Tag: Jon Batiste

Electric Lady Studios’ Lee Foster Introduces a New Live EP Series in Partnership With Spotify

July 13, 2021

The legendary Jimi Hendrix founded NYC’s Electric Lady Studios in 1970 as an alternative to the dull, staid recording spaces that came before it. “He felt he needed a more playful environment to encourage creativity—so he built it,” the studio’s General Manager and Partner, Lee Foster, told For the Record. 

Playfulness and creativity are also two cornerstones of Spotify, so our initial partnership between the audio streaming service and Electric Lady Studios—Spotify Singles—was a perfect match. Now, we’re joining forces with the studio once again to announce Live at Electric Lady, a series of EPs featuring high-quality live audio recordings from the studio, distributed exclusively on Spotify.  

The upcoming slate of live EPs will include Jon Batiste, Patti Smith, Japanese Breakfast, Dominic Fike, Faye Webster, Bleachers, Remi Wolf, and Natalie Bergman, with surprise artists to come.  

‘Spotify: For the Record’ Takes a Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Success of Spotify Singles

June 3, 2021

In May, For the Record shared that Spotify Singles collectively hit over 5 billion streams. The premise of the program is simple: We bring an artist into the studio to record a reimagined version of one of their own songs as well as a cover song—an homage to the two-sided 45 record. Spotify Singles has amassed a playlist of more than 650 songs across dozens of genres that features the biggest stars and emerging artists.

To celebrate this monumental milestone, the Spotify: For the Record podcast is taking listeners inside the rooms where those recordings were made for an intimate look at the creative process. In the episode, artists and Spotify employees closely involved with the program share some of the stories behind these successful tracks.

  • Ed Sheeran, English singer-songwriter and the most-followed artist on Spotify, explains the full-circle moment that occurred when cellist Yo-Yo Ma covered his hit song “Shape of You” for Spotify Singles.
  • Jon Batiste, an Oscar-winning American jazz musician, shares his experience recording 2pac‘s “Changes” on the piano.
  • Nina Nesbitt, a Scottish pop singer-songwriter who has participated in two Spotify Singles sessions, explains what it was like to record in legendary spots like London’s Metropolis Studio.  
  • William Garrett, an experienced audio engineer and the Senior Producer for Spotify Singles, shares what it’s like for an artist to reimagine a fresh new take on one of their own classics. He also shares some fun stories about recording with artists like Elton John, Alanis Morissette, and Wilco.
  • Michele Santucci, Recorded Music Lead at Spotify, talks about how the covers allow for a crossover between genres and open up new audiences for the Spotify Singles artists. She also gives a sneak peek of who’s up next for future Spotify Singles recordings. 

Hear these tales and more on “Spotify Singles: The Path to 5 Billion Streams.”

Go Behind the Scenes of Disney and Pixar’s ‘Soul’ with Spotify’s ‘Soul Stories’ Podcast

December 16, 2020

What makes your soul sing? For Joe Gardner, the main character in Disney and Pixar’s new animated movie Soul, nothing is more important than music. But when the music teacher and aspiring jazz musician’s soul is sent to The Great Before, he embarks on an adventure to find his way to Earth and realize his dream. 

Joe isn’t alone: Music is a vital part of many people’s lives—including the cast of Soul. So in Soul Stories, a new Spotify Exclusive podcast, Soul co-director and co-writer Kemp Powers asks the cast, creators, and consultants of the movie to share some stories of inspiration and passion. Tune in for interviews about the moments and mentors who shaped each guest’s passion for music, as well as behind-the-scenes stories about making the film and creating the music and soundtrack. The limited series celebrates all of life’s greatest influences and acknowledges the spark that lives within us all. 

The first three episodes are available now. In episode 1, Soul director Pete Docter and producer Dana Murray discuss their relationship with jazz and the mentors who impacted their careers. In episode 2, catch Soul cast members Angela Bassett, Tina Fey, and Phylicia Rashad open up about the obstacles they overcame on the road to success. In episode 3, Soul star Jamie Foxx reminisces on the mentors and artists who shaped his career. Look out for episodes 4-6, featuring Jon Batiste, Dr. Johnetta Betsch Cole, and composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, debuting December 28. 

In the spirit of Soul Stories, we sat down with podcast host Kemp Powers to ask him about some of his own reflections on music, mentorship, and the upcoming Soul movie. 

What spoke to you about the concept behind your new movie, Soul? 

Both the idea of capturing the psychology of the artist’s journey and getting the chance to tackle the meaning of life . . . in a family film!

What are some pieces of music that have shaped who you are and your journey? 

The pillars of my musical background are hip-hop, dancehall reggae, and jazz. These were the three kinds of music that were always in the background growing up. But the older I got, the more I was exposed to other forms of music that became just as dear to me, including classical, new wave, grunge, and others. 

Why should fans of the Soul movie also listen to the Soul Stories podcast you’re hosting? How will the experience be different? 

You’ll get a chance to learn about why music is such a big part of the lives of so many creatives. And why music is such an influential piece of global culture.

Your guests run the gamut across the arts. Have you noticed a difference in the way that music influences them? If so, how? 

Absolutely! Music impacts different people in different ways. I believe a song has been written for every human emotion. No matter how high or low one feels, there is some song that seems to tell your specific story. That’s why discovering a new song that speaks to your soul, no pun intended, is always a transcendent moment. We can often remember where we were or what we were doing the first time we heard those special tunes. 

Tune in to Soul Stories, available exclusively on Spotify starting today.