Bit to Do

Maple is a talented Louisville wordsmith that goes by the name of Maplex Monk when on stage or camera, and he's contributing more than his own art to the local creativity scene. He also runs a podcast called Sessions with Maplex, where he interviews musicians, entertainers, and other artists in addition to featuring round table discussions and music segments. You can find these videos on his web site. He schedules them at his home or has "drop in" interviews set up in live venues.

I got to do a quick interview with Maple and dig a little deeper into what he's got going on with his podcast.

JL: How can people appear on your podcast?

MM: Currently I have two monthly venue-based broadcast opportunities: Sub Rosa: The Creative Courtyard (An arts/entertainment showcase and networking event) at Bearno's in the Highlands on the Fourth Friday of every month. I'll be set up upstairs:  8:30 - 9:00 p.m. is set aside for  interviewing some featured artists of the night, 9:00  p.m.- 12:00 a.m. is  set aside for people to arrive and sign-up for 3 - 4 interview spots throughout the night.

The Jim Needler Conspiracy & Guitar Pull @ The Bard's Town - 3rd Sunday (June 17th). I set up for Pre-show/post-show interviews and Record/broadcast during the show. 

There are a few additional venue-based broadcast opportunities which I'm developing and hope to begin in the near future.

JL: You also write, what local venues/outlets do you frequent to share your writing?

MM: I've been going to The Word Spoken, hosted by James Wallace @ Haymarket Whiskey Bar on the Second Tuesday of the Month since October 2011. On the other weeks of the month there is an open mic/poetry cypher called FDB Tuesdays on the 10th floor of the Stark's Building. I've just started going to The Corner Door open mic, which is on Mondays hosted by Alanna Fugate of The Trubadours of Divine Bliss. I've heard about "Church on the Rocks" @ Monkey Wrench for a while, and I'd like to check that out in the near future.

I also sing in a variety of vocal styles, play guitar, drums, keyboard, cajon and I've been tinkering with Ableton and some iPad-based live music production apps.

JL: What is your favorite podcast produced to date?

MM: Up to this point I'm still learning a lot about broadcasting and video production, promotion, advertising, organizing and idea development, so every new production I've made has been a little bit better, and it's difficult to say which has been my favorite of all time. Most of them have been my favorite at the time of production. That being said, there have been certain people who have been easier to continue the flow of conversation with than others, and one such person was Kenn Parks of Alley Theatre. Partially, I'm sure, because he's an actor, Kenn is always full of ideas and energy, even on almost no sleep and, with that kind of person, it often feels like I'm just sitting and having a great conversation with a friend, which is one of the main reasons I was drawn to broadcasting and podcasting in the first place.

Picture supplied by Maplex, Video: Sessions with Maplex, Gideon's Rifle