The Badass Cult Podcast

Marion Carrillo - no one wants to fight a naked man with a sword

In this episode Marion Carrillo (@themore_themarion) shares the wild and weird realities of life on the road as a touring musician from sleeping nude in a van with a cavalry saber for self-defense (safety tip - no one wants to fight a naked man with a sword) to accidentally making the most popular song on his new album NOT the single. The crew debates the Albuquerque music scene’s lone-ranger mentality, reflects on capitalism, tuberculosis and why having a beanie might save your next tour. Marion also dishes on the best places for potluck gigs, why pre-show cake is essential and plots future collabs and new album experimentation. Come for the indie music insights, stay for the naked sword talk and shout-outs to loyal fans (looking at you, DeLynn!).

Michael Moxey - warm beer and pop tarts

Musician, artist, and ex-radio host Michael Moxey (@secret.eagles.music) joins the Badass Cult Podcast, declaring this moment the "pinnacle" of his career (eat your heart out, SiriusXM). Between chips, beer, and stories about meeting rock legends and getting fired right after winning "Best Morning Show," Michael details the highs and lows of a creative life in Albuquerque plus how he once ended up partying in a basement with Lisa Marie Presley and The Strokes (spoiler: don't look at Lisa Marie). Topics include: oversized TVs, failed monkhood, the mysteries of the DJ "ramp," marketing pranks, legendary band drama, local art, puppetry, and the existential crisis of making music nobody listens to on purpose. If you like oddball New Mexico legends, secret eagles, and fart jokes, this episode is for you.

Abel Zapien - I’m just throwing stuff at the wall

Abel Zapien..,foodie, guitarist, and custom amp builder, joins the Bad Ass Cult Podcast to talk shop on Albuquerque's best sandwiches, the craft of guitar amps, and his journey from blues jams to country music with the Waylon Bailey Band and Levi Dean & the Mesa Rats. Abel shares how building community starts with good food and music, reveals the learning curve from blues to country guitar, and explains why he'd rather be the band’s sound architect than its leader. The episode covers his Mexican-American roots, obsession with classic gear, and how he relaxes with video games after a gig

Levi Dean - Take the shoulds out of it

Welcome to the musical multiverse with return guest @levideanmusic where dogs nearly dethrone children as love gurus and long-term relationships are harder than writing 50 songs about your feelings. Levi drops a killer rendition of “Long Love” (think poetry with bonus breath control) and apparently the only thing sweeter than his lyrics is how fast his kids can pancake him at football. There’s debate: Is your soulmate out there or did they bolt the moment you downloaded Tinder? The group goes deep on the art of having a midlife crisis that actually sounds relaxing, rewriting cringe lyrics from their twenties and confessing that sometimes you just gotta improvise…or, you know, break a toe to keep your kids humble. Bonus wisdom: if you hit a wrong note, play it loud and blame it on your essence. Are you ready for Levi Dean and the Infinite Animal Band Names? Neither is he, but the rebranding is coming!

Sokwa - Just paint the fucking thing red

Artist, chicken rancher, and hoodie entrepreneur Sokwa returns with hot takes on art, awkward stories about armpit-sniffing, and existential dread. The crew debates the true meaning of selling out, how artists survive bad markets, and what happens when you accidentally become a local art icon. Expect plans for upcoming events, thoughts on DIY art workshops, and a masterclass in functional egg aprons. Plus a deep dive into why all the figure-drawing models are young women, the perils of broken hands, and how to raise less-weird kids in a house full of chickens. Come for the life advice, stay for the chicken anecdotes.