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Soup in the Dark

Puckett Electric

Soup in the Dark explores obscure musical influences from around the world, past and present. The program highlights artists who forged their own paths without receiving the recognition they deserve. These are musicians who chose independence and obscurity over fame, while still creating work worthy of an attentive audience.

Many episodes focus on overlooked artists from the past. Each month, the show also features a contemporary musician or someone working as an archivist, preservationist, or passionate advocate for neglected music.

Why Soup in the Dark? Because everyone has faced hard and lonely times. Warm up with music made by people who understand.

Listen Sundays from 7–8 p.m. on KPCR.

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  • 14 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 56 min
  • English

Episodes 14

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  • Sunday · 59 min

    SITD #10 - Elizabeth Cotten

    Welcome back, my next show is about legendary North Carolina folk master Elizabeth Cotten. Born in the 1890’s, Elizabeth Cotten exemplified the independent spirit of early 20th Century folk music. After a chance meeting with the musicologist family the Seegers in the 1950’s, Elizabeth was able to relearn the guitar in her inimitable style, upside down and played melodically, and totally backwards. Her music is calming but intriguing, wildly singular, and emotionally profound. Tune in this week to Pirate Cat Radio for a venture back to a time when even the acoustic guitar was a luxurious novelty. To become spellbound as I have been by the crushing beauty of the fretwork of Elizabeth Cotten.

  • September 27 · 56 min

    SITD #9 - Mazozma

    Mazozma is the artist name of musician Mike Turner. This week we’ll listen to his 2025 album Bathing In TheStone, released on the record label Sophomore Lounge. It is a haunting, though brilliant album, full of droning acoustic guitars and pivotal lyrics. It often evokes the style of primitive guitar. Mazozma and I were both friends when we were based in Kentucky, though he is now located in Brighton, England. We talked about how that change affected his music and personal life, and what new sonic directions he is taking. As well of course, as revisiting this singular album, featuring cover artwork by Robert Beatty. We had an in-depth conversation, and not all of it could fit into the show. But that just means we’ll catch him again after the next album. Join us this week on Pirate Cat Radio, Sunday nights at 7 Pacific, Tuesday mornings at 9, and anytime after that at KPCR.org

  • September 20 · 56 min

    SITD 8 - Q65

    Q65 is my other favorite Dutch rock and roll band from the 1960’s. Along with The Outsiders, they pioneered the genre known as Nederbeat, which combined a fierce, but at times melancholy approach to Blues, R&B, and their own European folk music influences. Their uncompromising image and inability to conform make them perfect for this week’s episode of Soup In The Dark. Join me Sundays and Tuesdays, or anytime as a podcast on Pirate Cat Radio, KPCR.org.

  • September 14 · 54 min

    SITD #7 - Hasil Adkins

    Hasil Adkins recorded the absolute strangest, deranged, and amateurish music from the original rock and roll era, entirely in home studios. Based forever in West Virginia, The Haze played all the instruments and sang all at the same time. Song topics include legendary but unknown dance crazes like The Hunch, The Slop, and many about food, such as hot dogs, peanut butter, and a whole album dedicated to chicken. It’s lofi charm and actual ability to rock landed him the favor of #NortonRecords later in life, and cemented him as the godfather of psychobilly. He was perhaps the living definition of the outsider artist. Please listen this week to Pirate Cat Radio for some choice cuts and more of the unbelievable story of Hasil Adkins. Only on KPCR.org

  • September 5 · 58 min

    HEXEN SCHOOL #1 - INTRO TO THE FALL

    This show Soup In The Dark explores the independent spirit of outsider artists. In my estimation, one band in particular exemplifies that soul more than any other. I am speaking about the legendary English band The Fall. Fronted by Mark E Smith for 40 years until his death, the Fall impress me like no other musical expression. It would be a disservice to the Fall, and to anyone listening, to only play them once. This first show is part of an ongoing series into the deep lyrical and musical heart of Mark E. Smith and the ever-rotating cast of musicians that composed the Fall. I don’t want to preach about them but I do want to unlock the door for the uninitiated. The Fall’s catalog is daunting, the sound is challenging. Decoding their work is a lifelong pursuit. I’ll start at the beginning of the catalog, and the music released on or around the time of their first album Live At The Witch Trials.

  • August 29 · 58 min

    SITD#5 - Nero Nava

    M. Nero Nava is a radio host on KPCR Pirate Cat Radio. His show is called I Want You To Know. He interviews musicians, filmmakers, friends, and others involved in the arts in some form or fashion. Nero is a musician and filmmaker as well, performing in various outfits such as BarbaraSteele as a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. As a filmmaker, he has several vivid short films available on Vimeo and YouTube. I first got to know Nero when he interviewed me in 2025 regarding my album “Bone Conduction”. We hit it off personally and musically, and he helped me get my own show on KPCR. So I thought it only fair for my first “interview”-type show to repay the favor.

  • August 23 · 55 min

    Soup in the Dark #4 - Dead Moon

    Dead Moon is a legendary garage band from Portland, Oregon. They will give you reason to believe in the power and resilience of stripped down rock and roll. True originals and outsider musicians, Dead Moon exemplified the DIY ethos and refused to conform to popular rock. Founding member Toody Cole is still playing live, so please join me this Sunday on PirateCatRadio or anytime at KPRC.org

  • August 15 · 56 min

    Soup in the Dark #3 - William Onyeabor

    This episode is about Nigerian multi-instrumentalist William Onyeabor. He released a thick and varied self-recorded catalog in the 1970's, then denounced music entirely in the mid 80's.

Showing 1–14 of 14 episodes