Category: episodes

 

May 22nd, 2018
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Twelve: Exhibits & Appendices

The Work
The tidbits and annotation that the text has referred to and which give more texture to the work. Our question this week: When you make a mental picture of a place, a character, or a phenomena in a book how do you react when those elements are visualized by someone in an adaptation?

 

The Guest
Media critic John Teti, formerly of the A.V. Club joins us as we conclude our interviews for House of Leaves. We discuss interactivity and storytelling. 

You can follow John on twitter @johnteti.

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Thirteen:
Closing the Book
Our conclusion and reflection on our series reading the first novel for Wound & Stab.

 

February 12th, 2018
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Eleven: Chapters XXI-XXIII

The Work
The end of the main text for Johnny, Zampano, and the residents of the House. But is it a true ending? Our question this week: What memories do you associate with Halloween?

 

The Guest
Artist Shell Falcone joins us to discuss their career in capturing events in photo and video. We discuss consent and the responsibility of the photographer, to the subjects, to the client, and to the art. 

You can find Shell’s work on their website Outershellpictures.com

You can follow them on instagram @outershellpictures & twitter @outershellpics.

 

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Twelve:
Exhibits & Appendices
Our final reading assignment is a loose one, as we explore the Exhibits and Appendices that introduce more questions than they answer.

 

January 15th, 2018
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Ten: Chapters XVIII-XX

The Work
Darkness against darkness. The heroes prepare all their weapons to combat the house to find themselves and one another. But the House is so big. Our question this week: Would you endure what Will is enduring given the choice?

 

The Guest
Dr. Sydnee McElroy returns to discuss the human body in extreme conditions.

Dr. McElroy is a physician practicing family medicine. She hosts Sawbones, a medical history podcast with her husband as co-host, and she is one of the trio of sister-hosts on the multi-generational podcast, Still Buffering. You can follow Dr. McElroy on twitter @sydneemcelroy. 

Sydnee recommends getting out and taking a basic life-saving course and for additional reading John Walden’s Jungle Travel & Survival.

 

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Eleven: Chapters XXI-XXIII
Our next reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapters XX–XXIII will see us through the end of main text. We’ll be joined by Shell Falcone, a photographer and videographer.

 

January 8th, 2018
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Nine: Chapters XIV-XVII

The Work
We’re on the other end of the violence, but the trap still calls to the prey. Our question this week: What is a recurring nightmare you’ve had, if any?

 

The Guest
Beth Nakamura joins us to discuss photojournalism and her role as observer and documenter. You can find her work on her website bethnakamura.com, and you can see her social feed on twitter @bethnakmura, instagram @bethnakmura and on facebook.

She mentions a few resources such as instagram, where a number of publications, photojournalists, and street photographers post their work. She also pointed us to the NPAA’s code of ethics.

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Ten: Chapters XVIII-XX
Our next reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapters XVIII-XX. We’ll are happy to have Dr. Sydnee McElroy back to discuss conditions of survival.

 

December 18th, 2017
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Eight: Chapter XIII

The Work
The thirteenth chapter. The maze is still empty but the chapter is full of death and loss. Our question this week: How old were you when you saw your first dead body?

 

The Guest
Sophie St. Thomas joins us to discuss sexuality and female empowerment, and your agency in evoking that power. Sophie is a prolific writer on a broad swath of subjects including sexual etiquette, human intimacy, witchcraft, and music.

You can find Sophie on Twitter @thebowiecat, on Instagram also @thebowiecat, and you can find samples of her work on her website sophiesainttthomas.com

NOTE: Teylor will be performing at Candlenights on 12/22 in WV. Tickets are pretty much all gone- but sometimes they pop up so if you want to attend keep your eyes peeled. More importantly the show’s proceeds will go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central West Virginia.  If you’d like to give directly to this effort Rileigh Smirl has a go fund me campaign running here www.gofundme.com/be-a-candlenights-2017-star

 

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Nine: Chapters XIV-XVII
Our next reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapters XIV-XVII. We’ll be joined by photojournalist Beth Nakamura.

 

December 11th, 2017
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Seven: Chapter XI-XII

The Work
Tom is in no-man’s land. We are waiting alongside him in the darkness. Our question this week: What is the longest time you’ve spent alone?

 

The Guest
Lighting design architect Nevi Ozturk joins us this week to discuss the art of lighting interior spaces and how manipulating lighting can effect behavior in a space.

To learn more about Nevi follow her on instagram @ozturknf and her workplace here.

NOTE: Teylor will be performing at Candlenights on 12/22 in WV. Tickets are pretty much all gone- but sometimes they pop up so if you want to attend keep your eyes peeled. More importantly the show’s proceeds will go to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central West Virginia.  If you’d like to give directly to this effort Rileigh Smirl has a go fund me campaign running here www.gofundme.com/be-a-candlenights-2017-star

 

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Eight: Chapter XIII
Our next reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapter XIII. We’ll be joined by Sophie St. Thomas to discuss sexuality, power dynamics, and embracing power as a woman.

 

December 4th, 2017
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Six: Chapter X

The Work
The rescue team goes into the darkness. Among the questions we ask this week: Have you ever had a breakdown, been afflicted with mental illness or felt yourself falling apart?

 

The Guest
Artist Andy Kennedy, animator and musician, joins us to discuss his work and managing his sleep disorder: night terrors.

You can find Andy’s work on his website and you can watch his video on Vimeo:

Slow Wave from andy kennedy on Vimeo.

 

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Seven: Chapter XI-XII
Our next reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapter XI-XII. We’ll be joined by Nevi Ozturk to discuss lighting the spaces we inhabit and how lighting can change our perception of a space.

 

November 27th, 2017
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Five: Chapter IX

The Work
The book is becoming hostile. We’ll have to work together to get through. Among the questions we ask this week: Have you ever ‘cheated’ at a ‘choose your own adventure’ type book or story?

 

The Guest
Lucas Owens is a writer currently working at BBDO in New York. He has been caving longer than he’s been born! We talk to him about his passion of exploring the voids that twist beneath our feet. You can find Lucas’ commercial writing on his professional website and follow him on instagram @saculsnewo. 

Lucas mentions a couple resources:
The National Speleological Society (NSS) at caves.org
The Robertson Association
The Annual Old Timer’s Reunion at otr.org
In Albany, NY the Northeastern Cave Conservatory

Pairings
Aural Stimuli

Visual Stimuli
The cave photography of Robbie Shone
Corrosive and beautiful salt mines
Things fall apart

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Six: Chapter X
Our next reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapter X.

 

November 20th, 2017
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Four: Chapters VII-VIII

The Work
The first explorations of the darkness inside the house have begun. Among the questions we ask this week: Have you ever been in a physical altercation? Did you initiate it?

 

The Guest
Willem Hartong, musician and songwriter, joins us to talk Greek & Roman mythology of the latin classics. A collegiate classics and language major, Willem walks us through the Echo myth and the myth of the Labyrinth. 

You can find more about Willem on his latest project, a children’s music band The Jolly Pops. The Jolly Pops have a new album coming out soon. You can follow them on Facebook here.

You can “see” John helping run puppets at a live show back when the band was Brooklyn based on this video.

Willem mentions a few additional resources:
D’Aulaires Greek Myths
Ovid’s Metamorphoses

Pairings
Spirits

Echoed Always
ways-ays-ays-s…

3/4 oz lemon juice
1/4 oz creme de violet
1/4 oz maraschino liqueur
1/2 oz yellow chartreuse
1 1/2 oz gin

Lemon twist garnish

Aural Stimuli

Visual Stimuli
The Mythos Illustrations of Sarah Young
A Survivalist Architectural Art Exhibit
The Puzzle Art of Messy Desk

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Five: Chapter IX
Our next reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapter IX. We’ll be joined by Lucas Owens, copywriter and avid cave explorer & guide.

 

November 6th, 2017
House of Leaves – Mark Z. Danielewski
Part Two: The Forward, Introduction, and Chapters I-IV

The Work
This is it. We’re plunging into the hyper-textual horror romance of Mark Z. Danielewski. The big take-away question: If you were to disappear right now what would be the most mysterious thing you leave behind that keeps people guessing?

 

The Guest
Giaco Furino returns to discuss horror fiction writing at the turn of the century, how it developed, what it looked like around the same time House of Leaves was being published, and a little on how it has continued to develop.

He is a freelance journalist who writes for Vice, Popular Science, and many other publications. He also recently entered The Ranger, the independent horror film he co-wrote with director Jenn Wexler, into the festival circuit. You can find Giaco on twitter @giacofurino on instagram @giacofurino and his writings on his clippings page.

Giaco mentions some additional reading:
Carrie by Stephen King
Peter Straub’s Ghost Story
American Psycho by Brett EastonEllis
Choke, Lullaby, and Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
Broken Monster byLauren Beukes
30 Days of Night by Stephen Niles & Ben Templesmith
Hellboy by Mike Mignola

Pairings
Spirits

Blood and Celluloid
Captured in time, stored in a cool dark place.

Aural Stimuli

Visual Stimuli
The Landscapes, Exteriors, and Interiors of Daniel Danger.
Paintings from Joe Coleman.
The Dingbat buildings of LA.

 

Next –
House of Leaves, Part Three: Chapters V-VI
Our second reading assignment in House of Leaves; Chapters V-VI. We’ll be joined by Dr. Sydnee McElroy @sydneemcelroy to discuss physiology and fright.