Meet Sofia Loporcaro, award-winning interviewer and radio host. Now, she’s the host of Before the Chorus, a podcast that goes beyond the music to hear the stories of the musicians who write them. Sofia’s own music knowledge and experience with mental health help her connect with these artists on a meaningful level.
Music is always on my mind. It’s something that has always guided me in my life. I really believe that music is the best way for us to better understand each other, as well as know ourselves better. So today, I want to share podcasts with you that continue to inspire me and keep me tuned into the world of music.
Song Exploder
I’d say Song Exploder is the Holy Grail of music podcasts. In this show, musicians take apart their songs to show how all the creative layers come together. They’ve had every artist you can think of. A little technical, but I still find every episode so inspiring and moving. It’s made me think about songwriting & creativity in so many new ways.
Before the Chorus
I created Before the Chorus because I wanted to go even further behind the scenes. In every episode, I go beyond the sounds and creativity and uncover the personal stories of the musicians.
I wanted to explore the genuine human experience behind the music. Way before a song hits our speakers, these musicians think, live, and feel a lot. That all goes into creating the songs we love. Before the Chorus creates 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.
Tape Notes
This one is the other side of the coin when it comes to music podcasts. While I get into the lyrics and personal stories, Tape Notes takes us even more into the weeds of production. It’s incredibly fascinating stuff.
Host John Kennedy brings on not only the musician but also their producer, to talk about how their collaboration in the studio created the final song. It’s definitely a great listen for musicians and those interested in how audio comes together.
Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
Stepping away from music podcasts, I have to recommend Talk Easy. Sam Fragoso invites on individuals from all walks of life for intimate long-form interviews.
It’s Sam’s great interviews that got me hooked. He’s one of the most well-researched interviewers out there. With this skill, he brings forth deep, genuine conversation, and his guests clearly seem to thoroughly enjoy his questions.
Name 3 Songs
Hosts Sara Feigin & Jenna Million are giving fangirl culture its due recognition in Name 3 Songs. So-called ‘fangirls’ have long been belittled by music culture. Yet they have moved the music industry in huge ways. Name 3 Songs looks at pop culture news with an intersectional lens of feminism, fandom, and politics. All the while, they give listeners the tools for media literacy.
The New Exchange with Ken Grand-Pierre
Ken Grand-Pierre is not only a brilliant music photographer, but a warm, enthusiastic host (and a great friend). He reminds us all that we have a story to tell. Every episode of The New Exchange shares revealing conversations with musicians, writers, entrepreneurs, and creatives from every field.
When he interviews artists, his passion and respect for their art radiates from him. It’s an incredibly wholesome podcast.
You Wanted a Hit!
Sometimes a chart-topping hit leaves you wondering “Why do people love this so much?!” You Wanted a Hit! dives into those exact songs. Hosts Michael Smith and Theo Beidler look at the unexpected stories behind these musical oddities. To make it even more fun, only one host knows the episode’s song ahead of time. The energy is always fresh, the banter is lively and it’s full of laughs, lore, and just enough music nerdery.
Breaker Box
Breaker Box is a podcast by Jason from the band Michigander. He takes us into the musician scene by interviewing fellow artists. Breaker Box also brings on their fans with a segment of responding to fan voicemails. It’s a laid-back listen that makes you feel like you’re enjoying a quiet afternoon with a friend.
Broken Record with Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, Bruce Headlam and Justin Richmond
Remember liner notes? The text an artist would leave us in the inside of a CD to explain the music? Broken Record picks up where liner notes left off, they give us intimate, longform conversations with the people who make the music we love. Hosted by Justin Richmond, and featuring interviews by Rick Rubin, Malcolm Gladwell, and Bruce Headlam, the show mixes deep music knowledge with genuine curiosity, it’s a great listen!
Basic Folk
Hosts Cindy Howes and Lizzie No bring heart, humor, and maybe even a little too much curiosity into conversations that go way beyond small chat. Their expansive definition of “folk” means you’ll hear from a wide range of artists, with a particular spotlight on voices often pushed to the margins. Even if you aren’t a huge folk fan, it’s worth tuning into for their interview style.
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