Episode 195: Who gets the song? Altered By Mom Live at SOMMO 2026

Strange Grooves is back in the middle of the action at SOMMO Festival 2026, and this time we’re hanging out with Altered By Mom — JUNO-winning songwriters Gina Kennedy (Bass/Vox) and Devon Lougheed (Guitar/Vox), joined by Max Trefler (Drums)!

Fresh off their SOMMO performance, Gina, Devon, and Max sit down with us to talk songwriting, touring, building a career as independent musicians, and the balancing act that happens when your creative life and business life become one and the same. Turns out, when music is both your passion and your livelihood, “turning off work mode” isn’t always so easy.

We dig into the world of co-writing and the sometimes tricky decision of figuring out which songs belong to Altered By Mom — and which ones are destined for somebody else. The band talks about why writing with and for other artists has become such an important part of building community, making connections, and creating a musical legacy along the way.

We also hit the road with Altered By Mom, talking about the places their music has taken them — from shows across Canada and the U.S. to an unexpected connection with audiences in Japan, where “Okay, Okay” proved that sometimes the right song doesn’t need a translation.

It’s a conversation with the whole band about songs, collaboration, life on the road, the business behind the music, and keeping that creative spark alive through all of it.

Watch the full convo above or listen wherever you get your podcasts!