On this episode of West Texas Talk, Elise sits down with Keith Maitland who directed Tower, a documentary that tells the stories of the witnesses, heroes and survivors of America's first mass school shooting, which happened at the University of Texas. Maitland discusses his use of animation, shooting scenes in his own backyard, and the catharsis the film provided for those who experienced the event.

Tower will be showing at the Crowley Theater at 6PM on Thursday March 23rd, followed by a Q+A with Keith Maitland and Sarah Wilson. Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS

On this episode of West Texas Talk, Elise is joined in the studio by special guests in town for Marfa Myths, Chulita Vinyl Club, an all-girl all-vinyl club playing their favorite records in our studio. Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS

This is part 2 of a series of talks produced by students in the Youth Media Program at Marfa ISD. In past years, students have focused on more news-oriented features with multiple voices. This time around, we thought it would be good for the students to experience a one-on-one interview with just one subject.

First up is Christian interviewing Shawn Williams, a rancher and pipeline worker.

Second is Kendra interviewing Coach Alferez who teaches a folklórico class at Marfa ISD.

Third is Kat interviewing Mr. Thornsburg who teaches geometry at Marfa ISD. He was a marine and shares some of his stories about that experience. Hosted by Sally Beauvais and Zoe Kurland for KRTS

This is one of a 2 part series of talks produced by students in the Youth Media Program at Marfa ISD. In past years, students have focused on more news-oriented features with multiple voices. This time around, we thought it would be good for the students to experience a one-on-one interview with just one subject.

First up is Lalli Brito interviewing her mother, Elizabeth Brito. Lalli talks to Elizabeth about what it was like to grow up and raise her younger sisters after her mother was deported.

Next up, Coy Livingston interviews a State Trooper, Dylan Henry, about his job. Full disclosure: Coy wants to be a state trooper when he gets older.

Finally we have Kaci Flores interviewin... Hosted by Sally Beauvais and Zoe Kurland for KRTS

Diana Nguyen talks to Dain and Constance Perry who appear in the documentary “Traces of the Trade, ” a film released in 2008 from director Katrina Browne. The filmmaker explores her ancestry's connection with the large slave trade network in the North. Throughout the film, she and her family learn more about their history and work through reckoning with their past.

Constance and Dain are part of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, and work together to bring the film to new audiences around the nation. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of this film and understanding the history of the slave trade. Hosted by Diana Nguyen for KRTS

This weekend is the Marfa Myths Music festival in Marfa and one of the biggest names on the extensive lineup includes Roy Erickson, a seminal figure in psychedelic music and member of the band that coined the term “Psychedelic Rock”  - The 13th Floor Elevators.

Joining us on this edition of West Texas Talk is Paul  Drummond, a biographer of the Elevators who recently released a book titled Eye Mind: The Saga of Roky Erickson and the 13th Floor Elevators, The Pioneers of Psychedelic Sound.

He also participated in a conversation and exhibition with curator Johan Kugelberg during the festival. Hosted by Jackson Wisdorf for KRTS

On this episode of West Texas Talk, Elise Pepple sits down with the curator of the new art exhibition, Strange Attractor, opening at Ballroom Marfa, and 3 of the participating artists:  Lucky Dragons, the collaborative project of Sarah Rara and Luke Fischbeck, and Thomas Ashcraft, artist and citizen scientist.

Strange Attractor is an exhibition exploring the uncertainties and poetics of networks, environmental events, technology, and sound. The term “strange attractor” describes the inherent order embedded in chaos, perceivable in harmonious yet unpredictable patterns. This mathematical concept is a useful trope for the elusive order in our lived experience, and the vital pursuit of... Hosted by Elise Pepple for KRTS

On tonight's West Texas Talk, Jackson Wisdorf speaks over the phone with Tom Neilson, a musician and social justice advocate, to talk about his inspirations, world travels, and how music has the ability to reach people in different ways compared to other forms of communication.

You can hear some of Tom's music here

Hosted by Jackson Wisdorf for KRTS

For tonight’s episode, Elise Pepple and J.P. Schwartz sit down with the legendary Canadian singer and songwriter Gordon Lightfoot. He is famous for such hits as "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," "‎If You Could Read My Mind," and many more. Lightfoot discusses, punctuality, his friendship with Bob Dylan, going on tour, and confides in us the ultimate secret to working out.

Lightfoot will be performing at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center in Midland on March 8th at 8:00 pm. Hosted by Elise Pepple and J.P. Schwartz for KRTS

Rachel Monroe sits down with poet, essayist, translator, cultural critic and Lannan resident Lewis Hyde.

Hyde takes a specific interest in imagination, creativity, and property, art-making at odds with commerce. He has authored The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World, Trickster Makes this World: Mischief, Myth and Art and Common as Air: Revolution, Art, and Ownership on these topics, and today sits down to talk about his latest work on memory. Hosted by Rachel Monroe for KRTS