Arts, Interrupted

It's that time of year again! Awards season. Though the big night has passed, sit down with the cast of Arts, Interrupted, to hear what our picks were before the critics cast their votes. You'll see what we got right, and you'll get to judge us with 20/20 hindsight about all we got wrong. Without further ado...

Unless you live under a rock, you’ve most likely been invested in either the final season of Netflix’s Stranger Things or the premier season of Crave’s Heated Rivalry. Here at Arts, Interrupted, we couldn’t help but notice the two shows received very different reactions for their portrayals of the queer experience. Join us as we explore what went wrong, what went right, and what big TV can learn when it comes to doing their queer characters justice.

Tired of partying with underage undergrads? Ever lost a shoe to a sticky bar floor? Real ID yanked by a fake bouncer? Fed up with frequenting South U bars alongside the crustiest campus characters? Us too. Join the cast of Arts, Interrupted as we explore Ann Arbor’s lesser-known spots on the first-ever pod bar crawl.

Over the summer Grenadine, a local Ann Arbor band, began posting content on TikTok and Instagram showing clips from their house shows. Their performance videos were instant hits, with some reaching more than 20k views. A few weeks into the school year, they began promoting their first live show, an immediately successful event with many people showing up just from the fifteen-second snippet they heard on TikTok. Is Grenadine Ann Arbor’s newest hit band? What are they doing differently? We hope you enjoy this episode of Arts, Interrupted featuring GRENADINE!

There’s something about storytelling and humanity’s fascination with fear that go hand in hand. For centuries, we’ve orated and written about the things that go bump in the night — those creatures, people, and monsters that make our skin crawl and prompt us to scoot a little closer together in the dark. For this episode of Arts, Interrupted, the team comes together to investigate what it is about horror films that make us so scared, how they’ve changed since their inception, and what the state of fear is right now. Featuring a special interview with English professor and horror expert Gina Brandolino. Written by Beat Editors Addie Nicolaou and Tessa Valera-Castro, and Content Producers Madison Austin and Ryne Van Andel. Written, produced, and engineered by Executive Producer Matthew Popp.

It's craft night at Arts, Interrupted! Join us as we investigate why crafting has become so popular again, and discuss how it is, and always has been, politically powerful. With interviews from creative director of ⁠VIPS Fund⁠ Susanne Udell, Sustainability Steward of ⁠Debs Co-Op⁠ and Editor of ⁠Accessing Disability Culture⁠ Tess Charichner, and Senior Content Producer Kyla Kralapp's own grandma, you won't want to miss this very special episode. Susanne Udell can be found on Instagram at @sus.medinaTess Carichner can be found on Instagram at @t.error.dactylThank you to Managing Editors Ava Chatlosh and Megan Gydesen, Executive Producer Matthew Popp, Senior Content Producer and Audio Engineer Kyla Kralapp, Film/Television Beat Editor Tessa Valera-Castro, and Content Producers Ryne Van-Andel and Grace Wilson. “You Can Do Whatever You Want To” by Lily Talmers used with permission from the artist. Episode Sources:⁠https://morningcrafter.com/blog-posts/craftivism-through-history/⁠⁠https://www.aidsmemorial.org/quilt⁠

Arts, Interrupted is rolling out the red carpet! It’s the best time of the year (if you’re a dedicated Letterboxd user). This awards season has been truly unpredictable and with the 97th Academy Awards  right around the corner, we’re here to go over the nominations, the drama and comment on whether Timothée Chalamet will finally win best actor or not. Tune in to be the smartest person at your Oscar watch party!

At the University of Michigan, love is in the air. Whether it be regarding relationships, situationships, or one-off encounters, Michigan students are obsessed. But, isn’t every other college campus? Between the Michigan Daily’s very own Sex Survey and the Michigan’s Marriage pact, we are in love with the idea of finding love. Join the Arts, Interrupted team as we dive into what makes the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor so unique as we experience these lovely (and not so lovely) encounters. 

In this part one of a special Valentine’s series, Arts, Interrupted talks movies! This is not-your-typical V-Day special screening. Stilted romcoms, anti-love stories, and lots of heartbreak. And we’re joined by very special guests, “I Love You Forever” filmmakers Cazzie David and Elisa Kalani. What’s not to love?

For the third year in a row, Arts, Interrupted is here to give you our picks and predictions for music’s biggest night: The GRAMMY Awards. In its 67th year, the Academy has big decisions to make. Will they finally give Beyonce, the most nominated artist of all time, album of the year? Will Chappell Roan or Sabrina Carpenter be their new darling? Just how many awards can they give “Not Like Us”? Join Kyla Kralapp, Tessa Valera-Castro and Matt Popp for our annual deep dive on all the award season buzz!

On this episode of Arts, Interrupted we’re looking back at the music and film of 2024. Were the blockbusters of the year overhyped? What albums went overlooked? After a year when the box office felt empty and Billboard felt overflowing, join Kyla, Matt, Tessa, and Ryne as they decide what 2024 films and albums were under and overrated (or maybe just right).

College is a time when attention becomes a high-demand currency, with everything from classes to clubs demanding our focus. But in today’s episode, the Arts, Interrupted team slows down to explore our relationships with attention. Join us as we visit the UMMA and receive insight from Dr. Angela Berkley on how some have begun to fight back for their attention, starting in her Writing 201 classroom.

College is revered for being the place where everyone can find their own community. Our podcast Arts, Interrupted unpacks this – highlighting how our favorite pieces of art brought us our closest connections. Whether you’re bonding over the Sweat tour or poems by Wendy Cope, being friends with you is an art in and of itself.

Are you terrified about making plans? Haunted by the idea of finding a costume? Looking to see where the monsters and ghouls are heading in Ann Arbor? Follow our Executive Producer Avery Haynes, joined by our Content Producers Isiris Acevedo, Matthew Popp, Kyla Kralapp and Addiena Nicolaou on Arts, Interrupted as we take you through our scream worthy opinions on what makes a killer Halloween at the University of Michigan. 

Arts, Interrupted returns after our summer hiatus to catch you up on the state of pop music– and there is a lot to cover. Artists like Charli XCX, Chappell Roan, and Sabrina Carpenter are dominating the charts, the concept of celebrity may be collapsing in on itself, and nearly all of pop culture’s biggest stars have dropped projects to, often, surprisingly little acclaim. But don’t fret! Executive Producers Matt Popp and Kyla Kralapp, joined by Content Producers Isiris Acevedo, Vily Souris, and Sarah Patterson, and researcher Donna Pham are here to break it all down for you.

According to USA Today, more members of the LGBTQ+ community live in the South compared to any other area. As we hear real experiences from queer individuals in the Deep South via anonymous testimonial, we unpack cases where Southern culture can reinforce heteronormative culture, which may leave little room for the voice of the Queer community. 

On today's episode we are joined by The University of Michigan’s English Department’s Advisory Board members to discuss critical attempts to prove the relevancy of an English degree. With the help of a panel of local professors, parents and librarians, we discuss an issue close to the hearts of the distinguished board members: banned books. Featuring exclusive interviews with media professionals and the hard-working individuals in education, this episode is a must-listen!

Genre is something that feels entirely intuitive, but upon a closer inspection, begins to elude definition. On this week’s episode, executive producers Matt Popp and Kyla Kralapp are joined by content producers Abby Willcox and Vily Souris to dissect this dilemma’s presence in Film and TV, and Music, before joining together to answer the questions: where did genre come from, and more importantly, is it still relevant?

On this week’s episode of Arts, Interrupted, we explore the world of AUs, OTPs and One Shots as we delve into the realm of fanfiction. Join us as we ask the hard questions: what truly is the superior fanfiction website? Which fandom is the most adored by readers today? 

Today, we will be sharing our picks and predictions for the 96th Academy Awards. OPENheimer your ears and we’ll help you BarBE prepared to not be Poor Things at your Oscars viewing parties. We’ll be talking about the foreign and American Fiction nominated. These films reminded us of our Past Lives, and brought us to new Zones of Interest. We have a lot that we love and some … Holdovers, but we’ll be your movie Maestros. Let’s KILL(ers of the Flower Moon) this. 

Twilight has become a cultural phenomenon since Stephanie Meyer, film producer and New York Times bestselling author, published the first book of the series in 2005. The film, which was released three years later, kick-started the careers of actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart — and the feud of a generation: #TeamEdward vs. #TeamJacob. In this episode, we’ll be going tier-ranker style to talk about some of the most iconic moments in the Twilight films and the lore surrounding them.  We are joined by Chelsea Grey and Maeson Linnert, who are currently working on a vampire-themed series called “Bloodletters” for Writer’s Room (@writersroom_um), for this Twilight breakdown.

On this week's episode of Arts, Interrupted we break down what it really means to be a “basic bitch.” From looking back at the history of the term to breaking down how it's used in today’s culture, we give you the scoop on how the fear of being “basic” has shaped a new generation.

On this week’s episode, the Arts, Interrupted team — joined by Arts writer Nick Holcomb and some highly scientific Daily-wide polling data — weigh in with predictions for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards and discuss surprises, snubs and WTFs before the big show on Feb 4. 

In this special episode of Arts, Interrupted, we are joined by the Campus Life beat to talk about what life was like for Michigan students through the decades. With personal takes from alums and faculty, we paint a picture of the university through years of lived experience, covering the rise and fall of the journalism major, the introduction of personal computing and the struggles of cramming your final paper when your textbook is on a CD-ROM. Tune in to find out what's changed- and the struggles that have stayed the same. Produced by Rachel Mintz, Christopher Brown, Clare Jones Content by Addiena Nicolaou, Isiris Acevedo Mixed and Mastered by Christopher Brown Special thanks to Astrid Code, Rachel Mintz, and the Campus life beat for making this episode possible!

Happy Halloween! I know you want to know what's hot and what's not this spooky season, and Arts, Interrupted has got you. Our team is here to give you the over/under on this years Halloween trends, their takes on FNAF, and answer the question: What IS the deal with Spirit Halloween? Produced by Matt Popp, Christopher Brown Content by Isiris Acevedo, Avery Haynes, Megan Gydesen, Amina Cattaui, Cole McCarthy Mixed and Mastered by Christopher Brown

In this episode of Arts, Interrupted, the team sits down with local Ann Arbor band VUP! to talk about their origins, their place in the music scene, and the future of the band. Join us for an exclusive talk where we talk about Jazz, the music scene, and what makes their stage dynamic so fun! Produced by Matt Popp, Christopher Brown Content by Scott Smith Mixed and Mastered by Cole McCarthy Special Thanks to Ariana Kertsman, Darren Lee, and Adam Solomon from VUP!

CW: Descriptions of Graphic Violence In this very special episode of Arts, Interrupted, the crew takes a look at one of the most iconic horror franchises of all time: Friday the 13th. Kyla, Cole, and Matt take us through the highs, the lows, and everything in between in the iconic franchise and we pitch our version of the 13th installment of this much loved series. Join us for an in-depth discussion of the rise of slashers in popular media and learn a bit more about the horror icons you know and love. Produced by Kyla Kralapp Content by Matt Popp, Cole McCarthy Mixed and Mastered by Christopher Brown

CW: Sexual Assault The digital age has given rise to a number of issues, however none is more spoken on than the impact of technology on human relationships. In many ways, ASMR and the cultivation of digital intimacy is a case study of this broader topic. Youtube, Onlyfans, and dating apps like Tinder, have found a way to take vulnerability out of the intimacy equation. Without meeting face to face, or having to surrender information about ourselves, we are able to establish intimate relationships and connections over the internet. But what does this mean for human relationships? And how is our relationship with technology changing? Produced by Addiena Nicolaou Content by Kyla Kralapp, Christopher Brown Mixed and Mastered by Amina Cattaui

Welcome back to a new season of Arts, Interrupted, the Michigan Daily's premiere arts and culture podcast. Today, the arts team has an exciting roundtable discussing a new trend that seems pervasive in all recent media. From Red White and Royal Blue to Beyoncé's Renaissance tour, it seems that LGBTQ+ narratives are all over the airwaves. But the question is: are they here to stay? Kyla on the film + tv beat takes a long, hard look at Bottoms, Matt on music explores Harry Styles and queerbaiting, and Addie on the culture beat explores some common slayings in the queer community that have hit the mainstream. Listen to find out more about why rainbow capitalism might be a good thing after all! Produced by Kyla Kralapp, Matthew Popp, and Addiena Nicolaou Content by Isiris Acevedo, Amina Cattaui Mixed and Mastered by Christopher Brown

There are films with an outrageous premise (a plane full of snakes or a bear on cocaine) that are purposely over the top in action and dialogue. They attract audiences through shock factor or curiosity, but often don’t have a strong enough script to gain the notoriety of “cult classic” or the Queer undertones to be called “camp”. They make us ask, “Who is this for?” and “Why was this made?” Which is what we’ll attempt to answer in this episode. Are these films just an easy cash grab, or is there a cultural significance to making a film about a bear going on a killing spree while high on cocaine? Content by Kyla Kralapp, Megan Gydesen Audio by Christopher Brown Thank you to our special guest Matthew Noble-Olson, Lecturer in the LSA Department of Film, Television, and Media

Welcome to the first annual Arts, Interrupted Academy Awards. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted, and so have we. In this episode, we will be announcing our winners for eleven of the Academy Award categories, honoring the films released in 2022 that we loved, and hopefully helping you confidently pretend like you know what you’re talking about at your Oscar’s watch party this Sunday.  Produced by Christopher Brown Content by Kyla Kralapp, Addiena Nicolaou, Matthew Popp Mixed and Mastered by Christopher Brown

In this episode of Arts, Interrupted, the team discusses the reality of how we socialize on streaming sites like Spotify, and how we all feel pigeonholed into a certain genre, thanks to the algorithms that fuel our listening. How can we break free from the algorithm and listen to the music that we truly enjoy? Tune in to find out. Produced by Martha Starkel, Max Rosenzweig Content by Alexia Mihalia, Olivia Long, Addiena Nicolaou, Martha Starkel, Max Rosenzweig Mixed and Mastered by Ben Schrier, Christopher Brown

In this episode, the arts crew sits down to unravel the truth of the true crime genre. Why do we enjoy watching such gruesome content? Does it deserve a place in our cultural zeitgeist? ALSO, big thanks to Meghan McCarthy and Dalle AI for our new cover art. Hope you enjoy it!

This season, the Arts crew starts the year discussing the similarities between indie, powerhouse cinema company A24, and the Disney robotic Marvel cinematic universe.

In this episode, the arts crew sat down in the studio with Max, Nicole, and Finn from Michigan's very own Comedy Company, also known as Comco! We explore the philosophy of improvisation as well as discuss its effect on how the members live their lives, and we may or may not play a few improvising games of our own. You'll have to listen!

On this episode, originally recorded on November 19th, 2021, the crew takes a gander at animation, especially those geared toward the above 13 crowd, explore its greatest hits through the ages, and figure out just what makes it more than meets the eye.

In this super-secret, anonymous episode, we sit down with two iconic Instagram meme accounts here on campus: @umichaffirmations and @incellectuals_umich. We get the 4-1-1 on the memeing process, their internet fame, and being a student at the University of Michigan.

In the season 9 premiere, the Arts crew discusses artists' stories and legal battles that have informed how we view music ownership today leaving musicians to fight for their rights, their copyrights.

In this episode, the arts crew gathers, in the studio (finally), to talk talk. No, not the 80s band. We’re talking about slang, the online dialect, emojis, and even talking to aliens!

Ok gamers, strap in as the Arts, Interrupted team unpack the gamified aspects of our culture. From Michigan Football games to the playing card deck of Tinder, the gang covers it all.

Upon their return to in-person recording, the Arts, Interrupted gang discusses what it means to be in a body in our current culture and how those meanings have changed since the beginning of the pandemic.

The second part!

In this very special episode, the gang takes us through a history of the romantic comedy genre through the lens of its most iconic films and how their representations of women and their relationships have changed overtime. They were also able to sit down with Alex Richanbach, director of the movie Ibiza, a Netflix original that is an homage to romantic comedies in more ways than one. 

In this episode of Arts, Interrupted, the team tries to make sense of the nonsense that is hyperpop and celebrates some of its key players: SOPHIE, 100 gecs, Charli XCX, and more.

In this episode, the team welcomes new members Sam and Juan and examine the state of tv and film today through the lens of streaming. 

In the season 7 premiere, the gang unpacks Olivia Rodrigo's hit song Drivers License and reflect on what it is about teens breaking each other's hearts that is so compelling to audiences. 

In this episode of Arts, Interrupted, the crew takes it easy and chats about comfort consumerism, you know, like those tv shows, music, movies we keep turning back to. We also bid farewell to our beloved executive Sam Small

Haven’t you heard? Genre is dead. That’s right, the original music organization tool is no longer useful. For this episode, the team discusses why we have genre, what it means, and where it’s going. Featuring super special guest Shamir!

Get your costumes ready; it’s almost October 31. For musicians like Prince and Bowie, however, masquerading isn’t reserved for just one day—it’s their whole shtick. In this episode, Arts discusses the history, motives, and future of these masked musicians

Why are artists such as Phoebe Bridgers and Snail Mail deemed "sad girl indie?" In this episode, the not so sad artist Indigo De Souza chatted with Sam and Max about the "genre" while the whole crew discusses the intricacies and origin of the music style