Current Mood
By Current Mood
Current MoodMay 22, 2020
Preserving Generational Cuisine with Matthew Yee
Matthew Yee is a food scientist and chef and the founder of Queenies, a really cool conceptual traveling culinary pop that takes the comforts of his Chinese and Jewish background to create meaningful connections with people in real-time. We talk about changing the food landscape through food justice and a focus on BIOPOC farmers locally and nationally and the issues that exist on the margins to help us create a more sustainable and equitable food economy. We also reminisce about foods that remind us of family and our attempts to recreate those feelings that surface around food and certain memories.
Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo.
Yee is such a thoughtful chef and creative culinary person. He shares his dreams for Queenies and some of the techniques that find him solitude and quiet in the midst of the hustle of growing a business.
Empathy as a Superpower with Faraz Zaidi
Faraz Zaidi is the founder and creative director of Profound, a luxury streetwear brand. We recorded this episode during Ramadan (April 2023) and I was thinking of holding it until the next Ramadan but I think there are a lot of really interesting concepts we cover that will be valuable for people of all backgrounds.
We reflect really deeply on the benefits of abstaining from many of life's temptations and how the month-long reset fuels so much beauty, introspection, and gratitude for the community.
We discuss Zaidi's superpower which is empathy – he's such a sweet and kind soul who has a creative vision for not only clothing, apparel, home goods, and the world but the way he thinks about things is really unique. We also dig into compartmentalizing life's intricacies, reframing burnout, and what it's like to manage our time and energy in productive ways.
Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn. Produced by Jarell Perry. Artwork by Julian Alexander. Music by Abjo.
Food & Friends with Anna Polonsky
Healing Through Pleasure with Fariha Róisín
Fariha Róisín is a queer Mulsim Bangladeshi multidisciplinary artist, writer, author, poet, astrologer, and consultant based in Los Angeles. Born in Ontario, Canada, and raised in Sydney, Australia, Róisín explores the margins as a thought pioneer through the culture of healing.
Róisín was so vulnerable and open in this conversation. We go super deep into healing money wounds, how our identities are shaped and how they relate to our perceived value and worthiness, and how those things are so integrated into the ways we interact with the constructs of capitalism. We explore the luxury of wellness and who gets to practice wellness and be well, we talk about art, food, weed, pleasure – and its role in healing.
Róisín's best-selling books How To Cure A Ghost, Being In Your Body, Like A Bird and Who Is Wellness For? span poetry and nonfiction exploring delicate relationships with family, self, and the "other." Survival Takes A Wild Imagination is out Fall of 2023.
Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn.
Produced by Jarell Perry.
Artwork by Julian Alexander.
Music by Abjo.
Dreaming Without Limitation with Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma is a 2x founder, mother, public speaker, Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni, former New York City Council council candidate, and entrepreneur in residence at Columbia's Barnard College. Sharma is one of those people who truly cares about community and access and you can feel it when she speaks. We talk about the effects of capitalism on creativity, local politics and how everyone can play a part, why community really matters, changing your narrative through exposure to new things and people, and how trauma plays into your existence–and how to transmute it. Deepti encourages us to dream without limitation and change our views on what is and isn't possible.
Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn.
Produced by Jarell Perry.
Artwork by Julian Alexander.
Music by Abjo.
Building Impact with Mark Brand
Social impact entrepreneur, chef, DJ and food justice advocate Mark Brand, shares his layered journey and implores us to build purpose into the design of a business. He has created over a dozen businesses like a charitable kitchen, a diner, a brewery, a butcher shop – in many cases, made to support those struggling with food insecurity and addiction. We talk about Brand's past life as a DJ and nightlife dweller and how that propelled him to become sober, even after once winning a prestigious bartending award. He educates us on the links between poverty and food deserts which he reframes as food apartheid and we also talk about how removing caffeine, alcohol and sugar changed his life and the realities of facing imposter syndrome.
Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn.
Produced by Jarell Perry.
Artwork by Julian Alexander.
Music by Abjo.
Asking the Question with Marcus J. Moore
Marcus J. Moore shares how he built a career by simply "asking the question," revealing the humanity in music through his writing and thoughtful approach to collaboration. An incredible music journalist, critic, and the author of The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America, Moore graciously shares his nonlinear journey from a city-specific reporter to the imposter syndrome of writing his second book on legendary hip hop group, De La Soul. A contributor at the Washington Post with columns at TIDAL and The New York Times, Moore covers hip hop, jazz, and other niche genres and emerging left-of-center artists. Meandering through the practices and people that have propelled his double-decade career, Moore cleverly drops in soundbites of his favorite songs now available as a playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7gtJMYZrezATY9rU0fjUfd?si=-MPqSDd4RWWH13oWAeqNyw.
Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn.
Produced by Jarell Perry.
Artwork by Julian Alexander.
Music by Abjo.
Romantic Friendships With Joél Leon
Joél Leon joins the show to talk about romantic friendships, identity, polyamory, showing up, expanding binary constructs and making room for context. Leon is a father, author, poet, writer, and creative director at The New York Times. The conversation was special and raw – transparent and honest.
Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn.
Produced by Jarell Perry.
Artwork by Julian Alexander.
Music by Abjo.
Pivoting The Narrative With Natasha Mascarenhas
Natasha Mascarenhas shares her journey as a journalist and the mental mathematics that come along with it. Mascarenhas is an incredible reporter who started writing human interest stories and moved into the business world, niching down to report on early-stage startups and venture capital. She is a reporter at The Information and prior to that–and when we did this interview–she was a Senior Reporter at TechCrunch with a resume that spans Crunchbase, San Francisco Chronicle, USA TODAY and Boston Globe.
Recorded at Spotify Labs in Brooklyn.
Produced by Jarell Perry.
Artwork by Julian Alexander.
Music by Abjo.
Creating Authentic Connections With Mr. Carmack
In this episode of Current Mood I had the honor of dissecting the complicated topic of mental health in the music business with multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and innovative producer Mr. Carmack, who has a deep-rooted love for community. As an advocate for suicide prevention through a simple mantra of "letting people know that they are loved and that they are still part of a greater whole," we get very transparent about the role of self-care for creatives – specifically folx in the music business and the industry at-large. We get to know the real Mr. Carmack, digging into the role of his multi-racial background and upbringing in San Francisco, the evolution of his personal journey coming up on Soundcloud and how he holistically monetized his art over the past decade.
Turning Fear Into Fuel With Jasmine Solano
In this episode, I chat with entrepreneur, DJ, and activist Jasmine Solano about pivoting fear into fuel.
We talk about momentum and redirecting energy towards positive outcomes, the challenges and hidden benefits of transitioning a DJ career online in 2020, and how to recruit the team you want and need around you.
Through the lens of hip hop, we look at the intersections of music, technology, and reclaiming social equity.
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Working Your Competitive Advantage With Allyson Toy
DJ and Artist Relations Manager at Twitch, Allyson Toy (@tigermom.toy), and I dive deep into the intricacies and implications of being a woman in the music business. We talk about reframing gender as a competitive advantage, how to navigate an antiquated music industry, identifying burnout and how to pivot, and the importance of smashing preconceived notions. Throughout this layered conversation, we get the chance to dig into how women internalize traits of toxic masculinity embedded in our hustle porn culture, why identifying as a bruh girl is a plus and we even get a special piano solo from Allyson – who used to be a competitive pianist. She is basically Chopin.
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Finding Your Voice With Sidney Madden
Music journalist Sidney Madden (@sid_madden) from NPR Music and I dive deep into her background in the storytelling industry in this episode. We talk about navigating new spaces and personal boundaries, establishing self-confidence through mantras, managing your mental health in a corporate environment, and moving the ball to the next generation – particularly to women of color. Throughout this layered conversation, I really get the chance to understand Sidney's unique perspective and cultural mark as we speak super transparently about the foundational pieces of journalism, what goes into the production of news, and some of the do's and don'ts of working with journalists.
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Understanding Health Anxiety With First Responder Rachelle Chua
In the first episode of Season 2, I catch up with Rachelle Chua – a Physician's Assistant who has been on the frontlines of COVID in NYC. With a calm demeanor, excellent taste in music, and medical training with some of the best in New York, Rachelle and I talk about the structural side of healthcare during a pandemic and how to deal with anxiety around your health. Rachelle shares her first-hand experiences in the ER in recent months, opens up about some personal tricks for relaxation, and gives important insights on how to relate to your body.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC
Tending To Your Loving Relationships With Steven "Sweatpants" Irby
In this last episode of Season 1 of Current Mood, I had the honor of speaking with New York-based photographer and Co-Creator of Street Dreams Magazine (@streetdreamsmag), Steve "Sweatpants" Irby (@stevesweatpants). As a pioneer of the Instagram street photography movement, complete with his own TED talk, Steve and has traveled the world documenting culture working with brands like Sony, Nike, Bleacher Report, The New York Knicks, and New Balance, and was recently honored by The City Of New York for his contributions in Arts and Culture. We talk about what it takes to turn your passion into your job, why keeping it simple is the best way to operate, and how to have tough conversations in business. We dug deep into family and how to deal with illness, grief, and loss, and what it takes to embrace hard times with loved ones.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC
Finding Your Identity Outside Of Work With Sara Auster
In this episode, sound therapist Sara Auster (@saraauster) and I talk about the harm in catering to categories other people want to put you in. In a landscape of increasingly shifting professions for remote and creative workers, we often associate our identities with our work which negates our immense power as whole human beings. We cover self-inquiry, building connections and stronger bonds through community, and how deep listening can transform our relationships across the board.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC
When Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy With Ashley Outrageous
In this episode, I sat down with digital native Ashley Outrageous to talk about mental health during the era of Instagram. Ashley is a creative consultant, artist manager, and event producer who has been working at the intersection of music and technology since before MySpace was a thing. Her first big digital project was running social media for Kendrick Lamar's Section80 album which was the tipping point for the elevation of her career as a boss. We get to cover some fun stuff in this convo – music marketing during the internet's emergence, working horizontally, and incorporating your friends into your projects, how a simple thank you note can get you new clients, and of course, addressing social anxieties catalyzed by our digital lives.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC
Representation & Access with Sahra Nguyen of Nguyen Coffee Supply
In this episode, I had the honor of speaking to Sahra Nguyen (@oneouncegold), Founder of lifestyle coffee brand Nguyen Coffee Supply (@nguyencoffeesupply). We covered so many important topics like immigration history of Asian Americans (that shit they don’t teach you in school), specifically from a first-generation, female perspective, what it’s like building a business in a new industry, why “hustle porn/culture” is trash and what recognizing the need to slow down looks like.
More on Nguyen Coffee Supply: www.https://nguyencoffeesupply.com/
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC
The Internet and Overconsumption with Shawna-X
In this episode, artist and visual director Shawna-X (@shawnax) and I talk about trusting yourself and your work, the transitional path from 9-5 to full-time artist, motherhood and work – and how we're affected by the amount of content we're constantly overloaded with.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC
Staying Connected To What You Love With Julian Alexander
In this episode, artist, designer, and creative/art director, Julian Alexander (@slanginc) and I talk about the importance of staying connected to what you truly love. With 20 years of experience as an art director in music and culture, Julian shares insights on building a sustainable career around passion, how to protect your work as a digital creative, and how shifting the language around your achievements can propel stronger self-worth.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC
Imposter Syndrome with Bobby Lyle (2 of 2)
In part 2 of episode 4 of Current Mood, I dig into imposter syndrome with a leadership coach and global facilitator Bobby Lyle (@nsightout). Imposter Syndrome is that feeling that you're somehow not good enough or skilled in the thing that you actually are – a story that is often perpetuated or magnified by social media and digital living. We get into some "polarity work" where Bobby shares basic exercises and mental models to incorporate into your self-care toolbox. Throughout the conversation we touch on the creative benefits of curiosity, self-love, and wrap it up with how to end professional or personal relationships with a "clean ending". Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement" Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco) Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc. Recording Location: NYC
Being Intentional with Bobby Lyle (1 of 2)
In this episode, leadership coach and facilitator Bobby Lyle (@nsightout) drops so many gems that you better bring your notebook with. We talk about our relationship to our thoughts, how to see and create an ideal scenario, working with self-doubt, recognizing triggers, and how child-like curiosity can propel creativity.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC
How To Do 'Self-Care' At The Rave With Nigel Rubirosa
In Episode 3 of Current Mood, Nigel (@nastynigel.jpg) and I nerd out on music and he teaches me about the evolution of DJ and rave culture through a NYC lens. We talk about social etiquette in the club, drugs, and bad stuff we did as teenagers. Sorry, mom.
Music: Nigel Rubirosa – "No Watermelon In The Mezcal"
Producer, Editor: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Art Direction: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC
The Art of Collaboration With Jarell Perry And Hollis Wong-Wear
In this episode, I sit down with singer/songwriter Hollis Wong-Wear @wongweezy and singer/songwriter/producer Jarell Perry @stillmindco to talk about how to have productive collaborations in 2019.
The three of us talk about establishing a baseline level of trust as a core tenant of collaboration, how to create intentional collaborations, ways to navigate mental preparation to collaborate with others, creating boundaries within collaboration, and the business side of artistic collaboration.
Music: Abjo (@abjonian) – "The Fifth Movement"
Produced and Edited by: Jarell Perry (@stillmindco)
Artwork: Julian Alexander (@slanginc), Slang Inc.
Recording Location: Los Angeles
Showing Up For Yourself With Anthony Demby
In the first episode of Current Mood, I sat down with Anthony Demby, Co-Founder of Humbleriot to talk about what showing up for yourself looks like. Key concepts we cover in this episode: self-care and why it's actually cool, redefining masculinity, checking your ego, meditation, how slowing down can help you speed up, opening up limited perspectives with new mental models, navigating spaces where you feel you don't belong and connections between mental and physical health.
Music: Anik Khan – "Big Fax"
Produced and Edited by: Jarell Perry
Artwork: Julian Alexander, Slang Inc.
Recording Location: NYC