Counter-Melodies

Hongjoong is in the kitchen! Join Anthony and Jonathan as they sit down with ATEEZ leader Hongjoong - the visionary rapper, producer, songwriter, and creative force helping redefine K-pop on the global stage. Hongjoong opens up about his journey from an aspiring artist who famously mailed demo CDs to KQ Entertainment to leading one of the world’s biggest boy groups. He shares stories about producing music, developing ATEEZ’s distinctive sound and identity, balancing creativity with leadership, and performing for sold-out audiences around the world. Along the way, he reflects on his passion for fashion, his love of art and philanthropy, the group’s remarkable rise from a small company to international success, and what continues to inspire him as both an artist and a leader.
Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro and catch-up time
03:20  - Theme song and the best intro ever
05:00 - Hongjoong’s love for LA
07:00 - Early life and music beginnings
13:15 - How did Hongjoong become the captain
18:30 - Pressures of being captain
20:30 - Songwriting/production process
26:30 - What inspires Hongjoong
28:30 - Fashion inspiration and collections 
32:30 - “BAD” and GOLDEN HOUR: PART.5
35:00 - Love for ATINY
39:00 - Signing off

Stream GOLDEN HOUR: PART.5 now!

Socials: Follow the hosts and stay connected!
@AnthonyGargiula
@JonathanTilkin
@no1likeme8_8
@ateez_official_

Listen and Watch: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod⁠⁠

The Team:
Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula
Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Calum Scott is in the kitchen! Join Jonathan and Anthony as they sit down with the chart-topping British singer-songwriter whose soaring vocals and deeply emotional storytelling have made him a global favorite. Calum reflects on his journey from working a regular job in England and auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent to building an international career with massive hits like “Dancing On My Own,” “You Are The Reason,” and “Where Are You Now.” He opens up about the vulnerability behind his music, the pressure and gratitude that came with success, and how embracing honesty in both his songwriting and personal life transformed the way he connects with audiences around the world. Along the way, Calum shares stories from life on tour, collaborating with artists across genres, and finding balance between ambition, heartbreak, and joy while continuing to create music that feels timeless, intimate, and universally human.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro and Catch-up Time
05:00 - Theme song and The Best Intro Ever
07:00 - X Factor and Maroon 5 Cover Band
11:30 - The Push That Changed His Life
14:30 - Britain’s Got Talent Experience
16:45 - Finding His Footing Post-BGT
19:45 - Fighting to Release  “You Are The Reason”
22:30 - Showing Up for Fans
24:45 - Christina Perri’s “Wedding Band” Dream
25:45 - Singing at Joe Jonas’ Wedding & More
28:15 - The Avenoir tour
37:30 - Who Calum Would Prank Call
38:45 - Calum’s EDM Side
42:00 - Spotify Billions Club
45:00 - Opening for Ed Sheeran
50:30 - What’s Next
54:00 - Signing off!

Catch Calum’s “Avenoir” Tour! Tickets available at Calumscott.com/Tour

Socials: Follow the hosts and stay connected!
@AnthonyGargiula
@JonathanTilkin
@CalumScott

Listen and Watch: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod⁠⁠

The Team:
Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula
Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Faouzia is here! Join Anthony and Jonathan as they sit down with the extraordinary Moroccan-Canadian artist Faouzia — a powerhouse vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter whose journey spans from posting covers on YouTube as a teenager to collaborating with global stars like David Guetta and John Legend. Faouzia opens up about growing up in rural Manitoba, learning piano, violin, and guitar, and channeling her multicultural identity into her music, which blends pop, R&B, and cinematic intensity. She walks us through the breakthrough moments of her career — from getting signed to her first record deal and crafting emotive anthems like “Minefields” to working with Kelly Clarkson, competing on Singer and her putting out her ambitious debut album FILM NOIR — and shares the joys, challenges, and lessons of carving out a space that’s 100% her own in the industry. 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro and catch-up time
06:45  - Theme song and the best intro ever
08:30- Embarrassing singing stories
10:30 - Faouzia’s early days
16:30 - Career beginnings
20:00 - Vocal training and influences
23:30 - Songs/projects that changed her life
26:00 - Working with Kelly Clarkson
31:30 - Competing on Singer in China
38:00 - Writing and creating FILM NOIR
48:50 - Signing off!

Stream Faouzia's new album, "FILM NOIR", now!

Socials: Follow the hosts and stay connected!
@AnthonyGargiula
@JonathanTILKIN
@Faouzia

Listen and Watch: https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod⁠

The Team:
Exectuive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula
Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

In this episode, Anthony and Jonathan sit down with the unbelievably talented Halle Bailey—one half of the five-time GRAMMY-nominated duo Chloe x Halle, a Disney princess, and now a solo artist in her own right. Halle walks us through everything from being discovered by Beyoncé and growing up making music with her sister, to taking on the role of Ariel in Disney’s live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid, and pouring her heart into her debut album, Love?... Or Something Like It. She opens up about the pressure, the joy, the unexpected lessons along the way, and what it feels like to put something that’s 100% her own out into the world. It’s honest, inspiring, and full of those “wait—how is she this grounded??” moments.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Intro and catch-up time
06:30  - Theme song and the best intro ever
08:00 - Jodi Benson and Halle’s relationship The Little Mermaid
10:00 - Advice to young artists
11:00 - YouTube origins
12:15 - Beyoncé’s mentorship and advice
14:00 - Halle’s relationship with social media
16:30 - Disney + The Little Mermaid chat
19:30 - Debut album! (Love? … Or Something like It)
20:30 - Collaborating with Chloe
22:00 - Album title meaning
23:00 - “Bite Your Lip”
24:00 - Inspiration behind the album
25:00 - Nerves around putting out “Alone”
25:45 - Halle’s relationship with H.E.R.
28:00 - Halle’s involvement with writing/producing
29:30 - Signing off!

Stream Halle’s new album, “Love? … Or Something Like It”, now!
Follow her @hallebailey

Socials: Follow the hosts and stay connected! 
@AnthonyGargiula
@JonathanTilkin
@CounterMelodiesPod

Listen and Watch: https://tinyurl.com/CounterMelodiesPod

The Team: 
Executive Producer/Showrunner/Editor: Louis Gargiula
Consulting Producer: Renee Colvert

Jodi Benson (aka the voice of Ariel from The Little Mermaid) joins us in the kitchen today to celebrate Disney’s World Princess Week! From her early days on Broadway in Smile and Crazy For You to her iconic voice work in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and the Toy Story franchise - that’s right, she voiced the one-and-only Barbie - Jodi takes on a journey under the sea to explore all her favorite Disney memories. Stick around for an exciting conversation on her legacy, the importance of Disney Princesses, Broadway, and even some heart-wrenching stories of the late Howard Ashman and how Jodi is determined to keep his memory alive.
Episode Breakdown:
0:00 – Introduction 
1:45 - Jodi Benson is here
3:00 - Performing origins
8:30 - Early broadway days
12:00 - Auditioning for “The Little Mermaid”
16:30 - Finding Ariel’s voice
17:30 – Being coached by Howard Ashman
18:30 - “Part of Your World” controversy
21:30 - Creating Ariel and The Little Mermaid
23:30 - Working with Howard Ashman and Alan Menken 
25:00 - Howard Ashman’s passing and legacy
31:30 - ”The Little Mermaid” live-action
33:30 - Jodi and Hallee’s relationship
35:00 – Jodi at the live-action premiere
36:00 - How “The Little Mermaid” continues to live on
41:00 - Favorite “Part of Your World” performances
45:00 - Performing with her daughter
47:00 – Voicing “Barbie” and other iconic voices
49:00 - World Princess Week
52:00 - Game time!
56:00 - Final thoughts and goodbyes

Follow Jodi Benson:
Instagram: @jodibenson
TikTok: @jodi.benson

Follow the hosts:
@AnthonyGargiula
@Jonathantilkin
@CounterMelodiesShow

Listen and Watch:
https://pods.to/countermelodies
Credits:
Executive Producer / Showrunner / Editor: Louis Gargiula
Consulting Producer: Renée Colvert