Go with Elmo Lovano

Episode 65: Nate Smith. One of the greatest drummers in the game, a future member of the Hall of Fame—you already know it’s Nate Smith! I had a great time hanging with Nate in this conversation. He’s a brilliant musician, composer, thinker, and such a fun guy.We go deep on how he got the gig with Brittany Howard and his work with her, how the Fearless Flyers became a band and how they make records, his practice regimen, personal life, philosophies, working with Paul Simon, going viral, what drives his creativity, etc. Nate is the kind of guy you like even more once you talk with him, so I hope this interview makes you feel like you know him better—and become an even bigger fan. Much love! Here's my talk with Nate Smith.‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights.(0:00:00) INTRO(0:03:06) L.A.(0:04:15) NEW FEARLESS FLYERS ALBUM(0:04:54) L.A. FIRES(0:05:59) THE FEARLESS FLYERS, ACE OF ACES(0:08:32) CREATING FEARLESS FLYERS SONGS(0:09:50) RECORDING SESSIONS, JOE DART(0:13:45) KICK, SNARE, HAT(0:16:35) STAYING MOTIVATED(0:18:12) DROPPING DRUM STICKS VIRAL CLIP, GETTING FOUND(0:22:22) EXPANDING CAREER(0:26:00) KINFOLK(0:27:14) BRITTNAY HOWARD(0:30:14) BALANCING BANDS(0:32:58) MUSIC BUSINESS, QUINCY, MICHEL MAYO, YEBBA, DANIELLE PONDER(0:38:01) POCKET(0:40:43) PRACTICING, STAYING INSPIRED(0:44:27) WRITING SOLOS(0:45:23) AARON SPEARS(0:47:04) PAUL SIMON(0:50:23) GREATEST LESSON FROM BRITTNAY HOWARD(0:51:49) BRITTNAY HOWARD'S METAL BAND, "KUMITE"(0:52:36) NATE SMITH'S ROUTINES(1:06:54) WATCHESPlease SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated!  Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/Follow Nate Smithhttps://www.instagram.com/natesmithdrums/Follow Go With Elmo:https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmohttps://x.com/gowithelmopodFollow Elmo Lovano:https://Instagram.com/elmolovanohttps://x.com/elmolovano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 64: Nathan East. One of the most recorded musicians of all time, and truly one of the greatest humans—that’s Nathan East. I had the best time hanging out with him, diving into his perspective and stories, and cracking up along the way. We talk about his 40-year relationship with Eric Clapton, recording some of the biggest songs ever, and co-writing one of my personal favorite records. His outlook on life is incredible, and I believe that’s a huge part of why he’s had nonstop opportunities since his teenage musician years.Nathan has played on over 2,000 recordings with legends like Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Stevie Wonder, George Harrison, Kenny Loggins, Daft Punk, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock…the list goes on and on. As a bassist, he’s been half of the groove behind a laundry list of the greatest drummers of all time: Vinnie Colaiuta, Ringo, Ndugu Chancler, Jeff Porcaro, Phil Collins, Harvey Mason, John JR Robinson, and more. I hope you enjoy this conversation with the one-and-only Nathan East! I tried my best to make it special from every other interview he’s done. Much love!‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights.(0:00:00) INTRO(0:04:31) NATHAN’S BASS(0:06:31) PHIL COLLINS “EASY LOVER”(0:10:28) DAFT PUNK “GET LUCKY” SESSIONS(0:18:13) ERIC CLAPTON(0:19:10) TEARS FROM HEAVEN(0:24:12) GETTING THE GIG WITH ERIC CLAPTON(0:28:37) “CHANGE THE WORLD” SESSION(0:32:35) GREATEST LESSON FROM ERIC CLAPTON(0:36:01) PHIL COLLINS(0:37:21) SOLO ALBUMS(0:37:51) FIRST GIG AT MSG WITH BARRY WHITE(0:38:44) EARLY LIFE, GETTING NOTICED(0:42:16) RECORDING WITH BARRY WHITE(0:43:27) JUGGLING GIGS, FINANCES(0:45:56) QUINCY JONES SESSIONS(0:50:20) CALLS FROM QUINCY JONES(0:52:28) DRUMMERS(0:53:28) JOHN JR ROBINSON(0:54:31) HARVEY MASON SR., FOREPLAY(0:56:13) RINGO STARR(0:58:08) VINNIE COLAIUTA(0:58:57) JEFF PORCARO(0:59:32) RANDY NEWMAN “I LOVE LA”(0:59:45) GEORGE BENSON “LADY LOVE ME”(1:00:12) RICKY LAWSON, CARLOS VEGA, LA TALENT(1:01:17) “I LOVE LA” SESSION(1:03:13) BEING A DAD(1:05:43) HOW TO PRESENT MUSIC TO KIDS(1:07:42) AGING, HAPPINESSPlease SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated!Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/Follow Nathan East:https://www.instagram.com/nathaneast/Follow Go With Elmo:https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmohttps://x.com/gowithelmopodFollow Elmo Lovano:https://Instagram.com/elmolovanohttps://x.com/elmolovano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 63: Don Was.Don Was is undeniably one of the most influential figures in music. For the past 31 years, he’s been producing The Rolling Stones, while also working with legends like Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, The B-52’s, and John Mayer. Beyond that, he’s the President of Blue Note Records, plays bass with Bob Weir, and now fronts his own band.In this episode, Don sits down with Elmo to share how he balances running Blue Note Records, producing iconic albums, and touring. He opens up about the challenges of managing a record label in today’s rapidly changing industry and shares some gold on how he makes it all work. We also dive into how Blue Note has stayed relevant, from Robert Glasper’s game-changing projects to rising stars DOMi and JD Beck.One of the highlights is Don’s 30-year journey with The Rolling Stones. He breaks down what it’s like to produce for rock legends and how he’s maintained strong relationships with the band. Don also reflects on his friendship with jazz icon (and Elmo’s cousin) Joe Lovano, studio sessions with Bob Dylan, and his early days with Was (Not Was)—including how "Walk the Dinosaur" became a life-changing hit.Don shares how he introduced John Mayer to Bob Weir which led to Dead and Co. and tells us how he produced The B-52’s, including the making of “Love Shack.”This episode is packed with incredible stories and insights from a producer who’s helped shape the soundtrack of generations. Plus, Don’s about to hit the road with his Pan-Detroit Ensemble Tour—don’t miss it. Let’s go!‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights.Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated!Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://rss.com/podcasts/gowithelmoFollow Don Was:https://www.instagram.com/donwas/Follow Go With Elmo:https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmohttps://x.com/gowithelmopodFollow Elmo Lovano:https://Instagram.com/elmolovanohttps://x.com/elmolovano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 62: George Clinton. Step into the Mothership as we welcome the legendary George Clinton, the godfather of funk and mastermind behind Parliament-Funkadelic, on this week’s episode of Go With Elmo Lovano!! From shaping genres to leading a musical revolution, George reflects on his 7 decade career, the stories behind his iconic hits, and the vision that has kept him evolving until today.We go back to the early days with Parliament and Funkadelic, sharing the origins of hits like "I Wanna Testify" and how he’s constantly pivoted with time, embracing changes in music and culture. He opens up about the impact of sampling, why he decided to lean into it and how. We get into the magic behind iconic recording sessions like Flashlight, Atomic Dog, Give Up the Funk and One Nation Under A Groove, unearthing how those tracks came to life. We talk about building community, his dedication to getting his people paid, what it means to be a leader with vision, and quitting drugs.We touch on Prince inducting him into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and their unique relationship. And of course, we get George's thoughts on aliens, artificial intelligence and where the world is headed. This is an unforgettable conversation with a true legend who’s still shaping the sound of tomorrow. Let’s funk it up!‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights.Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated!Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://rss.com/podcasts/gowithelmoWatch the full episodes with video on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@gowithelmoFollow Go With Elmo: https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/ https://www.tiktok.com/@gowithelmo https://x.com/gowithelmopod Follow Elmo Lovano: https://Instagram.com/elmolovano https://x.com/elmolovano Follow George Clinton: https://www.instagram.com/yolikegeorge/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alissia Benveniste, aka Alissia, quickly makes an unforgettable impression on people. Her bass playing first caught the attention of Prince, Quincy Jones, and Bootsy Collins, even though she had only been playing for a few years. While at Berklee College of Music, Alissia created a wave that has only grown bigger, with her bass videos going viral on YouTube and Instagram.Her tone, sound, style and talent captivate instantly.Now, Alissia is nominated for PRODUCER OF THE YEAR at this year's GRAMMYs, having spent the last handful of years writing and producing with Anderson .Paak (on nearly all of his projects), Kaytranada, Bruno Mars, Mary J. Blige, BJ The Chicago Kid, NxWorries, Rae Khalil, Bootsy Collins, and more. Alissia, is kind, down to earth, and a truly talent multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. We dive deep with Alissia on how she got where she is today and what is next. Here's the conversation with our dear friend, Alissia!‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://rss.com/podcasts/gowithelmoFollow Alissia:https://www.instagram.com/alissia/Follow Go With Elmo:https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/Follow Elmo Lovano:https://Instagram.com/elmolovanohttps://Twitter.com/elmolovano#Alissia #Grammys #Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 60: Zedd. Joining us today is one of the biggest artists and DJs in the world, Zedd. Fresh off a GRAMMY nomination for Best Electronic Album for his latest masterpiece, TELOS, Zedd dives into the nine-year journey behind the album, sharing how timeless chord progressions, creative isolation, and a relentless pursuit of perfection shaped this epic project.We explore the incredible collaborations with Muse, John Mayer, Jeff Buckley, and Remi Wolf, uncovering how each artist brought their unique energy to the album. We also dive into how he conceptualizes creating drops, programs his drums, and how he made billion stream hits like "Stay" and "The Middle." Zedd reflects on his early days touring with Skrillex and how far he’s come all the way to headlining Coachella this year.Beyond the music, we talk about his life. world-building in his work, and our mutual love for Formula 1 and watches. From his friendship with Lando Norris to cataloging synth patches, this episode is a deep dive into the mind of one of the most brilliant humans in the game. He shares his process, his passion, and the incredible highs and challenges that come with creating something this monumental. Let’s go!!‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://elmolovano.komi.io/Follow Zedd:https://www.instagram.com/zedd/Follow Go With Elmo:https://www.instagram.com/gowithelmo/Follow Elmo Lovano:https://Instagram.com/elmolovanohttps://Twitter.com/elmolovano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 59: Jacob Collier. Today, I’m hyped to have one of my favorite artists on the podcast—Jacob Collier. Jacob is one of the brightest lights on Earth, and I always treasure our conversations. This time, you get to watch us! Jacob is nominated for 3 GRAMMYs this year, including Album of the Year, Best Arrangement, and Best Global Music Performance. With 6 GRAMMY wins and an incredible 15 nominations to his name, he’s set a remarkable standard, being nominated for Best Arrangement for the past 6 consecutive years—winning both Arrangement GRAMMYs in two of those years.In this episode, we dive into Jacob’s world-building approach to music and life. We discuss his album Djesse Vol. 4, which is up for Album of the Year, and how he brought the project to life. Jacob shares what it feels like to complete the ambitious Djesse series and the magic of conducting massive audiences on his current tour.We talk about his unmatched talent for arranging, crafting mind blowing versions of classics like "Bridge Over Troubled Water" with Tori Kelly and John Legend, to how he creates intricate layers that evolve from a single idea to a masterpiece.Jacob opens up about life, fame, and staying grounded while still living at home with his mom. We even touch on reincarnation, our dearly treasured Quincy Jones (which is how Jacob and I got connected) and his friendship with Herbie Hancock. Stick around to the end to hear Jacob’s message to our homie, Zedd.There’s so much to love in this episode—humor, depth, and the genius of one of the most inspiring musicians of our time.We hope you love our conversation! Please like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing stories from the world’s most fascinating artists. Dropping new episodes weekly. Let’s go!!#JacobCollier #GoWithElmoLovano #Podcast‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://rss.com/podcasts/gowithelmoFollow Jacob:https://www.instagram.com/jacobcollier/Follow Elmo Lovano:https://Instagram.com/elmolovanohttps://Twitter.com/elmolovano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s that time of year when Walter Afanasieff takes over the charts. Walter is the writer and producer of “All I Want for Christmas Is You”—the biggest Christmas song of all time—and he also produced “My Heart Will Go On.” But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. From writing and producing with Mariah Carey to working with Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Barbra Streisand, Walter has been behind some of the most unforgettable songs in music history.He co-wrote dozens of hits with Mariah Carey, including “Hero” and “One Sweet Day”—the record-breaking duet with Boyz II Men that held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks. And let’s not forget “My Heart Will Go On”—yes, the Titanic theme with Celine Dion—which earned him a GRAMMY for Record of the Year. Walter also won the Producer of the Year GRAMMY in 2000.This year, he’s nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media for his song "Love Will Survive" with Barbra Streisand from the miniseries The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Walter co-wrote the piece with Hans Zimmer, Charlie Midnight, and Kara Talve, and produced it alongside Peter Asher.In this episode, we dig into Walter’s incredible journey through the music world. From his early days working with Narada Michael Walden (fun fact: Walter played synths on “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”) to collaborating with some of the biggest voices in history, Walter is an absolute legend. He’s also a dear friend, and I’m so excited to share our conversation with you today. Let’s go! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 57 - Elena Pinderhughes is one of the most sought-after musicians in today’s vibrant jazz scene. From touring with legends like Herbie Hancock, Common, and Chief Adjuah to performing the iconic “Mask Off” with Future on the Coachella Main Stage, Elena has already brought the flute to a new level. She’s a prominent figure in this wave of brilliant young musicians rising within the new jazz world.The first time I heard her play flute, it was alongside the jazz world’s GOAT, Herbie Hancock, and I immediately knew she was different. Her sound didn’t just complement something already iconic—she elevated it. Since then, I’ve seen her perform with Terrace Martin, Lalah Hathaway, Snarky Puppy, and so many more. I wanted to understand how she’s achieved so much at such a young age.I’d boil it down to these things: Intention, mind set, dedication, and a strong support system with her brother, Samora Pinderhughes.Elena talks about her journey—from being a teenage jazz star to becoming a first-call collaborator across genres. She shares stories about working with Herbie Hancock, Chief Adjuah, Esperanza Spalding, Robert Glasper, and Josh Groban, diving into the lessons she’s learned and how she’s crafted her unique sound. We explore the modern jazz scene, how she’s making her mark, and how she balances artistry with building a thriving career.Elena Pinderhughes is a trailblazer in both jazz and pop culture, and there’s no question—her career is only going up from here.‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights.Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated!Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://rss.com/podcasts/gowithelmoFollow Elena:https://www.instagram.com/iamelena/Follow Elmo Lovano:https://Instagram.com/elmolovanohttps://Twitter.com/elmolovano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 56 - Dave King of The Bad Plus.The Bad Plus is one of the world’s most exciting and innovative ensembles. Over the past 20 years, they’ve created a groundbreaking sound that blends jazz and avant-garde music in a way that’s uniquely their own—beautifully melodic, dark, twisted, soft, loud, simple, and incredibly complex, all in one.Their drummer, Dave King, is one of my all-time favorite drummers. Creating a distinctive and instantly recognizable voice on an instrument is rare, but Dave achieved that right from their debut album.Dave joined me in the studio to discuss the story of The Bad Plus—their beginnings, the feelings of success, their mindset and approach to writing music, and the process of creating their now-iconic cover songs. We talked about meeting artists like Aphex Twin and Black Sabbath, whose music they’ve covered, and hearing their reactions. We also dove into performing on Jools Holland, touring with The Pixies as a jazz trio, their new album Complex Emotions, Dave’s hilarious web series Rational Funk, and much more.We hope you enjoy this fun and insightful conversation with the incredible Dave King!‘Go with Elmo Lovano’ is a weekly podcast where Elmo interviews creatives and entrepreneurs in music on HOW they push forward every day, got where they are in their careers, manage their personal lives, and share lessons learned and their most important insights. Please SUBSCRIBE / FOLLOW this podcast to catch new episodes as soon as they drop! Your likes, comments and shares are much appreciated! Listen to the audio form of this podcast wherever you get your podcasts: https://rss.com/podcasts/gowithelmoFollow The Bad Plus:https://www.instagram.com/thebadplus/Follow Dave:https://www.instagram.com/googlebully/Follow Elmo Lovano:https://Instagram.com/elmolovanohttps://Twitter.com/elmolovano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices