Episodes

Ep.021: There’s no one like IMVNI. Born on “Planet X” and raised in Louisiana, her music folds jazz, R&B, rock, and soul into a sonic experience that’s both otherworldly and deeply rooted. In this conversation, we break down her incredible debut album The 11th Hour, a genre-defiant project woven with love, grief, prayer, and psychedelic grooves. She opens up about how addiction shaped her storytelling, how recording her grandmother’s voice gave the album its soul, and why she nearly walked away ...

Ep.020: What happens when a film composer decides to stop playing it cool and finally puts his own name, and heart, into the music? In this episode, I talk with RIMENY, the alt-pop project of Zak Engel, who’s flipping the script on what it means to “arrive late” as an artist. We get into the personal stories behind his debut singles, the decade-long detour that led him back to performing, and the surprising beauty in releasing music that feels earnest, not engineered. If you’ve ever wrestled wit...

Quia Morgan-Hill knows how to make a brand stand out in a crowded media space, and she’s been doing it for over a decade. From her start in radio to building a full-service multimedia company, Quia has mastered the art of blending authenticity, strategy, and connection. In this episode, we talk about her journey, her unique approach to booking celebrity guests, and the mindset shifts that keep her work rooted in passion and purpose. She also opens up about resilience, navigating male-dominated i...

This one’s bigger than bars. In this episode, I reconnect with Philly artist, writer, and producer Scholito, a true force in the independent music world. We talk about everything from publishing deals to post-traumatic growth, and how he’s turned his pain into luxury-level art. Whether it’s his Everything Plush fashion line, upcoming TV series, or high-energy live shows, Scholito’s building an empire: brick by brick, beat by beat. This convo touches on faith, fatherhood, Philly, and the fire it ...

Wilhelm Duke has bars, bounce, and a catalog deeper than you might expect. In this episode, I catch up with the Swedish American rapper who’s been carving his sound from the streets of Chicago to viral moments on Facebook. We talk about his infectious single “Butterick’s,” what it was like being Twista’s assistant, and how becoming a husband and father shifted his perspective on success. Wilhelm’s catalog is layered: fast flows, real introspection, club knockers, and experimental risks, and we d...

Adrienne Swiatocha didn’t grow up playing in bands or chasing music dreams from the jump. She built a career, had a family, and then picked up a guitar… and thank God she did. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to discover your creative voice later in life, how her band Plans to Sand came together almost by accident, and why she believes playing live music is one of the purest joys there is. We also get into her political punk side project, Octopus Knife Fight, and the real emotional ...

From the first time I heard Lina Cooper, I knew she wasn’t just writing songs; she was writing scenes. The kind that feel like your life, but funnier, messier, louder, and somehow still tender as hell. In this episode, I catch up with Ukrainian-born, LA-based artist Lina Cooper: a powerhouse songwriter, producer, and performer who blends wit, vulnerability, and pure talent into everything she touches. From viral pop-punk anthems to deeply personal concept records, Lina is building a brand that’s...

There are some artists who just keep getting better, and Rob Tait is one of them. In this episode, we dive into the making of At the End of the World, his gorgeously raw solo album, and his collaborative journey with the soul-rock band Cordelia Blue. We swap stories about songwriting, being a drummer who sings, the Philly music grind, and what it really takes to build a sustainable career in music today. If you’ve ever wrestled with balancing honesty and ambition, or wondered how to create somet...

In this episode, I catch up with Philly artist and internet swiss-army knife Mike Nappi: someone who’s equal parts musician, comedian, and marketing mind. From writing soul-sample bangers to rapping with Logan Paul and dropping viral Delco dad skits, Mike’s story is a masterclass in doing it your own way, even if it takes 8 years for the world to catch up. We get into the grit of building a full-time career from content and session work, how to ride the wave of a moment without selling out, and ...

Kirsten Izer isn’t trying to find her sound; she’s already living in it. Her debut EP The Perfect Hire is a genre-blurring, emotionally precise collection that pulls just as much from ambient indie pop as it does from confessional folk and sludgy alt-rock. In this conversation, we unpack how Kirsten built this body of work from the ground up: writing, co-producing, self-directing her visuals, and filtering every choice through her exacting taste. She opens up about moving through heartbreak, mak...

Some artists write music. Rebecca McCartney channels it. Her voice is warm, her lyrics cut deep, and her songs feel like pages from the journal you’ve been afraid to open. In this episode, we dive into how she turned a childhood surrounded by classical music into a genre-fluid sound all her own. From processing grief and joy through melody to working with top-tier musicians in New York’s indie scene, Rebecca opens up about what it really takes to build a sustainable creative life, and why she wr...

In this special Father’s Day edition of “loves music,” I sit down with my dad—James Jones, drummer of the legendary Philly funk band Breakwater—for a conversation that’s part history lesson, part love letter to music, and part family moment. We dig into his upbringing in Germantown during the golden era of soul and jazz, how neighborhood bands shaped his ear, and what it was like coming up in one of the funkiest bands of the late ’70s. From backing singers in church basements to opening for Eart...

This conversation opens the door to a side of music we don’t often talk about: the business beneath the art. Lauren Tafoya, also known as Laquela, has created a powerful framework for helping artists turn their message into something sustainable. She’s not chasing trends or teaching you how to game the algorithm. Instead, she’s focused on real structure, long-term strategy, and helping musicians build businesses that reflect who they are. If you’re tired of relying on streams, gigs, and wishful ...

In this episode, I get into it with Brooklyn-based artist Tony Oso; someone who’s built his music career from the ground up without chasing trends or compromising his sound. From working in music tech by day to playing late-night shows, Tony’s journey is a testament to trusting your instincts and letting the art lead. We talk about the path that led him to full-time musicianship, the values that keep him grounded, and why he believes music should feel like a good meal. Whether you’re growing you...

Shameika Rhymes wears many hats, but every one of them comes with heart. In this episode, I sit down with the award-winning journalist, producer, and creator behind Check the Rhymes TV , Solebration , and the Ladies Edition podcast. We talk about how her storytelling roots began in television news, how she built lasting relationships with icons like Ananda Lewis and Will Downing, and what it really takes to run multiple media platforms as a team of one. From going viral to growing tired, S...

In this episode, I sit down with Theo Smith, the creative force behind the viral street interview series Please Don’t Irk Me . We talk about everything from growing up in a musical family and finding his voice in church, to building an online brand that blends humor, heart, and healing. Theo opens up about the mission behind his content, the realities of monetizing social media, and how he stays grounded on the tough days. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay yourself in a world that wants you ...

In this episode, I sit down with Jorge Valentine, an indie alt-rock artist who’s reshaping his sound—and his story—through emotional honesty and creative evolution. We talk about his move from Mexico to Milwaukee, how music helped him process a painful divorce, and why building systems has given him more freedom as an artist. From his early days navigating social anxiety to his current project VLNTYN, Jorge is proving that authenticity and strategy don’t have to be at odds. Whether you’re strugg...

In this episode, I sit down with Katlyn Cook, a creator whose journey through music, mental health, and entrepreneurship reveals the power of starting over. We talk about how losing—and reclaiming—her voice shaped her adult life, why stepping away from comfort was the first step toward healing, and how she built a podcast, a business, and a creative life from the ground up. Whether you’re rediscovering your passions or figuring out how to turn a hard season into a hopeful new chapter, Kat’s stor...

In this episode, I sit down with Raquel Liane, a powerhouse R&B singer-songwriter whose journey from musical theater to soulful self-expression is as compelling as her voice. We talk about how growing up in a military family shaped her resilience, why she left college to reclaim her narrative, and the emotional freedom she’s found in writing her own music. From the dance floor energy of her breakout hit “Circles” to the layered introspection of her newest single “Golden,” Raquel’s catalog is a t...

In this episode, I sit down with singer-songwriter Dareen, an emerging R&B and pop artist known for her moody, ethereal sound and deeply emotional songwriting. Born in Gambia with Polish and Lebanese roots, and currently based in Greece, Dareen brings a multicultural lens to everything she creates. We talk about the tension between making art for yourself versus making it for the algorithm, what it feels like to have a song stuck inside you, and why she’s not rushing to define her sound. If you’...

In the very first episode of the “loves music” podcast, I sat down with Philadelphia-based artist M11SON – singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the Sacred artist collective — for a raw, thoughtful, and at times hilarious conversation about the realities of being a modern-day creative. We talk about what it’s like to carry songs in your chest, why making “bad” art is necessary, and how he’s managed to write thousands of songs while also crafting books, scripts, and full-length albums. Whether yo...

Launching April 24th: loves music is a show, hosted by me, Julian Jones, that celebrates music and the moments that made us us fall in love with it. It’s for music-lovers who, despite the demands of life, remain passionate about their beloved albums and artists and still seek to discover new talent, whether online, internationally, or within the sweaty crowded bars of your hometown. It’s in us! We don't know why we do it; we just do… and we refuse to grow out of it. Every Thursday, I interview a...