The Sonical.ly Podcast

Elmo Chong

A podcast where music creators educate music creators.

  1. Sep 24

    BIJI: Finding Home Through Kurdish Music | The Story Behind ‘Legends’

    BIJI’s Robin Nazari and Maceo Frost join the Sonical.ly Podcast to break down the story behind their debut album, Legends — a project shaped by Kurdish identity, hip-hop, family, poetry, filmmaking, and modern music production. Robin and Maceo talk about how a seven-year-old unanswered Facebook message eventually helped bring them together, how an emotional collaboration involving a poem about Robin’s late father became the spark for BIJI, and why the project ultimately became a place where they could create without compromising who they are. They also break down the production behind Legends: finding unusual samples, combining Kurdish musical influences with contemporary sounds, collaborating with Robin’s mother on lyrics, and learning when an imperfect performance carries more emotion than a polished studio recording. One of the most powerful stories comes from Sarah’s Poem. After Sarah recorded the original poem on an iPhone, the team repeatedly tried to recreate it in the studio — but the cleaner versions lost the feeling of the original. That eventually led to a simple creative realization: listeners don’t have to understand everything the first time, and sometimes the imperfections are exactly what make something special. Later in the conversation, Robin explains why BIJI feels like “coming home” — reconnecting with Kurdistan, family, language, and parts of his identity he couldn’t fully express through his earlier music. Maceo also talks about walking away from commercially successful filmmaking work to pursue projects that gave him a sense of purpose and creative energy. Robin and Maceo also discuss growing up around hip-hop and Kurdish music, why Maceo was forbidden to quantize as a kid, Robin teaching himself to become a stronger rapper, how BIJI searches for rare samples, Kurdish musical influences, creative instinct, staying authentic in the music industry, and the question every artist eventually has to answer: Why are you making music? 00:00 The 7-Year-Old Facebook Message That Connected BIJI 00:16 Meet BIJI: Robin Nazari & Maceo Frost 01:28 Growing Up Around Hip-Hop & Kurdish Music 03:16 Why Maceo Was Forbidden to Quantize 04:33 How Robin Taught Himself to Become a Better Rapper 05:44 How Robin & Maceo Finally Met 09:07 Maceo’s Filmmaking Burnout 09:48 The Emotional Song That Started BIJI 12:50 How BIJI Was Born 14:27 What Makes Music Sound Kurdish? 16:27 How Robin’s Mom Helped Write ‘Legends’ 18:43 What Does It Mean to Be a “Legend”? 21:14 The Story Behind Sarah’s Poem 24:56 Why They Kept the Imperfect Voice Memo 26:11 The Kurdish Vocal Recorded Over the Phone 28:25 How BIJI Finds & Flips Rare Samples 32:54 Bringing Kurdish Culture to a Global Audience 35:50 Why BIJI Feels Like “Coming Home” 38:54 Staying Authentic When the Industry Wants You to Conform 42:00 The Question Every Artist Should Ask 44:54 What’s Next for BIJI? #BIJI #KurdishMusic #MusicProduction #Legends #HipHop #MusicIndustry #Songwriting #MusicPodcast #ArtistDevelopment

  2. Sep 16

    Zoe Wrenn Made a 30M-Stream Hit With Her Own Software — Then Raised $5M to Build Tamber 🤯

    Zoe Wrenn wrote a song that went on to surpass 30 MILLION streams — using an early version of software she built herself. Then that experiment turned into a company that has raised $5 million. 🤯 In this episode of the Sonical.ly Podcast, we sit down with artist, songwriter, producer, software engineer and Tamber founder Zoe Wrenn to explore one of the most unusual journeys at the intersection of music and technology. Zoe grew up surrounded by music — her father was a musical director for Cher, her mother was a touring dancer, and Zoe spent much of her childhood on tour. Hearing Joni Mitchell on vinyl helped spark her desire to make music herself. Years later, her song “Hailey” would surpass 30 million streams. But there's another part to the story. Zoe says she wrote “Hailey” in roughly 15 minutes while using an early version of the software she'd been developing as a creative “sparring partner.” Rather than generating the song for her, the software helped her explore creative decisions while she wrote with her acoustic guitar. She remembers putting the guitar down and immediately thinking: “That's a hit.” That experiment eventually evolved into Tamber. Zoe's philosophy is very different from the idea of typing a prompt and having AI generate finished songs. As she puts it: “I want AI to do the dishes for me, not write a song.” Her goal is technology that removes friction from music creation without removing the musician from the creative process. We also dive into Zoe's remarkable founder journey. She taught herself to code, started building tools around problems she saw musicians experiencing firsthand, and eventually found herself pitching investors. It wasn't easy. Zoe says she heard 98 NOs before getting her first YES. One early investor even interrupted her pitch and told her: “I think you'll be fine because people love to watch a blonde talk.” The experience ultimately contributed to Zoe dyeing her hair blue and embracing standing out rather than trying to fit someone else's idea of what a tech founder should look like. Today, Tamber has raised $5 million, with backing discussed in the episode including Adobe Ventures, and Zoe is building toward a very different vision for the future of music technology. And in the second half of the episode, Zoe actually shows us Tamber in action. We see tools designed to search enormous sample libraries using creative descriptions, integrate into existing DAW workflows, use voice and gesture controls, and help musicians find sounds without replacing the creative decisions they're making themselves. Most importantly, we ask Zoe the bigger question: Zoe doesn't believe the future of music has to be artists being replaced by prompts. Her vision is technology that elevates human creativity instead of removing it. 🎵 From touring musician🔥 To a 30M+ stream song💻 To self-taught software engineer🚀 To startup founder❌ Through 98 investor rejections💰 To $5M raised🤖 And now fighting for a more human future for music creation This is a conversation about much more than AI. It's about what technology should actually do for creative people. 🎧 Want to develop the part of music creation AI can't replace — your ears? Train them with Mix Master, the game that turns ear training into interactive mixing challenges. 👇 Download Mix Master:https://linktr.ee/mixmasterofficial Subscribe to Sonical.ly for more conversations where music creators educate music creators. What happens to musicians if AI keeps getting better?

  3. Sep 8

    We Gave No Love For the Middle Child 10 Minutes to Make a Beat

    What happens when you give a producer who’s worked with MGK, TXT, Willow and more just 10 MINUTES to make a beat from a mystery sample? 👀🔥 We put No Love for the Middle Child to the test. But before the clock starts, No Love takes us inside the creative journey that took him from playing cello and making beats on Logic 9 to producing, writing and performing alongside some of the biggest artists in music. He reveals how meeting Mod Sun eventually led him into MGK’s circle, why their creative relationship turned into a genuine friendship, and breaks down the production choices behind MGK’s “Cliché” — including why one tiny idea became a huge moment when they started performing the song live. We also get into: 🎸 How No Love went from classical cello and jazz piano to producing hip-hop 🇰🇷 The crazy story behind writing for TXT’s “0X1=LOVESONG” — and finding out after the fact that multiple writers had been competing on the same track 🎛️ Why “less is more” when producing — and why finding the right sounds can be more powerful than creating a wall of sound 📱 Why young producers shouldn't obsess over the algorithm — because your social media page is also your résumé 🤖 Why he believes the rise of AI could actually create a resurgence in real musicianship and learning instruments ❤️ Why making more music isn't necessarily better — because one great song can change your life And then it's time for WHAT THE FLIP. No Love hears three mystery loops, chooses one, and gets exactly 10 minutes to turn it into a beat. No preparation. No second attempt. And midway through... THE COMPUTER CRASHES. 💀 He keeps going anyway. Afterward, he breaks down exactly how he flipped the sample, resampled and chopped it, built A and B sections, chose his drums and created space for an artist — giving you a look at how a professional producer makes creative decisions under pressure. 00:00 No Love’s Beat Challenge Goes WRONG 😱 00:12 How No Love Met MGK 01:26 How MOD SUN Connected Him With MGK 03:06 How MGK’s “Cliché” Was Produced 04:17 Why “Less Is More” in Production 05:02 The Story Behind TXT’s “0X1=LOVESONG” 06:34 From Classical Cello to Hip-Hop Producer 09:00 Moving to LA & Breaking Into the Industry 10:14 How Producers Get Studio Sessions 11:04 Why Your Social Media Is Your Resume 12:00 The Story Behind “Ash on the Floor” 12:52 Working on MGK’s Lost Americana 14:02 No Love’s Songwriting Process 15:57 Will AI Replace Musicians? 17:03 His Advice for Young Producers 18:23 10-Minute Beat Challenge 🔥 19:31 The Clock Starts ⏱️ 21:38 THE COMPUTER CRASHES 💀 22:40 The Finished Beat 23:25 Breaking Down the Beat 25:19 What’s Next for No Love? 🎧 Think you have a producer's ear? Prove it. Train your ears with Mix Master — the game that turns ear training into interactive mixing challenges. 👇 Download Mix Master: https://linktr.ee/mixmasterofficial Subscribe to Sonical.ly for more conversations where music creators educate music creators. #NoLoveForTheMiddleChild #MGK #MusicProduction #BeatMaking #Producer #MGKProducer #MusicProducer #Songwriting #TXT #KPop #HipHopProduction #Mixing #SonicallyPodcast #MixMaster

  4. Aug 28

    The Linda Lindas: Going Viral, Growing Up & Making ‘Gotta Get Out’

    How do four young artists develop their own voices while learning to create as one band? In this episode of the Sonical.ly Podcast, The Linda Lindas — Bela Salazar, Eloise Wong, Lucia de la Garza and Mila de la Garza — share how they grew from an unexpected young punk band into internationally touring artists, and take us inside the songwriting and music production behind their third album, Gotta Get Out. The Linda Lindas reveal how their creative process has evolved as they've grown as musicians and songwriters, why Gotta Get Out became their most collaborative album yet, and how they learned to trust each other's musical instincts. They also discuss the challenges of growing up inside the music industry while their friends followed more traditional paths through school and college. We revisit the story behind “Racist, Sexist Boy,” the experience with anti-Asian racism that inspired it, and how a song originally fueled by anger evolved into a source of community and hope. The band also discusses how they use their music and platform to speak about issues that matter to them. Then we dive into the music and lyrics behind Gotta Get Out, including “Burning Out,” “Blood on Our Hands,” and “Closer.” The band opens up about growing older, anxiety about the future, finding their identities as artists, and turning those experiences into songs. The Linda Lindas also reveal how their relationship with Paramore's Hayley Williams led to her contributing vocals and songwriting to “Closer,” and what they learned from creating together in the studio. On the music production and sound engineering side, the band explains why they wanted Gotta Get Out to preserve the raw energy of their original demos, how they recreated sounds they loved from those recordings, and why elements of the actual demos ultimately made it onto the finished album. Whether you're a songwriter, producer, musician, or independent artist, this conversation offers practical insights into artist development, music production, sound engineering, collaboration, and navigating the music industry while staying true to your creative instincts. In this episode: 🎸 How The Linda Lindas accidentally became a band ✍️ How four songwriters create music together 🌱 Growing up and developing their identities as artists 🔥 The story and impact of “Racist, Sexist Boy” 🎵 The songwriting and music production behind Gotta Get Out 😮‍💨 Growing up and the story behind “Burning Out” 🩸 The meaning behind “Blood on Our Hands” ⏳ Anxiety, adulthood and the themes behind “Closer” 🎤 Working with Hayley Williams of Paramore 🎚️ Preserving the raw energy of demos in the final production 💡 Advice for young artists navigating the music industry Hosted by Elmo Chong & G.NAFounder of Sonical.ly | Juno Award-winning Music ProducerMusic Creators Educating Music Creators.

  5. Aug 21

    Noah Hill (Parcels): The Breakup Behind His Debut Solo Album 'OK OK NOW'

    How do you find your own artistic identity after years inside a successful band? In this episode of the Sonical.ly Podcast, Noah Hill of Parcels shares the deeply personal journey behind his debut solo album Ok ok now, revealing how songs written across nearly a decade kept circling back to the same relationship, its ending, and the memories that remained. Noah opens up about stepping outside the collaborative world of Parcels, returning to the folk and acoustic music that first inspired him, and learning to trust the music that felt most authentic to him. He also breaks down the stories behind “Bye Baby” and “It’s All in My Head,” including the emotional experiences that shaped the lyrics. We also dive into Noah’s songwriting, music production, recording and mixing process—from writing on acoustic guitar and working in Logic Pro to mixing the entire album himself and learning how to maintain perspective after spending months inside the same songs. Whether you're a songwriter, producer, musician, or independent artist, this conversation offers practical insights into creativity, artist development, finding your own voice, and making music that feels genuinely yours. In this episode: 🎵 Growing up with music and discovering songwriting 🎸 Finding an artistic identity outside of Parcels ❤️ The relationship behind Ok ok now 🧠 The story behind “It’s All in My Head” 👋 Writing “Bye Baby” and learning to let go 🎚️ Producing, recording and mixing his own album 🎛️ EQ, compression, vocal production and learning to trust your ears 💡 Advice for the next generation of music creators Hosted by Elmo ChongFounder of Sonical.ly | Juno Award-winning Music ProducerMusic Creators Educating Music Creators.

  6. May 18

    Natalie Layne on Turning Brokenness Into “All Joy”

    In this episode of the Sonical.ly Podcast, Natalie Layne joins us to talk about songwriting, faith, creativity, and her new album All Joy. Interview by Elmo Chong We dive into: How Natalie developed her sound blending pop, worship, jazz & soul The emotional story behind All Joy Building an audience through TikTok and social media Why joy and vulnerability can coexist Her songwriting and production process Creativity, burnout, faith, and staying groundedAdvice for aspiring music creators Natalie also opens up about the deeper meaning behind her music and how she’s learned to create from a place of honesty instead of pressure.If you're a songwriter, artist, producer, or creative trying to stay inspired, this episode is packed with wisdom. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for more conversations where music creators educate music creators. 0:00 Natalie Layne on the Bible Verse She “Hated” at First0:14 Introducing Natalie Layne & the Story Behind All Joy 1:02 Growing Up in a Family of Musicians & Worship Leaders2:46 From Classical Piano to Jazz Improvisation4:59 Natalie’s First “Aha” Moment Creating Music5:31 Writing Her First Songs Using Scripture7:07 Why Natalie Chose Faith-Based Music Over Mainstream Themes9:23 The Hardest Parts of Building a Music Career in Nashville12:39 Leaning on Faith Through Doubt, Burnout & Pressure13:56 How TikTok Changed Natalie Layne’s Career15:06 Letting Fans Help Write Her Songs Online17:55 The Meaning Behind the Album All Joy19:18 “Joy Is Not a Fruit of Ourselves”21:00 The Bible Verse That Inspired the Title Track All Joy21:50 “Count It Joy” — The Scripture Natalie Struggled With Most23:09 Fans Telling Natalie Her Music Helped Them Find Joy Again24:21 The Emotional Story Behind “Fragile”26:30 The Small Moment That Inspired “Amen”28:57 Natalie Layne Opens Up About Being a “Church Kid”30:03 Why Church Kids Have Powerful Testimonies Too32:25 The Youth Conference That Changed Natalie’s Life Forever35:25 Natalie Layne’s Dream for the Impact of Her Music37:24 Natalie’s Honest Thoughts on AI Music & Fake AI Songs38:28 Hearing AI Songs Made With Her Voice39:32 “Human-Made Music” vs AI-Generated Music41:20 Advice for Aspiring Artists & Songwriters43:00 What’s Next for Natalie Layne? #NatalieLayne #christianmusic #songwriter #musicpodcast #musiccreators #songwriting #nashvillemusic #indieartist #popmusic #worshipmusic

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A podcast where music creators educate music creators.