As the best-selling Western chant artist of all time, his groundbreaking influence has earned him worldwide recognition, including a Grammy nomination for Live Ananda in the Best New Age Album category. In the interview, Krishna Das reflects on his musical evolution, his deep spiritual journey, and the making of the award-winning documentary One Track Heart: The Story of Krishna Das, which has screened in over 100 cities across the U.S. and in more than 10 countries.

The conversation also touches on his early roots on Long Island, including a little-known chapter in which he was briefly the lead singer of the rock band that would become Blue Öyster Cult. Long before adopting the name Krishna Das, Jeffrey Kagel studied at SUNY Stony Brook and was drawn to music from a young age. His decision to leave behind a potential rock career for spiritual exploration in India ultimately shaped his life and music.

With seventeen albums to his name, including Breath of the Heart, produced by Rick Rubin, Krishna Das has built a legacy of devotional music that bridges cultures and inspires listeners worldwide.

You can listen to this powerful episode of SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music. For more information, visit soundsoffilm.com

The film examines the far-reaching consequences of the nuclear industry by tracing the often-hidden journey of plutonium—from weapons manufacturing to energy production. Through the eyes of everyday Americans living in the shadows of these technologies, Dark Circle confronts the dangerous intersection of nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

Filmed at the notorious Rocky Flats plutonium plant near Denver, a site known for contaminating surrounding communities, and the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in California—built on active fault lines—the documentary captures the real-life impact of the atomic age. It also features some of the first American-shot documentary footage of Hiroshima and Nagasaki survivors, offering rarely-seen testimony that continues to resonate decades later.

Initially censored by officials and avoided by major broadcasters, Dark Circle was ahead of its time. Though controversial upon release, it went on to earn a National Emmy and was shortlisted for an Academy Award. Judy Irving discusses the challenges of making the film, its legacy, and why its themes remain disturbingly relevant in today’s nuclear conversation.

As a pivotal figure in the New York City Hardcore scene, Harley shares his remarkable story of music, mayhem, and personal redemption.

Harley is the subject of the new documentary Wired for Chaos, which traces his turbulent journey from the gritty streets of 1970s New York to his evolution as a musician, martial artist, and survivor. His life embodies the raw energy and resilience that define punk and hardcore culture.

Director Rex Miller’s powerful film frames Harley’s transformation through trauma, addiction, and rage—toward healing and purpose. Harley’s unfiltered conversation on The Sounds of Film brings this intense personal story vividly to life.

For more information about The Sounds of Film, visit soundsoffilm.com