Hello, everyone, and welcome to “The Jim Kroft Podcast,” where I explore creative life, the digital economy, and how we can grow as individuals in this bonkers modern world.

Today, I’m buzzing to share a special episode—my first podcast recorded in New York City—with legendary music producer and psychedelic troubadour Gordon Raphael.

Gordon's groundbreaking work with The Strokes helped define the sound of the early 2000s, and his influence still resonates in the music world today.

I've known Gordon since 2007, and this conversation was recorded right after he produced my new song "Wicked Things" at Mercy Sound Studios.

Gordon is a true maverick with a journey that spans the cultural hubs of New York, Berlin, and London. His life has seen incredible highs and lows, but through it all, he's remained guided by the North Star of his creativity.

In this episode, Gordon holds nothing back, sharing insights on:

• 🎧 Bringing out the best in musicians in the studio
• 🌍 How musicians can break through in the social media age
• 💡 Navigating addiction and recovery
• 📱 His "secret sauce" for surviving in the arts
• 🎙️ Living life on life’s terms

On a personal note, this episode is significant for me—not just because it’s my first recorded in New York but also because it follows an epic day in the studio with Gordon at Mercy Sound Studios in the East Village. It’s the culmination of a long-standing friendship that began in Berlin in 2007 and has seen us through many creative projects, including the “Boat for Sarah” project during the Refugee Crisis.

Okay, it’s time to meet the one and only Gordon Raphael. Are you ready? Then, let’s dive in!

Jim

Gordon Raphael
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