Podcast Summary: All Of It – Jordan Rakei Performs Live from ‘The Loop’

Date: June 18, 2024
Host: Kusha Navadar (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Jordan Rakei
Episode Theme: A deep exploration of creative vulnerability, personal growth, and live performance, as musician Jordan Rakei shares songs and insights from his new album The Loop.

Overview

This episode of All Of It features Jordan Rakei, the acclaimed musician, in-studio for an intimate conversation and live performances from his latest album, The Loop. Host Kusha Navadar guides a multifaceted discussion covering Rakei’s creative process, themes of parenthood and vulnerability, the value of imperfection, and music’s place in broader cultural moments. The episode includes three live tracks (“Learning,” “Flowers,” and “Trust”) and delves into how Rakei's family life and candid creativity shape his artistic vision.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Parenthood and Creative Inspiration

[03:22 – 09:25]

• “Learning”: Rakei opens by performing “Learning,” a song framed as a reflection on parenthood—imparting wisdom, but also self-educating to be a positive reflection for his child.

• Rakei shares his internal conflict as a parent: balancing honesty about the world’s hardships with preserving childlike curiosity for his son.

• Quote [07:25]:

  “There’s a lot of people that… refuse to have kids or feel guilty about bringing children into the world. I need to educate myself, so I can be a reflection of the world to my child and try and teach him in the best way possible.”
  (Jordan Rakei)

• He discusses how the birth of his child inspired him to discard self-judgment in the studio, instead reconnecting with playful, “inner child” creativity.

• Quote [08:54]:

  “…He was a massive influence in sense of me playing… exploring territories with no judgement… I just wanted to go into the studio and explore like that child, the inner child, I guess.”
  (Jordan Rakei)

2. The Joy, Discipline, and Playfulness of Creation

[09:25 – 11:04]

• Rakei describes the making of the album track “Trust” as rooted in childlike jamming and laughter—choosing feeling over analytical perfection.

• He reflects that being a new parent made him far more efficient: quickly writing during short baby naps, learning to prioritize and create efficiently.

3. Family & Relationship Reflections

[10:51 – 14:24]

• “Flowers”: The second live performance, dedicated to Rakei’s wife and the transformative experience of seeing her become a mother.
• The song and its introduction highlight love, time, and partnership as central to this chapter in his life.

4. Artistic Vulnerability and Public Release

[15:21 – 16:32]

• Rakei reflects on the bittersweet transition of his work from private creation to public ownership on release day.

• He expresses pride in The Loop, noting that typically, artists move on quickly but he remains deeply attached to this “journal”-like album.

• Quote [15:21]:

  "On release day… there is a feeling that changes… you lose ownership of it… it becomes like the world's album."
  (Jordan Rakei)

• Moving stories from listeners—often parents themselves—sharing deeply personal life moments soundtracked by his music affirm the value of vulnerability and openness.

5. Naming ‘The Loop’ and Parallels to Naming a Child

[17:32 – 18:25]

• Rakei reveals that naming both his son (Jude) and his album was a “hardest decision” period, both symbolizing enduring legacies.

• Quote [17:39]:

  “The name for The Loop… about the cycle of life, really. We're all just children, we potentially have children… and we're just part of this big rolling reveal.”
  (Jordan Rakei)

6. Live vs. Studio and Improvisational Freedom

[18:25 – 19:23]

• The album’s live feel is intentional; most tracks were recorded with the full band, emphasizing musical openness and nightly improvisation on tour.
• Rakei is excited to let each live performance evolve, rekindling the “childlike” improvisational spirit.

7. Openness as a Life Practice

[19:07 – 19:49]

• Rakei discusses how emotional openness—once challenging for him—has been transformative personally, within his family, and musically. It’s a central ethos for this album and tour.

• Quote [19:23]:

  “When you [open up], the world [opens] up as well. So I’m trying to get that into my music and, like, spread the good vibes.”
  (Jordan Rakei)

8. Film Scores and Sonic Inspiration

[19:49 – 20:56]

• Rakei names Under the Skin as a favorite film score, praising its “haunting, non-traditional” string arrangements by Mika Levi as influencing the album’s sonic direction.
• Imagines the challenge of scoring a comedy with haunting music.

9. Technology, Imperfection, and the Human Touch

[21:26 – 24:29]

• Discusses embracing imperfections in both recording and performance—leaving in “mistakes” to maintain humanity and realness.

• Rakei uses vintage studio tech to avoid excessive polish, ensuring listeners “feel like we're humans playing.”

• He expresses both interest and apprehension toward AI in music, never having used it himself but seeing others collaborate with it for soundscapes.

• Quote [21:58]:

  “…We were really embracing actually the imperfection side of things to try and keep that human spirit alive… I'm worried… what people really connect with in music… is hearing the human side of it.”
  (Jordan Rakei)

10. Teaching Children About Imperfection and Joy

[24:18 – 24:47]

• Rakei ties imperfection back to parenthood: encourages his son’s musical play without correction, modeling openness, exploration, and acceptance of “mistakes” as part of learning and growth.

Live Performances & Timestamps

• “Learning”
  [03:22 – 07:05]
  A reflective, piano-driven piece about teaching and being taught through parenthood.

• “Flowers”
  [11:04 – 14:24]
  An emotive song inspired by Rakei’s wife and their journey into parenthood together.

• “Trust”
  [25:10 – 28:26]
  The album’s most playful and improvisational song, capturing the childlike spirit and authentic musical connection.

Notable Quotes

• On the creative transformation of parenthood:

  “I used to write in that little 30 minute nap that he would have in the middle of the day. I'd put him down and quickly run over to my piano and try and write a chorus.”
  (Jordan Rakei, 10:19)

• On vulnerability:

  “The more vulnerable I've been later in my career, especially on this album, I actually feel more empowered… I love talking about my child or my own childhood… it’s a superpower to be able to connect with people like that.”
  (Jordan Rakei, 16:59)

• On musical imperfections:

  “Everyone in the room… whenever we heard a mistake, actually, we were sort of like, oh, that’s a nice human moment. Let’s keep that.”
  (Jordan Rakei, 23:41)

Standout Moments & Memorable Themes

• Jordan’s first return to NYC and WNYC in over five years [02:25 – 02:54]
• The deep honesty about the struggles and anxieties of parenthood—and the universal resonance those stories receive from audiences.
• The recurring motif of openness: emotional, artistic, communal.
• The embrace of imperfection, both in life and art, as a core value—and as a bridge between artist and audience.
• Distinct thread between Rakei’s personal growth (as a parent, partner, artist) and his music’s evolution, as heard live.

Conclusion

This All Of It episode provides a moving, musically rich look at the intersections of artistry, vulnerability, and family. Jordan Rakei’s live performances are both technically impressive and emotionally resonant, dovetailing with thoughtful conversation about how life’s cycles, challenges, and openness shape both music and meaning—for artist and listener alike.