Switched on Pop, Live! Featuring Jensen McRae

Event details Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026 Time: 7:00 PM Location: Bovard Auditorium (ADM) - 3551 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, CA 90089 Type: Arts, Music, Student Life Campus: University Park Campus Department: Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative, Thornton School of Music Audience: Students, Alumni, Faculty/Staff About this event ADMISSION: Admission is free and open to everyone. Reservations required. RSVP beginning Thursday, October 1, at 10 a.m. RSVP DESCRIPTION: “Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding have an uncanny way of making the fleeting, unknowable parts of pop music something to be understood, not just appreciated.”—Indiewire Hosted by USC professor Nate Sloan and NYU professor Charlie Harding, the acclaimed podcast Switched on Pop has been listening closely to pop hits for over a decade, decoding our modern soundtrack through music theory and cultural analysis. What to Expect In this live recording of the podcast, Sloan and Harding will break down current hits and beloved classics through live performances by USC Thornton students and special guest artist and USC alum Jensen McRae. Whether you’re a devoted pop fan, an aspiring musician, or simply curious about what makes a hit song stick, you'll leave hearing and understanding music in a whole new way. Bios: Charlie Harding is the co-host of the award-winning podcast Switched on Pop, where he unpacks the craft and cultural significance of popular music. A songwriter, educator, and associate professor at Berklee College of Music, Harding brings expertise in songwriting, music analysis, and creative practice to conversations about the songs that shape our lives. Nate Sloan is the co-host of the acclaimed podcast Switched on Pop, which explores the music, theory, and cultural impact behind today’s biggest songs. A musicologist and professor at the USC Thornton School of Music, Sloan specializes in popular music, music history, and music theory, helping audiences hear familiar hits in new ways. Jensen McRae is a Los Angeles–based singer-songwriter and USC alum whose incisive lyrics and powerful voice have earned widespread acclaim. Signed to Dead Oceans, she blends folk, pop, and indie influences into emotionally resonant songs that explore love, identity, and resilience. Her sophomore album, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me!, further established her as one of the most compelling young songwriters working today. Presented by USC Visions and Voices. Organized by Nate Sloan (Music). Co-sponsored by the USC Thornton School of Music. Official event details: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/switched-on-pop