The Bunker – News without the nonsense

Bunker USA: How country music soundtracks America's politics – with Dorian Lynskey and Jonathan Bernstein


Listen Later

Country music and political statements often go hand in hand. And many artists find success by charging their songs with political messages – Jason Aldean’s controversial single ‘Try That in a Small Town’ being a recent example. Jonathan Bernstein is a senior research editor at Rolling Stone and joins Dorian Lynskey in The Bunker to discuss the complicated relationship between country music and politics.


  • “It’s never a good sign when an artist is accused of releasing a pro-lynching song.” – Jon Bernstein
  • “I think Oliver Anthony was thrown into a whirlwind of craziness.” – Jon Bernstein
  • “The history of it is very complex … but certainly country music is tied to Southern Whiteness in this country.” – Jon Bernstein

  • Written and presented by Dorian Lynskey. Producer: Chris Jones. Audio production: Robin Leeburn. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. Music by Kenny Dickinson. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The Bunker – News without the nonsenseBy Podmasters

    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5
    • 4.5

    4.5

    77 ratings


    More shows like The Bunker – News without the nonsense

    View all
    Politics Weekly UK by The Guardian

    Politics Weekly UK

    247 Listeners

    The New Statesman | UK politics and culture by The New Statesman

    The New Statesman | UK politics and culture

    127 Listeners

    The Two Matts by The New World

    The Two Matts

    66 Listeners

    Oh God, What Now? by Podmasters

    Oh God, What Now?

    202 Listeners

    Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards by Steve Richards

    Rock & Roll Politics with Steve Richards

    52 Listeners

    Byline Podcast by Adrian Goldberg

    Byline Podcast

    21 Listeners

    This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler by Podmasters

    This Is Not A Drill with Gavin Esler

    161 Listeners

    The Rest Is Politics by Goalhanger

    The Rest Is Politics

    3,289 Listeners

    Origin Story by Podmasters

    Origin Story

    111 Listeners

    The Trawl by Jemma Forte & Marina Purkiss

    The Trawl

    70 Listeners

    The News Agents by Global

    The News Agents

    983 Listeners

    Jam Tomorrow by Podmasters

    Jam Tomorrow

    8 Listeners

    Paper Cuts by Podmasters

    Paper Cuts

    18 Listeners

    The News Agents - USA by Global

    The News Agents - USA

    398 Listeners

    Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell by Arthur Snell

    Behind The Lines with Arthur Snell

    40 Listeners

    Why? with Emma Kennedy by Podmasters

    Why? with Emma Kennedy

    7 Listeners

    American Friction by Podmasters

    American Friction

    48 Listeners

    Quiet Riot by Alex Andreou, Naomi Smith, Kenny Campbell

    Quiet Riot

    45 Listeners