ABOUT THIS EPISODE
It’s time to turn the tables in this special episode of LaunchLeft. Rain Phoenix passes hosting duties over to punk icon Donita Sparks of L7. Donita interviews Rain about the origins of LaunchLeft, her lifelong journey in music and artistry, collaborating with her brother River Phoenix, navigating grief, and the evolution of her creative process. Rain also shares updates on her current projects, including Escape Artist Lovers and the inspiration behind her next solo record.
Together, Rain and Donita explore artistic identity, spiritual growth, joyful collaboration, and the power of feeling ‘seen' in the artistic community. Then, Rain launches Evelyn Frances, who shares her experimental approach to music, blending classical, jazz, and electronic soundscapes to explore climate change, human connection, and personal transformation.
This episode is perfect for musicians, music lovers, independent artists, and fans of LaunchLeft, offering insight into how collaboration, grief, and purpose-driven art can shape careers and creative paths.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN THIS EPISODE
✅ Rain’s goal for creating LaunchLeft to uplift independent artists and creatives
✅ How music shaped Rain’s life from childhood to her current projects
✅ The evolution of Escape Artist Lovers and Rain’s creative partnership with Kirk Hellie
✅ Rain’s mission-oriented solo record and her work as a death doula
✅ Evelyn Frances’ experimental music process and the themes of her albums Seed and Human Patience
✅ How collaboration, grief, and personal growth influence creative partnerships
00:00 Introduction: Meet Donita Sparks
03:42 How Rain stays grounded while navigating the pressures of the music industry
07:15 Early experiences that shaped Rain’s artistic identity and mission
12:08 Rain’s approach to vulnerability and honesty in her creative work
16:54 Overcoming obstacles on her artistic path and lessons learned
21:30 Maintaining community and connection while uplifting emerging artists
26:02 The role of creative partnership in Rain’s journey with Escape Artist Lovers
31:40 Balancing artistic expression with the realities of the music business
36:12 Advice for artists struggling with self-doubt
40:55 Key takeaways from Rain’s mission-driven work and what she hopes listeners carry forward
💎 Visibility from a respected artist can transform the career of an emerging musician
💎 Creativity evolves through grief, growth, and reinvention
💎 Music becomes a refuge, a truth-teller, and a way back to oneself
💎 Purpose-driven art brings comfort at life’s most vulnerable moments
💎 Experimental and avant-garde music blends genres to challenge perception and inspire reflection
LaunchLeft Podcast Smart Link: https://www.launchleft.com
Rain Phoenix
Website: https://www.rainjphoenix.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainjphoenix/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rainjphoenix333/
Donita Sparks
Website: https://www.donitasparks.com
L7 Official: https://www.l7theband.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donitasparks
Spotify Artist Page (L7): https://open.spotify.com/artist/0vYzyVYjv80FVRbH0qD5GG
Evelyn Frances
Website: https://www.evelynfrancesmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evelynfrancesmusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evelynfrancesmusic/
Rain Phoenix: Musician, activist, and creator of LaunchLeft, Rain has spent her life in music and artistic projects, from performing with her brother River in Aleka’s Attic to leading projects including Paper Cranes, Venus and the Moon, and Escape Artist Lovers. Her work blends artistic expression with spiritual intention, uplifting emerging independent artists while exploring vulnerability, joy, and truth. Rain’s forthcoming solo album Lullaby (BYE) expands her mission to bring comfort through music at pivotal life moments.
Donita Sparks: Best known as the co-founder, guitarist, and vocalist of the pioneering punk band L7, Donita Sparks is a cultural force whose influence spans decades. Her creativity, artistry, and humor have made her an iconic figure in music. In 2026, Sparks joins LaunchLeft as a guest host, bringing her insight and generous spirit to conversations with independent and emerging artists.
Evelyn Frances is an experimental, avant-garde musician and songwriter from Upstate New York, now based in Seattle. Her work blends classical flute and jazz training with electronic soundscapes to explore climate change, humanity’s relationship with nature, and personal struggles with mental health. Her first album, Seed, was recorded at Electric Lady Studios while she interned there and met producer Phil Joly. Her second album, Human Patience, was created over five years with Matthew Politoski (producer/mixing engineer), Phil Joly (producer/mixing engineer), Tristan Allen (producer), and John Thayer (mastering engineer).
