Through The Creative Door

17 | Every 'No' Is A Lesson with James Lee

In this episode of Through the Creative Door, Alexis chats with James Lee, musical theatre and cabaret performer, voice-over artist, director, producer, singing teacher, graphic designer, and digital video editor, with over 35 years in the entertainment industry. He is also currently directing Mamma Mia at the Geelong Art Centre for October 2025!
From Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera to The Producers and My Fair Lady (directed by Dame Julie Andrews), James shares the triumphs and challenges of a life in theatre, the resilience it takes to keep going, and the magic that makes it all worthwhile. He’s also contributed to the creative team for the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Party, showing just how versatile a career in the arts can be.
If you’d like to see more, you can follow on instagram; @ jamesofthelee
This episode was recorded on 24th July 2025 on the lands of the Gulidjan Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel

BSIDE Never for Ever by Kate Bush

Featured Artist: Kate Bush
Featured Vinyl:  Never for Ever
 
Alexis’ Hot Pick 
The Wedding List
Sam’s Hot Pick
Breathing
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for an artist's vinyl to listen to, have you got one in mind that we should check out? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Co-Host: Sam Timmerman
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Voiceover: Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel

16 | Turning Up Every Day with Levi Russell

Join Alexis as she welcomes Brisbane-based producer, engineer, mixer, and multi-instrumentalist Levi Russell for an inspiring conversation through the Creative Door. With 16 years of experience across genres, from indie rock to intimate acoustic, Levi opens up about his creative journey, the power of routine, embracing imperfection, and building safe, inviting spaces for artists to thrive. Together, they explore the art of turning a blank canvas into a finished song and the lessons learned from collaboration and feedback. Whether you’re a musician, producer, or creative explorer, this interview will leave you motivated to keep showing up and creating your own magic.
 
If you’d like to see more, you can follow Levi on instagram; @ levi_russel
This episode was recorded on 21st June 2025 on the lands of the Yuggera Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
…
Creative  resources:
Recording Studio Rockstars Podcast
Andrew Talks To Awesome People - Youtube Channel 
 
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast

BSIDE Crime of the Century by Supertramp

Featured Artist: Supertramp
Featured Vinyl: Crime of the Century
 
Alexis’ Hot Pick 
Bloody Well Right
Sam’s Hot Pick
Dreamer
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for an artist's vinyl to listen to, have you got one in mind that we should check out? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Co-Host: Sam Timmerman
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Voiceover: Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel

15 | You Need The Darkness To Appreciate The Light with Nate Eggins

Meet Nate Eggins, musician, science communicator, and all-around creative force. In this uplifting chat, we sit down (on the floor, of course) to explore how curiosity, music, and critical thinking can change lives.
From award-winning songs to sold-out planetarium shows, Nate shares how he found his voice by blending satire, soul, and science. and why creating from a place of joy, community, and authenticity is everything.
If you’d like to see more, you can follow Nate on instagram; @conspiracyofone @inkindfolk
 
This episode was recorded on 19th June 2025 on the lands of the Yuggera Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel

BSIDE The Best Of Roberta Flack by Roberta Flack

Featured Artist: Roberta Flack
Featured Vinyl: The Best Of Roberta Flack
 
Alexis’ Hot Pick 
Killing Me Softly With His Song
Sam’s Hot Pick
You’ve Got a Friend
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
You won’t find this record in its entirety anywhere but online as a YouTube playlist thanks to Rafael Martin—or spinning old-school on a purchased vinyl.
Playlist:⁦https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1JmU8l-9JbWuH-VaQVI18TfiMs9rDW_9&si=_T_OKDBUA1KFcAK-⁩
Psst! We are always on the lookout for an artist's vinyl to listen to, have you got one in mind that we should check out? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Co-Host: Sam Timmerman
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Voiceover: Ruby Miguel

BSIDE Hotter Than July by Stevie Wonder

Featured Artist: Stevie Wonder
Featured Vinyl: Hotter Than July
 
Alexis’ Hot Pick 
Lately
Sam’s Hot Pick
Do Like You
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for an artist's vinyl to listen to, have you got one in mind that we should check out? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Co-Host: Sam Timmerman
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Voiceover: Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel

14 | Let Your Curiosity Lead The Way with Woody Samson

Alexis chats with Melbourne multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and DJ from Naarm/Melbourne, the incredible Woody Samson. From the wild joys of live performance to writing an EP live on stage, Woody chats with Alexis about balancing gigs with rest, working through trauma, and the magic of letting curiosity lead the way. Woody brings trumpet, guitar, synths, percussion and serious energy to every stage,  and this convo is just as vibrant.
 
If you’d like to see more, you can follow Woody on instagram; @woodysamson 
 
This episode was recorded on 27th May 2025 on the lands of the Woiworung Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
…
Creative resources from Woody: 
Equipboard.com 
 
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel

13 | It Takes Years To Be Bad At Something with Hayden Dun

Alexis chats with the wildly creative Hayden Dun, a Melbourne based classically trained pianist, composer, teacher, and long-time improviser with Impromptunes.
They talk about staying curious, finding creative flow, and how to keep the joy in making art, even when it’s hard. 
If you’d like to see more, you can follow Hayden on instagram; @ haydendunmusic
This episode was recorded on 24th May 2025 on the lands of the Woiworung Peoples. We hope that this episode inspires you as a creative person and as a human being.
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for creative people to share their story and inspire others. Have you got someone in mind who would love to have a chat? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
…
Creative resources from Hayden:
Asuria: https://www.asuria.com.au/courses
 
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikToc: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel
 Oh my goodness, Hayden Dun What a glorious day this is to get to interview you. I'm so very excited. 
 
I'm really excited to be here, Alexis. 
 
Ah, I am coming through your creative door, your gracious, beautiful home. . You are a very talented bear. You are a classical trained pianist.
 
You are a composer of some phenomenal tunes. Might I add? And also you're a teacher. 
 
Yeah. 
 
Which I think is really beautiful. You are sharing your knowledge, sharing your gift. 
 
Thank you. 
 
Before we get started into the questions, 'cause I know that you're prepared, I love a man who's prepared. But I just wanted to mention, you got a young composer of the ward at, Victorian College of the Arts.
 
Is that right? 
 
I did, yeah. 
 
Oh, that is so impressive.
 
  How does that come about? 
Thanks. Is, I think it is much harder to get it for performing than for composing 'cause I'm pretty sure I also applied for performing and yeah, I didn't get anywhere close to being selected.
 
Yeah, it, competitive space. Yeah. Competitive space a hundred percent. I also 
 
 
 
wanna mention, 
 
 
 
obviously the rabbit hole of 
 
 
 
going through your world, which is so much fun, I got to come across one of your beautiful music videos. Which is, for water dance. Yeah. Water dance. Water dance. Yes. Oh my goodness.
 
And I saw that the video is amazing, by the way, and I have a sneaking suspicion that was down the peninsula or somewhere in Victoria. 
 
Yeah. 
 
But the thing that I found really cool is you dedicated it to your sister. Yeah. Who's the videographer, right? Yeah. 
 
She was. Oh 
 
my goodness. Tell me a bit about this.
 
I'm intrigued. 
 
My sister is a marine biologist and she's also an a photographer, underwater photographer as well. And yeah, she, yeah, she's really inspiring to me. I. She's my younger sister, but she still inspires me 
 
and it makes sense being water dancer, that you would dedicate it to someone who's immersed her life around water.
 
Yeah. 
 
Oh, I love that. How beautiful. 
 
Yeah. Yeah. And it was her idea to go to the cliff. Pretty sure it was Half Moon Bay. 
 
Yes. Okay. I thought it was down that way of Victoria. I was like,
 
yeah, it's a long way away. 
 
Oh, beautiful. 
 
 
 
Question one. Question, what does a creative space mean to you and why? 
 
Great question. For me, it's definitely changed. When I was in school and when I was studying at uni, I was, it was by my piano. I could spend hours a week 
 
 
 
there. 
 
 
 
 
 
nowadays, now that I'm 30 
 
 
 
 
 
music and teaching, my, 
 
 
 
my full-time profession, so I don't get hours a week at my piano anymore.
 
So I've been forced to make it everywhere, especially when I am, especially when I'm driving. I spend, have a lot of dead time driving from gig to gig. So now, I make it my creative time, my creative echo chamber. 
 
Interesting. And how do you, when is that you just getting inspiration, listening to different things?
 
Or are you having to pull up on the side of the road and do voice messages? 
 
 
 
How do you harness that creativity in that space? 
 
Yeah, exactly. That. If I get, a really great idea, I'll either, I'll try to quickly tell it to Siri to put it in. If that doesn't work, which it often doesn't, I will pull up on the side of the road.
 
 
 
 
 
And 
 
you find that you are able to. 
 
 
 
Imagine some of these melodies and that instrumentation, even though you are not at a piano. 
 
I do it better at a piano, but yes, I can still get a rough idea of it. I'm driving
 
amazing. Oh, I can empathize with the car scenario. I love long.
 
Hall drives. 
 
Yeah. 
 
And I find that something 
 
 
 
about doing the mundane task that your brain goes to this creative space. Yeah. I find the same when I go running. Yeah. 
 
Yeah. A hundred percent. Running walks, traveling to other countries, that's all where it comes. So yeah, it comes when I'm not, when I'm not at my most convenient at the piano.
 
How 
 
dare it not be convenient? Oh, 
 
so inconsiderate. 
 
Oh, the creative way, right? 
 
Yep. 
 
Now, you've been doing this for a long time. 
 
 
 
And you'll be continuously be doing it for a very long time. But I'm curious, what is something. That you've created or released, that you are most proud of? And how has that come about?
 
I've actually got something really exciting and, it might even be released by the time people are listening to this, I'm gonna release my, piano album Terra Sonata. 
 
Ooh, what does that mean? 
 
It is, it's gonna have five songs. Usually a Sonata has three or four songs, but I'm cheating a little bit.
 
It's gonna have five songs that I've, written throughout the years and compiled together. Cut a little bit of the fluff that I wrote along the way. Wouldn't, yeah, even musicians sometimes write fluff here and there, but I cut it all out and. Yeah. Five piano solo songs that I'm really proud of.
 
Amazing. And when you say that you've written them along the way, is this a, a span of 10 years that you've been working on these compositions that are on this album or this record? 
 
Actually, the oldest one I started writing 13 years ago, in, in my opinion, I don't think I wrote it too well.
 
It's something that I. Yeah, put in the bank and revisit it. 
 
Amazing. I love those. I love those. Oh my goodness. Please tell me that your song until the end is one of those five. 
 
It will be, yes. Oh my goodness. 
 
Yay. For those listening. I was devastated when I listened on YouTube to this phenomenal song until the end.
 
Then I couldn't find it on Spotify and I was like, no, I wanna be able to listen to it all the time and yay. So hopefully when this episode lands, that song will be readily available. I'm sharing it straight away. Oh my God. I'm so excited. 
 
Thank you so much. That's really kind. 
 
Okay. On the flip side of things that you are proud of.
 
What is something that's challenged your creativity, do you think? 
 
Being cocky and naive? 
 
 
 
Oh my God. Tell me more. I'm so intrigued by this. 
 
When I was fresh out of uni, so this would've been eight years ago, one of my best friends and myself started writing a musical. Cool. We had it finished in one and a half years.
 
So both of us, we studied music composition, which had a little bit of lyric writing, but hardly any at all. Yeah. That was our specialty. The music, little bit of lyrics, we had absolutely no experience writing, dialogue or story. But that didn't stop us. We put on our show, we wore it as a badge of honor that Okay.
 
It only took one and a half years to write. And yeah, sure enough, when the feedback came in, the. People thought the music was nice, the lyrics were good enough, the dialogue was a little bit clunky, and the plot was an absolute disaster. 
 
No. What was the plot? What was the premise of the show? The 
 
premise of the show was a girl, she is asexual and her trying to fit in into this sex crazed world.
 
The premise was people liked the premise. They just didn't like the delivery. 
 
Interesting. Yeah. And I feel like sometimes if we realized how big the task at hand was, we would never start. But I'm curious like out 
 
 
 
off the back of that, 
 
 
 
what are the key takeaways?
 
Like how have you then come through that project and gone to the next project? 
 
Yeah, no, it's a, it's a fine line between, 
 
 
 
not wanting to scare yourself away by how daunting the task is. But, I guess for me personally, I didn't respect the disciplines, the other creative disciplines of lyric writing, dialogue, writing, and story I thought.
 
I thought, I studied music composition. Surely I'm good at, I'm good at everything else. But yeah, I wasn't she's 
 
lucky we didn't meet 13 years ago. You'd be like, oh, so sing a songwriter, please. 
 
Yeah. Yeah, definitely. Yeah. I learned the lesson for me was that each of these creative disciplines, they're an entire world.
 
And, yeah, they're exciting worlds. 
 
 
 
 
 
For me personally, I was feeling that I was a little bit bored of, writing dialogue, writing a story. It's just something to get the job done. 
 
 
 
yeah, that was a sign that I wasn't that good at it.
 
I think also too is as we get older, we recognize we're, our strengths. Like perhaps this project could have been an opportunity for you to realize another passion in another avenue, but it's also an opportunity for you go, maybe you didn't like that so much. Maybe next time I'm gonna 
 
Yeah.
 
Collaborate with somebody else to do that part. 
 
Yeah. Both, yeah. Both my co-writer and I, we've, ever since we've been studying, more about writing, creative writing and writing, writing music theater. So it's been. It's been really exciting to actually dig in and learn about how to do this properly.
 
Amazing. Oh, I love that. That's not, dampened your creativity in any way, and if anything, it's just made you pivot and learn more. I love that. 
 
Definitely. What a 
 
great lesson. 
 
Yeah. Yeah. Thanks 
 
for sharing. 
 
Yeah. 
 
 
 
Okay, my next question. I'm curious, what does or what is a object that you can't live without when you are creating, do you have one?
 
Oh, I don't, I could. I could give a cliche answer and say, my piano, my laptop, my music programs, but everyone needs those. 
 
True. 
 
Yeah. Should I, maybe I should. 
 
No, I think it's a particular question that for some people it will truly be exactly what you said. Piano, a laptop, a.
 
Yeah. Headphones. Yeah. All those kind of things. All those things. And for others it could be a bit more sentimental. So you don't have any lucky socks that you wear when you do gigs? 
 
I don't, yeah. Knowing me, if I did, I might freak out if I one day forgot them. 
 
I Are you superstitious? I 
 
don't think so.
 
I don't think so, but I can, sometimes things do get into my head. 
 
Okay.
 
In that way. 
 
Yeah. Yeah. Do you have like rituals when you go to gigs, like a particular process that you like to follow before you are like in the studio or before you go to gigs? 
 
I will try to limit, limit any, anything that's gonna cause anxiety or stress, a couple of hours before any show or performance.
 
Yeah. I'll have two coffees straight away every morning. 
 
Nice. Get that coffee into you straight away. Yeah.
 
I love that. I do that too. To be honest, I'm not good until I've 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you could give one nugget of gold, one piece of advice. To another creative, what would it be? 
 
It is orders of magnitude easier to critique something than it is to create something. 
 
Ooh, okay. Let this sink in. Spell it out for us. Break it apart for us 
 
for sure. It takes years, so many years to be bad at something and so many more years to become good at something.
 
And along the way you're going to hear, you might hear people say, it's, you are not made for this. You just don't have that natural talent. You're not a writer, you're not a singer. Et cetera. Yeah, don't listen to it. There is, there's a time and place for feedback. Of course. Yeah. People, if you do, if you have created something and you do want feedback, generally yeah, you can.
 
It's totally valid to get feedback from friends and family. Generally, people are very good at being able to tell when something's not right. But, in saying that if people do tell you. This isn't the right path for you, or you should just throw everything away. Never listen to that.
 
For example, Fur Elise, it takes about, five or six years of training before someone's ready to learn that song. Even the first page, the main theme that everyone knows, even that, at least two, usually about three years of training before someone's ready to learn that song, learn that page.
 
 
 
Yeah. So just 'cause you can't do it right now doesn't mean you can't do it a bit later. Exactly. You just gotta apply yourself.
 
Definitely. 
 
So you mentioned just then about obviously getting feedback, which is something in the creative space we get, whether we ask for it or not. 
 
Yes. 
 
But if you could give our listeners, or even for other creatives, like how do you think is a good way for that feedback to come?
 
Or how do you think the best way as a creative person is to ask for that feedback? From our community and from our listeners. 
 
If I have an idea that's not completely finished, not polished, then I will generally ask, other musicians or other creatives for, feedback or ideas. I'd only ask. Someone who isn't trained, who isn't a creative, for feedback.
 
Once, yeah, once the product is more polished and pretty close to finished. ' Sometimes people might hear that something's not quite right, but they might think it's, a problem with the content rather than a problem with the delivery.
Now, if you could give another creative, or even someone who wants to do what you do, would you give any advice and recommend any resources that they could develop their creative process with? 
 
A resource I've gotten into in this last year is repurpose. It's for social media. I find with creatives we rely heavily on promoting ourselves.
 
What it does is. If you post something on one platform, for example, on TikTok, you can set it to automatically post on YouTube shorts automatically on Instagram. Yeah, it does cost a bit, but it's, in my opinion, it's worth it. It gives, frees up a lot of time that you can be using for creating.
 
Amazing. And how did you find that?
 
 
 
I heard about it through my music business course. It's called Asuria. 
 
How did you find that? 
 
My sister again, the same one.
 
Oh, 
 
amazing. 
 
Yeah. 
 
And that helps with the financial side of. Yeah. Creation, like creating content, being a teacher, doing gigs, that kind of, 
 
yeah. Finances, promotion, business admin. Yeah. 
 
Yeah. Cool. And is it like a. Night course or like a weekend course. How long does the course go for? 
 
It was a nine month course.
 
Nine months? Yeah. Brilliant. Yeah, 
 
it's brilliant. Brilliant. Yeah. 
 
Oh, we'll have to give details in the show notes for that course. Sounds like that has been quite helpful for you. 
 
Definitely. It doesn't cost anything either. 
 
Oh really? Yeah. 
 
Really. Oh, 
 
brilliant. We like things that are free. Yeah, we do.
 
 
 
 
 
And last but not least, one last question. If you could hear another creative come on this podcast and answer these questions, who would it be and why? 
 
I had love to hear next, a person I've worked with a few times over the years. Her name's Victoria Mantynen. She's an incredible, performer, singer, actor, creator.
 
She creates her own shows as well. She delivers her shows with, yeah, they're really polished and professional. I'd love to hear more about, what happens behind the scenes. 
 
Cool. And what kind of genre is her craft? 
 
She can do, I'm pretty sure she can do any genre. If you asked her, I'm pretty sure her main genre is like 1940s, 1950s.
 
Yeah, the kind of. Hollywood from back then. 
 
That's cool. Yeah. Oh, I love that. What a vibe. What a vibe. Yeah. 
Oh my goodness. Thank you so much for coming through the Creative door and having this beautiful chat
 
you are such a vibe. 
 
Thank you so much for having me. It's been amazing. 
 
Yay.
 

BSIDE Chris by Christine and The Queens

Featured Artist: Christine and the Queens
Featured Vinyl: Chris
 
Alexis’ Hot Pick 
What’s-her-face (english) / Machin-chose (french)
Sam’s Hot Pick
Girlfriend
Thanks for listening, catch you on the next episode.
Psst! We are always on the lookout for an artist's vinyl to listen to, have you got one in mind that we should check out? Get in contact with us via Instagram @throughthecreativedoor
Let’s get social:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/throughthecreativedoor/ 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttcdpodcast
 
CREDITS
Created and Hosted by Alexis Naylor
Co-Host: Sam Timmerman
Music by Alexis Naylor & Ruby Miguel
Voiceover: Ruby Miguel
Edited and Produced by Ruby Miguel
 
----------------
 
 Hello from the 
How are you? 
Oh, very well, my friend. How are you? 
I'm very well too. I am enjoying the vibe that's coming through the screen and this week there's so much dancing going on. I love it. Little 
bit. I'm a happy little bear for multitude of reasons.
One 'cause I'm mostly happy Beth, but I have an amazing offering for us. Chat about this week. 
I cannot wait. I have been melting into this one. It's been so much fun. 
My offering this week is a vinyl called Chris by Christine and the Queen 
Second album, I believe. 
Coolest  artwork, telling the story of what they're going for. Artwork is just bang on. It's on point for exactly what they're trying to convey with this record.
It's so cool. 
I have fallen in love with this record many moons ago for a multitude of reasons. One. Because Christine and the Queens did essentially a double of this record. So there are all English tracks and then I think all but one of them have a French version. by golly, is it stunning.
So if you actually find this online, you will. Get all 23 tracks English and French. For me, I was very sad in the sense that, one, I got to have this vinyl love it, but I couldn't find the French version that sold out everywhere that I went looking. So very sad. But I'll take what I can get. It's fine.
What was your top pick? 
Okay. I have to qualify here before I went from my top pick. The first time I had listened through this, or the first time I got down to sit, to listen to this was in a hotel room at about 2:00 AM and I think I just didn't get to bed until another hour and a half afterwards because I only listened to a couple of tracks and they did not leave my brain.
They're 
so good. 
It was, ah. What the, just that initial opening of Come see and I just went, oh my God, this is amazing. Just 
slop these offerings. I'm just like opening you up to a very different world. It's 
so much fun. The production on this is 
very cool, 
immaculate. It is a little bit synth wave.
It's a little bit poppy. It's got. I cannot describe how much fun I had listening through this. Again, music brain took off, so I started listening to the lyrics about a week later. But Quick Hot Pick was Girlfriend. 
Yes, 
because, and again, it took me the entirety of the last two weeks trying to pick. A hot pick.
 
For the pure reason, if I had so much fun with the record, this one sat really grooved, sat really nicely and chilled out after I'd listened through the whole thing once. Coming back to the record again. After listening through it. Then getting to chill down to this was really cool.
The message in its powerful as and it's, I've really love the fact that it will actually hit differently depending on how you're coming to it. But yeah, just sit back and melt into it. That's all I can say. That's the good version. 
And one of the tracks that has a corresponding English and French.
Yes. Yes. 
Yeah, it's stunning being the way the 
vocal work is incredible. Yeah, if you're, I have to say, if you're a fan of Prince 
 
 
if you're a fan of Prince, 85% of these tracks are right up your alley. And they label because music, I had a quick little dig. They rereleased prince's, MPL sound as a limited edition.
Fairly recently. So yeah, they've got that link and a lot of their artists have a similar kind of sound. They've got some Tame Impala on there. Major laser is on because music as well, label outta France. So much fun. Do you have a hot pick? 
 
I do have a hot pick. And just like what you were saying, super hard to just choose one out of the 23 tracks essentially. But you've got the English and French versions. If I had to roll it down, it would be what's her face?
What a 
great title. Okay, I've got a few points here of why this is my favorite. So let me roll them out. I have got one, it's got real bare bones production, which I froth at. It's got this really heavy pulsing bass and absolutely adore bvs that are like uber haunting and ghosty that really support a main vocal one froth at that.
Two, her main vocal line, holy hell, those runs are to die for. And they just are so emotive and they make me sad. They just make me sad, and I feel all the feels, and I fricking love it. 
I love this because it makes me hurt. 
Oh my God, it makes me hurt so much and I'm all for it. Oh my God. I don't know if I'm a sucker for punishment, but I search for songs and albums that have that in it.
It's just, oh, because it, it transports you to a sad memory or time. Like it just, I don't mind visiting those places and being in that and a song like this. Oh, I always think it's songs like this. It's like when you are in your darkest, you'll search for songs like this. Or you're a sucker for punishment like me, and I just wanna revisit a sad moment.
Exactly before you got to your third point. I was really interested in when you're talking about the way, the reason why this one spoke to you, and it sounds a lot like your track casualty. 
Oh, really? Real 
parallels there. Soon as I listened to it, I went, I've heard this before. 
Do you know what that is?
What, but if you go back and listen to 
casualty, 
what a compli Hey wait. Hang on. Wait. Is this a compliment because it sounds like it, or is this to say that I ripped it off? 'cause I know my shape is, oh no, you are. 
I'm not accusing you of plagiarism whatsoever. I realize that now, but no.
This is. It sounds like your sound in that chin. Oh 
wow. What? It's oh, thank you. 
Yeah, it, I can see exactly why it spoke to you. Yeah. And people listening, go and check out these two side by side. Listen to what's her face by Christine and the queens, and then go and put casualty on by the lady who's sitting in a screen in front of me.
You're too kind brother, too kind. Okay, so my third and final thing to say about this it won't be my final, but I read somewhere that she did the final vocals in one bloody take. 
 
Bam. 
There is a lot there. 
There's a lot 
there. There's there. 
One of the write-ups that I read talks about how they wanted to emulate the feeling of crying from the inside.
Yeah. Oh, and really, again, hits that emotive button and I'm all for it. 
Yes. When the creative process is deliberately telling a story, not just being there and recording something, oh, actually, your a hundred percent method of creating this sound is. Part of the storytelling. 
Yes. Yeah. Yeah. There was a couple of quotes that I found and I'd love to read them.
Yeah. One is that no matter what, you eventually become free, empowered, the lingering feeling of once an outsider, always an outsider. Was one of the quotes that I found from Christine and the Queens about this song. Wow. Okay. And another was, it's like a wound that sometimes wakes up bleeds, even when something really small happens a side eye to a feeling of betrayal.
Wow. 
 
 
No wonder why it speaks to me. This is 
All me.
there's just so much in this record that Yeah, if you are listening. Do yourself a favor and listen to this one. It is stunning. Absolutely stunning. 
And read some interviews or read some articles about the record while you're listening to this one.
There is so much detail and depth and consideration in how they created this on top of making it sound fricking amazing. 
That's right. 
There's depth to this one that I've not encountered in a long time.
Well said, brother. Until next time for the next offering, 
I cannot wait.