Commonplace

Poet and musician Lou Turner is in to talk about their new collection TWIN LEAD LINES , which explores the life and music of Turner's distant cousin country music legend Little Jimmy Dickens, and her own life as a Nashville musician, working in a different genre/world as Dickens. we talk about developing the idea for poems about Dickens into a full book, the research that went into it which in...

This week on Commonplace, we're joined by Darrin Hacquard whose new album "Weights & Measures” is out today.  In our conversation we talk about touring the world as part of the Berea College Music Ensemble, his songwriting process and the influence of John Prine and the Nelsonville Music Festival on his art.

This week on Commonplace, we're joined by the new director of FestivALL , and friend of the podcast Zack Harold . In our conversation, we talk about his transition into running the beloved arts and culture festival, and how his experience as a journalist has prepared him for the role. He also shares stories from his time as a newspaper reporter in an era where Charleston had two daily newspape...

This week on Commonplace is concert photographer Star Shoults ( @nightmare.nightbird ). In our conversation we talk about conveying the emotion of a musician through the photograph, the importance of having a community like the Huntington Photo Club for support, and her multimedia lyric video projects. Support Jillian Carney Howell's documentary "Almost Ghost Town" here.

This week on Commonplace, we're joined by techno / hard groove / house DJ Baedizzle . On August 23rd, she, alongside Arcana will be at the Indie Sleaze Rave at The Loud in Huntington, W.Va. In our conversation we talk about how she got into DJing, what it’s like learning and performing alongside her partner Arcana, and how the work and attitude and Tyler the Creator has driven her work. 

Em Marshall is the lyricist for Ligature, an alt/shoegaze band based out of Huntington, W.Va. Ligature's second single, "Stained," comes out Sunday, July 27th, with a music video that Em also directed. In addition to being in Ligature, Em Marshall is an accomplished tattoo artist. In our conversation, we talk about the intersection of the two, how Ligature formed, and their future pl...

This week on Commonplace, we're joined by poet Kyrsten Hodge, author of the zines Missladyma’amwoman   and  Appalachian Transsexual . She has spent most of her adult life in Huntington, but this summer (this weekend, even) she is making a major move to Chicago. In our conversation, we talk about the search for a place she can feel safe in as a transwoman, how she thinks living in Chicago will tran...

T.. Sandella and Jad Adkins are the creative duo behind 'Battersea,' a film about two siblings meeting in their childhood home for one last weekend before it gets put on the market. The movie won the Best in Fest Award at the 2025 Appalachian Film Festival and will be screening at the MTN Craft Film Festival this October. Follow 'Battersea' on Instagram here.

Computers and the internet aren't fun anymore, but Mesha Maren is trying to change that. Alongside Juliet Escoria, she's launched the new site Zona Motel, a place for the literary community to share what excites them and makes them curious. She's also the author of the novels Shae, Perpetual West, and Sugar Run. Sign up to recieve Zona Motel in your email inbox here. COLUMN: The Projectionist #2 M...

Summer time is here, the days are warmer, school is letting out, and Commonplace is back. 'Gone The Sun' author Joel Peckham takes us to Camp Manitou, a place he's returned to at multiple points in his life, first as a camper, then as an adult navigating an incredible loss, then later on in life, navigating his father's memory loss. Buy 'Gone the Sun' from Joel's website here. Listen to episode 41...

This week on Commonplace, we have filmmaker Elaine McMillion Sheldon ( @elainemcsheldon , director of King Coal ( @kingcoalfilm ) which is now available via  @povdocs . The documentary showcases how the coal industry looms over West Virginia both economically and culturally, honoring the work of those in the past while acknowledging the need to move forward. In our conversation, we talk about the...

his week on Commplace, we’re joined by guitarist Adam Meisterhans ( @meisterhansworld ), known for his work as a member of Slaughter Beach, Dog ( @slaughterbeachdog ) and Rozwell Kid ( @rozwellkid ). He’s also performed with the likes of Tyler Childers, John R. Miller and John Inghram. In our conversation we talk about seeking connection through music, how playing multiple genres forces him to kee...

his week on Commonplace, photographer Michael Sullivan ( @michaelsullivan.photo ) is in to talk about his debut zine “Library, a collection of photographs of Cabell County public libraries. In our conversation, we walk about why he’s drawn to them as a subject matter, his entryway into the medium, and the importance of being intentional in your work. You can find his website here.

his week on Commonplace, we have podcaster and New York Times bestselling author Clint McElroy ( @mrbethere ). Alongside his three sons, he produces and performs the popular roleplaying podcast The Adventure Zone, and writes a graphic novel series based on the show. In our conversation, we talk about the rehearsals for the  @hartinthepark  production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, adapting...

This week on Commonplace, artist and gallery manager Courtney Childers Chapman ( @spilledmilkstudios_ ) is in to talk about the galleries at  @marshalluartanddesign  including an upcoming show by  @brandyjefferys  and  @chrisdemaria76 , and the launch of the Downtown Huntington Art Walk on May 17th. She also talks about how overseeing galleries informs her work, and how her work has shifted in the...

This week on Commonplace, we’re celebrating our 50th episode with Robb Coleman ( @laserofhate ) of  @massingwv  who have just released their EP “Rejuiced.” The EP includes re-recordings of previously released songs that have evolved in the live show as the band has evolved. In our conversation, we talk about how this has helped songs reach their full potential, how the band’s song sale helped buil...

This week on Commonplace, filmmaker Jeff Boggess is in to talk about taking over the West Virginia-centric streaming community Vandalia TV , his mockumentary "Burnt Factory," and the community to be found in submitting to, and attending, film festivals. Plus, writer Ryan Faulkner reads his short story "Big Bill." On Friday, April 19th at the West Edge Factory, Ryan will be appe...

This week on Commonplace, we’re sitting down with singer-songwriter Ginger Wixx ( @gingerwixx ). She’s currently prepping for the release of her first EP. We talk about what it was like recording, the craft of songwriting, and the community and cutting teeth that come with performing at open mics. 

Filmmaker and educator Tijah Bumgarner ( @tijahb ) has been instrumental to the new filmmaking BFA at  @marshallu   @marshalluartanddesign . In our conversation, we talk about the long road to the new program, the culture shock that comes from being a small town West Virginian that moves to California, and when she knew that she wanted to return home to teach. 

Commonplace is back this week after winter break! We’re celebrating with the release of Tucker Riggleman & the Cheap Dates’ ( @thecheapdates ) new album Restless Spirit, we talk with frontman Tucker about his writing process, being apart of the Shepherdstown scene of the late 00s/early 2010s with bands like Prison Book Club and The Demon Beat, and how it’s never too late to evolve. 

To wrap up the year, Nathan reflects on the episodes released in the last 12 months, and takes phone calls from previous guests to learn about where they've been, and the road ahead. Special thanks to Elliott Stewart, Emma Allen, KD Jones, Josh Dyer, and Jake Farley.

This week on Commonplace, we have musician Michael Valentine ( @theemichaelvalentine ). Writing, film, music, board games, he does a little bit of everything. On December 21st, his  @goodtimeshowhuntington  will stage The Good Time Christmas Carol , his adaptation of the holiday classic. In our conversation we talk about his tradition of celebrating local talent and Christmas music, his drive to c...

This week on Commonplace, we’re joined by Chef Mike Costello who, along with his partner Amy Dawson, operate Lost Creek Farm ( @lostcreekfarm ) in Harrison County, West Virginia. The farm uses food as a vessel for storytelling, centering the cuisine in both its regional and economic contexts. The chefs and their Farm and Forage Supper Club has been a semi-finalists for the Beard Foundation Awards,...

This week on Commonplace, we’re joined by filmmaker Jillian Carney Howell ( @jillianlovesfilm ). She’s nearing five years with Disney, currently in the role of production management, and heads  @shineonwv , a non-profit dedicated to spotlighting artists from the mountains. In addition to shepherding others projects, she writes and directs her own work, the latest being the documentary ZANE, about...

Hello June is in fresh off the release of their critically acclaimed album "Artifacts." We talk about how her songwriting process has changed over the years, the moment that making music and being a band became more serious for them, and their proudest achievements have been so far in their musical journey.