Limited Engagement

On this episode, Steve Ciolek, frontman of The Sidekicks, discusses touring, songwriting, recording with storied producer John Agnello, working with an artist-centric record label, and much more. The Sidekicks' new album, Happiness Hours, is available now from Epitaph, and you can catch them live on their fall tour, which kicks off on 9/13, and includes a stop in Phoenix at The Rebel Lounge on 9/26. Visit https://sidekicksohio.net for more info. This episode of the podcast is sponsored by PHX Film Collective (https://www.phxfilmcollective.com/) Visit us: http://ltdengagementpod.com/ Like us: https://www.facebook.com/ltdengagement Tweet @ us: https://twitter.com/ltd_engagement Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ltdengagement/ Write to us: ltd.engagement@gmail.com

A founding member and lead vocalist of the Phoenix, AZ based hardcore punk band American Standards, Brandon Kellum is also a regular contributor to YabYum Music + Arts. On this episode, Brandon discusses his musical odyssey, songwriting, and much more. American Standards’ latest single, “Weep,” is available on Bandcamp (https://americanstndrds.bandcamp.com/), as is their latest album, the critically lauded Anti-Melody. The band was recently featured as one of the 12 bands to watch out for this year by Alternative Press, and they’ll be playing The Nile in Mesa, AZ on September 3rd. This episode of the podcast is sponsored by PHX Film Collective (https://www.phxfilmcollective.com/) Visit us: http://ltdengagementpod.com/ Like us: https://www.facebook.com/ltdengagement Tweet @ us: https://twitter.com/ltd_engagement Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/limitedengagement/ Write to us: ltd.engagement@gmail.com

On this edition of Limited Engagement, Tony Moschetti discusses the challenges of starting up an independent arts organization (Laughing Pig Theatre), gaining an audience, podcasting on the fly (Starving Artists PHX), and at one point attempts to take over hosting duties. Visit Laughing Pig's Facebook page for all of the latest information on their events and programming, including workshops, classes, and performances. This episode is sponsored by PHX Film Collective (https://www.phxfilmcollective.com/)

On this edition of Limited Engagement, artist Estrella Payton discusses her work, her acclimation to Phoenix, what it means to be “decidedly Midwestern,” community engagement through the arts, and how she strives to bring art to neighborhoods without the privilege of access through her role as Communications and Community Engagement Manager at the Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture. Estrella’s art is a visceral, endlessly fascinating exploration of the human condition and way we interact within the environs of the structure we impose on ourselves--both personally and interpersonally. You can view Estrella’s work on her website, as well as in-person this November as part of duo exhibition at Cochise College.You can view Estrella's work on her website (http://www.estrellapayton.com/), as well as in-person this November as part of a duo exhibition at Cochise College.

Chris Ayers is the producer of the podcast On the Grid (hosted by prior guest, Phil Haldiman), as well as the art director at RightThisMinute, and he just started up an awesome passion project called PHX Film Collective, which is dedicated "to bringing culturally relevant cinema to Central Phoenix." PHX Film Collective's first event, a screening of Dr. Strangelove, takes place at the Phoenix location of Changing Hands on Saturday, July 14th, at 7:30 pm. Be sure to follow PHX Film Collective across social media platforms and visit https://www.phxfilmcollective.com/ for more information on this screening and future events.

Philip Haldiman is known to a large swath of rabid fans as Denny from the cult classic film, The Room. On this edition of Limited Engagement, Phil discusses what life is like as a member of the pop culture zeitgeist, the comic book he's written about his Hollywood experience, My Big Break, and much more. Learn more about Phil's work at http://philiphaldiman.com/

Joey Burns is a leader and founding member (with the brilliant drummer, John Convertino) of one of the most exciting, talented, and critically lauded bands on the planet, Calexico. On this edition of the podcast, Joey discusses the band’s Tucson roots, what the environment brings to the music, fostering a spirit of collaboration, speaks very candidly about Calexico’s creative process, and much more. Calexico is currently on tour in support of their new album, The Thread That Keeps Us (easily one of the best albums of the year thus far), and if you have the chance to see them live, don’t hesitate to do so. Also on the show, a brief preview of an upcoming conversation with Philip Haldiman, one of the stars of The Room, which will have a screening at FilmBar on Friday, June 15th at 10 pm.

On this edition of Limited Engagement, I talk with poet and professor, Katie Manning. Tasty Other, Manning's first full length collection of poetry and the recipient of the 2016 Main Street Rag Poetry Book Award, chronicles the experience of her first pregnancy through surrealistic dream, religious allusion, and striking imagery that conveys all the love, hope, and anxiety that clinical texts can't begin to relate. Get yourself a copy of Katie's book at www.katiemanningpoet.com.

On this edition of Limited Engagement, we have a bit of a double-header. First up, a quick conversation with Dan Hull, whose film, Bad Buddhist, will premier May 25th at 7 PM at Changing Hands/The Newton (tickets available here: https://www.changinghands.com/event/may2018/bad-buddhist-film-viewing-party). It's a great film, you should go see it. Then, I talk with writer Jason Keil. You can read Jason's work regularly in The New Times, among other publications, and read a concentrated sample of his work at http://jasonkeil.com. I also highly recommend you follow him on Twitter (@jasonekeil)--his is one of the best accounts out there.

I had the opportunity recently to sit down with Omar Pimienta and Jose Antonio Villaran, the writer and translator respectively of The Album of Fences available now from Cardboard House Press (cardboardhousepress.org). With everything hitting the fan right now, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to have this discussion on the poetics and poetic politics of borders, the responsibility of artists (of all disciplines) to create work that speaks out against the prevailing rhetoric of fascism, social regression, and hatred. We got deep.

On this edition of the show, Jared talks to Stina Sieg, a Senior Field Correspondent for KJZZ. In a discussion that goes all the way back, they discuss Stieg's unconventional childhood spent travelling the country by bus, her experience in journalism, the life of a public radio correspondent, the Phoenix storytelling community, and much more.

On this edition of the show, Jared talks to Carly Schorman and Mark Anderson of Yab Yum Music and Arts. They discuss the origins of Yab Yum, how it's evolved into an arts and culture beacon for Arizona, and some of the exciting projects they've got in the works. They also compare book collections. It's a fun conversation, highly informative for anyone looking to do their own thing, and you should definitely check out the happenings at https://yabyumwest.com and keep up with them on social media.

On this edition of Limited Engagement, Jared talks with writer and professor Venita Blackburn. Family, religion, politics, art, Star Trek--you know, the big stuff. Venita's first book, Black Jesus and Other Superheroes, is an outstanding collection of short fiction that explores the human condition. The book was nominated for the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction. Did we mention it's her first book? Venita will be reading from and signing copies of Black Jesus and Other Superheroes this Thursday, March 22nd at 7 pm at the Tempe location of Changing Hands.

Jared discusses Life, the Universe, and Everything (and the art of making independent comics) with Levi Smith and Kenny Puckett, the creative team behind Mop and Bucket and the comic Sleight of Mind. Support their work by visiting http://www.mopandbucketpress.com/

Doug Bale is an artist and musician. His artwork has been featured in galleries around Phoenix, and you should absolutely check out his Society 6 page and buy some. His new musical project, Flighty Tronys has released its first EP (available on Bandcamp, Google Play Music, iTunes, and Spotify), and you should get the companion t-shirt. Oh, and go listen to Mergatron while you’re at it. Basically, support Doug. He’s awesome.