L-R Audiomovers Matt Soczywko (Head of Marketing, Audiomovers), Dom Dronska (General Manager, Audiomovers), Nile Rodgers (Chief Collaborator & Chair of Advisory Board, Audiomovers) Photo credit: Rachel Dyson
Abbey Road’s AUDIOMOVERS announced on Tuesday that respected musician, songwriter and producer Nile Rodgers is the latest guest in their podcast series UNSUNG. "The podcast explores the behind-the-scenes stories of iconic records and the people who made them, and now turns its spotlight on the iconic producer, guitarist and songwriter Nile Rodgers in an epic deep dive into the career of one of music’s most influential architects."
"Following closely on the heels of Audiomovers announcing the appointment of Nile Rodgers as Chief Collaborator and Chair of its Board of Advisors, this episode of UNSUNG offers rare access to his personal insights and unfiltered memories," they said in a statement. "A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, and multiple GRAMMY® Award-winning songwriter, composer, producer, arranger and guitarist, Rodgers is now lending his creative vision to Audiomovers—a company that has powered more than 3 million collaborative sessions for top artists and engineers around the world."
"Hosted by Audiomovers’ Dom Dronska (General Manager) and Matt Soczywko (Head of Marketing), this feature-length conversation reveals Nile Rodgers in peak storytelling form, reflecting on the highs, hurdles and humanity behind some of the biggest hits in modern music," they added. "From reshaping Duran Duran’s career with the massively popular extended remix of 'The Reflex' to redefining Diana Ross’s legacy with 'I’m Coming Out,' Rodgers recounts pivotal moments with unmatched candor and charisma. He shares creative and career insights like what it was like to record to tape and why you rarely hear any 'outtakes' from his projects."
“Every song I do, it’s only one take,” commented Rodgers. “That’s why you’ve never heard Bowie, ‘The Outtakes,’ Madonna, ‘The Outtakes.’ There are no outtakes. There’s one take because tape cost money in those days, and we had to save money.”
"The episode spans decades of groundbreaking collaborations, including David Bowie, Madonna, Carly Simon, Sister Sledge and Daft Punk, and offers rare insight into Rodgers’ fearless approach to music production," they continued. "He opens up about racial pushback in the industry with examples like, 'Black budgets, traditionally, unless you were the Jackson Five or Diana Ross, would typically be lower than white rock budgets. So every single day we had to set up and tear down (in the studio). Every day, eight-hour shifts, same thing. And we cut three or four tracks a day. And I mean, it was all about budget and saving money for us as well as making a good record.' Rodgers goes on to share insights on pioneering sampling techniques, battles with record labels, and the cornerstone philosophy that has driven his work as a collaborator: 'When I’m working on a record for another person, I only care about their result. I don't care about what I feel, because I think my composing and arranging history has been written. So, all I do is really care about the artist, and it's just about them. How do I make your record better? That's why I take so many jobs.'"
Listeners are treated to behind-the-scenes anecdotes, such as how a chance visit to a drag-queen bar inspired the mega-hit “I’m Coming Out.” “I was in a bathroom loaded with ‘Diana Rosses’ [lookalike impersonators] because they must’ve been having a Diana Ross Lookalike Contest Night,” stated Rodgers. “And a light bulb goes off over my head and I called Bernard, I said, ‘man, please write this down. What man? What? Wake up. Wake up, listen to me. Write this down. Write down, I’m coming out’ - the rest is history.” Or why Capitol Records initially hated “The Reflex” remix, and how Rodgers and Bernard Edwards outwitted early contract loopholes. With humor, humility and historical weight, Rodgers weaves a narrative that connects cultural revolutions, creative risks, and commercial triumphs.
“Nile’s episode is unlike anything we’ve recorded,” says UNSUNG co-host Dom Dronska. “It’s not just the sheer number of iconic records that he’s been behind; it’s the way he brings them to life through vivid, unfiltered storytelling. His ability to connect musical genius with personal experience is truly rare. Spanning studio, stage and boardroom, his stories reveal decades of cultural influence and creative leadership - a powerful exploration of music making, collaboration, and the human heartbeat behind innovation.”
The full episode is available now on all major podcast platforms and via https://audiomovers.com/unsung-podcast/.
