Skip to Content
Talkhouse home
Talkhouse home
Music

Mike Posner Talks with Taraka Larson (Prince Rama) for the Talkhouse Music Podcast

The two go deep on art theory, pop music, and James Franco.

Mike Posner is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter whose megahit "I Took a Pill in Ibiza" has been streamed more than a billion times; last week, he released a book of poetry titled Teardrops and Balloons. Taraka Larson fronts the beloved psych-pop group Prince Rama, and is a pop music theorist who has lectured on the subject at New York University and Melbourne College in Australia. We thought it would make for a great conversation to pair this pop scholar with one of pop’s biggest current writers. And it was! In a talk that was part theory discussion, part psychoanalysis, the two discuss where truth is to be found in the inherent artifice of art, the temptation to glorify one’s suffering in one's work, how you know when you’ve created good art (and when you haven’t), Prince Rama appearing in James Franco’s new Lifetime film, and much more. Check it out. Subscribe now on iTunes or Stitcher to stay in the loop on future Talkhouse Podcasts.
— Elia Einhorn, Talkhouse Music Podcast host and producer

Today's episode was recorded and mixed by Mark Yoshizumi.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Music

Explore Music

Swallow and sweet93 Don’t Make Their Beds

Louise Trehy and Chloe Kohanski talk their writing processes, studio experiences, and Blown.

June 16, 2026

Mood Board: Paycheque’s Paycheque

The LA duo on how Paul Schrader, a pair of Mercedes Benzes, Britpop, and more inspired their new record.

June 12, 2026

Hear First: Ravi Shavi’s Wild Rock Dove

Rafay Rashid talks to actor Kevin Corrigan about his new record — which is out today!

June 12, 2026

Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) Talks with Joe Keithley (D.O.A.) on the Talkhouse Podcast

"You guys were The Stooges for me... You were KISS. You were everything."

June 11, 2026

Martin Brugger and Damian Dalla Torre Learn to Live With the Mistakes

The artists catch up about the making of their new records, and more.

Deer Tick Like the Hustle

John McCauley and Ian O’Neil talk what they miss about the Providence of years past, and their new record Coin-O-Matic.

June 9, 2026