How Long Gone 943. - Hrishikesh Hirway
May 13, 2026
Hrishikesh Hirway, musician and creator of Song Exploder, discusses his new record and the craft of deconstructing songs. He recalls DIY touring, opening for hardcore bands as a singer-songwriter, and the emotional “Ratatouille” moment when artists hear isolated stems. They debate AI’s impact on music and podcasts, editing workflows, monetization shifts, and the pressures of social clips and video.
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Podcast Born From Writer's Block And Curiosity
- Song Exploder began as a response to writer's block and curiosity, not self-promotion.
- Hrishikesh built the format to ask the questions he wished someone had asked him about songwriting, which shaped the show's deep-dive style.
AI Overproduction Hits Music Harder Than Podcasts
- AI floods music and podcasts with high-volume, low-cost content, but listeners usually seek human hosts for podcasts.
- Hrishikesh notes millions of AI-generated songs appear on DSPs while podcast audiences still prefer personalities.
Touring Solo With A Foot Drum Machine
- Early touring included solo electric sets with a foot‑switch drum machine called Dr. Rhythm, splitting travel between cars.
- Hrishikesh describes standing with a foot‑operated drum machine (Dr. Rhythm Boss 770) opening for hardcore bands.