Hongjoong is in the kitchen! Join Anthony and Jonathan as they sit down with ATEEZ leader Hongjoong - the visionary rapper, producer, songwriter, and creative force helping redefine K-pop on the global stage. Hongjoong opens up about his journey from an aspiring artist who famously mailed demo CDs to KQ Entertainment to leading one of the world’s biggest boy groups. He shares stories about producing music, developing ATEEZ’s distinctive sound and identity, balancing creativity with leadership, and performing for sold-out audiences around the world. Along the way, he reflects on his passion for fashion, his love of art and philanthropy, the group’s remarkable rise from a small company to international success, and what continues to inspire him as both an artist and a leader.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro and catch-up time

03:20 - Theme song and the best intro ever

05:00 - Hongjoong’s love for LA

07:00 - Early life and music beginnings

13:15 - How did Hongjoong become the captain

18:30 - Pressures of being captain

20:30 - Songwriting/production process

26:30 - What inspires Hongjoong

28:30 - Fashion inspiration and collections

32:30 - “BAD” and GOLDEN HOUR: PART.5

35:00 - Love for ATINY

39:00 - Signing off

Stream GOLDEN HOUR: PART.5 now!

Socials: Follow the hosts and stay connected!

@AnthonyGargiula

@JonathanTilkin

@no1likeme8_8

@ateez_official_

Listen and Watch: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod⁠⁠

The Team:

Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Calum Scott is in the kitchen! Join Jonathan and Anthony as they sit down with the chart-topping British singer-songwriter whose soaring vocals and deeply emotional storytelling have made him a global favorite. Calum reflects on his journey from working a regular job in England and auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent to building an international career with massive hits like “Dancing On My Own,” “You Are The Reason,” and “Where Are You Now.” He opens up about the vulnerability behind his music, the pressure and gratitude that came with success, and how embracing honesty in both his songwriting and personal life transformed the way he connects with audiences around the world. Along the way, Calum shares stories from life on tour, collaborating with artists across genres, and finding balance between ambition, heartbreak, and joy while continuing to create music that feels timeless, intimate, and universally human.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro and Catch-up Time

05:00 - Theme song and The Best Intro Ever

07:00 - X Factor and Maroon 5 Cover Band

11:30 - The Push That Changed His Life

14:30 - Britain’s Got Talent Experience

16:45 - Finding His Footing Post-BGT

19:45 - Fighting to Release “You Are The Reason”

22:30 - Showing Up for Fans

24:45 - Christina Perri’s “Wedding Band” Dream

25:45 - Singing at Joe Jonas’ Wedding & More

28:15 - The Avenoir tour

37:30 - Who Calum Would Prank Call

38:45 - Calum’s EDM Side

42:00 - Spotify Billions Club

45:00 - Opening for Ed Sheeran

50:30 - What’s Next

54:00 - Signing off!

Catch Calum’s “Avenoir” Tour! Tickets available at Calumscott.com/Tour

Socials: Follow the hosts and stay connected!

@AnthonyGargiula

@JonathanTilkin

@CalumScott

Listen and Watch: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod⁠⁠

The Team:

Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Faouzia is here! Join Anthony and Jonathan as they sit down with the extraordinary Moroccan-Canadian artist Faouzia — a powerhouse vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter whose journey spans from posting covers on YouTube as a teenager to collaborating with global stars like David Guetta and John Legend. Faouzia opens up about growing up in rural Manitoba, learning piano, violin, and guitar, and channeling her multicultural identity into her music, which blends pop, R&B, and cinematic intensity. She walks us through the breakthrough moments of her career — from getting signed to her first record deal and crafting emotive anthems like “Minefields” to working with Kelly Clarkson, competing on Singer and her putting out her ambitious debut album FILM NOIR — and shares the joys, challenges, and lessons of carving out a space that’s 100% her own in the industry.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro and catch-up time

06:45 - Theme song and the best intro ever

08:30- Embarrassing singing stories

10:30 - Faouzia’s early days

16:30 - Career beginnings

20:00 - Vocal training and influences

23:30 - Songs/projects that changed her life

26:00 - Working with Kelly Clarkson

31:30 - Competing on Singer in China

38:00 - Writing and creating FILM NOIR

48:50 - Signing off!

Stream Faouzia's new album, "FILM NOIR", now!

Socials: Follow the hosts and stay connected!

@AnthonyGargiula

@JonathanTILKIN

@Faouzia

Listen and Watch: https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod⁠

The Team:

Exectuive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

In this episode, Anthony and Jonathan sit down with the unbelievably talented Halle Bailey—one half of the five-time GRAMMY-nominated duo Chloe x Halle, a Disney princess, and now a solo artist in her own right. Halle walks us through everything from being discovered by Beyoncé and growing up making music with her sister, to taking on the role of Ariel in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, and pouring her heart into her debut album, Love?... Or Something Like It. She opens up about the pressure, the joy, the unexpected lessons along the way, and what it feels like to put something that’s 100% her own out into the world. It’s honest, inspiring, and full of those “wait—how is she this grounded??” moments.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro and catch-up time

06:30 - Theme song and the best intro ever

08:00 - Jodi Benson and Halle’s relationship The Little Mermaid

10:00 - Advice to young artists

11:00 - YouTube origins

12:15 - Beyoncé’s mentorship and advice

14:00 - Halle’s relationship with social media

16:30 - Disney + The Little Mermaid chat

19:30 - Debut album! (Love? … Or Something like It)

20:30 - Collaborating with Chloe

22:00 - Album title meaning

23:00 - “Bite Your Lip”

24:00 - Inspiration behind the album

25:00 - Nerves around putting out “Alone”

25:45 - Halle’s relationship with H.E.R.

28:00 - Halle’s involvement with writing/producing

29:30 - Signing off!

Stream Halle’s new album, “Love? … Or Something Like It”, now!

Follow her @hallebailey

Socials: Follow the hosts and stay connected!

@AnthonyGargiula

@JonathanTilkin

@CounterMelodiesPod

Listen and Watch: https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod

The Team:

Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Jodi Benson (aka the voice of Ariel from The Little Mermaid) joins us in the kitchen today to celebrate Disney’s World Princess Week! From her early days on Broadway in Smile and Crazy For You to her iconic voice work in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and the Toy Story franchise - that’s right, she voiced the one-and-only Barbie - Jodi takes on a journey under the sea to explore all her favorite Disney memories. Stick around for an exciting conversation on her legacy, the importance of Disney Princesses, Broadway, and even some heart-wrenching stories of the late Howard Ashman and how Jodi is determined to keep his memory alive.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 – Introduction

1:45 - Jodi Benson is here

3:00 - Performing origins

8:30 - Early broadway days

12:00 - Auditioning for “The Little Mermaid”

16:30 - Finding Ariel’s voice

17:30 – Being coached by Howard Ashman

18:30 - “Part of Your World” controversy

21:30 - Creating Ariel and The Little Mermaid

23:30 - Working with Howard Ashman and Alan Menken

25:00 - Howard Ashman’s passing and legacy

31:30 - ”The Little Mermaid” live-action

33:30 - Jodi and Hallee’s relationship

35:00 – Jodi at the live-action premiere

36:00 - How “The Little Mermaid” continues to live on

41:00 - Favorite “Part of Your World” performances

45:00 - Performing with her daughter

47:00 – Voicing “Barbie” and other iconic voices

49:00 - World Princess Week

52:00 - Game time!

56:00 - Final thoughts and goodbyes

Follow Jodi Benson:

Instagram: @jodibenson

TikTok: @jodi.benson

Follow the hosts:

@AnthonyGargiula

@Jonathantilkin

@CounterMelodiesShow

Listen and Watch:

https://pods.to/countermelodies

Credits:

Executive Producer / Showrunner / Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renée Colvert

Kyle Gordon has arrived! From viral alter egos like DJ Crazy Times to his genre-bending comedy albums Kyle Gordon Is Great and Kyle Gordon Is Wonderful, Kyle takes us behind the wigs, accents, and absolute chaos to reveal the real artistry behind parody. We dive into the wild ride of going viral, crafting characters that stick, and what it really takes to write music that’s both hilarious and genuinely good. It’s a laugh-out-loud, unexpectedly heartfelt journey through comedy, creativity, and the beautiful absurdity of the internet.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00 - Intro & Catch Up

4:20 - Welcome Kody Redwing!

8:00 - Kody’s Childhood and family

10:30 - Kody’s American Idol Experience

13:00 - Comparisons to other “millennial” bands

15:00 - Career Choices and their impact on family

17:00 - Favorite versions of “Hallelujah”

18:30 - What’s Next for Kyle

20:00 - “Married in a Year in The Suburbs” collab

22:10 - Welcome Kyle Gordon!

23:00 - A Cappella Roots

25:00 - Wardrobe Malfunction

26:30 - Transitioning into Musical-Comedy

27:45 - Music Background

29:00 - Tiktok Beginnings

33:00 - Kid Who’s No Fun

36:00 - Brendan Abernathy Collab

38:30 - Patterns of “Hate” on the Internet

43:30 - DJ Crazy Times Controversy

46:30 - Performing with the Jonas Brothers

50:45 - Running into Joe Jonas in NYC

53:00 - Jonathan and Paul McCartney

54:30 - Kyle’s new album!

1:00:20 - Game time!

Follow Kyle Gordon:

Listen to Kyle Gordon is Wonderful everywhere.

Follow @kylegordonisgreat on social for all the sparkle.

Follow the Hosts:

@AnthonyGargiula

@ JonathanTilkin

@CounterMelodiesPod

Listen and Watch:

⁠https://pods.to/countermelodies⁠

Credits:

Executive Producer / Showrunner / Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renée Colvert

Everybody welcome Dara Reneé! From her breakout role on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series to Descendants: The Rise of Red, Dara opens up about growing up on set, navigating mental health, and the journey to owning her power. It’s a hilarious, emotional, inspiring ride through Broadway dreams, Disney magic, and the deep inner work it takes to truly love yourself.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Intro and catch up!

04:00- Dara’s here!

05:00 – Being homeschooled, raised by a single mom, and growing up backstage. Dara shares her early years of performing (and Beyoncé karaoke)

8:30 - Early Broadway auditions

10:15 – Auditioning for HSMTMTS with no agent, no reel, and no clue she was about to book her breakout role

19:30 - One year later: Freaky Friday reboot and still no HSMTMTS

20:45 - Working on “Black-ish”

25:00 – Origins of HSMTMTS and auditioning for every role except Courtney

27:45 - Callbacks with Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, and Sofia Wylie and booking the show!

31:30 - Dara’s relationship with Olivia Rodrigo

32:30 - Kylie Cantrall and wanting to be the best big sister in the business

34:00 - OG High School musical lore

36:30 - Overcoming anxiety both in real life and on-screen

39:00 - Dara’s actual mom playing her mom on TV

40:30 - How HSMTMTS evolved over the 4 seasons

43:30 - Working on Descendants: The Rise of Red

45:00 - The infamous Josh Colley fire alarm story

48:30 - Favorite moments from Descendants

52:00 - Dara’s acting process

53:00 - Upcoming Descendants/Zombies tour!

58:00 - Game time: blind ranking disney channel theme songs!

Follow Dara Reneé:

Watch Descendants: The Rise of Red and stream her music everywhere.

Follow @dararenee on social for all the sparkle.

Follow the Hosts:

@AnthonyGargiula

@ JonathanTilkin

@CounterMelodiesPod

Listen and Watch:

https://pods.to/countermelodies

Credits:

Executive Producer / Showrunner / Editor: Louis Gargiula

Consulting Producer: Renée Colvert

He’s here! Kevin Olusola of Pentatonix is in the kitchen! From beatboxing in a dorm shower to winning three GRAMMYs with Pentatonix, Kevin shares his incredible journey of combining cello and beatboxing into a genre-bending career. He opens up about immigrant expectations, viral YouTube beginnings, how Yo-Yo Ma changed his life, and presenting Ed Sheeran with his Grammy-Award alongside Stevie Wonder. Plus, Kevin gives an exclusive peek into his upcoming solo album Dawn of a Misfit and competes in Anthony and Jonathan’s ultimate beatboxing challenge.

Episode Breakdown:

• 00:00 – Episode Trailer

• 01:00 – Listener shoutouts! The hosts read glowing reviews from fans and reveal their Uber rating drama.

• 05:00 – Welcome Kevin Olusola! The best intro ever (with a “crash out” pun), and Kevin returns the love.

• 07:00 – Wikipedia connections. Kevin and Jonathan realize their paths crossed years ago at Quincy Jones’s office, and Jacob Collier’s wiki page gets a name-drop.

• 09:00 – Musical beginnings. Piano at 4, cello at 6, saxophone at 10—and Carnegie Hall by college.

• 11:00 – Discovering perfect pitch. Kevin plays “House of the Rising Sun” by ear at age 3, and his dad takes notice.

• 13:00 – The birth of cello boxing. It all started with a Mandarin-speaking professor in Beijing.

• 15:30 – The beatboxing origin story. From annoying his dad to an acapella discovery in a shared dorm shower.

• 17:00 – The immigrant dilemma. Kevin explains how cultural expectations almost kept him from a music career.

• 18:00 – Grammy joke of the year. After performing with Stevie Wonder, Kevin’s dad hits him with a savage comment.

• 19:30 – YouTube beginnings. Kevin starts posting videos after getting support from Yo-Yo Ma and KRS-One.

• 24:00 – Going viral with “Julie-O.” A year of perfecting one video leads to his Pentatonix discovery moment.

• 25:30 – The Pentatonix call. Kevin gets a mysterious audition request... from Ben Bram and Scott Hoying.

• 27:00 – The first rehearsal. Kevin meets the group, hits Roscoe’s, and sings “Telephone” for the first time.

• 30:00 – Sing-Off champions, then dropped. The band wins big—only to be dropped by their label days later.

• 31:00 – The YouTube strategy. Their manager pushes them to go all-in on YouTube—and he was right.

• 32:45 – The Christmas pivot. “Little Drummer Boy” saves the day and leads to their RCA deal.

• 34:00 – Collab favorites. Kevin names his favorite collaborators (Tori Kelly, Kelly Clarkson, Stevie Wonder) and shares why Tori’s vocals are impossible to comp.

• 37:30 – The Stevie Wonder moment. Stevie hits a note so perfectly, Kevin literally stops singing.

• 39:30 – Behind-the-scenes magic. Kevin talks about rehearsing with Matt Sallee and how their friendship powers the rhythm section.

• **41:30 – Dawn of a Misfit. **Kevin opens up about his solo debut, what “misfit” means to him, and the intention behind the project.

• 43:30 – His version of “Crazy.” Kevin breaks down his cinematic Gnarls Barkley cover and the emotional storytelling behind it.

• 45:00 – Miss Rachel! The inside story on how Kevin landed a spot on Songs for Littles—and why it’s his daughter’s favorite credit.

• 47:15 – Game time: Beatbox the Clock. Can Kevin recreate famous beats in under 10 seconds? From “Billie Jean” to “Shake It Off,” he brings the heat.

• 53:00 – Anthony’s theme park beatbox fail. A very questionable “Crazy in Love” moment from Orlando.

• 55:00 – Bonus beatbox tips. Kevin teaches the inward K-snare and reveals how he breathes through performances.

• 56:00 – Final plug: Dawn of a Misfit. Kevin shares his hopes for the record and where to find it.

Follow Kevin’s Journey:

Pre-save Dawn of a Misfit (out May 9) and follow Kevin at @kolusola on all platforms.

Socials:

@AnthonyGargiula

@JonathanTilkin

@CounterMelodiesPod