Talking To Ghosts

This week on the Talking to Ghosts podcast we have filmmaker and visual artist Rubén García Marrufo. We saw Rubén's collaborative piece "rise x fall (work in progress ii)" as part of the TBA:20 Festival this summer and were excited to talk to them about art, film, and all kinds of upcoming work. 

For all of Rubén's links, check out their Flowpage.

Talking to Ghosts is recorded and produced by Michael Kurt and Wesley Mueller. For an archive of all our episodes and Reviews, check out our Official Website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_176_-_Ruben_Garcia_Marrufo.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the podcast we have comics illustrator and author Liana Kangas. We talked about her Industry Fridays interviews, the value of mentorship, and she breaks down self publishing a comic vs. working on creator-owned projects.

The best place to find all of Liana’s work is on her official website. Trve Cvlt Comic is funded, but you can still sign up for the mailing list to get updates on retail copies when they become available. You can support Liana’s work and get cool behind the scenes updates on her Patreon.

Talking to Ghosts is recorded and produced by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For more episodes of the podcast and our recently resurrected Reviews section, please check out our official website. The new cover art was done in house by Wes Mueller!

At Home episodes are recorded by the ever-present, still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Please wear a mask and be safe out there. We’d love to see each other in person some day.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_175_-_Liana_Kangas.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the Talking to Ghosts podcast we chat with Picogram about their upcoming game Garden Story! Picogram is the solo developer, which was a fascinating look at pixel art, how to tell stories about communities, and what cozy games consider when thinking about the place of violence in a story.

You can find more information about Garden Story on the Official Website or, if you’re looking for more work from Picogram, check out picogram.co

Talking to Ghosts is recorded and produced by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. The new cover art was done in house by Wes Mueller! For our reviews and an archive of all our episodes, please check out our Official Website.

At Home episodes are recorded by the ever-present, still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Please wear a mask and be safe out there. We’d love to see each other in person some day.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_174_-_Picogram.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the Talking to Ghosts podcast we talked with Demian Dinéyazhi' about their recent performance at PICA’s Time-Based Arts Festival, having to adjust to performing during the pandemic and forest fires over the summer, and how punk energy exists in indigenous, Black, and brown communities.

Demian is the founder and director of R.I.S.E, which creates space for indigenous artists and poets.

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For an archive of all our episodes, please check out our Official Website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_173_-_Demian_Dineyahzi.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the podcast we have author and artist Tatiana Ryckman! We talked about her new novel's hotline launch event, the depression after releasing a new work, and starting a band during the pandemic.

"The Ancestry of Objects" is out now on Deep Vellum. You can still grab her novella "I Don't Think Of You (Until I Do)" from Future Tense Books. For more writing and works, please visit Tatiana's website.

Also! Reviews are back! Check out the first written review we've done in a long time on the site: Lauren Bousfield's "Palimpsest"

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For an archive of episodes, please visit our official website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_172_-_Tatiana_Ryckman-2.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the podcast we have Heldáy de la Cruz who is an artist and illustrator working in the undocumented and queer communities in Portland, Oregon. We talked about working during COVID and how filming projects have changed, his participation in a new PICA exhibit by Carlos Motta called "We Got Each Other's Backs." 

The best place to find Heldáy's work is on his Instagram.

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For an archive of our episodes, please visit our Official Website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_171_-_Helday_de_la_Cruz_NEW_NEW.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the podcast we have Alex Kent from Sprain! We talked about the dramatic dynamics of classical composers, using impressionistic thinking to write, and what it means to be in (and outside of) a genre.

Sprain’s new album, As Lost Through Collision, is out now on The Flenser.

Also on this episode we talk about How you should register to vote now if you live in Oregon or Washington, and PICA’s Time-Based Arts Festival. For full notes on TBA:20 and links to great artists we saw, please visit our official website.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For an archive of previous episodes and more info, including a contact form, please visit talkingtoghosts.com!

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_170_-_Sprain.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the podcast we talk to Shawna Potter of the band War on Women! Shawna is an activists and the author of the new book “Making Spaces Safer” (out now on AK Press). We talked about recording during COVID/protests, not wanting to make a Trump record, and how to reach people with music.

War on Women’s new album, Wonderful Hell, will be out October 30th on Bridge Nine Records.

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For an archive of all episodes, please check out our official website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_169_-_War_on_Women.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

That's right! It's time again to check in with our good buddies Alex Kennedy and Bruce Lord from I Die:You Die. It's been a little over a year since we've seen each other and it was definitely time to catch up.

We talked about podcasting and maintaining a website during the pandemic, working on diversity in our coverage, and left a nice chunk at the end to talk about: Wrestling, Blaseball, and Fight Island. 

I Die: You Die produces lots of weekly content on their website, podcast, and Patreon. Check out Alex's Keyforge Podcast Help For Future Self, and the Telekompilation Vol. 3 (proceeds go to NAACP education and law fund).

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For an archive or past episodes, please check out our official website.

Direct download: Talking_to_Ghosts_-_Episode_168_-_IDUD2020.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the Talking to Ghosts podcast we spoke to Jasmine Wood about her new project Lota Leona. We talked about moving to Ireland, releasing a new album during quarantine, and how she had to adapt to playing professionally as part of the Portland Center Stage production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch!

Lota Leona’s new release, Pink Sun, is out now on Bandcamp.

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For a complete archive of episodes and more information, please visit our official website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_167_-_Lota_Leona.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the Talking to Ghosts podcast we talk about the 2020 Kelly Reichardt film First Cow (A24, written by previously featured guest Jon Raymond). We were supposed to see this film during the Portland International Film Festival, but it was shut down before we had the chance. Wes went to a rally in Portland to protest racial injustice and police violence and Michael watched some calming Vlogs.

In this episode we recommend: Ganser’s fantastic new album Just Look At That Sky; Voting! (and checking your voter registration); Joop Joop Creative; Buying stamps to support the US Post Office; and Beyond Press.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For more episodes please visit our Official Website.

Direct download: TTG_-_Episode_166_-_First_Cow_Portland_Protests.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we have artist and game designer Mickey Sanchez! We talked about the long cycle of independent video game development, pandemic work/life, and touring as a semi-professional musician.

Mickey Sanchez is part of the New Beings team who recently put out a game called Robot Island! Also mentioned in this episode is the ongoing collaboration project Pidzn Club.

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. The best place to find all of our episodes is on our Official Website. 

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_165_-_Mickey_Sanchez.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we talk to Intelligame founder and games journalist Josh Boykin about creating a space to post and support the content you want to see, how platform holders win by making money on creators supporting other creators, and the risk of never shutting down from work mode during the pandemic.

Check out Josh's podcast Intelligame Radio. We highly recommend the most recent episodes "Labor (ft. Lana Polansky)" and "Black Lives Matter (ft. Zoe Schneider)"

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. For an archive of all our episodes, and more, please visit or Official Website.

Direct download: TTG_-_Episode_164_-_Josh_Boykin.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we talked to Jaye Jayle about making a collaborative album on the road, working in minimalism to find emotion, and how the COVID lockdown has allowed Evan and his wife, Emma Ruth Rundle, to take time off from touring and get a dog.

Jaye Jayle's new album Prisyn is out August 7th on Sargent House. You can also find the stems for "Don't Blame The Rain" as part of the Isolate/Create project.

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. The best place to find more information, and an archive of previously released episodes, is on our Official Website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_163_-_Jaye_Jayle.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we have Portland-based electronic musician Omari Jazz! We talked about the early days of SoundCloud, Lo-fi culture erasure, and participating in an art residency with his dad.

Omari has a new album out now called Dream Child. All funds received from this project get distributed to different Black Lives Matter charities.

“At Home” is a version of the podcast that is being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please forgive our audio quality and the awkward conversation, I think you understand why it had to be this way.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_162_-_Omari_Jazz.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we talked with Zandi Dandizette! Zandi is a multi-disciplinary artist working out of Vancouver BC. We talked about virtual meeting spaces during shelter in place, finding and making a place in the art community, and the how artists can support each other and their community by demanding and working towards fair wages.

Zandi can be found on their official website. We would also recommend you follow The James Black Gallery for tons of cool art and events.

CONTENT WARNING: Police Violence - We talk about police violence in the outro section of this episode from 1hr 25min to the end of the episode. If this is topic of sensitive for you, please skip the outro section and thank you for listening.

“At Home” episodes are being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. The best place to find us is on our official website

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_161_-_Zandi_Dandizette.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 5:53am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we have Stephanie Marlow! Stephanie is an independent PR professional and one of our most frequent contacts! She works with labels like The Flenser and Dais Records to promote new releases and tours for recents guests like: Elizabeth Colour Wheel, Jacob Bannon, and Drowse. We talked about a day in the life of a PR person, working with artists during a global pandemic, and why Road Burn Festival is so special.

“At Home” is a version of the podcast that is being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please forgive our audio quality and the awkward conversation, I think you understand why it had to be this way.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. Our fantastic 5-year cover art was made by Alicia Gaines (of the band Ganser, who have a new album available for pre-order!). 

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_160_-_Stephanie_Marlowe.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on the show we have author and screenwriter Jon Raymond. Originally scheduled to meet up with Jon as part of the Portland International Film Festival, we caught up instead from our homes to talk his new film First Cow (Directed by Kelly Reichardt, A24), radical adaptations of novels into scripts, and Portland Art History in the 1990s.

First Cow is on hold at the moment, but you can check out some of the other Kelly Reichardt collaboration films: Night Moves, Meek’s Cutoff, and Wendy & Lucy.

“At Home” is a version of the podcast that is being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please forgive our audio quality and the awkward conversation, I think you understand why it had to be this way.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. Our fantastic 5-year cover art was made by Alicia Gaines (of the band Ganser, who have a new album coming!). The best place to find us is on our Official Website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_159_-_Jon_Raymond.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we talk to our friends from the band Aviator! (again, again). We caught up about our new lifestyles, wrestling without a crowd, and who the hell knows what else. It's a long one.

Also! We got a really nice voicemail from our friend Rodney Anonymous

“At Home” is a version of the podcast that is being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please forgive our audio quality and the awkward conversation, I think you understand why it had to be this way.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. Our fantastic 5-year cover art was made by Alicia Gaines (of the band Ganser, who have a new album coming!). The best way to find previously released episodes and bonus content from this episode is on our official website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_158_-_Aviator_3.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we have the return of one of our favorite bands, Ganser. Back in 2016, Ganser came to Portland for the Out From The Shadows festival and we loved talking to them. Since then, we’ve travelled to Chicago for a number of reasons and have always tried to meet up with them. Like many bands, their tour schedule, jobs, and lives have been impacted by the novel Corona virus outbreak. We talked about their lives in isolation, making music videos, and how nice it will be to play shows again (once it’s safe).

“At Home” is a version of the podcast that is being recorded and released during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please forgive our audio quality and the awkward conversation, I think you understand why it had to be this way.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. Our fantastic 5-year cover art was made by Alicia Gaines, who was on this episode! The best place to find us is on our Official Website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_158_-_Ganser.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we talk about our experience at the Portland International Film Festival (before half of it was cancelled by COVID-19). We break down our thoughts on each film we saw and our festival experience overall. To check out the film trailers, or descriptions, see this list on the PIFF website.

Through this tough time, we will continue to podcast and get guests on the show, even if it is remotely. Please stay safe.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wesley Mueller. Our 5-year cover art is by the fantastic Alicia Gaines (of the band Ganser). The best place to find us is on our Official Website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_156_-_PIFF2020_Roudup.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we have the multi-talented artist Clamber! We talk about their theory of Non-Places, growing up with computers and homemade electronics, and creating temporary identities. Clamber has many current projects and works to archive places and times before they disappear. To keep current on Clamber’s projects, visit their official website or for the strictly musical, check out their bandcamp.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. Our wonderful 5-year cover art is by Alicia Gaines (of the band Ganser, on tour now!). The best place to find Talking to Ghosts is on our official website.

Direct download: TTG_-_Episode_155_-_Clamber_-_2.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we talked to Thief! D. Neal tells us about finding the hammered dulcimer in a Swedish instrument museum, forming the sound for Thief after Botanist, and the influence of Greek Orthodox on the band image and sound.

Thief has a new album out now on Prophecy Productions called Map of Lost Keys.

Talking to Ghosts is recorded and produced by Michael Kurt and Wesley Mueller. Our fantastic 5-year cover art was done by Alicia Gaines (of Ganser). The best place to find our episode archive is on our official website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_154_-_Thief.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we have experimental musician and artist Dolphin Midwives! We talk about experimental music performance, the process of creating and performing Dröna Choir, and the background of her Variform Gallery piece “Break: Preparations for the Apocalypse”.

Dolphin Midwives is best found on her official website

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wesley Mueller. For more episodes and content, please visit our official website. Our fantastic 5-year cover art is by Alicia Gaines. 

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_-_Dolphin_Midwives.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we have Crystal Quartez! Crystal is a multimedia artist, teacher, and musician in Portland. We talked about going from student to teacher, sound art in Portland, and Marina Abramovic.

Crystal’s debut full length album “Causal Loop” will be out Friday January 31st, 2020 from Beacon Sound. The record release show in Portland will be at Holocene on Thurs. Jan 30th, 2020.

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wes Mueller. Our 5-year cover art was made by the wonderful Alicia Gaines (from the band Ganser). You can find and download all of our episodes from our official website.

Direct download: Talking_To_Ghosts_-_Episode_152_-_Crystal_Quartez.mp3
Category:Interview -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

This week on Talking to Ghosts we talk about some shows we went to recently, Wes' Cats experience, and important soundtracks from our childhood. There's no guest this week, but the conversation is still flowing! 

Talking to Ghosts is produced and recorded by Michael Kurt and Wesley Mueller. Our fantastic cover art is by Alicia Gaines (of Ganser). For more information and direct downloads of all our episodes, check out our official website.

Direct download: TTG_-_Episode_151_-_Soundtracks_and_2020_-_higher_rate.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

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