Podcast Summary: All Of It – "Mei Semones and John Roseboro Perform Live"

Episode Details

• Title: Mei Semones and John Roseboro Perform Live
• Host: Alison Stewart
• Release Date: May 6, 2025
• Duration: Approximately 21 minutes

Introduction In this engaging episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart of WNYC, Brooklyn-based musicians Mai Mai Mae Simonis and John Roseborough grace the studio to discuss their musical journeys, upcoming performances, and the creative processes behind their latest works. The episode offers listeners an intimate look into the blending of genres like bossa nova, jazz, and chamber pop, underscored by personal anecdotes and live musical performances.

Guest Profiles

• Mai Mai Mae Simonis

  • Background: Mai Mai Mae recently released her debut album titled Anamaru. The album is a bilingual project that intricately weaves elements of jazz, chamber pop, and bossa nova, showcasing her versatility and cultural influences.
  • Musical Influences: Introduced to bossa nova during high school through her school's robust jazz program, Mai Mai Mae developed a profound appreciation for classics like "Girl from Ipanema" and "Corcovado," which shaped her musical style [00:29].

• John Roseborough

  • Background: John Roseborough, a former mortician with a unique life story that includes living with the Amish, has carved out a niche with his post bossa nova sound, also referred to as bossa nova lace. His latest album, Fools, released in Fall 2024, features collaborations with various artists, including Mai Mai Mae herself [00:48].
  • Musical Journey: John began playing guitar at thirteen, influenced by his neighbor Vincent Valdez, who introduced him to skateboarding and music. His passion for the guitar grew as a solace during his frequently moving childhood, leading him to continue creating music despite the instability [03:24].

Bossa Nova and Musical Influences

• Mai Mai Mae on Bossa Nova: Mai Mai Mae explains that her love for bossa nova sparked during high school due to her involvement in a strong jazz program. This exposure led her to embrace the genre's smooth rhythms and intricate melodies, which are evident in her album Anamaru [02:21].

  Notable Quote:

  "Every song on this album has both languages, I believe. And so kind of just going with the flow and whatever pops into my head when I'm writing the song." – Mai Mai Mae Simonis [13:38]

• John Roseborough on Post Bossa Nova: Although labeled as post bossa nova, John humbly dismisses the term, humorously describing his music as "second date music" [02:43]. His approach focuses on creating arrangements that allow fellow musicians to shine, fostering a collaborative and organic sound [07:53].

New Albums and Collaborations

• Mai Mai Mae’s Anamaru: Released just a week prior to the episode, Anamaru is a bilingual album blending English and Japanese lyrics. Mai Mai Mae discusses her decision to incorporate both languages organically, allowing each song to flow naturally [13:24]. The album has already garnered positive feedback, with Mai expressing her excitement about sharing her hard-earned work with the world [13:26].

• John Roseborough’s Fools: John's album Fools features collaborations with esteemed artists, including Mai Mai Mae. He emphasizes the importance of creating spaces where collaborators can excel without overshadowing each other, seeking to enhance the overall sound through subtle yet impactful arrangements [07:53].

  Notable Quote:

  "I think I've worked with a lot of great artists and instrumentalists, and I really tried to make arrangements where they could do their best and kind of step out of the way." – John Roseborough [07:53]

Live Performances and Song Clips

• John’s Solo Performance: John performs his song "80 Summers," a reflective piece that delves into themes of love, legacy, and personal introspection. His soulful delivery captivates listeners, highlighting his ability to convey deep emotions through music [04:12 – 07:31].

• Mai Mai Mae’s "Dumb Feeling": Inspired by Nirvana's "Dumb," Mai shares her reinterpretation titled "Dumb Feeling," which transforms the original's contemplative lyrics into a narrative about happiness and self-awareness from a contemporary perspective [09:18 – 12:27].

  Notable Quote:

  "I think Kurt Cobain probably meant it in a different way than I mean it, but kind of like the dumb feeling being a happy feeling." – Mai Mai Mae Simonis [09:43]

• Duet: "Johnny": The duo collaborates on "Johnny," a track from John's album Fools. The harmonious interplay between their voices exemplifies their musical synergy and mutual respect, offering a seamless blend of their distinct styles [16:01 – 20:00].

Upcoming Performance at Music Hall of Williamsburg

Both artists are set to perform together at the Music Hall of Williamsburg, with John heading the show at 8 PM, Mai Mai Mae's band following at 9 PM, and a special joint performance thereafter. The event has sold out, reflecting the growing anticipation and support for their collaborative efforts [15:14 – 15:57].

Audience Engagement and Reflections

• Listener Interactions: Mai Mai Mae shares an unsolicited text from a listener praising her music, highlighting the positive reception and emotional connection her work fosters [20:14].

• Personal Reflections: John expresses a sincere desire to understand what resonates with his audience, showing his dedication to evolving his craft based on listener feedback. Mai Mai Mae complements this by describing his music as "honest" and "warm," likening it to a comforting embrace [14:13 – 14:49].

  Notable Quote:

  "What I love in your music is like how honest it feels and it feels like really warm and comfortable and like, feels like a hug or something." – Mai Mai Mae Simonis [14:31]

Educational Insights and Recommendations

• Introducing Bossa Nova to New Listeners: Mai Mai Mae recommends introducing children to bossa nova through artists like João Gilberto, emphasizing the genre's foundational elements [21:00 – 21:07].

  Notable Quote:

  "I would say João Gilberto." – Mai Mai Mae Simonis [20:46]

  John suggests Luiz Bonfá, another stalwart of bossa nova, though his response is more reserved [21:00 – 21:07].

Conclusion Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to Mai Mai Mae Simonis and John Roseborough for their presence and contributions. She reinforces the anticipation for their upcoming performance, encouraging listeners to support local artists and immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry that All Of It celebrates [21:03 – 21:17].

Final Thoughts This episode of All Of It offers a heartfelt exploration of cultural fusion in music, the importance of artistic collaboration, and the personal stories that fuel creative expression. Mai Mai Mae Simonis and John Roseborough not only showcase their musical talents but also inspire listeners to appreciate the diverse influences that shape contemporary culture.