Thank YOU, thank YOU, thank YOU. Hello Again! Welcome to another wonderful collaboration between East Side Story and The Post. Let me be the first to officially, whole-heartedly welcome you to the 79th epic edition of East Side Storytellin’! Like the 78, I repeat … 78, previous shows East Side Story has put together, we all decided to take a break from our busy schedules all over town in order to sit back and relax and get everyone cultured up just right in the form of a Nashville writer reading from original prose, followed by an amazing local musician performing and talking about their original music, and then a round-up creative conversation with all featured guests of this event to talk about their individual journeys and personal ties to Nashville. Without further ado, fulfilling the entertainment portion of your day, this is the recap and recording of East Side Storytellin’ 79. Let us begin, again.
Our first featured guest of the evening is a writer and musician who now lives in Nashville by way of Brooklyn, New York. He co-curates and hosts drDOCTOR, a reading series and podcast, and writes/hosts YEARBOOK, a column for The Rumpus. He’s the 2015 Quiddity Lit Editor’s Prose Prize and his work has appeared or is forthcoming in SmokeLong Quarterly, The Rumpus, Hobart, and Big Truths among others. He has an MFA in fiction from The New School, and is one heck of a nice young man. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, I’m talking about the very talented and father-to-be … Luke Wiget!
Never a stranger to good readings and listening crowds, Luke took to the stage with a PBR in one hand and the makings of the next great American novel in the other. He prefaced his story by saying that it would be an excerpt of a larger piece, hence my talk about the next great American novel (and I don’t say that lightly or often), taking place in a beach town in northern California, a protagonist who has fallen on tough times after a tree has fallen on his home and forced him to move back in with his parents, and there is a blonde bartender by the name of Lee.
The story excerpt began and it was filled with so many great descriptions and colorful language that it felt like I was watching the movie already with every sentence Luke shared (and I’m talking about a movie that finally does justice to the book from which it is based upon, of course). The language and reading go so colorful that Luke and Tom had a nice exchange of words foreshadowing the fun that would later be had by Tom editing the recording to make it radio-friendly. All in all, because you know I’m a fan of the story and I want you to listen to the recording below instead of telling the entire story and fun phrases I loved the most and I’d hate to spoil you reading the final product when published eventually, I became an instant fan of Luke Wiget’s work. He developed characters I wanted to hear more about, scenes that felt familiar to me and everyone else in the room listening too, and story I’m looking forward to reading in its entirety down the line. Job well done, so far, Sir Luke.
Our featured musician of the night is fresh off of a four-year hiatus from tickling the ivories. A Nashvillian since 2010, I was first introduced to this fine fellow at The 5 Spot by fellow East Side Storytellin’ alumni and personal favorites in that of The Rough & Tumble (who were present and newly married in the crowd). A native of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, he has a very unique, quirky pop/rock sound that moves in between influences like Ben Folds, Nada Surf, and hint of Weezer. In his most recent album titled How We Spend Our Days, he moves effortlessly from piano to Wurlitzer to acoustic guitar to electric guitar and back to the piano. This EP, mostly written during his musical hiatus, reveals an artist who has been through the fire and coming out the other side in full force. That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, I’m talking about the very talented and father-to-be … stop me if you’ve heard this before, Zach Vinson!
Zach took a seat behind the fantastic and beautifully handmade woodwork that he and his father crafted that surrounded his piano keys and he jumped right into his music like he’d never taken a hiatus a day in his life. He was a total pro. He started with a song dedicated to going home to his Wisconsin roots, then going into a song with some love in it before telling the crowd that he needed to catch his breath and do more cardio to train for longer shows because of how he approaches his performances. Wit, humor, skill, and some of the finest piano playing we’ve ever heard on East Side Storytellin’ ever before, that is how I would describe Zach’s music in person.
And speaking of East Side Storytellin’ performances, I was happy to hear Zach talk about playing original songs, some brand-spanking new, that normally don’t get played because of never really playing in front of such wonderful listening crowds as we had for this particular night. One such song had a long piano intro that reminded me of something as magnificent as a score from a Disney movie from back in their glory days of the 40’s or 50’s. Another moment you’ll hear in the recording and probably smile as big as I did was Zach’s nod to Nashville professional songwriters who stick to one theme for their great songs and how he decided to do the complete opposite and write a great ditty that may or may not combine three themes – including his prominent left handedness, Russian literature, and a log that he stumbled upon while in Massachusetts. You’ll know what I mean when you hear it.
But that’s kind of what the night was for me, regarding both of these guys. You know what I mean when you hear them. Both Luke and Zach are extraordinary storytellers. Meaning, for any laymen out there reading this, they are so much more than ordinary. They allow their stories and characters to come out in the best ways that entertain their creators and in turn enlighten all of us who take the time to be present for the sharing of these original materials. Stepping out from behind the curtain, I’ll go ahead and share the fact that I typically write notes of lines and things that make me smile during every show say. After you listen to the below, it won’t surprise you that I wrote more in this show than most because of the way both of these guys, simply put, write … so many great visuals.
Also, this line-up and show was one of those nights where we could’ve easily gone for two hours instead of one while talking about the featured artists’ crafts and creative processes. There were times when I wanted to let them take what one person said and totally dive into the other’s own thoughts on the same questions, but we had to move things along for the recording’s sake. Maybe the conversation started between Luke and Zach will continue at a later date and find its way onto a future drDOCTOR episode or something. Only time and Luke will tell.
But, for now, sit back and enjoy another edited recording of East Side Storytellin’. This is East Side Storytellin’ 79, featuring Luke Wiget and Zach Vinson at The Post on Tuesday, March 15th, 2016:
Before I say goodbye for this round of fun, I’d like to give a big round of thanks for Luke and Zach for sharing their stories, talents, and time with us.
You can read more about Luke’s writing here- http://lukewiget.com
You can listen to more of Zach’s music here – www.zachvinson.com
You can listen to this show, edited, soon, alongside the previous shows too, on our website, www.eastsidestorytn.com, at our In Our Own WordsTab – see here – www.eastsidestorytn.com/in-our-own-words
I’ll keep the gratitude going for Tom Eizonas, my lovely wife and most talented artist in Emily Harper Beard (efharper), and everyone that came out live to support the show … and to everyone who has helped continue to spread the word and support the show online afterwards.
I’d also like to show much love to Clay Brunton for the beautiful artwork online to promote the show.
Last, but certainly not least, I’d like to give one last shout out to Tonya and Chris for making The Post so welcoming and positively life-changing for the East Nashville community at large.
Our next show will be
East Side Storytellin’ 80
Tuesday, April 5th, my birthday!!
at The Post (1701 Fatherland Street) at 7pm
reading- C. Williams (www.facebook.com/c.williamswriterstudio)
singing- Elenowen (www.elenowen.com)
That said- that’s all for East Side Storytellin’ 79 and another fabulous event at The Post with East Side Story at the helm. Thanks for coming out and sharing the good word and giving some love to all of these great Nashville artists and our creative ideas. Please remember to be nice to one another out there.
much love,
mE