On a warm early fall evening, audiences sat under the stars atop the GRAMMY Museum’s Ray Charles Rooftop Terrace to hear a lively conversation between the Grammy Award-winning artist and producer FINNEAS and the legendary Grammy Award-winning musician and producer Nile Rodgers. Finneas O’Connell (stage name FINNEAS) has released two solo albums outside of his longstanding collaboration with his sister and numerous other epochal musicians of the 2010s.

FINNEAS has also used his production talents to assist other artists such as  Kid Cudi, Billie Eilish, and Rosalía. While not limiting himself to writing and producing for others, FINNEAS began a solo career by releasing a debut single in 2016 titled “New Girl”, with his most recent solo work being his second studio album titled, For Cryin’ Out Loud!, released in 2024.

Most recently though, FINNEAS has partnered with singer-songwriter Ashe to form a new band, The Favors. FINNEAS has had a hand in producing every track on Ashe's EP, Moral of the Story: Chapter 1, and majority of the tracks of the subsequent EP, Moral of the Story: Chapter 2, both released in 2019. The Favors have already released their debut single titled, "The Little Mess You Made" in June, and band's debut album, The Dream, is set to release next Friday.

FINNEAS has, metaphorically, been in conversation with a litany of other powerhouse musicians, but on this particular evening, he was literally accompanied by fellow musician and producer, Nile Rodgers.Rodgers has had a hand on working on songs for a multitude of projects, ranging from the production of albums such as Diana (by Diana Ross) and Let’s Dance (by David Bowie), to other media such as video game Halo 2 and the film Rush Hour 2. Atop the GRAMMY Museum in DTLA, the two engaged with heartfelt and thoughtful questions from audience members, speaking meaningfully of upholding their own voices while trying to abide by label demands, and to why FINNEAS seldomly plays his older tracks during shows.

After the intermission, FINNEAS took center stage with his guitar straddled as he began his performance, giving the rooftop a breath of life as he performed a handful of songs such as “Cleats” and title track “For Cryin’ Out Loud!”. After the short, savory performance, audience members gave a standing ovation. The preeminent producers of the 21st and 20th centuries swiftly—yet humbly—took their leave.