Laid-back conversations with artists, producers and DJs about the one album that shaped them most. This single choice sparks an open, free-flowing discussion that wanders through creative process, music memories, artist journeys and whatever else the music stirs up. Presented by Nostalgic Groove
Raegan Leilani joins Grooves of Influence to talk about The Party by Andy Shauf and why its layered storytelling, shifting perspectives, and subtle character connections make it her most influential album. We discuss honest songwriting, writing from emotion instead of perfection, and how songs can stay personal while still leaving room for listeners to find their own meaning. Raegan also shares how her band helped shape songs in the studio, how she writes through voice memos and instinct, and why jazz, pop, and vulnerability all meet in her music. A thoughtful conversation about storytelling, production, interpretation, and learning to trust what comes naturally.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raeganleilani/ (https://www.instagram.com/raeganleilani/)
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5odMVdV5SmuJJzWbgDuBsX?si=i1zGLF2wSfa7XbBYE8z1_A (https://open.spotify.com/artist/5odMVdV5SmuJJzWbgDuBsX?si=i1zGLF2wSfa7XbBYE8z1_A)
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/raegan-leilani/1730148094 (https://music.apple.com/us/artist/raegan-leilani/1730148094)
Upcoming Concert Tickets: https://raeganleilani.com/show-dates (https://raeganleilani.com/show-dates)
00:00 Podcast Intro | Grooves of Influence Music Podcast
00:19 Raegan Leilani Interview | Jazz Pop Sound and Musical Style
01:06 Most Influential Album: The Party by Andy Shauf
02:33 Andy Shauf’s The Party | Hidden Storylines and Album Concept
03:20 Songwriting from Different Perspectives
04:15 Favorite Storyline from The Party Album
06:44 Interpreting Characters in Andy Shauf’s The Party
07:40 Songwriting Tips | How Specific Should Lyrics Be?
08:49 Raegan Leilani Songwriting Process
09:33 How Raegan Leilani’s Songs Come Together
10:26 Studio Recording Process with Her Band
11:32 Writing “Keep It Boring Girl” | Songwriting Story
12:12 Writing Introspective Songs and Simple Emotions
13:36 The Magician | Mystery in Andy Shauf’s The Party
14:58 Discovering Andy Shauf Through Clarinet
15:55 How Raegan Leilani Met Her Band
17:13 Growing Up with Jazz and Playing Clarinet
18:20 Jazz Influence in Raegan Leilani’s Music
19:13 Michael Bublé and Early Music Influences
20:26 Funny Story About Only Watching Movie Sequels
21:44 Listening to Your Own Music After Releasing It
22:25 Sharing Personal Songs with Family
23:36 How Raegan Hopes Listeners Connect with Her Music
24:45 Favorite Songs from The Party by Andy Shauf
25:57 “Alexander All Alone” | The Ending of The Party
27:07 The Party Album Artwork and Character Connections
28:03 Production Style and Waltz Rhythm in The Party
28:59 Where to Find Raegan Leilani | Tour and Music Links
23 Feb 2026
Ep 22 | I Love the Blues, She Heard Me Cry | Jacob Bruner (Sugar Bomb)
Jacob of Sugar Bomb joins Grooves of Influence to talk about improvisation, musical freedom, and choosing I Love the Blues She Heard Me Cry by George Duke as his most influential album. We discuss what jazz means today, why listenability and experimentation are always in tension, and how a great performance can make a whole room feel present together. Jacob shares how Sugar Bomb’s songs evolve on the road before they hit the studio, why live recordings can reveal a song’s real identity, and what it looks like to build a sound without getting boxed into one genre. A thoughtful conversation about groove, arranging, deep listening, and staying curious as a musician.
Instagram: @Sugarbombjazz (https://www.instagram.com/sugarbombjazz/?hl=en)
Website: https://www.sugarbomb.band (https://www.sugarbomb.band)
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sugarbombjazz (https://www.youtube.com/@sugarbombjazz)
00:18 Meeting Jacob of Sugar Bomb
00:48 How Sugar Bomb Describes Their Sound
01:28 What Jazz Means Now
03:17 Choosing George Duke as His Most Influential Album
03:31 Why I Love the Blues She Heard Me Cry Matters
07:01 What Sugar Bomb Wants the Audience to Feel Live
10:08 Soft Moments vs Festival Energy
10:28 Recording the Second Record and Touring Songs First
12:42 Rubber Studio vs Live Version and Why It Changes
14:41 Improvisation, Head Charts, and Keeping It Fresh
16:49 George Duke Songs Sugar Bomb Wants to Play
18:10 Freedom in Music and Why It Matters
25:33 Balancing Experimentation and Listenability
31:39 Why Everyone Should Check Out George Duke
35:47 There Is Always More Music to Discover
35:57 Where to Find Sugar Bomb and How to Support Them
37:25 Upcoming Releases and Timeline for the Next Album
38:15 The Sugar Bomb Video Game and What’s Next
Photo Credits: Tyler Franz
26 Jan 2026
Ep 21 | Pink Moon by Nick Drake | Fiona (Whisper Doll)
Fiona of Whisper Doll joins Grooves of Influence to talk about finding community, building a band in Brooklyn, and choosing Pink Moon by Nick Drake as her most influential album. We discuss honest songwriting, vulnerability over perfection, and how discovering Nick Drake during COVID shaped her approach to music and lyricism. Fiona shares stories about writing late at night, recording voice memos, and using instrumentation to help tell emotional stories. A warm conversation about creativity, nature, spiritual curiosity, and learning to trust your instincts as an artist.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/whisperdoll (https://linktr.ee/whisperdoll)
(https://linktr.ee/whisperdoll)Instagram: @whisperd0ll (https://www.instagram.com/whisperd0ll/)
(https://www.instagram.com/whisperd0ll/)Website: https://whisperdoll.neocities.org/ (https://whisperdoll.neocities.org/)
00:00 Meeting Fiona of Whisperdoll – Brooklyn Shoegaze Dream Pop Band Introduction
00:52 Forming Whisperdoll & Finding the Brooklyn Indie Music Scene
02:32 Choosing Nick Drake – Pink Moon | Most Influential Album Discussion
03:52 Vulnerability Over Perfection in Honest Songwriting
06:22 Nature, Spirituality & Meaning in Lyrics | Creative Process in Music
08:02 Favorite Tracks on Pink Moon (Nick Drake Album Breakdown)
09:57 Writing Late at Night, Voice Memos & Music Inspiration
12:27 Trusting Instincts & Writing Honest Songs
14:12 Building Community Through Music
16:42 Using Instruments to Tell Emotional Stories
19:12 Band Collaboration & Expanding a Shoegaze Dream Pop Sound
22:42 Advice for Independent Artists Seeking Community
25:32 Where to Find Whisperdoll + Upcoming Album
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