Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe

Osad

• 
  The Biggest Marketing Myth Rebecca Black Proved Wrong 12.08.2026 41min

  WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR "HOT WET DELIRIOUS" BY REBECCA BLACK HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX6ZbnN0z6E&list=RDMX6ZbnN0z6E&start_radio=1Today's episode of "Middle Row w Coco Mocoe" podcast features Rebecca Black! Such a special guest. She started music over 10 years ago but has really honed her craft in the recent years after opening for Katy Perry, releasing her previous projects "Let Her Burn" and "Salvation" and now becoming one of the most sought after DJ's. Now, she is gearing up to release her third studio album, "Age of the Exhibitionist". I wouldn't call this a rebrand. I would call it something else. We talk about that marketing myth in today's episode. Enjoy, coconuts! 🥥 TOPICS & TIME STAMPS:0:00 - Coco Mocoe’s Marketing Analysis of Rebecca Black 7:00 - Watching music video 11:59 - How to find a good stylist 13:10 - What is different about this era and album roll out versus her last14:55 - The album cover was initially a mistake17:23 - What was it like working with Katy Perry on the Lifetimes Tour19:52 - What is one of the most difficult things about being a DJ that people don’t realize 21:50 - How she got into DJ’ing24:20 - How did broiler room come about27:35 - Being a female DJ in a male dominated space 29:50 - How chaotic is it in a booth when DJ’ing39:00 - How has being a DJ helped her with creating her own music40:50 - The “rebrand” strategyIf you made it this far, you're already a Coconut — so make it official. 🥥 Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Follow me for more:Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail | cocomocoe@gmail.comAdd the official Middle Row playlist to your library on Spotify to hear what songs and artists I think are going to break big next:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9Watch previous episodes of the podcast hereCharli XCX: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HwNYv1VOpo&t=34sAdela: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDhjDJybhsM&t=299sSlayyyter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0CCuvFUHX0&t=29sKylie Cantrall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNBYiEpNwB4&t=1062sExecutive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify Theater, Los Angeles
• 
  Adéla Wants to be Polarizing 03.08.2026 41min

  Filmed in November 2024. Adéla's first-ever podast interview. WATCH THE "SUPERSCAR" MUSIC VIDEO HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn6ey6HOkP4 In this episode of "Middle Row w Coco Mocoe", we are joined by Adéla as she breaks down her music video for "Superscar". This was her second single, ever, and it already has over 1 million views on YouTube and she is building a cult-like fandom, as a result. We discuss her background growing up Slovakia, her USSR ballet training, her time on "Pop Star Academy" on Netflix, her current relationships with castmates (including the KATSEYE girls), how she found her producer, Liam Benayon, how Grimes discovered her and more. Adéla is going to be a huge star! I am so lucky to say that I got the first-ever, sit down interview with her. Her music, vision, athleticism and artistry is something huge labels would pay for even their biggest artists to have even a slice of. Recently, she put out "Aint in LA", toured with Demi Lovato and performed at Lollapalooza 2026, and gearing up to release her debut album, PRIMA. To make it an easier viewing experience for you, here are the time stamps for the episode:0:00 - Introduction0:51 - Snacks4:00 - How Adela learned English 6:41 - The storyline of “SuperScar” music video7:40 - The executive auditioning symbolism 8:51 - The Ashley O hair9:49 - Little sister in the video 12:20 - Adela’s favorite shot of the video 12:57 - How she decided on pink hair 15:06 - How Adela came up with the title “Superscar” 17:45 - How she came up with the scar imagery for the cover art18:22 - “I’m not in the business of being liked” 19:30 - Adela’s background & USSR ballet growing up 21:20 - What it was like appearing on “Pop Star Academy” on Netflix24:30 - How she handles online hate 26:40 - Who Adela is still close to from the show & KATSEYE group28:16 - The filming schedule of “Pop Star Academy” over the course of two years 31:26 - How she met her producer, Liam Benayon32:00 - “Homewrecked” storyline34:00 - Adela’s next song “Machine Girl” 34:50 - Industry interest in Adela since her first singles as an independent artist36:05 - How Grimes discovered Adela and reached out to her37:40 - Adela’s big three in astrology Where you can find more of Adéla: Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qanRMyA5bNuTvz1dK45OP⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/adelajergova/⁠YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AD%C3%89LAJERGOV%C3%81⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@adelajergova?lang=en⁠Where you can find more of Coco Mocoe:Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cocomocoe/⁠TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@cocomocoe⁠Follow the official "Middle Row" playlist on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9?si=e4dc55829d754ad0&nd=1&dlsi=d97fc2d2e8c64f95⁠Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna Tracy Videographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify LAEmail: cocomocoe@gmail.com
• 
  How Kylie Cantrall became Disney's next golden child 29.07.2026 24min

  WATCH "BOY FOR A DAY" MUSIC VIDEO HERE⁠⁠WATCH "DENIM" MUSIC VIDEO HERE⁠Kylie Cantrall talks about going from Disney Channel to pop star, her viral “Hollywood Hair Theory,” and the stories behind her music videos like “Denim,” “Boy for a Day,” and “Raised by Rihanna.” She shares hidden easter eggs, growing up in LA, and what it’s like creating music for Gen Z.Watch the full interview on Middle Row with Coco Mocoe now.Follow me! Instagram | ⁠@cocomocoe⁠TikTok | ⁠@cocomocoe⁠Email: cocomocoe@gmail.comFollow the official ⁠"Middle Row" playlist⁠ on SpotifyExecutive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna Tracy Videographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Sammi Social | Comfort CreatorPhotographer: Chase HanssenCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify LAComment below what music artist you think is next to take off!#KylieCantrall #DisneyChannel #PopStar #DenimMusicVideo #BoyForADay #MiddleRow #HollywoodHairTheory #GenZMusic
• 
  Christopher Nolan's Blind Spot 27.07.2026 37min

  Does Christopher Nolan have a pattern when it comes to writing women? In this episode of Middle Row with Coco Mocoe, we analyze Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey through a feminist film lens—examining how his female characters often act as emotional vessels, plot catalysts, and symbols of male regret. Drawing from Sverre Sigfussion’s thesis, "Noir Guilt Complex: The Death of Women as a Catalyst for Character Development," we look back at films like Inception, The Dark Knight, The Prestige, and Oppenheimer, and map those character tropes onto The Odyssey’s key female figures: Penelope (Anne Hathaway), Circe (Samantha Morton), Calypso, and Athena. Read the thesis herePlus, we break down standout performances and the controversial casting of Travis Scott as the Bard. CHAPTERS: Introduction — 0:00 The 2015 Thesis — 5:03 The Prestige — 5:44The Dark Knight — 6:28 Inception — 6:42 Oppenheimer — 7:44Other male directors portrayal of women in the storyline — 11:40 SPOILERS AHEAD Penelope in the Odyssey — 17:09Circe — 19:16 Calypso — 24:16 Athena — 27:18 The making of the odyssey -- 30:54 If you made it this far, you're already a Coconut — so make it official. 🥥 Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Follow me for more:Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail | cocomocoe@gmail.com
• 
  Why "Spamming Content" Actually Works (The Love Island USA Strategy) 13.07.2026 34min

  Did you know that Love Island USA was originally considered a "failure to launch" during its first three seasons on CBS? From strict broadcasting rules to sanitized episodes, the show almost came to a complete close. Cut to today, and Love Island USA is running laps around major scripted drama series like Bridgerton and House of the Dragon to become the biggest show in the country.In today’s solo episode of Middle Row with Coco Mocoe podcast, I’m breaking down my marketing theory on the exact decisions that catapulted this franchise into a cultural phenomenon. We discuss the massive impact of the Bravo fandom, why Ariana Madix was the ultimate tipping point, and the logistics behind the real-time "war room" editing in Fiji.Most importantly, we explore the "Firehouse Effect" in marketing—the strategy of drowning out your competition through sheer volume of content—and how you can apply this to your own brand, music, or content creation journey (plus the dangerous risks of the 2020s digital surveillance state).I want this to be a discussion rather than a lecture, so leave a comment below: why do you think Love Island USA became the #1 show in the US? What blind spots did I miss?If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help us climb the charts, and subscribe for more pop culture marketing deep dives!If you made it this far, you're already a Coconut — so make it official. 🥥 Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 3:10 - The History of Love Island USA 6:25 - Why they replaced Sarah Hyland as host with Ariana Maddix 10:10 - Why Ariana Maddix was the tipping point for the show 13:35 - How love island use has remained the most watched show in the U.S. for three years16:30 - The firehose method 20:32 - The risk of the firehouse method: CBS’s Big Brother28:48 - How to apply the firehose method in marketing to yourselfFollow me for more:Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail | cocomocoe@gmail.comAdd the official Middle Row playlist to your library on Spotify to hear what songs and artists I think are going to break big next:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify Theater, Los Angeles#LoveIslandUSA #ArianaMadix #MarketingStrategy #TrendForecasting #MiddleRowPodcast #PopCulture #ContentCreator
• 
  How Ella Langley became bigger than pop music 06.07.2026 30min

  Ella Langley has been putting out music for almost 10 years now, with her first song "Clear the Clouds" coming out in 2017. But what branding and marketing decision did she make a few years ago that turned her into the biggest artist in the world, with "Choosin Texas" being one of the longest standing #1 songs on the Billboard charts of the year?Let me know in the comments what other trending topics, artists and celebrities you want me to cover in the "Middle Row w Coco Mocoe" podcast. New episodes every other Monday!f you made it this far, you're already a Coconut — so make it official. 🥥 Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Follow me for more:Instagram | ⁠@cocomocoe⁠TikTok | ⁠@cocomocoe⁠Email | cocomocoe@gmail.com
• 
  How to get 200M streams before signing to a label (ft. Mad Tsai) 22.06.2026 48min

  WATCH MAD TSAI’S MUSIC VIDEO FOR “BITE”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GevLw6cqBI&list=RD2GevLw6cqBI&start_radio=1How does a bedroom pop artist cross 200 million streams entirely on their own before signing to a major label? Today on Middle Row, we are joined by the artist Mad Tsai to break down his rise in music while finishing his degree at UCLA. From the viral, LGBTQ+ fan-edit momentum of "Boy Bi" to the 100-million-stream milestone of "Stacy’s Brother," Mad Tsai explains how activating niche fandoms can activate internet subcultures to pull an artist's music into their world.We dissect the fundamental shift in listener psychology; such as, contrasting traditional, forced record label marketing with the organic power of TikTok fan edits (ex. BookTok, anime edits, and viral Love Island clips). We also look at the data behind Alex Warren’s 134-post pivot for his hit "Ordinary," how Mad Tsai leaned into online friction and critics to fuel his rollouts for "DA DA DA" and "STRAYS," and the deep personal storytelling of culture and queerness that is a through line in his music. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 9:46 - Why his name is Mad Tsai13:32 - Why artists have alter egos15:20 - How to get 200-million+ streams before even signing to a record label16:26 - Being a UCLA student while videos are going viral17:57 - The personal challenge that made him viral19:46 - The fan edits that made his songs viral23:26 - The niche online that made his music viral24:54 - Turning online drama into massive roll-out moments25:46 - The online hate that kept him from posting music for 2+ years33:13 - Mad’s ethnic background (Peruvian, Canto, Taiwanese)36:18 - Mad’s queer identity39:01 - Songs that explore his sexuality41:20 - Where is the best spot to eat in LA43:46 - Mad’s sun, moon and rising44:31 - Mad’s upcoming tourSubscribe to get notified anytime a new podcast episode of “Middle Row w Coco Mocoe” drops every other Monday!Follow @ cocomocoe on socials: instagram.com/cocomocoetiktok.com/@cocomocoe cocomocoe.substack.com 
• 
  The Katseye Kurse: The Marketing Strengths & Blind Spots of the World's Biggest Girl Group 08.06.2026 40min

  KATSEYE got Grammy nominations, a viral Gap campaign, a sold-out tour, and one of the best-selling albums in America, all in under two years. So why can't the girls escape criticism? In this episode of "Middle Row with Coco Mocoe", I break down what I'm calling the "Katseye Kurse," the collision between HYBE and Geffen's K-pop machine and a Western fandom that plays by completely different rules. I get into the Manon hiatus and the silence that followed, the Dream Academy contestants who got recycled into HYBE's next global group, Saint Satine, the Mickey Mouse Club blueprint with dropped artists being launched into stardom, and why the label's biggest marketing win might also explain its biggest blind spot.This isn't bad luck. It's a system that was built for impact. But who pays the price of the whiplash? Chapters 0:00 - Introduction 7:54 - Pop Star Academy on Netflix12:03 - Mickey Mouse Club14:12 - Who didn't make Katseye but have since launched music careers?16:08 - The Introduction of Saint Satine aka Prelude17:48 - The moment KATSEYE became a household name19:32 - The Manon Hiatus20:24 - Why doesn't Hybe address the Manon rumors?21:33 - The importance of fan accounts24:26 - Why the K-Pop infrastructure failed in western media26:48 - The Gen-Z Vs. Gen Alpha Dilemma30:03 - Can the "Katseye Kurse" be broken?New episodes of Middle Row every other Monday. If you made it this far, you're already a Coconut — so make it official. 🥥 Subscribe to the channel and drop a comment below telling me which artist you think is about to take off. I read them all and it might just land them in the Middle Row seat.Follow me for more:Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail | cocomocoe@gmail.comAdd the official Middle Row playlist to your library on Spotify to hear what songs and artists I think are going to break big next:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify Theater, Los Angeles
• 
  Why You Have To Win Over This Country To Become a Pop Star (ft. flowerovlove) 25.05.2026 31min

  How do you break a global pop star in 2026? Forget New York, Los Angeles, or London. The biggest paradigm shift in the music industry is happening thousands of miles away—and it all relies on a secret framework known as "Trigger Cities."In this episode of Middle Row, trend forecaster Coco Mocoe sits down with gen-z pop prodigy flowerovlove right after her historic Coachella set to unpack the exact viral trajectory that took her track "Breaking News" to #1 in the Philippines, racking up an astronomical 4.5 million creator videos on TikTok.We dive deep into the business mechanics behind international music marketing, why Manila is the hidden gateway to Western chart success, gatekeeping your creative vision, and how independent artists can build global power houses from a home garage.What We Cover (Timestamps):0:00 – The "Trigger Cities" Paradigm Shift changing the music business2:15 – Why Manila, Philippines is the ultimate algorithmic launchpad4:32 – Behind the Visuals: Deconstructing the "Breaking News" Music Video7:45 – The Accidental Tipping Point: How a muted TV clip created a 4.5M video trend10:14 – Reclaiming Pop: Why Black British artists get unfairly boxed into alternative genres13:10 – The Independence Blueprint: Learning from Billie Eilish & Finneas15:45 – Creative Control & Gatekeeping: Why flowerovlove refuses to use stylists18:22 – Coachella Secrets: Bringing out BINI and Niana Guerrero24:35 – Album Soon? Decoding the hidden Easter eggs in her fashionListen on the Go:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zIXuFH...Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Substack (Ahead of the Curve Newsletter): https://cocomocoe.substack.com/Follow flowerovlove:Instagram: @flowerovloveTikTok: @flowerovlove#MusicIndustry #TriggerCities #flowerovlove #BINI #Coachella #MusicMarketing #PopMusic #TikTokTrends #IndependentArtist
• 
  How Holly Humberstone Got Noticed by Taylor Swift 04.05.2026 39min

  WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR "BEAUTY PAGENT" BY HOLLY HUMBERSTONE ⁠HERE⁠ 📺 Holly Humberstone grew up doing ballet in a small English town and somehow ended up walking the runway at Wembley Stadium in front of thousands of people while nearly having a wardrobe crisis in real time. She is telling us everything.In this episode of Middle Row, I sit down with BRIT Award-winning singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone fresh off her Coachella return and the release of her sophomore album Cruel World. This conversation goes deep. We cover family grief, childhood nostalgia, and why this album era feels so different from everything she has done before. Holly breaks down the exact cinematic references shaping her new visual world, the vocal production tricks behind tracks like Blue Dream, and what creative burnout actually looks like when you are a rising indie-pop artist with the whole industry watching.Plus the Taylor Swift Eras Tour call. She tells us what it was really like getting that surprise invite to open for Taylor, and the split-second decision she had to make while walking the Wembley runway that nobody knew about until now.We also do a full birth chart breakdown because obviously we do. And if you are someone who studies music marketing, artist branding, or the business of going from bedroom pop to festival headliner, this episode is genuinely essential listening.Holly Humberstone is one of the most interesting artists in music right now. This is the episode that explains why.Time Stamps: 00:00:19 Holly Humberstone Ballet Background00:01:34 Last-Minute Wardrobe Crisis00:03:59 Wembley Stadium Runway Panic00:04:41 Taylor Swift Eras Tour00:07:11 Cruel World Album Lore & Family Grief00:12:31 Birth Chart Analysis00:18:45 Music Marketing & Artist Branding00:24:12 Cinematic Visual Era Inspiration00:31:05 Vocal Effects & Studio Production Secrets00:36:50 Creative Burnout & the Reality of Rising FameThank you coconuts for making it this far! Leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts with a recommendation for what artists or topics you want next on the show ⭐️ Instagram: ⁠@cocomocoe⁠TikTok: ⁠@cocomocoe⁠YouTube: ⁠Coco Mocoe
• 
  How to Build a Visual World (ft. Tiffany Stringer) 20.04.2026 21min

  Singer-songwriter Tiffany Stringer joins Coco Mocoe in the Middle Row, recorded live at the Spotify Theater. The Texas-born, Atlantic Records artist opens up about the making of The Lone Starlet — her debut major-label EP dropping May 8th — a five-part cinematic concept project inspired by Babylon and Singin' in the Rain that follows a fictional actress through the highs and lows of fame. Tiffany talks about how she convinced Atlantic to greenlight high-budget music videos straight out of the gate, what it was actually like touring as a Kidz Bop kid at 15, the odd jobs she worked when she first moved to LA (including babysitting a tortoise), and the TikTok commitment in 2023 that changed everything. She also gets into the philosophy behind her visual branding, the real-life inspiration behind her songs, and the emotional tension at the heart of The Lone Starlet — performing a version of yourself while figuring out who you actually are offstage. Co-signs from Halsey, Addison Rae, Tate McRae, and Dove Cameron. This one's a great one.If this episode made you feel something, the best thing you can do is leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it takes 30 seconds and it genuinely helps Middle Row reach more people. And if you have a friend who's obsessed with finding artists before they blow up, send this one their way.Follow along between episodes:Instagram | ⁠⁠⁠@cocomocoe⁠⁠⁠TikTok | ⁠⁠⁠@cocomocoe⁠⁠⁠Add the official Middle Row playlist on Spotify and stay in the world: ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9⁠⁠⁠Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Comfort Creator | Sammi SocialCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify Theater, Los AngelesEmail | ⁠⁠⁠cocomocoe@gmail.com⁠
• 
  How KATSEYE Turned Haiden Henderson Into a Dancer 06.04.2026 28min

  WATCH HAIDEN HENDERSON'S MUSIC VIDEO FOR "tension" HERE: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6DblInZjEs&list=RDx6DblInZjEs&start_radio=1⁠Haiden Henderson went from studying aerospace engineering at USC to becoming one of gen-Z's top rising rock stars with over 100-million streams on Spotify. He is friends with KATSEYE and Tarayummy, is the muse of celebrity photographer Maxamillion Polo and just got back from his tour for his recent EP, "tension", and will be opening for 5 Seconds of Summer on their UK leg of tour in 2026.Follow me!Instagram | ⁠@cocomocoe⁠TikTok | ⁠@cocomocoe⁠Email: ⁠cocomocoe@gmail.com⁠Follow the official "Middle Row" playlist on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9?si=e4dc55829d754ad0&nd=1&dlsi=d97fc2d2e8c64f95⁠Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Creator Comfort | Sammi SocialCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify LAComment below what music artist you think is next to take off!
• 
  Why Slayyyter Doesn't Want to be a Main Pop Girl 06.04.2026 19min

  Slayyyter almost quit music. Now she's headlining Coachella with a live band, a major label deal, and an album she made purely for herself.The moment she stopped trying to go mainstream, the mainstream came to her.In this episode of Middle Row with Coco Mocoe, Slayyyter gets honest about the moment she decided to stop chasing commercial success and just make something she'd be proud of. They talk about the Saturn Return that stripped everything back, the Bunny Man lurking in her visuals, and how "Daddy AF" quietly became a good luck charm for indie cinema; such as, showing up in both Anora and Bodies Bodies Bodies before soundtracks.Plus: writing "Crank" in 30 minutes, the social climbing culture that inspired Starfucker, and why she'd rather drink at an old man biker bar than anywhere near Silver Lake 🍿If this episode made you feel something, the best thing you can do is leave a review on Apple or Spotify — it takes 30 seconds and it genuinely helps Middle Row reach more people. And if you have a friend who's obsessed with finding artists before they blow up, send this one their way.Follow along between episodes:Instagram | ⁠⁠@cocomocoe⁠⁠TikTok | ⁠⁠@cocomocoe⁠⁠Add the official Middle Row playlist on Spotify and stay in the world: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9⁠⁠Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Comfort Creator | Sammi SocialCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify Theater, Los AngelesEmail | ⁠⁠cocomocoe@gmail.com⁠⁠
• 
  We Need a New Pop Boy (ft. Seb Torgus) 23.03.2026 19min

  This week on Middle Row, Coco Mocoe sits down with alt-pop artist Seb Torgus, and his story might be the most unexpected come-up in music right now. Before releasing music, Seb was working as a janitor in Chicago. Now he's based in LA, rocking iconic red hair, and building friendships with some of the biggest names in the alt and rock world including Yungblud and Jessie from The Neighbourhood. In this episode, Seb also talks about collaborating with Jesse Jo Stark, the daughter of Chrome Hearts founders Laurie Lynn and Richard Stark, and what it means to carry his Croatian heritage into his artistry as he sets his sights on becoming the first Croatian pop star.Filmed in the Spotify theater 📍Follow Seb Torgus on Instagram: ⁠@sebtorgus⁠Follow Coco Mocoe on Instagram: ⁠@cocomocoe⁠Subscribe to the ⁠Middle Row YouTube channel ⁠for full video episodes.
• 
  How Role Model Discovered This Rising Artist (ft. Debbii Dawson) 23.02.2026 19min

  WATCH DEBBII DAWSON'S VISUALIZER FOR "YOU KILLED THE MUSIC" HERE: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFLh58plBYg&list=RDaFLh58plBYg&start_radio=1⁠She's opened for Role Model and Beaches — and she's just getting started. In this episode, I sit down with Debbii Dawson for a candid conversation about her path as a music artist, how her Indian heritage has influenced her sound and identity, the experiences that shaped her, life on the road, and the moments that made her believe she was meant for this. If you're into indie music, emerging artists, and real talk about the creative process, this one's for you.Follow me!Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail: ⁠cocomocoe@gmail.com⁠Follow the official "Middle Row" playlist on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9?si=e4dc55829d754ad0&nd=1&dlsi=d97fc2d2e8c64f95⁠Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna TracyVideographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify LAComment below what music artist you think is next to take off!
• 
  How Charli XCX Moved On From Brat 09.02.2026 10min

  WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR "HOUSE" BY CHARLI XCX FT. JOHN CALE ⁠HERE⁠Happy Middle Row Monday! New episodes of "The Middle Row w Coco Mocoe", out every other Monday 🍿 ✨In the first episode of season 3 of "The Middle Row", we are sitting down with Charli XCX (I can't believe I am typing this) as we break down her music video for "House" ft. John Cale from the Wuthering Heights soundtrack. We talk about how she found out about the project from Emerald Fennell, about how the exhaustion of the "brat" tour led to the gritty texture of the soundtrack and how she isn't actually an astrology girl herself.If you want to know the nitty-gritty details about how I booked this interview, you can read more on my Substack: https://cocomocoe.substack.com/p/how-i-booked-charli-xcx-as-a-guestLet me know what up-and-coming artist I should feature on the show in the reviews on Apple Podcasts & Spotify ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️Filmed in the Greystone mansionVideo Crew: ⁠Operation Podcast⁠On-set Producer: Trinna LarsenEditor & Strategist: ⁠Sammi Social⁠cocomocoe@gmail.com
• 
  How Corbyn Besson got Tzuyu from TWICE on his hit song "Blink" 29.12.2025 26min

  WATCH THE OFFICIAL "BLINK" MUSIC VIDEO FEATURING CORBYN BESSON AND TZUYU FROM TWICE ⁠HERE ⁠📺 🍿Hi coconuts! Today’s episode of “Middle Row w Coco Mocoe” features an artist that I believe should be on your radar.We can learn a lot from his story; such as the power of patience when creating.Not everything needs to be fast. There is power in waiting for the right moment to strike.Corbyn Besson was formerly known for being a child star in the boyband “Why Don’t We” with hit songs like “8 letters”. Now, he is breaking solo. Ahead of his first EP, “Head First”, he released a song called “Blink” featuring Tzuyu from the K-Pop girl group TWICE.He sat on this song for 8 months, waiting for the right moment and collaborator. And thank goodness he did because now the song has 13,000,000+ views on YouTube and 15,000,000+ listens on Spotify.We talk more about his solo career after the dissolution of "Why Don't We" following a lengthy legal battle, how he met Tzuyu at Lollapalooza ahead of their collaboration together + what to expect from his upcoming EP, "Head First".📍 Filmed in the Spotify movie theaterFollow me!Instagram | ⁠@cocomocoe⁠TikTok | ⁠@cocomocoe⁠Email: ⁠cocomocoe@gmail.com⁠⁠#CorbynBesson⁠ ⁠#Tzuyu⁠ ⁠#TWICE⁠ ⁠#Blink⁠ ⁠#WhyDontWe⁠ ⁠#Kpop⁠ ⁠#Seoul⁠ ⁠#8Letters⁠ ⁠#MusicInterview
• 
  How to Go Viral on Spotify (According to their Editorial Lead) 15.12.2025 1t

  Today's episode of "Middle Row w Coco Mocoe" is with Cecilia Winter, the Editorial Lead of Global Hits at Spotify. That is a fancy way to say that she is the person who leads the team that listens to thousands of songs a week and uses data, instinct and taste to curate which of those thousands of songs will break out into the mainstream on major Spotify playlists like Pop Rising, Today's Top Hits, and more.We talk about the rise of artists in 2025, such as; Sombr, Olivia Dean, Alex Warren and Addison Rae. We also talk about what she expects to see trend on the platform in 2026 based on the internal data at Spotify.If you are a music artist, marketer or love to predict the trends before they happen -- this episode is for you! 🍿"Middle Row w Coco Mocoe" is a show dedicated to profiling the artists, actors and culture movers that are on the brink of breaking mainstream next. In each episode, trend forecaster and marketer, Coco Mocoe, sits down in a movie theater with the person she thinks is going to break big next as they watch their work on the big screen and break it down scene-by-scene.This show is a love letter to LA and the people that move here to make it big and have fun along the way, so stay to the end of every episode to hear what each guests favorite places to go out in LA are.📺 Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CocoMocoe⁠ 📺Listen to the official "Middle Row w Coco Mocoe" playlist on Spotify for updates every Friday of artists and songs that Coco thinks are at a tipping point of moving the needle of culture and trends there way and becoming a household name overnight ⬇️💚 The Official "Middle Row" Spotify Playlist, Updated Every Friday ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9⁠ 💚⭐️ LEAVE THE NAME OF AN ARTIST YOU THINK I SHOULD HAVE ON THE SHOW IN THE REVIEWS ON APPLE AND SPOTIFY ⭐️Follow Coco Mocoe on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/cocomocoe/⁠ 📸Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@CocoMocoe
• 
  Why You Have to be Polarizing to Become Popular (ft. Beauty School Dropout) 15.12.2025 45min

  WATCH MY INTERVIEW WITH THE GLOBAL HEAD OF SPOTIFY ABOUT WHAT WILL TREND IN MUSIC IN 2026: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/6nWNJnSWNpDJ4VTU28jSdW?si=WwKr8UDwQ0SlPkU3HpBesg⁠In this interview at the Spotify Theater, we sit down with LA rock band Beauty School Dropout—featuring vocalist Cole "Colie" Hutzler, bassist Brent "Beepus" Burdett, guitarist/producer Bardo Novotny, and drummer Colton Flurry—for a conversation about their path in the music industry.The band formed in Los Angeles and faced homelessness in San Diego during their early days ⁠Lippmanent⁠, before being discovered by Mark Hoppus and Pete Wentz who signed them to the Verswire label. They've since opened for Blink-182 and will be opening for Machine Gun Kelly in 2026. The band has also performed at Warped Tour and festivals including Lollapalooza and Download Festival.#BeautySchoolDropout #Blink182 #MachineGunKelly #WarpedTour #MusicMarketing #MusicBusiness #RockMusic #PunkRock #PopPunk #MusicIndustry #SpotifyTheater #MarkHoppus #PeteWentz #MusicInterview #Podcast
• 
  BENEE Doesn't Want to be Sweet 17.11.2025 26min

  Thank you to Linktree for partnering with "Middle Row w Coco Mocoe" on this episode. You can find the official playlist, featuring new artists and songs every Friday morning, on my Linktree page: https://linktr.ee/cocomocoeWATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR "CINNAMON" HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3Mr7FpNxD0&list=RDe3Mr7FpNxD0&start_radio=1BENEE tells the real story behind her viral hit "Supalonely" and what it was like meeting Elton John after it blew up. She also gets real with Coco Mocoe about her song "Underwater," which was written about a depressive episode, and opening for superstars like Olivia Rodrigo and Tate McRae.On this episode of Middle Row, BENEE and Coco also dive into her "Princess" collab with Pinkpantheress, why her song "Cinnamon" isn't as "sweet" as it sounds, and the unique armor she created with Keith Herron. Plus, we talk about her favorite LA hot spots and (of course) I try to guess her Big 3 zodiac signs.TIME STAMPS + TOPICS 🍿 1:17 — Benee opening for Tate McRae 2:59 - Benee opening for Olivia Rodrigo 3:47 - What about Benee’s concerts makes her unique 4:47 - her New Zealand perspective6:04 - The armor she has made with creative director Keith Herron 7:51 - What is her song, “Cinnamon”, a metaphor for? 9:27 - “Underwater” song is about a depressive episode10:26 - Pinkpantheress collab, “Princess” 11:51 - What was the hardest song to create on “Ur an Angel I’m Just Particles” album12:36 - Where should someone listen to the new BENEE album for the first time 14:06 - How “Supalonely” became a hit 15:51 - Meeting Elton John16:47 - Writing “Supalonely”18:19 - BENEE”s favorite LA hot spots 19:29 - Kids don’t socialize anymore/playing Fortnite21:06 - Guessing BENEE’s zodiacs 23:01 - BENEE’S upcoming tour24:30 - Favorite American city to play inFollow me! Instagram | @cocomocoeTikTok | @cocomocoeEmail: cocomocoe@gmail.comFollow the official "Middle Row" playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/19x3n1ZRyN4eeikwSy8sL9?si=e4dc55829d754ad0&nd=1&dlsi=d97fc2d2e8c64f95Executive Producers: Coco Mocoe & Trinna Tracy Videographer: Operation PodcastEditor: Coco MocoeCreator: Coco MocoeFilming Location: Spotify LAComment below what music artist you think is next to take off!