A Family Affair: A conversation with MAAFA's Flora Lucini

(RECORDED ON JANUARY 22, 2026/OFF THE DOME INTRO ON JANUARY 24, 2026) This episode has been a long time coming- it has been planned for a while, but we just got to it.

Having been involved in the punk and hardcore scenes in NYC in the 90s, jamilah ended up moving to the west coast- absolutely missing Flora Lucini, who moved there around that time.  Over 20 years later the two met (by way of mutual sibling Ryan Bland (Bushmon/Home 33/ACHE)), and instantly became chosen family to each other.

Coming up in the 90s and 2000s hardcore scene; Flora is an incredibly inspiring figure in the community.  Known as a 'scene mama', she books and coordinates shows, as well as being a community activist.  Well known in the hardcore scene (obviously), her multi-instrumentalism has led her to varying genres, such as jazz and Tropicália.

jamilah was absolutely excited to sit back and take in the wonderfulness that is Flora: She definitely does not mince words; however, there is no malice behind the directness, and that is definitely a breath of fresh air. We hope you enjoy this conversation between a couple of siblings, who came up in different generations of the hardcore (and punk) scene.

They discussed everything from:

Forgiveness and redemption

Turnstile (and Knocked Loose)'s success

Gatekeeping v. preservation

The 'othering' of non-European hardcore bands

Music and art being a reflection of society/culture

The centering of whiteness in art and music (and society)

The inability/refusal of people in the scene to detect and challenge microagressions