The Pirate Studios Podcast
Season 1
V!
Initial Rhi
Juliana Beltran
Poli van Dam
Hayes Bradley
Aleesha King
Colaine
Hue Hef
Oddly Shrugs
Feathers
1 of 3
by Pirate.com
On this episode of the Pirate Studios Podcast, we’re joined by Vi Diep, a genre-fluid DJ originally from San Diego, now based in Santa Ana. Vi talks about moving to New York at 18, falling in love with the city’s music scene, and how that experience helped shape her creative identity. Rooted in electronic music, her sets move through house, UK garage, bass, trap and beyond, with a focus on keeping crowds surprised and fully locked in. We also get into her Vietnamese American upbringing, learning to say no to the wrong opportunities, the pressure of building a visible brand as a DJ, and why social media now feels like part of the job. Plus, Vi talks about opening for YDG at Nova in San Diego, playing Academy in Hollywood, her dream of playing EDC, and the recent moments that have made her feel like things are really starting to click.
In this episode of the Pirate Studios Podcast, we sit down with Initial Rhi to unpack the journey behind the artist — from early influences to carving out a distinct identity in a crowded and fast-moving scene. Rhi shares how music first became part of their world and the key moments that pushed them from interest into intent. We get into the realities of building a creative career today — what’s harder than it looks, what’s changing, and what it actually takes to stay consistent and authentic. The conversation also explores the internal side of the journey: what Rhi is currently unlearning, the pressures that come with growth, and the moments that don’t always get shared publicly but shape everything behind the scenes. We also touch on recent highs, creative breakthroughs, and the artists and collaborators catching Rhi’s attention right now, before closing out with thoughts on Pirate Studios — what’s working, and what could be better. A thoughtful, honest conversation with an artist very much in the process of becoming.
In this episode of the Pirate Studios Podcast, we sit down with Juliana Beltran to talk about the journey from early musical instincts to fully committing to songwriting and performance. Juliana shares how growing up immersed in music led her from experimenting with different instruments to becoming obsessed with writing her own songs. Inspired by artists like Taylor Swift, she talks about the moment it clicked that creating music could be something she pursued seriously, not just something she enjoyed. We get into her creative process, her relationship with piano and guitar, and how she’s shaped her identity as an artist over time. The conversation also touches on live performance, building confidence, and what it takes to stay consistent while developing your sound. To close, Juliana introduces her upcoming single Delusional, a country-leaning cinematic pop ballad dropping April 16th, giving listeners a first look at what’s next.
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/ Tap in.
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