Commonplace

Rachael Peckham's 'Alight: Flights of Prose' explores the plane crash that killed her grandfather and two uncles, and the family grief and trauma that comes with such a tragedy. In our conversation, she talks about exploring this subject matter through writing, how she ended up at Marshall University (a school with its own aviation related trauma) and wanting to stick to the truth whil...

This week on Commonplace, we talk to Abe Partridge ( @abepartridge ) about his music, his paintings and his podcast Alabama Astronaut which explores the songs of a group of churches known more for snake handling than they are their music. 

Comedian Josh McDonald has been a fixture of the Huntington comedy scene for over a decade, in 2017 he released 'Hero in Town,' West Virginia's first stand-up comedy special. In today's Commonplace, he talks about going to Shepherd University during a period where the music scene there included The Demon Beat, Rozwell Kid and the Fox Hunt, what Huntington comedy was like in the era...

Michael Cerveris is a two-time Tony Award winner, actor, musician and Huntington is his hometown. He'll be back home August 19th to join the Appalachian Film Festival for a screening of Oscar-nominee Elaine McMillion Sheldon's newest film King Coal where he will join the director in conversation on stage after the film. Find tickets for the festival here. In our conversation, Michael and N...

Nathan is on vacation this week, so no new Commonplace. Instead, we're pulling from the college radio archives to present an interview with Julien Baker conducted just two months after the release of her debut album Sprained Ankle. Originally aired January 2016.

This week on Commonplace, to celebrate one year of doing the show the tables get turned and host Nathan Thomas ( @_nrthomas  ) gets interviewed by public radio storyteller Zack Harold ( @zack.harold ). The two talk about journalism, showing interest in music, and the inspirations behind Commonplace. Hear Zack's latest radio piece here.

This week on Commonplace we're joined by  @blenkoglasscompany  artist Alex Burdette ( @beautifulburd_ ). In the conversation, we talk about his journey from working in tourism to working in glass, the intersection where art meets production, and how some of Blenko's most notable pieces are made.

Rachel Allinder of Foundry Theater returns for a longer sit-down about running a theater, the return of the Appalachian Film Festival and more! Check out the new Commonplace substack here.

Nate Cesco is one of Nathan's oldest collaborators and closest friends. He's also moving from the Huntington-area soon so Nathan conducts an exit interview, the two talk about sketch comedy, making art, and moving to a new city.

You've seen him on TV, and heard him on the radio, now hear @shelem304 this week on Commonplace. In our conversation we talk about his writing process, learning how to produce, and the importance of bringing energy and connecting with an audience.  You can see him at The Clay Center in Charleston, W.Va. on June 10th for a sneak peek at his upcoming album. Buy tickets to that show here.

This week on Commonplace, Brad Goodall ( @brad_goodall ) is in to talk his new album Made in America ! In our conversation we cover the process of writing the album, lessons learnt from performing in New York and with Ona, and challenging yourself creatively after finishing a large project.

This week on Commonplace, folklorist and author Emily Hilliard is in to talk about her new book Making Our Future: Visionary Folklore and Everyday Culture in Appalachia ! We talk about how she became interesting in becoming a folklorist, Fasnacht, pro-wrestling and her incredible record label  @spinstersounds  !  Also, Nathan is dealing with seasonal allergies. Your headphones aren't messed up...

Fresh off attending the SXSW conference, this week on Commonplace we have Dave Lavender ( @dlavende )! Whether it's his work with the West Virginia Film Office , or being the President of Hope in the Hills who put on  @healingappalachia , he's someone who stays busy by doing his best to help those around him. We talk about exciting developments in the film world, fighting stigma, and what...

This week on Commonplace we have a staple of the @huntingtoncomedy scene Angie Davis @angiedavisheartspeen ! She's in to talk about her writing process, some of her most memorable shows, and what got her into doing stand-up. On Saturday, March 25th, she's hosting @femmefestappalachia , a music and arts festival celebrating women and non-binary artists. We also hear from one of the festival organiz...

This week on Commonplace, a double feature! Filmmaker Marshall Scott is in to talk about his debut feature film 'Brain Rot,' and Rachel Allinder of Foundry is here to talk about the return of the Appalachian Film Festival (submissions open now) ! Nathan talks to Marshall Scott about his writing process, influences, and using his prior experience making a web screen as his own personal film school....

This week on Commonplace, as sort of a companion episode to the last show we have @jewelcitybarber . In our conversation Jacob talks entering the field, what it was like to run a business during the COVID-19 lockdown and the importance of community when it comes to building a business.

his week on Commonplace, a first for the show: a tattoo artist. @_jakefarley of @westendtattooclub speaks on what led him to the industry, the process of becoming a tattoo artist, and the trust between artist and customer.

This week on the show we have Lilly Dyer ( @photodyeries ), a multidisciplinary artist who works in photography, video and most recently sculpture. They've directed videos for @thejimpolak and @lls.wv and organizes @localizationwv in Huntington. During the conversation we talk about her foray into sculpture, the reoccurring theme of gender in her work, WrestleMania and Miss Piggy.

For the first episode of 2023, we've got the incredible Nichole Westfall @cocoispainting_ , an artist who works on playful and colorful murals. One of her most recent works can be seen at the Ritter Park tennis courts. During the conversation, we talk about her art style, how she came to murals and more.

This is a good place for a first-time listener to start. A sample of the conversations we've had so far in the first six months of the show while updating listeners as to what the guests have been up to since their episode. We'll hear from Buni Muni, Heath Holley, Cody Cannon, Lindsay Emmite, and Leah Gore, and hear some of the music that has been performed on the show, too. 

"Come listen to Nathan and I talk bad about capitalism. Wax poetic over chefs I’ve worked under and compare tasting notes for Mountain Dew live wire," that's how guest KD Jones describes this week's Commonplace. We also talk about the lessons Jones learnt working in Charleston restaurant kitchens, and Campbell's Creek recovery from summer flooding. Find Chef KD Jones on Instagram here.

Whether it's helping promote music from bands like @allyfletcherwv @thejimpolak and @lls.wv or giving artists a platform at their monthly Limelight nights at @theloudwv the pair of @djdrunkle and @josh.dyer.395 are hard at work at @exclaimrecords . They talk about that work, how the label started, and their goals this week on Commonplace.

This week on Commonplace we're joined by @jeremyshortmusic ! He has a new single out TODAY called "(Falling Into A) Trance)" with an album coming out this January called 'Happy Trees.' You may know Jeremy from Sasha Colette & the Magnolias, Downtown King and Short & Company. In the interview he talks about nerding out over guitar magazines, how career so far, and transitioning from one era...

This week on Commonplace we have Jake Wheeler from @lls.wv who are releasing the full length album "Barn" on @exclaimrecords TODAY! We talk about the new album, going from being a solo DIY project to expanding to a full band, and much more.

This week on Commonplace we have @hollyforbesmusic ! Last fall, Holly's powerful voice led to a top ten finish on @nbcthevoice , we talk about how this run changed her career, her musical upbringing and how an Elton John cover led her to performing for baseball legend Roger Clemens.