The Power/Less Podcast

Use these resources to assist Palestinians in Gaza:https://www.thecut.com/article/how-to-help-gaza-aid-starvation-crisis.htmlceasefiretoday.comFor this episode I speak with Ryan of Scary Hours, a hardcore band out of New Jersey. Ryan and I discuss Rise Against, his upbringing in music, where his political and social radicalization came from, and some of the projects most social charged tracks.Follow Scary Hours on all socials:instagram.com/scaryhoursnjtiktok.com/@scaryhoursnjhttps://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@scaryhours8827⁩  Follow and support the podcast:thepowerlesspod.comlinktr.ee/thepowerlesspod

Journalist Taylor Lorenz recently released a report detailing dark money groups funding liberal influencers. With a lot of debate online and public blowups between influencers and journalists on the "left," let's look at why this funding isn't useful for the left the way it is the right, and why it's ultimately more of the same failed strategies that got us to a second Trump term.Article:https://www.wired.com/story/dark-money-group-secret-funding-democrat-influencers/The Power/Less Podcast, hosted by Brandon Durden, explores the intersections of politics, culture, and music. Featuring journalists, musicians, activists, and authors, the podcast unpacks how power operates and how people push back.Support and follow the podcast:thepowerlesspod.comlinktr.ee/thepowerlesspod

Provide support to Palestinians in Gaza by going to the vetted links in this article:https://www.thecut.com/article/how-to-help-gaza-aid-starvation-crisis.htmlceasefiretoday.comVocalist Ashrita Kumar, guitarist Paul Vallejo and drummer Myron Houngbedji of Maryland based band pinkshift sit down with me for this episode to breakdown their brand new sophomore record, "Earthkeeper," out now on all platforms.They talk about the reason for the stark change in their sound from their first record, the impact nature, politics, personal growth, and introspection had on the record, and what's coming next for them in 2025.Follow and support pinkshift, and purchase their new record:pinkshiftmd.cominstagram.com/pinkshiftmdhttps://pinkshift.substack.com/Follow and support the podcast:thepowerlesspod.comlinktr.ee/thepowerlesspod

Use this link to find vetted organizations to support Palestinians in Gaza: https://www.thecut.com/article/how-to-help-gaza-aid-starvation-crisis.html?utm_source=insta&utm_medium=s1&utm_campaign=thecut&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaf1K9FXMR2uEI0w0EuBxTLAYtD1UI_vwzsppa1PQrv7ZgLcnmlTKmtRCNrz8w_aem_y8J_apN3feL6X96IUW96ZAIn this episode I speak with Kim Hunt, who is a political commentator and activist out of Arizona. Kim and I break down some recent stories out of North Dakota and Arizona concerning vulnerable youth within the system, the different ways that social services fail to protect and keep track of children in need, and the broader policy implications of cuts to safety net programs.Follow Kim on socials:instagram.com/slaythegoptiktok.com/@slaythegophttps://bsky.app/profile/slaythegop.bsky.socialArticles referenced:https://www.inforum.com/news/north-dakota/almost-a-dozen-north-dakota-children-teens-have-disappeared-in-17-dayshttps://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/surprise/2025/08/18/rebekah-baptiste-child-funeral-surprise/85709326007/https://www.americanprogress.org/article/congressional-republicans-are-planning-one-of-the-largest-ever-cuts-to-basic-supports-for-children/https://firstfocus.org/resource/an-assault-on-children-the-devastating-impact-of-proposed-budget-cuts-on-americas-kids/Follow and support the podcast:thepowerlesspod.comlinktr.ee/thepowerlesspod

In this episode of the Power/Less Podcast, I speak with James Matthewson, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party, organizer, tv broadcaster and author, about the intersection of metal music, working-class identity, and politics. James shares insights on the current state of left-wing politics in the UK, critiques the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn as well as his new left wing political party, and discusses the need for new movements that resonate with the working class. Follow and support James Mathewson: https://www.jamesmatthewson.com/https://www.instagram.com/jmatthewsonofficial/Follow and support the podcast:thepowerlesspod.comlinktr.ee/thepowerlesspodinstagram.com/thepowerlesspodhttps://bsky.app/profile/thepowerlesspod.comtiktok.com/@thepowerlesspod 0:00 Intro Music0:24 Introduction to James Matthewson and His Work3:12 The Impact of Metal Music on Working-Class Identity6:13 Political Dimensions of Music and Art9:01 Class Struggles and the Evolution of Metal11:45 The Shift in Political Messaging in Music14:25 The Role of Authenticity in Politics17:09 Partisanship and Its Effects on Political Discourse20:00 The Future of Left-Wing Politics in the UK23:10 Critique of the Labour Party and Corbyn's Leadership26:02 The Need for New Political Movements28:42 The Importance of Grassroots Activism31:25 Conclusion and Future Directions

On this episode of The Power/Less Podcast, I’m joined by Nathan Johnson, frontman of Denver heavy band Fox Lake, for a deep dive into their brand new album,New World Heat, which is out now. We talk about the record’s chaotic blend of nu-metal, hardcore, and hip-hop influence, the band’s goal of writing with urgency, and how the themes of burnout, systemic failure, and self-accountability shaped the album’s tone. Nathan also opens up about being a classically trained pianist, his unexpected love of ‘90s country, and what it’s like to write breakdowns about existential dread. New World Heat is out now wherever you listen to music. Physical copies and merch can be purchased at https://mnrkheavy.com/Follow and support Fox Lake: instagram.com/foxlakecofoxlakeband.comFollow and support the podcast: thepowerlesspod.com

In this episode, I talk with Tilly Middlehurst, a student and academic debater at Cambridge University. Tilly and I talk about political ideology, the role of debate, and how foreign policy shapes domestic issues. She shares her background, her viral debate with Charlie Kirk, and why engaging with opposing views matters; especially as the far right gains ground.Follow and support Tilly’s work:linktr.ee/blondepraxistiktok.com/@blondepraxisyoutube.com/@blondepraxis Follow and support the podcast:thepowerlesspod.com

On this episode of The Powerless Podcast, I sit down with rising indie artist and cellist Renee Christine to talk about her breakout single "Turtle Island," a track that’s blown up across platforms for its powerful blend of protest, poetry, and raw cello-driven intensity. We get into her path from orchestral beginnings to social media virality, how literature and political history influence her songwriting, and the delicate balance of honoring cultures without co-opting them. She also previews her next track "The Bomb" and what it means to write music with a shelf life longer than a headline.Follow Renee and support her work:instagram.com/reneechristineyoutube.com/@reneechristinetiktok.com/@reneechristineSupport the podcast:thepowerlesspod.com

For the 100th episode of The Power/Less Podcast, I sat down with Alizon Taho and Ben Parker of genre-bending alt-metal trio Calva Louise to talk all about their incredible new album Edge of the Abyss, out now on Mascot Records. We got into the DIY production process, the influence of sci-fi films on their cinematic sound, and how the band's expansive narrative universe ties into their music videos and lyrics.From Jess Allanic’s songwriting beginnings in Venezuela to their journey through France, New Zealand, and the UK, Calva Louise has built something truly original. We also dug into favorite tracks like “Tunnel Vision,” “Aimless,” and “Hate in Me,” what it was like working with Pendulum’s Gareth McGrillen, and their upcoming US tour with Mike’s Dead and SixSense.Stream Edge of the Abyss everywhere now.Follow and support Calva Louise: calvalouise.comFollow and support the podcast:thepowerlesspod.comlinktr.ee/thepowerlesspod

Activist and political commentator Joshua P. Hill of New Means discusses Zohran Mamdani's historic victory over Andrew Cuomo, the ongoing escalation of war perpetuated by Israel and the US against Iran, the diversion tactics of legacy media to distract from ongoing slaughters in Gaza, and the need to continue to mass organize during the current presidential administration.Subscribe and follow New Means:https://www.jphilll.com/Follow and support the podcast:thepowerlesspod.com