Remi Wolf is a singer and songwriter originally from Palo Alto, California. She’s been releasing music since 2019. She performed at Coachella in 2023, and has toured with Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde, and Paramore. Her second album, Big Ideas, came out in July 2024. I talked to Remi about how she and her collaborators wrote and produced the song “Soup.” H…

Dr. Mallory Choudior, Assistant Professor & Soil Microbiome Extension Specialist, discusses the impacts biologicals have on agriculture. Discover how tiny beneficial microbes are playing a big role in enhancing crop health, boosting productivity, and promoting sustainable farming practices. Listen along as we dive into real-world applications of bi…

Claire Delaunay, CTO and COO of Farm-NG, shares her insights on the future of farming robotics. Claire reveals how advanced robotics are set to transform agriculture, enhancing efficiency and sustainability. Join us for an insightful discussion about this evolving technology and it's imminent impacts on field management practices.…

Sam Smith is a Grammy and Oscar-winning singer and songwriter from London, England. Their first album, In the Lonely Hour, came out in 2014. It went quintuple platinum in the US, and the biggest hit from that album is the song “Stay With Me,” which has over 2 billion streams on Spotify alone. For this episode, in honor of the song’s 10th anniversar…

Dr. Chris Reberg-Horton, Platform Director for Resilient Agricultural Systems in the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative shares insights about the advancements in robotics and sensor technology in agriculture. Discover how these innovations are being applied in specialty crops, what roles AI and machine learning have in enhancing farm operations, and ho…

Fenne Lily is a singer and songwriter from Dorset, England. She released her first album in 2018, but I didn’t find her music until 2023, when she put out her third album, Big Picture. The album she released in between those two was one that got a little lost in the lockdown, when all her touring plans around it got canceled. All of that plays into…

Discover how Dr. Dani Jones, a researcher at NC State, harnesses data analytics to improve agriculture practices. From enhancing sweet potato production to pioneering sustainable biofuels, Dani leverages data-driven insights to drive agricultural sustainability forward. She also leads NC State's Agricultural Data Science Certificate program, sharin…

Last year, Vagabon released her third album, Sorry I Haven’t Called, which I’ve been listening to a lot. So I wanted to revisit an episode that I recorded with her back in 2020, about her breakout song "Water Me Down." The episode also features the voice of Eric Littmann, who co-produced the track. He passed away in June 2021, way too young. Vagabo…

Crowded House formed in 1985 in Melbourne, Australia. They’ve released eight albums, including their most recent one, Gravity Stairs, which came out last month. But on their very first album, they had a big hit with "Don’t Dream It’s Over." Crowded House made “Don’t Dream It’s Over” with Grammy-nominated producer Mitchell Froom, who they went on to…

Dan Maycock, Vice President of CropTrak and a visiting researcher at NC State discusses the impact of data collection and artificial intelligence on agriculture. Dan shares insights into how modern data analytics and AI tools are empowering farmers to make faster, more informed decisions, transforming everything from field management to post-harves…

Lizzy McAlpine released her first album in 2020, and her second album in 2022. And between the two, she’s had a lot of success. One of her songs, "Ceilings," was a viral TikTok hit, and has been streamed over half a billion times. So you might think, with all that success, you’d want to keep working in way that’s been working. But while Lizzy was m…

The Flaming Lips formed in Oklahoma City in 1983. Over the last four decades, they’ve put out 16 albums. In 1999, they put out their album The Soft Bulletin, and that brought them a new level of success. And then, in 2002, they followed it up with Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, which was their biggest album to date. Pitchfork named it one of the …

Byran Fuhrmann, Aquatic Technology Development Scientist at SePRO Corporation discusses the delicate balance between leveraging phosphorus use in agriculture for optimal benefits while also prioritizing the protection of water systems. Furhmann shares insights into sustainable practices and innovative technologies aimed at minimizing phosphorus run…

One of the songs I keep coming back to is “Mohabbat” by Arooj Aftab. It’s really special to me. I listen to it all the time. I’ve been listening to it so often that I wanted to revisit Arooj's episode about it. In the time since the episode has come out, she has released a collaborative album with Vijay Iyer and Shahzad Ismaily called Love In Exile…

Phosphorus plays a critical role in agriculture and the environment. Jacob Jones, Director of the Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center, and Materials Science and Engineering Professor, discusses phosphorus sustainability. Learn about the significance of phosphorus for life processes, challenges associated with its o…

The band War formed in 1969, in Long Beach, California. “Low Rider” is from their 1975 album Why Can’t We Be Friends? The song was a hit as soon as it came out. It went to #1 on the Billboard R&B charts. And it’s just had tremendous lasting power ever since. Besides being in Dazed and Confused, where I heard it, it’s been sampled by The Beastie Boy…

Yara's Senior Vice President of Global Innovation, Rejane Souza, shares insights on the world of soil health and sustainable agriculture. Explore the complexities of fertilizer production, digital farming tools, and emerging trends like green fertilizers and biologicals, shaping the future of agriculture.…

Shania Twain is a singer and songwriter from Ontario, Canada. She’s the only female artist to have had three consecutive Diamond albums — albums that have sold over ten million copies. Actually, her 1997 album Come On Over is the best-selling album by a female solo artist of all time. One of the most iconic songs from that iconic album is "You’re S…

Danny Brown started his career in 2007 by handing out mixtapes in Detroit, where he’s from. In 2011, he put out his acclaimed second album, XXX. Since then, he’s collaborated with rappers like Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky and JPEGMafia, but he’s also worked with electronic bands like Purity Ring and The Avalanches, and he did a verse on a remix for K…

Dr. Luke Gatiboni, Extension Soil Fertility Specialist and Associate Professor at NC State, shares his expertise on fertilizers and soil health. His research focuses on uncovering the elusive balance of soil nutrients critical for boosting yields. Dr. Gatiboni helps farmers identify the "unique recipes" needed for different soil types and agricultu…

Rhiannon Giddens has released five solo albums since 2015. Before that, she was a member of the Grammy-winning band, the Carolina Chocolate Drops. She is now also the artistic director of the Silkroad Ensemble, the musical supergroup that Yo-Yo Ma founded. Rhiannon Giddens is one of those people where I feel like they have to start inventing new aw…

Kathryn Polkoff, co-founder and CEO of Hoofprint Biome, shares the remarkable journey of developing a pioneering product designed to combat climate change and enhance bovine health simultaneously. Tune in to discover how their innovative probiotic solution reduces methane emissions from cow burps. Polkoff is driving agricultural sustainability and …

I wanted to revisit an episode about one of my favorite songs from 2021, “Black Dog” by Arlo Parks. A few months after this episode originally came out, Arlo Parks won the Mercury Prize for Album of the Year. She was also nominated for two Grammys: Best New Artist and Best Alternative Album. Since then, she released a new album called My Soft Machi…

Founded by a team of visionary women, FA Bio is dedicated to identifying sustainable agriculture solutions. They have created a new microbial discovery platform to assist with developing agricultural bioproducts. Their innovative approaches stretch beyond the lab to inclusive hiring practices that attract a diverse workforce. Discover the experienc…

Green Day is a punk band from the East Bay in California. Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool have been playing music together since 1987. They’ve sold over 90 million records. They’ve won four Grammys, including twice for Best Rock Album. They put out their first album in 1990, and their second album, Kerplunk!, in 1991. And then, they m…

The first episode of Song Exploder, about The Postal Service song "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight," came out 10 years ago, in January 2014. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the podcast, we're doing what bands do, and putting out a deluxe, expanded edition of our very first release: this version features a new interview, new insights, and new…

For the last episode of the year, I got the chance to drive up to Northridge, California, and have a conversation with Dave Grohl. We talked about the Foo Fighters song “The Teacher,” which is an epic, 10-minute-long song. Dave told me it’s the most important piece of music he’s ever written, because it’s dedicated to his mother, Virginia, who pass…

Rusty Barr from Barr Evergreens talks about advances in technology that have improved Christmas tree seedling production and helped unlock secrets to accelerating growth. Learn how his family business is crafting the perfect holiday centerpiece from root to tip by introducing new science to the old orchard.…

Dr. Justin Whitehill explains how his lab is helping create a more resilient and desirable Christmas tree. He shares insights on combating root rot, thwarting insect pests, and outsmarting browsing deer. With nearly four decades of tree breeding and genetic improvement research to build on, Dr. Whitehill and his team collaborate with growers to enh…

Raye is a singer, songwriter and producer from London. Besides being an artist in her own right, she’s also been a songwriter for other artists since she was a teenager. She’s co-written songs for Beyoncé, Charli XCX, and Ellie Goulding. In 2023, she released her debut album, My 21st Century Blues. The first single, “Escapism," became her first son…

Thomas Joyner, President of Nash Produce, shares how using Sweet-APPS technology boosts profitability and yields by taking pictures of their full storage bins. Joyner explains how sharing timely information with growers about their recent harvests is a win-win for everyone.Por AgTech 360

Sampha is a singer, songwriter and producer from London. His first album, Process, won the Mercury Prize in 2017. He’s collaborated with artists like the XX, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Solange. If you saw the Song Exploder Netflix show, Sampha was in the Alicia Keys episode, for the song they did together as a duet. This year, in October 2023, Samp…

I think one of the hardest things there is to do in music is to write a love song that expresses something real. I read that the song "Liar" by Paramore was written by Hayley Williams, the singer of the band, about her longtime bandmate Taylor York, and about the feelings she started to realize she’d had for him. Paramore has been a band for over 2…

NC State researcher and professor, Dr. Mike Kudenov, delves into the intersection of engineering, agriculture and relationships. As an engineer, he looks at agriculture with a different perspective, modifying tools like sensors for use on the farm. Kudenov works closely with sweet potato producers in NC to leverage new technologies and create a mor…

Kesha is a singer and songwriter from Los Angeles. She put out her first song in 2009, and it was a huge #1 hit in the US and 13 other countries. She’s had 10 top-ten singles on the Billboard charts, and sold millions of albums. She got famous for songs that were about partying, and breaking the rules, and having fun. But this year, in May 2023, sh…

Ed Fuches, CEO and Founder of FOLIUM Science, talks about microbial resistance and the challenges facing the food value chain. Fortunately, a new solution to combat harmful bacteria has been discovered. Fuches explains how their natural alternative to typical treatments more rapidly identifies and terminates harmful microbes. https://foliumscience.…

Alvvays is from Toronto. Their first album came out in 2014, and they’ve put out two other albums since then. In Canada, they’ve won the Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year, and all three of their albums have been shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize. Their first song was also one of their biggest hits. It’s called "Archie, Marry Me." R…

Adrian Percy speaks with Sid Thakur, a Professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Executive Director of Global One Health Academy at NC State. Thakur says, “pathogens don’t respect international boundaries.” Several technologies have emerged to help with the identification and tracking of foodborne pathogens. Advances in genomics, data…

Laufey is a singer and songwriter originally from Iceland. She studied piano and cello as a kid. When she was 15, she was a guest soloist with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. She went to Berklee College of Music in Boston, and that’s when she started writing songs. While she was still a student, she had a number one hit on Icelandic radio. Her firs…

Matej Stefancic, CEO of Trapview, engaged a multidisciplinary team of agronomists, IT experts and data scientists to develop a unique pest management tool. New solutions for pest monitoring and forecasting allow growers to make real-time decisions. Trials done on apple orchards in the U.S. have already proven beneficial. trapview.com…

We kick off a new season with apple expert Dr. Tom Kon from NC State's Department of Horticultural Science. During peak harvest season, Dr. Kon reflects on the different variables affecting production, and the new technologies being utilized in orchards to maximize yields. His unique connections with the orchards in the Southeast allow nearly half …

This summer, in June 2023, Janelle Monáe put out her fourth album, The Age of Pleasure. Listening to it made me want to revisit her Song Exploder episode, from 2018. One thing on Song Exploder that I personally love is when we get to hear an artist’s raw voice memo, from the moment when they’re first coming up with a song idea. This episode has one…

The "Skip Intro" button first got introduced to us through Netflix in 2017, and, I know, a lot of people use it – including me. But, if I can get into old-man, back-in-my-day mode for a second, I have so much fondness for the opening theme music for so many shows. It’s a chance to set the mood for everything that you’re about to see. One of the int…

It can be hard to be in a band, or really, in any kind of group where there’s creative collaboration, and you’re supposed to act like it's a democracy. Because what do you do with an idea that you love, if nobody else believes in it? That question is a big part of this episode with Local Natives. Local Natives is a band from Southern California. Th…

Bakar is a singer and songwriter from London. In 2018 he put out his first release, Badkid. A year later, he put out the EP, Will You Be My Yellow?, and this September, he’s releasing his second full-length album, Halo. One of Bakar’s tracks from the EP and the upcoming album is a song called "Hell N Back," which went platinum, and hit number one o…

Natalie Merchant is an award-winning singer and songwriter from upstate New York. She was the lead singer of the band 10,000 Maniacs until she left in 1993. And then, as a solo artist, she’s put out nine albums over the last 30 years. Between 10,000 Maniacs and her solo work, she’s had multiple multi-platinum records. In April 2023, Natalie put out…

This week, I wanted to go back and revisit an older episode. I recorded an interview with singer and songwriter Julien Baker in 2018. It was a few months after her second album came out. Since then, she’s put out another solo album, called Little Oblivions, which was critically acclaimed. And now she’s also a member of boygenius, which is the super…

Feist is a singer/songwriter from Canada. She put out her first solo album in 1999. She’s won 11 Juno awards, including two for Artist of the Year, and she has four Grammy nominations. She’s also been a member of the band Broken Social Scene since 2001. In April 2023, Feist put out her sixth album, Multitudes. And for this episode, I talked to her …

On the last episode of this season of AgTech360, host Adrian Percy is joined by Han Chen, CEO and co-founder of ZeaKal. They discuss the challenges facing the volume-first row crop industry as well as opportunities to improve its nutrition and sustainability. ZeaKal is using its photosynthesis-enhancing crop technology to reharmonize the supply cha…

Madison McFerrin is a singer, songwriter, and producer from New York. She’s sung with legends like Aretha Franklin, George Clinton, and De La Soul & The Roots. Madison’s first EP came out in 2016, and last week, she released her debut album, I Hope You Can Forgive Me. In the years between the EP and the album, Madison started producing her own musi…