Like Pigs in Space - An Arts Talk Show

A body of work is examined and a realization is made as Max talks about his favorite comedian, Mike Birbiglia, while also looking back at the history of comedy, media that has effected his sense of humor, and how his favorite art in any genre is largely story based.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=76c83c97-c30c-4d87-aa32-0ad445fc30a1

Around us are leviathans. Hulking figures that control our lives. We can either accept their protection or risk overexposure. Some choose to shape these leviathans into their own vision. One who did, while problematically so, was the architect Philip Johnson.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=2ebc90a3-e7fa-4013-9d84-e1db0d2939b9

By following the lives of three girls in a fictional Michigan town, Wallsocket by underscores is able to explore themes of race, wealth, identity, religion, obsession, and manipulation through bombastic production and clever songwriting.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=e7bc40df-3aca-4a4d-884b-bd9a62851247

Since their debut album, The B-52s have written and performed music that doesn’t care who you are or what you think of them. All they ask is the same thing they’ve asked since their first Valentine’s Day show: dance.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=637a79ed-fa89-4557-9b91-039a641927d4

Although its history is riddled with shortcomings that would lead to its downfall, Adobe Flash and the games that were made with it are a key building block of the early internet that still hold great value to those artists who made them and those who were along for the ride.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

There are many journey within the walls of this episode consisting of an actual journey across Arizona, the journey of genres by author Lois Duncan and her book The Terrible Tales of Happy Days School, and the journey between a plethora of horror films.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Here we are again at Field Report 4, friends, and this time we’re going over perhaps one of the more obscure and hard to research batch of topics we’ve covered while also tying the songwriting of Jim Steinman, the political views of Gloria Gaynor, and the last medium of Flash animation and games. Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=52cef2eb-22e3-41f9-92a2-d27f5fc30f25

There’s an underlying feeling of faith and folk in Manchester Orchestra’s 2009 album Mean Everything to Nothing that draws on being raised by a pastor who was raised by a pastor and on the classic hymn Come Thou Fount.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=01468868-39a1-4cf0-b644-d09f85e9e072

Even adults need a refresher on their ABCs and Uncle Shelby’s ABZ Book by Shel Silverstein is that, providing sometimes classic and sometimes unique examples that, if any single one was taken to heart by a child, would plunge their parents into a world of exhaustion and torment.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=53fffc55-7ceb-463f-8b46-33f09aea448a

Max takes a break to look towards the future by examining three different works from fantasy author Ursula K. Le Guin, singer/songwriter John Darnielle, and veteran YouTuber Adam Neely and their views on imagination, originality, and creativity in a world that is slowly placing less value in those ideas.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

On the subject of members of bands who defined the sound of a music group, one such example is Jerry Harrison of The Talking Heads who demonstrated his essential status to their sound on his second solo album Casual Gods.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=d80cc814-6300-433f-b40c-def1d3ce7b77

Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz tells the strange story of a man afflicted with an unrequited love and the depths it brings him to all while being completely instrumental and using French psychology terms to tell the story and arguably bring about the romantic era of music.Enjoy!

Despite being lost from the worlds eye for some time, the 1928 novel The Adventures of Don Chipote, or, When Parrots Breast-Feed, by Daniel Venegas gives us a satirical yet insightful look into how Mexican immigrants were treated in early 20th century America and the lengths some immigrants would go to find work there. Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=7397d2a6-87f7-4639-b77a-ce00c3cff5d5

While it’s debatable whether Invader Zim was ahead of its time or just wrong for its time, this cartoon from the early 2000s still stands strong in its humor, storytelling, and analysis of hyper consumerism and conspiracy theories despite its untimely cancellation.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

While more of a notable splash than a deep dive, Aaron gives a rundown of some of his top recommendations for films made in India covering everything from biopics to folklore to overpowered anti-colonialists. Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Being what many (many meaning Max) consider the pinnacle of creativity within the emo genre, The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance marries emo with the long, storied history of rock operas to produce a harrowing tale of death, denial, and defiance.Enjoy! https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=0d611e94-839f-4e98-954c-510fd0104f2d

It’s that time again for reflection and review as we look back at the last nine episodes that contained a large amount of literature, a decent amount of music, and a small splash of early 2000s internet humor.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=e2ba4ac3-62f8-4173-894b-8c526b122fd0

The Arbuthnot Anthology of Children’s Literature is full to the brim with about 1000 pieces of poetry and prose while also being an invaluable source of knowledge for those who wish to read to children despite having a scary butterfly on the cover.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=684296fc-4f7f-415f-b061-70d4c701ab51

As a continuation of last weeks episode, Max details the second half of the 30 (-ish) books he read this year that cover many of the same genres with the addition of some classic literature and bad boy dinosaurs.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

Breaking from the regularly scheduled programming, Max discuss the first 15 of 30 books he read this year which cover a wide range of genres including sci-fi, romance, horror, westerns, and philosophy via Rick Rubin.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=0c4483ef-cd80-43f2-9c5e-5546db5d2179

From her arid origins in Needles, California to becoming one of the most unique voices from the New York School, Alice Notley collection Mysteries of Small Houses showed that she never tried to be anything other than a poet.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=67e61cfd-f6af-4ead-bf8a-986c8dca0279

Not to be confused with the anatomy of insects, Imaginal Disk by Magdalena Bay offers a distinct narrative about self image, memories, transcendentalism and what happens when you stick a giant CD into your forehead.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=134fff3e-996a-43e6-91ff-0229a2123e4b

Literary prowess and integrity can be found in or added to many seemingly mundane things and, this week, Aaron shows us how it can be found in instructional manuals as exemplified in John Muir’s How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=c45ebfc4-2efc-496d-be53-e73095ba82d6

Max details a plethora of cultural and historical references that brought about the creation of Homestar Runner and the sensational crime drama that is Dangeresque 1: Dangeresque, too? Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=f60dfc4f-6fb3-4c35-9bc7-05bfe5e8472a

Using his distinct voice, six octave range, and accentuated receding hairline, Klaus Nomi gave the world two albums during his time on it that are avant-garde, operatic, danceable and reflective of the 1980’s queer community all at the same time.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=a1974d58-220a-4cff-96b5-668262cc061b

This novel from 1995, I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, provides such a uniquely hopeful and compelling narrative in an otherwise confusing and cruel world that, after reading it this week, Max had to postpone his originally topic of discussion.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=703f7c76-2395-4e45-b10f-481f53e8f401

It’s time again to go over the previous nine episodes of discussion while also spending time to discuss David Bowie, Bret Easton Ellis, not feeling weird about being emotional and Aaron trying to keep up with Max’s train of thought.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share

With the debut of The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock, T. S. Eliot showcased his ability to pack a poem with dense layers of tragedy, apprehension, anxiety, cats and poignant imagery.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=ad4675d8-f1ac-4b05-a377-665abc3b19a9

Ghost and aliens abound in Phoebe Bridgers' 2020 album Punisher along with a heaping helping Californian anachronisms to round out this sometimes sometimes soft, sometimes brutal listening experience. Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4707e5c2-30d3-42f3-b671-224bd72d876a

Poetry, music, biblical stories, and the Ford Motor Company combine to create the basis for The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams that - while popular as a novel series, a television program, and a movie - got it's start as a BBC Radio show in the late 1970's.Enjoy as we struggle to remember the word psychic!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4707e5c2-30d3-42f3-b671-224bd72d876a

Max gives a very timely four year late retrospective on what is often seen as the definitive COVID era work of art, Inside by comedian Bo Burnham, and the densely emotional and brilliantly lit comedy it contains.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4707e5c2-30d3-42f3-b671-224bd72d876a

Come along as we untangle the dense web that ties nearly every movie together while Aaron tells us why The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is not only one of his favorite movies but, also one of the greatest movies of all time. Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4707e5c2-30d3-42f3-b671-224bd72d876a

Come along on a trip through the fascinating world of outsider art, outsider music, and the anachronistic world of Chicago native Wesley Willis and his songs about friends, punk bands, McDonalds, Magikist, and an antagonist Batman.Enjoy!https://linktr.ee/likepigsinspace?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=4707e5c2-30d3-42f3-b671-224bd72d876a

With a looser structure and examples left up to chance, Aaron analyzes an assortment of poems to help those of us who may be interested in writing poetry understand the elements of a poem such as structure, subject, brevity, and imagery culminating in Aaron helping Max write a poem. See if you can find the melodies hidden in the typewriter clicks!Enjoy!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

Max chronicles the ties Van Halen and some of his closest friendships while also doing a deep dive on their 1982 album Diver Down, an album full of character and variety as well as an overwhelmingly fun-loving spirit.Enjoy!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

Despite beginning and ending the show on unrelated topics, Aaron talks about American sculptor Alexander Calder, his generous and human approaches to art, and the power of food.Enjoy!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

Aaron and Max turn towards contemplativeness as they look back on the previous 9 episodes and giving miniature reviews of what the other had talked about. The episode the wraps up with a report on their own creative endeavors as of late, namely podcast editing, poem writing, wood working and peridot finding. Enjoy!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

Max finally proves that he is capable of reading a whole book. Specifically, the book This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno. This book explores the haunting nature of grief and loss and, in the spirit of such ideas, Max interviews Aaron about the passing of his dad 25 years ago. Enjoy!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

Poetry and punk collides as Aaron articulates his thoughts on Billy Bragg's 1987 album Back to Basics, the long, rich history of protest music, and how early Billy Bragg just really wanted a girlfriend. Enjoy!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

Breaking the tradition of how Max usually hears about music (that is to say late), he discusses the 2018 Twenty One Pilots album Trench, the world incased within it's tracks, the strong use of symbolism, and somehow also Danny Elfman.Enjoy!Follow our instagram for pictures of the things we talk about!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

On the subject of American poet Kenneth Fearing, Aaron discusses how modernist poetry evolved out of a World War and The Great Depression which created the perfect environment for Fearing's cynical and anti-consumerist poetry. Aaron also drops some hate on post modernist poetry.Enjoy!Follow our Instagram for pictures of the things we talk about!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

While discussing the 2017 SOPHIE album, Oil of Every Pearl's Un-Insides - an album well deserving of focused discussion - Max and Aaron also manage to talk about Rick Rubin, grilled cheese, Miracle Whip, modular synthesizers, and whether or not they were ever bullied. Enjoy!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

Aaron talks about the 1986 film True Stories, written and directed by David Byrne of Talking Heads fame, while also diving into the significant impact David Byrne played in his adolescence when Aaron first saw David described as a Renaissance Man.Follow our Instagram for pictures of the things we talk about!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

While stretching the confines of what counts as arts and culture, Max goes into depth about Neopets, The Darkest Faerie and the magic that was/is the Play Station 2.Follow our Instagram for pictures of the things we talk about!https://www.instagram.com/likepigsinspace/profilecard/?igsh=MXY4OWZ2bXdzNXV4Yg==

Aaron recounts his history with the book Young Adult Novel by Daniel Pinkwater and the journey it sparked into dadaism, individuality, HOA hate and Grape Nuts love.

In the inaugural episode of Like Pigs in Space, Max talks to his dad, Aaron, about his favorite album for a long, long, long, long time.