David Longstreth started making music under the name Dirty Projectors in 2002. Since then, he’s released seven albums and collaborated with Björk, Solange, and Kanye West, Paul McCartney, and Rihanna. Dirty Projectors went from a solo project to a full-band, performing on TV, and at Carnegie Hall. Dave and one of his bandmates were in a relationship for years, but then that relationship—and the band—broke up. In February 2017, with Dirty Projectors as solo project once again, Dave released a self-titled album, a breakup album by all accounts. In this episode, Dave breaks down the song “Up in Hudson” and the winding road he went down to create it.

Listen to “Up In Hudson” on Apple Music or Spotify.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Dirty Projectors – Swing Lo Magellan
Tyondai Braxton – Scout1
Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is the Move
Kanye West – Blood On the Leaves
Miles Davis & Gil Evans – Oh Bess, Oh Where’s My Bess?

Sleigh Bells formed in 2008. They released their fourth album, Jessica Rabbit, in 2016. In this episode, Alexis Krauss and Derek Miller break down their song “I Can Only Stare.” I interviewed the two of them in front of a live audience at the Kaufman Music Center in New York, as part of the Ecstatic Music Festival.

Buy “I Can Only Stare” on iTunes.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Amy Grant – Baby, Baby
Sleigh Bells – Rill Rill

Simon Green is a producer and DJ who’s been making music under the name Bonobo since 2000. In January 2017 he released his sixth studio album, Migration. For the song “Break Apart,” he enlisted Rhye to add vocals, and in this episode, the two of them tell the story of how the track came together.

Buy “Break Apart” (feat. Rhye) on iTunes.

Illustration by Carlos Lerma.

For a transcript of this episode, click here.

footnotes
Bonobo – Heaven for the Sinner (feat. Erykah Badu)
Rhye – Open