Outernational

About Outernational

Outernational is a podcast that explores the relationship between music and revolution, featuring discussions with musicians who are using their music and platforms to grapple with the intersecting global crises of our times. Hosted by Amirtha Kidambi, a vocalist, improviser, composer, organizer and educator, the conversations highlight the role of music in shaping social consciousness and sharing stories and strategies to inspire us in our collective struggle and build solidarity. Introduced by the late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Outernationalism” is a concept that defies creative, spiritual and political borders, exploring our relationships as listeners, artists and culture workers outside of global capitalism and nation-states. Credits: Amirtha Kidambi, edited by Z Park, Intro music by Amirtha Kidambi “Proper Burial”, Recorded at Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, Clips from Episode 1 with Angel Bat Dawid and Episode 2 with Greg Saunier amirthakidambi.substack.com (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/s/outernational?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Amirtha Kidambi

Category

music · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Aug 2025

Latest episode

9 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Outernational Episode 9: MPeach

   Listen now on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational/id1831048675), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGBUhXLqpfEG19SP7j0DeoM9nJlXVRhn1) and Substack (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/s/outernational) After a bit of a summer hiatus, we’re back with a fresh episode of Outernational, this time with artist, DJ, electronic musician and Venezuelan-New Yorker MPeach. MPeach aka Mariana Martín Capriles has been active in fundraising in the aftermath of dual massive 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes on June 24th. We talked about Mariana’s unique career as a diaspora artist who has prioritized returning regularly to the homeland to collaborate and perform, striving to build a bridge and maintain connections, especially with Afro-Diasporic artists and traditions. Mariana’s story also exists within a complicated historical and political context, one that is often over simplified. The nation was already in a fragile state following a U.S. invasion in January and the kidnapping of President Maduro. Now under the occupation of the U.S. military with a budget managed by little Marco Rubio who fancies himself a colonial viceroy, the government of Delcy Rodríguez is making massive deals with U.S. corporations to sell off Venezuela’s most valuable resource of oil to the highest bidder. There is no doubt this deal with enrich the elites of both the U.S. and Venezuela, leaving the people impoverished. As anti-imperialists with a commitment to human rights from each of our positionalities – me as leftist “United Statesian’ and citizen of the imperial core and her in the Venezuelan diaspora, a working artist on the left/anarchist spectrum, we acknowledged that each of our commitments requires something different of us. We both believe that first and foremost, solidarity with the working people of the world is our priority. This is a difficult but necessary conversation that often gets flattened into dehumanizing binaries, with people talking over each other. I immensely appreciated Mariana’s willingness to share her experience and have this conversation. How do we square these commitments that feel like contradictions? What does real solidarity with the working people of the world look like? While we can’t simply listen to any one Venezuelan as they’re not a monolith, it feels crucial to at least have conversations with those we claim to be in solidarity with and align on values and ideological commitments. The organizers, the trade unionists, the working people, including artists. We make the attempt here for understanding in the context of Mariana’s own story, towards principled solidarity. Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

2. 

   23 Jun 2026

   Outernational Episode 8: Samora Pinderhughes

   We’re back with a mini episode of Outernational after a short hiatus. This is a special live episode with the brilliant pianist, composer and multidisciplinary artist Samora Pinderhughes, from the Press Play fair at Pioneer Works back in December 2025. We talked about what it means to be an abolitionist, his work collaborating with incarcerated folks through his organization the Healing Project and how art can help people process the horrors of the prison industrial complex. It was short and sweet, but packs a powerful punch. In the intro you’ll hear me mention raise the concern of the Suno AI funding the Press Play fair and Pioneer Works working with Suno to host AI workshops. Suno notoriously and shamelessly data mines the intellectual and creative property of musicians, with no credit or compensation and makes generative AI “tools” which will eventually lead to the obsolescence of many forms of creative musical labor. The CEO of Suno AI infamously said people "don't enjoy" making music. Gross. I was happy to hear that Pioneer Works will no longer be working with Suno AI, I hope in some small part to the attention many artists including Samora and I brought to the issue. If you didn’t catch the last episode with Alsarah, it’s a great one discussing her story and identity as a Sudanese refugee and the history and current genocide in Sudan. She talked about how “refugee” is the identity of the future and offers some wisdom on how one might thing about home in these changing circumstances. She’s also funny as hell. Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

3. 

   31 Mar 2026

   Outernational Episode 7: Alsarah

   I’m hitting you with a new fresh episode of Outernational with a musician, researcher, producer and thinker Alsarah, bandleader of the East African retropop band The Nubatones. We had a deeply engaging conversation about her roots in East Africa and her identity as a refugee, one that she emphasizes will be the future normal. From Sudan to Yemen, to Boston and finally New York, her story is both inspiring and deeply relatable in her journey of personal and political discovery. With the genocide still raging in the Sudan creating the largest humanitarian and displacement crisis on the planet, I was grateful to learn and hear from someone who has lived through the history that led to this moment. This episode is filled with resources if you’re looking for ways to support, reminding us that all struggles are connected. Please follow @bsonblast (https://www.instagram.com/bsonblast/), @sunduqalsudan (https://www.instagram.com/sunduqalsudan/), and hashtags #keepyoureyesonsudan #freesudan. Enjoy this episode with Alsarah, recorded at Pioneer Works, engineered by me and produced by Z Park. Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

4. 

   26 Feb 2026

   Outernational Episode 6: Omar x Amirtha

   This episode is a bit of a special one, as we’re playing around with the format. In this one, my dear friend, Omar Ahmad interviews yours truly, your hostess with the mostess, in a flipped episode. For those of you who are just encountering me through the podcast, this one gives you some insight into who the heck I am, and my own music and practice is all about. We talk about my devotional, DIY and punk roots, my circuitous journey to where I am, and my focus as we navigate these apocalyptic times. While you’re at it, you can check out the episode where I interview Omar (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational-episode-4-omar-ahmad/id1831048675?i=1000738138930). You’ll see that these two chatterboxes can gab profundities for hours on end, so there’s plenty to chew on here. At this moment, you can listen to all archived episodes, but starting March 2nd you’ll only have access to the last few archived episodes, so check out the episodes with Greg Saunier of Deerhoof (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational-episode-2-greg-saunier/id1831048675?i=1000727920873)and Angel Bat Dawid (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational-episode-1-angel-bat-dawid/id1831048675?i=1000722519507) (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational-episode-1-angel-bat-dawid/id1831048675?i=1000722519507)while you still can! This podcast is self-funded, so I’m starting introduce some incentives for your material support. The podcast started with a generous fellowship from Pioneer Works in 2025, but as we move into 2026 I am trying to find ways to make this sustainable. In addition to paying my amazing producer Z, this labor of love takes a huge amount of time and work to keep going. You can check out the perks below and decide if this is something you can do at this time! February is the last chance to listen to all Outernational episodes for free! Starting in March, readers with any paid subscription ($5/monthly or $50/annually) can listen to / access all archived Outernational episodes. Paid subscribers can also access bonus content, including the full improvisation at Le Guess Who? from Episode 5, as well as future discounts on Elder Ones LPs and shirts. All paid subscriptions directly help the Outernational podcast to keep going! Free subscribers will continue receiving the monthly newsletter and will be able to listen back to the 3 most recent episodes of the Outernational podcast, but will not be able to comment or post and will not receive discounts for Elder Ones merchandise. Credits: Hosted by Amirtha Kidambi, Edited by Z Park, Music by Elder Ones “Live in Vilnius - Third Space”, Recorded at Pioneer Works, Brooklyn Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

5. 

   26 Jan 2026

   Saul Williams, Dirar Kalash, Masello Motana, Asher Gamedze

   A special live edition of Outernational from a panel discussion at Le Guess Who? festival in the Netherlands with the legendary poet/musician Saul Williams, South African musicians Masello Motana and Asher Gamedze, and Palestinian musician and Sonic Liberation Front founder Dirar Kalash. It is a truly inspiring, real, and hopeful conversation that is desperately needed right now. Mohammad Mehrabani of Saint Abdullah joins us in our live improv at the end of the episode! We had a kaleidoscopic conversation across borders, histories and struggles, using Le Guess Who? festival in the Netherlands as a community gathering. As Saul said during his set earlier that evening, every concert is a meeting. Music transcends borders and musicians know how to organize. Listening to this conversation again gave me much needed inspiration to persist among escalating terrors in the United States and around the world. Each of these artists is a deep thinker and organizer in their community, using their platforms in ingenious, creative and subversive trickster ways. The conversation is bursting with wisdom, from historical lessons to deeply embodied cultural memory. Listen, Like, Follow, Subscribe and Review on Substack / Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational/id1831048675) /YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGBUhXLqpfEG19SP7j0DeoM9nJlXVRhn1) Credits: Recorded Live at Le Guess Who? festival on November 8th, 2025 in Utrecht, Netherlands, produced by Z Park with a musical performance by the panelists and guest, Mohammad Mehrabani Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

6. 

   24 Nov 2025

   Outernational Episode 4: Omar Ahmad

   In this installment, I chat with Palestinian American Composer, Sound Artist, Producer and Electronic Musician Omar Ahmad. We had a sprawling conversation that probably could have lasted several hours, discussing the complexities of being Palestinian in diaspora, being a skater kid in Bay Ridge, how it has been to make art during a genocide of your own people and some hopeful/helpful advice on what each of us might contribute in these maddening times. It’s a bit surreal to listen back to this one which we recorded over the summer, now in this “ceasefire” period when things feel unbelievably dark and in some ways, worse that there is a veneer of a new status quo. Listening to this convo again gave me hope, but more importantly some much needed perspective and I hope it can do the same for you! You can listen, subscribe, follow, like and share on Substack, Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational/id1831048675) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGBUhXLqpfEG19SP7j0DeoM9nJlXVRhn1)! Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

7. 

   20 Oct 2025

   Outernational Episode 3: Ian Lynch

   In this episode, I had a great chat with Ian Lynch of the absolute class Irish bands Lankum and One Leg One Eye. We talked about the the anarcho-punk scene in Dublin where he came up, the politics of the Irish language and traditional music, anti-colonial solidarity and resonances across the histories of Ireland, India and Palestine, and the experience of touring over last two years while speaking out against the genocide, facing repression, cancellations and awkward vibes with audiences. This episode was edited by Z Park, engineered by me and recorded remotely from Pioneer Works in Brooklyn, featuring the music of Lankum and One Leg One Eye. You can listen here on Substack or on Apple Music (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational/id1831048675) and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGBUhXLqpfEG19SP7j0DeoM9nJlXVRhn1). Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

8. 

   22 Sept 2025

   Outernational Episode 2: Greg Saunier

   In this episode, I sat down in-studio at Pioneer Works with Greg Saunier, drummer and founder of legendary indie band Deerhoof. We talk about Deerhoof’s early history in San Francisco before the Bay Area tech boom and the band's recent decision to leave Spotify, leading a mass exodus away from the platform, which is entangled with military AI tech. Importantly, we discuss late stage capitalism and imperialism, our role and complicity as musicians, and what we can do about it. Recorded on the same day that Deerhoof announced they were ditching Spotify! Outernational is a new podcast where I talk to musicians who are activists/organizers, using their platforms for change and making music that is socially engaged in these revolutionary times. Subscribe, like, follow, review and share on Substack @amirthakidambi (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/) / Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational/id1831048675) / YouTube (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGBUhXLqpfEG19SP7j0DeoM9nJlXVRhn1) Credits: Hosted by Amirtha Kidambi, Edited by Z Park, Music by Deerhoof “Immigrant Songs,” Recorded at Pioneer Works, Brooklyn Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

9. 

   18 Aug 2025

   Outernational Episode 1: Angel Bat Dawid

   Episode 1 of the Outernational podcast is live! I had an incredible conversation with Angel Bat Dawid about her work as an outspoken musician and educator, working to uplift Black youth on the South and West Side of Chicago. Angel is a composer, improviser, clarinetist, pianist/synthesist, vocalist, DJ and bandleader of Angel Dawid and Tha Brotherhood, Sistazz of the Nitty Gritty and has worked with Damon Lock’s Black Monument Ensemble among many other projects. We talked about how there is no growth without discomfort and sometimes Angel is gonna make you squirm! Outernational is a new podcast where I talk to musicians who are activists/organizers, using their platforms for change and making music that is socially engaged in these revolutionary times. Listen on Substack @amirthakidambi (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/s/outernational) /Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/outernational/id1831048675)/YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGBUhXLqpfEG19SP7j0DeoM9nJlXVRhn1) Credits: Hosted by Amirtha Kidambi, Recorded at Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, Edited by Z Park, Music by Angel Bat Dawid “The Black Family.” Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

10. 

    4 Aug 2025

    Outernational Trailer

    Trailer Credits: Featuring Amirtha Kidambi, edited by Z Park, Music by Amirtha Kidambi “Proper Burial”, Recorded at Pioneer Works, Brooklyn, Clips from Episode 1, with Angel Bat Dawid and Episode 2, with Greg Saunier Hello friends, family and comrades, I’m excited to announce the launch of a new podcast hosted by yours truly. This is one of the many things I’ve been working on in my Working Artist Fellowship at Pioneer Works and I’m excited to finally share it with you! Outernational is a podcast that explores the relationship between music and revolution, featuring discussions with musicians who are using their art platforms to grapple with the intersecting global crises of our times. Hosted by Amirtha Kidambi, a vocalist, improviser, composer, organizer and educator, the conversations highlight the role of music in shaping social and political consciousness and sharing stories and strategies to inspire us in our collective struggle to build solidarity. Introduced by the late composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Outernationalism” is a concept that defies creative, spiritual and political borders, exploring our relationships as listeners, artists and culture workers outside of global capitalism and nation-states. You can listen to a preview of the pod and my perspective on the whole endeavor. The first episode releasing soon, features Angel Bat Dawid, talking about her work as an artist and educator in Chicago. You can also look forward to an episode with Greg Saunier of the band Deerhoof discussing our entanglements with capitalist imperialism! The pod will be available on most platforms, other than Spotify (you’ll hear about on the episode with Greg!). I hope these conversations can inspire us through these challenging times and give us some strategies for navigating and resisting. Solidarity! Amirtha Get full access to Amirtha Kidambi at amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe (https://amirthakidambi.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Contact Outernational

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.