The Volume Knob

David is one of the most enthusiastic and openhearted members of the New York storytelling community I've had the opportunity to work with. He's also TIRELESS. You can see his work everywhere, from The Moth, to Awkward Teenage Years. 

You can read him and his work here!  His site includes many examples of his writing (and some pictures of Dave during his shaved-head hardcore phase). You can also follow him on youtube and instagram. 

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].

Where to begin? 

Cyndi is a force of nature who has been teaching, producing and inspiring storytellers in New York City for a very long time. You can learn more about her on her website and by following her on twitter, facebook and instagram.

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].

As I mentioned in his intro, Matthew Dicks is one of North America's leading personal storytellers. You can learn more about him on his website which includes links to his twitter, instagram and facebook accounts. You can also learn more about Matthew's analytical approach to storytelling on the podcast that he hosts with his wife Elysha Dicks. It's called Speak Up Storytelling.

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].

Shalewa Sharpe is an effing boss! I'm so happy that she made time to be on the show. 

You can follow her on twitter, instagram and facebook; check out the podcast (The War Report with Gastor and Shalewa) that she hosts with friend of TVK Gastor Almonte or listen one of her comedy albums Stay Eating Cookies or So, You Just Out Here?  There's also a tonne of her material on Youtube including this legendary interaction between her, the late Chadwick Boseman and Jimmy Fallon. I repeat, funny, funny and smart SMART.

Unfortunately, I had to edit out a fantastic explanation that Shalewa gave about the musical significance of John Hendrix, his trio Lambert Hendrix and Ross and the vocalese movement that they were a major part of but, if you're interested you should at the very least listen to the whole version of Gimmie That Wine either before or after you hear Shalewa's story.

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].

Tracey is a fixture on the New York storytelling scene. If you want to hear more of her work, make sure to head to QED in Queens for one of their events or to check out her Instagram account where she has posted a series of one-minute stories. Tracey is also a producer of the Telling Favourites series.

No playlist this week (I know, I know... if you miss them, tell me so at [email protected]) but I do have an anecdote. Unlike Tracey, I was able to attend Pearl Jam's first ever headlining tour (Montreal's Doughboys opened for them at the Robert Guertin Arena in what was then called Hull, Quebec). The story of getting those tickets was remarkable enough, but it wasn't until I heard Tracey's story that I realised that I'd been mishearing the lyrics to Once for almost 30 years (no, Keith, you dummy it's not "Once, oh party time"). 

Sigh. 

As always, I think the stories sound better if you listen to the whole song either before or afterwards.

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].

So much fun having Aditya's perspective and sense of humour this week. You can hear a story he told on The Moth here there's also a great story he told about going to Wimbledon right here. He's also on Instagram both as himself and as a DJ.

I've had to hold off pulling together a playlist for the first few episodes of this season. Drop me a line at [email protected] if you miss them. 

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].

So happy to start off Season 3 of the show with a performer as talented (and fun to work with!) as Sandi.  If you're interested in hearing more of her unique brand of humour and storytelling be sure to check out Sandi's website which has links to her appearances on Risk! and The Moth and to follow her on Twitter Facebook and Instagram.  While you're on Sandi's web page, be sure to watch the trailer for The Fabulist the 2020 documentary about her storytelling journey.

I think Kate was right about the ubiquity of Hit Me With Your Best Shot which has to be recognisable to most folks 7 to 70.  That said, I didn't know that it was co-written by songwriter (and member of the Order of Canada) Eddie Schwartz. The more you know.

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].

Grant is a co-founder of the Awkward Teenage Years  storytelling series with Will Clegg from Episode 25. As I mentioned during Will's Episode, ATY is a fun project that you can follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Twitch (?).  Grant is also active on Twitter and Insta. You can also learn more about him on his web site.

This week's playlist is kinda silly. I'm calling it Mr. Fahrenheit but it's a list of (mostly) covers on the theme of "don't stop".  You may only listen to it once, but I hope you enjoy it anyway! 

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].

Katie IS a warm, generous, talented and enthusiastic storyteller. 

What Katie IS NOT is an aggressive self-promoter. She has no twitter account and her Instagram is private. So, if you want to learn more about her work you could do worse than getting to know New York's self-proclaimed "second longest running personal storytelling show" The Nights of Our Lives where  Katie is a frequent performer.  You can also follow The Nights of Our Lives on Twitter or subscribe to their podcast.

I had a lot of fun digging into my personal treasure trove of "dance-inspiring" music this week to make a playlist called A Steam Punk's Journey.  I found myself agreeing with Myles' review of Little Bird (ok, but not really for me). Despite this, though, it did lead me down some interesting (mostly 70s) rabbit holes. I hope you enjoy it.

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.  While you're on the web, don't forget to sign up for the mailing list! I'd love to keep you up to date on the latest and greatest from Planet Volume Knob.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].

Awkward Teenage Years  is the name of the storytelling series that Will co-founded. You can follow them on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Twitch (?). You can also follow Will directly on Twitter and the 'gram.

This week's playlist is called  Songs About Blood and Whiskey (hold the blood, frankly). A list of songs about the drink and what comes after. I hope you enjoy it. 

Make sure you follow The Volume Knob on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or at our website volumeknob.net.

And if you have a story about the song that saved your life be sure to send it to me at [email protected].