FYIz is a catch-all feed for podcasts produced by pop culture escapist John Walker, such as ARE THEY, THOUGH?; FOR YOUR INFOTAZEMENT; PLAYING RECORDS WITH JOHN; SAUL SEARCHING; OH IT'S JOHN; PROTECTORS OF GUNDAHAR; and SKEERT.
Episodes
Monday Apr 11, 2022
Monday Apr 11, 2022
Our first guest ever on Playing Records with John is back! It's Brad Armstrong and the occasion is the release of Heart Like a Sigil—his third solo album overall but his debut on Flower Moon Records, the label founded by frequent collaborator Maria Taylor. Songwriting shoptalk, recording secrets, and theories about the nature of the universe are contained herein. Proceed with caution! And for gosh sakes, don’t mess up the vibe.
Sunday Mar 27, 2022
Sunday Mar 27, 2022
Author and filmmaker Polly Schattel returns to talk about her second novel, the bracingly violent but enjoyably pulpy Shadowdays, available now from Journalstone Publishing. Find out why Polly decided to convert a shelved screenplay into a book, who Robert Longstreet would have played in the movie that never happened, and what makes troubled protagonist Melissa Sweet tick (in a "broken clock" kinda way).
Find all things Polly at pollyschattel.com!
Find John on Instagram and Twitter @giannidubya!
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Tuesday Feb 01, 2022
Making a good third movie in a cinematic trilogy is hard enough, without it also being the third trilogy in a trio of trilogies! (The previous sentence was intended to weed out the faint of heart. Only the heroes are left. You may continue.) In this galaxy-spanning podcast, pop culture obsessives Bekah Eaton, Jonathan Eaton, John Walker, and Mike White discuss the third Star Wars trilogy, aka Episodes 7 though 9, aka The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. These movies were all huge box office successes, but critical and fan opinion ranges from mixed to toxic. What does "new Star Wars" even mean in the age of the unending franchise? Should Palpatine have come back? And what's in the mystery box? All this and more.
Find us on Twitter!
Mike is @proboothcast!
Bekah is @bekaheaton!
Jonathan is @jonbrak!
John is at @giannidubya!
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Tuesday Nov 09, 2021
Horror author Gemma Files is back, this time to chat about tales from her most recent collection of short stories—In That Endlessness, Our End—as well as a couple excellently creepy films, the mystery of mortality, how to run a shared fictional universe, and a gaggle of horror books, both classic and recent, that you need on your shelf. (Part 2 of 2)
Follow Gemma on Twitter! - @gemmafiles
Follow John on Twitter and Instagram! - @giannidubya
Thursday Oct 14, 2021
Thursday Oct 14, 2021
Multi-hyphenated, autodidactic creative force Gemma Files writes horror fiction that is sharp-witted, often disturbing, and fun as hell. In this episode, she talks about her 2015 novel Experimental Film, from the development of the characters to the book’s themes of parenthood, artistic integrity, and the importance of hard work. (Part 1 of 2)
Follow Gemma on Twitter! - @gemmafiles
Follow John on Twitter and Instagram! - @giannidubya
Saturday Sep 04, 2021
Saturday Sep 04, 2021
Sue Drew has been in the music biz since the late 80s and as an A&R exec for various labels, she’s worked closely with acts like Michelle Shocked (back when she seemed cool), They Might Be Giants, Phish, and Barenaked Ladies. Sue is also a very direct and open person, so this conversation covers the decisions she’s proud of as well as candid assessment of a few missteps—a must-listen for anyone who likes a peek behind the curtain.
Saturday Jul 03, 2021
Saturday Jul 03, 2021
After a ten-year break from releasing albums, Azure Ray is back with Remedy, a gorgeous set of shimmering songs that redefines their classic sound. Singer/songwriters Orenda Fink and Maria Taylor open up about the process of making a record in isolation, the thoughts behind a few standout lyrics, and a variety of topics ranging from vocal cord surgery to wild suburban parrots.
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Friday Apr 30, 2021
Birmingham, AL-based rock band Dree Leer is here to hype their brand-new debut LP, Throw Hands, so a good time is guaranteed! Singer/guitarist Jackie Lo, bassist Mandy Graffeo, and drummer Mikey D Williams share tales about the forming of the current lineup, explain the logistics of finishing an album during quarantine, and reveal why they call Mikey The Living Shitzam. So, yeah, like I said, a good time.
Thursday Apr 22, 2021
Thursday Apr 22, 2021
Velena Vego, longtime talent buyer for Athens, Georgia’s storied 40 Watt Club and Atlanta’s Buckhead Theatre, as well as manager for veteran indie rockers Cracker and Camper Van Beethoven, looks back on her decades in the music biz, from her early days fronting 80s band Mystery Date, to this weird year of lockdown with no shows to run.
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Wednesday Mar 24, 2021
Otis Ball released an album of guitar pop called I’m Gonna Love You ’Til I Don’t in 1989, then recorded a more classically rockin' follow-up that was never released. But that doesn’t mean Otis hasn’t been busy! In this candid, career-spanning conversation, Mr. Ball fills in the story of his early days and his continued love of collaboration through a batch of intimate, energetic, and sometimes experimental home recordings.