Podcast Summary: All Of It: Brandee Younger Performs Music From 'Gadabout Season'

Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Alison Stewart (with contributions from producer Luke Green and co-hosts)
Guest: Brandee Younger (harpist, composer, bandleader)
Featured Album: Gadabout Season

Episode Overview

This episode of "All Of It" spotlights harpist, composer, and bandleader Brandee Younger as she shares music from her new album, Gadabout Season. The episode delves into the album’s inspiration, the creative process behind the music, Brandee’s unique experience as the custodian of Alice Coltrane’s legendary harp, and the joy and challenge of making music on the road. Listeners are treated to live performances from Brandee and her trio, and hear candid insights into her artistic journey.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Uncommon Magic of the Harp in Contemporary Music

[00:41] Producer Pick — Luke Green:

• Luke highlights the rarity and specialness of hearing the harp in modern performance, especially live, calling it “such a beautiful instrument that you don’t necessarily get to hear live all the time or even on actual albums.”
• Calls Brandee “one of the best dressed guests” and enjoys her dynamic with Alison Stewart.

2. Inspiration Behind “Gadabout Season”

[06:43] Album Title Origins:

• The album’s title was inspired by a “word of the day” email Brandee received on tour: "gadabout". She recounts, “It was a word of the day email while we were on tour… I emailed it to Rashawn [her bassist], I said, ‘you’re gadabout’.”
• The word stuck with the band and became a playful motif while traveling. Brandee clarifies her intent: “It's really just about making an intentional decision to find some joy… but really putting the work in to find joy. Because sometimes it takes work.” [07:15]

[07:32] Nuanced Meaning:

• While the word can have negative connotations (aimless, frivolous), Brandee emphasizes the positive, “wholesome, fun” interpretation, likening a “gadabout” to a butterfly flitting joyfully from place to place.

3. The Album as Diary — Creative Process

[08:20] Writing Process:

• Brandee explains the album’s conceptual arc: “I was really thinking of it as like a diary entry… I wanted the tracks to actually fall in chronological order. But I got voted out in terms of track order.”
• The creation of the album was a collaborative and intimate experience, with recording sessions taking place upstate and at Brandee’s home. “Rashawn [Carter, bassist/producer] brought his recording rig and recorded everything up there… Ultimately, I left with a lot, actually most of the album.”

4. Making Space for Creativity

[09:11] On Retreat & Rest:

• Brandee values the mental rest she found upstate: “It gave my brain a rest. It gave… space, really mental space, to just… create, literally.”
• She didn’t expect to be so productive but found that the change of pace and scenery led to a surge of creativity.

[10:14] Recording Process Learnings:

• Brandee admits that the slower, more methodical recording approach initially irritated her, but ultimately helped her process emotions: “It was the process of recording and kind of continuing to dig at it... which is what helped me process.” [10:38]

5. The Alice Coltrane Harp: History and Responsibility

[15:21] Becoming Custodian:

• Brandee reflects on her role: “It means I have that harp…” and details her connection with the Coltrane estate, stating, “I'm also on the board of the John and Alice Coltrane home.”
• On using the harp for Gadabout Season: “I feel very lucky to… have such a wonderful relationship with the family and the estate.” [15:40]

[16:04] Channeling Legacy and Developing Her Voice:

• Brandee describes the spiritual connection she feels to the instrument:

  "This time was different because I had my surreal moment with it pre restoration… I really had ample time… to really now sound woo woo. Become one with the instrument and to find my own voice on it."

• She notes how the home recording process gave her time to bond with the harp:

  “So that it got to a point where it’s like I’m playing Alice Coltrane’s harp. I’m playing this incredible instrument. But now I’m sounding like...” [17:10]

6. Home Studio Recording

[17:36] Intimacy and Logistics:

• The album was recorded largely at Brandee’s apartment, a decision inspired by the success of upstate demos.
• Brandee credits Rashawn Carter: “Rashawn did it all by himself… But because we did it at home, we had the time. We weren’t restricted… so we really had ample time to really lay into the music.”

7. The Meaning Behind “BBL”

[18:19] Song Title Playfulness:

• The group jokes about the song “BBL” — initially just a file name.
• Brandee eventually embraces the alternate meaning:

  “Be back later. I like to think of this one as a confrontational conversation. Like when one person… you ever have a convo with someone, and only one person is getting any words in? Okay, that’s what this one is.” [18:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Brandee Younger on finding joy while touring:

  “People only see the finished product of the stage. But we're really just trying to, like, get from point A to point B and maybe take a shower. And it's hard. So it's really just about making an intentional decision to find some joy.” [06:49]

• On the creative process upstate:

  “It gave my brain a rest… space, really mental space, to just… create, literally.” [09:11]

• On her approach to her instrument’s legacy:

  “Become one with the instrument and to find my own voice on it.” [16:22]

• Brandee on recording at home and the value of time:

  "Because we did it at home, we had the time... we really had ample time to really lay into the music." [17:51]

• On “BBL” and its meaning:

  “Be back later… a confrontational conversation… when only one person is getting any words in.” [18:46]

Key Timestamps

• 00:41 — Producer Luke Green on why Brandee Younger’s sessions are memorable.
• 06:22 — Introduction of Brandee Younger's trio and origin of the album title.
• 08:20 — Brandee describes the album as a “diary entry” and details the process.
• 10:36 — The benefits and frustrations of a drawn-out recording process.
• 15:21 — Discussion on becoming the custodian of Alice Coltrane's harp.
• 16:04 — Spiritual connection with the instrument and how it shaped the album’s sound.
• 17:36 — Recording logistics and the decision to turn her apartment into a studio.
• 18:19 — The playful story behind the track “BBL”.

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is warm, joyful, and candid. Brandee’s openness about the joys and struggles of artistry, combined with humorous banter about wardrobe and track titles, makes the episode approachable and insightful. There is a reverence for musical legacy, yet a strong sense of creative individuality.

For more culture, music, and deep-dive interviews, tune in to All Of It with Alison Stewart, weekdays on WNYC.