Dreams Not Memes Podcast

I spoke to local creative, community organizer, Olive Twombly. Olive is from the Portland, Maine area and shares their story about creativity, DIY community spaces, and recovery. In our discussion, we talk about the Portland Music Scene, Prison Reform, socializing in recovery, and giving back to your community.  Learn more on Dreams Not Memes and check out Olive's band, Lake Over Fire, and ch...

I spoke with an Upstate New York-based model by the name of Marinna.  In this episode of Dreams Not Memes, we talk about the competitive culture of modeling and the microaggressions that come along with it. Marinna also shares her thoughts on diet culture, impostor syndrome and owning her own identity. Tune in more on Dreams Not Memes. 

I spoke to my friend Justin Molush. Justin is a designer who specializes in FX and Animation. In our conversation, we talk about how he applied his interests in film production, photography, and design to a career. His career has covered the automotive industry, working on Marvel films and working in the tech industry. Tune into Justin's insights about working on the design, challenging yourself,...

I spoke with musician and producer Hunter Pruett about life in the New Hampshire music scene. Hunter share his story with me about how he got involved with the music community, his takes on diy music, bedroom pop and vapor wave and his perspectives on producing. Hunter is not a fan of social media, but is a fan of community and working with others in a more organic and community basis. Find out mo...

I spoke to Chelsea of the songwriter project Travels with Brindle. This project is based out of Massachusetts and started when Chelsea was learning the ukulele and decided to challenge herself to busk in all subway stations in Boston. In our conversation, we discuss the writing style of Travels with Brindle, using songwriting as a way to cope with past trauma and to connect with others. Find out m...

I spoke with Nashville based singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Lydia Luce. Lydia is an accomplished violist, songwriter, session player, and concert performer who has traveled the US playing and studying music ( formerly as an ethnomusicologist). Luce has shared the stage with the likes of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Eminem and curates her own DIY house shows in the Nashville community....

I spoke to my old friend, Jake Detwiler.  Jake Detwiler was my first studio producer, bandmate and collaborator with A Day Without Love.  In our discussion, we talk about Detwiler's journey as a multi-instrumentalist, sound engineer, teacher, and creator.  Detwiler has a number of credits with local and national acts and shares his experiences with working in the studio in various c...

I spoke to Charley Clayton, a West Virginia native who recently moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue her professional and entrepreneurial ambitions. Charley has worked in the event promotions and music industry working with venues and supporting brands for a number of years and is currently working as a marketing professional in LA. Clayton has had quite a bit of experience with competing in...

I spoke to Whit Bender, a  musician and social work professional from south-central Pennsylvania. Whit plays in the band, Gryla, and talks about her experiences with making the metal community more inclusive.  Whit is an advocate for Pride Franklin County and shares her experiences with organizing pride events.  Our discussion is focused on social justice rights, Martin Luther King's Philosophy's...

I spoke with my friend Katie about the value in taking the road less traveled. Katie shares her story about how she transitioned from working a 9 to 5 in the UK to living a life of discovery, culture and traveling the world. In this discussion we talk about global politics, music, the BLM movement on an international level, being independent and why taking on your own journey is much more importan...

I spoke to North Carolina native, Tre Gathers about his art and spiritual journey as musician. Tre is a musician, graphic designer, events curator and works in the Reiki and healing space. In our conversation we talk about the North Carolina music scene, his work with Dreamville, being in past hip hop collectives and making the transition to his own project and collective Inside the Vibes. Tre is...

I spoke with Zoe Darc, a musician from the upstate New York area.  In our conversation, we talk about self-discovery, body positivity/ insecurity, mental health, and owning your boundaries in your creative journey. Darc shares her experiences with transitioning from being a med student to learning music in a conservatory and talks about what it means to be unapologetic and confident. Tune in...

I spent some time speaking with a Portland, Maine native who is a freelance model, radio host, and community organizer/activist. Kara works with the only hip hop radio station in Portland, Maine, and shares her insights on how she uses radio as a platform to uplift her community and local musicians in the Portland area. In this conversation, Kara shares her insights about the power of social media...

I spoke with Jordan and Madison, they are two fashion designers who operate a Portland, Maine fashion store called Loquat Shop.  Loquat is a store designed to uplift and empower marginalized voices. The duo has made strides to share their values in being culturally aware and campaign driven by marrying activism and fashion together. As of recent, Loquat has created masks in the midst of the C...

I spoke with a friend from the folk-punk community, Jake from the band Fencesitter.  Jake talks about their journey in music, DIY, and community building.  Jake is the last person to have booked me out of state before COVID- 19 pandemics hit, so to say this episode is reflective is an understatement. Tune in to this conversation to hear about Jake's perspectives on identity and inclusion...

I spoke with Claudia Varona , a Berklee alumni, music educator and performer about her journey. In this conversation we speak about Claudia's insights with social media, boundaries, being a music educator and COVID 19.  Stay tuned and listen to more on Claudia's experiences with the Burlington,Vermont music scene and her life as a songwriter and performer on Dreams Not Memes.   Link...

I spoke with Providence,Rhode Island writer Rob Duguay about writing and event planning. Duguay writes for 10 publications locally and nationally on various topics from sports, music, and day to day events in his community. He also organizes shows for local and touring bands in the Providence area. In this episode we talk about the ebbs and flows of the journalism industry and how to remain sustai...

I spoke with Mollie Ennis based out in Portland, Maine about her career in graphic design. We discussed topics such as systems thinking, design principles, and market research. Ennis works in the marketing industry and shares her thoughts about how graphic design can be applicable to a wide range of industries and academic practice.  Ennis also talks about her transition from working in graph...

I spoke to Filip Zemcik, the founder of the Slovakian based cassette label, Z Tapes Records. Filip shares his story about how he started Z Tapes and has remained efficient and sustainable. Zemcik talks about how he has turned his passion for music into supporting artists internationally. We discuss the importance of relationship building, community, and the logistics of operating an independent la...

I spoke with Tyler Jones, a Philadelphia actor who shares his story about the difficult and satisfying realities of acting.  Tyler found the desire to become an actor by being an extra on Kevin Hart and Bryan Cranston's "The Upside." Jones left his 9 to 5 gig and has taken roles in commercials, theatre, and film over the past three years.  In this conversation, Tyler and I talk about the challenge...

I spoke to Taylor Wafford of Blood Root, a Nasvhille native project with Sylvan Esso, Maggie Rogers, and Daughter vibes. Wafford and I met while on tour in 2019 over St Patty's Day. In our conversation, we talk about Taylor's back story as a songwriter, her love for pedals, and self-discovery with the ups and downs of life. We take a deep dive into her two singles Teeth and Conversations and talk...

I spoke to Daniel, a musician local to the Providence, Rhode Island community. Daniel dives in and shares his story about how he became involved with music and booking. Daniel highlights experiences such as booking Mitski and Snail Mail to having to deal with the struggles of booking and relationship management in independent music communities.  Daniel is also the lead singer of a band called...

I want to take the time to say thank you very much for listening to this podcast so far. I hope you all have connected, made a friend, found solace, or inspiration through this platform and I am very thankful. 900 more interviews to go!! I spoke with my friend Julia Flores for the 100th episode. Julia and I met at Penn State and have known each other through thick and thin. To say she is like a si...

I spoke with a live sound front of the house engineer and studio producer Drew Gantert. Drew shares his story about how he fell into live production and is currently working on widening his skills as a producer and engineer for his own venture, Small Face Studios. In our discussion we talk about ongoing trends in the recording industry, freelancing, preparing for a studio session, how to keep your...

Emily Famularo is a Rhode Island/NJ / Philly based writer who is in graduate school. Famularo speaks with me about her journey as a writer, and support for community-driven arts communities. Emily is the founder of The Hook Journal, a music publication that has covered various musicians and artists on a non-profit basis.  In addition to The Hook , Emily speaks to me about her self care and se...