[00:00:00] Rain Phoenix: Hello and welcome to LaunchLeft Podcast. I'm your, oh, big announcement. I'm not your host. That's right. We have a host takeover, Ms. Donita Sparks of L seven Fame, just. A badass human being a good friend, somebody who I have been inspired by over the years so much. I'm so grateful that she has agreed to host LaunchLeft in 2026 or at least some of the episodes.
[00:00:32] Um, so please welcome our new guest host, Donita Sparks to the show. I will be your guest today. And I'll be launching Evelyn Francis. Don't forget. Rate and subscribe and follow us on all socials at LaunchLeft. Welcome, Donita, the new host to the show. That's me. Hi, Rain. I'm 
[00:00:52] Donita Sparks: here. I'm so glad you're here.
[00:00:56] Thanks for having me and uh, I'm very honored. [00:01:00] That you are, uh, trusting in me to guest host some of these podcasts, because I know you put in so much work over the years and, uh, I'm taking it seriously, you know, to a certain degree. I mean, yeah, I'm taking it seriously, but, uh, so thank you for having me.
[00:01:18] Rain Phoenix: I'm so lucky. I really do. I've pinched myself every day since you've said yes. I'm like, I can't believe it. Donita Sparks is hosting LaunchLeft. 
[00:01:25] Donita Sparks: I'm, I'm hosting LaunchLeft, but today. I get to turn the tables on you, is that correct? Yeah. Hmm. Because you have interviewed me before with your lovely sister summer.
[00:01:39] That's right. And you know, I, I guess in, in seeing the LaunchLeft site and seeing all of, let's just jump in. Can we just jump in Please, please, please. Okay. So I'm very impressed. How long have you been doing 
[00:01:53] Rain Phoenix: LaunchLeft? In 2017, I went and visited a friend, moon Zappa. And [00:02:00] so we talked about it a little bit and she was like, well, it was right when podcasts were really taking off.
[00:02:04] And she was like, have you ever thought about doing a podcast? And I was like, no, what's, what's that all about? And so she and I did like a year of that together where we did Launch Love Podcast with uh, moon Unit and I hosting and that was really amazing and fun. And then we both got. I busy with other things and kind of left it.
[00:02:25] And then were approached, um, by another friend who said, oh, I want, uh, cast Media is interested in doing your podcast, giving you down. And I asked my sister summer and she was available and that's how, that's how the 2019 came into being. But that's the long story of it. Um. And the reason really is that initial reason, and the one I've had for a long time, is the idea of how much it means when a well-known artist Yeah.
[00:02:56] Shines a light on somebody who's lesser known [00:03:00] and what that does for them, even just as a feeling. It might not launch their career. Yeah. But it gives them this sense of being seen in in the artistic community. And for a lot of people who are artists, they may never feel seen. They may never get to that place.
[00:03:18] So at the very least, if somebody well-known says, I like what you're doing, that's almost as. Cool as having your, you know, having a million streams on your song because somebody cool likes you. And, uh, and I know what that feels like. I've, I've been at the other end of that, so I wanted to see that happen for other artists, and I wanted to create a platform where that was possible.
[00:03:41] Donita Sparks: Yeah. You know, I, um, it's funny 'cause uh, whenever I would hear a compliment from somebody famous or something, I, it would really put a spring in my step and keep me going in a way. Like, and then, but you, boy, I sure remember the digs too. Um, I'm one of those people that like remembers the digs. Everyone does as much [00:04:00] as I remember the, the accolades or the, the compliments.
[00:04:03] Yeah. But, um, yeah, so, you know, I know you. Have been involved in music your entire life, first with your family and then in your adulthood? Are you like, were you comfortable as a child doing it and then moving into it in adulthood as well? That's a really good 
[00:04:24] Rain Phoenix: question. I just, I was pretty much born into it and I could sing from the minute that I could talk, and so.
[00:04:33] Therefore I was singing, 'cause my brother was playing guitar and he was very obsessed with playing guitar and writing and singing since he was five. And I became sort of his additional vocal because, so, you know, as he was growing up, his voice changed so much. So I was like the solid. And so, uh. It was he and I since I was like three and I think I like to sing, but I was [00:05:00] very shy and I didn't really like to, um.
[00:05:03] Move at all. I would like freeze and sing. Yeah. But I, uh, so it took me a long time to come into myself as a performer, and when I say a long time, I think I was 10 by the time I finally came into myself as and started dancing and engaging with the audience prior to that, it was like terrified of looking at that.
[00:05:22] There were a group of people looking at me, you know? Um, 
[00:05:25] Donita Sparks: yeah, I saw, I saw some live video, uh, some of, uh. A's attic and you're kind of standing in the back like a little behind your brother. Yeah. But you're rocking and you sound great. And I can't believe that, uh, like in my family, I don't know if we would have siblings in our rock group, you know?
[00:05:45] So I think it's really cool that you have that relationship or you have that within your entire family, which is kind of a dynasty. Uh, but at the time it was just you and him and other musicians and. Yeah, your voices do, do, do sound really [00:06:00] good together on those clips. 
[00:06:01] Rain Phoenix: Yeah. That, that was amazing. We, when we grew into like, you know, teen years and actually we're in a band together, um, that was also a coming out as a performer obviously.
[00:06:15] I mean, I, I kind of cringe at my eighties dancing, but I also love it looking back and seeing that late eighties, nineties, like teen. You know, dancing. Yeah. Um, hippie dancing, whatever. Uh, but I, but it helped me so much, you know, when I, even after he passed and I stayed in music, 'cause what else had I known?
[00:06:38] It was a very difficult transition to be honest, between that part where we were always a unit till he was gone and I lost my collaborator, like having to sort of. Decide like, you know, it was like, it was tr that trauma of like, there's somebody that you're making music with and that's your understanding of [00:07:00] music and why you make music.
[00:07:02] And then he was gone and then there was just this gaping hole of like, I don't even know how to do it without my brother, you know? Yeah. And, and I didn't really learn any other skill. That was the thing that I did. All the time except for music. So it was also, you know, I got into acting for a while, but I remember making a pretty conscious decision to go back into music.
[00:07:26] 'cause that was for me, really great when it was really great and something I really believed in, and I was willing to sort of waste all that time. But in other situations it was such a waste of time. Like, it felt like you're sitting there on one scene and it takes all day. Yeah. Like how many songs could have been written and how many shows could have been played in that amount of time.
[00:07:48] You know, like when I would compare it to music, it felt wasteful of time. Interesting. Yeah. So, I'm sorry I'm going all over, but I'm just Oh, it's okay. Over answering the question. [00:08:00] But yeah, 
[00:08:01] Donita Sparks: uh, you know, because I, I, you know, I did my recon on you Rain. 'cause we're, we're friends. Yeah. But we're not super, we don't know each other super well or anything.
[00:08:10] And in fact, just a side note, I first met Rain when L seven, my band was on tour and we played Gainesville, Florida and River. And, um, Rain came to our show and then invited us back to the Phoenix household like. After soundcheck for a meal and we were just like, wow, this is a trip. You know? And, and, uh, your family was so gracious and welcoming and that was, um, a memorable moment for us.
[00:08:38] For sure. Me too. So that's how, that's how we first met. Um, but in doing my recon on you, uh, you've been in. Bands your entire adult life, like Attica's Attic and then you, you moved on to Paper Cranes and uh, Venus and Moon and [00:09:00] all these other bands, which is very, uh, admirable 'cause you've just kept on going.
[00:09:05] But a few years ago we were at a party and you were saying to me and a couple other people, I'm out, I'm done with music. Out. No more, no more. I'm done with it. I'm done. I'm not gonna spend my time with it anymore. And then lo and behold, like a couple years later, you sent me an email with all these songs from your latest Endeavor Escape Artist Lovers.
[00:09:33] And I was like, she's back in, she's back in like, what brought you back in? Because I, I really am fond of escape artist lovers. But what, what pulled you back in? 
[00:09:44] Rain Phoenix: Um, I'm trying to remember what I feel like that I have a, a, a loose memory of that conversation and I wonder if I like, was really, oh, I mean, if, if this was like 13 [00:10:00] years ago, there was a time like when I was just turned 40 that I had like claimed I was quitting music.
[00:10:07] But that was that long ago. Now this was like norm turned 55. So was that Norm? Okay. So was that Norm? Yeah. I wonder if I was basically saying like, I am done, like, you know, only for the fun of it kind of thing. Like I'm not gonna like try to pursue as a career, but, but. I also can totally see me saying that, but as you know, or can I, can I assume and we'll get a head shake or a yay from you that once a musician or artist, always a musician or artist, like you can say, you're going to quit.
[00:10:43] And I know a. Rock stars, friends of mine that have said that. Yeah. And I'm like, oh yeah, let's, I can't wait to see what happens in five years. Like inevitably, you can't stop making music and you can't stop writing songs, and you can't stop wanting to express yourself creatively. So. [00:11:00] I wish I would've told everyone, take this with a gRain of salt.
[00:11:04] 'Cause I also, I'm gonna always come back to what I love to do, you know, and escape 
[00:11:09] Donita Sparks: artist lovers is, is is still current, right? You are in Yes. The band current. Yeah. And that's what my partner 
[00:11:16] Rain Phoenix: Kirk Kelly. Yeah. And that has been incredible and so fun to do. I've been, um. We both have been working also simultaneously on our solo records.
[00:11:27] So that is also why, um, we haven't been playing for a while as we kind of went into the studio on our solo stuff, as well as, uh, getting together an album for Eel as we like to call the short name for Escape Artist Lovers Eel. That's an easy, 
[00:11:43] Donita Sparks: and lemme just, I'm glad you like it. I am a fan and I've seen you with just Kirk and I've also seen you with a full band, so you do that too sometimes, right?
[00:11:52] Rain Phoenix: Oh yeah, I, yeah, yeah, yeah. We like the full band. That's the more representative of, of the music, but [00:12:00] we can do the duo version and we, we like to make it weird with samplers and fun stuff, like reimagine it for two, but, um, got it. Those songs mean so much to me and I really hope we get a chance to, uh, finish that record and finish our solo things and just get to playing.
[00:12:17] Like I think we really loved performing live and we got to do it for a good spell there, but we're on pause right now 
[00:12:24] Donita Sparks: for anyone who has that scene or heard. Escape artist lovers. I highly recommend. So I'm kind of launching you. I mean, I love, thank you. Just as a Remi, just as a reminder to everyone who's who you know, uh, who have seen your podcast before, maybe know about them, but, um, escape artist lovers.
[00:12:45] You guys are like super catchy, but also kind of like epic in this way. Um. And always with really cool visuals like you're, you're, I I feel that [00:13:00] your, um, videos are great. I love that you have projections going on in your live performance. That's, I, I love that shit. And it just, it's a really great presentation and, and the fact that you and Kirk both have this wild black hair, it, it's a striking.
[00:13:16] Visual for the music that you're putting forth as well. Do you, do you have any thoughts on that, Rene? 
[00:13:24] Rain Phoenix: Yeah, I love that. Um. It's funny, it's true. We both do have wild hair. 
[00:13:30] Donita Sparks: Yeah, it looks good. 
[00:13:31] Rain Phoenix: It's something about being like musical collaborators that like, uh, you start to like, you know, look alike or something.
[00:13:38] Like we're always, we're always creating songs like he writes, uh, the music for my solo work, you know, so we, we always, we've been so, um, musically. You know, partnered in this way, that has probably made us start to look alike. And you're right, it is like a, a great, [00:14:00] um, it's like a hairband kind of is what I'm, 
[00:14:02] Donita Sparks: yeah, no, it looks good.
[00:14:03] And there's even a video where you join hair. That's great. That love that. That's, uh, 
[00:14:09] Rain Phoenix: Shane McKenzie directed that video. Hey, motherfucker is the name of the, um. Song, which was one of my favorites. And he's the projectionist. He does all the projections too. He's really brilliant. 
[00:14:21] Donita Sparks: Yes. Well, speaking of hey motherfucker.
[00:14:24] Yeah. Um, is, is that one motherfucker specific or is it, um, you know, a group of motherfuckers? What's the, what's the story behind that song? Because, you know, there are so many of them. 
[00:14:37] Rain Phoenix: You know what? You know what? That's one that you would have to. Ask Kirk, he wrote that song in its entirety. That was the, that's I think, the only song in Eel that we didn't collaborate.
[00:14:47] Usually I write most of the lyrics or. Interesting. And that one was all him. And I was like, this song is so in Sanc and we make it a Neil song. I wanna, I wanna sing a harmony on it. 
[00:14:56] Donita Sparks: Yeah, no, the Harmony's great. Yeah. So, uh, and I And you've [00:15:00] got a lot of harmonies going on on your stuff. 
[00:15:01] Rain Phoenix: Yeah. Which is 
[00:15:03] Donita Sparks: k kind of consistent for your whole career too, right?
[00:15:05] I mean, 
[00:15:06] Rain Phoenix: yeah. It started more in Venus, in the moon Harmony. Okay. Because my brother and I used to sing Unison, so that was sort of all Oh really? All I ever. And then with Venus and the Moon, it was like my first foray into Harmony singing. Um, and uh, that was really eye-opening and I started loving Harmony.
[00:15:25] And then I did a lot of that on my own record, on my first solo record River. And with Eel, we kind of made a conscious decision that we would both be singing all the time and that it would always be a harmony. So pretty much every song, I think all of them, I don't think there's a song that we sing in unison.
[00:15:44] Donita Sparks: Now you've got a spiritual bent to your lyrics. Do you agree? Like you, you, you're like, there's like a. There's like a, there's a spiritualness to it and a positiveness to it, [00:16:00] and a hopefulness to it that things are more positive to come do. Do you, do you agree with that? 
[00:16:05] Rain Phoenix: Wow. That's, so you really have been listening.
[00:16:08] I'm, so, I hear, I'm so grateful. Like it's so hard to these days, to um, to, um. Focus for people to focus, to actually listen to an entire album. So, um, I'm really grateful that you've taken the time. And it's so funny because Kirk always says if the, if the lyric is a like. Morose or down it's me. If the lyric is like positive, it's Rain or he goes, if it's negative, it's me.
[00:16:34] So on our songs there'll be some darker songs and you'll tell like, oh, Kirk may have written that line or something. But what's funny is that I am a huge fan and proponent and my entire career is mostly sad girl rock as I've heard. Um, I think Norm coined that for me. Ah, or he says that about me. Um. So I've always written melancholy lyrics, but in eel for some reason, and I think it was because we really [00:17:00] started writing very intentionally during COVID, uh, and I felt like there was so much fear, anxiety, and angst that, that I was compelled something compelled me to write.
[00:17:16] Hopeful we can get through this. Like positive lyrics for the world. Like the world doesn't need anymore negative right now. And so I think that's why when you interviewed 
[00:17:28] Donita Sparks: me, you said that, you know, you felt that most, you know, music lyrics come from pain, at least. At least for you if is pain a necessary ingredient for your stuff?
[00:17:46] Because everybody writes differently and, and you know, I don't know if, I mean, I come from a lot of anger, but a lot of that stems from pain, you know? So it's kind of like it transforms from. And, you know, [00:18:00] hurt feelings to anger, to, you know, something kind of funny and cool. But, uh, you know, the transformation thing is that the kind of a is do you always start from pain or is it hopefulness?
[00:18:14] Rain Phoenix: I think it maybe I used to be less intentional as a songwriter, or, let's put it this way, most of my lyrics. Prior to Eel and even in Eel, but eel was a little bit more intentional, we're stream of consciousness, so I would Oh, okay. Hear Someone would send me a progression and all of a sudden I would just start recording on my mic.
[00:18:39] I'm in my studio. That's why I'm pointing that way. Um, and. S and press record and then a melody and lyrics would start coming out and whatever I liked, I kept from that. That's cool. So that's how I wrote most of my song. Got it. Like paper cranes was all stream of consciousness. Nothing was like really overthought or, yeah.
[00:18:59] And [00:19:00] with eel. Because Kirk was writing a lot, most of them, vocal melody, not all of them, but which I had never had that experience in my life where I didn't write the vocal melody. 
[00:19:10] .: Ah. 
[00:19:11] Rain Phoenix: And that was, at first a really difficult learning curve because part of how I wrote was that I wrote the melody and the lyrics at the same time, right?
[00:19:19] So then all of a sudden there was a melody decided, and all I needed to do was find the words to fit the melody 
[00:19:26] .: uhhuh, which 
[00:19:26] Rain Phoenix: made me write more intentionally. Or, or inspired me to write more intentionally, I should say. And with that, I think, like I said, because of the difficult years that we all endured during the pandemic, there was this, and because of my spiritual practice, which has.
[00:19:45] Increased over the years, um, and meditation practice. There was this wish to share, you know, what's possible and this hopeful sort of like joyful and anthemic lyric writer. Yes. 
[00:19:58] Donita Sparks: Very, very, very anthemic [00:20:00] and, um, truth, you know, it's the right sing about wanting truth and going a place where you can get that and have it and yeah.
[00:20:09] Yes, it's very, it's, it's, uh. It's very cool. And then there and then, and then hey motherfucker out of the blue. It's 
[00:20:16] Rain Phoenix: like, wow. Well there you go. Kirk wrote that one. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Which I loved it so much though. And that's the thing, I mean, I like when we both write lyrics on the same song because then it's a really cool hybrid of that.
[00:20:28] Yeah. And some of them are just heartbreaking. The ones, some of the ones we haven't released, 'cause they're definitely album. Uh, you know, we have a few that are Yeah. Are foreign albums Deep cuts. Yeah. Uhhuh Uhhuh. And they're more bizarre and cool. And the lyrics are darker and I'm excited for an album where we really get to share some of that.
[00:20:50] 'cause some of the ones we have are, are the more anthemic. 
[00:20:53] Donita Sparks: Yeah. So are you, are, are you working on that now or you're, you've focused on uh, uh, your solo records 
[00:20:59] Rain Phoenix: Right [00:21:00] now? Solo records, because that's what's up for me. Next is to, um. I'm writing a lullaby record for New life and those at end of life and everyone in between.
[00:21:13] So like any, any, anyone who needs comfort because of a difficult circumstance. My next solo record is called Lullaby Spelled BYE. 'cause it's like for those that are also on their deathbed and passing. So that is, that's my, my next mission oriented record for that is an vicious. 
[00:21:32] Donita Sparks: That is an ambitious, like, uh, that's, I really admire that because that's a, that's a, a, a mission record.
[00:21:42] Uh, and also I'm just, that's brave. Like, I think it's brave of you to do that. 
[00:21:49] Rain Phoenix: Thank you. I feel such a resonance with, and a need to provide to, like, during the pandemic, another thing that I did was I [00:22:00] became, I like. Took an online course to become a death doula. I don't know if you know what a death doula is.
[00:22:05] Donita Sparks: Something like hospice. 
[00:22:07] Rain Phoenix: Kind of like hospice, but more hospice includes med medical side of it. Like you, you can administer medication and you make them comfortable. You know, you're a nurse. This is actually like you. Um. Help the person with legacy projects for their family. Like they, they have a terminal illness and they're going to die.
[00:22:28] They gave them four months. Would you like to do like a, a, um, photo book that you leave your kids or, you know, and or what's, what kind of music would you like to hear? Do you wanna hear a song or do you have interest in any kind of spiritual faith? Would you like me to read from your favorite spiritual manuscripts or, you know, whatever, basically your comfort for this person you provide.
[00:22:50] Um. Wow. You're the person who goes in and is like, big deal. You're dying. Let's hang out. Let's do some fun stuff. 'cause most everybody, all their [00:23:00] family and friends are like. 
[00:23:02] Donita Sparks: Yeah. 
[00:23:02] Rain Phoenix: And, and everyone feels like that. They're so scared. There's so much anxiety and fear that they can't even like it ha relax into the fact that it's, it's inevitably happening soon.
[00:23:13] And ha and find some joy or find some reason to. 
[00:23:18] Donita Sparks: Do you, do you find that easier to do with, with strangers or with like. Friends, parents? Oh yeah. No, I 
[00:23:24] Rain Phoenix: mean, I think my interest, my dad passed away in 2015 and I was there for it and kind of with him too. And he wasn't meant to die and he did suddenly. So it was devastating.
[00:23:36] And then when, um. Then my, and then a dog soon after. And those two back to back were what made me so connected. It reminded me of River. It brought all this memory back that like, oh, right, I'm here to experience the pain of loss. Like, sadly, everyone is, unless you're the one who goes, we're gonna have to have this sadness around losing people we love.[00:24:00] 
[00:24:00] So, uh, how can I be. Support to those who need that. And it just made me kind of got on that ponder tRain. And this is, now I'm gonna loop it back to the record. I realized even after taking the online course and having a true interest in it, um, and could see myself. You know, when I retire, if there's such a thing, uh, going into that.
[00:24:25] But one thing that I came to really realize and that really I've been talking about making a lullaby record for years. 'cause I have new nephew and niece ah, and, um. For five years. And prior to that even I was like, oh, I'd love to do, but until I connected end of life to New Life, I didn't suddenly go like, oh my God, that's it.
[00:24:47] And so for me, I always need to know why. I want to make a record, like really know and be excited by it. And that's what made it exciting and that's what reminded me of like, that's the death [00:25:00] doula thing. Oh, this is what I can do to comfort. Yeah, and it's something that can comfort a lot of people, not just helping one person die at a time, per se.
[00:25:10] Maybe this can be a comfort to many people and can be used by other death doulas, like as music. Four of the dying. Right. So that's what got me interested in it. To, to answer the question with why. 
[00:25:22] Donita Sparks: Yeah. Why, why the solo record? Why this? Yeah. Well, first of all, I love the term death doula should be a goth band name.
[00:25:30] Oh my 
[00:25:30] Rain Phoenix: God. Yes. If it's 
[00:25:31] Donita Sparks: not already quick t on that death doula. But, um, because it, it, it, it sounds like, whoa. But it's, it's a really, such a beautiful thing. And you, it's funny because sometimes I'm like, oh man. What am I gonna do for the midterms? I've gotta, I've gotta, I've gotta help the Democratic party, or I've gotta do something and then I'm like, wait, the, probably the best thing I can do is like, write something.
[00:25:57] You know, like, that might be like the, [00:26:00] the most helpful, you know, other than donating or whatever. Like, yeah. It's weird, like whenever I'm like, I'm gonna go answer phones or I'm gonna, and then it's like, well wait, maybe I should just. Write a song that pertains not, not, not completely, you know, on the nose or anything, but you know, write something kind of.
[00:26:21] Inspired by whatever is on my bRain. Exactly. Because 
[00:26:24] Rain Phoenix: you have a bigger microphone there. That's right. Than you would by picking up a phone at a time. Yes, and that's what I realized too. I was like, so that I have 
[00:26:34] Donita Sparks: to 
[00:26:34] Rain Phoenix: Yeah. It's like, wait, don't reinvent the wheel here. Like there you do have a platform that is what you love to do and you have a way to, to speak to people that.
[00:26:45] Is has been for me since I was three. So why would I like change that whole thing when that's there for me? That channel exists already for me. 
[00:26:55] Donita Sparks: Well, I think that's very cool because you do support some causes. Uh, you, you do [00:27:00] a lot Rain phoenix, you wear many hats, which I love. Do you wanna talk about any of those or, because I saw them all on your website?
[00:27:09] Um, yeah, 
[00:27:11] Rain Phoenix: just go to my website, check it out. I do support so many and love so much the great work of m. There's just so many great nonprofits and they are really struggling, particularly the last couple years because of the situation that has been going on in our, in our country. But, um, I would say that.
[00:27:33] Off the top of my head, river Phoenix, center for Peace Building. Um, art, the Art of Elysium and the Lunchbox Fund are, are three that I, um, deeply believe in and deeply know personally and, and or have volunteered for. So I know the work they do is, is legit also. I missed one. The Hollywood Food Coalition, unbelievable work, what they do feeding Los Angeles.
[00:27:58] And I've volunteered a [00:28:00] number of times and, and also helped them curate some nights at Lodge Room as their fundraisers and things. So we've had some, a lot of fun with art and music. And that's, um, that's another charity I just love. So in terms of like obvious causes, Rain supports, those four are, are very cool.
[00:28:18] High up. Yeah. 
[00:28:20] Donita Sparks: Very cool. Now. This, you know, I know we have an artist to launch. That's right. You're gonna launch an artist. However, I want to take it to one of your other hats. 
[00:28:32] .: Oh. 
[00:28:33] Donita Sparks: That you wear. Okay. So I was in doing my reconnaissance, I watched some more of the LaunchLeft podcast, and I saw the one with peaches.
[00:28:45] Rain Phoenix: Oh my God. And 
[00:28:46] Donita Sparks: peaches. Know, started talking about something and all of a sudden I had knowledge envy, like Ra, Rain Knowledge Envy, and I had never seen the movie even Cowgirls, get the blues, even Cowgirls Get the blues. I had [00:29:00] read it when I was in high school and you know, I, I, I remembered most of it or whatever, but we were touring so much.
[00:29:06] Like we didn't, I didn't, I missed a lot of cultural things going on. I didn't even know it was a movie, but I watched it last night. And it was fantastic and you were fantastic in particular. And I thought it was a really cool movie. The cast was great. The music was great. Uh, but you, your little star. Aw, were.
[00:29:28] Fucking amazing. So, uh, you know, just heads up out there. Baby 
[00:29:32] Rain Phoenix: Rain. Baby Rain, 
[00:29:33] Donita Sparks: baby Rain Boy. You lit up the screen, honey. I'm telling you. That was really good. 
[00:29:39] Rain Phoenix: You were so 
[00:29:39] .: sweet. 
[00:29:40] Donita Sparks: No, but seriously, like you were delivering some, you know, impactful speeches and things, and you did it with like a, a glint in your beautiful eye.
[00:29:48] Aw. And, uh. It, it just really came across as, uh, very fresh to me. Even all these years later, it's like, God damn, that Rain. 
[00:29:59] Rain Phoenix: Aw, thank [00:30:00] you so 
[00:30:00] Donita Sparks: much. It's fantastic. Vintage, Rainy pee, vintage Rain. But yeah, so anyway, I, I love, I love that hat that you wear. 
[00:30:09] Rain Phoenix: I know. Well, that's something I'm, I'm actually, there is a movie that if we, once we get the financing, we've been working on that for a bit that I was asked to, to star in.
[00:30:18] And I love it very much and I'm very much looking forward to doing that. Like I love to Very 
[00:30:23] .: cool. 
[00:30:23] Rain Phoenix: I love acting when, when the time is right and the project feels right. Um, yeah. I just am not a like, go get it. In terms of acting? Yeah. Yeah. It's like if it comes to me and I believe in it and I love it, fine.
[00:30:37] Donita Sparks: If there's so many factors that are beyond your con out of your control though, when you're, when you're playing a part or something, it's like God knows what can happen to this thing, right? Like, 
[00:30:47] Rain Phoenix: oh my gosh. Yeah. When I was 13, I was in a film called Made to Order, starring Ali Sheety, and in it sh I'm like the rich daughter of these wealthy people and she's the maid, and I have this whole [00:31:00] like.
[00:31:01] Side plot in this film. And I'm like the, and my name is Brie, like the cheese. And I'm just a bi and I'm 13. So it's like hair on full max Frizz, like the worst looking version of myself. And my name was Rainbow at the time. 'cause for like half a year I chose Rainbow as my stage name, which was obviously regrettable and went back to my real name later.
[00:31:22] But, um, all to say, uh, that all my scenes. Got cut out except for a few where I was the daughter because it was an entire side plot where I like fell in love with the chauffeur and was bitched to the maid and all. And so when they had to make it 90 minutes, they're like, we lose the side plot. So I under you're right about all the different factors.
[00:31:45] It was devastating at the time, but just now looking back, I'm so grateful there's not more of me looking like that. Ah, on celluloid forever. Interesting. It's like mean to be your puberty self. I think, or [00:32:00] for me it would've been devastating if there were like five scenes and like monologues. I was grateful.
[00:32:06] Now I'm like, see, everything happens in a good way for a reason, 
[00:32:10] Donita Sparks: I guess. Geez. Bad stuff becomes pub. Wow. Wow. Well, are we ready to, to do a launch of, yeah. Can I just 
[00:32:19] Rain Phoenix: say that you are a consummate host? I don't know if anyone's ever gotten as much dirt out of me. Notes. Look at you with all those notes too.
[00:32:29] Notes. 
[00:32:29] Donita Sparks: Notes. And I wrote them so I could read them without my glasses on. That's smart too, too. It's all in really big type from a Sharpie. 
[00:32:41] Rain Phoenix: Oh my God, that's so genius. Why didn't I think of that? Well, I'm just, so I wanna reiterate again how grateful I am to you for jumping on and guest hosting, being a guest takeover on launch.
[00:32:53] Left like. I can't wait to see your upcoming 2026 episodes and the [00:33:00] whole team, were all just teaming with excitement that, uh, we got you. So thank you so much for doing it. 
[00:33:06] Donita Sparks: Very cool. I'm happy to be here. And, uh, you know, you've also told me that like other guests, hosts would be, maybe be open to them at other times and stuff and kind of have like a, a rotating kind of thing.
[00:33:20] Yeah. 
[00:33:21] Rain Phoenix: If you meet any people as amazing and magnanimous as you, okay. Well that's, that's a tough I know. That's the thing. It's tough baby. That's why I'm already, I'm trying to work with my attachment with you hosting Oh. A longer time than maybe you're able. 
[00:33:37] Donita Sparks: Well, we'll 
[00:33:37] Rain Phoenix: see. But um, you know, that's okay.
[00:33:38] That's part of my practice is letting go of attachment. 
[00:33:42] Donita Sparks: Yes. 
[00:33:42] Rain Phoenix: I'm just grateful for now. Right. Stay in the moment. Here we are. Right on. 
[00:33:45] Donita Sparks: And, and thanks for having me. And, uh, 
[00:33:48] Rain Phoenix: who are we introducing today? So today, Evelyn Francis is her artist's name. I dig her music. You know, sometimes I check out some of the bands that say, Hey, can I be in, be On Launch?
[00:33:59] [00:34:00] Left somehow the emerging bands, and we, we try to make a list of potential launchable artists when that happens. And we, I personally just loved her music and so we did a LaunchLeft likes for her, but now she recently put out a new ep. Human Patients is the name of the ep. Ooh. And, um, yeah, so she, it's, it's awesome.
[00:34:23] You guys should listen to it. And I wanted to just throw some light if possible on Evelyn Francis. And we're gonna let her in, right? We're gonna let her in now. Is that the plan? Host us. Host us with the mostess. 
[00:34:34] Donita Sparks: Oh, open the door and let her in. 
[00:34:37] .: All right. Here we go. Greetings, Evelyn. Hello. 
[00:34:41] Donita Sparks: How are you? 
[00:34:42] .: I'm good.
[00:34:42] How are you? Good. 
[00:34:44] Donita Sparks: Welcome to LaunchLeft. 
[00:34:46] Evalyn Frances: Thanks. This is my, uh, Rain. Did a little LaunchLeft likes with me a couple years ago, so I'm very 
[00:34:54] .: happy to be here with you both. Love your music. Where are you right now? I'm in [00:35:00] Seattle. Okay. Yeah. Oh, look at that. Beautiful doggy. Yes. My greyhound. Beautiful Rain. You 
[00:35:07] Donita Sparks: were just talking about Evelyn's record.
[00:35:10] Yes. New record. 
[00:35:12] Rain Phoenix: Yes. Uh, I guess it's an ep, right? I know Apple calls it an EP because you have to have eight songs if you want it to be an album on Apple. Mm. Yeah, I've been Did you discover that by accident or on purpose? 
[00:35:23] Evalyn Frances: I didn't discover that, but it is seven songs. My last record was seven songs too. I don't know.
[00:35:29] It's between a record and an ep, I feel like. 
[00:35:31] .: Yeah, 
[00:35:32] Rain Phoenix: absolutely. The songs are 
[00:35:33] Evalyn Frances: long, so 
[00:35:34] Rain Phoenix: they're great too. I've been listening to it in my car and in my house, and I just love how you stack vocals, how you use, you know, electronics, but just the moodiness of. Your records, it has a very distinct sound identity, you know, to me.
[00:35:54] Yeah. Like the, it's, that's just Evelyn Francis, which is cool to have that sort of strong [00:36:00] identity of your own musically. Thanks. Yeah. What caused you to get into music? I I, is that always been what you were into or? 
[00:36:09] Evalyn Frances: Yeah, so my parents, my mom's a jazz singer and, um. Grew up with a very musical family. My dad plays the trumpet, my sister plays the upright bass.
[00:36:20] Um, my sister's older than me by four years, so, um, it was just a very musical household. And music was always like in my parents' opinion, like the height of, uh, what you could do with your life. Um, my mom for them. Yeah. Unlike other people. So my mom, um. When she was young, she was in the Serendipity Singers, I don't know if you know them, but like, kind of like a show tunesy ish group, um, that she would tour with and yeah, she still sings jazz, all the jazz standards, so, um, oh, cool.
[00:36:57] I grew up with that just constantly. One of my first [00:37:00] memories is my mom holding me and looking down at her piano, her little keyboard while she practiced. Aw. Um, 
[00:37:07] Rain Phoenix: yeah. That's so cool to have parents like that in a household like that. Yeah. You know? And did you rebel, was there any point in which you rebelled against it?
[00:37:18] Were you like. Frack music? 
[00:37:20] Evalyn Frances: No. For me, it was like, it, it made sense. It was like I had to do this and it was the only thing. I could think to do. It was just like such a part of me. And I think my sister kind of was the one that felt differently. Like she, she tried so hard to do music and she was a great bass player, um, and I'm sure still is.
[00:37:41] But now, um, she's a standup comedian in Ireland and does very well with that. So, um, wow. 
[00:37:47] .: Yeah, she was, 
[00:37:48] Evalyn Frances: she was always more like theatrical than me and I was very like introverted and, um, yeah, she was very. Which is great. Amazing. She was Aer Yeah. 
[00:37:59] Donita Sparks: You're a are, [00:38:00] you're a flutist. Is that mm-hmm. How you say it?
[00:38:02] Evalyn Frances: Yes. I played, um, the classical flute I still do, um, throughout, since I was 10 and, um, throughout college as well. Uh, yeah. And I, I contemplated doing that whole thing. Um. I did go to music school and one of my professors was like, my flute professors was like, oh, Evelyn, like, if you want to do classical flute, you're gonna have to practice four hours a day minimum.
[00:38:32] And at that point I was practicing maybe two hours a day and working full time and going to school full time. So I was like, I don't know, like I just don't have that. But, um, one of my other flute professors was like, eh, she was like. Don't do classical flute, you're gonna spend your life in a, in a practice room.
[00:38:50] And she was like, your music is so much cooler, just do that and incorporate your flute. So that's what I, that's what I did. 
[00:38:58] Donita Sparks: Wow. Yeah. Your, your music [00:39:00] is cool. And the video I saw starts out one way, and then it gets in, into this, you know, um, uh. Kind of soft singy, you know, um, but moody, and then it breaks into this electronica stuff.
[00:39:20] And I, I thought that was really cool. I was not expecting that at all. So that was a nice surprise. 
[00:39:26] Evalyn Frances: Yeah. Thanks. Yeah. That, uh. That video took us a year to make, and I say us, but mainly, uh, mainly the director that made it, he really committed to it. So, um, props to him, uh, his name's Dustin House or Houston.
[00:39:41] I don't know which way to say that. Um, but yeah, it was a process and yeah, the, the electronic exploration of sound kind of came later. I used to be much more like folksy singer songwriter, but then started to get just. A little more strange. And my, um, [00:40:00] my producer friend, Matthew Polski, who did this newer record, he did most of the songs on it, um, alongside Phil Jolie.
[00:40:07] He, um, is a big electronic guy, so he really helped elevate things and move things in that direction. 
[00:40:17] Donita Sparks: Yeah, it's a cool thing. It's unique. Exactly. Thanks. It's a 
[00:40:20] Rain Phoenix: unique, I saw that you toured too, not too long ago, or did like a little mini or some shows or something, or was it up in the Pacific Northwest, is that right?
[00:40:27] Yeah, 
[00:40:28] Evalyn Frances: yeah. So after I released this record EP seven song thing, I uh, did a little. Pacific Northwest run with my friend Jessie, who is, uh, she goes by Tiny Vipers. She's kind of a Pacific Northwest staple. Um, and that was really great. She is so talented and, um, just a great person. And, um, we went up to Astoria, or sorry, down to Astoria from here, and we went, we played at, um.
[00:40:57] Her friend Liz [00:41:00] Harris's, uh, venue, I suppose it's also an art space, but Liz Harris is, um, the musician known as grouper. So that was a big, um. That was really cool for me to get to meet her and, um, do that. Fantastic. 
[00:41:16] Rain Phoenix: Well, will you share with us, so, and the audience, you know, the name of your record, where we can find it.
[00:41:22] What's your name? You know, all the good things about you, your social media, so can find you. 
[00:41:28] Evalyn Frances: Yeah. Um, it's called Human Patience. I released it in June. It's on all platforms. Um, I. Would much prefer you to use Bandcamp or something other than Spotify, uh, and. My Instagram handle is at Evelyn Francis Music.
[00:41:49] Um, that's pretty much all I'm on is just like Bandcamp and Instagram. I can't, I can't do all the, yeah, I don't do all the good for you. 
[00:41:56] Rain Phoenix: Good for you. That's a good thing. 
[00:41:58] Donita Sparks: Um, [00:42:00] congratulations on your record. Thank, we know, we know it's hard out there for a pimp. Yeah. Uh, as the song goes, yeah. Yeah. And you, there's so many things you, you have to promote.
[00:42:12] You have to, you just have to do everything. So, yeah. Uh, I admire that a lot and it, and, uh, good going on that. 
[00:42:20] Evalyn Frances: Thank 
[00:42:20] Rain Phoenix: you. Thank you. Yeah. Means a lot. Me too. And I can't wait to hear your, your next record, but in the meantime, I'll be listening to Human Patience. Thank you. Thanks so much. Yay. Dan. Thanks for being here.
[00:42:34] Denita Sparks our new host. You are here for the flagship. Changing of the Guard episode, Evelyn. Oh, so cool. It's so great to meet you. I feel great 
[00:42:44] Evalyn Frances: to meet you too. I feel really honored. 
[00:42:46] Donita Sparks: I'll check out more of your stuff, Evelyn. 
[00:42:48] Evalyn Frances: Thank you. And I'll 
[00:42:49] Donita Sparks: check out your record. 
[00:42:51] Evalyn Frances: Thanks 
[00:42:51] Donita Sparks: and keep on trucking. And I don't know who grouper is and I don't know who Tiny.
[00:42:56] Who do Vipers? 
[00:42:57] Evalyn Frances: Tiny Vipers. That's all right. They're like very ambient [00:43:00] artists. I'll check them out. But yeah, I would also, my, my other band I'm in is called Prim and it's like a rock band. And I feel like you might like that a little more. Oh, a little more down your writing it down. 
[00:43:11] .: Okay. Writing it down.
[00:43:12] Similarly 
[00:43:13] Evalyn Frances: politically, uh. Inspired like as yours, your very cool. 
[00:43:18] Donita Sparks: Your music. So that's great. Cool. Well, I'll follow all. Does Prim have a, a, have a handle on Instagram as well? 
[00:43:24] Evalyn Frances: Yeah, uh, I think it's at prim, the band. Okay. Far out. Alright. 
[00:43:31] Rain Phoenix: Thank you. Goodbye. 
[00:43:32] Donita Sparks: Thank you. Bye bye.
[00:43:46] Song: Through my body,
[00:43:54] I only eat what they feed.[00:44:00] 
[00:44:04] I don't have.
[00:44:23] I can't listen to anyone that doesn't.
[00:44:35] I
[00:44:40] louder into.[00:45:00] 
[00:45:10] I.
[00:45:36] I can't listen to anyone that doesn't agree with me. I.
[00:45:53] A little louder into my own.[00:46:00] 
[00:46:11] Tell me that you suffered more. You can't tell me that you suffered more. That I suffered more. That's how it's honey. I suffer more. You can't tell me more. You can't tell you.
[00:46:49] That's.[00:47:00] 
[00:47:02] You can tell.
[00:47:16] Rain Phoenix: LaunchLeft aims to create an intentional space that highlights and empowers all artists for whom radical creativity is not a choice, but a necessity. LaunchLeft begins with music, but its ultimate aim is to LaunchLeft of center artists in all creative fields.