Behind The Wall
Behind The Wall is a podcast that offers an inside look at the creation of iconic moments in music, film, and entertainment. Hosted by Daniel Wall, each episode features interviews with artists, producers, and creatives who share the stories behind their work, from raw demos to breakthrough ideas. The show aims to inspire the next generation of creators by revealing the hard work and dedication that goes into shaping culture.
Episodes
They Told Alex Warren He Couldn't Sing... He Proved Them Wrong (Ep 51)
Alex Warren has had one of the craziest journeys in music.Before millions of people were listening to his songs, Alex was homeless, had lost both of his parents, was afraid to sing in front of people, and was being told that maybe singing wasn’t for him. Today, he’s become one of the biggest new artists in the world.I got to sit down with Alex for Behind The Wall and go all the way back to the beg
Why Tove Lo Is The Most Underrated Songwriter Ever (Ep. 50)
Tove Lo is behind way more hit songs than most people realize.From her own hits like “Habits (Stay High)” and “Talking Body” to helping write songs like “Heroes (we could be),” Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” and “Still Falling for You,” Tove Lo has quietly been behind some of the biggest pop songs of the last decade.In this episode of Behind The Wall, Tove Lo takes us inside the stories be
How Ne-Yo Became One of the Most Successful Songwriters of Our Time (Ep. 49)
Ne-Yo didn't just make some of the biggest songs of the 2000s. He wrote them for himself and so many others!🎵 Ready to release your own music? I’ve personally used DistroKid for over 6 years to release my music on Spotify, Apple Music, and streaming platforms around the world. You can also use DistroKid Direct to turn your cover art into merch and sell it directly to your fans. Use my link to
How Russ Broke Every Rule of the Music Industry and Won (Ep. 48)
This is hands down one of my favorite conversations we’ve ever had!Russ has built one of the most unique careers in modern music. He’s released hit records, built a massive global fanbase, and became one of the artists who helped redefine what it means to be independent in the music industry.But what I loved about this conversation is that we got to go way beyond the success and really understand
X Ambassadors Play The Demos Behind Their Biggest Songs
One of The Most Honest Episodes of Behind The Wall.X Ambassadors have written some of the biggest songs of the last decade, including "Renegades" and "Unsteady"But behind those songs is a story of uncertainty, rejection, and a band that kept going no matter what.In this episode of Behind The Wall, Sam Harris, Casey Harris, and Adam Levin take us inside the making of X Ambassado
The Original Demos Behind BTS & KPop Demon Hunters
In this special bonus episode of Behind The Wall, Jenna and Stephen take us inside the original demos behind songs for BTS and K-Pop Demon Hunters, breaking down how these records evolved from rough ideas into songs heard by millions around the world.Want to release your own music? I’ve used DistroKid for over 6 years to get my songs on Spotify, Apple Music, and everywhere else. Use my link to get
How They Wrote BTS' Biggest Songs... Then K-Pop Demon Hunters Happened
This is one of those interviews that perfectly captures why Behind The Wall exists.When most people hear a song like "Butter" by BTS, they hear the finished record. What they don't see are the years of work, sacrifice, setbacks, and persistence that made that moment possible.Jenna Andrews and Stephen Kirk are two of the creative minds behind some of the biggest songs in K-pop, includ
GaryVee: Why Most Creators Will Never Make It (Ep. 44)
GaryVee has spent the last two decades building businesses, predicting trends, and helping millions of people navigate the internet. But this conversation wasn't really about entrepreneurship. It was about insecurity.In this episode of Behind The Wall, Gary Vaynerchuk opens up about why he believes the internet and social media have fundamentally changed the way we see ourselves, why so many p
The Woman Behind Avril Lavigne's Biggest Hits - Lauren Christy (Ep. 43)
Lauren Christy helped create the soundtrack of an entire generation.Before she was writing songs like "Complicated," "Sk8er Boi," "I'm With You," and countless other hits, she was a songwriter trying to find her place in an industry that didn't always know what to do with her.In this episode of Behind The Wall, Lauren takes us through her incredible journey fr
I Sang On Stage With Coldplay
For my whole life, my biggest dream felt impossible.I dreamed of one day singing on stage with Coldplay. I had no idea how it would happen, and most of the time I honestly didn't believe it ever could, but I held onto that dream anyway.This video is not just about me singing on stage with my favorite band. It is about what can happen when you give yourself permission to dream bigger than what
I Asked Chris Martin if I Could Sing On Stage With Coldplay
This video tells the story of the single scariest question I've ever asked in my life. A question that could have ended in silence, rejection, or embarrassment.For years, I dreamed of singing on stage with Coldplay. I had no connections, no guarantees, and no idea if I'd ever get the chance to ask Chris Martin directly. Then one day, the moment came. This is the full story of the fear, the hesitat
Hit-Boy Breaks Down Nipsey Hussle’s Final Song (Ep. 40)
This is one of the most powerful moments from our conversation with Hit-Boy.In this episode of Behind The Wall, Hit-Boy takes us inside the making of Nipsey Hussle’s final song, sharing the real story behind how it happened, what that moment meant, and the responsibility of helping bring an important final chapter of Nipsey’s legacy to life.Sitting with us in the studio, Hit-Boy breaks down the so
How Hit-Boy Made The Biggest Rap Songs of Our Time (Ep. 39)
In this episode of Behind The Wall, Hit-Boy opens up about the journey behind one of the most respected careers in modern music, from producing some of the biggest songs of the last decade to navigating pressure, family, reinvention, legacy, and what it truly takes to stay relevant over time.🎵 Want to release your own music? I’ve used DistroKid for over 6 years to get my songs on Spotify, Apple Mu
Why Charlie Puth Is Different From Every Artist (Ep. 38)
This is hands down one of the most honest conversations we’ve ever had.In this episode of Behind The Wall, Charlie Puth opens up about the reality behind his success, from chasing things he thought would make him happy to realizing they didn’t, to learning what actually matters.🎵 Want to release your own music? I’ve used DistroKid for over 6 years to get my songs on Spotify, Apple Music, and every
How Diplo Became BTS & BLACKPINK's Music Producer (Ep. 37)
Diplo didn’t follow a traditional path into music. From studying film and discovering global sounds, to building Major Lazer and collaborating across genres with artists like BTS and BLACKPINK, his career has been defined by one thing: doing what others weren’t willing to try.In this episode, Diplo breaks down how some of the world’s biggest songs started as ideas that didn’t make sense at first,
Meet The Real Singer of The Greatest Showman (Loren Allred Interview - EP. 36)
This might be the first time Loren Allred has ever shared her full story from beginning to now.Most people know Loren as the voice behind “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman, one of the most powerful vocal performances in modern film. But very few people know the years that led up to that moment or the long road she took before the world ever heard her name.Loren grew up in a musical family,
I Asked the World’s Biggest Songwriters How They Really Write Hit Songs (EP. 35)
SONA Awards X TikTok X Behind The WallI had the honor of hosting the red carpet at the SONA Awards in partnership with TikTok, where we celebrated and spoke with the songwriters, advocates, and leaders who shape the music we all live with.SONA, the Songwriters of North America, exists to protect, empower, and fight for the people behind the songs. This night was not about charts or headlines. It w
How EJAE Wrote KPop Demon Hunters’ Biggest Songs (Ep. 34)
This is hands down one of my favorite interviews we’ve ever done!EJAE is the voice and songwriter behind the music of KPop Demon Hunters, and in this conversation, she takes us inside the early demos and original versions that brought the film’s songs to life.For the first time ever, EJAE breaks down how these songs started, how they evolved, and what it actually takes to go from rough ideas to mu
Demos Revealed: How Maroon 5, Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas’ Biggest Hits Were Made (w/Jason Evigan) - Ep. 33
This episode is wild. Jason Evigan sat down with us and played the original demos for some of the biggest songs he worked on from Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, Ellie Goulding, Nick Jonas, and more. It's my goal to help the next generation of creatives and give them a platform I wish I had when I was first starting. Songwriters and producers almost never show early versions of songs, and honestly, most of
How The Savannah Bananas Became the Most Entertaining Show in America (Jesse Cole interview - Ep. 32)
Jesse Cole: How the Savannah Bananas Rewrote the Rules of SportsThis isn’t just a story about baseball. It’s about turning the impossible into reality.Jesse Cole didn’t just build a baseball team. He built one of the most viral, rule-breaking, joy-filled movements in all of sports. The Savannah Bananas are changing how the world sees entertainment, one dance, one inning, one sold-out stadium at a
I Interviewed Bruce Springsteen And What He Said Surprised Everyone (Ep. 31)
Bruce Springsteen: The Story Behind Deliver Me From NowhereI had the honor of hosting a conversation with Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau, Scott Cooper, Jeremy Strong, and Odessa Young for the new film Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.This isn’t just a movie about music - it’s about what it means to be an artist. It’s about faith, creativity, and the courage to follow your vision even when no on
How Grey DeLisle Voiced The Most Famous Characters in Animation (Ep. 30)
Grey DeLisle: The Voice Behind Your Childhood (and So Much More)This is one of the most fun, heartfelt, and unexpectedly deep interviews I’ve ever done. Grey DeLisle isn’t just one of the most legendary voice actors alive. She’s the voice behind Azula (Avatar: The Last Airbender), Daphne Blake (Scooby-Doo), Vicky (The Fairly OddParents), Mandy (The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy), Sam Manson
How Blake Slatkin Became The Biggest Music Producer Today (Ep. 29)
Blake Slatkin might have started as Benny Blanco’s intern, but today he’s one of the most in-demand and influential producers in the world. With over 106 billion streams and credits on hits by Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, The Kid LAROI, Lil Nas X, Sam Smith, Lizzo, and many more.But this episode isn’t just about hit records. It’s about what it really takes to rise in an industry that doesn’t make it
How Khalid Made The Biggest Songs Ever... Then Chose to Be Himself (Ep. 28)
Khalid went from uploading songs on SoundCloud in high school to becoming one of the defining voices of a generation. With billions of streams and global hits like “Location,” “Young Dumb & Broke,” and “Talk,” it’s easy to forget he was just a teenager figuring it out as the world watched.But this episode isn’t just about his success. It’s about the moments you don’t see. The pressure. The ide
How To Actually Become A Great Singer (With Stevie Mackey - Ep 27)
Can anybody sing? When I asked Stevie Mackey, the vocal coach behind Selena Gomez, Jennifer Lopez, Lenny Kravitz, Amber Riley, Fergie, and more, his answer wasn’t what I expected. He said, “I don’t think anyone can sing… but I lean toward more people singing than not.”That moment set the tone for one of the most powerful conversations I’ve ever had. Stevie doesn’t just train voices, he helps peopl
How The Jonas Brothers Made Their Biggest Songs Ever (Ep. 26)
The Jonas Brothers InterviewThis might be the wildest interview I’ve ever done yet. For years, I’ve wanted to dive into the Jonas Brothers’ music with them - not the headlines, not the gossip, but the real stories behind the songs. And this time, they brought something I never imagined they would…For the first time ever, the Jonas Brothers sat down with us and went through the original demos of th
How JR Rotem Made the Biggest Hits of the 2000s (Ep. 25)
JR Rotem: The Hitmaker Behind the Sound of the 2000sJR Rotem helped define an era. From producing global hits for Sean Kingston, Rihanna, Jason Derulo, 50 Cent, Gwen Stefani, Iyaz, and more, his sound ruled the radio and shaped the 2000s. But behind the success is a deeper story about creativity, reinvention, and what it takes to last in the music industry.In this conversation, JR opens up about:H
How Tricky Stewart Produced Rihanna, Beyoncé & Bieber's Biggest Hits (Ep. 24)
Inside the mind of one of the greatest producers of our generationTricky Stewart is the man behind “Umbrella” (Rihanna), “Single Ladies” (Beyoncé), “Baby” (Justin Bieber), and so many more. With three Grammy wins and over 50 million records sold, his sound helped define a generation.In this conversation, Tricky opens up about:🎙 His first big break in music🎧 The making of “Umbrella” and what made i
How Alec Benjamin Got Dropped, Then Outsang Everyone Outside Their Concerts (Ep. 23)
he got dropped. so he started singing outside of other people’s concerts.Alec Benjamin’s story isn’t perfect, but it is real. Before Let Me Down Slowly took off, before the sold-out shows and billions of streams, Alec was a kid singing outside of Troye Sivan, Charlie Puth, and Shawn Mendes concerts. Parking lots became his stages.He had already been signed and dropped by a major label before gradu
How Jon Bellion Changed Music Forever, Then Walked Away, And Why He's Now Returned (Ep. 22)
Jon Bellion invited me to interview him in his recording studioJon Bellion invited me to his home for a conversation that completely changed the way I see music, success, and creativity. We talked about everything - from writing some of the biggest songs of all time for artists like Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, Halsey, and Rihanna, to stepping away from the spotlight, becoming a father, and finding hi
Skylar Grey: Meet Eminem's Favorite Songwriter (Ep. 21)
Skylar Grey's written some of the most powerful songs of the last two decades - Love The Way You Lie, Coming Home, I Need a Doctor, Clarity, Walk on Water, but she’s rarely told her full story or the full story behind them. Until now...In this episode, Skylar opens up about the songs that shaped a generation, the heartbreak behind the hits, and the personal battles she’s faced behind the scene
Marshmello's First Full Interview - Behind the Wall (Ep. 20)
This is Marshmello’s first full interview ever.For the first time, Marshmello sat down to tell his story on camera.No face reveal. Just the real story behind the helmet.In this conversation, he opens up about many things he’s never said out loud: the songs that changed his life, the moments that changed him, the mindset behind the mystery, and what it’s really like being Marshmello.From his earlie
Harv: The Untold Story of Justin Bieber's Music Director - Behind the Wall (Ep. 19)
In this episode of Behind The Wall, I sit down with HARV — the Grammy-nominated producer, musical director, and creative force who's been shaping the sound of pop music for over a decade. From being Justin Bieber’s bassist and musical director for more than 15 years to producing massive hits like “Peaches,” HARV’s journey is the definition of hard work, dedication, and undeniable talent.But behind
Andy Grammer: How One Street Performer Became A Star - Behind the Wall (Ep. 18)
Andy Grammer: From Street Performer to Chart-Topping Star In this episode of Behind The Wall, I sit down with the incredibly inspiring Andy Grammer - an artist known for massive hits like “Honey, I’m Good” and “Keep Your Head Up,” but whose story goes so much deeper than the charts.Before selling out arenas and racking up billions of streams, Andy spent four years singing on the streets, performin
Benny Blanco Breaks Down The Original Demos of His Biggest Hits
benny blanco returns!!!!This is hands down my favorite interview I’ve done so far! After the last episode with Benny, you all loved it so much that Benny himself reached out to me with an idea, what if we sat down and went over his actual demos of some of the biggest songs in the world? So that’s exactly what we did.For the first time ever, Benny takes us inside the process of making hit records,
Benny Blanco Breaks Down His Demos - Behind the Wall (Ep. 16)
benny blanco returns!!!! This is hands down my favorite interview I’ve done so far! After the last episode with Benny, you all loved it so much that Benny himself reached out to me with an idea, what if we sat down and went over his actual demos of some of the biggest songs in the world? So that’s exactly what we did.For the first time ever, Benny takes us inside the process of making hit records,
Jason Paige: The Original Voice of Pokémon - Behind the Wall (Ep. 16)
In this episode of Behind The Wall, I sat down with Jason Paige, the legendary singer behind the original Pokémon theme song—one of the most recognizable and beloved theme songs in history. But what most people don’t know is that Jason’s story isn’t just about talent—it’s about being in the right place at the right time and seizing the moment that would change everything. Jason has worked with Mic
Bbno$: The Man Who Cracked The Viral Music Code - Behind the Wall (Ep. 15)
In this episode of Behind The Wall, I sit down with bbno$—the rapper, songwriter, and internet sensation who has redefined what it means to go viral in music. From making songs for fun in his Vancouver bedroom to racking up billions of streams, bbno$ has mastered the art of blending humor, personality, and insanely catchy music to build a fanbase that stretches across the world.But his journey was
Jason Evigan: The Nicest Legend in Music - Behind the Wall (Ep. 14)
In this episode of Behind The Wall, we dive into the incredible journey of Jason Evigan, a powerhouse songwriter and producer behind some of the biggest hits in modern music. From crafting global anthems for Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, Jason Derulo, Ellie Goulding, Nick Jonas, Benson Boone, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and even Madonna and David Guetta, Jason's fingerprints are all over the pop music landscape. His w
Savan Kotecha: The Songwriting Genius Behind the Hits That Defined a Generation
This interview is dedicated to the beloved artist and One Direction's own, Liam Payne.
I never had the honor of meeting Liam, but his presence in music meant so much to me and so many others around the world. His voice and impact will live on forever. In this interview, I had the privilege of chatting with legendary songwriter, Savan Kotecha. One of the key people who helped Liam, One Direction,
Amy Allen: The Biggest Songwriter of The Year - Behind the Wall (Ep. 12)
In this episode of Behind The Wall, we sit down with the incredibly talented Amy Allen, a songwriter whose work has defined the sound of modern pop music. She’s the creative force behind some of the biggest songs in recent years, co-writing hits for Halsey, Harry Styles, Selena Gomez, Sabrina Carpenter, Tate McRae, and many more. With a gift for crafting songs that are as emotionally resonant as t
Bonnie McKee: The 2010s Songwriter - Behind the Wall (Ep. 11)
In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary journey of Bonnie McKee, a creative powerhouse behind some of the most iconic pop hits of our time. Known for her work with Katy Perry, Taio Cruz, Britney Spears and so many more. In fact she not only has over 10 number one hit songs, but Bonnie’s story is more than her accolades. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and blazing her own trail in the m
MAX: From Nickelodeon to BTS - Behind the Wall (Ep. 10)
In this episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of MAX, an artist who has continuously redefined pop music with his vibrant creativity and collaborations. MAX isn’t just a singer-songwriter—he’s a dynamic force in the music industry, known for his work with global icons like BTS’s Suga, as well as his own chart-topping hits.But his story goes far beyond his music. MAX has faced his own challe
Evan "Kidd" Bogart: From Discovering Eminem to Beyoncé - Behind the Wall (Ep. 9)
In this episode, we uncover the inspiring story of Evan "Kidd" Bogart—an unstoppable creative force who turned setbacks into legendary successes. From discovering Eminem to co-writing massive hits like Beyoncé’s Halo and Rihanna’s SOS, Evan’s journey is one of belief, perseverance, and reinvention.But it's not just about the hits—it's about how Evan navigated the twists and turns of the music indu
OneRepublic: "It's Too Late to Apologize" - Behind the Wall (Ep. 8)
In this episode, we uncover the extraordinary rise of OneRepublic, led by the unstoppable Ryan Tedder—one of the most resilient and influential bands of our generation.Ryan Tedder isn’t just the frontman of OneRepublic; he’s a songwriting and producing mastermind behind some of the biggest hits for artists like Beyoncé, Adele, and Taylor Swift. But the story of OneRepublic is far more than just su
Mike Posner: "I had to give my biggest songs away" - Behind the Wall (Ep. 7)
In this episode, we uncover the remarkable story of Mike Posner, an artist whose career has been defined by reinvention, resilience, and personal growth.Mike Posner burst onto the scene with hits like "Cooler Than Me", but few know the challenges he faced behind the scenes. After being dropped by his label and giving away some of his biggest songs to Justin Bieber and Maroon 5, Mike hit
Benny Blanco: How He Write Every Song Ever - Behind the Wall (Ep. 6)
In this episode, we're diving into the inspiring journey of benny blanco, a true music icon who has shaped the sound of pop music as we know it.benny blanco isn’t just the mastermind behind some of the biggest hit songs—he’s also a genuine, down-to-earth guy who’s just as creative in the kitchen as he is in the studio. From working with legends like Rihanna and Ed Sheeran to crafting his own unfor
Simon Cowell Invited Me To His House to Chat - Behind the Wall (Ep. 5)
I Interviewed Simon Cowell!Not too long ago, I got an email asking me to interview Simon Cowell at his house. I thought it was a prank, but surprisingly, it wasn’t. I showed up to Simon Cowell’s house where we had one of my favorite conversations yet, especially because of what Simon says at the end! When I was 6 years old, I started watching Season 1 of American Idol every week. As someone who’s
Salem Ilese: Mad At Disney - Behind the Wall (Ep. 4)
We’re on a mission to go Behind The Wall with The Greatest Creatives in Entertainment, Welcome to Episode 4! And in this episode we are meeting with one of the most viral singers and songwriters today, Salem Ilese!Salem Ilese is one of the most viral singers & songwriters on the internet, but you may not know her name. Yet, you probably know her viral hit song, “Mad At Disney” or “PS5”. And yo
Justin Tranter: The Songwriter - Behind the Wall (Ep. 3)
I'm on a mission to go Behind The Wall with The Greatest Creatives in Music, Welcome to Episode 3! And in this episode we are meeting with one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Justin Tranter!Justin Tranter is one of the most successful songwriters in the world! Behind some of the biggest songs for artists like: Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Imagine Dragons, Halsey, Ariana Grande, Fall Out
Ryan Tedder: Whe He Almost Quit Music - Behind the Wall (Ep. 2)
Ryan Tedder is one of the biggest singers & songwriters in the world, but you may not know his name. Yet, you probably know his 100 million record selling band which is currently the 4th most streamed group on Spotify: OneRepublic. And you may also know the hit songs he’s written with and for Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Blackpink, Selena Gomez, Leona Lewis, and so many more.
Julia Michaels Talks About Issues - Behind the Wall (Ep. 1)
Julia Michaels is one of the biggest singers and songwriters in the world. In fact she’s behind some of Justin Bieber’s biggest songs, most of Selena Gomez’s biggest songs, as well as many of the biggest songs in the world. (Ed Sheeran, Hailee Steinfeld, Disney Channel) But many people had never heard her name. In fact, she didn’t want people to know her name. But what happens when one of the most
Let's Go Behind The Wall
Let's Go Behind The Wall... Hi there, my name is Daniel Wall and I am on a mission to bring all of you on a journey that goes behind the scenes of the greatest music of all time. But we're not just learning about these songs, no... We are going to the people who you usually never hear about. We're talking about the people behind the scenes who made these songs. And it's about time
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