritage, and some of the many ways she’s found outlets for expression. 

Synead also tells us all about her most recent EP titled The Pum Pum Room, which was inspired by her experience working a variety of service industry jobs and was released (Feb 3rd, 2023) in accordance with the auspicious alignment of the planets. 

First, Alex and Anna question the value of dedicated “diversity” months in music and discuss recent karaoke experiences gone wrong.  

In this episode, Anna and Alex interview Harve, the “soultronic” artist and producer leading a new wave of queer music in South London. Harve discusses the artists that have influenced their sound (which carries intangible acoustic qualities of Joni Mitchell and Bon Iver in a lush electronic environment) and the people who have left a mark on their discography (from their mother who gave them their name and origin in music, to their partner who inspired their last single, “She’s So Kind”).

Harve reveals how finding their place in a community of creators, particularly non-binary creators, helped them find their new voice – more as a producer behind the scenes than a singer behind the mic. They have an exciting project due out soon, which includes collaborations with many in their circle, including former guest of TOTAC, Miso Extra!

We are so excited to welcome you back to another season of TurnOnTheAC!! It’s been a busy new year for many budding, multi-talented artists, and we’re thrilled to be your guide through the scene.

In this episode, Anna and Alex speak with Junior Mesa, the rising LA indie star blending psych-rock and pop with a pinch of everything else. His nuanced sound reflects his many years of making music (with humble beginnings in YouTube Dubstep) and the emotional complexity of navigating life and relationships in the 21st century.

Junior discusses the support systems that have gotten him through recent challenges, and how he translates distinct, heavy emotions into musical personas. These are reflected in his 2021 release, Cirque du Freak, but he has an exciting EP planned for Spring 2023, and a full-length project slated for the next year. Whether we’re streaming his music online or vibing at his next LA house show, we’re very excited to continue watching his inevitable growth. Check him out! 

This episode was recorded in January 2023. Produced and edited by Anna Chang and Alex Coustar with assistant production and editing from Lucas Chen. Theme music composed by Max Ozer and Hugo De Castro-Abeger.

On this episode, Alex and Anna interview Maddee, a queer vocalist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist out of Toronto. At the young age of 24, she drips honey sweet confidence while delivering authentic soul bearing grooves with an indie electronic twist. She discusses the self-produced album that is on its way to being born as a product of pandemic life, encapsulating a year of extreme highs and lows, love and loss. She shares her experience gaining inspiration from her queer peers and how coming out changed the course of her music, resulting in more honest lyrics and just saying what she means to say. Maddee has big Berlin plans, hot girl summer aspirations and we’re here for it all.