EP.11 March 10, 2025.
Songs from Nick Ward, Wafia, Boone, Deep Sea Diver, Michi and girlpuppy
episode 2 with JOY 94.9 Radio
LA based DJ and KCRW radio presenter Raul Campos is joined by Triana Butler (she/they) who is a Radio Trainer at JOY Academy and JOY 94.9 Presenter/Producer of The Sound of Now in the second of five episodes of Sonic Dialog.
In this second cultural exchange between Raul and Triana, they once again go back to back selecting and discussing tracks from the US and Australia, showcasing artists Nick Ward, Wafia, and Boone from Australia, plus Deep Sea Diver, Michi and girlpuppy from the USA.
LISTEN BACK TO THE FULL EPISODE OVER AT: joy.org.au/thesoundofnow
About Joy Media: As Australia’s not-for-profit LGBTIQA+ media organisation, JOY Media represents the people, stories, news, music, and lived experiences of Australia’s LGBTIQA+ community and our allies. From our on-air presenters, to support teams, producers, newsreaders, podcasters and everyone in-between Joy aim to represent their listeners. You can hear and see stories from the LGBTIQA+ community and our allies on JOY 94.9 Radio (FM and DAB+), online at joy.org.au via livestream, in podcasts, YouTube channel and on social media.
About KCRW: KCRW belong to Los Angeles, connecting diverse perspectives and the sounds of Southern California with curious communities around the corner and around the world. They are NPR’s flagship member station in Southern California and a community service of Santa Monica College.
Nick Ward
Nick Ward’s music transcends boundaries, weaving together elements of indie pop rock, emo, electronic and hip-hop to create a sound that is uniquely his own.
From starting as a triple j Unearthed high finalist in 2019, Nick’s brand of bedroom indie pop has attracted the attention of local and international tastemakers.
‘All Your Life’ is lifted from his debut album House With The Blue Door, and is a send-off to the listener that explores themes of nostalgia, bittersweet endings, and his own personal struggle with mental health.
Deep Sea Diver
Jessica Dobson is the fearless multi-instrumentalist, singer and band leader for Deep Sea Diver. Deep Sea Diver, urgently and deliberately move you from rock experimentation to dreamy soundscapes, Kraut-esque drum and bass grooves to angular danci-ness, and full fledged orchestration to bare bones simplicity.
The title track to their forthcoming album ‘Billboard Heart’ reflects a journey of rediscovery and becomes a metaphorical centerpiece—an anthem of fearless forward momentum. The new long-player includes other highlights ‘What Do I Know’, ‘Emergency’, and ‘Let Me Go’; her collaboration with Grammy-winner Madison Cunningham.
Wafia
Singer/ songwriter, Wafia, magnifies identifiable and idiosyncratic experiences in the form of alternative pop anthems.
The gold-selling Netherlands-born Australia-based Iraqi-Syrian songstress relies on a keen sense of observation and sharp pen as she catalogs the world in real-time. Having kicked off her career with her 2014 debut single “Let Me Love You” and 2015 debut EP, XXIX, Wafia broke onto the mainstream with Louis The Child’s RIAA platinum-certified smash, “Better Not” with subsequent praise from W, NPR, Wonderland, i-D, and more.
Art is personal to be sure, but Wafia firmly believes in sharing her gift with the world by creating an environment that says all are welcome here. ‘Big Thoughts’ is lifted from her 2025 album Promised Land.
Michi
Michi is a Latinx singer and songwriter based outside of Los Angeles. In 2023, Latinx artist Michi moved from LA to a small seaside town, where she was able to grow into herself and land on a sound that felt authentic to her and the stories she wanted to tell.
Her debut album Dirty Talk, out in early 2025 on Stones Throw, blends MTV diva-era R&B with the groove of ’70s and ’80s funk and soul.
"There’s No Heaven’ is lifted from the forthcoming album. ‘This song feels like a burst of aqua blue, a sweaty dance floor, ice dripping down your skin, tears." - Michi
Boone
Boone is a multifaceted and visionary Sydney-based producer. A wizard of sample-based dance music, Boone seamlessly blends the cutting edge of dance with an unmistakable signature style, carving out a niche that is both avant-garde and entirely his own.
With a background in film, acting and AI, Boone has a keen eye for storytelling and a knack for crafting compelling content, something distinctly rare in the dance scene.
He and his team seek to leverage this talent to create a truly unique electronic artist, who connects with fans both sonically and personably.
girlpuppy
The project of Atlanta-based songwriter Becca Harvey, Girlpuppy became Becca’s sole focus when the pandemic forced her out of her job at an East Atlanta bakery. With an abundance of spare time on her hands, Becca found herself able to finish work on the tracks she had originally started putting together a year earlier.
'I Just Do’ was released alongside the announcement of her upcoming album Sweetness. Sweetness is the aftermath of Harvey’s four year relationship and the emotional waves of grief, transformation and growth through it all.
"I wrote this song after spending 6 days in Los Angeles with a guy I had an all consuming crush on. It’s just about that feeling of knowing you’re wasting your time by developing feelings for someone who is completely emotionally unavailable, but you do it anyway because it feels good. I wrote this entire song and then recorded a voice note of me singing it acapella in my bathtub (where I get lots of inspiration for songs). I brought it to Alex [Farrar] and he built the instruments around the melody I wrote and it turned out so much fun. This is definitely gonna be my favorite song to play on tour.” - girlpuppy on ‘I Just Do!’.