The Hardest Part

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji is joined in the studio by musician Ora Cogan to explore the intricate journey behind her song "Crickets." Ora shares how the song took shape over an extended period, written across multiple landscapes—including New Mexico, the Pacific Northwest, and Italy—all of which left a deep imprint on its sound and themes.

The conversation delves into the challenge of translating her connection to the natural world into music, as well as the turbulent political climate that influenced her creative process. Ora also reflects on the song’s unconventional time signature and structure, which pushed her beyond her usual songwriting methods.

The episode concludes with a special performance of "Crickets," offering listeners an immersive experience into the song’s haunting and atmospheric world.

Artist: Ora Cogan
Song: "Crickets"
Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker
Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte
Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji is joined in the studio by Amahla to explore the creation of her song "Apathy." The conversation delves into the deeply personal journey behind the track, touching on themes of emotional overwhelm, detachment, and the vices people turn to when life becomes too difficult.

Influenced by folk and gospel music, Amahla shares her process of finding her voice and the guilt that comes with tuning out from the world's problems. She also reflects on the song’s lyrics, the creative blocks she faced during its composition, and the profound impact of artists like Nick Drake and Lauryn Hill on her music.

The episode concludes with a stripped-back performance of "Apathy."

Artist: Amahla

Song: "Apathy"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji sits down with Canty to explore the emotional depth behind his track "hahaha." Canty opens up about the personal struggles he faced during this period, from navigating the challenges of the music industry to dealing with personal health issues.

He shares how these experiences shaped the song, which captures a paradoxical blend of joy and seriousness. The conversation delves into the ways laughter can mask deeper emotions and how music became both a coping mechanism and a source of strength for him. The episode concludes with a special performance of the track.

Artist: Canty

Song: "hahaha"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji sits down with singer-songwriter Molly Payton to explore the journey behind her song "You're On Your Own This Time, Again."

Molly opens up about the deeply personal inspiration for the track, which reflects on her father’s arrest when she was 18. She shares how finishing the song years later became a cathartic process, allowing her to navigate complex emotions and understand its impact on both her relationships and music career.

The conversation offers an intimate look at Molly’s creative process and emotional resilience. The episode concludes with a special performance of this deeply heartfelt track.

Artist: Molly Payton

Song: "You're On Your Own This Time, Again"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London

In this episode of The Hardest Part, host Kieron Banerji sits down with Rosie Lowe to explore the story behind her song "Gratitudes." Rosie recounts the intense and challenging journey of creating the track during a session in Berlin with her collaborator D'Monk.

She shares the frustration of losing the original session due to a power cut and the eventual acceptance that led to creating something entirely new. Reflecting on this experience, Rosie discusses the valuable life lessons it taught her about gratitude and moving forward.

The conversation also delves into her creative process, the significance of morning rituals, and the transformative impact of motherhood on her music. The episode concludes with a stripped-back performance of "Gratitudes," offering listeners a deeper connection to the lyrics and the emotions behind them.

Artist: Rosie Lowe

Song: "Gratitudes"

Host and Producer: Kieron Banerji

Recording Engineer: Max Walker

Creative Team: Callum Baker, Dylan Roberts, and Giovanni Almonte

Recording Studio: The Thin White Duke, London