Susan Orlean + Ben Arthur

FromSongWriter

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Susan Orlean + Ben Arthur

FromSongWriter

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Length:

11 minutes

Released:

Jun 11, 2019

Format:

Podcast episode

Description

This is the first episode of SongWriter, featuring a story from bestselling author Susan Orlean, and a song written in response by host Ben Arthur. Ben and Rob Reinhart, of the syndicated radio program Acoustic Cafe, introduce the series and briefly discuss inspiration and answer songs.SongWriterPodcast.comTwitter.com/SnogWriterInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcast

Released:

Jun 11, 2019

Format:

Podcast episode

Titles in the series (72)

SongWriter turns stories into songs, ft. Questlove, Joyce Carol Oates, David Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Roxane Gay, Amanda Shires (The Highwomen), Susan Orlean, Steve Earle & Katie Melua

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Deborah Copaken + Tommy Siegel: In the third episode of SongWriter, Deborah Copaken reads an excerpt of her upcoming book Ladyparts, and Tommy Siegel (of Jukebox the Ghost) performs his song "Dear Science," which he wrote in response. by SongWriter
26 min listen
Patricia Lockwood + Sasha Dobson: Patricia Lockwood reads a chapter from her bestselling memoir, Priestdaddy, and songwriter Sasha Dobson performs her song, "Cross on My Heart," inspired by Patricia's writing. by SongWriter
18 min listen
Louisa Young + Miranda Joy: Author Louisa Young reads from her memoir, You Left Early, and pianist and songwriter Miranda Joy performs “Carry You Around,” live in the clock tower of St. Pancras Station in London. by SongWriter
15 min listen
Season Two Trailer: This is a preview for the second season of SongWriter, the podcast of stories and "answer songs," featuring stories from Joyce Carol Oates, Soman Chainani, and Michael Ian Black, and songs written in response by Sarah Jaffe, Cave Twins, Tony Trischka, and Drew Holcomb. by SongWriter
3 min listen
Jonathan Lethem + Cindy Lee Berryhill (Bonus Episode!): Novelist and MacArthur "Genius Grant" award-winner Jonathan Lethem reads his story "Vivian Relf," and songwriter Cindy Lee Berryhill performs a song written in response. by SongWriter
38 min listen
Kurt Andersen + Vienna Teng: Kurt Andersen reads from his critical history of America, Fantasyland, and songwriter Vienna Teng plays a song written in response. by SongWriter
18 min listen
Joyce Carol Oates + Ted Leo: Joyce Carol Oates reads "Deceit," from her collection Black Dahlia & White Rose, and songwriter Ted Leo shares his song "Deceit," which was written in response. by SongWriter
28 min listen
Season One Trailer: SongWriter is a podcast of stories and answer songs, with episodes featuring Roxane Gay, Joyce Carol Oates, Susan Orlean, Ted Leo, Jonathan Lethem, and many others. by SongWriter
2 min listen
Gary Shteyngart + Elissa LeCoque: Gary Shteyngart reads from his novel Lake Success, about the flame out and subsequent freak out of hedge fund manager Barry Cohen, and Elissa LeCoque shares her song written in response, "Weak Wrists." by SongWriter
27 min listen
Rita Mullaney + Byron Isaacs: Retired police captain Rita Mullaney tells a story about two dislocated people who secretly lived for years in New York City police precincts, and veteran musician Byron Isaacs shares a song he wrote in response. by SongWriter
18 min listen
Roxane Gay + Aya Aziz: Bestselling author Roxane Gay reads her short story "Baby Arm," about love, friendship, and a women's fight club. Songwriter and playwright Aya Aziz performs "Push," and talks about how she came to write the song in response to Roxane's story. by SongWriter
22 min listen
Lou Barrett + Michelle Gaw: Lou Barrett tells a story about falling in love with their high school best friend, and songwriter Michelle Gaw performs her song “What Makes a Friend” live at a house concert in Cleveland, Ohio. by SongWriter
21 min listen
Susan Orlean + Ben Arthur: This is the first episode of SongWriter, featuring a story from bestselling author Susan Orlean, and a song written in response by host Ben Arthur. by SongWriter
11 min listen
Rick Moody + Xenia Rubinos: Bestselling author Rick Moody reads a chapter from his novel Hotels of North America, about love, marriage, and an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction. Xenia Rubinos talks about transience on tour, and plays her answer song, "Three Stars." by SongWriter
23 min listen
Aura Hernandez + Denise Reis: Aura Hernandez has been living in a church on the Upper West Side for more than a year. She tells the story of how she came to take sanctuary in the church, and about her hopes for the future. Brazilian songwriter Denise Reis performs a song written in response to Aura's life story. by SongWriter
14 min listen
Dolan Morgan + Emily Hope Price: Brooklyn author and illustrator Dolan Morgan reads a story called "The New Middle Class," and cellist Emily Hope Price plays a song she wrote in response. Price talks about the recent loss of a friend, and how that loss informed the song, also called "The New Middle Class." by SongWriter
24 min listen
Lauren Morrill + Justin Cutway + Vinson Muhammad: Lauren Morrill tells a true story about adolescent infatuation, and songwriter Justin Cutway, and rapper Vinson Muhammad perform songs written in response. by SongWriter
21 min listen
Season 3 Trailer: Season three of SongWriter will feature stories from George Saunders, Cheryl Strayed, Roxane Gay, and Joyce Carol Oates, and brand new songs from Amanda Shires, Tift Merritt, Celisse Henderson, and Mary Gauthier. by SongWriter
3 min listen
George Saunders + Ben Arthur (Part 1): Bestselling author and MacArthur genius George Saunders reads the first half of his story, "Tenth of December," and host Ben Arthur shares a studio recording of a song written in response called "If You Need Me." For the second half of the story, and a brand new song by Grammy Award-winning songwriter Amanda Shires, please listen to part 2 (episode 9). by SongWriter
44 min listen
Ethan Lipton + Sarah Jaffe: Playwright and songwriter Ethan Lipton reads a fictional speech at a live performance in New York City, and Texan songwriter Sarah Jaffe plays a song she wrote in response. by SongWriter
11 min listen
Soman Chainani + Cave Twins: Bestselling author Soman Chainani reads a children’s story he wrote for SongWriter, about an evil bear that eats children. David Mayfield and Abby Rose, who perform as Cave Twins, share their song written in response, “Mighty Mountain Monster.” by SongWriter
23 min listen
Dodai Stewart + Natalia Zukerman by SongWriter
21 min listen
Anna North + Miss Eaves: Novelist and journalist Anna North reads two pieces of flash fiction, "The Machine" and "Cheese Baby," and rapper and filmmaker Miss Eaves performs a song written in response the second piece. The two friends also discuss how they met, and their reaction to each others' work. by SongWriter
13 min listen
Michael Ian Black + Victoria Jones: Actor, comedian, and bestselling author Michael Ian Black tells a true story about youth, privilege, and stealing, and songwriter Victoria Jones speaks on religious faith and on owning our mistakes. by SongWriter
28 min listen
Season Four Trailer: Season four! Stories from Questlove, Mary Gauthier, Anthony Doerr, and George Saunders, and songs from Carrie Brownstein, Drew Holcomb, and Steve Earle by SongWriter
2 min listen
Nicholson Baker + Rod Picott: Author Nicholson Baker reads an excerpt of The Anthologist, and songwriter Rod Picott performs a song written in response called "Losing Faith." The two friends also discuss cross-arts explorations, self-doubt, and the importance of a good sandwich. by SongWriter
22 min listen
Ben Sollee + James Lindsey: Cellist Ben Sollee tells a story about learning that his family sold their ancestral land to a coal company, and rapper James Lindsey shares his song “Hoop Sessions.” by SongWriter
16 min listen
Amy Turn Sharp + Parker Paul: Poet Amy Turn Sharp reads a piece inspired by the death of her mother, and songwriter Parker Paul performs his song “Baby Teeth,” at a live performance in Columbus, Ohio. by SongWriter
18 min listen
Lucia Berlin (read by Elizabeth Geoghegan) + Rebecca Rego: Lucia Berlin died years before her collection "A Manual for Cleaning Women" became an international bestseller. Berlin's friend and former student Elizabeth Geoghegan reads her story, "Mama," and songwriter Rebecca Rego performs a song written in response. by SongWriter
26 min listen
Polly Samson + David Gilmour: Bestselling author Polly Samson reads an excerpt from her novel, A Theater for Dreamers, and Polly and her husband David Gilmour, of the band Pink Floyd, describes writing the song "Yes, I Have Ghosts" in response. by SongWriter
29 min listen

More Episodes from SongWriter

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David Sedaris + Jacob Ewald (Slaughter Beach, Dog): David Sedaris reads an excerpt from Theft By Finding, and Jacob Ewald of the band Slaughter Beach, Dog talks about how the book gave him permission to call himself a songwriter, and shares a new song written in response by SongWriter
30 min listen
Raven Leilani + Elysian Fields: Bestselling author Raven Leilani reads an excerpt from her story "Breathing Exercise," and Elysian Fields share a new song called "The Contortionist" by SongWriter
30 min listen
George Saunders + Ben Arthur: Part 1 of 2 George Saunders reads his story "Sea Oak," and Ben Arthur and Craig Finn share songs written in response by SongWriter
46 min listen
George Saunders + Craig Finn: Part 2 of 2 George Saunders reads his story "Sea Oak," and Ben Arthur and Craig Finn share songs written in response by SongWriter
46 min listen
Dave Eggers + Vienna Teng: Dave Eggers reads an excerpt from "The Museum of Rain," and Vienna Teng shares a brand new song written in response by SongWriter
36 min listen
Andrew Sean Greer + Torquil Campbell & Daniel Handler: Pulitzer Prize-winning author Andrew Sean Greer reads an excerpt from Less is Lost, and songwriters Torquil Campbell (of the band Stars) and Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket) write a lovely song in response. by SongWriter
38 min listen
Sally Rooney + Sam Himself: An excerpt from Sally Rooney's bestselling novel, "Beautiful World, Where Are You?" is paired with a love story, and a love song, from songwriter Sam Himself. by SongWriter
26 min listen
Kevin Allison + Carolyn Kendrick: Kevin Allison of RISK! tells a story about meeting his future husband in the days after 9/11, and songwriter Carolyn Kendrick shares her brand new song, “What If” by SongWriter
34 min listen
Dolan Morgan + Self Help: Author Dolan Morgan reads an excerpt from his story, “The Quartering Act,” and Melissa and John from the band Self Help react to the story, and share their new song, “3A” by SongWriter
29 min listen
Charlie Gilmour + Matshidiso: Author Charlie Gilmour reads an excerpt from his bestselling memoir, Featherhood, and songwriter and podcaster Matshidiso plays a song written in response. by SongWriter
29 min listen
Jean Hanff Korelitz + Warren Zanes: Jean Hanff Korelitz reads an excerpt from her recent novel, The Latecomer, and talks about the connections and disconnections she feels between her job and the movies and tv shows that are made from her work. Jean’s friend Warren Zanes talks about his long collaborative friendship with Tom Petty, his jobs as an author and a professor, and plays his song, “The Aftermath of the Accident.” by SongWriter
40 min listen
Masha Gessen + Maria Sonevytsky: Masha Gessen describes being called in for a meeting with Putin, and Ukrainian American songwriter Maria Sonevytsky talks about the war, and plays her song, “Culture War” by SongWriter
35 min listen
Daniel Bergner + Bob Bergner: Daniel Bergner reads an excerpt from The Mind and the Moon, which explores the lives of three people coping with serious mental illness and the pharmaceutical and medical systems brought to bear on their treatment. Daniel’s brother Bob describes his journey, and shares “A Song for Dad,” about his complicated feelings on saying goodbye in his father’s later years. by SongWriter
35 min listen
Neil Gaiman + FourPlay: Storyteller Neil Gaiman talks about the inspiration behind the song "The Wreckers," and about his longtime collaboration with the FourPlay String Quartet. Lara and Tim from FourPay talk about the anxieties and pleasures of working with Neil, and their complex yet understated musical work on the song. by SongWriter
23 min listen
Cheryl Strayed + MILCK: Bestselling author Cheryl Strayed reads another letter from "Tiny, Beautiful Things" (which is now a series on Hulu!) on the subject of forgiveness. Dr. Suzanne Freedman talks about the scientific mechanics behind forgiveness, and songwriter MILCK plays a song written in response. by SongWriter
38 min listen
Season Five Trailer: Previewing season five! Neil Gaiman + FourPlay, Maggie Smith + Kat Edmonson, Masha Gessen + Maria Sonevytsky, and many more! by SongWriter
2 min listen
Blake Lemoine + Jonathan Mann: Blake Lemoine describes his conversations with LaMDA, an AI built by Google, and Jonathan Mann performs a song inspired by Star Trek called "The Measure of a Man" by SongWriter
35 min listen
Questlove + Chris Pierce: Questlove reads an excerpt from "Music is History" about Bill Withers, and Chris Pierce plays a song written in response by SongWriter
27 min listen
Mary Gauthier + Kelley McRae: Mary Gauthier tells a story from her memoir, Saved By a Song, and songwriter Kelley McRae performs a song written in response by SongWriter
25 min listen
Jonathan Franzen + Wussy: Jonathan Franzen reads an excerpt from "Crossroads," and one of his favorite bands, Wussy, plays a song written in response by SongWriter
39 min listen
Ashley C. Ford + Be Steadwell: Ashley C. Ford reads from her memoir, and songwriter Be Steadwell performs a song that speaks directly to Ashley by SongWriter
40 min listen
Tom Franklin + Ben Glover: Author Tom Franklin reads two pieces of short fiction and songwriter Ben Glover plays a song written in response to both by SongWriter
25 min listen
Laurie Woolever + Mike Ruffino: Author Laurie Woolever tells a story about a shoot in Sri Lanka with Anthony Bourdain, and composer Mike Ruffino shares a song he created using sounds recorded for the episode by SongWriter
41 min listen
Mike Nichols, told by Mark Harris + Anna Kline: Mark Harris tells the life story of Mike Nichols, one of the most influential directors of the 20th century. Anna Kline of the band Swift Silver talks about her reaction to Mike’s story, and shares her song, “The Picture Show” by SongWriter
23 min listen
Wright Thompson + Drew Holcomb: Wright Thompson reads a story about losing his uncle, and songwriter Drew Holcomb performs his song, “Slower Than the Highway” by SongWriter
23 min listen
Halston, told by Ned Martel + Stephan Moccio: Fashion designer Halston's life story is told by producer Ned Martel, and super star songwriter Stephan Moccio talks about writing "Wrecking Ball" and the piano instrumental "Halston" by SongWriter
24 min listen
Zelda + Carsie Blanton: Social worker Zelda talks about her time working as a stripper, and songwriter Carsie Blanton performs her new song, "Into the Light" by SongWriter
33 min listen
Coal Country + Steve Earle: Songwriter Steve Earle plays a song he wrote for the documentary theater play "Coal Country," about the Upper Big Branch mining disaster by SongWriter
29 min listen
Season Four Trailer: Season four! Stories from Questlove, Mary Gauthier, Anthony Doerr, and George Saunders, and songs from Carrie Brownstein, Drew Holcomb, and Steve Earle by SongWriter
2 min listen
Joyce Carol Oates + Katie Melua: Legendary author Joyce Carol Oates reads her poem “Too Young to Marry, but Not Too Young to Die” and pop star Katie Melua shares a studio recording of a song she wrote in response called "Forever Sunlit." by SongWriter
24 min listen

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Susan Orlean + Ben Arthur

Susan Orlean + Ben Arthur

Description

Titles in the series (72)

More Episodes from SongWriter

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