72 episodes
Rock Is Lit Pantheon Plus
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- Fiction
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5.0 • 12 Ratings
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“I really tried to create a band that I would love, if they were real”— Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones & The Six
Fiction writers have long been seduced by the anarchy, defiance, and raw power of rock ‘n roll, creating stories about music, the people who make it, and the characters who love it with the same intensity as the most ambitious concept albums. But until Rock is Lit first aired in September 2022, there had never been a podcast devoted to this art form—the rock novel—and the show remains a singularity.
In each episode, host Christy Alexander Hallberg, author of the award-winning rock novel Searching for Jimmy Page (Livingston Press, 2021), interviews authors about craft and the musical inspiration behind their work, then brings in music experts, like legendary groupie Pamela Des Barres, to add real-world context to the bands or musical periods featured in the novels. Hallberg has quickly earned a reputation as a meticulous researcher and creative producer, frequently garnering compliments from guests such as Rex Weiner, author of The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane: “You’re so well versed in what I wrote and, of course, your own rock ‘n roll history is pretty terrific.”
The podcast’s growing roster of rock novels includes: Dana Spiotta’s National Book Award-nominated Eat the Document, works by BIPOC authors like Chris L. Terry’s Black Card, metal-centric novels like John Wray’s Gone to the Wolves, YA LGBTQ debuts like Jessamyn Violet’s Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar, Scifi rock novels like Sarah Pinsker’s Nebula Award-winning A Song For A New Day, rock novels adapted to film like Garth Risk Hallberg’s City on Fire, and celebrity rock novels like the legendary Suzi Quatro’s The Hurricane.
Tune in to Rock is Lit and join the mounting number of Lit Listeners on their quest to find the very best rock novels.
Watch the trailer on YouTube.
Find Christy Alexander Hallberg and Rock is Lit on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
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Rock Queen Writers: A Panel Discussion on Writing About Musicians in Fiction, with Jessamyn Violet, Mallory Smart, Claire Hopple, Kirsti MacKenzie
*Listen to the audio-only episode here, or watch the video version on YouTube, which may make putting voices with faces easier since there are five people in the interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkCdyH7Y_YM
*The audio-only episode was taken directly from the video without further editing.
I’m so excited about this special episode of Rock is Lit. It’s a first for the podcast, actually: a panel discussion, with four amazing women rock novelists, hailing from Canada to Chicago to LA and back to my neck of the woods here in Asheville, NC.
Kirsti MacKenzie, Mallory Smart, Claire Hopple, and Rock is Lit veteran Jessamyn Violet are joining me to talk about our experiences and thoughts about writing fiction about musicians.
Jessamyn Violet is a writer and musician out of Venice Beach, CA. Her debut novel, ‘Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar’, was published in April 2023 by Three Rooms Press. Short fiction can be found in ‘Ploughshares’, ‘Lit Angeles’, ‘805 Art + Lit Journal’, and more. She is also the drummer for the psych rock band Movie Club.
Mallory Smart is a Chicago-based writer and Editor-in-Chief of Maudlin House. Some people even call her ‘The Only Living Girl in Chicago’. Mallory is the host of the podcast Textual Healing, where she dives into the fusion of literature and music, and co-hosts That Horrorcast with Dmitry Samarov where they get lost in the weird world of horror films. Her latest book, ‘I Keep My Visions To Myself’, just came out from With an X Books.
Kirsti MacKenzie is the author of ‘Better to Beg’, as well as editor in chief of ‘Major 7th Magazine’. Her work has been published in ‘HAD’, ‘Rejection Letters’, ‘trampset’, ‘Autofocus’, ‘Maudlin House’, ‘Identity Theory’, and elsewhere.
Claire Hopple is the author of six books and the fiction editor at XRAY. Her stories have appeared in ‘Wigleaf’, ‘Vol. 1 Brooklyn’, ‘Forever Mag’, and others. She grew up in the woods of Pennsylvania and currently lives in Asheville, NC. Her next book, ‘Take it Personally’, is forthcoming from Stalking Horse Press in February 2025.
Each of these four talented authors brings a unique perspective to the conversation. From the creative sparks that ignite our own work to the cultural impacts of rock novels in general, we'll navigate the winding paths of character development and uncovering the challenges of breathing life into fictional musicians while honoring the essence of their real-life counterparts. We'll delve into the stigmas surrounding rock novels, dissecting perceptions and stereotypes to reveal the nuanced portrayals crafted by these talented authors.
And of course, no discussion on writing fiction about musicians would be complete without reflecting on current trends and the evolution of the genre, including the explosive success of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s rock novel ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’.
So, tune in and turn up the volume as Rock is Lit takes you on a journey through the pages of rock literature, where every word is a chord and every story a kickass concert.
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Rock is Lit Episode 26, Jessamyn Violet: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jessamynvioletwithlinalecaro
Jessamyn Violet’s website: https://jessamynviolet.com/bio
Jessamyn Violet on Instagram and Twitter: @jessamynviolet
Movie Club’s website: https://www.movieclubtheband.com/about
Kirsti MacKenzie on Twitter: @KeersteeMack
Mallory Smart’s website: https://mallorysmart.com/
Mallory Smart on Twitter and Instagram: @malsmart
Claire Hopple’s website: https://clairehopple.wordpress.com/bio/
Claire Hopple on Twitter and Instagram: @clairehopple
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s -
Exploring Jewish Identity, The Holocaust, and the Healing Power of Music in Jason Warburg’s Novel ‘Home Was a Dream’
In Episode 51, Jason Warburg delves into the intricacies of his new novel, the third in his Tim Green series, ‘Home Was a Dream’, where themes of Jewish heritage, identity, and the haunting legacy of the Holocaust intertwine with the healing power of music. Jason shares insights into his personal connection to Jewish culture and history, revealing how these influences shaped the characters’ journeys in the novel. Through the lens of characters grappling with their Jewish identity, Jason explores the profound repercussions of the Holocaust on a generation haunted by loss and trauma. Against this backdrop, music emerges as a potent force, offering solace and connection amidst the turmoil. Through an engaging discussion, Jason illuminates the ways in which music serves as a conduit for healing and understanding, weaving together the threads of personal and collective memory in a tale that resonates with emotional depth and resonance.
PLAYLIST
No Copyright Music/Classic Rock
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
“Oh Very Young” by Cat Stevens
“Wiegala” by Ilse Weber
“Ich wandre durch Theresienstadt Wiegala” by Ilse Weber
Gorecki Symphony
“Night Moves” by Bob Seger
“Make Me Smile” by Chicago
“Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell
“Games People Play” by The Spinners
“Your Song” by Elton John
No Copyright Music/Classic Rock
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Rock is Lit Episode 33, Jason Warburg ‘Believe in Me’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jasonwarburg
Rock is Lit Episode 40, Jason Warburg ‘Never Break the Chain’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jasonwarburganduglyamericanwerewolfinlondonrockpodcast
Jason Warburg’s website: https://www.jasonwarburg.com/
Jason Warburg on Twitter: @JasonWarburg
Jason Warburg on Instagram: @jason_warburg
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
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Exploring Real-Life Musician Disappearances with Nathan D. Duvall, Inspired by Jeff Jackson’s Novel ‘Mira Corpora’
In Part 1 of Episode 50, we delved into the mesmerizing world of author Jeff Jackson and his acclaimed novel ‘Mira Corpora’, in which enigmatic underground rockstar Kin Mersey mysteriously disappears. Now, in Episode 50 Part 2, Nathan D. Duvall (host of the Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM) and this semester’s Rock is Lit intern, Cador Jones, join me to talk about actual musicians who, like the rockstar in Jeff’s novel, vanished without a trace, including Richey Edwards, Jim Sullivan, Connie Converse, Christina “Licorice” McKechnie, and more.
PLAYLIST
“Lithuania” by Julian Calendar
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
Avant-Garde Sound Collage/Experimental Electronica/Royalty Free Background Music (8-mindemo Mix)
“This Road” by Julian Calendar
“4st 7lb” by Manic Street Preachers
“How Sad, How Lovely” by Connie Converse
“U.F.O.” by Jim Sullivan
“I Know You” by The Incredible String Band, with Christina “Licorice” McKechnie
“When the Music’s Over” by The Doors
“Jerome” by Jim Sullivan
Julian Calendar Medley: “Stolen Eyes,” “King Blank”
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Rock is Lit Episode 1 featuring Jeff Jackson (‘Destroy All Monsters’) with Nathan D. Duvall: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jeffjackson-nathandduvall
Jeff Jackson’s website: http://deathofliterature.com/
Jeff Jackson on Instagram: @deathofliterature
Jeff Jackson on Twitter: @DeathofLit
Julian Calendar on Bandcamp: https://juliancalendar.bandcamp.com/
Trailer for ‘Mira Corpora’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upTakZdScwY
Nathan D. Duvall’s website: http://nathandduvall.com/
Nathan D. Duvall’s Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM: https://ashevillefm.org/show/lucid/
Nathan D. Duvall on Instagram: @nathandduvall
Cador Jones on Instagram: @bluecadorade
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Jeff Jackson on Music, Memory, and Myth in His Novel ‘Mira Corpora’
In Part 1 of Episode 50, we delve into the mesmerizing world of author Jeff Jackson and his acclaimed novel ‘Mira Corpora’. Join us as we explore the intersection of music and literature, unraveling the enigmatic narrative of the book. From the mysterious disappearance of underground rockstar Kin Mersey to the surreal journey of the runaway teenage protagonist, we uncover the depths of this dark and compelling tale. Jeff shares his creative process, artistic influences, and the thematic underpinnings of his work. Get ready for a captivating discussion of music, memory, and myth as we examine the haunting landscapes of ‘Mira Corpora’. Throughout the episode, you’ll hear songs by Jeff’s band, Julian Calendar, all of which you can download from Bandcamp. Check the episode playlist below.
In Episode 50 Part 2, Nathan D. Duvall and this semester’s Rock is Lit intern, Cador Jones, join me to talk about actual musicians who, like the rockstar in Jeff’s novel, mysteriously disappeared.
PLAYLIST—ALL SONG BY JULIAN CALENDAR UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
“In Your Love”
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
“Blue Boys” (Rock is Lit mix)
“The Deep End”
“Men Are Canceled”
“No Kingdom”
“Back Door Man”
“The Drowned Boy”
“Property is Theft”
“Game On!” by Aqours
Julian Calendar Medley: “Language Lessons,” “Stolen Eyes,” “King Blank”
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Rock is Lit Episode 1 featuring Jeff Jackson (‘Destroy All Monsters’) with Nathan D. Duvall: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/jeffjackson-nathandduvall
Jeff Jackson’s website: http://deathofliterature.com/
Jeff Jackson on Instagram: @deathofliterature
Jeff Jackson on Twitter: @DeathofLit
Julian Calendar on Bandcamp: https://juliancalendar.bandcamp.com/
Trailer for ‘Mira Corpora’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upTakZdScwY
Nathan D. Duvall’s website: http://nathandduvall.com/
Nathan D. Duvall’s Lucid show on 103.3 Asheville FM: https://ashevillefm.org/show/lucid/
Nathan D. Duvall on Instagram: @nathandduvall
Cador Jones on Instagram: @bluecadorade
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
From Sunset Strip to Supernatural: Staci Layne Wilson on The Ventures, The Manson Family, Her Famous Parents, and Her Horror Rock Books
It may not be Halloween, but we’re getting our spooky grove on in this episode. Staci Layne Wilson joins me to talk about the fourth novel in her Immortal Confessions vampire series, ‘Rhapsody in Red’. ‘Variety’ labels Staci’s work as “MTV's Headbangers Ball meets Tales from the Crypt” and calls it “...perfect entertainment for anyone who's ever played ‘Stairway to Heaven’ backward to hear the mumbled phrase ‘Here's to my sweet Satan’.”
We’ll also talk about Staci’s upbringing in 1970s and ‘80s Hollywood as the daughter of music legend Don Wilson of The Ventures and pinup model, actress, and author Nancy Bacon, and more, including Staci’s wicked cool podcast and book series, Rock 'N' Roll Nightmares, working the red carpet as an entertainment reporter, the Manson Family, her pet rats, and more.
PLAYLIST
“Frankenstein” by the Edgar Winter Group
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
Halloween Ambience Horror Sounds Scary Creepy Screams Terrified SFX Monster Haunted House Horror
“Vampire Blues” by Neil Young
“Witch For a Night” by Sugar Pie DeSanto
“Dead Babies” by Alice Cooper
“Black Cats & Witch Hats” by Molly Starlite & the Sputniks
“Walk Don’t Run” by The Ventures
“Tubular Bells” by Mike Oldfield
“Whole Lotta Love” by The Ventures
“Wildfire” by Michael Martin Murphey & the Rio Grande Band
“Welcome to My Nightmare” by Alice Cooper
“Game On!” by Aqours
“Season of the Witch” by Donovan
“Hawaii Five-O” by The Ventures
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Staci Layne Wilson’s website: https://www.stacilaynewilson.com/
Rock ‘N’ Roll Nightmares website: https://rock-n-roll-nightmares.com/
Staci on Twitter: staciwilson
Staci on Instagram: @stacilaynewilson
Staci’s YouTube channel: @stacilayne
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Oklahoma Grooves: An Inside Look at ‘Live From Medicine Park’ with Constance Squires
In this episode I’m joined by Constance Squires, author of the 2017 rock novel ‘Live From Medicine Park’.
The story follows Ray Wheeler, who arrives in Medicine Park, Oklahoma, with the goal of filming a documentary about the comeback of Lena Wells, a singer whose career got derailed by a bad late-night TV appearance in the 1980s. Ray, known for his philosophy of non-involvement with his subjects, finds himself drawn into Lena's world as he begins to probe into her past. As Ray delves deeper into Lena’s story, he uncovers secrets surrounding her band mate Cyril and Lena’s son, Gram. Meanwhile, Gram’s wife, Jettie, a talented musician herself, struggles to pursue her passion for music in the face of familial disapproval. The novel delves into themes of ambition, identity, and the search for authenticity.
In addition to ‘Live From Medicine Park’, Constance Squires is the author of the forthcoming novel ‘Low April Sun’ from University of Oklahoma Press. She’s also the author of the 2012 Oklahoma Book Award-winning novel ‘Along the Watchtower’ and the short story collection ‘Hit Your Brights’. Her short fiction has received multiple Pushcart-Prize nominations and other awards and appeared in many prestigious journals, such as the ‘Atlantic’, ‘Guernica’, ‘The Dublin Quarterly’, ‘Shenandoah’, and ‘The Rolling Stone 500’. She wrote the screenplay for the short film ‘Grave Misgivings’ has published nonfiction in the ‘Village Voice’, the ‘New York Times’, ‘Salon’, ‘World Literature Today’, and been featured on NPR’s ‘Snap Judgment’. She holds a Ph.D. in English and is currently a professor of Creative Writing at the University of Central Oklahoma.
‘Live From Medicine Park’ was a 2018 Oklahoma Book Award finalist. Rock is Lit alumnus Jeff Jackson included the novel in his ‘Electric Lit’ article, “7 Candidates for the Great American Rock and Roll Novel.” I’m thrilled to have the chance to talk to her about this must-read for music fans.
PLAYLIST
Americana Instrumental Music/No Copyright
Rock is Lit theme music
[Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop”
Americana Instrumental Music/No Copyright
“The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” by Bob Dylan
“Baker Street” by Gerry Rafferty
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” by The Hollies
“Geronimo” by Moonshine Bandits, featuring Domangue
“Choctaw Bingo” by James McMurty
“Hey Hey, My My” by Neil Young
“Rock & Roll to My Country Soul” by Jenny Tolman
“Mystery Train” by Elvis Presley
“Game On!” by Aqours
“Hot Burrito #1” by The Flying Burrito Brothers (with Gram Parsons)
“If You Really Want To Be My Friend” by the Rolling Stones
Rock is Lit theme music
LINKS:
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451
Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350
Constance Squires’ website: https://www.constancesquiresofficial.com/
Constance Squires on Twitter: @ConnieSquires
Constance Squires on Instagram: @conniesquires
Constance Squires on Facebook: @ConstanceSquiresAuthorPage
Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com
Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
This podcast is top shelf rock ‘n’ roll.
Christy really gets in there each episode with impressive research and a curiosity that money can’t buy. The best book & music podcast out there. Rich with history and real engaging conversations. Amazing hosting skills save these episodes from even having a slow moment.
One of my fave podcasts!
Host Christy Alexander Hallberg is awesome, so knowledgeable, big-hearted and interesting. I listened to the episode with Jessamyn Violet and can’t wait to listen to more episodes.