In Episode 26 of the Pirate Studios Podcast, we’re joined by Poli van Dam; musician, songwriter, and former member of The Bombpops, for a candid conversation that begins with a Pirate customer service mishap and unfolds into something far more meaningful.

Poli shares her origin story, from piano lessons at five and early dive bar gigs at 13 to growing up in Southern California’s punk and skate scene. She reflects on life after The Bombpops, the challenge of redefining herself as an artist, and what it really takes to sustain a creative career in 2025. We also talk about Warped Tour’s return, her experience hosting the live stream, experimenting with new sounds, and why growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone.

The episode closes with Poli introducing a track from the unreleased Semi-Famous record, a nod to her roots while embracing what comes next.

Hayes Bradley joins us at Pirate Studios Silver Lake to talk about the weird, rewarding reality of scoring film and making music for yourself. We get into his early influences (The Prodigy, Depeche Mode, Aphex Twin-adjacent chaos), how artists like Jon Hopkins helped reframe what “composer world” can look like, and the behind-the-scenes logistics of scoring — schedules, deadlines, feedback from non-musicians, and why collaboration is the whole point (even when it’s painful).

Hayes also opens up about the Palisades fires and what it taught him about letting go of anger, then rounds things out with touring highlights (Chicago forever), plus what he’s releasing next.

In this episode of the Pirate Studios Podcast, we sit down with indie pop artist Aleesha King to talk about DIY creation, van-life recording, and turning existential fear into deeply personal music.

Aleesha shares how she recorded her debut album in a self-built van, why albums still matter in a singles-driven world, and how themes like mental health, perfectionism, and mortality shape her upcoming project January Scaries. We also dive into visual world-building, creative discipline, and what it really means to make work that feels honest.

Featuring music from Aleesha King, including Written in Red. Plus a shout-out to collaborator GRVNT, who appears on an upcoming track.

This week on the Pirate Studios Podcast, Sammi and Flasch sit down with LA-based electro-pop artist Colaine.

From growing up in upstate New York to studying Music Business at Belmont University, Colaine breaks down her songwriting process, the emotional themes behind her debut EP I Don’t Know How to Relax, and why understanding the business side of music matters as much as the art itself.

They talk introspection, self-management, building cinematic music videos with a small crew, and turning big feelings into pop songs — including a deep dive into her track Imagine.

Brooklyn edition 🎙️

Keemie sits down with Staten Island rapper Hue Hef to talk Wu-Tang roots, coming up around real NYC hip-hop, staying relevant without losing the essence, and why independence + creative control matter more than ever.

Follow Hue Hef on IG - https://www.instagram.com/therealhuehef/

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Oddly Shrugs joins us to talk about identity, personal growth, artistry, and building a career in LA’s underground scene. We get into vulnerability, how his sound has evolved, why he alternates between chaos and preparation on stage, and how community fuels his creativity. A thoughtful and emotional conversation with an artist who wears his heart on his sleeve.

Artists mentioned:

• Oddly Shrugs - https://www.instagram.com/oddlyshrugs/
• Tyler (Clearjaw) - https://www.instagram.com/c0uncil0fnine/
• NASCAR Aloe - https://www.instagram.com/heynascaraloe/
• Dirty Butt - https://www.instagram.com/dirtybutt/
• Malice K - https://www.instagram.com/malice._k/
• Slay Squad - https://www.instagram.com/slaysquad/

Feathers (aka Pirate’s own Kate Harmon) joins us for a warm, funny and intimate episode about artistic confidence, writing late at night, and finding her voice as a solo artist after fronting a metal band. We talk about her favourite Pirate moments, the chaos of running studios, the now-infamous “fuzzy mouth” DJ desk moment, and the emotional high of watching a whole crowd wave feathers during her LA County Fair performance. Lots of great artist recommendations and behind-the-scenes Pirate energy in this one.

Mentions:

• QSTV - https://www.instagram.com/officialqstv/?hl=en
• Crying Outcast (Miles) - https://www.instagram.com/cryingoutcast/?hl=en
• Timm (Life & Times Podcast) - https://www.youtube.com/@lyfentymes

In this episode of the Pirate Studios Podcast, we sit down with the bold and magnetic artist Farrah Fawx. From her early beginnings singing in church in Virginia to performing at Coachella, Farrah walks us through her powerful journey in music, creativity, and self-definition.

She opens up about discovering her voice, learning from early industry experiences (including a surreal Rick Ross co-sign), and reclaiming her feminine energy in an industry that often pushes artists to harden. We also dive into her latest project But Did You Die?—an explosive mix of drum and bass, trap, jungle, and raw anthemic energy designed to make you move and manifest.

Whether you're a fan of ass-shaking BPMs, intentional artistry, or independent creative hustle, this episode is not to be missed.