The Zen Perry Project

Send a text This week on the Zen Perry Project, we're thrilled to be joined by Cole, Sean, & Cody of Long Island's Prog Metal Hardcore kings - VALEFOR. Don't miss their fresh new live album LIVE AT LUCKY 13 SALOON. VALEFOR LINKS: Bandcamp - Instagram - Threadless Photo by Jimmy Busch Support the show Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

Send a text This week on the Zen Perry Project we're joined by Ian Knapp (MKULTRA), a self-described post genre professional shape shifter based in NYC. A veteran in the music scene, MK has been playing music since the age of 10, going through many different phases and experimenting with numerous styles, from Metal to Punk to Jazz to Classical, Pop, Noise, Rap and everything in between. With a music video for "Be Human" out now, with The Shape of Everything and Nothing To Come EP set to drop on March 6th, and with a massive hometown release show upcoming at TV EYE on March 20th, Ian reflects on how he finds himself on the precipice of MK's exciting new chapter.  Support the show Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

Send us a text This week on the Zen Perry Project we welcome GUMMY? a genre-bendy band from Brooklyn rooted in a rich character universe where three beings - Gummy (bass/vox), Mammon (guitar), and Liminal Man (drums) - live in between boot-up and dimensional fabric. The harmony and chaos of their universe lends itself to the band’s gaze-fuzz-punk sound, full of distorted strings, hardtuned vocals, and heavy drums. Their debut EP, Eternity Under Me Is Static (released January 23, 2026), brings us into their world, with tracks exploring codependency, co-regulation, moral righteousness, and learning how to calm down once things have gone too far. Gummy’s EP release show was at the Broadway on 1/23, also celebrating Boston’s Main Era, who released an album that day too. Local legends PFFU and Systems Nominal joined as well for an incredible evening of pure rock. Make sure to give the EP a listen and stay tuned with Gummy?! Support the show Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we welcome Brandon Gallagher, the Bushwick-based mastermind best known for his blisteringly brutal one-man experimental industrial project TRACE AMOUNT. Recorded shortly before a run of December NYC shows (sorry this is dropping after the fact!) and in the thick of recording his second full length, Brandon weighs in on balancing freelance work to support artistic pursuits, reflects on striking rhythm with everything from his equipment to whom he collaborates with, and ponders the place for harsh charged music in a harsh charged world. Happy Holidays y’all! Photo courtesy of Annalie Bouchard. Support the show Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

Aaaaand we're back! This week on the Zen Perry Project, we welcome Leo, Sean, and Aaron of the Austin-based greasy groovin’ riff masters - RICKSHAW BILLIE’S BURGER PATROL. Set to embark on an extensive run of  touring (with more dates to be announced, so be patient!) and in the thick of recording their follow up to Big Dumb Riffs - we're so psyched these dudes were able to swing by for a pre-tour, Thanksgiving-eve chat. May their riffs fuel our holidays with cheer. GMGF Support the show Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project, we welcome Eddie Brnabic - guitarist and founding member of the Portland-based stoner metal power-trio, HIPPIE DEATH CULT. Freshly returned from a summer European tour and gearing up for a fall North American run, Eddie talks everything from the experience of performing with the backdrop of a Sardinian sunset on the beach of the legendary Duna Jam festival to reminiscing on how he and bandmates Laura Phillips & Harry Silvers have effectively challenged each other to creatively gel. Don't miss Hippie Death Cult's North American Transcendental Trip which kicks off TONIGHT in Boise with KADABRA as support. Photo courtesy of Danilo Piludu. Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we welcome Lori S. - guitarist, vocalist, & mastermind of ACID KING, the pioneering psychedelic doom metal band from San Francisco. Lori chats everything from the immaculate vibes of Val de Moine in Clisson, France to breaking down what goes into curating a two-night hometown celebration for the 25th anniversary of the seminal Busse Woods album. With spirited insights shaped by an impressive career and fueled by committing herself to writing and performing material that genuinely satisfies her, Lori looks forward to a short run of fall shows (we cannot wait to catch her at NYC’s DesertFest on 9/14) and talks plotting a follow-up to 2023’s stellar Beyond Vision. Photo gracieuseté de Noise Injection - merci! Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we welcome Scott Reeder, best known for his twenty plus years of drumming for the So Cal Stoner Rock legends FU MANCHU. In addition to talking the band’s thirteenth album The Return of Tomorrow and how he’s been recovering & prepping for the upcoming Two Headed Beast Tour with CLUTCH & RIVAL SONS, Scott delves into the recently revived SUN & SAIL CLUB supergroup, his solo project JACKET THIEF, how he approaches offering drum lessons, and how he manages to stay on top of it all!  Photo courtesy of Mattias Petersson.  Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we welcome Melissa Lucciola, a talented multi-instrumentalist best known for fronting FRANCIE MOON and drumming with GUSTAF. After meeting at a local show and subsequently geeking out talking Jon Beavis of IDLES (who GUSTAF just toured with), Mel and I picked up our conversation where we left off talking everything from balancing concurrent artistic commitments to working as a certified hypnotherapist. Don't miss GUSTAF's Package Pt. 2 or their ongoing European tour! Photos courtesy of Audiotree and Michael "Maverick" Liber. Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project I got the chance to talk to Barrett (Guitar/Vox), Nacho (Bass) and Cole (Drums) of SLEEPWELL A seriously badass up-and-coming band out of Brooklyn. The band has has been relatively secretive to the point where I actually did not know any of the members names before they joined the zoom call. We had a fun time talking about their aggressive extremely well composed music, Barrett's writing and sobriety and got to hear a crazy story about a boat fire almost being taken in by Russian authorities. HIGHLY recommend checking out their music and buckle up for a great podcast.  Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project, we're ecstatic to welcome Mike Brandon, guitarist & vocalist of the Brooklyn-based psychedelic-60's-inspired garage rock band, the MYSTERY LIGHTS. In addition to divulging details on the band's recently announced upcoming third LP PURGATORY (to be released September 13th), Mike discusses everything from the efforts of plotting tours to his admiration of songwriters who demonstrate restraint with their perspective when writing about polarizing topics. Mike and the Mystery Lights are coming to a city near you this fall - but for NYC folks don't miss their hometown show headlining Desert Daze at Xanadu on July 25th. Photo Courtesy of Kristin Sollecito. Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we are joined by the High Priestess NightHawk, vocalist, bassist, and leader of the Philadelphia-based stoner metal trio HEAVY TEMPLE. In addition to reflecting on the processes of writing and recording their recently released second LP Garden of Heathens, she talks preparation for the band’s upcoming Nation of Heathens tour (with Valley of the Sun) and considers how her reflections on reality are cathartically embodied through her art. Photo courtesy of Eric Ventress. Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we welcome back Brooklyn’s prime pioneer, VINCENT BLACKSHADOW. In addition to delving into his most recent release Mandatory Reporter (his second release of a planned trilogy along with 2023’s Burn Out Loud and an upcoming album Cafe Mirror), Vincent talks figuring out what art means to oneself after the fact, celebrates the cultural irrelevance of creating a CD, & about the matter of tone with which we should embrace the death of the art economy as a precursor to the end of it all. Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we welcome Michael Wilbur, a prolific multi-instrumentalist best known for the supreme saxophone skills he showcases in his Brooklyn-based bands Moon Hooch & Thundersmack. With a career that's gone from busking New York City subway stations to performing as a solo artist on the Retail Therapy Tour with his friends and frequent collaborators Too Many Zooz, Michael wielding anything from a bass sax to a traffic cone is a true paragon of performance. Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project, Zen & Michael have a conversation covering topical headlines from across the music industry. Will this format become a staple segment of a burgeoning exploration of the business - or will it land with the thud of a St. Anger tuned snare? This week's topics include: -250 artists back a congressional bill to eliminate bad actors in ticket sales -Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross score soundtrack for Zendaya's new movie Challengers -Outpacing shame in the creative process (Kate Brunott's video essay) -Jacob Collier critiquing Rick Rubin's production philosophy  -Considering people's physical / physiological reactions to music -Artists struggle for protections against AI-generated art Support the Show. Introspective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we welcome Edward Barakauskas, drummer of the Washington D.C. based bands TEEN MORTGAGE & TIRED ALL THE TIME. Besides talking the Teen Mortgage tour kicking off with a sold-out show at Union Pool in Brooklyn this Friday, Ed talks everything from how they squeezed 17 tracks onto the recently released self-titled vinyl to dropping pro-tips for taking cozy sh*ts on the road. Photo courtesy of Al Feliciano of Ain't-Tellin' Photography Support the showIntrospective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we crack into a case of Modelo with Mike Vickers, vocalist of the fuzzed out Massachusetts metal heroes LEATHER LUNG.  Their new album GRAVESIDE GRIN is dropping this Friday (March 15th) - singles including "Spit in the Casket" and "Empty Bottle Boogie" are already OUT - give them (and the fantastic music videos) a listen / watch!  Support the showIntrospective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we welcome Sally Gates, the talented composer and guitarist of the experimental jazz-metal group TITAN TO TACHYONS. In addition to pondering how the vast cosmos are gleams of insight into the inspiration she finds in the unknowable, Sally discusses the approach she takes here on the ground to composing complex instrumental songs that flow as a story. Awesome photo courtesy of the unrivaled THETINFOILBITER Don't miss Sally with TITAN TO TACHYONS on tour later this month - we can't wait for the show in Brooklyn! 3/19 – The Ottobar, Baltimore, MD, with Sleepytime Gorilla Museum TICKETS 3/20 – Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC, with Sleepytime Gorilla Museum TICKETS March 21-24th 2024 – Big Ears Festival, Knoxville, TN TICKETS 3/26 – The Camel, Richmond, VA, with Dumb Waiter TICKETS 3/27 – Solar Myth, Philadelphia, PA TICKETS 3/28 – Saint Vitus Bar, Brooklyn, NY, with Dumb Waiter, Antinomie TICKETS Support the showIntrospective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we enjoyed a chat with heavy metal vocalist James Durbin. In addition to talking his brand new album Screaming Steel, the iconic American Idol alum was happy to detail how focusing on his intentions has helped him avoid assholes and sustain a career of creating and performing the music he truly enjoys.  Support the showIntrospective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!

This week on the Zen Perry Project we had the pleasure of sitting down with Tristan Shone, the tinkerer mastermind of Author & Punisher. Don’t let his San Diego surfer vibes mislead you, Author & Punisher is a juggernaut of the heavy industrial music scene, churning pounding beats and distorted vocals from an arsenal of personally-crafted metal MIDI monstrosities called Drone Machines. Appearing like relics salvaged from a futuristic cyberpunk dystopia, Tristan’s fusion of mechanical engineering experience and now 20 years of commitment culminate in his fantastic creation of cathartically heavy sonic landscapes. Kicking off a Midwest & East Coast Tour later this week do NOT miss Author & Punisher live in a city near you; we cannot wait to catch him at Saint Vitus Bar here in NYC on March 3rd.  Photo courtesy of Christina Liu - thelonelyeyelid Support the showIntrospective interviews with artistic individuals - an ongoing audiovisual journal of Zen Perry. Behold a wall of periodically updated webpages! Official Website: https://www.zenperryproject.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/breakingnorth Instagram: @https://www.instagram.com/zenperryproject/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/breakingnorthpodcast Twitter: @BreakingNorth Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/breakingnorth_ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zenperryproject160 Email: info@zenperryproject.com Thanks for listening - hope you enjoy!