Lo-Fi Meets Folk Life

Summary

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The Nightly – Lo-Fi Meets Folk Life

Podcast: The Nightly
Host: Hatch Podcasts (Mat)
Guest: Sophia
Date: January 18, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of The Nightly is a cozy, meandering conversation between Mat and Sophia. Designed as a “Sunday Pub Chat,” the aim is to help listeners unwind before bed through relaxed banter, personal stories, and gentle humor. Tonight’s themes seamlessly blend everyday domesticity (like fridge magnets and meaningful knick-knacks) with reflections on art, folk festivals, and the universal appeal of lo-fi music—anchoring it all in cozy, late-night calm.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Pocket Surprises & Sentimental Trinkets

• Finding Old Receipts (00:52–04:22):

  • Mat describes putting on an old orange smock and rediscovering a receipt from Prague.
  • The receipt sparks a guessing game—turns out he bought a wooden “Little Mole” keychain, a nod to a beloved Czech cartoon character.
  • Quote:
    • “It’s a keychain and it’s wooden and it’s of the Little Mole.” – Mat [03:12]

• Trinket and Magnet Talk:

  • Both Mat and Sophia share how their fridges have become shrines for travel mementos and postcard art.
  • Sophia mentions receiving a shipment of small prints to add to her collection.

The Hunt for Meaningful, Local Art

• Finding Artists & Supporting Local (05:15–06:11):

  • Sophia talks about discovering a favorite visual artist through a friend and expresses frustration with how hard it is to find unique art by small creators.
  • Both discuss how most great finds are accidental—thanks to recommendations or social media.
  • Quote:
    • “There needs to be a way for me to be connected with you guys.” – Sophia [06:07]

• Connecting (and Not Connecting) with Art (06:11–09:02):

  • Mat admits he’s rarely felt spoken to by famous art, but occasionally stumbles onto pieces (often local or contemporary) that resonate.
  • Sophia shares an affinity for ceramic art, quilted work, and all things crafty—especially pieces by friends or smaller artists.

Everyday Folk Aesthetics and Experiences

• Folk Art & Festivals (09:39–10:56):

  • Discussion turns toward folk music, festivals, patchwork smocks, and tankards—Mat shares he’s booked to perform at a local folk festival this year.
  • Both romanticize the festival atmosphere and how such gatherings invite expressive, individualized dressing.

• Renaissance Fairs & Cosplay (10:29–11:39):

  • They muse about attending Renaissance festivals, where everyone dresses up and improvises roles together.
  • Quote:
    • “That’s the weird thing, isn’t it? You would feel like the idiot if you turned up in jeans and not like a tunic.” – Mat [11:19]

Art, Lo-Fi Music, and Creating a Mood

• Discovering an Inspiring Artist (11:39–12:13):

  • Mat finally recalls the name of a calming, 80s-tinged visual artist: Hiroshi Nagai.
  • Both agree his art’s blocky, retro feel pairs perfectly with lo-fi music aesthetics.

• Lo-Fi Girl & Ambient Soundscape Chat (12:08–13:51):

  • Conversation shifts to the iconic “lo-fi girl” on YouTube, whose looped visuals match the mood for studying or winding down.
  • Mat notes that lo-fi music dominates his Spotify Wrapped, much to his regret.
  • Quotes:
    • “There’s something about that and lo fi music really gets me. Like 80s lo fi music.” – Mat [12:08]
    • “They really did something with that, with the lo fi girl.” – Sophia [12:43]

Winding Down: Upcoming Plans & The Joy (and Challenge) of Group Travel

• Upcoming Shows and Travel (14:04–15:22):
  • Sophia’s hosting a show and prepping for an uncommon family vacation; Mat notes how rare family trips have become for him.
  • They discuss how hard it is to coordinate big friend group trips, joking about last-minute cancellations.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sentimental Value:
  “It’s a nice little surprise reminder.” – Mat, on finding an old receipt in his jacket [01:45]

• On Discovering Small-Scale Art:
  “There needs to be a way for me to be connected with you guys.” – Sophia [06:07]

• On Art Museums:
  “How long do I have to stand here for before I don’t feel thick anymore and can move on?” – Mat [08:17]

• On Renaissance Fairs:
  “You would feel like the idiot if you turned up in jeans and not like a tunic.” – Mat [11:19]

• On Lo-fi Girl’s Success:
  “They really did something with that, with the lo fi girl.” – Sophia [12:43]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:52] – The “orange smock” and finding a Prague memento
• [03:12] – The discovery: Little Mole keychain
• [05:15] – Sophia starts discussing her quest for local art
• [06:07] – The struggle to connect with small artists
• [08:17] – Mat’s take on intimidating art museums
• [09:48] – Folk festivals and upcoming performance
• [10:29] – Renaissance fairs and communal cosplay
• [11:48] – Mat finally recalls the artist Hiroshi Nagai
• [12:08] – Lo-fi music and visual ambiance
• [12:43] – Homage to the “lo-fi girl” phenomenon
• [13:03] – Spotify Wrapped, ruined by lo-fi loops
• [14:04] – Sophia’s upcoming show and family vacation

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Tone & Atmosphere

The episode is playful, meandering, and gentle—full of laughter, exclamations, tangents, and relatable self-deprecation. Mat and Sophia’s dynamic is friendly and authentic, melding British and American sensibilities with warmth. The language is casual and sprinkled with light banter and honest confessions, all fostering a deeply relaxing late-night mood.

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For New Listeners

This episode perfectly embodies what The Nightly promises: a friendly, comforting distraction from the noise of the day, full of personal anecdotes and pop culture references that offer gentle company for anyone winding down before bed.

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Transcript

[A]

Hello. You're about to drift into an episode of the Nightly, a podcast designed to help you unwind and relax. For the full phone free immersive light experience, visit Hatch Co. Enjoy. All right, I'm Mat and welcome to the Nightly. This is the Sunday Pub Chat and I'm joined by Sophia. How's it going, Sofia?

[B]

I'm feeling cozy. What's new with you? How's it going on your end?

[A]

It's all good. Yeah. I had something very exciting happen this evening, actually.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

In fact, the jacket that I've got on now, which, for the benefit of the listener, is a. What sort of orange would you say that is? I feel like it's the kind of thing you'd wear if you got booted off a cruise ship and left in the middle of the sea.

[B]

Yeah, it is kind of giving a scientist on walking around Antarctica to me. Does that help anyone?

[A]

Do you know what? I quite like that.

[B]

Yeah. It's kind of a true orange color. As in the color of the fruit, even, I would say.

[A]

Yeah, I think that's fair. It's a very pure orange smock. And I'd not worn this for pretty much if I could tell you exactly when I last wore it. It was September last year.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And I found in the pocket a receipt. And I always. I love doing that. It's just a nice little.

[B]

Tells you what you did.

[A]

It's a nice little surprise reminder.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it's from a shop called Local Artists Se.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Karlova Praha, which is Prague.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Would you like to guess what I bought? I'll tell you what the words on the receipt are.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

See if you can guess what it was.

[B]

Local Artist.

[A]

So the shop is Local Artists in Prague. And the item was Klissenka Mini Jesic. And it cost me 125 Czech krona or Czech Crown. It's a handmade item. Yeah.

[B]

Okay. A scarf. Did you buy the jacket?

[A]

Does it look handmade?

[B]

It could be handmade if the person was extremely talented.

[A]

It's not the jacket.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I mean, I could put you out your misery and I'll tell you what, you can have one more guess. I'll tell you what.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

It's a key ring.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

Can you guess what the keyring is, though?

[B]

Wait, a keyring? Like a. Just ring to put your keys on.

[A]

But a novelty one. Oh.

[B]

Oh, okay. A keychain.

[A]

Yeah, a keychain. Sorry. Yeah.

[B]

So. No, no, no. It's amazing when we figure out our cultural differences. Was it a Prague one?

[A]

It does have Links to Prague.

[B]

I don't know. You have to tell me what it was.

[A]

It's a keychain and it's wooden and it's of the Little Mole.

[B]

Oh, who's the little mole? I don't know if I'm familiar with the Little Mole.

[A]

It's. The Little Mole is a series of cartoons as well as the name of their title character, created by a Czech animator between 1957 and 2002.

[B]

Okay. I'm looking at the little mole now, and he's quite cute.

[A]

It's quite a cute little mole, that is.

[B]

Do you still have the. Your little keychain?

[A]

I do. It's on my fridge. Yeah.

[B]

Oh, okay. It's a magnet. Hang on.

[A]

Is it? Oh, maybe it is a magnet. I don't know whether it's. It's either a magnet or I've hooked it onto something on the fridge.

[B]

Maybe it's part magnet. Maybe. Okay. That's cute. Wait, I like that.

[A]

Yeah, it's really a nice little reminder that I did a load of shows in Europe last September and just went mad on. Of course, magnets and keychains.

[B]

Of course. I thought you were gonna say that you just found money in the pocket of your jacket. And I was like, that's amazing.

[A]

God, no, no, there's none of that.

[B]

Something far more sentimental.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Do you have a fridge covered in little, like, trinkets and stuff?

[A]

Never used to.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

But it was. I don't know what happened to me last year, but there must have been some sort of.

[B]

Something shifted.

[A]

There was some sort of trigger.

[B]

You hit your head.

[A]

I think it must have been something like that. And out of nowhere, just got. It was such a good month for it to happen as well, because I was all over the place. So there's like a. Yeah, I've got a Viking with, like, a big beard.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

From Sweden.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I've got a little mole from Prague.

[B]

Oh, that's sweet.

[A]

Yeah, there's some really nice little ones.

[B]

Yeah. I have little photos on my fridge. I put a lot of photo strips on them from. From, like, photo booths is what I like putting on the fridge of me and my friends. And I got some good little, like, postcard type things in the mail yesterday because I ordered this large print that I'm really excited about.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

And the artist sent me a lot of, like, little, little tiny prints that I'm like, okay, I think this will be added to my fridge collection.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

So it's growing.

[A]

So how did you find out about this artist? Is it Something you'd seen before on a.

[B]

Just through a friend. Like, my friend just bought this print for his room, and I was like, that is, like, the coolest thing in the world. And then I just. I literally have been thinking about her for, like, two years, being like, I want to buy something. But in my old place, like, any. I didn't have, like, a place in the apartment that I was like, we need more art here or whatever. And so now that I, like, moved, I have a lot more wall space that needs to be taken up. I really wish I could be better at. I'm. Cause I'm, like, currently trying to buy more art for my apartment and stuff. And it's. I know that there's so many amazing small and local artist places that are making art that I would think is so cool and would love to have in my apartment. But I'm like, how do I find you guys? There needs to be a way for me to be connected with you guys.

[A]

That's so true, because it's so often just by pure luck, isn't it? It's like scrolling on Instagram or something, and you see something that really sticks out. Cause I've never. I don't know. I don't want to sound like a Philistine, but I've never really sort of connected with art. Like, I like it, but I've never sort of seen an artist where I've gone. I really. That. That really speaks to me.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

But there's this artist. I saw it and was like, I'm never gonna find it, am I? Hang on. Can't remember. Forget that I saw an artist that I really liked anyway. What a story. I.

[B]

But you felt. No, but that is a story. You were like, this is speaking to me for the first time ever.

[A]

Yeah. And that's gone.

[B]

I think that's like, no, no, no, no, no. I don't feel like there's. I know of any, like, big, famous artists that I'm like, this work speaks to me so much, but then I see, like, stuff that, like, people I know have made or, like, more like small artists, and I'm like, that is, like, the coolest thing in the entire world.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

But I'm not looking at, like, the Mona Lisa being like, that is speaking to my soul.

[A]

I'm exactly the same. Like, I'd go and see it just so that I could say that I've seen it.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I can't see it doing that much. I did go to in Birmingham, which is like the. It's Known as the second city over here. I don't know whether it necessarily is or not now, but the Birmingham Museum. I was in town for a weekend doing shows there, and in the day I went to the Birmingham. I don't know, it's Museum of History and Art or something, but they had a big exhibition on of Ozzy Osbourne because that's where he's from. He's from Birmingham.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And it was great. They had like loads of sort of prints of him.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

His gold records and all that kind of stuff.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So I just. It was like a drive by. I was going to look at the Ozzy Osbourne stuff and I just caught a couple of bits of art on the way in. And I feel like such an idiot because I walk past and just sort of go, oh, nice. There's people standing there for ages kind of chin stroking and looking at it.

[B]

Yeah. I think that's an experience of that a lot of people have.

[A]

I feel it's like, how long do I have to stand here for before I don't feel thick anymore and can move on?

[B]

Some people, I think. I mean, I think part of it is like, you people learn about art and then they know more about it and it is more meaningful to them. But then there are some people that. It's like, they go to the museum and are like, this is just completely. This piece of art is made for me. Like, I feel like I just like totally get this. And it's like I'm being drawn to this, which I don't. I don't know if I've had that. I think I probably do, like, prefer like contemporary art. I really love ceramic pieces.

[A]

You. You've. You've got a bit of a plate collection, haven't you?

[B]

Yeah, I do have a bit of a. I have a, like, ceramic collection in my apartment that I cherish and I hold near and dear. And I think I was. When I. I'm like, okay, that's art. But.

[A]

Oh, yeah, that's definitely art.

[B]

Yeah. I like, like quilted stuff with it.

[A]

Like, quilted stuff. Do you mean like a knitted blanket?

[B]

I have like one thing that's basically like a rug, like rug material, but is like a small thing that I hang up on my wall and it's kind of like abstract and I like that. I also think, like, quilted art is so cool. I have a friend who does like, quilted. She makes little like quilted scenes and I'm like, that is so cool. I think all of these things are kind of like folk art adjacent, which is like, maybe also something that I like. And I think, like, collage is really cool. I like stuff that's a bit crafty, I suppose. Like.

[A]

Yeah, I mean, the folk art stuff. I find folk, like music and culture, I do find all that quite endearing.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Like, I used to go to a festival that's sort of near here every year. And actually, weirdly, I'm booked to do the main stage there this year. It's like. It's a folk festival in England.

[B]

Oh, that's fun.

[A]

Like, it's not a huge thing, but it's so folky. Like, everyone's in the sort of tie dye or.

[B]

Hell, yeah, the.

[A]

What do you call them? Like the. Like a smock.

[B]

But it's like. It's like a tunic.

[A]

Yeah. But all different. Like different squares cut out almost.

[B]

Oh, okay.

[A]

Like.

[B]

Like patchwork kind of.

[A]

Kind of patchworky.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

And they've all got, like a metal tankard on their belt and they go and fill up on their aisle and stuff. It's mad. I love it.

[B]

That's fun. Have you ever been to, like, a Renaissance fair?

[A]

Oh, no, I would love to do that.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Have you?

[B]

I haven't gone either, but my friends have gone. There's a big one, like a little bit outside of New York that a lot of people go to, and I haven't gone, but I would love to.

[A]

I think that'd be so cool.

[B]

And people really dress up for that and have a time.

[A]

Do you go as. You don't really go as a spectator. Do you have to sort of participate to a certain degree?

[B]

I mean, I think, like, even the people who are going to just walk around, you put on a little bit of a outfit. But I'm sure there's some people there who aren't dressed up. But I think part of the fun of going for people, to my understanding, is that you're doing a little bit of like, cosplay, like LARPing, kind of.

[A]

Sure, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[B]

I think that's part of the draw. Cause you're, like, pretending that you're in a different time period. Everyone is, I suppose. Like, it's like. Everyone is.

[A]

That's the weird thing, isn't it? You would feel. You would feel like the idiot if you turned up in jeans and not, like a tunic.

[B]

I think you definitely feel out of place.

[A]

Yeah. She's strange. That doesn't happen in any other part of society.

[B]

No, no, only the parts that are literally doing, like, role playing and like, cosplaying I guess.

[A]

Yeah, I'd be well up for that. Yeah, I think that would be really fun. Hiroshi Nagai, by the way, is the person.

[B]

That's the person, the artist that you like.

[A]

It's really sort of minimalisty, 80s style, really blocky, vibrant colors.

[B]

Okay, I'm looking.

[A]

There's something about it that's just like. It's so calming to me.

[B]

El. Yeah, I like this as well. It's really sweet.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

There's something about that and lo fi music really gets me. Like 80s lo fi music.

[B]

I feel like they would have the photo of that and it would be on YouTube and then the lo fi music would be playing over it.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I feel like that would be the scenescape, the kind of dusky city night or whatever, evening. And then it would be playing some lo fi beats over it. They feel connected to me.

[A]

It would. Yeah. And there'd be like a cat in the foreground just sort of moving its tail occasionally. That's the sort of thing. I put that on to work all the time. If I've got to sit down and write, I always.

[B]

The lo fi girl.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. She's great.

[B]

I know. That is really. They really did something with that, with the lo fi girl.

[A]

They just absolutely nailed it. I'm yet to find anything better than that. And I have started watching it on YouTube as well because I did used to put like lo fi music just through Spotify.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So. And it just killed my algorithm.

[B]

Oh.

[A]

Spotify wrapped at the end of the year is just like the top five lo fi beats.

[B]

Yeah. You have to be careful.

[A]

It's so not representative, is it?

[B]

It's completely different.

[A]

I had it this year. There was still a couple of artists on there where when it came up, I was like, who is that? And then you Google it, you're like, oh, yeah, it's a lo fi person.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Okay. I mean, it makes sense. That's like the music that you keep on for hours and hours and hours and totally forget about it.

[A]

Yeah. That it's made to be on a loop.

[B]

Yeah, it really is. Definitely. Yeah, yeah. And you, like have no. You're completely unconscious. Conscious of when the song is playing over and over again because it just all sounds the same.

[A]

Yeah. Again, genius. What a great way to make a living just posting lo fi music.

[B]

They've done something really smart.

[A]

They absolutely have. How's your week looking anyway, Sofia? You got much coming up?

[B]

I have a show tomorrow. I'm hosting a show tomorrow, which I'm excited for. Other than that. I think my week is pretty chill. I'm like, what do I have coming up? Not much. I have my show.

[A]

That is a lovely place to be.

[B]

I feel like I have lots of little administrative things I have to do and I'm going on a vacation with my family kind of soon.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

In a couple weeks. Which is funny. We never really go like on vacation somewhere. So I'm excited to see how it goes. Do you ever travel with your family?

[A]

Do you know what? I don't. I think the last time would have been, God, like 20 odd years ago maybe.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah, it doesn't really happen often.

[B]

Yeah, we don't really do it either. I'm scared, but I'm excited.

[A]

It could be amazing. Could be the start of an annual thing.

[B]

I think it will be really fun.

[A]

Yeah, it's handy. And also if you do enjoy it, it's much easier to get family together, I think, than it is to sort of pull your friends in for a holiday.

[B]

Oh yeah, way easier.

[A]

So.

[B]

Yeah, it's so much easier. I would love. One of my good friends is turning, wants to do like a trip for his 30th birthday and I'm like, I am so in on that. But you have got to really plan that like four months in advance if we're going. Like a lot of people going like out of the country together.

[A]

Oh, yeah.

[B]

It's difficult.

[A]

And you know, in the weeks leading up to that, the WhatsApp group is just gonna be a string of people going, I'm really sorry. Oh, no. Oh, this has come up.

[B]

I can't do it. I just can't do it.

[A]

Yeah, well, I hope the show goes well. Anyway, Safiya, have a.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

Have a lovely time. Yeah, I think on that. It's probably about time for bed, I think. I agree, but it's been a pleasure.

[B]

It's been amazing. I hope you have a very restful night. Good night, Matt.

[A]

Good night. So. To learn more about our phone free light and audio experience, head to Hatch Co. You can also follow us at Hatch Podcasts.