Busted Mouth: Recent Episodes
J.W. Basilo
Busted Mouth is a podcast about Rock 'n Roll, sticking it to the man, and your big, stupid feelings. Every week, host J.W. Basilo is joined by artists of various disciplines to discuss their craft, their lives, and their favorite records.
Never fear, a vaccine is on its way. Baz sits down via Zoom with old friend and Chicago literary mainstay, Billy Tuggle, to talk music, poetry, and what it takes to survive the local arts scene.
Holidays in a pandemic, what a time for sweet, sweet nostalgia. And nothing says nostalgia like a New Kids on the Block fan cruise. Our guest Kaira Williams literally wrote the book on it. She's the author of I'm Fangirling: Snarky Stories and Boyband Memories,available now.
https://www.lulu.com/en/en/shop/kaira-williams/im-fangirling-snarky-stories-boyband-memories/paperback/product-186wznem.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Baz tells a story about learning to let go and then completely forgets the moral. Marty McConnell joins us to talk poetry, perseverance, and tarot.
Election Night is upon us and Basilo is distracting himself by, of course, making a playlist. Afterward, he stops by to visit with old friend and certified badass, Aricka Foreman, about poetry, community, and general shenanigans.
Ol Bazillionaire gives his final thoughts before the election. BONUS: Sneak peek of the new show, "Wokefield!"
Wokefield is produced and engineered by J.W. Basilo for Shame The Devil. Production copyright 2020, Shame The Devil Media.
Big Announcements abound. An old friend stops by the studio to talk about Chicago poetry in the early 21st Century, our lives since surviving it, and the often cringe-worthy parts of publishing our stories.
It's Columbus Day because of course it is. Greg Geffrard calls up via the talking picture box(tm) to talk about his life as an actor, poet, and activist in such an absurd time.
Link to Greg's recent Ted talk: https://www.tedxwrigleyville.com/watch_fall/
Baz discusses an academic study on politically ideology, and then old friend/writer/performer Emily Rose stops by to class up the place.
Hope springs eternal if you grit your teeth and scream into your own palm hard enough. Actor and producer Sarah Gise stops by to talk about hope, Hanson, and the ADHD Artist Podcast. This episode is sponsored by Bribes By Larry.
Bianca Phipps, a Real Live Human and author of "Crown Noble," stops by the studio to bless us with knowledge, tomfoolery, and being the queer you wish to see in the world.
We're getting back in the swing of things. Basilo riffs on discovering exactly which kind of a-hole you are, and the members of the defunct Chicago Slam Works Ensemble Theatre stop by via Zoom.
This episode is brought to you by Hope, paid for by the Committee to Make America Grape Again.
Basilo is back in the studio and back on his bulls#*! to kick off Season 3 officially! The fascinating Davide Grody (writer, performer, musician) joins us all the way from Paris in an interview taped back in May of 2020 before everything went full nanners. Music, feelings, thoughts on sticking it to the man, AND an interview? That's some peak Busted Mouth, right there. Let's party.
The madness hath descended as Season 3 creeps upon us and we're collectively too bored to notice. Fortunately, our buddy Tom Budday stops by to talk about education, empathy, and flexing on young poets.
Season 3 begins in quarantine! This sh** is the proverbial nanners but we're back, albeit remotely. Joe Hernandez-Kolski (HBO, Netflix, Your Heart) calls in to start the engines on this new normal. We talk about what we're doing to get by, new projects we've discovered, and Joe shares some awesome stories about his decades-long career.
We take a bit of a deep dive into empathy. Storyteller, trash mouth, and new mom Stephanie Douglass stops by the studio (with a baby) to talk about producing a storytelling show, her time in Israel and Lebanon, and you know, like, kids and stuff.
This is a fun one. Elizabeth Gomez (writer, performer, founder of Windy City Rollers) stops by the studio to talk about Roller Derby, digging through Dad's records, and embarrassing tales of personal grooming.
Spring is creeping upon us like a single dude 8 minutes before last call. Alyssa Thordarson (Chicago Med, Empire, Your Dreams) stops by to talk inside baseball about a career in television, odd experiences in commercials, and her love of the Rolling Stones.
Adrienne Gunn (Heaux, Chicago Magazine) stops by the studio the friends get into embarrassing childhood music, show production, and Adrienne's often hilarious exploits writing an "experience" column. This is a fun one.
Correspondence is in the air. Baz writes to some high school students about sticking it to the man. Nick Fox calls in from a catamaran. it's feelings and friendship, man.
Baz discovers his own personal Christmas. Writer & actor Joseph Ramski stops by and the fellas talk about his new play, growing personally and musically, and a whole lot of Star Wars.
If January is any indication, Earth is about to implode into itself like a crushed star. Anyway, the homie Teagan Walsh-Davis stops by to talk her new play, the delicious drama of early adulthood, and the blurring of genre in popular music.
Ol' Lovehandle Jones is back from break. Caroline Watson joins us in studio to her show, "Grandma's House," mental health, and the finer points of digital romance.
Christmas is once again stuck in Ol Salty's craw. Max Thomas stops by and the boys have discuss masculinity, personal growth, and the changing face of comedy in Chicago and beyond.
The holidays are upon us and nothing says Christmas like talking about your big stupid feelings. Melissa DuPrey stops by to talk gentrification, being generally "woo-woo," and her new play, "Good Grief."
Back after a short hiatus, Baz is joined by Daniel Santrella and Tyler Ryssemus of pop outfit Pretty Heavy. Their new single is available on various streaming platforms. Go get it!
It's getting cold in Chicago. Busted Mouth Hall of Famer (very prestigious), Whitney Chitwood stops by the studio once again to talk comedy, Stephen King, and her #1 on iTunes comedy album. Bonus appearance by Tim Stafford.
Poet Davon Clark stops by and the guys have a great conversation about the history and current state of poetry slam, trying to balance art and life, and the struggle that comes with failing to adapt. This one gets deep, bro. If you're the type of listener who loves the episodes about "inside baseball" and big, stupid feelings, this one is your jam.
Catch Basilo and Davon on stage together in Chicago on November 16, 2019, along with Buddy Wakefield and Whitney Chitwood. Tickets at BustedMouth.com
Halloween is upon us and Basilosaurus doesn't care. Jeremy Owens (You're Being Ridiculous) stops by for a fun conversation about storytelling, Taylor Swift, and embarrassing celebrity encounters.
http://yourebeingridiculous.com/
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/buddy-wakefield-a-choir-of-honest-killers-tour-tickets-77561158513
Big details for the Busted Mouth Roadshow are announced. Mary Kate Ashe (co-director of "You Are Happy") stops by to talk theater, Deaf culture, and our struggles with letting go.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/buddy-wakefield-a-choir-of-honest-killers-tour-tickets-77561158513
https://redtheater.org/2020
Storyteller, educator, actor and mega-human, Janna Sobel drops by the studio to talk art as healing, the importance of connection, and Intuitive Treasure Hunting.
Busted Mouth Road Show Returns November 16th with headliner Buddy Wakefield!
HereChicago.org
IntuitiveTreasureHunter.com
The Summer of Fox draws to a close as Ol Foxy stops by to pay his final visit. Nick tells some of his best travel stories. Baz learns about boats and Judaism.
Basilo is back for the shocking conclusion of his medical cannabis journey. Plus, a history of the War on Drugs! It's edutainment time with your Uncle Baz, who swears he just has allergies.
Reefer Madness begins as Basilo dives into part 1 of a cannabis love story. Artist & activist Angela Davis Fegan stops by to talk queering the state with Lavender Menace, working with David Byrne, and using her talents to stick it to the man.
J-Dub visits a Mega Church and immediately turns to Satan. Matthew Pantelis stops by the studio to talk metal, Chicago music scene, and mental health.
Two old friends from the High Hat Club swap war stories, break each other's balls, and talk healing and growth.
Essay on the "Generation Self Esteem." Joel Chmara (joelpoetry.com) stops by the studio to talk the rigors of the road, childhood failure, and fatherhood.
The VR revolution is upon us. Aaron Sawyer (Artistic Director) stops by to talk about virtual reality, its relation to theater, and how it impacts entertainment in the future.
Basilo illuminates 5 Things you can do to get into soccer if you don’t know where to start. Author Megan Stielstra stops by to talk evolution of language, the Chicago literary scene, and having sex in independent bookstores.
Megan Stielstra is the author of three collections: The Wrong Way To Save Your Life, Once I Was Cool, and Everyone Remain Calm. Her work appears in the Best American Essays, New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Believer, Longreads, Tin House, Guernica, Catapult, Buzzfeed Reader, The Rumpus, and elsewhere. A longtime company member with 2nd Story, she has told stories for National Public Radio, Radio National Australia, Museum of Contemporary Art, Goodman Theatre, and regularly with The Paper Machete live news magazine at The Green Mill. She teaches creative nonfiction at Northwestern University.
Basilo gets a new job. Acoustic rock duo The Alibis (Daniel Robbins & Eric Quigley) drop by the studio to play a couple tunes, talk Chicago music and the benefits of songwriting in tandem.
Just a bunch of old friends talking rock n roll, soccer, and corporate influence on live music venues. Tim Stafford drops by to talk about his new punk rock anthology.
Ol Bazillions shares a story of being spurned by a famous musician. Bill Larkin (musician, comedian, Gay Balding Asthmatic) stops by to talk songwriting, genre-bending, and tries in futility to defend "September," scientifically proven to be the worst song ever.
Baz dives into the 2020 Presidential race. Leah Munsey (Paper Machete) stops by the studio to talk responsibility in the age of "cancelled culture," MMA, and The Paper Machete Blowout on July 14th. https://sleeping-village.com/calendar/paper-machete-blowout/
Baz gives grown man lessons. Sonal Aggarwal (comedian/musician) stops by to talk comedy, MIA, and embracing the world as a traveler. This one gets a little silly. Enjoy
Baz braves the general public on a weekend. Nick Fox stops by to talk writing, living outside the American ideal, and his favorite records.
Baz watches a WWE pay per view for the first time. Bassel Almadani (Bassel & the Supernaturals, The Other Baz) sits down to talk music, Islam, and finding a work/life balance as a working artist.
Actor Dana Black stops by to talk about theater, relationships, and her new play, "The Undeniable Sound of Right Now," playing at the Raven Theatre. Baz rails against DIY musicians in the age of Instagram. In true Busted Mouth fashion, this one is both hella deep and hella silly. Dig it.
Baz has a birthday. Nick Fox rides shotgun and does his best Ed McMahon. David Keller (Origin of Animal) stops by the studio. This is one's a music nerd deep dive, friends. Just nerd bros doing nerd bro stuff, bro.
It's our One Year Anniversary and the badass known as Bethany Thomas (singer, songwriter, actor, general badass) is just the guest for such an auspicious occasion.
Baz has updates on the crazy pills and 90/90 workout challenge. Musician Diana Lawrence (http://dianalawrence.com/) drops by the studio to talk songwriting, nicknames, and navigating the Chicago music scene.
The 90/90 challenge is underway and Baz is already behind. All-time homie Teagan Walsh-Davis stops by to talk Rock n Roll accountability, theater, and general tomfoolery.
Baz envisions a future in which he is mental health superhero. Write Bloody founder and poetry rock star, Derrick C Brown (brownpoetry.com) stops by and the boys talk publishing, making it, and toy pianos.
Basilo wades into the swamp of separating the art from the artist. The very funny David Carter (@davidcartercomedy) stops by to talk standup, high school reunions, and the joys of joint dog ownership.
Baz powers through a rough brain day and the super impressive Whitney joins us in studio to discuss DIY arts spaces, personal accountability, and dating pop-punk boys.
Samuel Taylor and Amanda Drinkall drop by to talk about making Shakespeare accessible to everyone, punk rock, and the finer points of red vs green chile.
https://www.backroomshakespeare.com/
Shannon Matesky (actor, writer, director, bawse) drops by the studio to talk multi-hyphenates, chasing the dream, and her INCREDIBLE true story of searching for her biological family after being raised in the foster system.
My new friend Malic drops by the studio today to talk comedy, gender identity, and their time working with The Neo Futurists.
Chicago gets Vortex'd, Baz quits the gym he quit years ago, Mike Maimone stops by to talk music and play a few tunes. Check out MikeMaiome.com for ticket links, audio, and fresh visuals.
Dope AF Singer-songwriter JC BROOKS stops by to talk queer identity, the struggles of touring, and the life of a working musician.
Your boy is feeling old today. Actor, Voiceover artist, and old friend Brenda Scott Wlazlo (bswvoice.com) stops by to talk voiceover, social media, and getting locked in a bathroom in Italy. Equal parts deep and silly, this one. Let's do it.
Kicking off the new year and the new season with some wise crackery, a few resolutions, and a visit from the wonderful Katie Kadan.
It's the most wonderful time of the year. Baz drops in to share some of the season's most tolerable songs and BONUS live recording of the Xmas essay at The Hideout. SHOTS! Warning: This episode has naughty language and not nice words about Christmas and the church.
Whitney Chitwood returns to talk standup, her new album, and navigating relationships through it all.
Kevin D'Ambrosio stops by and the boys get into talks of purpose, meditation, and teaching in the prison system. This one gets hella deep, bro.
Baz rants about imperialism comeuppance via flurry of arrows, and equity actor Amanda Drinkall stops by to talk about love, family, and acting.
Baz dissects Post Malone and the importance of staying in your lane. Actor Alejandro Tey stops by for a great talk about theater, comic books, role playing games, and his affinity for sad bastard music.
Guitarist and songwriter Nathan Graham (@nathangrahammusic) joins us in the studio to play a couple songs, and talk about the life of a touring musician, his experience on The Voice, and finding his voice as a songwriter. No bits, just a great conversation. Dig it.
Jeremy Aluma (Director, An Oak Tree) stops by to talk his latest projects, process, and the importance of identity in theater.
An Oak Treeruns until Dec 9. RedTheater.org for tickets and info.
Sober October is nearly over and Baz is at peak insufferable. Daniel Robbins (musician, songwriter) joins us in studio to talk music and play a few songs of his upcoming album, "Abroad."
Baz is going through changes, talks trash about Rupi Kaur, and cries while watching The Voice. Aaron Sawyer (Artistic Director, Red Theater) stops by to talk building a theater company, performance theory, and his new venture in VR.
Ol' Crotchety sees and show and complains about the sound guy. Erin Diamond (Creator, Christmas: by Melania) stops by to talk dating, her love of Australian pop, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, and going all the way gay.
Baz explores the 5 Stages of Dude Proven Wrong on Internet. Leah Munsey (Co-producer, PAPER MACHETE) stops by to talk show production, kickboxing, and rock and roll. Today's episode is brought to you by 50 Cent Shave Club.
"Jeff" Award winning actor, Gage Wallace, comes in to talk acting, activism, and growing up a preacher's kid. Baz breaks down the finer points of the Chicago sidewalk fight.
The 90 day workout challenge is finished! Tim Stafford (Learn Then Burn, Second and Below) stops by to bust Baz's chops and tell stories about Chicagoland punk rock, touring Europe, and the early days of MMA.
The glorious and talented Brooklyn Britches (BrooklynBMusic.com) shows up early and does the long haul with Baz to discuss standard Busted Mouth fare: drinking, rock and roll, queer biz, etc.
Baz is a sleepy bunny. Scott Whitehair (Storyteller, This Much Is True) stops by for a really great conversation and shares some stories.
Basilo gets cranky about everything, the talented women of Matt Damon Improv stop by the studio.
Baz reads from his 2029 diary and comedian Bill Bullock stops in to talk music, the makings of a good show, and growing up the "Alt-Black" kid.
Baz tells an amusing anecdote about the time he was kidnapped and things get absolutely silly when TJ Medel (Improvisor, PREACH!) stops by the studio.
Ol' Bazillionaire got stood up by the scheduled guest so instead he takes listener questions and tells true stories about Patrick Swayze, pissing off the CPD, his thoughts on social media, the story behind his beard, and more.
Baz dives into the integrity of live shows. John Leadley (B***h & Purge) stops by to swap bartender war stories and talk about The Beatles.
Baz rails against internet snitchery and Burlesque dynamo Hot Tawdry joins us to talk the state of burlesque, stripping as a profession, and tales of misguided youth.
Baz waxes philosophical about the World Cup and his hatred of Cristiano Ronaldo. Whitney Chitwood (comedian) stops by to talk standup, Riot Grrls, and her recent encounter with Stormy Daniels.
Don't miss Cusscuss. July 3rd at Under The Gun Theater. BustedMouth.com for tickets and info.
Sometimes things get all messed up. Sometimes you have to call in reinforcements. Basilo's IRL life partner (name withheld to protect the innocent) is in the studio to talk mix tapes, data science, and the horrors of adolescence.
The Patreon is live! If you want to support the show and help us stave of the scourge of corporate sponsorship, we're not above putting our business in the streets. Patreon.com/jwbasilo to support.
Tickets still on sale for Cusscuss: An Evening of Poetry & Music, July 3rd. Details at BustedMouth.com
Basilo embarks on a workout challenge. Mickey O'Sullivan (Showtime's "The Chi") stops by to talk acting process, horrible shows, and the push for accountability in professional theater.
Ol' Bazsquatch talks Tinder and bi-coastal love. Ian Belknap (Overlord, Write Club) joins us in studio to talk story craft, his days as a standup, and his unending hate for James Franco Syndrome.
Basilo laments his disgusting body. Sexologist and founder of Practical Audacity, Rae McDaniel, stops by to talk queer bizness and Christian puppet shows. www.practicalaudacity.com/
Spring is upon us. Send in the clowns to ruin it. Baz is joined by the hilarious Samantha Irby (B*tches Gotta Eat, "We Are Never Meeting In Real Life") to share their collective hate of everything.
Basilo gets super real and comically dark about his mental health. Comedian Meredith K. (Chicago Underground Comedy) stops by to giggle and talk about her favorite records.
Baz turns 35, sits down with Josh Zagoren, chops it up with Chad The Bird, and botches the news so bad he had to edit around it but you'll never know.
In the inaugural episode we discuss Sinclair Media, Strip Club DJs, and news of the week. Jonah Jurkens joins us live in studio to talk stand up, Dad jokes, and his podcast, "Pedals and Pricks." Brought to by our sponsors SquareFace, Peeples Gas, and That Guy.