Pulsar Radio Launches into Orbit with "Father Skye"

On Earth Day 2025, East LA's cosmic crusaders Pulsar Radio blasted off with Father Skye, the first installment of their two-part EP, Father Skye—and it's nothing short of an interstellar mind-bender. Fusing space rock, alternative, punk, and prog-metal into a mythic and modern sound, the trio channels the spirit of Rush, Mastodon, Bowie, and Deftones into a sonic voyage that's as heartfelt as it is heavy.

Formed in 2020 by multi-instrumentalist N8 Hassan and keyboardist/vocalist Fabiola Hassan, Pulsar Radio has evolved into a three-piece powerhouse with bassist Frank Pharra grounding their otherworldly sound. With Father Skye, they take their biggest swing yet, pulling inspiration from Native mythology, Scottish folklore, and the cold truth of climate collapse to deliver a record that's as much a call to arms as a love letter to the stars.

The title track, "Father Skye," is an epic prog-rock journey that opens (and closes) with an actual pulsar sample—a neutron star hum that underscores the band's fascination with the cosmos. The track features explosive lead guitar work from N8's former bandmate Ryan Bertolami, conjuring galactic-sized riffs while reminding us to look up and within.

Elsewhere on the EP, "Long Lost Dream" continues a cosmic storyline introduced in their debut EP, Interstellar Sunday. At the same time, "Atomic Zombie Eyes" rages against political corruption with a punked-out fury. "Light Years," meanwhile, softens the punch with a shoegaze-meets-space-rock love song that drifts beautifully across the void.

Engineered partially at the legendary Clear Lake Studios—home to Tragic Kingdom—and finished at the band's own Estudio De Julio in Boyle Heights, the project is self-produced, mixed, and mastered by N8 Hassan himself. The result? It is a raw, textured, theatrical experience that begs to be heard live, loud, and preferably under strobe lights.

Pulsar Radio's Father Skye is more than an album—it's a transmission from a not-so-distant future, begging us to save what's left of this world while dreaming wildly of the next.

"Father Skye" blends myth, science, and activism—what inspired you to tie together Native stories, Scottish folklore, and space exploration in a single project?

Initially, we began working on an LP in March of 2024, and it was just going to be called Mother Earth, named after a single we released on Earth Day 2023. We wanted to bring more awareness to taking better care of our precious planet Earth, and even blended in Nirvana’s Something In The Way into the song, stating that “We” are what is standing in the way of Earth’s preservation and destruction.

Then the LP turned into a double EP concept inspired by Indigenous Studies of Space, Science and Stories from Native Culture specifically the Navajo Creation Story passed down from generations and also includes other cultures as well specifically the story of Father Skye in Scottish Folklore- there’s a symbiotic sense of duality to Mother Earth and Father Skye.

The Native story is really beautiful. “The first creation of the Great Spirit was Father Sky and Mother Earth, from whence all life sprang. The crossing of their hands and feet signifies the union of heaven and earth, bound eternally together by the Rainbow Guardian.” We wanted the Double EP to not only be a concept album based on these beautiful stories but also bring more awareness to the cultures from which they come from.

Science, Space Awareness, and Exploration are also a big part of what our band stands for, and we think we need to first start with our Planet. We want our music to inspire people to take better care of each other and our precious planet Earth, which is in dire need of our attention at this very moment.

The EP was released on Earth Day. After hearing these songs, what message do you hope listeners take away about the planet—and their place in the cosmos?

We hope listeners are inspired to further explore what we can do now to help save our planet while at the same time humbling them by realizing we are only a fragile, tiny blue speck in the grand scheme of a vast universe. We hope they feel our music is the soundtrack to life on earth and the pulse to the heartbeat of the cosmos.

You've described "Atomic Zombie Eyes" as a reaction to political frustration. Can you talk about how your songwriting channels rage and hope in turbulent times?

We are definitely living in turbulent times, especially when it comes to crooked politics and the state of democracy in the U.S. and peace around the world. Some of our favorite artists are bands who through the years (and still very relevant today) wrote protest anthems for the people for example Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and John and Yoko’s Plastic Ono Band. At this time, we are living in a state of emergency, and there is a great need for more artists and musicians to stand up for the rights of the people, help in the fight for our rights and freedom, and try to save what’s left of our planet.

Strong Songwriting can give people hope in dark times and has the power to inspire people to change the world. Our song stems from feeling sick and tired of rich and corrupt billionaires and politicians destroying the earth while we stand on the brink of world atomic destruction. We hope this song alleviates this frustration and wakes people up with knowledge of space and science.

Furthermore, taking steps to answer a call for action in saving humanity and a generation that seems to be stuck, eyes glued like zombies to video games, cell phones, TV screens, and streaming platforms.

There's a real pulsar sample in the title track. What drew you to incorporate actual space sounds, and how does it enhance the storytelling?

Yes, there is! The band is greatly inspired by space and specifically Pulsar Stars, which emit sound, radio waves, and pulsing light after the star dies. In fact, when Pulsars were first discovered, we thought they were transmissions from extraterrestrial life on other planets. There are so many sounds of the universe that we are just tapping into and learning they exist. Pulsar stars emit a lot of sound and rhythm. We thought it would be an extra bonus to sample the sounds of space and to help bring the story of the song to life!

Pulsar Radio has a reputation for high-energy live shows. How does performing these new songs on stage elevate their meaning or intensity for you as a band?

Performing these songs live on stage only elevates our sound and further brings our songs to life. Sharing our music with fresh new audiences of all ages out there is a huge inspiration to us and helps us continue to keep making good music! Inspired Space Rock and hopeful anthem jams for the people of planet earth and beyond to sing and dance to!