Salt Lake Dirt

Author Jack Skelley joins me today on the show. His latest book is The Complete Fear of Kathy Acker. Excerpts from the book have been published over the course of four decades. Over the years it has become a cult classic about the1980s underground scene in Los Angeles. I tore through the book and am now a huge fan. I can see why it has been held in such high regard. I'm excited that people can now read it in its completed form.

Great chat, great book.

Thanks for listening!

Kyler

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One of my favorite films from Dances with Films so far is without a doubt Hedgehog. Writer/director D. Mitry joins me today to talk about his film. It is one of the first narrative projects that directly addresses the Ukranian-Russian conflict happening right now.

It's an incredibly beautiful film and I encourage you to check it at either Dances with Films or the Wyoming International Film Festival.

Thanks for listening!

Kyler

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Logline:

As the war starts in Ukraine, six years old Nina is sent to her grandmother’s remote village. In the shack outside, Nina discovers a badly wounded Russian soldier.

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Rex Dean joins us today on Salt Lake Dirt. Rex is the writer/director of Space Baby. I had a blast watching the film and when I found out the backstory, I was blown away!

Space Baby will have its world premiere at Dances with Films on Sunday June 25 at 6:30pm.

Purchase tickets HERE.

Great film, great chat.

Thanks for listening.

Kyler

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Craig Clevender is the author of The Contortionist's Handbook and Dermaphoria. His latest novel Mother Howl was recently released on Datura Books. On this episode we talk about about the origin of Mother Howl, imposter syndrome, and the evolution of the publishing industry.

Great book, great chat!

Thanks for listening.

Kyler

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Mother Howl synopsis:

"Sixteen-year-old Lyle Edison recognizes the face of a murder victim on the nightly news – the waitress at his local diner. A place he often frequented with his dad. The following day his father is arrested and charged with her murder. And then eight further bodies are discovered.

Following the revelation that his dad is in fact a serial killer, Lyle is outcast and shunned. Forced to abandon his family, illegally obtaining a new identity, he moves away to start all over again.

Some years later, Lyle thinks he has finally moved on. But after several brushes with the law, Lyle’s past eventually catches up to him when a mysterious stranger known only as Icarus shows up and seems to know Lyle’s secret…" (SOURCE: Datura Books)

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This week I begin my coverage of Dances with Films. DWF runs from June 22 to July 2, 2023 (TCL Chinese Theatres in Hollywood). I've been fortunate enough to screen some of the films beforehand and I've really enjoyed. One in particular, Farewelling, had a strong impact on me. I was thrilled to have Rodes Phire (writer & director) and lead actress Cristen Coppen from Farewelling on today's episode.

Great film, great chat! Make sure to purchase a ticket if you are in Los Angeles on June 24th. More details below.

Thanks for listening!

Kyler

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FAREWELLING- World Premiere Narrative

SYNOPSIS: In the midst of the pandemic and aftermath of her best friend’s overdose, Jenna finds herself in crisis as she reunites with those still around her. Questions of her own ethics and morals surface as she grapples with the “why” of everything, eventually discovering what it takes to truly break us. This is the World Premiere for the film at Dances with Film 26th Annual Film Festival.

Writer/DIrector: Rodes Phire Lead Actress: Cristen Coppen (Shameless)

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Today I'm thrilled to welcome James Martak from Hot House West to the show. James plays rhythm guitar in this swing orchestra inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt. I'm a big fan of their music and I'm always excited to see what they will come up with next.

On this episode James and I talk about the origins of the group, the evolution of the jazz community in Salt Lake, and their Kickstarter campaign that recently went live.

You can catch Hot House West play live on Tuesday June 6th at the Clubhouse on South Temple. The show is free so if you are in the area make sure to stop by. Free swing dance lessons start at 6:30pm and the music kicks off at 7:30pm.

Great music, great chat. Thanks for listening.

Kyler

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Today I welcome back one of my favorite authors. Megan Abbott joins me to talk about her new book Beware the Woman (May 30, 2023; G.P. Putnam's Sons). We talk the new book, writer's workshops, and photography. Great book, great chat!

Thanks for listening.

Kyler

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Beware the Woman Synopsis:

"Honey, I just want you to have everything you ever wanted. That’s what Jacy’s mom always told her. And Jacy felt like she finally did. Newly married and with a baby on the way, Jacy and her new husband, Jed, embark on their first road trip together to visit his father, Dr. Ash, in Michigan’s far-flung Upper Peninsula. The moment they arrive at the cottage snug within the lush woods, Jacy feels bathed in love by the warm and hospitable Dr. Ash, if less so by his house manager, the enigmatic Mrs. Brandt.

But their Edenic first days take a turn when Jacy has a health scare. Swiftly, vacation activities are scrapped, and all eyes are on Jacy’s condition. Suddenly, whispers about Jed’s long-dead mother and complicated family history seem to eerily impinge upon the present, and Jacy begins to feel trapped in the cottage, her every move surveilled, her body under the looking glass. But are her fears founded or is it paranoia, or cabin fever, or—as is suggested to her—a stubborn refusal to take necessary precautions? The dense woods surrounding the cottage are full of dangers, but are the greater ones inside? (Source: Penguin Random House)

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Author Bio:

Megan Abbott is the award-winning author of eleven novels, including New York Times bestseller The Turnout, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Give Me Your Hand, You Will Know Me, The Fever, Dare Me, and The End of Everything. She received her PhD in literature from New York University. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times Magazine, The Guardian, and The Believer. She's the co-creator and executive producer of USA's adaptation of Dare Me, now on Netflix, and was a staff writer on HBO's David Simon show The Deuce. Abbott lives in New York City.

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Filmmaker and author Greg Sestero joins me for this episode of Salt Lake Dirt. Greg wrote The Disaster Artist which is about his friendship with Tommy Wiseau and their experience making the cult classic film The Room. The book is one of the best film memoirs out there in my opinion. And of course, The Room speaks for itself. There is a reason why after 20 years the film resonates with a worldwide audience.

Greg will make his first Salt Lake City appearance on Saturday May 27, 2023. The Salt Lake Film Society will host a 35mm screening of The Room and a Q & A with Greg as well as some other fun surprises. You can grab tickets at SLFSTIX.com.

Great book, great film, great guy. I look forward to chatting with Greg in the future about his upcoming film projects.

Thanks for listening.

Kyler

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PURCHASE Tickets to the Salt Lake Screening:

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On this episode of Salt Lake Dirt we flip the format. Author C.E. Hoffman has an incredible podcast called Scribbles & Spills. I was a guest on the program a few months back. I had such a good time that I thought I would share our episode. So on this episode C.E. interviews me, Kyler Bingham. I hope you enjoy!

Thanks for listening!

Kyler

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Author Bio:

C.E. Hoffman is a recipient of a Silver Honourable Mention from the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Award, and winner of the 2022 Defunct May Day Chapbook contest. They’ve been published widely online and in print since 2010, and edited Punk Monk Magazine since 2012.

Current releases include SLUTS AND WHORES (Thurston Howl Publications, 2021), BLOOD, BOOZE, AND OTHER THINGS IN NATURE (Alien Buddha Press, 2022), GHOSTS, TROLLS, AND OTHER THINGS ON THE INTERNET (Bottlecap Press, 2022), and NO ACTUAL SIN (May Day Press/Defunct Magazine, 2023.)

Find them online at cehoffman.net, follow them on Twitter @CEHoffman2, and listen to their podcast Scribbles & Spills.

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SLD Podcast Info:

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