LaunchLeft

THURSTON MOORE launches Devon Ross

In this special episode of LaunchLeft, guest host Thurston Moore launches rising artist Devon Ross to celebrate the release of her new EP, Pinups. The project—a four-song digital release on Moore’s Daydream Library Series—reimagines classic tracks through Ross’s raw, minimalist, and emotionally charged lens. From analog nostalgia to DIY recording techniques, this conversation dives deep into Ross’s creative process, musical influences, and the timeless power of reinterpretation. Then, listeners will be treated to ‘Killer’, the song that first put Devon Ross on Thurston Moore’s radar. What You Will Learn in This Episode:✅ The story behind Devon Ross’s EP Pinups and its stripped-down, home-recorded sound ✅ How artists like Buddy Holly, Bob Dylan, and Randy Newman shaped Devon’s musical identity ✅ Tension between convenience and connection in modern music consumption ✅ Why cover songs can be acts of discovery, not imitation ✅ Ross’s approach to recording entirely solo using minimal tools (even a phone drum app) LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! TIMESTAMPS:   00:00 Introducing guest host Thurston Moore who launches Devon Ross on her Pinups release day 01:24 Discussion on digital vs. analog music culture and generational perspectives 02:06 Devon shares her love for physical media and early music influences 04:18 Breakdown of Pinups distribution across streaming platforms 04:35 Devon on learning guitar through Buddy Holly songs 11:11 Thurston reflects on Devon’s minimalist yet amplified reinterpretations 17:19 Conversation shifts to Bob Dylan and Blondie’s influences 18:43 Devon reveals how she recorded Pinups entirely solo, including layered guitars 22:30 The philosophy behind cover songs and musical reinterpretation 36:05 Devon teases her upcoming full-length album loud, cool, and rocking and creative direction and shares her song KILLER KEY TAKEAWAYS:  💎Devon Ross approaches cover songs not as replicas, but as reinterpretations that reflect her own artistic voice. By maintaining the emotional core while reshaping the sonic landscape, she creates something that feels both familiar and entirely new.  💎Despite being part of a digital-native generation, Devon deeply values analog music culture—vinyl records, CDs, and physical collections. This influence shapes not only her listening habits but also her artistic sensibility, grounding her sound in timeless traditions.  💎Devon recorded Pinups entirely on her own, using minimal equipment—including a drum machine app on her phone. This stripped-down process allowed for complete creative control and emotional authenticity. This kind of intimacy often translates into a more compelling and honest listening experience. 💎Great songwriting transcends decades, whether it’s Buddy Holly in the 1950s or Randy Newman in the 1970s. Devon gravitates toward songs with strong emotional resonance, proving that simplicity and sincerity remain powerful across generations. 💎While Pinups is a focused, intimate project, Devon hints at a bigger, louder, and more fully realized full-length album on the horizon. The groundwork laid by this EP reflects her evolving confidence and artistic clarity.  ABOUT THE GUEST:  Thurston Moore started Sonic Youth in 1980. Since then Thurston Moore has been at the forefront of the alternative rock scene since that particular sobriquet was first used to signify any music that challenged and defied the mainstream standard. With Sonic Youth, Moore turned on an entire generation to the value of experimentation in rock n roll – from its inspiration on a nascent Nirvana, to Sonic Youth’s own Daydream Nation album being chosen by the US Library of Congress for historical preservation in the National Recording Registry in 2006. Thurston records and performs in a cavalcade of disciplines ranging from free improvisation to acoustic composition to black/white metal/noise disruption. He has worked with Yoko Ono, John Zorn, Bobby Gillespie, David Toop, Cecil Taylor, John Paul Jones, Faust, Glenn Branca and many others. His residency at the Louvre in Paris included collaborations with Irmin Schmidt of CAN and Stephen O’Malley. Alongside his various activities in the musical world, he is involved with publishing and poetry, and teaches writing at The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University, Boulder CO, a programme founded by Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman in 1974. Thurston also teaches music at The Rhythmic Music Conservatory (Rytmisk Musikkonservatorium) in Copenhagen. Presently Thurston Moore resides in London. He performs and records solo, with various ensembles and in his own band, The Thurston Moore Group.  Devon Ross is a model, actress, musician, and poet who splits her time between London and Los Angeles. Born in Toronto, Ross grew up touring with her father, Lenny Kravitz's guitarist Craig Ross. Music has always been a defining part of her life, and she started playing guitar as a teenager.  RESOURCES: LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link GUEST RESOURCES:  THURSTON MOORE LINKS: https://www.thurstonmoore.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thurstonmoore58/ https://www.facebook.com/ThurstonMooreOfficial/ DEVON ROSS LINKS: https://www.instagram.com/devonross

LENNY KAYE launches Dark Brown

In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, guest-host Donita Sparks welcomes the legendary Lenny Kaye—guitarist, historian, curator, and eternal champion of rock ‘n’ roll—to launch drummer and artist Bryan Lee Brown, also known as Dark Brown. From the 50th anniversary tour of Horses with Patti Smith to the making of Lenny Kaye’s first-ever solo album Going Local, this episode explores what it means to stay creatively alive across decades. Lenny reflects on the joy of playing without expectation, the freedom of releasing music later in life, and why work itself is the reward. The conversation dives deep into Lenny’s acclaimed book Lightning Striking, a cultural history of rock’s geographic “culture quakes”—from Memphis and New Orleans to Liverpool, Detroit, New York, London, Los Angeles, and Seattle. Along the way, he shares stories about Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, the origin of the groundbreaking Nuggets compilation, and the power of local scenes. Finally, they turn the spotlight to launch Dark Brown and his track “Rhythm Surfer,” featuring surf guitar pioneer Dick Dale. Bryan shares the surreal story of meeting Dale at NAMM—and two days later heading to the Mojave Desert to jam before touring Europe with him. This episode is a love letter to rock history, artistic longevity, and the electric present tense of making music. What You Will Learn in This Episode: ✅Why Lenny Kaye believes rock and roll has moved from its “innovative period” into its “interpretive period” — and why that excites him. ✅How local music scenes become cultural earthquakes that reshape history. ✅Why being a “worker” in music matters more than hype, expectations, or industry validation. ✅How Dark Brown’s American Instrument honors the drum set as a foundational force in American music — and how Dick Dale became part of the story. LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! TIMESTAMPS:   00:00 Donita introduces Lenny Kaye and the 50th anniversary of Horses 02:00 Playing Disney Hall & the lifeline of a 50-year-old record 05:17 Announcing Lenny’s first solo album Going Local 08:00 Living in the present tense of music 11:00 The pure joy of local bar gigs 17:48 Lightning Striking and the geography of rock revolutions 19:47 Memphis, New Orleans & the birth of rock 20:35 New York 1975, punk London, and metal Scandinavia 25:32 Writing, curating, and the legacy of Nuggets 27:00 Waylon Jennings, storytelling & the human behind the legend 35:15 SiriusXM and spinning the “platters that matter” 36:15 Dark Brown is launched 37:24 Working with Dick Dale 49:02 Dark Brown’s track, “Rhythm Surfer” KEY TAKEAWAYS:  💎 Longevity comes from curiosity, not nostalgia. Kaye doesn’t cling to the past — he keeps playing, writing, and exploring because the act itself keeps him alive. 💎 The Local is sacred. Whether it’s Memphis in 1954 or a Wednesday night bar gig in New Jersey, scenes grow from small rooms into cultural revolutions. 💎 Music is a lifeline. From Horses to Nuggets to Going Local, Kaye sees music as an evolving conversation — not a finished monument. 💎 The process is the reward. Once a record is mastered, it no longer belongs to the artist. The joy is in the making. ABOUT THE GUESTS:  LENNY KAYE: As musician, writer, and record producer, Lenny Kaye has been intimately involved with the creative impulse that marks the music.  He is a founding member of Patti Smith and Her Band, dating from their first performance as a duo at St. Marks Church in New York’s East Village on February 10, 1971, and has worked with such artists as Suzanne Vega, Jim Carroll, Allen Ginsberg, Soul Asylum, and Jessi Colter.  His books include You Call It Madness: The Sensuous Song of the Croon (2004); Waylon: An Autobiography (1994); and the newly released Lightning Striking: Ten Transformative Moments in Rock and Roll.  His seminal anthology of garage rock, Nuggets: Original Artyfacts of the First Psychedelic Era, is regarded as defining a genre and recently celebrated its golden anniversary. DARK BROWN:  Bryan Lee Brown is a Los Angeles-based composer and musician known for crafting immersive, rhythm-driven scores that blend abstract minimalism with melodic psychedelia. His work has been integral to Dave Grohl’s productions What Drives Us and HBO’s Emmy-winning Sonic Highways, for which Rolling Stone praised his score as "the show's unsung sonic element.” A lifelong percussionist, Brown’s deep-rooted connection to rhythm shapes his compositions, layering hypnotic textures with cinematic energy. He first emerged as the powerhouse drummer for LA’s underground band Bluebird—signed to Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records—before expanding into TV and film as a sought-after session musician, recording with icons like Frank Black, Jerry Cantrell, and Duff McKagan. Most notably, his touring and recording with surf guitar legend Dick Dale have cemented his reputation as a dynamic and versatile musician. Expanding beyond Sonic Highways and What Drives Us, Brown’s music resonates across a diverse range of projects, including CSI: Vegas, Unlocking The Truth, Jackass Forever, feature doc L7: Pretend We’re Dead, horror classic The Collection, and Stacy Peralta’s film Bones Brigade: An Autobiography. Brown’s creative reach extends into contemporary art. His collaboration with acclaimed new media artist Jennifer Steinkamp on the video installation S.W.E.L.L. is now part of the permanent collection at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA)—a defining achievement for the Art Center College alum and a testament to his impact at the intersection of sound and visual innovation. Bryan is currently in the studio recording drums with the Afghan Whigs and preparing for their upcoming 2026 tour. RESOURCES: LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link GUEST RESOURCES:  Lenny Kaye:  https://www.instagram.com/lenny_kaye Photo Credit: Dina Regine Dark Brown:  https://www.instagram.com/darkbrownmusic https://linktr.ee/darkbrown https://darkbrown.bandcamp.com  

LYDIA LUNCH launches Genre is Death

In this episode of LaunchLeft, guest host Donita Sparks is joined by legendary no wave pioneer Lydia Lunch, celebrating her fearless artistry and the launch of Genre is Death. Lydia Lunch dives deep into her boundary-busting career, from her start in the 1970s New York underground to her influence across music, spoken word, and activism. The episode also shines a spotlight on emerging NYC band Genre is Death—members Taylor and Ty join the conversation, sharing their journey from Georgia to the NYC scene. Together, they explore the spirit of artistic rebellion, creative resilience, and the power of radical self-expression. Tune in for candid stories, inspiration, and a special performance from Genre is Death’s upcoming album, Attractive People. What You’ll Learn This Episode:  ✅Lydia Lunch recounts her teenage escape to New York, driven by the inspiration of the New York Dolls, her formation of Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, and the gritty, creative chaos of 1970s and pioneering “no wave” ✅Insights into Lydia’s constantly shifting creative identities—from tight, abrasive bands to big band projects and experimental spoken word. She breaks down her approach to musical collaboration, creative ownership, and why she curates her own sonic universe. ✅Lydia and Donita reflect on giving back, including workshops for women writers, bringing newcomers onto the spoken word stage, and the power of solidarity among outsider artists. ✅From Lydia’s ongoing podcast “The Lydian Spin” to new recordings, collaborations, and upcoming tours—plus tales of performing anywhere for the love of art, even in alleys ankle-deep in urine. There’s also talk of legendary collaborations, archival ambitions, and what it means to keep hustling in independent music. LaunchLeft champions artists for whom radical creativity is a necessity. Support these artists by streaming, sharing, and showing up at live events. Donate to keep independent, left-of-center voices thriving. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and leave a review to help more listeners discover LaunchLeft! IN THIS EPISODE:  00:00 Intro: Lydia Lunch’s Origins: From Runaway Teen to No Wave Pioneer   02:22 1970s New York City: Chaos, Cheap Rent, and Artistic Revolution   05:11 The Birth of No Wave: Rejecting Genres and Reinventing Sound   09:16 Art as Instigation: Owning Your Work in Underground Music   13:24 Confrontational Performance Art: Politics, Anger, and the Stage   20:40 Mental Health, Trauma, and Survival as a Creative   31:05 Being a Woman in Radical and Experimental Music Spaces   47:08 Genre Is Death is Launched: Supporting New Bands and the Future of No Wave Spirit  53:13 Performance video of Genre is Death’s new song Attractive People KEY TAKEAWAYS:  💎Inventing a Genre, Defying Rules: Lydia discusses the birth of “no wave,” her resistance to artifice, why her work is “no everything,” and the difference between no wave’s personal/creative revolt versus punk’s political edge. 💎Confrontation as Art: Lydia self-identifies as a “cuntfrontationalist”—always willing to push boundaries and provoke thought. The episode gets candid about being a woman in a hyper-male art world, using language as a weapon, and surviving decades in radical art. 💎Launching Genre is Death: Lydia introduces Taylor and Ty from Genre is Death, a rising New York duo merging heavy fuzz bass and DIY performance art. Learn how they met Lydia, relocated from Georgia, and found their creative family in NYC’s underground. RESOURCE LINKS:  LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link Lydia Lunch links: https://www.lydia-lunch.net https://www.instagram.com/lydia.lunch.official/ https://www.facebook.com/LydiaLunch/ https://www.youtube.com/c/lydialunchofficial https://lydialunch.bandcamp.com Genre is Death Links: https://www.instagram.com/genreisdeath/ https://genreisdeath.bandcamp.com BIOGRAPHIES:  Donita Sparks Best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the pioneering punk band L7, Donita Sparks is a cultural force whose influence spans decades. Her creativity, artistry, and humor have made her an iconic figure in music. In 2026, Sparks joins LaunchLeft as a guest host, bringing her insight and generous spirit to conversations with independent and emerging artists. Genre is Death In 2024, GID was crowned the 3rd hardest working band in NYC by Oh My Rockness. In March 2025, the duo played the New Colossus Festival. Their debut LP 'Talk' was released November 1st, with a limited run of cassettes released by Insecurity Hits. The pair have opened up for legendary acts Gogol Bordello, Lydia Lunch, Cherubs, Bush Tetras, and will be opening for Jon Spencer February 1 in Philadelphia. Their upcoming record was recorded with celebrated sound engineer Martin Bisi & will be out this year on IN THE RED Records. Lydia Lunch is passionate, confrontational and bold. Whether attacking the patriarchy and their pornographic war mongering, turning the sexual into the political or whispering a love song to the broken hearted, her fierce energy and rapid fire delivery lend testament to her warrior nature.  Queen of No Wave, muse of The Cinema of Transgression, writer, musician, poet, spoken word artist and photographer, she has released too many musical projects to tally, has been on tour for decades, working with such luminaries as Rowland S Howard, Thurston Moore, Omar Rodriguez Lopez, Karen Finley, Jerry Stahl, The Last Poets, and Hubert Selby JR.  She has published dozens of articles, half a dozen books translated into 9 languages, appeared in numerous documentaries, conducted workshops, taught at Universities including The San Francisco Art Institute and simply refuses to just shut up. Genre Is Death is an uncompromising noise duo made up of Ty V (guitar, vox) and Tayler Lee (bass, vox). Their sound is abrasive yet melodic, using heavy distortion, dissonant riffs, and reverberating vocals to create a wave of boldly hypnotic noise. The duo have been compared to the likes of Sonic Youth and Teenage Jesus and the Jerks, yet have managed to create a sound that is distinctly their own, avoiding mimicking the zeitgeist of decades before. Beyond the integrity of their music, Tayler’s intimidating glare, or Ty’s staggering gait, the duo share something truly inimitable— the overwhelming feeling that their music is a byproduct of the high esteem they hold of each other.

RAIN PHOENIX launches Evelyn Frances

It’s time to turn the tables in this special episode of LaunchLeft. Rain Phoenix passes hosting duties over to punk icon Donita Sparks of L7. Donita interviews Rain about the origins of LaunchLeft, her lifelong journey in music and artistry, collaborating with her brother River Phoenix, navigating grief, and the evolution of her creative process. Rain also shares updates on her current projects, including Escape Artist Lovers and the inspiration behind her next solo record. Together, Rain and Donita explore artistic identity, spiritual growth, joyful collaboration, and the power of feeling ‘seen' in the artistic community. Then, Rain launches Evelyn Frances, who shares her experimental approach to music, blending classical, jazz, and electronic soundscapes to explore climate change, human connection, and personal transformation. This episode is perfect for musicians, music lovers, independent artists, and fans of LaunchLeft, offering insight into how collaboration, grief, and purpose-driven art can shape careers and creative paths. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN THIS EPISODE ✅ Rain’s goal for creating LaunchLeft to uplift independent artists and creatives✅ How music shaped Rain’s life from childhood to her current projects✅ The evolution of Escape Artist Lovers and Rain’s creative partnership with Kirk Hellie✅ Rain’s mission-oriented solo record and her work as a death doula✅ Evelyn Frances’ experimental music process and the themes of her albums Seed and Human Patience✅ How collaboration, grief, and personal growth influence creative partnerships IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 Introduction: Meet Donita Sparks03:42 How Rain stays grounded while navigating the pressures of the music industry07:15 Early experiences that shaped Rain’s artistic identity and mission12:08 Rain’s approach to vulnerability and honesty in her creative work16:54 Overcoming obstacles on her artistic path and lessons learned21:30 Maintaining community and connection while uplifting emerging artists26:02 The role of creative partnership in Rain’s journey with Escape Artist Lovers31:40 Balancing artistic expression with the realities of the music business36:12 Advice for artists struggling with self-doubt40:55 Key takeaways from Rain’s mission-driven work and what she hopes listeners carry forward KEY TAKEAWAYS 💎 Visibility from a respected artist can transform the career of an emerging musician💎 Creativity evolves through grief, growth, and reinvention💎 Music becomes a refuge, a truth-teller, and a way back to oneself💎 Purpose-driven art brings comfort at life’s most vulnerable moments💎 Experimental and avant-garde music blends genres to challenge perception and inspire reflection RESOURCE LINKS LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link: https://www.launchleft.com Rain PhoenixWebsite: https://www.rainjphoenix.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainjphoenix/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainjphoenix333/ Donita SparksWebsite: https://www.donitasparks.comL7 Official: https://www.l7theband.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/donitasparksSpotify Artist Page (L7): https://open.spotify.com/artist/0vYzyVYjv80FVRbH0qD5GG Evelyn FrancesWebsite: https://www.evelynfrancesmusic.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelynfrancesmusic/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evelynfrancesmusic/ Prim: https://sundaydrive-records.com/collections/prim?srsltid=AfmBOorkjt4_3eLFgL5LNXafSW2uGKPx3bQ0O33m9hcCmyd80yP4til4 BIOGRAPHIES Rain Phoenix: Musician, activist, and creator of LaunchLeft, Rain has spent her life in music and artistic projects, from performing with her brother River in Aleka’s Attic to leading projects including Paper Cranes, Venus and the Moon, and Escape Artist Lovers. Her work blends artistic expression with spiritual intention, uplifting emerging independent artists while exploring vulnerability, joy, and truth. Rain’s forthcoming solo album Lullaby (BYE) expands her mission to bring comfort through music at pivotal life moments. Donita Sparks: Best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the pioneering punk band L7, Donita Sparks is a cultural force whose influence spans decades. Her creativity, artistry, and humor have made her an iconic figure in music. In 2026, Sparks joins LaunchLeft as a guest host, bringing her insight and generous spirit to conversations with independent and emerging artists.Evelyn Frances is an experimental, avant-garde musician and songwriter from Upstate New York, now based in Seattle. Her work blends classical flute and jazz training with electronic soundscapes to explore climate change, humanity’s relationship with nature, and personal struggles with mental health.  Her first album, Seed, was recorded at Electric Lady Studios while she interned there and met producer Phil Joly. Her second album, Human Patience, was created over five years with Matthew Politoski (producer/mixing engineer), Phil Joly (producer/mixing engineer), Tristan Allen (producer), and John Thayer (mastering engineer).

RAIN PHOENIX launches Team LaunchLeft

In this inspiring episode of LaunchLeft, host Rain Phoenix chats with Lorraine Petel, Geoff Ryan, Jennifer Tefft, and Rich Tupica, aka the team behind LaunchLeft! Take a dive deep into the creative process, independent music, film, and the challenges facing artists today. From Geoff Ryan’s journey in narrative filmmaking and experimental shorts to Lorraine Petel’s rise in radio and underground music curation, the conversation covers the intersections of creativity, community, and the evolving digital landscape. Jennifer Tefft shares her insights on live music venues and fostering community engagement, while Rich Tupica reflects on finding audiences and promoting indie artists in a saturated music world. The episode also explores artist sustainability in the age of streaming, social media’s influence on creative discovery, and the importance of physical venues for cultivating artistic communities. Whether you’re an independent musician, filmmaker, or visual artist, this episode offers valuable perspectives on building a career in the arts, navigating industry challenges, and celebrating radical creativity. What You’ll Learn This Episode:  ✅Meet the creatives who make LaunchLeft happen. ✅How to sustain and promote creative projects in today’s digital and streaming-focused environment. ✅The role of live venues and community spaces in developing artistic careers and fostering audience connections. ✅Strategies for independent artists to navigate the challenges of modern media, from social media algorithms to audience engagement. IN THIS EPISODE:  00:00 Introduction to LaunchLeft and supporting underground music, independent artists, and creative communities 06:42 Geoff’s experience in filmmaking, experimental shorts, and indie film production, including challenges in the industry and returning to music video projects 11:05 Lorraine Petel shares how she fell into radio, her career at NTS London, underground music curation, and artist promotion 16:30 Jennifer Tefft on the importance of live music venues, audience engagement, and community-building, comparing in-person experiences to social media discovery for artists 20:31 Geoff Ryan’s experiences filming under challenging conditions, music video production, and creative collaboration 24:52 Lorraine Petel discusses the growth of her show at NTS and supporting underrepresented musicians, promoting indie artists, and curating unique music 28:26 Artist income, streaming challenges, indie music promotion, and sustaining creative careers in a digital-first world 35:00 Rich Tupica on connecting with fans, online communities, promoting music, and supporting artistic growth, highlighting strategies for success in the modern music and art landscape 44:00 Local music venues & community spaces showcase the importance of live performance spaces, artist development, indie music venues, and community engagement 52:00 The team reflects on the year, expresses gratitude to the LaunchLeft community, creative collaborators, and indie artists, and encourages listeners to support music, art, and independent filmmaking KEY TAKEAWAYS:  💎Independent artists face challenges in income, audience reach, and digital saturation, but community support and live venues can bridge the gap 💎Experimental projects and creative exploration are essential for artistic growth, even outside of mainstream success 💎Platforms like NTS London, Bandcamp, and LaunchLeft empower underground and independent artists, providing visibility and connection with audiences 💎Building a local and online community is critical for sustaining artistic careers, from small venues to curated online spaces 💎Supporting artists directly through merch, ticketed events, and Bandcamp can have a tangible impact on their ability to create RESOURCE LINKS:  LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link