MikeyPod

On this episode of the podcast, I have a fascinating conversation with musician and archivist Dr. Louise Toppin about The African Diaspora Music Project – a database she created  to help singers and orchestras to diversify their repertoire of works by African Diaspora composers.  We talk about the inspiration behind the project, its future, and its present. I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation, along with two magnificent recordings of Dr. Toppin in performance. Listen at the link below or in your favorite podcast directory! Louise Toppin is a noted performer, scholar and professor who specializes in the concert repertoire of African American composers. In the span of her career, more than 30 songs and 2 operas have been written expressly for her voice. In addition, she has sung the world premiere of 30 more songs and arias of contemporary composers. As the administrator of the George Shirley Vocal Competition for the past nine years and Videmus (a non-profit organization that promotes the concert repertoire of African American and women composers) for more than twenty-five years, she encourages the performance and scholarship of African American compositions by students and scholars through recordings, conference presentation, live performances, and lectures.   As a performer she has received critical acclaim for her operatic, orchestral, and oratorio performances throughout the United States, Czech Republic, Scotland, Japan, China, Uruguay, Colombia, Cuba, Sweden, the Caribbean, Bermuda, New Zealand, England, and Spain in such halls as Lincoln Center, Merkin Hall and Carnegie Hall (New York), Weill Recital Hall (New York), the Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), the Gran Teatre del Licieu (Barcelona), the Beijing Concert Hall, and the Shanghai Opera House and the International Albeniz Festival in Camprodon, Spain. Music: Hold Fast to Dreams (Florence Price) – Louise Toppin Songs of the Season: II. Poeme d’Automne (Margaret Bonds) – Louise Toppin Both selections from the album Ah! Love, But a Day This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended extended conversation with Dr. T!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 335 | Musician and Archivist Dr. Louise Toppin appeared first on MikeyPod.

It’s release day for Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake and his award winning choral-ensemble Tonality! On this episode of the podcast, Dr. Blake and I discuss the new album, America Will Be, and the ensemble’s mission to use their collective voices to address themes of social justice in hopes to act as a catalyst toward empathy and community activism. Of course, we cover a bunch of other stuff as well, and I can’t wait for you all to hear this episode! Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake works as an award-winning conductor, composer/arranger, vocal contractor, singer, and music activist. Named Musical America’s 30 Professionals of the Year in 2019 and the Louis Botto Award for Innovative actions and Entrepreneurial Zeal from Chorus America, Blake was recently featured in both the NY Times and LA Times for work in diversity and anti-racism within classical music. Blake is the Founding Artistic Director of Tonality, an award-winning choral ensemble focused on spreading a message of unity, peace, and social justice through a culturally diverse choral setting. He also serves as the Choir Director at Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA). He also serves in Los Angeles and New York City as a Principal Associate Conductor of the National Children’s Chorus. As an arranger, Blake’s “Wade in the Water” was a featured arrangement at the North Carolina Music Educators Association convention in 2013 and is published with Santa Barbara Music Publishing. His arrangements of “Deep River” and “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” are published by Alliance Music Publishing and Walton Music Publishing, respectively.  Other musical activities include an opera conducting premiere at the 2019 Prototype Festival in New York City and preparing choirs for live performances with UCLA Center for the Art of Performance. Follow Dr. Blake on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow Tonality Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Music: 1232 Lyfe – Tonality Build Me Up – Tonality Tonality’s new album, America Will Be, is available on Bandcamp and on your favorite streaming service. Check it out! This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended extended conversation with Dr. Blake!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 334 | Musician and Activist Dr. Alexander Lloyd Blake appeared first on MikeyPod.

It’s high time I had my friend, Martin Rowe on the podcast, and the recent release of his new book of verse, The Animals Are Leaving Us provided the perfect excuse to bring him on the show. The verses in this book were inspired by two extraordinarily compelling and distressing photographs of animals in extremis taken by Canadian photojournalist Jo-Anne McArthur, whose photos are included in the volume as well. Martin and I had a fantastic conversation about the book, the beauty that can be found in even the most troubling works of art, and so much more. Don’t miss this conversation! Martin Rowe is President and Publisher at Lantern Publishing & Media. He is the co-vice president of the board of the Culture & Animals Foundation and a senior fellow of Brighter Green. He is the author of The Elephants in the Room, The Polar Bear in the Zoo, Nicaea, and (with Evander Lomke), Right Off the Bat: Baseball, Cricket, Literature, and Life. He is the editor of The Way of Compassion and Running, Eating, Thinking: A Vegan Anthology. Follow Lantern Publishing & Media on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Martin Rowe!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 333 | Author and Publisher Martin Rowe appeared first on MikeyPod.

I had a blast chatting with musician Christian Douglas on the podcast this week. His debut album, Inside Voice, was written and recorded under quarantine, and as you might expect is largely inspired by the events of the last 18 months. Beyond that, though, we talked creativity, self-doubt, ritual, and so many of these juicy topics so many of us contend with. I know this podcast will leave you as recharged and invigorated as I was after my conversation with Christian. Christian Douglas is a multifaceted singer, songwriter and theater performer. Like flipping a switch he can go from performing “Nessun Dorma” for the President of Italy at the White House to appearing as Jack Kelly in Newsies, to belting “Uptown Funk” with a wedding band and singing his soulful original music. Christian’s diverse vocal skills have made him a sought-after performer in the D.C. area, appearing in musicals and cabarets at Arena Stage and Signature Theatre, as well as in nationally-televised concerts with the American Pops Orchestra. Christian recently released his first full-length album, Inside Voice, which features a melting pot of styles, genres and sounds to reflect how far our hearts and minds can travel when our physical bodies are stuck inside. The recording was created during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Music: Stay Inside – Christian Douglas Love Thy Neighbor – Christian Douglas Through the Screen – Christian Douglas Follow Christian Douglas on Instagram, and Facebook, and YouTube. Find Christian’s music on his website, Spotify, Apple Music, or your favorite streaming platform. Photo by Chris Mueller Photography. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Christian Douglas!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 332 | Musician Christian Douglas appeared first on MikeyPod.

This week I welcome author Nevo Zisin to chat about their book The Pronoun Lowdown: Demystifying and celebrating gender diversity. This conversation was a absolute delight, and we went deep into the book itself, reflected on the work of our queer ancestors, and discussed playing the long game as activists. So many laughs and insight to be had on this episode as well as some great new music from The Wheel Workers and Tranna Wintour. Listen up! Nevo Zisin (they/them) is a queer, non-binary, Jewish writer, performer, activist and public speaker based in Naarm/ Birraranga / Melbourne. They run workshops in schools and professional development trainings in workplaces around transgender identities. Author of award-winning Finding Nevo (2017), a memoir on gender transition and The Pronoun Lowdown (2021) a useful guidebook on all things related to pronouns. Nevo is one of Australia’s only transgender marriage celebrants and is very passionate about creating transcendent celebrations. They are a mentor for The Pinnacle Foundation, one of Out for Australia’s 30 Under 30 for 2019, an ambassador for both Wear It Purple and the Victorian Pride Centre as well as a member of the Gender Euphoria cast – Australia’s largest all trans & gender diverse show on a main stage. Music: The Binary Code – The Wheel Workers Did You Want This – Tranna Wintour Follow Nevo Zisin on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Nevo Zisin!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 330 | Author Nevo Zisin appeared first on MikeyPod.

This week I welcome Edward Button to the podcast to talk about his work with the renowned British a cappella vocal ensemble, The King’s Singers. Eddie and I talk about the history of the group, The King’s Singers Global Foundation New Music Prize, and the many other ways the group strives to champion music as a way to find musical and social harmony in the world. I can’t wait for you to hear this conversation! For over half a century, The King’s Singers have been entertaining audiences all over the world with their virtuosity and trademark British flair. The group was officially born on May 1st 1968, when six recent choral scholars from King’s College, Cambridge, gave their first professional concert in London. Today, The King’s Singers are consistently welcomed on the world’s great stages. Alongside two Grammy® Awards, an Emmy® Award, and a place in Gramophone magazine’s inaugural Hall of Fame, The King’s Singers were delighted to be one of WQXR’s 20 for 20 artists this year. The King’s Singers Global Foundation seeks to champion music as a way to find musical and social harmony in the world.  Whether it’s audience members who come together from different walks of life united by a love of music, or choirs who create something more beautiful than the sum of their parts, music has a powerful effect on individuals, communities and the wider world, no matter people’s age, gender, race or circumstance.   At the beginning of this episode I talk a bit about working with a mentor (hi, Ian!) from Soundfly, you can check them out here. Follow The King’s Singers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Listen to their music on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you stream music! Photo of Edward Button by Rebecca Reid. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Edward Button!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 329 | Edward Button and The King’s Singers appeared first on MikeyPod.

Considering how much I love Michael Zapruder‘s music, I probably should not have been so surprised by how much we vibed together in this week’s episode of the podcast. His latest album, Latecomers, is rhythmically vibrant, melodically adventurous, and lyrically poetic yet conversational. Many of these qualities found their way into our conversation here, too, as we talked about the album, it’s journey, and Zapruder’s own journey as an artist. It’s a real privilege to talk to an artist like Michael, and I can’t wait for you to check it out! As a performing and recording songwriter, Michael Zapruder has made more than a dozen albums, including five solo albums and 52 Songs, a 1999 project in which he wrote, recorded and posted online one song each week for a year. He has performed across the United States as well as in Canada and Europe, and has been invited to perform at South by Southwest and Pop Montreal festivals. Zapruder’s records have been acclaimed by critics, with Pitchfork, the Los Angeles Times, the Village Voice, Tiny Mixtapes, and many others lauding Zapruder’s ambition, uniqueness and songcraft. His 2012 project Pink Thunder, for which he made twenty-two songs from poems by living American poets, was hailed by the Huffington Post as “a work of extraordinary merit and historical significance,” and was selected as the Boston Globe’s 2012 Best Poetry Project of 2012. His 2008 record Dragon Chinese Cocktail Horoscope won an Independent Music Award for Best Singer-Songwriter Album and its song Second Sunday in Ordinary Time was nominated for Best Folk Song. Music: Latecomers – Michael Zapruder New Quarantine – Michael Zapruder Both tracks are from Michael’s latest album, Latecomers. Find it on Bandcamp and all the streaming and purchasing places. Follow Michael Zapruder on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Soundcloud. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Michael Zapruder!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 328 | Musician Michael Zapruder appeared first on MikeyPod.

Like her latest solo theater piece Delejos (from afar), my conversation this week with Julie Piñero explores themes of grief, distance, Latinx identity, virtual reality, and music in a strikingly intimate way. Our conversation here dives deep into the loss that ultimately gave birth to this, her first solo show, but also into the seemingly disparate emotions of grief and gratitude that share space in her psyche as of late. I’m excited to get this episode to your ears, and can’t wait for you to hear!\r\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJule Piñero is a performer and multimedia producer known best for producing podcasts like Common’s “Mind Power Mixtape” at Audible, documentary series “Crash the Party” at HuffPost and for performing standup and live music around Brooklyn. She was an on-camera correspondent for HuffPost, interviewing newsmakers like Lorena Bobbitt and Ilana Glazer. She was nominated for two Webby awards for producing the food travel series “Food/Groups” with James Beard Award winning host Dave Infante and “Really, Dough?!” with Lucali chef Marc Iocono, now streaming on Amazon Prime. She produced memoir-style podcasts for comedians Kate Willett (“Dirtbag Anthropology”) and Mo Welch (“Come Out, Come Out”): a project spotlighted at the iHeartRadio Awards. She’s a co-host of Stoked Comedy (with Kelly Bachman, Amber Rollo and Davidson Boswell) in Brooklyn and performed sketch comedy with Sofa Kingdom. \r\n\n\n\n\nGet tickets for Delejos (from afar) here. This Thursday April 22 is the last performance! I’ll be there… will you?\r\n\n\n\n\nFollow Julie Piñero on Twitter, and Instagram.\r\n\r\nPhoto of Julie Piñero by Damon Scheleur.\r\n\r\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Julie Piñero!  Learn more right here!\r\n\n\n\n\nIf you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album!\r\nHere are some other places you can find the book.\r\nFind The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here.\r\nHere’s some more merch and music.\r\n\n\n\n\nThinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month!\r\n\nThe post MikeyPod 327 | Writer and Performer Julie Piñero appeared first on MikeyPod.\r\n

I had a fantastic chat with Sheila Carrasco this week about her new solo show,  Anyone But Me, (currently in its final week – Get tickets here!) The show dissects the psyches of women who struggle with self-identity, and our conversation explores the ways that creating and performing the show has transformed Ms. Carrasco’s own perception of self. I had such a blast with this conversation and I know you will love it too! \r\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHalf Chilean/Mapuche, Sheila Carrasco is originally from the South Side of Chicago and an alumna of NYU and Harvard. Her most recent credits include IAMA’s Found: A New Musical (“Carrasco stand[s] out especially” — Stage  Raw) and the CBS pilot Ghosts, as Flower, a hippy ghost from the ’60s. On TV, she’s been seen in I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, The Good Place, Jane the Virgin, Outmatched, The Odd Couple, Life in Pieces, American Housewife and #VanLife for NBC/Universal. She was selected to perform as one of the JFL New Faces of Comedy, CBS Showcase (as both a performer and head writer), the  Groundlings, UCB, American Repertory Theatre, Moscow Art Theatre, Steppenwolf Garage and Chicago’s Court Theatre. Half Chilean/Mapuche, Carrasco is a creator for Más Mejor, Broadway Video’s premium comedy studio for Latinx voices. This is Sheila Carrasco’s first solo theater show and her first time doing one sans wigs and costumes… so basically naked.  \r\n\n\n\n\nMusic:\r\nThrough The Screen – Christian Douglas\r\nTake Me Out – Basesuite\r\n\n\n\n\nGet tickets for Anyone But Me here.\r\n\n\n\n\nFollow Sheila Carrasco on Instagram.\r\nFollow IAMA Theater Company on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.\r\n\n\n\n\nPlease check out next week’s guest, Julie Piñero and her show, Delejos (from afar). There’s not much time left to check out her show.\r\n\n\n\n\nAnother show to check out: Peter Michael Marino’s Planet of the Grapes, which opens this week and features and original score by me. Y’all got your entertainment lined up for you this week!\r\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Anna LaMadrid!  Learn more right here!\r\n\n\n\n\nIf you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album!\r\nHere are some other places you can find the book.\r\nFind The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here.\r\nHere’s some more merch and music.\r\n\n\n\n\nThinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month!\r\n\nThe post MikeyPod 326 | Writer and Performer Sheila Carrasco appeared first on MikeyPod.\r\n

I am so proud to welcome composer, violinist, activist, and educator Daniel Bernard Roumain to the podcast this week. When I read last week that the Tulsa Opera made the decision to remove his aria “They Still Want to Kill Us” from the program for their upcoming concert to commemorate the centennial of the Tulsa race massacre, I reached out immediately for an interview. This important conversation about this and his other experiences of racism within the classical music world also gave way to a gorgeous connection the the unmistakeable change making power of art. I’m so grateful to share this conversation with you this week!\r\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDaniel Bernard Roumain’s acclaimed work as a composer, performer, educator, and activist spans more than two decades, and he has been commissioned by venerable artists and institutions worldwide. “About as omnivorous as a contemporary artist gets” (NYT), DBR is perhaps the only composer whose collaborations span Philip Glass, Bill T. Jones, Savion Glover and Lady Gaga.\r\n\n\n\n\nKnown for his signature violin sounds infused with myriad electronic, urban, and African-American music influences, DBR takes his genre-bending music beyond the proscenium. He is a composer of chamber, orchestral, and operatic works; has won an Emmy for Outstanding Musical Composition for his collaborations with ESPN; featured as keynote performer at technology conferences; and created large scale, site-specific musical events for public spaces. DBR earned his doctorate in Music Composition from the University of Michigan and is currently Institute Professor and Professor of Practice at Arizona State University.\r\n\n\n\n\nAn avid arts industry leader, DBR serves on the board of directors of the League of American Orchestras, Association of Performing Arts Presenters and Creative Capital, the advisory committee of the Sphinx Organization, and was co-chair of 2015 and 2016 APAP Conferences.\r\n\n\n\n\nMusic:\r\ni am a white person who ______ Black people – Daniel Bernard Roumain / New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (be sure to check out the film here.)\r\n\n\n\n\nFollow Daniel Bernard Roumain on Twitter, Facebook, Soundcloud, and YouTube.\r\n\n\n\n\nCheck out the score for “They Still Want to Kill Us” and join in the collaboration right here.\r\n\r\nPhoto of Daniel Bernard Roumain via Sozo Artists.\r\n\r\nSpecial thanks to Dana at Sozo Artists for assisting in making this interview happen so quickly. I am so grateful for your energy!\r\n\nThe post MikeyPod 325 | Composer Daniel Bernard Roumain appeared first on MikeyPod.\r\n

Anna LaMadrid‘s solo performance The Oxy Complex opens online this week at IAMA Theater Company and she joined me this week to talk about her process with creating the show, how it was inspired by life in quarantine, and what it’s like to exist in the dual roles of writer and actor. Ms. LaMadrid also filled me in on her wildly popular coaching hub for actors, Put Me On Self Tape. \r\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnna LaMadrid studied with acclaimed Meisner teacher, Maggie Flanigan in NYC. She received her MFA from the University of Washington where she TA’d for undergrad acting students and discovered her love of coaching.  Born in Venezuela and raised between New Jersey and North Carolina–she spent most of her adolescent life saying things like “Y’all want some cawfee?”\r\n\n\n\n\nA Venezuelan born, East Coast-bred actor living in Los Angeles, LaMadrid starred as sardonic, gum-snapping “Jamie” in the critically acclaimed IAMA production of Bess Wohl’s American Hero (“boundlessly funny” — Los Angeles Times). She won a Stage Raw Award for Female Comedy Performance for her take on Betty 3 in Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Boops at Boston Court. Her TV credits include Vida on Starz (recurring); Love, Victor on Hulu; Bless This Mess and Grey’s Anatomy on ABC; and she was selected to participate in the ABC Discovers Showcase. In 2016, she launched Put Me On Self-Tape, a self-tape and audition coaching studio in L.A.  \r\n\n\n\n\nGet tickets for The Oxy Complex here.\r\n\n\n\n\nFollow Anna LaMadrid on Twitter and Instagram.\r\nFollow Put Me On Self Tape on Facebook and Instagram.\r\nFollow IAMA Theater Company on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.\r\n\n\n\n\nPhoto of Ana LaMadrid by Jackson Davis.\r\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Anna LaMadrid!  Learn more right here!\r\n\n\n\n\nIf you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album!\r\nHere are some other places you can find the book.\r\nFind The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here.\r\nHere’s some more merch and music.\r\n\n\n\n\nThinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month!\r\n\nThe post MikeyPod 234 | Writer and Performer Anna LaMadrid appeared first on MikeyPod.\r\n

I was treated to a preview of “Unraveling,” the forthcoming new video from dark electronic synth-pop duo PIERA a couple weeks ago, and I knew I had to introduce them to you, fair MikeyPod listeners. The music is a blend of influences I have always loved yet it still maintains a unique and vibrant voice of its own. Our conversation here reveals the beautiful humans behind the music, and their desire to share the potential they see for all of us. PIERA is the name of the singer and collaboration of the dark electronic-synth pop duo Piera Klein and Micah Plissner, residing in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Their sound is informed by the combination of their diverse backgrounds: Micah a multi-instrumentalist and producer originally from New York City and Piera, singer, songwriter, composer, and California native with a globe-trotting history, their sound is electronic, underground, beat-driven, synth pop, with psychedelic undertones and haunting vocals. The effect is both genre-defying and yet strangely feels familiar. Music: Unraveling – PIERA As Good As You – PIERA Follow PIERA on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. Find their music on Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon. Photo of PIERA by Cameron Dunbar Other links mentioned: Planet of the Grapes Peter Michael Marino’s appearance on MikeyPod Jane Siberry’s “Moraj” This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with PIERA!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 323 | Dark Synth-Pop Duo PIERA appeared first on MikeyPod.

I’ve been a casual fan of Myq Kaplan‘s for a few years now, but it wasn’t until I started prepping for this conversation that I got a full picture of his work. He’s, of course, a brilliant comedian, but through listening to his podcasts and his music, I developed a whole new appreciation for his vast catalogue. We covered a bunch of ground here, but I was especially intrigued by the way his growth as a performer informed his growth as a human being. Enjoy this great conversation and a little taste of his music as well! Myq Kaplan is a comedian named Myq Kaplan. Myq has appeared on the Tonight Show, Conan, Letterman, James Corden, Seth Meyers, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, and America’s Got Talent. He has a one-hour standup special on Amazon, “Small, Dork, and Handsome,” and two podcasts, The Faucet and Broccoli and Ice Cream. His first album, “Vegan Mind Meld,” was one of iTunes’ top 10 comedy albums of the year, and his newest album, “A.K.A.,” debuted at #1. The NY Times called it “invigoratingly funny” and included it among its five “coronavirus best new comedy specials”… “to remind you of the old normal.” And now, here we are in the new weird! Music: Music is Fun – Myq Kaplan Calm – Myq Kaplan Realistic Love Song – Myq Kaplan Follow Myq Kaplan on Patreon, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Bandcamp. Subscribe (for free or more) to Myq’s Art Nuggets here. Photo of Myq Kaplan by Mindy Tucker with rainbow art by Ramin Nazer. I wish I had raved some more about V-Spot. It’s one of my favorite places in NYC and its owners are magnificent people who contribute so much space and energy to the NYC vegan scene and beyond. You should pay them a visit when you are in NYC. Here’s their website. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Myq Kaplan!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 322 | Comedian Myq Kaplan appeared first on MikeyPod.

Tàhlia Audrí and I first crossed paths as cast members in Lauren Maul‘s Bucolic a couple of years ago. I’ve followed all of her work since then, but was especially moved and empowered by her quarantine inspired series, QT 2020 which she launched on Instagram TV last year. It was great reconnecting with Táhlia about her creative work this past year, her recent collaboration with Comedy Central, and a dive into her creative process! Listen below or in your favorite podcast directory! Táhlia Audrí is a native of Charleston, SC. She currently lives and performs in New York City. She is a NYC Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) trained improviser, sketch writer, and is a Company Member for Theatre 99 in Charleston, SC. She is an original cast member of the Comedic Play, Hidden Fences.  She performs improv with Dirty Little Secrets Improv and Comedy People’s Time. She is also a solo performer ranging from Characters to Solo Shows (Piccolo Spoleto). Comedy Music is something she loves to perform as well. Her most recent songs are about food and life in New York City.  Music: I Need a New Oven – Tàhlia Audrí Please Say That You’re Voting – Tàhlia Audrí Find Tàhlia Audrí on Instagram, Facebook, Bandcamp, and Twitter. Check out my conversation with Lauren Maul, who introduced us, on MikeyPod 253! This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Táhlia!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 321 | Writer and Performer Táhlia Audrí appeared first on MikeyPod.

I first encountered Lee Uehara as the founder of NYC Podcasters Network, but soon discovered she also founded Asian American Podcasters Association, and of course hosts her own podcasts House of Lee NYC and Upper West Side Corner Talk. We talk her about what drew her to podcasting, the importance of building community, and some ideas to help move through common frustrations faced by independent creators of stuff. Music: Legacy (Maxfield Gast Remix) – Kiirstin Marilyn (Kiirstin also appeared on episodes 306 and 260) Follow Lee Uehara on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Learn more about Dr. Eric Wesselmann, who Lee mentioned in the interview, at his Twitter page. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Lee!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 320 | Podcaster Lee Uehara appeared first on MikeyPod.

I have followed Stewart Mitchell‘s activism and social media presence for quite a while now and been inspired by his seemingly tireless energy to show up for human and non-human rights. Then, I realized that he is an author with two books under his belt, a poet, a dad, and the founder of a new arts and activism initiative called V.O.I.C.E4Change, a human rights/animal rights advocacy group that centers activism around performing arts. Oh, and did I mention that he sits on the board of Voters for Animal Rights? Stewart and I talk about his children’s books, Kayla the Vegan and Liberation Summer and why he thinks it’s important to include children in our advocacy for animals. We also get into the importance of the arts in any kind of activism, and he shares about why he engages in both street and political activism. All in all, this is a great conversation, and no MikeyPod interview with an NYC activist would be complete without hearing a track from Kiirstin Marilyn! Music: The Takers – Kiirstin Marilyn (Kiirstin also appeared on episodes 306 and 260) This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Stewart!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 319 | Author and Activist Stewart Mitchell appeared first on MikeyPod.

Israeli-American pianist Yael Weiss is the curator and performer of 32 Bright Clouds: Beethoven Conversations Around the World. Through this commissioning and performance project, Ms. Weiss has commissioned new works from 32 countries of conflict and secluded areas spanning the globe. Our conversation about the project was fascinating on its own, but Yael’s purpose and inspiration goes much deeper than a desire to share great music. Indeed, she is connecting communities and cultures all over the globe. This is an absolutely magnificent conversation that I am so proud to shre with you here. A captivating presence on the concert scene, award-winning Israeli-American pianist Yael Weiss has appeared internationally in major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Wigmore Hall and Moscow’s Bolshoi Hall. Following a recent recital, the Washington Post portrayed her as “a pianist who delves deeply and tellingly into that cloudy area where fantasy morphs into improvisation, inventiveness being common to both.”  Ms. Weiss has won numerous honors, including the Naumburg, Kousciuszko Foundation and Presser prizes. She has presented master classes at top institutions worldwide and served on the faculties of Indiana University and UCSB. Her own teachers included Richard Goode and Leon Fleisher. Music: Unheard Voices (Hindi Naririnig na mga Tinig) by Sidney Marquez Boquiren (Philippines) – Yael Weiss No More Moonlight Over Jakarta by Ananda Sukarlan (Indonesia) – Yael Weiss Follow Yael Weiss on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Yael!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 318 | Pianist Yael Weiss appeared first on MikeyPod.

I am so honored to present this conversation with composer Joseph C. Phillips Jr. about The Grey Land, his monoopera which explores universal themes of humanity and identity through the intractable triumvirate of race, class, and power in American society. Our conversation began with the origins of the piece and broadened into a discussion about the white centeredness of the classical music world, and what that has cost both artists and audiences. I’m so excited for you all to hear this! Joseph C. Phillips Jr. has received a Brooklyn Arts Council Arts Fund grant, NewMusic USA project grant, a American Composers Forum Jerome Foundation grant for New Music, a Meet the Composers Creative Connections grant, an American Music Center CAP grant, two Live Music for Dance commission grants, two Puffin Foundation grants, and was a finalist for both the Sundance Institute Film Composers Lab Fellowship and the Opera Company of Philadelphia Composer-in-Residence. Currently Phillips is working on various commissions and new projects including recording his mono-opera The Grey Land, a monoopera exploring universal themes of acceptance, ostracization, authenticity, and identity centered around intractable issues of race, class, and power in American society. The Grey Land will be released November 20, 2020 on New Amsterdam Records. He is also beginning work on 1619, an opera cycle inspired by the 2019 New York Times series The 1619 Project and the 2014 Ta-Nehisi Coates The Atlantic article “The Case for Reparations”.  Music: Ferguson (Summer 2014) – Joseph C. Phillips Jr. I Should Have Been A Motherfucking Black Mamba – Joseph C. Phillips Jr. Follow Joseph C. Phillips Jr. on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Get yourself a copy of The Grey Land here on Bandcamp, or streaming anywhere you stream great music. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Joe!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 317 | Composer Joseph C. Phillips Jr. appeared first on MikeyPod.

It would be difficult to summarize the impossibly prolific world of guitarist Mak Grgic in one paragraph. He is an accomplished classical guitarist who has performed all over the globe, a builder of communities, and an entrepreneur and educator. Our conversation here was just perfect for the beginning of the year, especially this year. We discussed the intrinsic value of art, moving forward through obstacles, and, of course, his music. This is an episode not to be missed! As a soloist, collaborator and composer guitarist Mak Grgic has collaborated with The Assad Brothers, violinists Augustin Hadelich, Martin Chalifour, concertmaster of LA Phil, flamenco guitarist Adam del Monte, 11-time Billboard No. 1 pianist Paul Cardall and many more. As an active entrepreneur and educator, Mak is director of several organizations including EuroStrings, the European Guitar Festival Collaborative Network; the Zagreb Guitar Festival; and serves as director of the Elemental Guitar in Santa Monica, a program designed especially for young people. As a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, he founded the Virtual Guitar Orchestra, gathering 500 guitarists from more than 50 countries to date. VGO is a community-oriented project, recognized by the Library of Congress for its cultural contributions. Mak is also proud to be involved with the Bosana Foundation, an organization that raises money for Bosnian youth. He regularly awards education-furthering scholarships to select students across South America. Music: Christmas Dreaming – Mak Grgic Fantasia No. 6 (Francesco da Milano) – Mak Grgic Follow Mak Grgic on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an extended conversation with Mak!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 316 | Guitarist Mak Grgic appeared first on MikeyPod.

Lotus Kay is a teen writer who has been published in Thrive Global,  Vegan Health & Fitness Magazine, New Leaves, Light of Consciousness, and Voya: Voice of Youth Advocates.  She is a recipient of a grant from Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program for her work creating an educational campaign called Bears for Cares to educate youth about endangered species and wildlife. We talked about her work, what inspired her to start speaking up for animals, and how you are never too young (or too old) to start pursuing your creative dreams! I had an absolute blast talking with Lotus this week, and find myself creatively recharged and inspired! What a perfect first podcast for the new year! Follow Lotus Kay on Instagram and Twitter! Follow Bears for Cares on Instagram and Facebook! This is the last week to get your copy of my limited edition zine, Headphones! Get more information about that project here. This podcast is powered by my subscribers on Patreon who, in addition to the warm feeling they get from co-creating with me, get lots of sweet perks including bonus podcast episodes, free downloads, zines, and more! This week’s bonus podcast will be an exclusive conversation with Lotus!  Learn more right here! If you’d like to check out my other work, order The Animal Book directly from me here and get a free download of the album! Here are some other places you can find the book. Find The Animal Album streaming and downloadable here. Here’s some more merch and music. Thinking of starting your own podcast? Do it! I’m a big fan of Blubrry for podcast distribution and you can get a month free by signing up for Blubrry Podcast Hosting here, or Blubrry Professional Statistics here. Use the code “mikeypod” with your order for your free month! The post MikeyPod 315 | Author Lotus Kay appeared first on MikeyPod.