Sunken Press

Jonathan Harms gives us a full history lesson on skateboarding — from its earliest days in the 1960s, riding clay wheels while barefoot, to the revolution sparked by surf culture, drained swimming pools, and backyard halfpipes. We talk about how skateboarding exploded in the ’70s, nearly disappeared in the early ’80s, and found new life through DIY culture, magazines like Thrasher, and later mains...

Barber, artist, and bug lady Kaylin Gauthier (River City Oddities) joins us to talk about how she builds her intricate dioramas using ethical insect sourcing, antique glass, and locally foraged materials. She’s also a barber at Anderson’s Classic Barbershop in Alton, which somehow leads to stories about a monkey’s haircut and why exotic animals should absolutely not be in salons. We also get into...

CyRhen Smith (Glam Trash Zodiac) has been part of Alton’s art scene for over a decade, moving through mediums like painting and wire-wrap jewelry pieces while building an aesthetic that's as beautiful as it is weird. We talk about what “goth” really means to her and what is and isn't goth. We discuss how intersectionality affects the Alton art scene, the ebb and flow of creativity, and her life as...

Part of the growing Indivisible movement, veteran organizer Kelley Hatlee has joined with Macoupin native and blossoming activist Chelsa Pruden to create a Macoupin County chapter. Despite the county's deep red government and voting record, the pair has inspired a growing community dedicated to changing the way rural America does politics. It was progressive politics that helped rural farmers at t...

We go deep into the intricate work of serving one’s community while also maintaining a family at home with Jason Harrison. Jason has served in multiple roles in the community, most recently becoming a member of the Alton Board of Education. We hold nothing back when discussing the hardships faced through community service, race, and having a family. And, because Jason’s business, LaMay’s Catering,...

This episode takes a lot of surprising twists and turns — from the Ethiopian Bible to the cult of professional wrestling to love being an addictive drug. Itchy, who has been artist of the month at both Milton Schoolhouse and Jacoby Arts Center, has a lot of unique perspectives on the world around us. Trigger warning: wrestling fans will be offended. Content Warning:This interview contains candid d...

We miss KDHX. We know a lot of you do, too. So, we got one of our old favorite DJs, Al Swacker, former host of The Greaser’s Lunchbox, a rockabilly/punk show that ran for nearly 25 years and introduced many folks to obscure bands from their own backyard and across the globe. While Al has moved on to Running with the Boss Sound on The Roots FM (internet radio), we talked a lot about the good old da...

Paying the state’s bills sounds like a boring job until Holly Kim explains what’s actually at stake. The current Lake County Treasurer talks about her experience in office, her goals for the future, goats, homesteading, and growing up Korean-American. If you think paying the bills doesn’t affect everyday life, recent SNAP benefit cuts show exactly why it does. Click here for the full version on Yo...

Running against incumbent Rep. Nikki Budzinski in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District (IL-13) ahead of the March 17 primary, Dylan Blaha has been making national news. Starting with viral video messages to active-duty troops about unlawful/illegal orders, Blaha has been a thorn in the side of the Trump regime. He’s garnered enough ire for Pete Hegseth to publicly renounce his security clearance....

We brought in Alton’s own master of the macabre, true crime historian, and ghost expert Troy Taylor to separate truth from fiction in popular ghost stories in Alton and across Illinois. Hear Troy talk about where he’s actually seen ghosts, where there’s more story than substance, and the one topic that got him the most hate (it’s not what you expect).Turn the lights down, brew up a fresh pot of co...

What happens when two people discarded by Christianity get into a conversation with a United Methodist pastor? If that pastor is Kyle Armentrout-Steward, then expectations are subverted. Kyle is trying to rebuild community in a way that isn’t tied to guilt, culture wars, or church politics. He discusses the failures of modern Christianity and calls back to early Christian roots of community church...

Cory and Nicole sit down with Mike Lemons, coordinator of the Digital Streaming and Broadcast Media program at Lewis and Clark Community College. Mike’s been teaching radio and managing the local college radio station for decades, and Cory actually came through his program back in 2007, when it was still focused on traditional radio broadcasting. They get into how the field has changed, what stude...

In this episode (our last one till November), we talk to Joe Exotic from a federal prison in Texas. We then break down why he's there and why Cory believes he should be free. This episode humanizes Joe with all his trauma and flaws without excusing his actions. We also eat some gross gummy corn (Nicole loves it). See ya soon, Sunken Pressketeers! This video includes commentary on Tiger King: Murde...

In this episode, we are graced by the God-tier storyteller Chris Andoe, the owner and publisher of Out in STL magazine/website. The publication currently runs as a nonprofit with the goal of propagating queer media throughout the area. We learn a lot about queer history, organized crime, an infamous con man, and what it's like to be gay in Oklahoma in the '90s. Seriously, folks, no one tells stori...

In this heavy and heartwarming episode of Sunken Press, we speak to Christina Foster Beegle, president of Foster's Light in the Dark, about her powerful journey through addiction recovery and the devastating loss of her brothers to suicide. We talk trauma, mental health, grief, overdoses, and the hard work of turning pain into purpose. Christina is working toward memorializing folks who have peris...

In this episode, we talk to Donald Reynolds, the cool cat serving as executive director of CATCo, the non-profit which recently acquired the convent on State Street. Reynolds discusses their plan for a future third space and potential living quarters while addressing controversies caused when their Discord chats were posted on Facebook by concerned citizens. You won't want to miss it. Click here f...

In this episode, we discuss Downtown gallery Mooneyham Art with its founder, Charles Mooneyham. An artist himself, Mooneyham discusses his life in the 90s art scene, struggles with and work in mental health, tiny houses, and the current artistic renaissance being experienced in Alton. This talk gave us high hopes for our town's artistic future as well as its current cultural state. Content warning...

In this episode, we discuss why all of Alton should attend Trinity Fest instead of going to Puddle of Mudd this weekend. The festival continues the legacy of Trinity Buel, whose life was cut short at 17 in a car wreck. We talk to her mother, April Gray, and high school friend, Faith Yinger, about Saturday's music festival as well as other ways they continue the love and environmental stewardship o...

We put away our ACAB cards to get to know one of the city's most major stakeholders - our police chief. We dive into topics like gun violence, downtown rowdiness, ICE raids, SWAT raids, and the militarization of modern police. We were surprised by many of his answers. In fact, we walked away with a lesson in civics as well as a newfound understanding of an institution we view with extreme suspicio...

In this episode, we talk about Jacoby Arts Center's new location and continuing dedication to arts education in our community. We have co-director Chantel Morrigan in the Sunken studio to discuss art camps, being displaced, and the surprising difficulty of clay. Nicole chimes in with her own stories, as she's been a proud mom of Jacoby kids for years. This one is the perfect return from our midsum...

In this episode, we test out the futuristic technology of a video call for the first time to speak to Andy Asadorian. Andy was elected head of the Madison County Democratic Party earlier this week. We spoke to him before the election regarding the policies of the Madison County (IL) Democratic Party, future elections, and how to bring more people into the party. This is a great episode for folks w...

In this episode, we interview Clayton Monroe, founder and organizer of weekly anti-Trump protests every Sunday at Lincoln-Douglas Square in Downtown Alton. We discuss the politics of punk rock, shirtless seething, and the surprising demographics of protesters. With around 100 people each weekend, we know you've seen the crowds. This is a great chance to get to know the story behind it. Don't miss...

In this episode, we speak to the woman whose name is behind nearly every major Alton community gathering, Sara McGibany. For two decades she has been at the helm of Alton Main Street. We talk to her about the way things have changed in our business community, festivals, the farmers market, and hippies. If you skip this, it's at your own peril. It's a great intro into the spirit of Alton. For more...

In this episode, we talk to local native plant entrepreneur Sam Dublo about his botanical passions. This 20-year-old Zoomer already has spent his early adult life cultivating native plants and selling them at farmers' markets. You'll be surprised at the amount of cool stuff we've been ignoring with our lawn culture and invasive species. For more information go to Sam’s Native Nursery and Restorati...

In this episode, Cory and Nicole talk to the enigmatic weirdo behind the ostentatious works of art at the Conservatory, Mike Snider. From 1,000 trumpets to 31,000 stamps, we talk about the philosophy of Kool and the artistic process. You won't want to miss it. Mentioned in this episode: https://www.kooliverse.com/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers o...