Super Hungry the Podcast

The very belated Season 2 finale of Super Hungry: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists is here! 

In the SEASON 2 FINALE of Super Hungry: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists I got to go down to my hometown film festival, the Melbourne Independent Filmmakers Festival in Florida to interview cult icon from the View Askewniverse -- Brian O'Halloran! I talked to Brian about his theatrical roots, what it was like shooting Clerks (and how it felt to revisit the story with a cameo role in the biopic "Shooting Clerks"), and Brian lays down some solid and honest advice to wannabe artists -- "don't be afraid of criticism." 

[Apologies for the slightly peaky audio]

Thanks to my incredible sponsor, The West Michigan Film and Video Alliance for making this interview possible. Their “goal is to support all members of the production community in order to support a well educated and diverse creative and economic work force in our region. Additionally, we are committed to retaining those of our ‘creative class’ here by encouraging partnerships and teaching relationships between our veteran members and those starting their careers.” You can find out more about WMFVA at https://www.facebook.com/WMFVA/

THANKS TO MY ART SPONSOR: Aude Shattuck with Meander Arts

“Aude Shattuck is an Illustrator whose work uses visual narrative to inspire passionate curiosity. Her art is influenced by brushwork style comics and vintage coloring techniques. When she is not drawing pictures and making up things, she is gardening and herding cats. She currently resides in Grand Rapids, MI with her partner, a small garden, and cats. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @audeshattuck.”

100+ Rising Popular Podcasts Accepting New Guests [The Huffington Post]

For nearly the past 6 months, West Michigan has been gifted a rare opportunity to interact with sculptures and pieces by famed artist and activist Ai Weiwei. According to Frederik Meijer Gardens, it’s his “first exhibition at a botanical garden and sculpture park anywhere in the world.” And there is definitely a feeling you get when you step in through the threshold of the gardens right now.

That feeling is an overwhelming sense of completion.

One wanders through delicate landscapes and greenhouses to find intricate ceramic sculptures thoughtfully placed among vines and shrubs and bushes and lawns. The works housed in the indoor gallery give a sense of wonder, their size and scope and dimensions filling the room. The space between them seems necessary – these pieces deserve breathing room. As you wander through the different areas of the park, it’s evident that Ai Weiwei’s work could have always existed there.

Ai Weiwei is a sculptor, filmmaker, photographer, and activist. His documentary work has focused on infrastructure and social conditions in his home country of China. He’s created exhibits for Alcatraz, he was the design consultant for the Beijing Olympic Stadium, and seems to want his art to speak for him. His website’s bio page has one line: “Ai Weiwei is an artist. Born in 1957, he currently resides and works in Beijing.”

Enjoy the accompanying photo essay, and be sure to catch the last two days of “Ai Weiwei at Meijer Gardens: Natural State” before it closes on Sunday August, 20th. Tickets can be purchased at the front desk at Frederik Meijer Gardens, or online at http://www.meijergardens.org/

Like any good older Millennial, The Shins changed my life. In fall 2006, I was an incoming college freshman who was still wearing braces. Two years prior, a film called Garden State was released and spoke to every internalized frustration I had about my small hometown in Florida clashing with my big dreams of Hollywood. Everything that I had thought about music and film existing on separate plains was suddenly flipped on itself. Reading interviews with Zach Braff, listening to him speak about the importance of meticulously crafting the soundtrack to his film – it changed the way I listened to music. It changed the way music moves me. 

I’m not ashamed to say that Garden State influenced my life as a filmmaker and more importantly film watcher. And it cemented firmly and eternally my love for James Mercer and The Shins. 

Thursday night’s sold-out show at Frederik Meijer Gardens, part of their critically acclaimed Summer Concert Series, brought down the house for an enthusiastic and sun dazed audience of music lovers. Parents with well-worn rock & roll tee shirts danced with their embarrassed teens on the lawn. The calm, warm breeze was consistent enough to keep away all of the insects but the lightning bugs (“Or are they called fireflies?” James Mercer asked the crowd at the top of the set). Starting off their impressively packed 15 song set (before the encore!) with a fan favorite, “Caring is Creepy”, The Shins wiggled and wailed their way through a mix of staples and new singles of their most recent release, Heartworms. 

Only Mercer himself is the remaining original member of The Shins, with the current lineup consisting of Yuuki Matthews, Mark Watrous, Casey Foubert, Jon Sortland, and Patti King. The band showed no signs of newly formed jitters, as they played familiar and slowed down arrangements of hits like “Australia”, “Simple Song”, “Phantom Limb”, “New Slang”, and songs off their new record like “Painting a Hole”, “The Fear”, and “Half a Million.” 

The Shins’ member change ups and eventual hiatus didn’t stop Mercer from creating, as evidenced by his incredibly successful side project with Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton, Broken Bells. The band has put out two adored full-length albums, made music videos with Kate Mara and Christina Hendricks, and toured with a show that has as much of a visual component as an audible one. Mercer has incorporated some of this aesthetic for The Shins tour with strong stage lighting, smoke, and animated backing images on the screen behind the band. 

After a 5-year absence, The Shins are really returning to their sonic roots with Heartworms, and the joy the band emanated last Thursday night may be all the proof of that we need. A smiling and bouncy band backed Mercer the entire night, leading into their final encore song, an easygoing rendition of “Sleeping Lessons” arranged seamlessly to transition to a cover of Tom Petty’s “American Girl.” As Mercer belted out the final line of his own song, “You're not obliged to swallow anything you despise,” I realized it’s probably become his mantra.

Tuesday, July, 25th 2017, by Virginia Anzengruber

There’s a certain feeling you get on Summer nights in Michigan, when the weather is warm enough to sit outside with no jacket until just past 9pm. The bugs are out, but they’re content with their own warm pursuits, buzzing around the tops of blades of grass. This was the setting for Monday’s show at Frederik Meijer Gardens with Andrew Bird and special guest Esperanza Spalding, in only her second outing as part of her new musical project. 

The evening started promptly at 7pm, with Esperanza and the rest of her five-piece band making their way not to their instruments, but to the front of the stage, where they stood in a line and introduced themselves as “The Royal Tees” to the sea of fans in lawn chairs. Clad in varying colors of overalls, the band began with a bang of jazz fusion/neo-soul sounds, with Esperanza mesmerizingly leading the pack on upright bass. Vocalists Rachael Duddy and Star Busby, multi-horn instrumentalist Myron Walden, and drummer Josh Dion round out the band. Switching back and forth between her upright and electric bass, Spalding’s music was a cool breeze of strums and pops and horns that wafted through the atmosphere. Finishing up their set with a duo of songs told from both the male and female perspectives of pursuing and being pursued, Spalding wowed (and slightly scandalized) the crowd with her dedication to “dirty dance clubs.” She walked off stage to a standing ovation. 

And that was all before 8pm. 

(L-R: Rachael Duddy, Starr Busby, Esperanza Spalding, Myron Walden, & Josh Dion) [photo by Virginia Anzengruber]

Andrew Bird then took the stage, alone with his violin at first, but eventually accompanied by the rest of his band. Bird was donned in all black, save for a bright white blazer, and he lit up the crowd from the stage, which came to life with lights, theatrics, and an oversized, double-headed gramophone that would spin periodically. Bird seamlessly transitioned from song to song, with minimal crowd work. At one point, however, he could be heard mitigating a scuffle happening in front of the stage, “Settling civil disputes is not in my job description… I’m a little busy up here.” 

Bouncing back and forth between electronic vocal loops and full band performances centered around one “old-timey” microphone; Bird dazzled the sold-out crowd with a mix of hits and album deep cuts. 

A fan favorite, “Pulaski at Night” garnered cheers within the first few notes, and was dedicated to a friend of Bird’s who had visited him once in his native Chicago, only to be disappointed as, according to Bird, “Pulaski isn’t a place you really want to see at night.” 

(Andrew Bird at Frederik Meijer Gardens) [photo by Virginia Anzengruber]

One place you DO really want to see at night is Frederik Meijer Gardens. Even non-Michiganders like myself couldn’t help but be hypnotized by the blend of Pure Michigan and pure musical talent on display. It was, by all standards, a perfect summer night. 

The Meijer Garden Summer Concert Series continues with a sold out show with The Shins on Thursday, July 27th.

Episode 25 of Super Hungry: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists is HERE! I invited rapper and Hip Hop artist Lady Ace Boogie over to muh basement and she brought along DJ Dean Martian and Orlando James for a full 4 song set and interview. I invited some friends over for an intimate, live experience and it was one of my favorite interviews to date. 

The YouTube 30 min preview is here:

  In the second to last episode of Season 2 of Super Hungry: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists, Virginia invited Grand Rapids-based rapper and Hip Hop artist Lady Ace Boogie to her basement to perform an intimate set of songs off LAB's forthcoming album "Don't Box Me In." Filled with incredible live performances, poignant conversations about the state of independent music and the current super charged social atmosphere of America, and guest questions from the audience (A Super Hungry the Podcast first!!) -- this is one episode you won't want to miss. [And check out the YouTube video of the episode too!]

In episode 24 of Super Hungry: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists, Virginia sits down with painter and musician Rick Beerhorst (@studiobeerhorst) and talk about overcoming upbringings to find your truth, overcoming depression to find a new series of paintings, and overcoming financial setbacks with some amazingly practical advice for working artists.

In episode 23 of Super Hungry: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists, Virginia went on the road to the Hall of Heroes Comic Con in Elkhart, Indiana to interview the Mads themselves, MST3K legends and movie riffing icons Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff!

Virginia and the boys talk about their standup comedy roots; what it's like riffing movies after all of these years with their live touring show, The Mads Are Back, as well as their own podcast, Movie Sign with The Mads; and Frank has some great advice for up-and-coming comics in today's new media landscape.

We've got movie sign! You don't wanna miss this!

Don't forget to follow @SuperHungryPod on Twitter, @SuperHungryPodcast on Instagram, and Super Hungry Podcast on Facebook! 

In episode 22 of Super Hungry: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists, I got to have a chat with multi-platinum recording artist and pop music star Aaron Carter about his brand-new EP "Love."

We talk about what it was like for him to be a producer on every track, how his music and fandom has changed over the years, and he gives some incredible advice to artists still grinding waiting for their big break.

Episode 21 of Super Hungry the Podcast: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists is LIVE now on iTunes, Google Play, Player FM, and PodOmatic! 

In episode 21 of Super Hungry: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists, I got to sit down with my old high school classmate and all around "good guy" Ser'darius Blain. One of the most genuine and talented actors of his generation, Ser'darius started acting as a kid, and soon enough, his passion led him to NYC to study his craft, and then to LA -- to take over Hollywood. Since leaving our small hometown in Brevard County, FL, Ser'darius has gone on to acclaimed roles in "Footloose", "Star Trek: Into Darkness", "When the Game Stands Tall", "Camp X-Ray" with Kristen Stewart, and most recently he stars in the new "Jumanji" sequel opposite Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black. We reminisce on small town upbringings, Ser'darius drops some advice on how to stay hungry for your art -- even when you're waiting tables while simultaneously a TV series regular, and genuinely just enjoy each other's conversation in this high school reunion episode -- 12 years in the making.

In the 20th episode (!!) of Super Hungry: Conversations with Not-So Starving Artists, I sit down with venerable TV legend, Stan Zimmerman. Writer/Producer for The Golden Girls, Gilmore Girls (he wrote "Norman Mailer, I'm Pregnant!"), Roseanne, Something Wilder (with Gene Wilder!), A Very Brady Sequel, co-creator of Rita Rocks on Lifetime, and owner of one of the coolest Instagram feeds on my dashboard; Stan came to the studio to talk to me about life as a professional writer and producer. And now with two brand new shows for Tellofilms, "Secs & Execs" and "Skirtchasers", Stan is a positive reminder that working incredibly hard and treating people with respect will get you everywhere. 

https://www.patreon.com/SuperHungryPodcast 

In episode 19 of Super Hungry the Podcast (S2 E6), Virginia sits down with Chris Henry, the host of Crew Call: The Below-the-Line Podcast. For fans of the Anonymous Production Assistant blog, Chris and Crew Call interview below the line members of production crews (including Virginia and her role as on set Production Coordinator). 

Virginia talks to Chris about making it work in the world of sound production and engineering, and Chris talks to Virginia about why she's leaving LA. They both talk about traffic a lot -- how very Californian.

Not your typical Super Hungry episode, enjoy this crossover, and don't forget to check out Crew Call on iTunes too!

www.shortwaverad.io/crewcall

https://twitter.com/CrewCallRadio

https://www.facebook.com/ShortwaveRad/

Super Hungry the Podcast is all over the internet, ya’ll! Don’t forget to FOLLOW, LIKE, and SHARE!!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | PodOmatic

In the 5th episode of season 2 of Super Hungry the Podcast (Episode 18), I sit down with the hilarious and inimitable Tom Wilson. We talk about his stand up comedy roots, working with Paul Feig and Steven Spielberg, and how he used to be Richard Pryor's doorman at The Comedy Store. Special thanks to Grand MacGuffin Studios for hosting us!

Also -- check out some of his DOPE AF paintings!

Don’t forget to follow Super Hungry the Podcast on all the things! 

In this episode I chat with my friend and actor, Justin Dray, who is currently starring as "StarMan" on CMT's "Still the King" with Billy Ray Cyrus. Co-hosted by Morgan Rodner of The Grand MacGuffin Podcast, we talk to Justin about making your dreams happen outside of Hollywood and making them happen inside Hollywood -- even if that means working at Ralph's first.

Robert Cocanougher’s piece on Super Hungry the Podcast for Vox Populi

”For Virginia, this was her first live show, and it was SOLD OUT...

...Virginia was obviously excited, as she was ECSTATIC to meet every single person that came up to her. Plus, I guess it’s kind of the goal of her podcast, to reach us students. Many of whom are about to be the working artists that she aims to feature on her show... 

...Virginia’s message is this: work hard and keep working hard. With a little generosity, a little luck, and a lot of perseverance, you can make it out of the vague obscurity and not be overlooked, but rather, looked up to...

...Podcasts are an overlooked medium, maybe. Working artists are an overlooked segment, yes. But I don't think anyone could have overlooked the message that was being told that night.”

Vox Populi Radio Magazine, October 2016

A piece in which myself and a partner explore the overlooked people that are working actors as well as the overlooked medium of podcasting. Inspired by the Super Hungry Podcast Live Event Featuring Jim O'Heir, which occurred at FSU in October, this piece is split in two. The first part is by Catherine Lamey and discusses working actors using information and insights from Jim O'Heir. I take the second part and talk about podcasting in an interview with the Super Hungry podcast host, Virginia Anzengruber.

I should note that my views and opinions are not necessarily those of WVFS Tallahassee.

Theme of the Month: Oversight

In the inaugural LIVE show for Super Hungry the Podcast, Virginia takes the show on the road to Club Downunder in Tallahassee and the students of Florida State University with actor and improvisor Jim O'Heir. Known best as Jerry Gergich on NBC's Parks and Recreation, Jim talks about his start in Chicago improv, what brought him to Los Angeles over 20 years ago, and why he's eager to explore roles that are different from his mild-mannered TV counterpart. Follow Super Hungry the Podcast: iTunes Facebook Twitter Instagram Snapchat: SuperHungryPod

 Sponsors:

http://theparkavenueinnreservations.com/

EXPERIENCE LAID BACK LUXURY WITH SIMPLE ELEGANCE.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/LuLaRoeZLandLiz

[Don’t forget to message ZL and Liz after your request to join the group with the promo code JACKSON for a special discount on your first order!]