Author: Matthew Ussia

Episode 35: Silhouettes

Bonnie Resinski was part of the creative force at the theatre at St. Francis University for 46 years, and a huge influence on my life.  In her spare time, she created an amazing one-woman show that chronicles 100 years of women’s fashion.  In this episode, she speaks about how fashion is a mix of style, technology, economics, and values. Bonnie makes a solid case for not wearing polyester  no matter how low the price of oil goes.  We also pause to do research and feed a cat.  I reveal why I can’t act while wearing Fruit of the Loom boxer-briefs, and we determine that perhaps the best copy of Dickens’ Christmas Carol would be bound in human skin.

There will be a booking email for Silhouettes posted on here soon, and somehow I don’t think anyone swears.  Not 100% on that though.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 34: Silence: The Sound of a Band That is Absolutely Something

Silence is a very exciting Pittsburgh band on the verge of a very big year.  They are a little bit crusty, a little bit gothy, and their politics are left wing, which is the better wing when you think about it.  In this podcast, we talk about their two upcoming 2016 releases, and maybe somebody remembered to mention their cross country tour this summer.  We also talk about why The Rolling Stones are evil but not in a cool way.  Also, there was a thunderstorm in February.

We listen to two of their songs.  “War Drums” will be available on their album The Deafening Sound of Absolutely Nothing from Profane Existence Records in April.  “Swimming with Boys” is from their EP due later in the year.  This version of “Swimming with Boys” was recorded live for the WRCT show Advanced Calculus, and it is available from the Silence Bandcamp page.  The Silence Facebook page is the best way to follow the band’s adventures and release schedule.

We swear a lot.

Finally, this podcast seems long.  That’s because it has a hidden track.  I was getting levels and everyone was being too funny.  It’s perfect for anyone who wonders what happens before I do my intro, which is no one.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 33: St. Paul: A New Formalist Close Reading

Okay, so we don’t do a true new formalist close reading, but Mike Miller of Endless Mike and the Beagle Club stops by for an intimate conversation about his wonderful new record St. Paul.

During our time together, I give that record what might be the most painfully awkward record review in history.  We also talk about why everyone should read Margaret Atwood, why the Learn and Play Puppy is the gateway to terror, how The Beagle Club is on their way to the World Series, and it is revealed why between now and March 4, 2016 I am the most important person in the world!

You really, really should buy St. Paul from the A-F Records web-store. You can follow all things Beagle Club from their Facebook page.  And while you’re at it, isn’t it time you joined the Beagle Club Club?

Swearing is pretty much a mandatory condition of being on the podcast at this point.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 33: Accumulating Interest

Janette Schafer is a banker, and we talk about why you should care about banking.  We also discuss how and why financial literacy and creativity are the same sides of the same coin.  She also has this amazing collaboration with other playwrights called The Beautiful Cadaver Project, which you can find out about from their website or their Facebook.

Cadavers and banking are serious business, but we still swear.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 32: There’s a Man Named Brook Pridemore.

In this episode Brook Pridemore and Derek Zanetti stop by to talk to us about what it means to draw from personal experiences when making art.  In the process, we talk about the complexities of putting one’s personal life on display, the tyranny of perfection that a lot of Americans live under, and Brook has one hell of a story about meeting Bill O’Reilly.

Brook Pridemore’s website is a great place to find out all about him. You can also buy his amazing record Brook Pridemore’s Gory Details on the Brook Pridemore Bandcamp page.  The Brook Pridemore YouTube channel will soon feature a video for every song on his latest album. He is also worth following on Twitter and Facebook.

Derek will be back soon, and until then you should keep up with The Homeless Gospel Choir on Facebook and through A-F Records.

As always, we swear.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 31: Demoitis

For this episode the very talented Brett Zoric stops by to talk about the difficult moment of deciding when a creation is complete and ready to be shared with the world.  Instead, we end up talking about the one and only time Bruce Springsteen is listenable, Larry King-itis, and why whatever happens when you download this podcast is your own damn fault.

You can find out more about Brett and his music via the Triggers Facebook page as well as Triggers on Bandcamp.  Look for a new Triggers EP and Brett’s solo album in 2016!

We swear so damn much.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 30: Writing/Politics

Robin Clarke is a poet, activist, and professor.  In this episode, we talk about how poetry can provide a counter to the prevailing narratives of business and development.  We also talk about some of the unfair changes we are witnessing in Pittsburgh, how organizing gives people hope, and the superiority of Snorks over Smurfs.

Her award winning collection of poetry, Lines the Quarry, can be purchased through the Omnidawn Press.

Robin swears like a sailor.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 29: My Whole Life is about Obsolete Formats

For this episode, our guest is Jason Baldinger, poet, musician, working stiff, and all around swell guy.  In this episode, we talk about creating and appreciating art in the age of austerity, or at least we meant to talk about that.  We do however end up talking about Jack Kerouac’s blind spots, St. Francis of Assisi’s dining habits, how Reagan ruined everything, and how to save gas when you’re already out.

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.

As usual there’s swearing, and this time I did have to censor something Jason said.  However, my editing skills are so sharp you will have no clue anything has happened.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 28: Making Music

For this episode we go to Acoustic Music Works, a shop people travel from far and wide to visit.  There we talk to Raymond Morin, who is a luthier, and his apprentice Adam Rousseau.  Not only do they explain what a luthier is, we have a fascinating conversation about what goes into making an acoustic guitar.  We also discuss the difference between a shop like Acoustic Music Works and the Strip Mall Monolith Music Store, how making instruments changes the way one experiences other aspects of music, and I find someone else who had a childhood love of Bloom County.

You can find out more about Acoustic Music Works from their web site.  Acoustic Music Works is on Twitter. You can hear more from Raymond through his excellent blog called Work and Worry. Finally, longtime listeners of the podcast remember Adam from his great band Triggers.

I think we say the bad word for poop twice.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 27: Reincarnation Back on the Agenda

For this episode, my friend and future ex-office mate Michael Begnal stops by to discuss his unique life journey. Mike is currently a college professor and poet. However, in previous lives he’s been a drummer in the hardcore band Wasted Talent and once did odd jobs in Ireland.  During our conversation we discuss his various creative endeavors, the virtues of Jackass, Fred Wilpon’s tenure as principal owner of the New York Mets, the ways American culture can be found in Ireland, and Mike reads us a poem he wrote in Gaelic!

You can find out about all things Michael Begnal at his blog.  You can also buy his books Future Blues and Ancestor Worship from his publisher Salmon Poetry.  The recorded output of Wasted Talent will soon be available via Going Underground Records.

As always, I swear.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS