Artistories

In this episode we hear from PSYPIRITUAL, a rapper, musician, producer and integral part of the Tucson underground hip hop scene.  He describes the sound coming out of Tucson, influences–including growing up in Barrio Hollywood–creative process and the problem with creative goals.  We also talk about how he chose PSYPIRITUAL as his artistic name, the magic of collaborating and his new album, FREE GOD. 

For all this and more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking above. Listen to the mini show by clicking below!

All music by PSYPIRITUAL.

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Artistories-4.26-5.9.mp3

In this episode we hear from Chezale Rodriguez, Multifaceted Teaching & Performing Artist. Chezale tells us about her artistic and teaching trajectory, her experiences performing at the Tucson Hip Hop Festival, her experience as part of the Unlock Creative’s Sistah Circle (a cohort building program where Black women are able to meet in an intimate virtual space to build relationships and explore aspects of the creative sector). She gracefully pushes back against the question “What’s next for you?” but also concedes to tell us about some of her latest projects, like The Inglorious Poet’s Believe (featuring Chezale and K Prez), choreography for Sharkk Heartt’s “Work Fires” video, and voice acting on Tucson Heat from Elephant Scout, a scripted podcast. We also talk about the gifts of this last year, including a moment where Chezale looks back at an experience she had filming the video for Special Friend a year ago, at the beginning of the pandemic.

For all this and more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking above. Listen to the mini show by clicking below! Music: “Special Friend” by Chezale

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Chezale-Rodriguez-Mini.mp3

Waking the Dreaming Body Album Cover, artwork by Karima Walker

Photo by Owen Ashworth

Photo by Lex Gjurasic

Photo by Holly Hall

Photo by Holly Hall

 

In this episode we hear from artist Karima Walker, who talks to us about her music, performance and more. She recounts details about her musical trajectory and how she started expanding into more experimental realms as a way to push back against the constraints of the typical female singer-songwriter box. She also describes a performance that took place inside the “Lung” at Biosphere 2 with the help of an Arts Foundation grant. Karima talks a bit about her latest album, which came out on Feb. 26, Waking the Dreaming Body. We also talk about her COVID-19 pivot, living in Chicago and South Korea and the factors that brought her back to the desert Southwest and how she feels this journey informs her art.

For all this and more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking above. Listen to the mini show by clicking below!

This episode features sounds from Karima Walker’s “Horizon, Harbor Resonance”

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Karima-Walker-Mini.mp3

Betty Villegas, Dr. Lydia Otero and Neto Portillo

In this episode we hear from Betty Villegas, Director of the Mexican American Heritage & History Museum. She tells us about the historic Sosa Carrillo House in which the museum is currently housed, and how Los Descendientes del Presidio de Tucson founded it in order to promote and preserve the rich heritage of the Old Pueblo. She talks about sharing the space with Borderlands Theater and a little about the history of the TCC area, how it was violently transformed during urban renewal and the work Borderlands Theater created around this history in their multiperformance project, Barrio Stories. We also talk about historian Dr. Lydia Otero‘s essential work documenting the trajectory of this area. We talked about museum exhibits and events passed, such as those honoring the contributions of Neto Portillo and the Mariachi musicians of Tucson. We talk about the museum’s struggles under COVID-19 but also about plans for the future. Finally, Betty Villegas tells us a little more about her personal and professional trajectory, in which she has thread together health, housing and culture in Tucson and Pima County for a lifetime.

To hear all this and more, listen to the full-length podcast by clicking above. To listen to the mini, click below!

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Betty-Villegas-Mini.mp3

Logan Greene, pre-pandemic

Logan Greene, mid-pandemic

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Copy-of-Groundworks-Virtual-Grand-Opening-SHORT-INTRO-480p-MP4.mp4

 

In this episode, we hear from Logan Greene, executive director of Groundworks; a 501c3 non-profit, youth-driven community arts space in Tucson that opened last year. Logan talks about the programming going on now (including online marketplaces) and the Virtual Social Clubs that will be opening next year. He talks about some of the emergent musicians and artist who have been engaged with Groundworks, including Lauren Cabrera and Lone Heart Art. As a fifth generation Tucsonan, Logan talks about how all-ages art and music spaces in Tucson have changed over the years, and the gap that Groundworks exists to fill. (Logan describes how when he was 19 there were 4 or 5 all-ages venues.) Logan talks his passion for Groundworks, which marries his role as a musician and an educator, opening up opportunities for youth artistic and musical expression that go beyond the classroom.

To listen to the full-length podcast, click above. (To listen to the mini, click below!)

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Logan-Greene-Mini.mp3

Misha Livingston

DJ Ivan Smith of The After School Special, Drivin’ with Ivan and Saturday A.M. Toonz

DJ Samba of TarantulasDreamRadio

DJ Tía Mari of Radio Border Blaster

DJ Mr. Nature of Little Leaf Radio

 

In this episode we hear from Misha Livingston, member of the board of directors for Downtown Radio 99.1 FM. Misha talks about this low-power FM community radio station that has been playing mostly rock-related genres–for Tucson and the world via streaming–since 2015. She talks about the change of leadership that resulted in a more non-hierarchical organizational structure where volunteer programmers play a big role in decision making and are in constant contact via Slack. We also discuss Downtown Radio’s mental health mission, as exemplified by shows like the Depression Sessions and Heavy Mental. We talk about the Great COVID-19 Pivot and some of its silver linings, such as onboarding more DJs–including one from Hermosillo, Sonora.

To hear about all this and more, listen to the full length podcast by clicking above! (and listen to the mini by clicking below!)

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Misha-Livingston-Mini.mp3

Beth Morrison, CEO of Our Family Services

Photo Voice Art

Photo Voice Art

Photo Voice Art

Photo Voice Art

 

In this episode, we hear from Beth Morrison, CEO of Our Family Services. We talk about Our Family Services’ mission to eliminate homelessness and strengthen our community, the intensity of the homelessness problem in Tucson and Pima County, and what to do about it. We also talk about The Photo Voice Project and the Center for Community Dialogue & Training.

To hear all this and more, listen to the full length podcast by clicking above! (and listen to the mini by clicking below!)

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Beth-Morrison-Mini.mp3

Shannon Riggs (in orange) and other members of the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition

Pop Cycle, the store Shannon Riggs Co-owns on the Ave

HFAC Mural by Jessica Gonzalez

Made in Tucson Market

Marcy Ellis with her art

The Desert Pen Art and Artist

 

In this episode we hear from Shannon Riggs, artist, co-owner of Pop Cycle and Chair of the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition.  Shannon describes some of the art sponsored by the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition (pictured above) and also talks about how COVID-19 has hit 4th Ave and some of the efforts to bring it back in the safest way possible–including by taking over the streets. We talk about the many stages of 4th Avenue over the years and what makes it a special place for Tucsonans to congregate. Shannon also tells us a bit about how the Historic Fourth Avenue Coalition was formed the annual Made In Tucson Market. To end the podcast, Shannon tells us a little about how her and her partner DeeDee Koenen opened PopCycle in 2008. 

To hear all this and more on the full length podcast, click above! (and listen to the mini by clicking below!)

Lisa Falk, Head of Community Engagement

 

Sorting Out Race: Examining Racial Identity and Stereotypes through Thrift Store Donations exhibit and programming. Photographs courtesy Arizona State Museum, The University of Arizona Photographer, Susan Hamilton

Sorting Out Race: Examining Racial Identity and Stereotypes through Thrift Store Donations exhibit and programming. Photographs courtesy Arizona State Museum, The University of Arizona Photographer, Susan Hamilton

Sorting Out Race: Examining Racial Identity and Stereotypes through Thrift Store Donations exhibit and programming. Photographs courtesy Arizona State Museum, The University of Arizona Photographer, Susan Hamilton

It’s Up 2 You! Comic Book from Through the Eyes of the Eagle: Illustrating Healthy Living. Photographs courtesy Arizona State Museum, The University of Arizona Photographer, Jannelle Weakly

 

In this episode we hear from Lisa Falk, artist and Head of Community Engagement at the Arizona State Museum (ASM); the oldest and largest anthropological research museum in the Southwest, established in 1893. Lisa tells us how it came to be and what it’s known for. We discuss past, current and future programming, including exhibits such as Sorting Out Race: Examining Racial Identity and Stereotypes through Thrift Store Donations, A History of Walls: The Borders We Build, Through the Eyes of the Eagle: Illustrating Healthy Living, and Photo ID: Portraits by Native Youth. We discuss best practices for getting community feedback and engagement on exhibit conce

Troy Neiman. Photo: Bill Hatcher

 

In this episode we hear from artist Troy Neiman, who connects his childhood interests to his art today. Growing up in Madison, Wisconsin, Troy loved making art, bicycles, and found objects, which he connects to his current loves of reducing, reusing, recycling, welding, BICAS, the BICAS art auction (pieces for which are pictured above), public art and steel fabrication. We talk at length about supply chains, markets, the lives of objects, garbage and landfills, including the public art piece (pictured above) he created for the Los Reales Landfill as part of the one-percent-for-art program. Troy also gives advice to emergent local public artists. Hear all this and more! Listen to the full length podcast by clicking above (and listen to the mini by clicking below!)

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Artistories-10.12-10.25.mp3