SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham

On the next episode of Sounds of Film, Tom Needham speaks with director Andrew Morgan and musicians Zella Day and Jesse Woods about their new documentary, Bleeding Hearts. The film, which has its East Coast Premiere at the 2026 Hamptons International Film Festival, screens Thursday, October 8 at 5:30 PM and Friday, October 9 at 2:00 PM at the East Hampton Regal UA. Following the Friday screening, Zella Day and Jesse Woods will perform with their band Chaparelle at Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett.Bleeding Hearts is a music-driven love story following real-life couple Zella Day and Jesse Woods, the Texas-based musicians behind the emerging alt-country band Chaparelle. The documentary chronicles the pair as they write and produce their debut album, Western Pleasure, while attempting to balance their romantic relationship with their creative ambitions. Shot in atmospheric black and white, the film explores love, artistic collaboration, self-doubt, the pressures of the music industry, and the uncertainty of pursuing a shared dream. At the center of the story is the question of whether the pressures surrounding their music and relationship will lead to a breakup—or a breakthrough.Sounds of Film with Tom Needham is the nation’s longest-running film, music and ideas-themed radio program, airing for more than 30 years on WUSB and reaching listeners throughout Long Island, parts of Connecticut and around the world online. The SOUNDS podcast features new interviews as well as conversations from the Sounds of Film archives. Past guests have included Laurie Anderson, DMC, Gary U.S. Bonds, Wendy & Lisa, Morris Day, Michael Moore, Alexandra Pelosi, Paul Williams, Eric B., Dave Pennebaker, Garland Jeffreys, Michael Penn, Warren Ellis and many other leading filmmakers, musicians, actors, composers and cultural figures.

Deeply saddened by the passing of legendary R&B singer Freddie Jackson.Freddie’s extraordinary voice gave us some of the most memorable songs of the 1980s, including “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)” and “You Are My Lady.” His music became part of the soundtrack of so many lives.I had the privilege of speaking with Freddie Jackson on Sounds of Film, and in his memory, I’m sharing that interview again. It was a wonderful conversation with a remarkable artist whose music and voice will live on.Rest in peace, Freddie. 🕊️-Tom Needham

On the next episode of Sounds of Film, Tom Needham speaks with legendary musician Paquito D’Rivera about the new documentary, Paquito D’Rivera: From Carne y Frijol to Carnegie Hall. The film, directed by Juan Mandelbaum, recently received the Roots and Rhythm Award at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Music Documentary Film Festival.Paquito D’Rivera: From Carne y Frijol to Carnegie Hall tells the remarkable story of the Cuban-born musical prodigy who became an internationally celebrated clarinetist, saxophonist and composer. From his early years in Havana and his time with Irakere to his departure from Cuba and extraordinary career in the United States, the film explores D’Rivera’s musical curiosity, collaborations, humor and enduring ability to cross the boundaries between Latin music, jazz and classical music.Sounds of Film is the nation’s longest-running film, music and ideas themed radio show. For more than 30 years, the program has presented interviews and music to listeners throughout Long Island, parts of Connecticut and around the world through streaming. Past guests have included Billy Joel, William H. Macy, Jimmy Webb, Thora Birch, Ernest Dickerson, Hal Hartley, Carter Burwell, Wendy & Lisa, Nile Rodgers, Chuck D, Peter Fonda, Whit Stillman, Ralph Macchio, Laurie Anderson, Morris Day, Michael Moore and Alexandra Pelosi

On the next episode of Sounds of Film, Tom Needham speaks with writer and director Lindsey Ryan about her new feature film Capsized, which will screen at the Hamptons International Film Festival. Ryan discusses the making of the film and its complex portrait of family, love, loyalty and the damage that can exist alongside them.Capsized follows the O’Brien family after foreclosure strips them of their home. Their volatile patriarch, Ray, responds by taking his wife and five children out to sea on a barely seaworthy boat, hoping a high-stakes fishing tournament can win back everything they’ve lost. Starring Rhys Ifans, Lily Rabe and Sarah Catherine Hook, the film explores what happens when a family’s carefully maintained balance begins to fall apart.The 34th Hamptons International Film Festival runs October 2–12, 2026, presenting a diverse program of independent and international films, including narrative features, documentaries, and shorts, along with filmmaker conversations and special events.Sounds of Film is Tom Needham’s long-running film, music and ideas program, featuring conversations with filmmakers, composers, authors, musicians, artists and other influential voices. The program has aired for more than 30 years throughout Long Island, parts of Connecticut and worldwide via streaming, with past guests including Billy Joel, Michael Moore, William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, Chuck D, Laurie Anderson, Carter Burwell, Nile Rodgers, Wendy & Lisa, Ralph Macchio, DMC, Gary U.S. Bonds, Alexandra Pelosi and Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney.

On the next episode of Sounds of Film, Tom Needham speaks with filmmaker Rick Cutter, director of The Grid Unplugged, his first feature documentary. The film is screening at the Hamptons International Film Festival on Saturday, October 3 at 11:45 AM at East Hampton Regal UA and Sunday, October 4 at 5:00 PM at Sag Harbor Cinema. Cutter discusses the inspiration behind the film and his journey from more than three decades working in technology, utilities, and energy infrastructure to documentary filmmaking.Executive produced by Ed Begley Jr., The Grid Unplugged examines the growing strain on aging electric grids around the world. Using California’s devastating wildfires as an entry point, Cutter explores the challenges created by rising energy demand, artificial intelligence, data centers, electrification, climate impacts, and the transition toward cleaner energy. The film features conversations with energy experts, innovators, and policymakers while examining both the risks facing the existing grid and potential solutions for creating a more resilient and sustainable energy future.Sounds of Film is hosted by Tom Needham and has been bringing together the worlds of film, music, and ideas for more than 30 years. The program has featured conversations with an extraordinary range of guests, including Oscar-winning and legendary composer Stephen Schwartz, singer Taylor Dayne, and members of Public Enemy, as well as filmmakers and artists from across the entertainment world. The SOUNDS podcast features new interviews along with classic conversations from the Sounds of Film archive.