PODCAST · arts
Concavity Show
by Matt Bucher & Dave Laird
Hosts Matt Bucher and Dave Laird interview writers, scholars, and others about books, literary fiction, and David Foster Wallace.
Episodes
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Episode 92 - Jim Gauer, Novel Explosives 10th Anniversary Retrospective
Seven years after his original appearance, we welcome Jim Gauer back on to talk about his wonderful book, Novel Explosives, and its new 10th anniversary edition with a foreword by Joy Williams. Order the book here. Contact Concavity Show: Email us at [email protected] Patreon Instagram...
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Episode 91 - Kevin Moffett, author of Only Son
In Episode 91, we're joined by Kevin Moffett, author of Only Son, a 2025 McSweeney's release which was longlisted for the National Book Award. Rush out and get this book; it's fantastic. Buy it from the McSweeney's store. Jonathan Lethem's review of Only Son. Contact Concavity Show: Email us at...
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Episode 90 - Stephen Starring Grant, author of Mailman
In Episode 90, Matt talks to Steve about his 2025 memoir, Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home, which documents his becoming a rural mail carrier for the US Postal Service during the pandemic. The episode explores additional topics like Steve's time at...
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Episode 89 - 2025 Year in Review Part 2
In Part 2 of our annual best-of-the-year show, Dave and Matt talk about their favorite reads of the year. As usual, it comes with a playlist: Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/best-of-2025/pl.u-55D6zM5h8VMBkG Spotify:...
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Episode 89 - 2025 Year in Review Part 1, with Stefan Babcock of PUP
In Episode 89, Dave and Matt have the insane privilege of talking to PUP's remarkably well-read frontman, Stefan Babcock, whose year-end reading list hit PUP's Substack on December 28th, and is full of great books. In addition to talking about Stefan's year in reading, we delve into the literary...
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Episode 88 - Brandon Hobson, author of The Devil Is a Southpaw
In Episode 88, we welcome Brandon back to the show to talk about his new novel, The Devil Is a Southpaw, out now from HarperCollins. We discuss things like metafiction, abjection, doppelgängers, alt-country, and much more. You can buy the novel here or here online, or ideally at your local...
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Episode 87 - Jonathan Lethem, author of A Different Kind of Tension & The Fortress of Solitude
For Episode 87, Matt and Dave are joined by the Jonathan Lethem, who has a new short story collection out on September 23rd, A Different Kind of Tension. We discuss it, many of his novels and his non-fiction writing, his committment to craft, teaching, bookselling, and much more. You can order…
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Episode 86 - Matt Bucher, author of The Summer Layoff
In Episode 86, Matt Bucher not only co-hosts, but guests as the author of interest, whose new novel, a follow-up to The Belan Deck, has just recently released. Matt's latest book is a Marksonian treatise on the marking, measuring, and allocation of time, and is sure to delight listeners of our...
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Episode 85 - Camille Bordas, author of The Material & How to Behave in a Crowd
In Episode 85, we're joined by Camille Bordas, whose recent novel The Material explores what a fictionalized MFA program in stand-up comedy might look like. It's funny (as you might imagine) and philosophical, exploring some of the great cultural questions of our (and just about any other) time....
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Episode 84 - Sergio De La Pava, author of Every Arc Bends Its Radian
In Episode 84, the incredible Sergio De La Pava joins Dave and Matt to talk about his latest novel, Every Arc Bends Its Radian, out now from Simon & Schuster. We also discuss David Lynch and his recent passing, deep sea life, and haunted hotels, among many other things. You can find Sergio's...
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Episode 83 - 2024 Year in Review
Join Matt and Dave as they look back at the best of their year in reading during 2024, each with a list of ten(ish) books they found compelling and noteworthy. Dave's top 10: Dayspring by Anthony Oliveira Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar Prophet Song by Paul Lynch…
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Episode 82 - Lauren Elkin, author of Scaffolding
In this episode, Matt speaks with Lauren Elkin about her new novel, Scaffolding. They discuss Lacan, marriage, and why Paris is so damn literary, among other things. Lauren Elkin is a French and American writer and translator, most recently the author of the novel Scaffolding (FSG), a New York...
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Episode 81 - Benjamín Labatut, Author of The MANIAC and When We Cease to Understand the World
We're delighted to present our conversation with the remarkable Benjamín Labatut for Episode 81, in which we primarily discuss his 2023 non-fiction novel The MANIAC, its primary figure John von Neumann, the madness and magic of fiction, and the limits and future of science and the human mind.…
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Episode 80 - Jessica Anthony, author of The Most
For episode 80, we welcome Jessica Anthony back to the show. She has long been one of our favorite writers and she returns this month with a new novel titled The Most (out July 30 from Little Brown). Jessica Anthony is the author of three books of fiction, most recently the novel Enter the...
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Episode 79 - Matt Lowell of Lo Moon
In this episode, Matt Bucher interviews Matt Lowell of the band Lo Moon. They discuss the genesis of Lo Moon's new hit song, "Water." Lowell shares how he discovered David Foster Wallace's writing and he also breaks down his collaborative writing process. Later, he digs into some of his literary...
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Episode 78 - Don Hough, author of The Funeral Girl and All the Best
In this episode, Matt interviews Don Hough. Don is the author of a collection of short stories titled The Funeral Girl, a collection of essays called The Exact Right Word, and a new correspondence collection called All the Best. They discuss how The Funeral Girl is influenced by David Foster...
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Episode 77 - Adam Levin, author of The Instructions, Bar Mitzvah Edition
In this episode, Dave and Matt sit down with Adam Levin to discuss the publication of the Bar Mitzvah edition of that great novel, The Instructions. They discuss growing up in the land of Bar Mitzvahs, the writing process, and what happens to Gurion, among other things. Adam Levin's website is:...
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Episode 76 - 2023 Year in Review, featuring Ben "Felonies!" Diamond
It's our favorite annual episode on the show, when we get to look back at the best of our year in reading with someone else who has read cool stuff. This time it's with Ben Diamond, a very keen listener and patron from London, who for three years running has sent us an annual best of his year...
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Episode 75 - Diego Báez, Author of Yaguareté White
In Episode 75 we welcome poet Diego Báez back onto the show, to discuss his fantastic forthcoming book of poetry, Yaguareté White, which releases from University of Arizona Press on February 20, 2024. You can pre-order it directly from the publisher or from Bookshop.org Follow Diego on Twitter...
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Episode 74 - David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo
In this episode with speak with bestselling writer and journalist David Lipsky. To David Foster Wallace fans, Lipsky is, of course, familiar as the author of Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself which was the basis of the 2015 film The End of the Tour. David Lipsky is a contributing...
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BONUS: DFW vs Martin Amis: Every Tennis Match is a Ghost Story
In this bonus episode, we have a special audio production from British literary scholar Saul Leslie and American writer Wendy Liu. What do you think David Foster Wallace was really like in a tennis match? You are invited to listen to a tennis commentary of a fictional match played between David...
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Episode 73 - Matt Bucher, author of The Belan Deck
In Episode 73, Dave welcomes special guest Matt Bucher on the show to discuss his debut novel, The Belan Deck. Buy Matt's book here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-belan-deck-matt-bucher/19943822?ean=9798888623428 Biblioklept review:...
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Episode 72 - Sheila Liming, author of Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time
In Episode 72, we welcome friend of the show, Edith Wharton scholar, accordion/bagpiper extraordinaire, and prolific writer, Sheila Liming on to talk about her new book Hanging Out, delving into the myriad ways that unstructured hang time is a radical, life-affirming act that resists capitalist...
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Episode 71 - Year in Review 2022 with Evan Stephens Hall of Pinegrove
In this episode, we talk with prolific reader and accomplished musician Evan Stephens Hall from the band Pinegrove. We discuss his top books of the year and go through a few of our own favorite reading experiences from 2022. Here is the David Foster Wallace & Richard Powers Q&A we mention. And…
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Episode 70 - Peyton Thomas, author of Both Sides Now
In episode 70, we talk to our friend Peyton Thomas, a DFW, Louisa May Alcott, and American Girl doll enthusiast. His recent YA novel, Both Sides Now, was published in 2021, and his writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, Pitchfork, and Billboard, and many other places. Peyton is currently at work on...
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Episode 69 - Michael O’Connell, editor of Conversations with George Saunders
In Episode 69, we talk to our friend Mike O'Connell about his recent collection from University of Mississippi Press, Conversations with George Saunders, and discuss Mike's background, the origins of the collection, particulars of the interviews in the book, the trajectory and flavor of Saunders'...
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Episode 68 - Adam Levin, author of Mount Chicago
In Adam's second appearance on the show, we discuss his brand new novel, Mount Chicago, which follows a handful of characters living in the shadow of a "terrestrial anomaly" that befalls Chicago's downtown. Both hilarious and tragic, the book shows off Levin's great versatility as a storyteller,...
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Episode 67 - Christian TeBordo, author of The Apology (and DFW22 Conference Recap)
In Episode 67, we welcome Christian TeBordo back to the show to discuss his new novel, The Apology, as well as get a rundown of the recent David Foster Wallace conference in Austin, with overall reflections from Matt. Christian on Twitter - https://twitter.com/xtebordo Buy The Apology here -...
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Episode 66 - Dario Diofebi, author of Paradise, Nevada
In Episode 66, we welcome Dario Diofebi, the mind behind one of our favorite books of 2021, Paradise, Nevada, from Bloomsbury Publishing. You can buy the book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/paradise-nevada-9781635576207/ Stay tuned for the bonus episode, dropping about two weeks from this...
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Episode 65 - Kyle Beachy, author of The Most Fun Thing
In Episode 65, we bear witness to the glorious return of Kyle Beachy to the show, to discuss his new book on skateboarding (and marriage, architecture, literature, etc.), The Most Fun Thing: Dispatches from a Skateboard Life, out now from Grand Central Publishing! You can buy the book from your...
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Episode 64 - 2021 Year in Review
In Episode 64, we recount our year in reading, noting our highlights along the way. Stay tuned for Film, TV, and Music in the Patreon bonus episode! Apple Music Year End Playlist - https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/concavity-show-best-of-2021/pl.u-r2yBJmEIPj5rYl Spotify Year End Playlist -...
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Episode 63 -Deb Olin Unferth
In Episode 63, Matt and Dave talk to Deb Olin Unferth—author of the fantastic novels Barn 8 and Vacation, short story collections Wait Till You See Me Dance and Minor Robberies, and the memoir Revolution—about her writing, research, and creative writing teaching. Contact Deb about Pen-City -...
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Episode 62 - Phillip Freedenberg & Jeff Walton
In Episode 62, Dave and Matt talk to the author and illustrator of the cryptic meganovel sensation, America and the Cult of the Cactus Boots: A Diagnostic, out now from Corona/Samizdat Press. Audio recording featuring thunder! Show Notes: Buy the book: 20€ + Shipping, Send email to...
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Episode 61 - Steve Erickson (feat. Matt Luter & Mike Miley)
In Episode 61, we welcome the highly celebrated, multi award-winning American writer Steve Erickson, author of Shadowbahn, Tours of the Black Clock, These Dreams of You, and a host of other novels and non-fiction. To help celebrate the release of Conversations with Steve Erickson, out now from...
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Episode 60 - Brandon Hobson
In Episode 60, Dave and Matt are joined by National Book Award Finalist, Brandon Hobson, to discuss his brand new novel, The Removed, as well as his other tremendous fiction. Notable links: Order The Removed…
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Episode 59 - Introducing....Concavity Show
In Episode 59, Dave and Matt make a special announcement about the podcast, and outline a host of exciting changes! There is also a Jessica Anthony Enter the Aardvark giveaway contest, so hang in til the end. You have until the end of July 15th to email us your entry! Check out our Patreon page...
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Episode 58 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Chris Via of Leaf by Leaf
In Episode 58, Dave and Matt are joined by YouTube creator Chris Via of the Leaf by Leaf book review/discussion channel. A special surprise guest also makes an appearance that was about impossible to seamlessly edit out! We discuss Chris' excellent book channel's origins, primary preoccupations,...
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Episode 57.3 - 2020 Year in Review (Feat. Grace Chipperfield) - Part 3
In the third and final installment of our 2020 Year in Review episode, Dr. Grace Chipperfield joins us to talk about her Ph.D. thesis on Wallace, and the music and board/video games that stood out this year. Show Notes: TGC's Best of 2020 Music Playlist: Spotify -...
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Episode 57.2 - 2020 Year in Review (Feat. Chris Ayers) - Part 2
In Part 2 of our 2020 Year in Review, we talk to old friend of the show, Chris Ayers, our resident film and TV specialist, about the year in screen-based entertainment. Part 3 with Grace Chipperfield coming soon! Find Chris' amazing Wallace-related and design work here: Poor Yorick -...
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Episode 57.1 - 2020 Year in Review (Feat. Matt Luter) - Part 1
Given our Year of Collective Quarantine, we had so much to talk about w/r/t our literary and pop-cultural consumption, that we have a three-parter for our 2020 recap. In Part 1 here, we talk to old friend and recurring guest of the show, Matt Luter, about his productive year in reading, and ours....
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Episode 56 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Jessica Anthony, author of Enter the Aardvark and The Convalescent
In Episode 56, we have the great pleasure of talking to Jessica Anthony about her exceptional new book, Enter the Aardvark, as well as our classic favorite, The Convalescent, which you've no doubt heard us mention over the years. Jess unpacks for us her views on the imaginate power of fiction…
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Episode 55 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Christian TeBordo, author of Ghost Engine and Toughlahoma
In Episode 55, we're joined by writer Christian TeBordo, author of the recent short story collection Ghost Engine, and novel Toughlahoma. He's the director of the creative writing program at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and a colleague and friend of recent guests Adam Levin and Kyle Beachy.…
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Episode 54 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Martina Testa
In Episode 54, we talk to Martina Testa, Editor at Edizioni SUR, and one of Wallace's Italian translators and interpreters. The conversation explores her background with discovering Wallace's writing, getting contracts to translate his work, the Italian fervour surrounding him, and her friendship...
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Episode 53 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Adam Levin, author of Bubblegum and The Instructions
In Episode 53, we're joined by the writer Adam Levin, author of The Instructions, Hot Pink, and the incredible forthcoming novel Bubblegum, which releases April 14, 2020. In our conversation, we talk a good deal about the new novel, Adam's experience reading/thinking about Wallace, swearing,...
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Episode 52 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Jon Baskin
In Episode 52, we talk to Jon Baskin, author of the exciting new book Ordinary Unhappiness: The Therapeutic Fiction of David Foster Wallace. Topics of exploration in the conversation include Freud, Wittgenstein, and hating Ben Lerner (or not). You can find out more details and buy Jon's book…
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Episode 51 - 2019 Year in Review (feat. Mike Miley)
In Episode 51, we bring on our resident film expert and Episode 38 guest Mike Miley to talk about our year in books, movies, music, TV, and games. Show Notes: Link to Jeff Tweedy & George Saunders interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWlKCB1JCG0 2019 Playlist (iTunes):...
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Episode 50 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Michael McGowan & Martin Brick
In Episode 50, we talk to Michael McGowan and Martin Brick, the editors of David Foster Wallace and Religion: Essays on Faith and Fiction, out now from Bloomsbury Academic: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/david-foster-wallace-and-religion-9781501345289/ Contact our guests: Michael McGowan:...
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Episode 49.2 - Discussing David Foster Wallace & Don DeLillo’s Letters
This is the second and final episode covering Wallace and DeLillo's correspondence, housed at the Ransom Center Archive in Austin, Texas. Show notes: 1996 Leonard Lopate interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ4AeIRKbfwhttps://www.wnyc.org/story/56878-david-foster-wallace/ 1996 David...
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Episode 49.1 - Discussing David Foster Wallace & Don DeLillo's Letters
After a very busy summer, Dave and Matt reconvene to discuss the Wallace/DeLillo correspondence housed at the Ransom Center in Austin, Texas. This will be the first instalment of a several-part episode, as there's a lot here to cover! Five Dials, David Foster Wallace Memorial -...
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Episode 48 - Discussing David Foster Wallace with Yonina Hoffman
In Episode 48, we're joined by Yonina Hoffman. Yonina is PhD student at the Ohio State University. Her work centers around, you guessed it, David Foster Wallace. In this discussion, we cover a range of topics around DFW's work and Yonina's dissertation. We discuss voice, narrative, voice, humor…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hosts Matt Bucher and Dave Laird interview writers, scholars, and others about books, literary fiction, and David Foster Wallace.
HOSTED BY
Matt Bucher & Dave Laird
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Concavity Show have?
Concavity Show currently has 98 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Concavity Show about?
Hosts Matt Bucher and Dave Laird interview writers, scholars, and others about books, literary fiction, and David Foster Wallace.
How often does Concavity Show release new episodes?
Concavity Show has 98 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Concavity Show?
You can listen to Concavity Show on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Concavity Show?
Concavity Show is created and hosted by Matt Bucher & Dave Laird.
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