At first glimpse of the title House of Style with Grant Alexander, you might mistake this podcast for a fashion podcast that talks about the latest trends in minimal ‘fits or even runway looks, but it is so much more than that. The House of Style with Grant Alexander podcast redefines the concept of ‘style’ as something that you don’t just put on, but also something that you live in. It redefines style as the essence that carries you through the good, the bad, and the ugly moments of life, the tears, the wins, and all of the grace that comes with it.
On June 3rd, Grant Alexander hosted the American music duo JOHNNYSWIM, made up of members Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez. This husband-and-wife duo, famous for their authentic storytelling, was formed in Nashville, Tennessee, but they are currently based in Los Angeles, California.
You can check out the full podcast episode here:
Starting off with talking about their latest music release, Grant, who is a personal fan of JOHNNYSWIM, having used one of their songs as his very own wedding song, dove into the newly unlocked level of vulnerability reached through this album.
JOHNNYSWIM shared how When The War Is Over was written in isolation but recorded in community, which gives its raw appeal that added duality because of the creative minds who came together to make it the best version of itself possible. You can listen to JOHNNYSWIM's latest full album, When The War Is Over, here:
Having met in preschool, this duo is the perfect balance of hilarious, unafraid of not taking themselves seriously, and profound at the same time. A joy to watch and listen to.
For instance, JOHNNYSWIM spoke about the importance of communication and the role it plays in growth, especially as a married couple that works together. Prioritizing mental health, they put that at the forefront of their daily lives and also reflect it in their music.
These values shone not only when talking about marriage and family but also when talking about the unity that their music brings.
“You can, outside these walls, have deep, entrenched disagreements, but inside it’s a picture of who we really are, not just who we should be. Because watch us for these 90 minutes. Be one people.” - Abner on the unity that comes inside the concert venue
They both agreed that the bigger purpose of their lives was aligned with this.
“I think the purpose that’s always shined through is community… Right, like on stage and at home, getting people together, being the kin keepers… We try to be kin keepers.. And maybe community is really the avenue of our purpose.” - Amanda on bringing those around them together
JOHNNYSWIM’s chemistry especially shone in unexpected moments, like when asked about their respective styles. They opted to answer for each other, keeping things fun. It’s always a blast to get to know someone through the gaze of someone who loves them.
Amanda commented that Abner is someone who has always had his own style and isn’t fazed by whether other people appreciate it or not. A nod, once again, to authenticity.
Abner mentioned how Amanda’s style has shifted in the past 10 years, bringing in the lens of change. In the past, she wanted to adopt ideas from her surroundings, whether she understood them or not, but now she is confident in the fact that she knows what she knows best. Whether it is creatively as a songwriter or in a personal regard, she is confident enough to ask for help or resources to bridge the gap of what she doesn’t know.
The entire podcast is captivating, but even just watching this segment will make you fall in love with JOHNNYSWIM not only as musicians who take their craft seriously, but as people with beautiful minds and hearts, even if you’ve never heard their music before.
We also have to give props to Grant as a podcast host. Anyone listening to the podcast can tell that he goes beyond just a Google search to prep for these conversations with his guests. From digging into the layers of their music, being able to identify fine details of musicality, to digging into the context about his guests as people… He has the pretext, the context, and everything in between when chatting with his guests, which only seems to bring out the best in them when it comes to their response, which is honestly such a powerful gift to have as a host.
Grant wears his passion for what he does on his sleeve and, as a result, drops multiple gems throughout the episode that you find yourself replaying just so that you can experience the wisdom again and again. One example was when he said…
“It seems like it’s really about the process of going through it and not about the end result… Like, trying to get there.” - a comment by Grant on Abner’s retrospective about the album-making process.
For this particular episode with JOHNNYSWIM, the proof was in the pudding, too, as Abner said multiple times how amazing it was to be on the podcast and how much he loved the experience. No wonder it was his favorite podcast appearance ever, as the conversation flowed so well between everyone.
A lot of podcasts these days feel like they’re trying to force a certain message on you, but this one is different. This feels like sitting in the living room after a gathering with a hot chocolate in hand and just sitting and listening to people you admire talk about the ins and outs of life. It gives you that cozy feeling of familiarity whilst filling your brain with fresh tidbits that give you a new perspective on viewpoints you might have taken for granted, and despite the long episode length, it leaves you wanting more.
What did you think of this House of Style with Grant Alexander episode? Let us know in the comments!