In this special year-end bonus episode, I interview... myself! Well, sort of. COVID and the holidays got the better of me and we did not get any new episodes with guests scheduled or recorded, so instead I found a quiet moment to let you get to know a little more about your host, me, Ciara Barsotti. I hope you enjoy this little musing episode and that it gives you some pleasant company wherever you are.

Learn more about me @ciarabarsotti on Instagram or at www.ciarabarsotti.com!

Stay tuned for new episodes in the new year, and become a show supporter to help me make more and better episodes! Thanks so much for all of your support during our first year on the air 💚

You can catch episodes of the podcast on Maker Radio at 94.5 FM in Chico!

In this episode, I interview local musician Cody "Kat" Johns, who is a local music teacher, punk rock drummer, guitarist and singer-songwriter, among many other things! We dive deep into how events in her life have shaped her music, and how the community she has found through music has, in turn, shaped her life. Such a great conversation that I can't wait for you to hear!

Follow Kat at @kat.johns.music on Instagram or learn more about her at https://katjohnsmusic.com/. You can join Kat at her community Open Mic at the Chico Taproom every Tuesday night - sign ups start at 6pm. And keep an ear out for her new album releasing in Spring of 2024!

The Chico Creates podcast is made possible by supporters like you! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a founding supporter of the podcast here⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thank you for keeping the show going!!

Theme song is ⁠⁠"Take Your Time"⁠⁠ by Chico musician ⁠⁠⁠⁠Lorna Such.

Huge thank you as always to the Chico team at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Metric Cosmetics⁠⁠⁠⁠ for recording and editing this episode.

In Episode 8, I interview Christian Laney-Clark, the designer and artist behind Therros Western, a brand new art-forward handmade Western shirt brand! We talk about how he ended up sewing and the story behind his latest series, "A Westerly Direction," which you can find at the 1078 Gallery this December!

Follow Christian at @therroswestern and catch him at the artist reception at 1078 on December 1 from 6-8 pm.

The Chico Creates podcast is made possible by supporters like you! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Become a founding supporter⁠ of the podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ - thank you!!

In Episode 7, I interview two guests! Lorna Such and Webster Moore share how their love of music and this funky little band has grown over the years into something truly spectacular, how they weathered the pandemic, and what is next for the band Lo & Behold. This is a super fun episode that I think you'll enjoy!

Lo & Behold is a seven-piece groove band from Chico, California. Bringing a mix of soul, funk, groove, and tight rhythms, Lo & Behold's energetic shows will make you want to dance while capitulating the dizzying arrangements. Lo & Behold features Lorna Such and Webster Moore on vocals, singing soaring intertwined melodies that are supported by the two man horn section that carefully accents the tight arrangements. The rhythm section sways from classic funk, to nü jazz and back again, keeping pleasant surprises in every song.

Their new album releases this December! Keep an eye on their Bandcamp for "Chunk."

You can find Lorna Such on Instagram at @suchalorna and Webster Moore at @webby_moore and of course, follow the band at @loandbeholdband.

In Episode 6, artist Christian Davila and I discuss why as artists we make what we make and how to discover your artistic voice, as well as all things bird-obsession and some of her innovative techniques to create her stunning bird sculptures. I don't know about you but I definitely want to add one of these beautiful birdies to my art collection!

Other local groups/folks mentioned are Tatiana of the Chico Art Studio, the Idea Fab Labs, the Chico Arts and Culture Foundation (which does public art tours in summer), Upper Crust Bakery, and Valerie Rose's Sign Sign Project. You can pick up a copy of the Birds/Trees/Wildflowers of Chico at The Bookstore in downtown Chico!

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Lauren Meichtry on the relationship between cities and the humans that inhabit them! We discuss growing up in Chico, comparing the differences between US cities and European ones, and the creativity in all of us.

Thanks for listening to episode 4 of the Chico Creates Podcast! In this episode, I interview local musician Pat Hull! Check out my conversation with him on managing the creative process, teaching as a spiritual practice, parenting, the natural ebb and flow of energy and how it all intersects to create our lives and add depth to our experience.

The Chico Creates podcast is made possible by supporters like you! ⁠Become a founding supporter of the podcast⁠.

Theme song is "Take Your Time" by Chico musician ⁠Lorna Such⁠.

Huge thank you to the Chico team at ⁠Metric Cosmetics⁠ for recording and editing this episode.

Thanks for listening to episode 3 of the Chico Creates Podcast! In this episode, I interview local artist, long-time Butte County resident, and retired art high school teacher, Reta Rickmers! She shares stories of her travels around the world and the country and California before settling in Chico, and goes into detail about her latest bodies of work.

The Chico Creates podcast is made possible by supporters like you! ⁠Become a founding supporter of the podcast⁠.

Thanks for listening to episode 2 of the Chico Creates Podcast! In this episode, I interview local Chico artist and art teacher, Julian LaCombe! We talk about growing up as nerdy kids in rural areas, managing all the different aspects of a creative life, and our shared love of fantasy.

It's the Pilot Episode of the Chico Creates Podcast! In this episode, I interview local Chico artist, Greg Shafer, about his "Working Gods" show created during his tenure in the Idea Fab Labs Incubator program in Fall of 2022 as well as his thoughts on life in Chico, the honor of taking up a person's wall space, and tea.

You can find Greg Shafer's work on his Instagram @gregorioshaforio, or book a forest therapy walk with him through the Chico State Ecotherapy Program. Learn more about Idea Fab Labs here.

The Chico Creates podcast is made possible by supporters like you! Donate here

Theme song is "Take Your Time" by Chico musician Lorna Such

Huge thank you to the Chico team at Metric Cosmetics for producing and editing this episode.