stayc main image

Master Your Craft as a Beatmaker: The J Dilla Way

August 21, 2024

In this article, we’ll explore the most efficient ways to master your creative process as a beatmaker, and how you can learn from one of the most respected producers in the game: J Dilla.

Read more
stayc main image

Bumbershoot Festival 2024: A Creative Celebration in Seattle

August 8, 2024

This Labor Day weekend, Bumbershoot Arts and Music Festival returns to Seattle Center from August 31 to September 1, 2024. With a rich history spanning over 50 years, Bumbershoot continues to be a...

Read more
stayc main image

Ohana Festival 2024: A Must-Attend Event for Music Creators

August 8, 2024

As the summer winds down and the crisp autumn air begins to roll in, music enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating one of California’s premier music festivals. The Ohana Festival, set to take place...

Read more
stayc main image

Desert Daze 2024: A Creative Oasis for Music Enthusiasts

August 8, 2024

As the vibrant hues of summer give way to the golden tones of fall, the anticipation for one of California’s most eclectic music festivals begins to build. This October, the 2024 Desert Daze music...

Read more
stayc main image

How to Create a Joyful Song Like "Happy" by Pharrell Williams

July 24, 2024

Creating a song that radiates joy and energy, much like Pharrell Williams' hit "Happy," is an exciting challenge for any music creator. Whether you're a seasoned producer or just starting out...

Read more
stayc main image

Why Nas' Illmatic Deserves the Top Spot: Rap Lyricism at its Finest

July 17, 2024

Nas’ debut album, Illmatic, has been crowned the greatest rap album of all time by Billboard, and for good reason. Celebrated for its lyrical brilliance and profound storytelling, Illmatic set...

Read more
stayc main image

How to Create a Viral Chart-Topping Song Like Tommy Richman's "Million Dollar Baby"

July 8, 2024

Creating a viral, chart-topping song is the pinnacle of success for many music creators. Tommy Richman’s "Million Dollar Baby" exemplifies how to craft a hit that resonates with a wide audience...

Read more
stayc main image

Crafting Music Like Jeff Bhasker: A Guide for Aspiring Music Creators

July 2, 2024

Jeff Bhasker is a legendary figure in the music industry, celebrated for his outstanding contributions as a producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His Grammy-winning career has seen...

Read more
stayc main image

The Magic of K-pop: Insights from "Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory"

June 30, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of pop music, K-pop has emerged as a global powerhouse, captivating audiences with its unique sound and stunning visuals. John Seabrook’s book, "Song Machine: Inside the...

Read more
stayc main image

Blackpink’s Lisa Dominates iTunes with New Single ‘Rockstar’

June 30, 2024

Music enthusiasts and aspiring creators, take note! Blackpink’s Lisa is making waves in the U.S. with her latest single, "Rockstar." Released late on Thursday, June 27, the song quickly shot up the...

Read more
stayc main image

Unlocking the Secrets of Pop Hits: Insights from "Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory"

June 30, 2024

Have you ever wondered what makes a pop song stick in your head, or how some artists consistently produce hit after hit? John Seabrook's "Song Machine: Inside the Hit Factory" pulls back the...

Read more
stayc main image

TWICE’s Nayeon on Solo Debut, Songwriting, and Spoilers: Insights for Aspiring Music Creators

June 27, 2024

As the eldest member of the global K-pop group TWICE, Im Nayeon embodies big sister energy: she's protective, loving, and playful. Her playful nature sometimes leads to spoilers, much to the...

Read more

Nostalgia, Lightness, and Authenticity: A Conversation with Mother Mother’s Ryan Guldemond

stayc main image

Living Lightly in Sound: Mother Mother’s “Nostalgia” and the Art of Staying True to Yourself

In a world that feels heavier by the day, music has a way of lifting us back up. Nostalgia, the latest album from indie alt-rock icons Mother Mother, is a reminder that art can be both weightless and deeply grounding — a record that invites us to look back, but live forward, with openness, creativity, and joy.

Across the album, the band weaves together themes of authenticity, playful innovation, and emotional courage — values that echo the idea of living lightly. Whether it’s through stripped-down moments of vulnerability or bursts of experimental sound, Nostalgia feels like an open invitation to move through life with curiosity, kindness, and color.

Creating from the Heart

The making of Nostalgia wasn’t just about perfecting arrangements or chasing trends — it was about chasing feelings. Frontman Ryan Guldemond describes their creative compass as purely emotional:

“Is it giving me that rush? Is it making me feel more like myself?”

In one of our conversation clips, Ryan explains why letting emotions lead in the studio made the music better — and why “the proof is in the pudding.”

Serving Others by Serving Yourself

One of the most striking parts of Nostalgia is how personal it feels — and that’s no accident. Ryan’s advice to the next generation of music creators is to stir your own soul before trying to stir anyone else’s.

Ryan unpacks the beautiful irony that the less you worry about pleasing others, the more they connect with your work — and why that’s the most freeing advice you’ll ever hear.

The Heart of “Nostalgia”

The album is full of moments that invite you to embrace the bittersweet beauty of change — to carry the past with you without letting it weigh you down.

Each song feels like its own little act of activism — a reminder that even the smallest acts of honesty and joy can ripple outward. Just as Nostalgia encourages us to remember without being trapped in the past, it also invites us to imagine lighter, brighter ways forward.

Because in the end, living lightly isn’t about ignoring the weight of the world — it’s about finding ways to carry it together, with open hands, open hearts, and maybe even a song on repeat.

Listen Lightly

Whether you’re discovering Mother Mother for the first time or have been singing along for years, Nostalgia is more than just an album — it’s a reminder that staying true to yourself is the boldest, lightest step you can take. And don’t miss the full conversation with Ryan Guldemond on the Sonical.ly Podcast—where he shares more about the making of the album and staying true to your creative voice.

🎧 Listen to Nostalgia wherever you stream music — and let it inspire your own small acts of joy.

Tracklist:

Side A:

Love to Death

Make BelieveStation

Wagon

ON AND ON (Song for Jasmin) - (focus track)

Better of Me

Namaste

Side B:

FINGER

Me & You

little mistake

Mano a Mano

NostalgiaTo Regret

Nostalgia, Lightness, and Authenticity: A Conversation with Mother Mother’s Ryan Guldemondnostalgia-lightness-and-authenticity-a-conversation-with-mother-mothers-ryan-guldemondElmo ChongAug 20, 2025Nostalgia, Mother Mother’s latest album, is one of those rare creations. It invites us into a world where lightness isn’t escapism—it’s a form of resistance, a beacon of hope, and a path forward....