Troy Javelona on How the Natural World Inspires His Songwriting

Saltwater stings a wound... and heals it. On this episode of The Hardest Part with Kieron Banerji, Troy Javelona opens up "SALTWATER" from his two-sided EP No Healing Without Heartbreak: one side written inside a relationship that treated him badly, the other written on the way out, and this song, from the healing side, about the new love that stings with the past even as it mends it. 00:00 "The saltwater that heals me" 01:00 Introducing "SALTWATER" & the two-sided EP 01:57 The saltwater metaphor 02:51 Journaling a breakup into songs 04:30 First collaborations & learning to say no 08:12 Trust: the thing every artist names 09:45 Ocean towns, London & how place shapes sound 13:50 Writing straight to the person 16:45 The intro: a song for the beach 17:44 Full Track The Hardest Part dives deep into the most emotionally complex songs ever written. Every two weeks, host Kieron Banerji sits down with artists to unpack the creative process behind their hardest songs—exploring songwriting breakdowns, emotional storytelling, cultural influences, and moments of personal growth. Each episode ends with an intimate, stripped-back performance—raw, real, and sometimes heard this way for the first time. Produced by Palm Tree Island, a London-based creative studio known for standout music documentaries and original voices. Kieron Banerji is a seasoned producer and engineer based in London with extensive experience in music, media, and entertainment. He’s worked with Grammy and Academy Award winners, and has recorded sessions with Portugal. The Man, Jason Isbell, Katie Melua, Rae Morris, Jason Mraz, BROODS, Baio (Vampire Weekend), and more. - #TroyJavelona #Saltwater #musicpodcast