Via the Sound

About Via the Sound

Via the Sound is where music meets identity. Hosted by Karissa “Riss” Horsford, this podcast explores the routes behind sound through conversations with artists and industry voices. Each episode dives into the influences, upbringing, cultural roots, and pivotal moments that shape how people find their voice in music and what that relationship to sound looks like today. Via the Sound centers honest, reflective conversations that go beyond the surface to uncover the stories behind the music.

Publisher

Via the Sound

Category

music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 May 2026

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   Walking by Faith with Shanel Bailey | Episode 07 | Via the Sound

   What does it cost to be a successful musical theatre actress? Actress, singer, and dancer Shanel Bailey joins Via the Sound for Episode 7, “Walking By Faith.” A South Jamaica, Queens native and first-generation Jamaican-American, Shanel has performed on Broadway in The Book of Mormon and Gypsy alongside Audra McDonald, and stars as Hazel in the Emmy and GLAAD-nominated Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. We talk the highs, the lows, and everything in between, plus her time on The Equalizer, being the first Black Pink Lady, the importance of community, and growing up a chameleon shaped by different cultures and sounds. CHAPTERS 1:03 Welcome to Via the Sound 2:04 Shanel Joins the Show 3:14 Ice Breakers 6:47 Who Was Shanel Growing Up? 10:05 Discovering Musical Theatre 13:17 From Bullying to Embracing Who She Is 15:37 The Road to Broadway 20:16 What Casting Saw in Her: Nabulungi 27:10 Giving Herself Permission to Just "Be" 30:48 Spill or Suffer: Pink Ladies, The Equalizer & Dating Stories 41:38 How Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Happened 44:50 Representation On Set & Being the First Black Pink Lady 52:53 Community & Reconnecting With Her Caribbean Roots 54:28 Code-Switching & Being a Chameleon 57:57 Going On as Louise in Gypsy 1:02:39 Meeting Oprah 1:04:34 What It Really Costs to Be a Successful Broadway Performer 1:10:55 Faith & Community: What Keeps Her Grounded 1:12:27 Closing Thoughts Catch Shanel next: on screen in the upcoming feature film The Other Side of the Window, and on stage in Ain’t Misbehavin’ at Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Follow Via the Sound: @viathesound on Instagram, TikTok & YouTube. Follow us so you never miss an episode. Collabs & inquiries: hello@viathesound.com Podcast Jingle By: @uyixshane © Via the Sound. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this content is prohibited.

2. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Turning the Page with Jaylen Petinaud | Ep 06 | Via the Sound

   He's not normally in front of the camera. He's usually behind the kit, making everything feel right. Building the rhythms. This week Jaylen K. Petinaud joins us and share his journey with Riss. One of the most sought-after drummers working today, Jaylen has played Broadway as principal drummer for Alicia Keys' Grammy and Tony Award-winning Hell's Kitchen, toured the world with 14 time Grammy winning Jazz musician Herbie Hancock, made his Broadway debut in Camille A. Brown's revival of For Colored Girls, and got his first real gig at 21, a live album recording for Nicole Bus at Roc Nation. This week they get into his Jamaican roots, growing up as a pastor's kid with music in his DNA, the NBA dream that died when he was younger, picking up sticks at seven years old in church and how Producer Mondays at NuBlu cracked open the industry door. Jaylen also shares phone call from Herbie Hancock that shifted it all. They also get real about losing his father, nearly losing his motivation, and how music, family and community pulled him through. Jazz is in good hands with people like Jaylen. - Herbie Hancock He's not wrong. 🥁🖤 Chapters0:00 – Cold Open: Has There Ever Been A Moment You Second guessed This?1:04 – Intro: Welcome to Via the Sound1:29 – Meet Jaylen K. Petinaud4:12 – Who Was Jaylen Before the Music? [Wrestling, Basketball & Karate]4:48 – The NBA Dream & Why It Didn't Happen6:23 – LaGuardia High School: Where It All Clicked6:42 –The Moment Drums Found Him9:11 – His Father: Minister of Music, Role Model & Everything9:56 – Jamaican Roots: Bob Marley11:01 – How Reggae & The One Drop Shaped His Sound12:05 – Academia vs Raw Talent: Does School Matter?13:16 – What He Learned at LaGuardia & Purchase College14:49 – Welcome to the Industry: Ray Angry, Producer Mondays & NuBlu17:03 – Getting Signed: Starfruit Management18:09 – You Need a Team: Being Grounded Beyond the Music18:35 – The Camille A. Brown Relationship: How It Started19:50 – Broadway Debut: For Colored Girls Revival (2022)20:10 – Original Drum Arrangements & Getting Credit for His Work20:28 – How Hell's Kitchen Happened: Alicia Keys Production21:00 – "How Do You Feel About Working With Alicia Keys?"23:51 – Has There Ever Been a Moment You Second guessed All of This?24:05 – Losing His Father: Turning the Page26:20 – What Keeps Him Grounded: Gospel Music Feels Like Home26:39 – A PK Kid Who Questioned God After His Father Passed27:22 – Favorite Gospel Artists29:06 – The Herbie Hancock Phone Call29:40 – From Kenny Garrett Tour to the Met Opera to Herbie in One Week32:35 – What Herbie Says About His Playing34:17 – What Legacy Looks Like 36:12 – Closing: Thank You & A Surprise Album Tease?──────────────────────────── 🎵 Podcast Jingle By: @uyixshane All Rights Reserved 2026 © VIA THE SOUND⚠️ This content may not be reproduced, redistributed, or monetized without written permission. Unauthorized use will be reported and may result in copyright claims or legal action. ✅ Follow Via the SoundIG:@viathesoundTikTok:@viathesound

3. 

   29 Jul 2026

   Learning to Behold with Diana Marie | Episode 05 | Via the Sound

   She grew up Seventh Day Adventist in the Bronx, declared herself an atheist at 18, found God in a college dorm room with no altar call and no fancy light; just a room, a few people, and a prayer. Then she ran. To Tennessee. To Spain. Back home. Until 2020, when she finally surrendered. And everything changed.Bronx born, Puerto Rican and Dominican, worship artist Diana Marie sits down with Riss for one of the most vulnerable, Spirit-filled, laugh-out-loud conversations Via the Sound has ever had. They get into her battle with anxiety, depression and late-diagnosed ADHD, why her journal entries became her debut project, what it actually means to know God, and the night "All Sufficient One" went viral.They also talk about how she ended up in the studio with Israel Houghton & New Breed after saying no, performing Spanish worship at the Dove Awards. Diana has a the new live album on the way! Oh — and Diana coins a new genre Lol 🤍🎙️⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – Cold Open: From Whisper to All Sufficient One 1:11 – Meet Diana Marie: Bronx Born, Spirit Led 7:07 – Who Was Diana Before Christ? Depression, Anxiety & Searching 8:23 – Pausing to Pray9:43 – Growing Up Seventh Day Adventist in the Bronx 10:32 – Proximity to Jesus Doesn't Mean You Know Him 11:26 – Hispanic SDA vs African-American SDA13:09 – Discovering Gospel at 1915:09 – 18, Alone & Away From Home: The Season That Changed Everything 16:48 – Self-Proclaimed Atheist, Depression Magnified & Searching She 24:01 – The Danger of Being Platform Too Soon 25:08 – Her Jonah Season28:04 – Surrender Unlocked Everything 33:38 – First Song She Ever Wrote: Better Days (From the Depression) 34:13 – Sanctification Is a Process35:52 – Late Diagnosed ADHD & Mental Health38:32 – Journals: How Journal Entries Became Her Debut Project 42:52 – The Genre She Just Coined 👀 44:51 – All Sufficient One: The Creation 45:39 – The Night in Atlanta53:15 – Her Worship Inspirations/Mount Rushmore: Stephanie Gretzinger, Naomi Raine & Abby Gamble 1:03:50 – Israel Houghton & New Breed: How She Got the Call1:10:23 – Spanish Music at the Dove Awards During THIS Climate. 1:12:00 – What She Wants Her Legacy to Be for Emerging Worshippers 1:14:37 – What's Next: A Live Album────────────────────────────────────All Rights Reserved 2026 © VIA THE SOUND⚠️ This content may not be reproduced, redistributed, or monetized without written permission. Unauthorized use will be reported and may result in copyright claims or legal action.✅ Follow Via the SoundInstagram: @viathesoundTikTok: @viathesoundLISTEN & WATCH MORE:🔔 Follow!Want to see more awesome conversations?Subscribe and hit the bell button to get new videos coming your way!💼 Collaborate📧: hello@viathesound.com

4. 

   1 Jul 2026

   Slizzy Soca's Top Chopper with Taller Dan | Episode 04 | Via the Sound

   He's 6'5", calls himself the " Trin-Brooklynian," and pushing the boundaries in Soca. This week Riss sits down with Taller Dan for one of the most fun, heartfelt conversations Via the Sound has had yet. They get into his Trinidadian roots and Brooklyn upbringing, the shak shak his father put in his hand at six years old, his love for basketball that almost took him to college, and the moment "Sucka Bag" with producer Boogy Rankss changed everything. They talk carnival culture, why Soca deserves more mainstream respect, a tough lesson learned from a brutal stage experience in Miami, how he move through grief, and his new record "Drop It Down" — which actually carries an emotional story behind it.

5. 

   16 Jun 2026

   Faith Fuels Frequency with Tonya Nelson Fisher | Episode 03 | Via the Sound

   What does it look like to build a decade long career in music from college radio to Sirius XM to Tidal; while navigating faith, motherhood, and being a Black woman in rooms that weren't always built for you? This week we sit down with Tonya Nelson Fisher; a content strategist, music executive, creative storyteller, and author — for a conversation that goes way beyond the resume. We get into her six-year-old self meeting Kirk Franklin and how that moment came full circle, the email she wasn't supposed to see that changed her entire trajectory, what it actually means to program music at scale, negotiating her first six-figure salary with a newborn at home, and why she waddled into a job interview seven months pregnant and got the job anyway. We also get real about Black women being pushed out of the industry at an alarming rate, whether faith and the music industry are more compatible than people think, and the gospel artists you need to have on your radar right now. This one hits different. Be sure to give us a follow to stay locked in for more conversations 🖤🎙️ Tonya's Book: My Friend J.C.: A Child's Guide to Understanding the Holy Spirit's Presence https://www.amazon.com/My-Friend-J-C-Understanding-Presence/dp/B0F5XZ3WQ9 ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – Cold Open: Kirk Franklin, God's Property & A Dream Behind the Mic 0:54 – Intro: Welcome to Via the Sound 1:31 – Meet Tonya Nelson Fisher 2:15 – Icebreakers: 3 Emojis & Rapid Fire This or That 4:26 – Kirk Franklin or Fred Hammond? 4:46 – Who Was Tonya Before the Titles? 5:12 – Growing Up: 90s, Black Sit Coms, 90's Girl Groups: Destiny's Child, TLC 7:36 – Mom from Barbados, Dad from Queens: Musical Upbringing 9:32 – Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder & the Car Rides That Shaped Everything 10:23 – Pivoted Dreams to Broadcast Journalism 11:47– College Radio: How "Agree to Disagree" Started It All 12:09 – Sirius XM: From Intern to On-Air Personality 14:07 – Six Years Old at a Kirk Franklin Concert 15:40 - Joe Madison Show 17:16 – The Email She Wasn't Supposed to See (And What She Did With It) 21:27 – What Music Programming Actually Looks Like Behind the Scenes 25:48 – From Part-Time Coordinator to On-Air Co-Host 26:09 – Interviewing Kelly Rowland, John Legend & Bruno Mars 26:24 – From Radio to Streaming: COVID, Burnout & Tidal 30:29– Negotiating Her First Six-Figure Salary With a Newborn at Home 33:25 – Rate the Take: Gospel, Faith & the Music Industry 38:40– Being a Working Mom: Village, Support & Refusing to Shrink 39:34 – Radio Built Fans. Will Algorithms Ever Do the Same?41:42 – Are the Best Music Execs Failed Musicians? (Hot Take) 44:00 – Kirk Franklin Saved Gospel Music for a Generation?46:04 – Emerging Gospel Artists to Watch: Alex Jean, Hobie, Lizzie Morgan 50:15 – Stevie Wonder Story 51:18 – Music Industry Layoffs: The Stats & The Reality 57:07 – "My Friend JC" — The Children's Book Inspired by Her Daughter 1:03:03 – Waddling Into a Job Interview 7 Months Pregnant & Getting the Job 1:07:02 – Closing Gems: Prayer, Journaling & Building a Village Pod Jingle By: @uyixshane

6. 

   27 May 2026

   London Born, Island Made with Boogy Rankss | Episode 02 | Via the Sound

   London born. Harlem raised. Rooted in St. Kitts, Nevis & Belize. Boogy Rankss is one of the most exciting producers in Caribbean music right now and he built his entire catalog in under five years from New York City. This week, Riss sits down with the man behind "Ba Ba Ben," "Dansa," "Look Back," "No Horn," and so much more. They go deep on growing up between four cultural identities, how he started DJing at a five-year-old's birthday party for $75, the college club room where he quietly made a hit while everyone else was playing games, why COVID was actually a blessing for his career, and what it really takes to produce a record that moves the whole Caribbean. Oh and he breaks down the three skills you need to be a great DJ. You're going to want to hear this one. If you've ever loved the Dutty Dutty, Benna, Rudeness, and Vitamin D soca riddims without knowing who made them, now you do. Chapters 0:00 – Cold Open: The Beat That Started It All 0:30 – Intro: Welcome to Via the Sound 1:38 – Meet Boogy Rankss 2:06 – Icebreakers: 3 Emojis & This or That (Caribbean Edition) 5:17 – Caribbean Music Going Mainstream or Staying Underground? 6:13 – Carnival vs Juve — Where Do You Stand? 7:17 – Who Was Boogy Before the Music? 8:14 – Growing Up With Four Cultural Identities 9:51 – Lil Wayne, Kasav & Everything In Between 10:46 – From DJing to Producing: How It Started 11:46 – The First Rhythm & GarageBand Moment 12:03 – First DJ Gig: A 5-Year-Old's Birthday Party ($75) 12:21 – How "Boogy Rankss" Got His Name 13:58 – Burning Flames: The Producer's Bible 15:19 – COVID, "Ba Ba Ben" & the TikTok Explosion 19:23 – How Boogy Chooses Who Gets the Rhythm 20:16 – The Studio Mindset: 4 Cultural Identities, 1 Laptop 21:48 – "Dansa": From Rugged Rhythm to #1 Worldwide 24:39 – The Moment They Knew "Dansa" Was Global 25:49 – "Look Back" & the Caribbean Music Award Nomination 30:25 – Rate the Take: Soca, Producers vs Artists & Going Mainstream 35:19 – Burning Flames Understood Caribbean Music on Another Level 36:20 – DJ vs Producer: Two Identities, One Artist 37:32 – The 3 Skills Every Great DJ Must Have 40:09 – Staying Grounded: Humility, Confidence & Knowing Your Worth 41:42 – "Feter" with Hunter & Denise Belfon (Billboard Write-Up!) 44:41 – "I Testify" with Dash & the Guava Loop Rhythm 46:08 – What's Coming: Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada & More 47:21 – Lady Lava & "No Horn": The Junction Rhythm Story Pod Jingle By: @uyixshane

7. 

   13 May 2026

   Between Movement and Melody with Malkalm | Episode 01 | Via the Sound

   What happens when faith, dual identity, and a love for Brandy collide into one R&B artist? This week, Riss sits down with Malkalm; New Jersey-bred artist, music exec, and one of the most quietly layered people in the game. From growing up between Nigerian and Sierra Leonean cultures, to dancing at African parties as a kid and pocketing hundreds, to performing at Barclays and touring with Showtime Camp; Malkalm's path to music was anything but linear. They go deep on what it means to be an artist AND a label exec, how authenticity is the only real marketing strategy, the prophetic moment in church that changed everything, and why his songs literally write themselves in five minutes. If you've ever felt in between worlds and wondered if that was your superpower, this one's for you. Chapters: 0:00 – Cold Open: Faith & the Music 0:56 – Intro: Welcome to Via the Sound 1:29 – Meet Malkalm 2:14 – Icebreakers: 3 Emojis & This or That (Nigerian Edition) 6:19 – Who Was Malkalm Before Music? 8:20 – Growing Up Between Nigeria & Sierra Leone Culture 10:47 – Musical Influences: Brandy, Janet, Michael & More 12:11 – Dance as a Foundation 15:00 – The Mercedes Dealership Moment 18:07 – Faith, God & Staying Grounded 19:43 – The Church Prophecy That Changed His Life 22:36 – Dance vs. Music: Which Path Wins? 23:30 – Touring with Show Dem Camp 25:07 – The Double Life: Artist + Music Exec 26:04 – Courtesy of Records & Working in the Industry 27:01 – Keeping Artists Authentic in a Trend-Chasing World 28:49 – Malkalm's Creative Process 29:38 – Why His Songs Come From God 30:47 - Malkalm Salutes His Fellow R&B Peers 32:42- Malkalm's Upcoming Project 34:52 - Malkalm's Still Figuring Out Pod Jingle By: @uyixshane

8. 

   8 May 2026

   Welcome to Via the Sound

   Let's get to the route of your sound. 🎙️ Music moves us. But the stories behind it? That's where it gets real. Via the Sound is where artists, musicians, producers, and music industry creatives get honest about their journey. The identity, the culture, the influences, and lived experiences that shaped their sound before the world ever heard it. Before there was a genre, there was a community. Before the sound reached you, there was a whole life being lived. New episodes dropping soon. Follow the show so you never miss a conversation. 🖤 https://linktr.ee/viathesound (https://linktr.ee/viathesound)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Contact Via the Sound

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.