Tarot! Cats! Comedy! Material vs cultural approaches to politics! Horror stories of the weirdest Warren stans! This conversation with the fabulous Kate Willett has it all. High witch vibes all around. Afterward, Sarah and Joy touch on Terence McKenna, white feminism, Palestine, and BDSM as they go down the leftist stoner chick rabbit holes you’ve come to know and love from this podcast.
Episode 26: Playing in Parables with Mark Rubin
Our guest this episode is the well-traveled, well-spoken and unapologetically outspoken musician Mark Rubin. From co-founding the influential Americana trickster band The Bad Livers to being a leader in the contemporary klezmer scene, Mark’s storied career strands weave together perfectly in this latest release, The Triumph of Assimilation. We talk about the new album, his experiences as a Southern Jew, the intersectional fascism reboot, cultural appropriation do-nots, and Yiddish songwriter/poet Mordechai Gebirtig.
Featured music is “It’s Burning,” “A Day of Revenge“,”Royal Street Shuffle” and, just in time for Revenge of the 5th, “The Dark Side Has Doughnuts,” by Mark Rubin, courtesy of the artist.
FOLLOW MARK AND PR-EORDER HIS NEW ALBUM
LEARN MORE ABOUT MORDECHAI GEBIRTIG
At Home with Mordechai Gebirtig
“Our Town is Burning” and “A Beam of Sunlight”
Mordechai Gebirtig Memorial (note: link is to English translated page)
Wiki Page
…and, finally, here’s that whole thing about the color blue Sarah and Joy were talking about in the post-interview segment.
Episode 25: Lean Into Fear with Reformed Whores
We’re back to the folking interviews with this joyful frolic featuring Katy Frame and Marie Cecile Anderson, aka musical comedy duo Reformed Whores! We talk about our respective pandemic life changes, how to lean into fear, visions for a future artistic utopia, and the intensely triggering power of poop. Afterwards, Sarah and Joy reflect further on more metaphorical shit, such as cyclical time and Sarah’s recent conscious uncoupling with her long-term partner.
Featured music is “Girls Poop Too,” “Birth Control,” and “Drunk Dial” by Reformed Whores, courtesy of the artist.
FOLLOW REFORMED WHORES
Episode 24: Millennials Meet M*A*S*H Part Two
Part deux of our monster M*A*S*H-athon conversation starts by tackling gender issues in the show and ends up with an imagined future for Hawkeye that involves hanging out with Timothy Leary and becoming an anti-war activist. In between, we cover sexism in the military, Freudian psychology, and nerd out about the show’s groundbreaking use of creative narrative devices. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of anti-imperialism chat too!
Music for this episode is covers of “Suicide is Painless” (Johnny Mandel/Michael Altman) and “You’re the Enemy” by Emily Yates (available for stream/download here)
READING RECS
Korean Americans urge Biden to officially end the 70-year Korean War
M*A*S*H’ Finale, 35 Years Later: Untold Stories of One of TV’s Most Important Shows
30 Surprising Facts About ‘M*A*S*H
Why the Real Hawkeye Pierce Hates M*A*S*H
Color Photos from Actual M*A*S*H Units
Korean War History Site
Uncovering the Hidden History of the Korean War (Jacobin)
The Korean War: Forgotten, Unknown and Unfinished (Truthout)
Episode 23: Millennials Meet M*A*S*H (Part One)
Attention all personnel, we’re doing something a little different for the next two episodes. In early January, Sarah was sucked into the antiwar brilliance of ‘70s T.V. comedy M*A*S*H — and inspired Joy to come along for the binge-watching ride. Fresh off being emotionally devastated by the famous final episode, Sarah and Joy sit down to tackle the big questions: How, in the ever-living fuck, was this unapologetically anti-imperialist show so insanely popular in America? And why, in 2021, are we STILL not heeding its overtly anti-war message? This conversation also provides insight into Joy’s deployment experience and (potentially) illuminates some of Sarah’s questionable decisions. Stay tuned for part two next week!
Featuring covers of “Suicide is Painless” (Johnny Mandel/Michael Altman) and “I Bombed Korea” (Cake) performed by Joy Damiani.
READING RECS
Korean Americans urge Biden to officially end the 70-year Korean War
M*A*S*H’ Finale, 35 Years Later: Untold Stories of One of TV’s Most Important Shows
30 Surprising Facts About ‘M*A*S*H
Why the Real Hawkeye Pierce Hates M*A*S*H
Color Photos from Actual M*A*S*H Units
Uncovering the Hidden History of the Korean War (Jacobin)
The Korean War: Forgotten, Unknown and Unfinished (Truthout)
Episode 22: What the Anti-Folk with Ed Hamell
The endearingly profane anti-folk pioneer and artistic rabble-rouser Ed Hamell, aka Hamell on Trial, joins us for this one, and helps us make a large announcement that we’re excited to share with you! We were able to squeeze in almost two hours of his tour stories (featuring the likes of fellow anti-folk legends Ani DiFranco and Kimya Dawson), shared Syracuse roots, and good-natured political debate, so settle in and get ready to spend some quality time with this truly wholesome anti-folkery. Later in the show, we get into WTF is anti-folk, anyway, and note the looming 18th anniversary of the Iraq War.
Featured songs are “Values,” “Social Distancing,” and “Gonna” by Hamell on Trial, courtesy of the artist.
Follow Hamell On Trial
Instagram @hamelltv
Episode 21: Elder Up with Carla Gover
We’re joined by Carla Gover, a musician, dancer and activist whose work is informed by her deep Appalachian roots. We talk about breaking regional stereotypes, building connections across different communities, the wealth extraction that underlies Eastern Kentucky’s problems, and the importance of learning “granny skills,” especially during the pandemic. Afterwards, Sarah and the artist-soon-to-be-formerly-known as Emily discuss liberal snobbery towards the South, the Texas freeze, and get a preview of one of your What the Folk hosts’ new moniker! We also give a shout out to our What the Folk Fam, as we have now officially dubbed thee, our lovely listeners.
Featured music is “I’m a Snowflake” and “Dangerous Women” by Carla Gover, courtesy of the artists.
FOLLOW CARLA
Episode 20: Exist Loud with Talia Keys & Melahn Atkinson
We are joined this week by SLC-based musician Talia Keys and her partner Melahn Atkinson. Besides offering a whole host of amazing livestream events in these strange times, Talia and Melahn have also been working with the houseless community in Salt Lake City. This interview covers a lot of ground: showing up for ALL your neighbors, being an out-and-proud radical in Utah, running Rock Camp SLC during the pandemic, and giving so few fucks you incur the wrath of bigots. Afterwards, Sarah and Emily read an update from Talia about the destruction of Camp Last Hope and talk about how our system conspires to keep folks houseless.
Featured music is “We’re Here” and “Guns Out” by Talia Keys & The Love, courtesy of the artists
SUPPORT CAMP LAST HOPE
*Venmo: @ blacklivesforhumanitymovement
*Facebook Page
Episode 19: Coming to Terms with Reality with Tongo Eisen-Martin
We’re kicking off the first week in February with an extra What the Folk Wednesday drop! We sat with the newest poet laureate of San Francisco, Tongo Eisen-Martin, to talk about poetry as a tool for radicalization, the gentrification of American cities, how the current political moment we’re in is a rerun and how to reclaim our consciousness from the inherent violence of the colonial project. Afterwards, Emily and Sarah ruminate on what the folk they learned from this incredibly thought-provoking interview.
All featured poetry by Tongo Eisen-Martin, courtesy of the artist.
Follow Tongo on Twitter and Instagram
What the Folk · Episode 19: Coming to Terms with Reality with Tongo Eisen-Martin
Episode 18: Truth, But Make It Funny with Ron Placone
Comedian Ron Placone joins us for this joint! We talk about Ron’s journey into standup comedy, digital rights issues, pushing back against the current of corporate media, The People’s Party, and, of course, cats cats cats. Lightening the collective mood while taking on the heavy stuff is the vibe here. Afterwards, Emily and Sarah talk about the first feels around the Biden administration, Democrats Democrating and bad neolib “feminist” readings of Bernie memes.
Follow Ron
GET INVOLVED
The People’s Party
Fight for the Future
Featured music is “Love Me I’m a Liberal” and “Bezos is Surveilling Your Town” by Ron Placone, and “I Miss You” by Emily Yates, courtesy of the artists.
What the Folk · Episode 18: Truth, But Make It Funny with Ron Placone