EPISODE · Jan 15, 2026 · 26 MIN
From Stage to Page: Writing with Heavy Metal Energy With Jesse Kavadlo
from Plot Twist Radio · host Erin Egnatz
Today on Plot Twist Radio, Erin interviews Jesse Kavadlo — an author, musician, and professor whose work lives at the intersection of sound and story. Jesse’s upcoming book, Rock of Pages: The Literary Tradition of 1980s Heavy Metal (releasing December 11), explores how the music of the 80s wasn’t just loud… it was meaningful, mythic, and deeply literary.Jesse shares how he wrote the book with music and music videos playing in the background, using the atmosphere of heavy metal to shape both mood and meaning on the page. He also talks about the unique creative rhythm of switching between writing and guitar practice — and how playing in a popular 80s hard rock tribute band keeps him connected to the pulse of the genre.Whether you’re a writer looking for new ways to tap into inspiration, a music lover who knows lyrics can be poetry, or someone who’s curious about the cultural legacy of heavy metal, this conversation delivers insight, humor, and a serious love of creative craft.InstagramWebsite
What this episode covers
Today on Plot Twist Radio, Erin interviews Jesse Kavadlo — an author, musician, and professor whose work lives at the intersection of sound and story. Jesse’s upcoming book, Rock of Pages: The Literary Tradition of 1980s Heavy Metal (releasing December 11), explores how the music of the 80s wasn’t just loud… it was meaningful, mythic, and deeply literary.Jesse shares how he wrote the book with music and music videos playing in the background, using the atmosphere of heavy metal to shape both mood and meaning on the page. He also talks about the unique creative rhythm of switching between writing and guitar practice — and how playing in a popular 80s hard rock tribute band keeps him connected to the pulse of the genre.Whether you’re a writer looking for new ways to tap into inspiration, a music lover who knows lyrics can be poetry, or someone who’s curious about the cultural legacy of heavy metal, this conversation delivers insight, humor, and a serious love of creative craft.InstagramWebsite
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From Stage to Page: Writing with Heavy Metal Energy With Jesse Kavadlo
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