Love Montage Presents: Blac Demarco's Community Podcast

INNER VIEW is an experimental pop project created by Nashville singer/songwriter/producer, Jef Bjarnson. On this episode; we discuss his new project TROPIC, his upbringing in the Church of Latter Day Saints and other topics concerning music, and our outlook on life. Check out TROPIC, and follow INNER VIEW on Spotify, here - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7vJD1vtS7GGe355sZhCu55?si=X9tvlTNKTfWRCYgn7VTSfA Follow him on IG @innerviewmusic

Carmine Mattia is a composer, producer, and content creator based out of Brooklyn, NY. As you'll hear on our conversation, Carmine and I connected through Instagram. He and his partner Allie, were visiting Nashville and they were kind enough to join me for a conversation about music, the internet and the changing media landscape. I also take sometime to speak with Allie who teaches school and New York, but is also a chef and baker. She walks me through her upbringing with her mother who moved here from Thailand, and how her perspective has shaped her culinary work and passion. Two totally fascinating people, and I'm lucky to call them friends. Enjoy, and follow them online @carmeeno22 and @thainybites!

Awesome conversation with Nashville veteran guitarist Ping Rose. We talk music history, race and genre, the business and politics of the Nashville's Broadway scene and a host of other topics. I had a great time learning from this man, and I can't wait to sit down with him again.

If you're active on social media, you may have seen #EndSars trending over the past few weeks. The hashtag refers to a decentralized social movement to end rampant police brutality in Nigeria. Given the current political situation in the United States, our media has devoted very little coverage time to the ongoing situation in Nigeria, so my good friends Dami, and Miku Lawal sat down with me to explain the movement and what we can do to help. This was a very enlightening conversation, where we also discuss their experiences as Nigerian immigrants living in the U.S. Big thanks to them for being so informative, yet lighthearted.

The 2020 Presidential election put an end to the most frightening administration in modern times, but there's still a long road a head. Thank you to my friend Chelsea for joining me once more. Follow them on IG @yourqueerhighness_ and Twitter @prettywomxn_

We watched the Social Dilemma with the intention of discussing it. We kinda did that, but then we got carried away. In any case, we had a blast.

In this episode, Leah and I unpack our frustrations with our current political system ahead of Tuesday's presidential election.

In this episode, I sit down with Singer/Songwriter Jess Nolan, as she unpacks her new LP "From Blue To Gold". We discuss her introduction to songwriting, the production process, as well as a the inspiration for a number of tracks. We also discuss her community activism with Nashville Musicians for Change, the state of our politics, gardening and other topics. Stream From Blue to Gold, here - https://open.spotify.com/album/7ll1slbEi8WN6Kvph3RarM?si=1E1lbrRASw-C-9uN3wN2xg Get Involved with Nashville Musicians for Change, here - https://www.instagram.com/nashvillemusiciansforchange/?hl=en

Sat down with my good friend Stephen Douglas to discuss his new tune Burglar Alarm Pt. 2, Lovecraft Country, White Supremacy and the White House COVID scandal. Check out his music, here - https://willie-dustice.bandcamp.com

On this episode, I sit down with my friend Taylor Wafford. Recording under the name Blood Root; she combines vulnerable lyricism, immersive soundscapes and heartfelt vocal delivery to craft songs that are progressive but never feel pretentious. On the day of our interview, she had just released her new EP, "Crux". We spent almost two hours going through the writing and recording process for each song in great detail. This was an incredibly eye opening, and insightful conversation. The EP is incredible, and you're really missing out if you haven't heard it yet!

Jah Frida and Owen St, are two of the hardest working dudes in Nashville. As two critical parts of the collective It's Like That Records, they've teamed up as an Artist/Producer duo for Owen's three single releases this year. Jah was also able to release a project of his own called Leap Year while serving as producer for Owen. I had a wonderful conversation with theses guys. They're both full of drive, passion and wisdom. This is an episode you don't want to miss.

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Ted Gudis, who records under the name "Theos Wall". We discuss the origin of his song "You Can't Smoke Weed in Tennessee, his recording process, rebranding and repurposing old material, and the albums that have influenced us the most. We also discuss contemporary issues like the War on Drugs, policing, and the current landscape for rock bands.

In this episode, I sit down with Nashville singer-songwriter Eliyya Lane about her unique brand of "chill pop music". We discuss her journey from starting out as a writer -- to eventually writing, recording, mixing and mastering her songs by herself. We also discuss the importance of online content in the digital age, trial and error, and a number of current events.

This episode is not intended to be comical, nor sensational. I sat down with my friend Leah out of genuine concern over the *potential* impact that Kanye West's announcement could have on the 2020 Presidential election. We discuss what needs to happen for him to officially enter the race, whether or not he has an electoral path, the influence of wealth, and celebrity and his popularity compared to Joe Biden and Donald Trump. As always, we go on to discuss a number of other issues as well. Enjoy, and please be safe!

Mikala is a friend, and the front woman for Nashville Neo-Psych outfit, BASK. They released their self-titled EP late last year, and it's an absolute must listen for fans of Sade, Crumb or Hiatus Kaiyote. In this episode, we get deep into the writing and recording process of this record. Among other topics, We also discus; Mak's early life in Tennessee, coming out to her family, the ongoing COVID crisis, whitewashing history, and the unique challenges that the streaming era presents for indie bands. Mikala is vibrant, warm and insightful, and I had a blast chatting with her. Please enjoy, and follow her on IG: @makjones91 and BASK @basksounds. Stream BASK'S EP, here - https://open.spotify.com/album/3UTAQ4Tzp9qy0yhxOSlYSj?si=4TQ_d_p0QfelkNoAfu6Kfw

Nick "Cebs" Cebollero is a working drummer in Nashville, and a dear friend of mine. This was the first time that I'd seen him post quarantine, and it was awesome to catch up. We discuss how live music been affected by COVID, class consciousness, "cancel culture", the recent exchange between J. Cole and Noname, and other topics.

In the first episode of Blac Demarco's Community Podcast; I sit down with Nashville singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Roberts. We discuss his early life and development as a musician, his experience as a Black musician in a predominantly white music scene, and share our thoughts on the aftermath of George Floyd's murder. Keep up with Stephen on Instagram @theafrosapien and @theafrosapienbakes.