Author: Matthew Ussia

Episode 45: The Human Canvas

Lori Howsare performs under the moniker The Mad Muse, and part of her madness is to explore the fringes of what is acceptable, which in these times means such crazy ideas as unconditional love.  This exploration includes spoken word, grand guignol theatre, and writing things on naked people.

We talk about all of these things, plus the value of risk and empathy in art.  We also become grumpy old people before your ears.

To keep up with The Mad Muse, check out The Mad Muse Official Facebook Page, The Made Muse website, and become her Patreon.

As always, we swear.

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Episode 44: Bridges of Poetry

The extremely talented Jason Baldinger and Kristofer Collins stop by to discuss The Bridge Series, a series of poetry readings and public gatherings to raise money for, and spread the word about, organizations that are helping people in the Trump era.

The first of the series is occurring Wednesday, February 22nd 2017 at 8 PM at the Brillobox at 4104 Penn Ave. in Pittsburgh, and it will benefit Be Well Pittsburgh, an organization dedicated to helping folks without healthcare get access to healthcare.

You can find more out about this particular reading (featuring Tony Norman, Jan Beatty, and Adriana Ramirez) from The Bridge Series event on Facebook.  Further readings (until at least November 2017) will occur at the Brillobox on the last Wednesday of the month.  You can stay up to date by following The Bridge Series on Facebook.

Also, Jason and Kristofer read us some of their fantastic poetry. Jason gets unapologetically radical, and we discuss the meaning of poetry in the age of Trump.

Jason Baldinger is the author of several books, and you can hear him read more at Jason’s Bandcamp page.  Kristofer Collins is the editor of Low Ghost Press when he is not writing his own fantastic books of poems.

As always we swear.  Jason swears a lot and says many other things not for the faint of heart.

 

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Episode 43: Breakup Songs, With Horns

Breakup Songs, With Horns is the new EP from Brooklyn-based via Detroit musical wunderkind Brook Pridemore. In this episode, we discuss the ephemeral nature of pop music, why it’s okay to like Insane Clown Posse, Brook’s roadie Justin loses his coffee in my office, and Brook confesses that there are no actual horns on the album.  We also get to hear his song “For the Worst of it.”

You can buy this new EP and other music at Brook Pridemore’s Bandcamp Page.  You should follow Brook Pridemore on Twitter, and he writes regularly for The Sympathizer.

I believe Brook was on his best behavior, but as usual I swear.

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Episode 42: Scott Silsbe’s Handprints

Scott Silsbe is a fantastic poet.  He also edits The New Yinzer.  In our time together we discuss his fantastic books of poetry The River Underneath the City on Low Ghost Press and Unattended Fire on Six Gallery Press.  Scott reads his fantastic poems including “What a Sad Christmas,” I pontificate about cave paintings in France, and what it means to move to Pittsburgh.  Finally, we realize that someday you will only be able to hear this podcast on vinyl.

As always, I swear.

Oh and don’t smoke in bed.

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Episode 41: Abstracted Landscapes or Apophenia

In this episode old friend Adam Rousseau stops by to talk about painting.  In previous episodes we’ve discussed making music and making guitars.  However, Adam has gone back to making art with some stunning results.  You can see his work anywhere at anytime through Adam Rousseu’s Tumblr page.  You can also go to the Commonplace Coffeehouse at Voluto at 5467 Penn Ave. in Pittsburgh before the end of October 2016.

We discuss his art, the creative process, abstract expressionism, metacognition, solar flairs, and why it’s nice to make a turkey sandwich every day.

The conversation goes deep but along with the sacred is plenty of profane language.

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Episode 40: Enter the Skullcast 8

Skull Fest is a punk festival that draws fans and performers from around the world to Pittsburgh.  Dusty Hanna is the principal organizer and lead singer for the great Pittsburgh Peace Goth Punk band Silence.  He stops by to tell everyone about the great things in store for Skull Fest 8: Skulls in Space.  In the process we talk about what punk means, what it’s like to accidentally start a festival, and somewhere in the bottom 5 is a story about a severed fox head.

Skull Fest 8 will be held in various locations around Pittsburgh on August 18th to 21st.  Tickets can be found at the Skull Fest Web Site and at Cruel Noise Records in Polish Hill.  You can find out more on The Official Skull Fest 8 Facebook Event Page.

As always, there is swearing.

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Episode 39: Is There Hope for Humanity?

Well, no.  Jason Baldinger and I conclude that pretty early on.  Anyhow, he can spin a pretty good yarn and he read some damn good poems. So, there.

Jason also reads some poems for us.  You can hear more at Jason’s Bandcamp page.  You really should find out more about his books The Studs Terkel Blues and The Lower Forty-Eight via his publishers NightBallet Press and Six Gallery Press.  You can buy these books from the man himself by dropping a line to theunderwaterculprit@gmail.com. He’s also in a band called Pond Hockey.

I swear a lot.

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Episode 38: Any Alternative

Greg Murray is a lawyer by day and creator of energetic songs about frustration by night.  He stops by to talk about his cassette 33/34, which I am somehow unable to figure out how to say.  We sample the song “The Riverside” and discuss how creativity is a kind of stewardship.  There’s also mild swearing and the fantastic tale of the end of the universe.  Finally, no one is allowed to eat a tuna melt after I am dead.

You should try to hear all of 33/34 at Greg Murray’s Bandcamp Page where you can download the songs or contact him to buy a tape.

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Episode 37: For the Love of Poetry

Dessie Bey is an accomplished poet by her own right, but on this episode she discusses the collection she edited called Know Thyself: An African American Poetic Journey.  It is a collection of poems that tells the history of the African American experience that counteracts the cultural violence of colonialism in a way that reclaims the worth and dignity of a people whose history and culture have been marginalized.

In this conversation we also talk about Donald Trump (he was in town the day before we recorded this-forgive us), gentrification in Pittsburgh, and why it’s time for reparations.

The best way to buy Know Thyself is through Dessie Bey’s Lulu store.  You may also get it through Amazon if you must.  Dessie Bey’s website is here, and you can contact her about readings and educational projects at dbonpointpub@gmail.com.

As always, I swear.

 

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Episode 36: The Clothes Make the Team

For this episode the funny and knowledgeable Doug Keklak to talk about sports uniforms and how good teams can get away with looking bad.

In the process we talk about baseball greats Larry McWilliams and Floyd Rayford; how important baseball cards were before cable TV and the Internet; and just how horrid the New England Patriots look.

You can and should follow Doug on Twitter @DougKeklak.

Somehow, I think that’s two episodes without an F-bomb, but I don’t remember.

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