Episode 491

with Penny Lane, Omar El Akkad, and The Dip

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello share the strange things listeners love that remain otherwise unpopular; filmmaker Penny Lane discusses her new HBO documentary about instrumentalist Kenny G and what makes his music so polarizing; writer Omar El Akkad unpacks his award-winning novel What Strange Paradise and how writing fiction freed him after a decade-long career in journalism; and Seattle soul revivalists The Dip perform "Sure Don't Miss You."

Penny Lane
Filmmaker

Penny Lane is a director and producer known for her thoughtful characterization of the unusual, the unconventional, and the underappreciated. She explores complicated subjects with an equal grip on comedy and tragedy, subjects like Satanism in Hail Satan? and the irony of one of America’s most notorious presidents in Our Nixon. Her work has earned awards and nominations at notable film festivals such as Sundance and SXSW. Her newest film, Listening To Kenny G, highlights the famous jazz instrumentalist and a legacy that has made him both revered and reviled. Listening To Kenny G premiered in December 2021 on HBO. Info • Instagram

Omar El Akkad
Writer

Omar El Akkad is an author and journalist. His fiction and non-fiction writing has appeared in the New York Times, The Guardian, Le Monde, Guernica, GQ, and many other newspapers and magazines. His debut novel, American War, is an international bestseller and winner of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers’ Award and the Oregon Book Award for fiction, among others. His newest novel What Strange Paradise draws on his experience covering international conflict, telling a graphic yet tender tale of an unlikely pair attempting to navigate a hostile world. It is the winner of the 2021 Giller Prize and was named to the New York Times “100 Notable Books of 2021”. Websites • Instagram

The Dip
Band

Hailing from Seattle, Washington, The Dip is an electrifying seven-piece ensemble that melds vintage rhythm and blues with classic pop storytelling. Acclaimed by KEXP as “one of the most exciting and joyous acts to emerge in recent years,” the band features frontman Tom Eddy’s compelling vocals and energetic melodies from the three-piece Honeynut Horns. Hard-hitting but sensitive, The Dip draws inspiration from the musical roots of decades prior while sounding undeniably relevant today. Their buoyant rhythm and cohesive sound shine through in their newest single, “Paddle To The Stars”. The Dip will take their talents back on the road with a tour beginning February 2022. Website • Listen