Aug 20, 2020

We have launched a new podcast that’s simply titled Under the Radar and the first episode features an in-depth story on Black Belt Eagle Scout (aka Katherine Paul). Each episode will feature an interview with a different musician conducted by host and producer Celine Teo-Blockey. Check out episode one below or wherever you get your podcasts.

Black Belt Eagle Scout released a new album, At the Party With My Brown Friends, last August via Saddle Creek. Paul is an indigenous queer musician who grew up in a small Indian reservation, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and is based in Portland. In the podcast she discusses her heritage and cultural identity, and its impact on how she writes her music.

She touches on how Standing Rock, losing her mentor Geneviève Castrée, and the end of a relationship forced her to write an album’s worth of songs that became her acclaimed debut, 2018’s Mother of My Children. Her follow up builds on her identity and relates a vital story on indigenous history—known as the Sixties Scoop—that is not often told or is tainted with the specter of cultural appropriation. Lastly, At the Party With My Brown Friends seeks to lift up others like her.

Paul’s story is prickly and empowering. It is told with an immersive use of sound and features the music of powwows, punk, and her dreamy indie-rock.

As well as writing features and reviews for Under the Radar, Teo-Blockey is an independent radio producer and Transom alumni. She has previously produced radio stories for Sound & Vision, a podcast from the Seattle public radio station KEXP, and a sonic postcard for Sounds LA, from the Los Angeles public radio station KCRW.

As well as our new Under the Radar podcast, we have also been co-presenting the second and third seasons of the Why Not Both podcast.

Find the Under the Radar podcast on Apple here and Spotify here.

Read our My Favorite Album interview with Black Belt Eagle Scout about Cat Power’s “Moon Pix.”

Read our interview with Black Belt Eagle Scout on Mother of My Children.

Read our 2018 politically themed interview with Black Belt Eagle Scout.

Support Under the Radar on Patreon.

Aug 20, 2020

Welcome to Why Not Both Wednesdays. Every week, in partnership with the Why Not Both podcast, we’ll be presenting new podcast episodes that explore how multiple passions inform the inspiring lives of musicians, writers, actors, and creatives.

From creating collaborating projects to advocating for democratizing activism, podcaster, writer and musician Andre Henry embodies the multi-faceted life we love on Why Not Both. Throughout our chat, Andre explained how listening deeply to people’s experience and valuing people’s voices has led to his best creative work and most meaningful participation in social movements. Andre encourages us all to be able to drop our defences so we can be as open as possible to new perspectives and ideas.

While you are listening to his episode, Andre requests that you take action with Movement for Black Lives.

For updates, be sure to follow Why Not Both on Instagram and Twitter. For previous episodes, including Alice Bag, Edoheart, and Kate Nash, cool off in our plunge pool of listening options.

For more on Andre, visit him on Instagram and Twitter, or head over to his official site, where you can learn more about his podcast Hope and Hard Pills and sponsor his work on Patreon. His new single “People of the World” is out now.

Support Under the Radar on Patreon.

Aug 13, 2020

Welcome to Why Not Both Wednesdays. Every week, in partnership with the Why Not Both podcast, we’ll be presenting new podcast episodes that explore how multiple passions inform the inspiring lives of musicians, writers, actors, and creatives.

We loved getting metaphysical with Ioanna Gika. From sharing how the nature of loss and grief informed her work to discussing the finer points of how to meow a violin line, Ionna let us catch a glimpse of her particular form of sonic sorcery. Ultimately, it’s all about staying in the present moment to let the beauty of chaos reveal itself. Ionna has a generous humanitarian side as well, sharing that all of the proceeds of Devendra Banhart’s cover of her track “Swan” go to the Downtown Women’s Shelter in Los Angeles.

While you listen, Ioanna requests that you learn more about Black Lives Matter and donate.

For updates, be sure to follow Why Not Both on Instagram and Twitter. For previous episodes, including Alison Mosshart, Soko, and Jehnny Beth, browse our listening options.

For more from Ioanna, stop by her Instagram and Twitter. You can also grab her debut solo album Thalassa at Bancamp, and enjoy the haunting visuals for album single “Out of Focus.”

Support Under the Radar on Patreon.

Aug 06, 2020

Welcome to Why Not Both Wednesdays. Every week, in partnership with the Why Not Both podcast, we’ll be presenting new podcast episodes that explore how multiple passions inform the inspiring lives of musicians, writers, actors, and creatives.

It’s no surprise that AURORA is spending her time in lockdown creating magical works of art such as a video for her new single “Exist For Love,” where she managed to find the perfect amount of pearls to craft her own headdress when quarantined alone with a pile of old vintage handbags. She is also using her own influence to host online festivals for emerging musicians to gain new fans and spoke about how collaboration can lead to the creation of art beyond our individual imaginations. At a time when so much is shifting, AURORA believes in the importance of supporting the vision of having greater equality and sustainability in our world…and we can’t agree more.

While you listen, AURORA requests that you learn more about Black Lives Matter and donate.

For updates, be sure to follow Why Not Both on Instagram and Twitter. For previous episodes, including HANA, Half Waif, and White Sea, plunge into our listening options.

For more from AURORA, visit her on Instagram and Twitter. You can also swing by her website for brand new merch.

Support Under the Radar on Patreon.

Jul 30, 2020

Welcome to Why Not Both Wednesdays. Every week, in partnership with the Why Not Both podcast, we’ll be presenting new podcast episodes that explore how multiple passions inform the inspiring lives of musicians, writers, actors, and creatives.

What happens when you trap punk icon Kathleen Hanna (Bikini Kill, The Julie Ruin, Le Tigre) at home during a pandemic? It turns out you get a mix of activism, arts and crafts, and virtual dog walks via her best friend. We chatted about how she and activist Tina Kampor started Tees 4 Togo, where for the cost of a t-shirt you can fund an entire year of education for girls in West Africa, as well as her secret past as an interior design student wanting to create a better world after encountering countless disgusting bathrooms on tour.

While you listen to the interview, Kathleen requests that you investigate Tees4Togo, where 100% of the profits go to Peace Sisters, which allows girls in Dapaong, Togo to attend school.

For updates, follow Why Not Both on Instagram and Twitter. For previous episodes, including Jarvis Cocker, Alice Bag, and Madame Gandhi, get clicking on our streaming options. For more on our guest’s amazing creative projects, swing by her Instagram and Twitter, or catch up with all things Bikini Kill and The Julie Ruin.

Support Under the Radar on Patreon.

Jul 23, 2020

Welcome to Why Not Both Wednesdays. Every week, in partnership with the Why Not Both podcast, we’ll be presenting new podcast episodes that explore how multiple passions inform the inspiring lives of musicians, writers, actors, and creatives.

Shalita Grant is a force to be reckoned with in the absolute best way possible. While most people know her for her roles on NCIS and Search Party, Shalita is also the brilliant and compassionate mind behind Four Naturals Hair, a haircare treatment designed especially for type four hair. Shalita shared her life philosophy of approaching problems with ease and play, how pole dancing helped her through her own struggles with vulnerability, and how the best way to change the world is to change our own perceptions of ourselves. To say we are fans would be an understatement.

For updates, follow Why Not Both on Instagram and Twitter. For previous episodes, including Mara Wilson, Lane Moore, and Welcome to Night Vale’s Joseph Fink, twirl over to our array of listening options.

To keep up with Shalita, hit that follow button on Instagram and Twitter. Search Party is streaming now on HBO Max. And if you have type 4 hair, you can make an appointment at her Los Angeles-based hair spa.

Support Under the Radar on Patreon.

Jul 16, 2020

Welcome to Why Not Both Wednesdays. Every week, in partnership with the Why Not Both podcast, we’ll be presenting new podcast episodes that explore how multiple passions inform the inspiring lives of musicians, writers, actors, and creatives.

From Icelandic folktales to quarantine discos, Jarvis Cocker can likely tackle any subject with a dry wit and deep sense of sincerity. He shared that his latest batch of songs were created in collaboration not only with his band but with the fans from his last shows before lockdown, capturing the unique exchange between artists and their audience. Given our current situation, we appreciate Jarvis’ example of taking your time when creating your work, even when you wish things would move along a little faster. While you are enjoying this episode, Jarvis requests that you support Extinction Rebellion.

For updates, follow Why Not Both on Instagram and Twitter. For previous episodes, including Sondre Lerche, Alison Mosshart, and Jehnny Beth, shimmy over to our listening options.

After you’ve listened to the episode, visit Jarvis on Instagram and swing by his official site. His new album Beyond the Pale, written under the name JARV IS…, is due out July 17 on Rough Trade. In the meanwhile, revisit the lead track “SAVE THE WHALE.”

Support Under the Radar on Patreon.