SongDive: Join Sarah Tudzin (of Illuminati Hotties) and Allie Cuva (of allie) to explore the realms of songwriting, music production, and audio engineering through two DIY-influenced and queer perspectives. Listen in as Sarah, Allie, and special guests discuss the techniques and lessons learned that shaped their recent albums, as well as what they’re most excited about in the realms of writing, recording and producing music today.
Today on SongDive, we had the pleasure of speaking with Spencer Peppet of the band The Ophelias. Spencer was kind enough to share about her experience of making The Ophelia’s latest record called Spring Grove which comes out April 4, 2025, and working with Julien Baker who produced the record and Calvin Lauber who engineered the record.
The first single off Spring Grove is called “Cumulonimbus” and today we had the pleasure of diving a bit deeper and learning more about the song’s origins, lyrical inspiration, as well as the process of making the music video for “Cumulonimbus”, which was directed by filmmaker Jo Shaffer who also plays bass in The Ophelias. I personally had this video on repeat the other day because of how stricken I was by the vivid coloring and trance-like state the song’s narrative and accompanying visuals conjured in me.
I’m ever-impressed by Spencer’s range, grace and competence as a creative person and I was so grateful we got the chance to talk to her. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Spencer Peppet of The Ophelias.
- Allie Cuva
Also, The Ophelias will be on tour this spring in celebration of the release of Spring Grove:
The Ophelias’ Upcoming Tour Dates:
Fri. April 4 – Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy
Sat. April 5 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Broadway (Record Release Show)
Sun. April 6 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java
Tue. April 8 – Boston, MA @ The Rockwell Wed.
April 9 – Portsmouth, NH @ Press Room
Thu. May 8 – Chicago, IL @ Schubas
Fri. May 9 – Columbus, OH @ Rumba Café Sat.
May 10 – Lansing, MI @ Stoopfest Sun.
May 11 – Toronto, ON @ The Baby G Tue.
May 13 – Montréal, QC @ Casa Del Popolo
Wed. May 14 – Burlington, VT @ Radio Bean
11 Feb 2025
Sidney Gish
On this episode of SongDive, we are joined by songwriter, guitarist, producer, and perpetual deep thinker, Sidney Gish. Sidney releases music under her own name, most notably the 2017 instant classic, No Dogs Allowed, and most recently a single called "Lonesome Ride" in collaboration with prior guest of the pod, Grumpy. Throughout this episode, we dive deep into a conversation about the creative process, idea generation, and the ever elusive question, how the heck do you finish something? Sidney is full of sage wisdom, Pinterest inspired motivational theories, and philosophical musings about the process of making great art. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Sidney Gish.
- Sarah Tudzin
28 Jan 2025
Laura Colwell (Sun June)
Laura Colwell of Austin TX-based "regret pop" band Sun June joined us to talk about Sun June's recent release "41 Dollars" as well as Porches' cover of their song "Easy Violence". We also touched on Laura's experiences editing films like The Unknown Country (2022) and how that has influenced her relationship with music.
14 Jan 2025
Heaven Schmitt (Grumpy)
Heaven Schmitt of Grumpy shares personal growth insights and the poignant story behind their latest EP's lead single 'Holding', offering a deeper connection to their art and self-discovery.
7 Jan 2025
Alex Lahey - Producing Other Bands
Alex Lahey is a Melbourne-bred, Los-Angeles-based producer, songwriter, and musical artist under her own name. Last year, Alex released her critically-acclaimed, enthusiasm-infused third album called 'The Answer Is Always Yes'. She's currently home in Australia for work, but will be back on tour in the U.S. supporting Laura Jane Grace early in 2025. Alex joined us for a special episode on the topic of producing bands. What does it mean to be a producer? How does one fit into the culture of an existing band-dynamic? All this and more on this week's episode of SongDive with special guest Alex Lahey.
17 Dec 2024
Lexi Vega (Mini Trees) - Shapeshifter
We had a great time talking with Lexi Vega as she shared with us her experiences of making the Mini Trees song "Shapeshifter" as well as the entire Burnout EP on which this song was released earlier in 2024. Lexi told us about her approach to tracking background vocals and building upon the "Shapeshifter" demo with collaborators like producer Jon Joseph and multi-instrumentalist Zac Rae (Death Cab for Cutie) to get this song to the finish line.
Apologies for Allie's sound quality: it's p awful because she was at a remote cafe due to unexpected travel. Won't be trying that again!
10 Dec 2024
Sophie Payten (Gordi) - Reverie
Singer-songwriter Gordi, aka Sophie Payten, shares her pandemic daydreams, self-production secrets, and the story behind her new song Reverie.
3 Dec 2024
Sarah & Allie - Desert Writing, Cray-Cray Pedal Steel, Mega Rock Docs, etc.
SongDive hosts Sarah & Allie share their eclectic passions for desert writing, pedal steel guitar, and rock documentaries.
26 Nov 2024
Ep. 6: Lucie Murphy (Poise)
SongDive host Lucie Murphy (Poise) dives into the transformative power of music, revealing how it can unlock emotional intelligence and resilience in our lives.
8 Oct 2024
5. Mia Berrin (Pom Pom Squad) "Downhill"
In this episode of SongDive, we talk to Mia Berrin of Pom Pom Squad about her infectious new song "Downhill". Pom Pom Squad's upcoming album, 'Mirror Starts Moving Without Me' comes out October 25th, 2024!
For exclusive content such as extra videos and stem access, Support us on Patreon at: patreon.com/SongDivePodcast
Instagram: @songdivepod @ih.rips & @allie_hello
SongDive on Youtube:
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/SongDivePod
'POWER' by IH on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/6DrRO
'Every Dog' by allie on Spotify: https://shorturl.at/UCeoL
30 Sept 2024
4. Maddie Ross "Trash Fire"
our FIRST EVER SongDive guest Maddie Ross has a new song out called "Trash Fire"! it's so much fun, as was getting to learn more about the songwriting and production through Maddie's perspective. She's on tour with Illuminati Hotties right now (Sep/Oct '24) so be sure to catch them live!
In this third episode of SongDive, Sarah and Allie discuss "Throw (Life Raft)", the third song off the new Illuminati Hotties record 'POWER', as well as "Every Dog", the third song off the new allie record 'Every Dog'. Next week's episode will feature our first ! guest ! ever !!!
For exclusive and epic bonus content, Support us on Patreon
15 Sept 2024
Episode Two: TRACK(S) 2: "Radio Shower" and "I Would Like, Still Love You"
In this second episode of SongDive, Sarah and Allie discuss "Radio Shower" the second song off the new allie record, Every Dog, and "I Would Like Still Love You" the second song off the new Illuminati Hotties record. Exciting news next week re: our first ever guest artist!!
8 Sept 2024
Episode ONE!!! TRACK(S) 1: "Can't Be Still" & "Sweet"
In this (FIRST EVER) episode of SongDive, Sarah and allie will explore the songwriting and production inspirations behind the first songs on each of their respective new albums:
Illuminati Hotties -”Can’t Be Still”
allie - ”Sweet” (out Sep 27)
For exclusive video content, session stems, etc., join the SongDive Patreon
Reach and audience
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YouTube views
1,500
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
34
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
0
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