Rock Is Lit

“I really tried to create a band that I would love, if they were real”— Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones & The SixFiction writers have long been seduced by the anarchy, defiance, and raw power of rock ‘n roll, creating stories about music, the people who make it, and the characters who love it with the same intensity as the most ambitious concept albums. But until Rock is Lit first aired in September 2022, there had never been a podcast devoted to this art form—the rock novel—and the show remains a singularity.In each episode, host Christy Alexander Hallberg, author of the award-winning rock novel Searching for Jimmy Page (Livingston Press, 2021), interviews authors about craft and the musical inspiration behind their work, then brings in music experts, like legendary groupie Pamela Des Barres, to add real-world context to the bands or musical periods featured in the novels. Hallberg has quickly earned a reputation as a meticulous researcher and creative producer, frequently garnering compliments from guests such as Rex Weiner, author of The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane: “You’re so well versed in what I wrote and, of course, your own rock ‘n roll history is pretty terrific.”The podcast’s growing roster of rock novels includes: Dana Spiotta’s National Book Award-nominated Eat the Document, works by BIPOC authors like Chris L. Terry’s Black Card, metal-centric novels like John Wray’s Gone to the Wolves, YA LGBTQ debuts like Jessamyn Violet’s Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar, Scifi rock novels like Sarah Pinsker’s Nebula Award-winning A Song For A New Day, rock novels adapted to film like Garth Risk Hallberg’s City on Fire, and celebrity rock novels like the legendary Suzi Quatro’s The Hurricane.Tune in to Rock is Lit and join the mounting number of Lit Listeners on their quest to find the very best rock novels.A proud part of Pantheon Podcasts.Watch the trailer on YouTube.Find Christy Alexander Hallberg and Rock is Lit on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg

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Jan 26, 2024 • 45min

‘Tonechaser’ Chronicles Part 1: Music Journalist Steve Rosen Talks About His Friendship With Eddie Van Halen

Welcome to Part 1 of Episode 45, featuring Steve Rosen. Steve is a highly respected music journalist and author of more than 1,000 articles and seven books, delving into the lives of iconic figures like Jeff Beck, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, and Black Sabbath. His latest endeavor, ‘Tonechaser – Understanding Edward: My 26-Year Journey with Edward Van Halen’, was published in 2022. The book offers an intimate perspective on the guitar virtuoso and Steve’s friendship with him from 1977 to 2003. In the introduction to the book, Steve writes, “What you will read here is not a biography, a history, or an exacting chronology. You won’t find discussions about tapping, taping, or touring. There are no in-depth analyses of album releases or his profound and absolute rewriting of the entire canon of electric guitar playing. . . . Rather think of this as a memory journal, a chronicle filled with observations, illuminations, and interpretations and what the hell does that mean? It means telling you about what I saw—the observing—shedding some first-hand light on what I was seeing—the illuminating—and trying to explain and decipher what I was witnessing—the interpreting” (XVII).Join us for the first part of my in-depth interview with Steve, then listen to Part 2. PLAYLIST: Bensound “Happy Rock”—Royalty Free Music Rock is Lit theme music Clip from Season 3 Announcement/’Duck Tales’/Disney Channel [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” 1970s Instrumental Rock Music, Royalty Free Joe Satriana ‘Tonechaser’ endorsement from YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dQrEX25rwfU “Eruption” by Van Halen “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” by Van Halen “Runnin’ With the Devil” by Van Halen “Dance the Night Away” by Van Halen 1970s Instrumental Rock Music, Royalty Free Rock is Lit theme music LINKS:Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350Steve Rosen’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SteveRosenInterviewsSteve Rosen on Instagram: @steve.rosen.guitar.picksSteve Rosen on Twitter: @GoodwriterSteve Rosen’s website: https://www.tonechaserbook.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitChristy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 19, 2024 • 1h 16min

Navigating the Musical Landscape of the 1960s with Frye Gaillard and His Book ‘A Hard Rain: America in the 1960s’

Welcome back to another episode of Rock is Lit, the podcast where we dive into the powerful intersection of rock music, literature, and pop culture. Today, we’re stepping outside the realm of fiction as we embark on a fascinating journey into the 1960s with acclaimed author Frye Gaillard and his nonfiction book ‘A Hard Rain: America in the 1960s’, which captures the heartbeat of an era, an era that has inspired so many of the rock novels featured on the podcast.In Frye’s extraordinary book he not only delves into the tragic and hopeful narratives of civil rights, black power, women’s liberation, and the Vietnam War but also unveils the cultural manifestations of change. From the Brothers Kennedy to Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash to Bob Dylan, and everything in between, ‘A Hard Rain’ introduces us to the influential figures who shaped this iconic American decade.Listen to Episode 14, featuring Michael Amos Cody’s novel ‘Gabriel’s Songbook, with special guests Frye Gaillard and Peter Cooper: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/michaelamoscodyandfryegaillardandpetercooperListen to my bonus uncut interview with Frye Gaillard and Peter Cooper: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/podcast-vault-feed/petercoopertributeOr watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGYwFdmrt8c&list=PLMlm_N-Z1yVrwPKpSnVZnH_twxo78eW8A&index=38 PLAYLIST Royalty-free 60s 70s psychedelic rock n roll music and visuals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGVRph0Dj1c&t=3s Rock is Lit theme music Clip from Season 3 Announcement/’Duck Tales’/Disney Channel [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Royalty-free 60s 70s psychedelic rock n roll music and visuals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGVRph0Dj1c&t=3s “We Shall Overcome” by Pete Seeger “Chain Gang” by Sam Cooke “Abilene” by George Hamilton, IV “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” by Bob Dylan “Only the Lonely” by Roy Orbison “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke “Different Drum” by The Stone Poneys (with Linda Ronstadt) “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival “Mississippi Goddamn” by Nina Simone “Abraham, Martin, and John” by Dion “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan “Helter Skelter” by The Beatles “The Star Spangled Banner” by Jimi Hendrix (Live at Woodstock 1969) “If I Can Dream” by Elvis Presley Rock is Lit theme music LINKS:Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350Frye Gaillard’s website: https://fryegaillardauthor.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitChristy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 9, 2024 • 56min

Stairway to 80: Rock is Lit Celebrates Led Zeppelin Guitar Wizard Jimmy Page On His 80th Birthday

Hey, Lit Listeners. Rock is Lit is turning up the volume for a very special episode celebrating the 80th birthday of one of the greatest guitarists in rock ‘n roll history, Jimmy Page! Join us in a musical journey as we revisit some of the finest moments from our Zep-related past episodes, featuring Led Zeppelin historian and super fan as well as the Zep fan magazine 'Tight But Loose' founder and editor, Dave Lewis. We've also got the inside scoop from Led Zeppelin's former PR maestro and Vice President of Swan Song Records, Danny Goldberg; and the one and only Jim McCarty, The Yardbirds drummer and Jimmy's former bandmate.For me, Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin have been more than just musical influences—they've been the soundtrack to my life and the inspiration behind my 2021 novel, 'Searching for Jimmy Page.' As a writer, their impact on my creative journey is immeasurable. This episode is a heartfelt tribute to the man and the band that have woven their way into the fabric of my existence.So, buckle up as we delve into the archives, sharing anecdotes and stories that define the magic of Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin. Afterward, I encourage you to check out the full episodes featuring Dave Lewis, Danny Goldberg, and Jim McCarty. There are so many more Zeppelin tales they tell in those long-form interviews. And if you’re interested in learning more about my novel, ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’, tool on over to my website.Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X1B_hQSVt0&t=1sLinks:Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350Rock is Lit EP7, featuring Danny Goldberg: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/christyalexanderhallberg/margaretbauer/randallmartoccia/lizawieland/dannygoldbergRock is Lit EP20, featuring Dave Lewis: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/searchingforjimmypageaudiobookRock is Lit EP27, first interview with Jim McCarty: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jimmccartyRock is Lit Bonus EP, featuring Jim McCarty: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/podcast-vault-feed/jimmccartyandbreathofthewindRock is Lit EP42, featuring Neal Preston: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/nealprestonTight But Loose website: http://www.tightbutloose.co.uk/Danny Goldberg’s website: https://www.dannygoldberg.com/Danny Goldberg on Twitter: @DannyGoldberg67Jim McCarty’s website: https://www.jamesmccarty.com/Video of Jim McCarty’s new single, “Breath of the Wind,” produced by Christy Alexander Hallberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2uiBE63p8oChristy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitChristy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 5, 2024 • 1h 12min

Soul Music and Southern Roots: Michael Parker On His Novel ‘If You Want Me to Stay’

Welcome to a soulful episode of Rock is Lit. If you’ve got a hankering for that sweet soul music—the kind that echoes with the sounds of Otis Redding, Al Green, Sly & The Family Stone, and Aretha Franklin—then you’re in for a treat. My fellow Tar Heel native Michael Parker is here to talk about his novel ‘If You Want Me to Stay’, a story in which 14-year-old narrator Joel Dunn, Jr., takes us on a poignant odyssey. Joel, Jr., shares the heartfelt tale of salvaging his family in the aftermath of his mother’s departure and his father’s unraveling sanity. From the rural landscapes of eastern North Carolina to the coastal vistas, Joel and his little brother Tank embark on a journey guided by junk food and the soulful melodies their daddy taught them to love.Michael Parker is the author of three collections of short stories and seven other novels, including his most recent, 2022’s ‘I Am the Light of This World’. He is a three-time winner of the O. Henry Award for short fiction and winner of the 2020 Thomas Wolfe Award. Michael has taught for almost 30 years in the MFA program at UNC-G.Catch Michael on Season 1 Episode 11 of Rock is Lit, when he joined me to discuss ‘I Am the Light of This World’. MUSIC AND MEDIA IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: R&B/Soul Music Funky Bass Royalty Free Rock is Lit theme music Clip from Season 3 Announcement/’Duck Tales’/Disney Channel [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” R&B/Soul Music Funky Bass Royalty Free “(Do the) Push and Pull (Part 1)” by Rufus Thomas “Gone to Carolina” by Shooter Jennings “If You Want Me to Stay” by Sly & The Family Stone “Tighten Up” by Archie Bell and The Drells “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions “Ain’t No Way” by Aretha Franklin “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of The Bay” by Otis Redding “I’ll Take You There” by The Staple Singers “Call Me (Come Back Home)” by Al Green Hollerin Contest Festival in Spivey’s Corner, CBS 17: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC7-Nuf2MYQ “Love Train” by The O’Jays Rock is Lit theme music LINKS:Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350Michael Parker’s website: https://www.michaelfparker.com/Michael Parker on Instagram: @texheel22Michael Parker on Season 1 Episode 11 of Rock is Lit: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/michaelparkerandjeffplaceChristy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 22, 2023 • 1h 17min

Capturing the Legends: Photographer Neal Preston's Rock Odyssey

Hey, Lit Listeners, prepare for an epic journey into the heart of rock history with a living legend behind the lens—Neal Preston. In this exclusive Rock is Lit episode, we step into Neal’s unparalleled career spanning five decades. We talk about his background in NY and how he developed a love of music and photography, his unique style and philosophy as a photojournalist, his experiences working with Led Zeppelin in the hedonistic 1970s, his 50-year friendship with Cameron Crowe, and the stories-behind-the-story of ‘Almost Famous’.Also, get ready for a deep dive into Neal’s iconic photograph of Jimmy Page at Kezar Stadium in 1973, which plays a major role in my rock novel, ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’. And, of course, Neal shares captivating tales from his 2017 book, ‘Exhilarated and Exhausted’.*You can also view this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvNwNXH8jTEALL MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IS ROYALTY-FREE FROM YOUTUBELINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350Neal Preston’s website: https://www.prestonpictures.com/Neal Preston on Instagram: @nealprestonphotoNeal Preston on Facebook: @NealPrestonPhotographyNeal’s digital Led Zeppelin book, ‘Led Zeppelin: Sound and Fury’ on Apple iBookstore: https://books.apple.com/us/book/led-zeppelin-sound-and-fury/id624738803Danny Goldberg on Season 1 Episode 7 of Rock is Lit: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/christyalexanderhallberg/margaretbauer/randallmartoccia/lizawieland/dannygoldbergChristy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitChristy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 8, 2023 • 1h 7min

Beyond ‘Double Fantasy’: Laurie Kaye’s Journey to John Lennon’s Last Interview

In this episode of Rock is Lit, we’re deviating from the world of fiction to explore the riveting reality of rock ‘n’ roll. Laurie Kaye is here to talk about her brand-new memoir, ‘Confessions of a Rock 'N' Roll Name-Dropper: My Life Leading Up to John Lennon’s Last Interview’. Get ready for exclusive behind-the-scenes tales, intimate encounters with rock royalty, and a symphony of stories that will transport you back to the golden age of rock.FYI: We may be talking nonfiction in this episode, but, in the spirit of Rock is Lit’s claim to fame as the first and only podcast devoted to rock fiction, I encourage you to check out some of the novels that feature John Lennon in some capacity, such as ‘Saint John Lennon’ by Daniel Hartwell, ‘The John Lennon Affair’ by Robert S. Levinson, and ‘John Lennon and the Mercy Street Café’ by William Hammett. You can read my short story about John and Yoko, “Shadow of Shiva,” which was published in ‘Solidago Literary Journal’ in 2017, on my website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/otherpublications.Listen to my interview with John Lennon’s lover during his 18-month separation from Yoko in the mid-1970s, May Pang, about her new documentary on her time with John, ‘The Lost Weekend: A Love Story’, on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAvoFbFNerM&t=945s MUSIC AND MEDIA IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: “Love” by John Lennon, Instrumental Cover Clip from RKO interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono Clip from the ‘Today’ show about John Lennon’s murder, featuring Laurie Kaye, Dec 9, 1980 Clip from RKO interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono Clip from Plutopia News Network interview with Laurie Kaye Free John Lennon “Imagine” Cover, No Copyright Rock is Lit theme music Clip from Season 3 Announcement/’Duck Tales’/Disney Channel [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” John Lennon “Free As a Bird” Instrumental Cover John Lennon “#9 Dream” Clip from The Beatles Live at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles 08/28/1966: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5pV-sgapPg John Lennon “Out the Blue” George Harrison “Blow Away” Paul McCartney and Wings “Silly Love Songs” John Lennon “Watching the Wheels” Yoko Ono “Kiss Kiss Kiss” John Lennon “Mind Games” John Lennon “(Just Like) Starting Over” Clip from the ‘Today’ show about John Lennon’s murder, featuring Laurie Kaye, Dec 9, 1980 The Beatles “In My Life” John Lennon “Woman” John Lennon “Beautiful Boy” Yoko Ono “Hard Times Are Over” George Harrison “All Those Years Ago” Clip from RKO interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono Rock is Lit theme music—royalty free background music LINKS:Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350‘Today’ show, Dec 9, 1980, about John Lennon’s murder, with Laurie Kaye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zrcbfSUOZIRKO uncut interview with John and Yoko, Dec 8, 1980: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsu-GihhQIYLaurie Kaye’s website: https://www.confessionsofarocknrollnamedropper.com/Laurie Kaye on Facebook: @LaurieKayeLaurie Kaye on Instagram: @rocknrollnamedropperLaurie Kaye on Twitter: @LaurieJoKayeMy interview with May Pang about her new documentary, ‘The Lost Weekend: A Love Story’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAvoFbFNerM&t=945sChristy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 30, 2023 • 1h 22min

Prog Tales: Inside Jason Warburg’s Novel ‘Never Break the Chain’, with The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast Guys Talkin’ Prog Rock

Explore the intricate layers of Jason Warburg’s novel ‘Never Break the Chain’ in Episode 40 of Rock is Lit. Protagonist Tim Green’s quest through the vibrant LA rock scene, unraveling the history of the fictional prog rock band Empire, reveals a tale of family ties and self-discovery. Stay tuned for the final segment of the episode as Mac B. The Wolf and Action Jackson from The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast dissect the novel’s prog rock influences, adding a dynamic twist to the discussion. MUSIC AND MEDIA IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Emerson, Lake & Palmer "Fanfare for the Common Man" Progressive Rock Mix by Prog Rock Doc—Volume 21 Clips from the following: How to Create Prog Rock—Ingredients & Recipes (@QJamTracks), Prog Rock Meme (@ILOGICmoments), Prog Rock: A Beginner’s Guide (@TheProgCorner), and British TV Documentary Top Ten Progressive Rock 3—Jethro Tull, Moody Blues (@RemyTena) Rock is Lit theme music Clip from Season 3 Announcement/’Duck Tales’/Disney Channel 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . GO! With Voice (@RainbowTimers) [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Progressive Rock Mix by Prog Rock Doc—Volume 21 Fleetwood Mac “The Chain” Jethro Tull “Witch’s Promise”—before and after Jason Warburg’s reading Clip from Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift at VMA 2009 Big Big Train “Last Train” Van Halen “You Really Got Me” The Kinks “You Really Got Me” Pink Floyd “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” Progressive Rock Mix by Prog Rock Doc—Volume 21 King Crimson “The Court of the Crimson King” Genesis “Dancing with the Moonlight Knight” from ‘Selling England By the Pound’ Rush “Tom Sawyer” Clip from Dean Discovers Prog Rock/The Venture Bros./Adult Swim Yes from “The Ancient/Giants Under the Sun”—side three of ‘Tales from Topographic Oceans’ Rock is Lit theme music LINKS:Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350Jason Warburg’s website: https://www.jasonwarburg.com/never-break-chain/Jason Warburg on Instagram: @jason_warburgJason Warburg on Twitter: @JasonWarburgJason Warburg on Rock is Lit, Episode 33: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jasonwarburgMac B. & Action Jackson from The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast on Rock is Lit, Episode 5: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/uglyamericanwerewolfMe talking about ‘Searching for Jimmy Page’ on The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast, Episode 67: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2pXqTKEJa71tScnLP4CW0GThe Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast on Twitter: @ugly_werewolfThe Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast on Instagram: @uglyamericanwerewolfinlondonThe Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast on YouTube: @UAWILPodcastChristy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 17, 2023 • 1h 3min

Reckoning and Redemption: GenXCore Unveils the Punk Rock Soul of His Novel ‘California Roadkill’

In this episode of Rock is Lit we dive deep into the visceral and tumultuous world of author GenXCore’s debut novel, ‘California Roadkill’. Explore the harrowing journey of three societal outliers as they navigate the shadows of violence, homelessness, and the haunting residue of addiction. From the gritty streets of Los Angeles to the soothing breezes of coastal California, the novel is an odyssey of self-discovery set against the backdrop of the Golden State.GenXCore and I delve into the multifaceted layers of the narrative, touching on the struggles of an adjunct teacher, whose face bears the scars of a student’s rebellion against a bad grade, and two of his former punk rock bandmates, one of whom is battling addiction and destitution, the other of whom thinks he’s found the cure to craving and compulsion. The intertwining of punk rock music and culture amplifies the story's intensity, offering a powerful soundtrack that resonates with the characters’ experiences and the broader societal commentary within the novel. MUSIC AND MEDIA IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Clip from ‘A History Lesson: Punk Rock in Los Angeles in 1984’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii63ztDheF8&t=522s Clip from ‘What’s Up America: LA Punk Documentary 1980: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01VInkUxmIw&t=14s Punk Rock Instrumental Background Music: 1 Hour High-Energy Playlist Vol 2 Rock is Lit theme music Clip from Season 3 Announcement/’Duck Tales’/Disney Channel [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Punk Rock Instrumental Background Music: 1 Hour High-Energy Playlist Vol 2 Kenny Hoopla “Hollywood Sucks” The Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter” The Stray Cats “Stray Cat Strut” Punk Rock Instrumental Background Music: 1 Hour High-Energy Playlist Vol 2 Punk Rock Instrumental Background Music: 1 Hour High-Energy Playlist Vol 2 X “Los Angeles” The Germs “Land of Treason” Clip from Lost Angeles homelessness up 9% in the county, 10% in the city, count finds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py65MJC8VR4&t=13s The Cramps “Goo Goo Muck” The Who “Won’t Get Fooled Again” Clip from live Sex Pistols show: “Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?” Sex Pistols “Holidays in the Sun” Rock is Lit theme music—royalty free background music LINKS:Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350GenXCore’s website: https://genxcore.com/GenXCore on Twitter: @GenXCore0GenXCore on Instagram: @genxcoreRock is Lit EP4, Featuring Janet Fitch’s punk rock novel ‘Paint It Black’, with guests Nicole Panter and Pleasant Gehman: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/janetfitchandpleasantgehmanandnicolepanterRock is Lit Vault with Pleasant Gehman: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/podcast-vault-feed/pleasantgehman-bonus-content-46jekChristy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 2, 2023 • 55min

Music, Mystery & Mountains: The Appalachian Influence in Emily Alice Katz’s Rockin’ Short Story “A Wayfarer at Devil’s Elbow”

In this episode we’re straying from the rock novels camp to talk about a single short story, entitled “A Wayfarer at Devil’s Elbow,” written by North Carolina author, Pushcart Prize nominee, and musician Emily Alice Katz. The story, which appears in the new online issue of ‘North Carolina Literary Review’ was a finalist in the 2022 Doris Betts Fiction Prize, an annual competition sponsored by the North Carolina Writers’ Network, with winning entries and some finalists published in ‘NCLR’. Full disclosure: I serve as Senior Associate Editor of the journal.You can find a link in the show notes to the new issue of ‘NCLR’, where you can read Emily’s story and all the other amazing stories, essays, and poetry in the issue.Emily Alice Katz’s short fiction has appeared in such literary journals as ‘North Carolina Literary Review,’ ‘Salamander’, ‘Jelly Bucket’, ‘Meridian’, ‘South Carolina Review’, and ‘storySouth’. Her short story collection, ‘The Book of Nut and Other Stories’, was designated a finalist for the 2019 Eludia Award. And her short story “Little Hen” is included in the 2022 anthology ‘Frankly Feminist: Short Stories by Jewish Women from “Lilith Magazine”.’ She has a PhD in modern Jewish studies from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Her book, 'Bringing Zion Home: Israel in American Jewish Culture, 1948-1967', was published in 2015.“A Wayfarer at Devil’s Elbow” follows a young music journalist in her quest to locate and interview an obscure 1970s experimental rock musician from the mountains of North Carolina, Nyssa Adcock, who has fallen off the musical map and become a recluse and a bit of a rock ‘n roll mystery. Fans of this period in music history and Appalachian literature and lore will be enchanted by the story, an excerpt from which Emily reads at the beginning of the episode, and our discussion. You’ll also hear an abundance of Appalachian music as well as Emily’s own music. See the playlist below. Special thanks to Tim Randall and Hub Respess for providing the voices of music critics in the opening. MUSIC AND MEDIA IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Horror Ambience Royalty Free Music "Witch by the Sea" by Darren Curtis Jack White “Great High Mountain” from Cold Mountain Soundtrack Rock is Lit theme music Clip from Season 3 Announcement/’Duck Tales’/Disney Channel [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Appalachian steel guitar folk blues royalty free production music (before and after reading) “Devil’s Courthouse” by Jim Vancleve Clip from ‘Signs Cures Witchery’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwaUcSRsQPQ&t=134s Roger Sprung & His Progressive Bluegrassers “Mississippi Sawyer” Royalty free ‘60s ‘70s psychedelic rock n roll music Manifesto Klezmer Band (featuring Emily Alice Katz) “Mayn shtam redt” Manifesto Klezmer Band (featuring Emily Alice Katz) “Ikh bin geven amol a yingling” Here & Elsewhere (featuring Emily Alice Katz and Dan McClure) “The One You Never Knew” Rock is Lit theme music—royalty free background music LINKS:Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350‘North Carolina Literary Review’ (read Emily’s story “A Wayfarer at Devil’s Elbow” in the fall online issue): https://nclr.ecu.edu/issues/nclr-fall-online-2023/Emily Alice Katz’s website: https://emilyalicekatz.com/Emily Alice Katz on Instagram: @emkatzChristy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 19, 2023 • 1h 2min

Rememberin' & Rockin' to the 1980s Cult Classic Film 'Eddie and The Cruisers' with Sherry Thomas

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