Adrienne Swiatocha didn’t grow up playing in bands or chasing music dreams from the jump. She built a career, had a family, and then picked up a guitar… and thank God she did. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to discover your creative voice later in life, how her band Plans to Sand came together almost by accident, and why she believes playing live music is one of the purest joys there is. We also get into her political punk side project, Octopus Knife Fight, and the real emotional weight behind writing songs that matter. Whether you’re raising kids or just trying to raise your voice, Adrienne’s story is gonna hit home.

We Chat About:

• How Adrienne started playing guitar after becoming a mom and launching an architecture firm
• The origins of her band Plans to Sand and their debut album
• Why their sound reminds listeners of Death Cab for Cutie and Tegan and Sara
• The meaning behind the band name (and the Nico Case lyric that inspired it)
• Touring Philly’s indie scene, from the Grape Room to the Fillmore
• Her political punk project Octopus Knife Fight and using music as activism
• Advice for creative parents trying to make space for their art
• Why live shows > recording, and how music helps fill her emotional gas tank

About Adrienne Swiatocha:

Adrienne Swiatocha is a co-founding member of the band Plans to Sand, a Philadelphia based indie-rock band. Adrienne’s musical career started later in life; after having her second child and establishing an architecture firm she began fulfilling a long awaited dream of learning how to play guitar. Soon the love of playing and performing took hold. With her band Adrienne writes original songs, plays guitar, and performs lead vocals and harmonies. The band has performed at various venues in Philadelphia including the Foundry at the Fillmore, the Grape Room, and PhilaMOCA. Recently Adrienne began a side project, Octopus Knife Fight, allowing herself to explore advocacy through music.

Connect with Adrienne:

Instagram: @planstosandband

Threads: @octopus_knife_fight_band

Spotify: Plans to Sand

Bandcamp: Meredith Street – Plans to Sand

Other Resources:

Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX

“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBg

Check out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/

Julian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484

Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/

Julian on Threads:

From the first time I heard Lina Cooper, I knew she wasn’t just writing songs; she was writing scenes. The kind that feel like your life, but funnier, messier, louder, and somehow still tender as hell. In this episode, I catch up with Ukrainian-born, LA-based artist Lina Cooper: a powerhouse songwriter, producer, and performer who blends wit, vulnerability, and pure talent into everything she touches. From viral pop-punk anthems to deeply personal concept records, Lina is building a brand that’s as bold as it is brutally honest. We talk about the emotional engine behind her new single “Like, Comment, Subscribe,” how she’s turning the complexities of 21st-century connection into cohesive sonic storytelling, and the infamous roommate breakup that inspired one of her most unapologetic tracks to date.

We Chat About:

• How social media inspired the theme of her next project
• Her creative process behind “Like, Comment, Subscribe” and the art of saying just enough
• The backstory of “Daddy Issues” and the real-life roommate drama that sparked it
• Why she wiped her Instagram to mark a new era of artistry
• Bringing comedy and chaos into her music without losing emotional depth
• What success really looks like as an independent artist in today’s world
• Her advice to the next generation of bold, messy, big-dreaming musicians

About Lina Cooper:

Lina Cooper is a distinguished artist, songwriter, and producer/multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. Hailing from Donetsk, Ukraine, she has garnered acclaim for her innovative artistry and compelling stage presence. Her work has been recognized by notable platforms such as Spotify, Buzz Music, Grimy Goods, Shoutout LA, and Confessional Magazine. Lina's diverse sound spans from poignant indie-folk to vibrant pop-rock, drawing inspiration from musical icons including Taylor Swift, Halsey, Lorde, ABBA, Queen, Maggie Rogers, and Phoebe Bridgers.

Lina's musical journey began at age 8 with classical guitar lessons and songwriting as a hobby. By 17, she was studying at Berklee College of Music, where she double-majored in Contemporary Writing & Production and Songwriting, with a minor in Orchestral Conducting. In 2020, Lina secured her first publishing deal following a feature on Spotify’s editorial playlist 'Fresh Finds.' That same year, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her professional career. Since then, she has amassed a substantial following on Spotify, achieved numerous editorial placements, and secured sync placements in television shows, including the Hulu hit "Everything’s Trash."

Additionally, Lina has performed at iconic venues across LA, both as a headliner and an opener, and has contributed songs to a range of talented artists such as Jules Walcott, Elisheva, Myah, Rian Cult, Nikitaa, Jessica Reilly, Anastasia, XNK, and others. In 2023, Lina signed her first record deal and embarked on a touring career, now celebrated for her substantial streaming success and songwriting accolades.

Connect with Lina:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0YxNJr7YsY95zd86zCjSYH?si=0foDVoHQQUa0fy7vQRYCJA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lina_cooper/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lina_cooper

Other Resources:

Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​

There are some artists who just keep getting better, and Rob Tait is one of them. In this episode, we dive into the making of At the End of the World, his gorgeously raw solo album, and his collaborative journey with the soul-rock band Cordelia Blue. We swap stories about songwriting, being a drummer who sings, the Philly music grind, and what it really takes to build a sustainable career in music today. If you’ve ever wrestled with balancing honesty and ambition, or wondered how to create something timeless, this one’s for you.

We Chat About:

• His deeply personal solo record At the End of the World
• The unexpected chemistry behind Cordelia Blue’s double album
• Why “Weatherman” might be your new favorite 8-minute track
• Letting the music breathe—and why restraint matters
• Bruce Springsteen, Beck, and what makes a song timeless
• The brutal math behind full-time musicianship
• The best compliment he’s ever received as a songwriter
• Why honesty beats perfection, every time

About Rob Tait:

Whether he's serenading from behind the drums or the guitar, Rob Tait's folk-pop style can mend the ache of a broken heart or make you stomp and holler until the sole of your shoe falls off. Born and raised in the pine barrens of New Jersey, Rob Tait's music combines his Americana/folk/singer-songwriter vocal style with his deep rooted love and education of rhythm and the drums.

Connect with Rob:

All Streaming Platforms: ffm.bio/robtaitmusic

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@robtaitmusic?si=BpNGAYWtHGxGWhQX

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robtaitmusic?igsh=Mnd4Zm9qam5vY2l6&utm_source=qr

Other Resources:

Follow the OFFICIAL “loves music” playlist on Apple Music: ​​https://music.apple.com/library/playlist/p.4Y0J406i03DQrX

“loves music” playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0qE3kq89oyg3tFNbmRfHEO?si=vopaKQnNS8OHn0r2fFTVBg

Check out the “loves music” podcast website: https://www.podpage.com/loves-music/

Julian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/julian.jones.9484

Julian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julianjones417/

Julian on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julianjones417

Check out Julian’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6QYX6RL

Music Mentioned in this Episode:

Songs:

• “Weatherman” – Cordelia Blue
• “Clementine” – Cordelia Blue
• “Day That I Die” – Cordelia Blue
• “Bright” – Cordelia Blue
• “Stop” – Cordelia Blue
• “Breathe” – Cordelia Blue
• “Spacefire” – Rob Tait
• “Turn Out the Light” – Rob Tait
• “Wishing Well” – Rob Tait
• “Matilda” – Rob Tait
• “Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore” – Chris Stapleton
• “Rosalita” – Bruce Springsteen
• “Swimming Pools (Drank)”