Concavity Show

By Matt Bucher & Dave Laird

Arts

What's Concavity Show about?

A podcast about literary fiction and the world of books, with hosts Matt Bucher and Dave Laird. [Logo by Chris Ayers]

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Concavity Show episodes:

05.06.2024
Episode 77 - Adam Levin, author of The Instructions, Bar Mitzvah Edition
In this episode, Dave and Matt sit down with Adam Levin to discuss the publication of the Bar Mitzvah edition of that great novel, The Instructions. They discuss growing up in the land of Bar Mitzvahs, the writing process, and...
01.29.2024
Episode 76 - 2023 Year in Review, featuring Ben "Felonies!" Diamond
It's our favorite annual episode on the show, when we get to look back at the best of our year in reading with someone else who has read cool stuff. This time it's with Ben Diamond, a very keen listener...
12.31.2023
Episode 75 - Diego Báez, Author of Yaguareté White
In Episode 75 we welcome poet Diego Báez back onto the show, to discuss his fantastic forthcoming book of poetry, Yaguareté White, which releases from University of Arizona Press on February 20, 2024. You can pre-order it directly from the publisher or from...
10.13.2023
Episode 74 - David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo
In this episode with speak with bestselling writer and journalist David Lipsky. To David Foster Wallace fans, Lipsky is, of course, familiar as the author of Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself which was the basis of the...
10.12.2023
Episode 74 - David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo
In this episode with speak with bestselling writer and journalist David Lipsky. To David Foster Wallace fans, Lipsky is, of course, familiar as the author of Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself which was the basis of the...
07.14.2023
BONUS: DFW vs Martin Amis: Every Tennis Match is a Ghost Story
BONUS: What do you think David Foster Wallace was really like in a tennis match? You are invited to listen to a tennis commentary of a fictional match played between David Foster Wallace and Martin Amis.
06.21.2023
Episode 73 - Matt Bucher, author of The Belan Deck
In Episode 73, Dave welcomes special guest Matt Bucher on the show to discuss his debut novel, The Belan Deck. Buy Matt's book here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-belan-deck-matt-bucher/19943822?ean=9798888623428 Biblioklept review: https://biblioklept.org/2023/06/02/matt-buchers-the-belan-deck-is-an-unexpectedly-moving-argument-for-humanity-and-serious-triviality/ The Belan Deck on Goodreads (featuring reviews by many of our amazing listeners, like Phillip...
04.21.2023
Episode 72 - Sheila Liming, author of Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time
In Episode 72, we welcome friend of the show, Edith Wharton scholar, accordion/bagpiper extraordinaire, and prolific writer, Sheila Liming on to talk about her new book Hanging Out, delving into the myriad ways that unstructured hang time is a radical,...
01.23.2023
Episode 71 - Year in Review 2022 with Evan Stephens Hall of Pinegrove
In this episode, we talk with prolific reader and accomplished musician Evan Stephens Hall from the band Pinegrove. We discuss his top books of the year and go through a few of our own favorite reading experiences from 2022. Here is...
11.29.2022
Episode 70 - Peyton Thomas, author of Both Sides Now
In episode 70, we talk to our friend Peyton Thomas, a DFW, Louisa May Alcott, and American Girl doll enthusiast. His recent YA novel, Both Sides Now, was published in 2021, and his writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, Pitchfork,...
11.01.2022
Episode 69 - Michael O’Connell, editor of Conversations with George Saunders
In Episode 69, we talk to our friend Mike O'Connell about his recent collection from University of Mississippi Press, Conversations with George Saunders, and discuss Mike's background, the origins of the collection, particulars of the interviews in the book, the trajectory...
08.04.2022
Episode 68 - Adam Levin, author of Mount Chicago
In Adam's second appearance on the show, we discuss his brand new novel, Mount Chicago, which follows a handful of characters living in the shadow of a "terrestrial anomaly" that befalls Chicago's downtown. Both hilarious and tragic, the book shows...
07.10.2022
Episode 67 - Christian TeBordo, author of The Apology (and DFW22 Conference Recap)
In Episode 67, we welcome Christian TeBordo back to the show to discuss his new novel, The Apology, as well as get a rundown of the recent David Foster Wallace conference in Austin, with overall reflections from Matt. Christian on Twitter - https://twitter.com/xtebordo Buy The...
03.23.2022
Episode 66 - Dario Diofebi, author of Paradise, Nevada
In Episode 66, we welcome Dario Diofebi, the mind behind one of our favorite books of 2021, Paradise, Nevada, from Bloomsbury Publishing. You can buy the book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/paradise-nevada-9781635576207/ Stay tuned for the bonus episode, dropping about two weeks from this launch. Check...
02.18.2022
Episode 65 - Kyle Beachy, author of The Most Fun Thing
In Episode 65, we bear witness to the glorious return of Kyle Beachy to the show, to discuss his new book on skateboarding (and marriage, architecture, literature, etc.), The Most Fun Thing: Dispatches from a Skateboard Life, out now from Grand...
12.31.2021
Episode 64 - 2021 Year in Review
In Episode 64, we recount our year in reading, noting our highlights along the way. Stay tuned for Film, TV, and Music in the Patreon bonus episode! Apple Music Year End Playlist - https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/concavity-show-best-of-2021/pl.u-r2yBJmEIPj5rYl Spotify Year End Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/39OGzFZKMCQGSoZIQGudL6?si=366545dd4e93492d Show Notes: Robyn O'Neil...
12.03.2021
Episode 63 -Deb Olin Unferth
In Episode 63, Matt and Dave talk to Deb Olin Unferth—author of the fantastic novels Barn 8 and Vacation, short story collections Wait Till You See Me Dance and Minor Robberies, and the memoir Revolution—about her writing, research, and creative writing teaching. Contact Deb...
10.18.2021
Episode 62 - Phillip Freedenberg & Jeff Walton
In Episode 62, Dave and Matt talk to the author and illustrator of the cryptic meganovel sensation, America and the Cult of the Cactus Boots: A Diagnostic, out now from Corona/Samizdat Press. Audio recording featuring thunder! Show Notes: Buy the book: 20€ +...
09.07.2021
Episode 61 - Steve Erickson (feat. Matt Luter & Mike Miley)
In Episode 61, we welcome the highly celebrated, multi award-winning American writer Steve Erickson, author of Shadowbahn, Tours of the Black Clock, These Dreams of You, and a host of other novels and non-fiction. To help celebrate the release of Conversations with...
08.06.2021
Episode 60 - Brandon Hobson
In Episode 60, Dave and Matt are joined by National Book Award Finalist, Brandon Hobson, to discuss his brand new novel, The Removed, as well as his other tremendous fiction. Notable links: Order The Removed - https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-removed-brandon-hobson?variant=32126575837218 Healer of the Water Monster by Brian...
07.01.2021
Episode 59 - Introducing....Concavity Show
In Episode 59, Dave and Matt make a special announcement about the podcast, and outline a host of exciting changes! There is also a Jessica Anthony Enter the Aardvark giveaway contest, so hang in til the end. You have until the...
03.01.2021
Episode 58 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Chris Via of Leaf by Leaf
In Episode 58, Dave and Matt are joined by YouTube creator Chris Via of the Leaf by Leaf book review/discussion channel. A special surprise guest also makes an appearance that was about impossible to seamlessly edit out! We discuss Chris' excellent...
02.08.2021
Episode 57.3 - 2020 Year in Review (Feat. Grace Chipperfield) - Part 3
In the third and final installment of our 2020 Year in Review episode, Dr. Grace Chipperfield joins us to talk about her Ph.D. thesis on Wallace, and the music and board/video games that stood out this year. Show Notes: TGC's Best of...
01.19.2021
Episode 57.2 - 2020 Year in Review (Feat. Chris Ayers) - Part 2
In Part 2 of our 2020 Year in Review, we talk to old friend of the show, Chris Ayers, our resident film and TV specialist, about the year in screen-based entertainment. Part 3 with Grace Chipperfield coming soon! Find Chris' amazing Wallace-related...
01.01.2021
Episode 57.1 - 2020 Year in Review (Feat. Matt Luter) - Part 1
Given our Year of Collective Quarantine, we had so much to talk about w/r/t our literary and pop-cultural consumption, that we have a three-parter for our 2020 recap. In Part 1 here, we talk to old friend and recurring guest of...
09.17.2020
Episode 56 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Jessica Anthony, author of Enter the Aardvark and The Convalescent
In Episode 56, we have the great pleasure of talking to Jessica Anthony about her exceptional new book, Enter the Aardvark, as well as our classic favorite, The Convalescent, which you've no doubt heard us mention over the years. Jess unpacks for...
07.22.2020
Episode 55 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Christian TeBordo, author of Ghost Engine and Toughlahoma
In Episode 55, we're joined by writer Christian TeBordo, author of the recent short story collection Ghost Engine, and novel Toughlahoma. He's the director of the creative writing program at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and a colleague and friend of recent...
05.26.2020
Episode 54 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Martina Testa
In Episode 54, we talk to Martina Testa, Editor at Edizioni SUR, and one of Wallace's Italian translators and interpreters. The conversation explores her background with discovering Wallace's writing, getting contracts to translate his work, the Italian fervour surrounding him,...
04.07.2020
Episode 53 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Adam Levin, author of Bubblegum and The Instructions
In Episode 53, we're joined by the writer Adam Levin, author of The Instructions, Hot Pink, and the incredible forthcoming novel Bubblegum, which releases April 14, 2020. In our conversation, we talk a good deal about the new novel, Adam's experience reading/thinking about Wallace,...
03.08.2020
Episode 52 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Jon Baskin
In Episode 52, we talk to Jon Baskin, author of the exciting new book Ordinary Unhappiness: The Therapeutic Fiction of David Foster Wallace. Topics of exploration in the conversation include Freud, Wittgenstein, and hating Ben Lerner (or not). You can find out...
01.01.2020
Episode 51 - 2019 Year in Review (feat. Mike Miley)
In Episode 51, we bring on our resident film expert and Episode 38 guest Mike Miley to talk about our year in books, movies, music, TV, and games. Show Notes: Link to Jeff Tweedy & George Saunders interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWlKCB1JCG0 2019 Playlist (iTunes): https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/the-great-concavitys-best-of-2019/pl.u-yZyVVY3tYq2akv 2019 Playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6blJyhTb9QdKFB1qdyc9ug Mike's...
12.11.2019
Episode 50 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Michael McGowan & Martin Brick
In Episode 50, we talk to Michael McGowan and Martin Brick, the editors of David Foster Wallace and Religion: Essays on Faith and Fiction, out now from Bloomsbury Academic: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/david-foster-wallace-and-religion-9781501345289/ Contact our guests: Michael McGowan: [email protected] Martin Brick: [email protected] Contact Dave & Matt Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - [email protected] Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/
11.07.2019
Episode 49.2 - Discussing David Foster Wallace & Don DeLillo’s Letters
This is the second and final episode covering Wallace and DeLillo's correspondence, housed at the Ransom Center Archive in Austin, Texas. Show notes: 1996 Leonard Lopate interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ4AeIRKbfwhttps://www.wnyc.org/story/56878-david-foster-wallace/ 1996 David Streitfeld piece: https://craigfehrman.com/2010/05/05/details-1996-profile-of-david-foster-wallace/ Robyn O'Neil's show at The Modern, WE, THE MASSES: https://www.themodern.org/exhibition/upcoming/robyn-oneil-we-the-masses-/5115 Robyn O'Neil pop-up shop at The...
09.26.2019
Episode 49.1 - Discussing David Foster Wallace & Don DeLillo's Letters
After a very busy summer, Dave and Matt reconvene to discuss the Wallace/DeLillo correspondence housed at the Ransom Center in Austin, Texas. This will be the first instalment of a several-part episode, as there's a lot here to cover! Five Dials,...
07.01.2019
Episode 48 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Yonina Hoffman
In Episode 48, we're joined by Yonina Hoffman. Yonina is PhD student at the Ohio State University. Her work centers around, you guessed it, David Foster Wallace. In this discussion, we cover a range of topics around DFW's work and Yonina's...
05.10.2019
Episode 47 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Jim Gauer, author of Novel Explosives
In Episode 47, we're joined by Jim Gauer, author of the excellent Novel Explosives, a book you've no doubt heard us mention in recent conversations. Jim is a mathematician, published poet, and self-described as the world's only Marxist venture capitalist. In this...
04.05.2019
Episode 46 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Marshall Boswell
In Episode 46 we talk to Rhodes College professor and O.G. Wallace scholar Marshall Boswell about his new book The Wallace Effect: David Foster Wallace and the Contemporary Literary Imagination, out now from Bloomsbury Press! As usual, we bash Franzen a bit,...
03.11.2019
Episode 45 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Kyle Beachy
In Episode 45, we get to talk to Kyle Beachy, Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing at Roosevelt U in Chicago, and author of the novel The Slide. In it, we discuss his extensive teaching of Wallace's work to creative...
01.21.2019
Episode 44 - 2018 Year in Review
In this episode, Dave and Matt talk about their favorite literary and pop-cultural artifacts from the past year. This episode offers a contest as well, associated with the following music playlist. Good luck! TGC's Favorite Music of 2018 (iTunes) - https://itunes.apple.com/ca/playlist/the-great-concavitys-favorite-songs-of-2018/pl.u-pMyll2jh4KoErM TGC's Favorite...
12.20.2018
Episode 43 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Bo Butler
In Episode 43 we meet our nemesis Bo Butler of Pynchon in Public for the inevitable postmodern fiction podcast throwdown. Join us as we discuss the history of our beefing over literary turf and all related topics!
11.19.2018
Episode 42 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Esther J. Cepeda
In Episode 42 we talk to Chicago-based journalist and teacher Esther J. Cepeda about her love of Wallace, annual Infinite Jest reads, and other related literature and pop culture. A huge thank you to our Patrons as well on #ThankYouPatrons day...
10.25.2018
Episode 41 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Tim Personn
In Episode 41, we talk to Dr. Tim Personn (in person!) from the University of Victoria about his recently-defended dissertation, "Fictions of Proximity: The Wallace Nexus in Contemporary Literature." Buckle up for a philosophical discussion, as Tim takes us on a...
08.25.2018
Episode 40 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Greg Carlisle
In Episode 40, we welcome Greg Carlisle, author of the Infinite Jest commentary, Elegant Complexity, and Nature's Nightmare, an analysis of Wallace's Oblivion collection. Greg's books here: http://www.sideshowmediagroup.com/books/ Contact Greg: [email protected]
06.26.2018
Episode 39 - 2018 ISU David Foster Wallace Conference Review (feat. Matt Luter)
We're joined by repeat guest Matt Luter to talk about all the fun Dave missed out on at the recent Illinois State University Wallace conference, held June 7-9, 2018. Topics covered include panel recaps, anagram alter egos, karaoke highlights, and...
05.06.2018
Episode 38 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Mike Miley
In Episode 38 we talk again with Mike Miley, Vice President of the International David Foster Wallace Society and quiz kid extraordinaire. Topics include film, game shows, Oliver Stone, JFK assassination scoops, and hanging out with Michael Silverblatt. Show Notes: Smart Set...
04.05.2018
Episode 37 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Andrea Laurencell Sheridan & Diego Báez
In Episode 37 we welcome the Diversity Committee Coordinators from the International David Foster Wallace Society to talk about issues of representation in the writing of Wallace, and within the Wallace community itself. Relevant links: Diversity Announcement - https://www.dfwsociety.org/2017/05/27/introducing-the-diversity-committee/ Diversity Blog Posts -...
02.23.2018
Episode 36 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with William Beutler and Bill Lattanzi
In Episode 36 we have not one, but two special guests(!), both experts in the cartography of Infinite Jest's Boston (and beyond). William Beutler is the creative mind behind the staggeringly glorious Infinite Map (among other things), and Bill Lattanzi has...
01.12.2018
Episode 35 - 2017 Year in Review
In this episode, we stray a bit off our usual Wallacian course (but not too far) to discuss our literary and pop-culture highlights from the last solar revolution. Links we said we'd share: Robyn O'Neil's 20 Years of Drawings: https://www.archonprojects.com/shop/robyn-oneil-20-years-of-drawings Me Reading Stuff podcast by Robyn...
12.18.2017
Episode 34 - Discussing OzWallace with Nick Maniatis and Tony Mcmahon
In this episode we're joined by friends Nick and Tony to discuss Australia's first ever David Foster Wallace conference, which was held in Melbourne during September 1-3, 2017. Following a discussion of the conference proceedings, join auxillary Concavityite Nick Maniatis...
11.06.2017
Episode 33 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Allard den Dulk
In this episode we talk with Allard about philosophy and film in relation to the work of Wallace, and to lesser extent, Dave Eggers and Jonathan Safran Foer. Dr. Allard den Dulk is Lecturer in Philosophy, Literature and Film at Amsterdam University...

What's Concavity Show about?

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Concavity Show episodes:

Episode 77 - Adam Levin, author of The Instructions, Bar Mitzvah Edition

Episode 76 - 2023 Year in Review, featuring Ben "Felonies!" Diamond

Episode 75 - Diego Báez, Author of Yaguareté White

Episode 74 - David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo

Episode 74 - David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo

BONUS: DFW vs Martin Amis: Every Tennis Match is a Ghost Story

Episode 73 - Matt Bucher, author of The Belan Deck

Episode 72 - Sheila Liming, author of Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time

Episode 71 - Year in Review 2022 with Evan Stephens Hall of Pinegrove

Episode 70 - Peyton Thomas, author of Both Sides Now

Episode 69 - Michael O’Connell, editor of Conversations with George Saunders

Episode 68 - Adam Levin, author of Mount Chicago

Episode 67 - Christian TeBordo, author of The Apology (and DFW22 Conference Recap)

Episode 66 - Dario Diofebi, author of Paradise, Nevada

Episode 65 - Kyle Beachy, author of The Most Fun Thing

Episode 64 - 2021 Year in Review

Episode 63 -Deb Olin Unferth

Episode 62 - Phillip Freedenberg & Jeff Walton

Episode 61 - Steve Erickson (feat. Matt Luter & Mike Miley)

Episode 60 - Brandon Hobson

Episode 59 - Introducing....Concavity Show

Episode 58 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Chris Via of Leaf by Leaf

Episode 57.3 - 2020 Year in Review (Feat. Grace Chipperfield) - Part 3

Episode 57.2 - 2020 Year in Review (Feat. Chris Ayers) - Part 2

Episode 57.1 - 2020 Year in Review (Feat. Matt Luter) - Part 1

Episode 56 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Jessica Anthony, author of Enter the Aardvark and The Convalescent

Episode 55 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Christian TeBordo, author of Ghost Engine and Toughlahoma

Episode 54 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Martina Testa

Episode 53 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Adam Levin, author of Bubblegum and The Instructions

Episode 52 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Jon Baskin

Episode 51 - 2019 Year in Review (feat. Mike Miley)

Episode 50 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Michael McGowan & Martin Brick

Episode 49.2 - Discussing David Foster Wallace & Don DeLillo’s Letters

Episode 49.1 - Discussing David Foster Wallace & Don DeLillo's Letters

Episode 48 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Yonina Hoffman

Episode 47 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Jim Gauer, author of Novel Explosives

Episode 46 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Marshall Boswell

Episode 45 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Kyle Beachy

Episode 44 - 2018 Year in Review

Episode 43 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Bo Butler

Episode 42 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Esther J. Cepeda

Episode 41 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Tim Personn

Episode 40 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Greg Carlisle

Episode 39 - 2018 ISU David Foster Wallace Conference Review (feat. Matt Luter)

Episode 38 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Mike Miley

Episode 37 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Andrea Laurencell Sheridan & Diego Báez

Episode 36 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with William Beutler and Bill Lattanzi

Episode 35 - 2017 Year in Review

Episode 34 - Discussing OzWallace with Nick Maniatis and Tony Mcmahon

Episode 33 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Allard den Dulk

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