SoundPages
SoundPages is produced by Jack Straw Cultural Center as part of the Jack Straw Writers Program. This podcast features interviews and live readings from artists in the Jack Straw Writers Program. Each year a series of twelve episodes is produced featuring the current Jack Straw Writers and curator.-
Punchy Shorts – Martha Clarkson
Martha Clarkson writes with humor and an element of surprise. Her unique ideas come to life in short, sharp pieces. Original subject matter and clever delivery make Clarkson’s work widely appealing.
Music by Christopher Roberts, produced as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
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Family. Stories. Cookies. – Tara Roth
Tara Roth is an adept storyteller who turns to her Armenian family for material. The colorful characters and scenarios are imbued with humor and familiarity. Roth translates her appreciation for her heritage with a witty slant and a touch of nostalgia.
Music by Grand Hallway, produced as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
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History in Your Hometown – Bill Carty
Rich in detail, including period vocabulary, Bill Carty‘s poems are authentic and engaging. The retelling of a duel in his hometown of Thomaston, Maine evokes the image of a painting from the era. His writing illustrates history with a timeless and gracious style.
Music in this podcast is performed by Shulamit Kleinerman and was recorded as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
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To Write Is to Heal – Katherine Grace Bond
Using a frank and earnest approach, Katherine Grace Bond offers readers insight into her own adolescence. The difficulties she faced during her teen years become fodder for the fictional character Alice, who works as a docent at the Seattle Art Museum. Her poems capture the fear and angst she once experienced during family struggles. Bond works to help teens express themselves creatively through acting and writing.
THIS PODCAST CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE.
Music by Sean Osborn, produced as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
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Getting Even? – Brian James Barr
Deftly weaving together people and scenes, Brian James Barr presents rich commentary on adult relationships. Barr’s characters speak with an open and true voice, creating genuine intimacy in his writing. His vernacular, subject matter, and style, all work to make Barr’s writing distinctly contemporary.
THIS PODCAST CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE.
Music by Cynthia Mullis and was recorded as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
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Bluesy Verse – Storme Webber
With her diverse ancestry, Storme Webber brings a unique perspective to the literary world. Her writing allows her to give voice to those who are marginalized due to poverty, race, and sexual orientation. As a multi-disciplinary artist, Storme enlivens her readings with sonorous vocals, deepening the impact of her words.
Music by Dan Blunck and Mike Bisio, produced as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
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Deliberate Rhythm – Kevin Simmonds
For his Jack Straw residency, Kevin Simmonds brings to life historic figures in his lilting and revealing poetry. His background as a musician and his roots in New Orleans, lend a rhythmic, melancholic sensibility to his work. Among the themes he touches on are rights issues, loss, and sexuality.
Music by The Black Cat Orchestra, produced as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
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Politics and Place – Madeline Ostrander
Madeline Ostrander works global politics into a flowing narrative that hinges on personal stories. Her experiences abroad fill her writing with distinct, tangible scenes with genuine characters. Readers and listeners are forced to contemplate war and responsibility.
Music by Amy Rubin and Dawn Clement, produced as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
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Poetry off the Page – Angela Martinez Dy
In her rhythmic storytelling, Angela Martinez Dy sketches a snapshot of the social and cultural fabric of her time. Her art, which starts with poetry on the page, becomes a gripping, powerful force in her delivery. She says her writing helps her express who she is and leads to deeper self-understanding.
Music by Bob Rees, produced as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
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Cultural Storytelling – Kim-An Lieberman
Kim-An Lieberman‘s writing is a study on how the media shapes contemporary culture. She uses stories and characters featured in the media in her work. Through poetry, Lieberman is able to create unique, playful portraits of her subjects and continue a long tradition of storytelling.
Music by Matt Weiner and Del Rey, produced as part of the Jack Straw Artist Support Program.
