Say Something, Anything

WE’RE BACK. And a concealed writer is exposed. Previous SAY SOMETHING, ANYTHING guest Lizzie Wann mentioned seeing a kick ass poet named Jon Tobias read at an open mic… and nowhere else. So we decided to change that. As it turns out Jon Tobias will be published in the Aztec Literary Review, but being published and recognized isn’t something he seeks. In fact, his most creative and elaborate writing project involves total anonymity (listen to the ep for more details on his fake love letters.) The poems Jon shares in the episode are new, but he got into poetry when he was in first grade and dealing with cancer at the time. The concept of discovering something wonderful (like a love for words) as a result of something terrible is discussed. So is the lost art of CD lyric books and the authenticity of Drunk Text Poems.

 Though she humbly downplays it in the episode, Lizzie Wann was an integral part in bringing the slam poetry scene to San Diego it in the late 90s /early 2000s. She also was one of the first people to start a series of house concerts with local acoustic acts-- an event that paved the way for many similar series (some of which are still active today). Without Lizzie Wann, it’s hard to say what these scenes in San Diego would look like today. Ask around, you’ll find the same answer: she was a key member in making it all happen. She was in SD during the peek of its coffee house music scene, which gave her the perfect opportunity to start the Live Out Loud Series.  Aside from reading some heart-wrenching poems, Lizzie talks about the spark that initially drove her to launch the literary and music projects that she did as well as where her relationships with poetry and music stand today. Though she’s not necessary rockin’ poetry slams (Lizzie was on the Laguna Beach team in 1999), she makes an effort to support what she essentially helped to create. Years later, she takes comfort in seeing some familiar faces still out there, and enjoys hearing fresh new talent carry on a continuingly thriving scene.

Exuberant in his performance style, perceptive in his discourse, and unusual in his coffee preference. Both funny and insightful, SAMSI is a writer (or, as he puts it, more of a conceptual explorer) who has spent many years hitchin’ and hoppin’ around the United States. It stemmed from a life-altering epiphany atop the Golden Gate Bridge. He’s been everywhere man… New Orleans, Hawaii, Montana. Now he’s posted back up in San Diego, California (for a bit), before heading off the Portland to join, SHANGA VISION, a new film production company. SO: Is it possible to find the deeper meaning of life without travel? And when is the right time to stop and stand still? (Aside from on a highway in the middle of a traffic jam.) And what is it with writers and their issues (namely why do so many have so many?) All this and more discussed + some jazzy-soulful-electrifying poetry. PLUS intro and outro music provided by one of Samsi’s own experimental bands.

Music: “Slipping Slowly” by Astral Travel Agency

Check some more of Samsi’s work: alteredwaltzer.wordpress.com

A music video by Shanga Viasion for the band THE SHIVAS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWGiQMwsRNU

And if you want to catch him in person, stop by the Red Poets Society open mic on Wednesdays:  https://www.facebook.com/sdredpoets

Don't forget to download + subscribe to SAY SOMETHING, ANYTHING on iTunes and like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saysomethinganything

Tazha Williams wonderfully hosts the Red Poets Society weekly open mic, so we let her do the talking on this one. Tazha = poet + artist + sustainable farmer. And studied Fine Art Painting at California College of the Arts in the San Francisco bay area. And she has won various awards. And her artwork’s been featured in the San Diego Union Tribune, on The Today Show and on KUSI news. And she lives in a sustainable co-housing community. So being surrounded by creative environments almost comes naturally to her. But even for those creative souls who don’t know how to starts, she suggests just reaching out and seeing what’s going on around you, because if there’s something you’re thinking about doing, chances are others in your community are interested in the same thing. The open mic is every Wednesday, 7 – 10 at Kafe Sobaka. Check out Tazha’s site as well to see her incredible artwork and learn more.

Red Poets Society: https://www.facebook.com/sdredpoets

Tazha’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tazhawilliamsart?fref=ts

Rudy G is a funny poet with John Lennon sunglasses, a love for music, and a person one take poem record. His poetry group, the Mightier P.E.N.S performs all around San Diego. He talks about self disipline (or lack there of) and why writing for an audience can be better than writing for yourself. He also talks about bombing... bad. But his easgoing demeaner allows him to shake off the negative and keep on keeping on with his words. Rudy G is the guy you look for when you're looking for some "street cred" -- alloted to anyone, whether he likes you as a person or not, as long as your stuff is good. From Rudy we learn that humor in poetry is okay, that experimentation on all fronts is okay, and that a coffee with caramel and cream and sugar still counts as coffee. 

Joe Limer is one of the five poets selected to compete on the San Diego Slam Team for the NATIONAL POETRY SLAM in August. He’s also the co-founder of Glassless Minds. He’s also a professor of political science at Palomar College. He also went to law school and was (briefly) a lawyer, before he realized winning didn’t always exactly mean winning. Now Joe uses his voice in a different way­­– namely through spoken word poetry­– to bring light to social and political issues. His closing poem is an exclusive first listen, as he just finished writing it before the recording. Though the poem’s title, “An Open Letter from Yoda,” may not be initially indicative of it, the content definitively epitomizes what Joe means when he says, “I’m not just doing poetry for poetry’s sake.” Other topics:  the importance of speaking your truth, haikus for extra credit, and how open mics are saving humanity from the overturn of technology.  And, since you’re dying to know, because we forgot to ask: His coffee preference? Beer and chicken wings.

To take a free writing workshops with Joe shoot him an email at: [email protected]

Keep updated on the countdown to the national slam championship at:  http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-national-poetry-slam-tickets-15653190113

Check out Glassless Minds at: https://www.facebook.com/glasslessminds

Like Say Something, Anything on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saysomethinganything

Zaria Suggs is this week’s guest on SAY SOMETHING, ANYTHING, and her spoken word style poems are particularly impressive-- especially for an eighteen year old. The SDSU freshman talks about being a singer /writer / performer for as long as she can remember. She weaves her words together and speaks them eloquently, a product not only of her natural creativity, but her years of debate and speech club (for which she placed fourth in the nation).  Zaria’s friend, Kyle DeGuzman joined us for this session, filming the interview behind the scenes as part of his own creative project. As exemplified by both Zaria and Kyle, College is a beautiful time to explore creative ideas by putting yourself out there and seizing opportunities. They have a refreshing energy. Take a listen. ALSO check out Kyle's films on his YouTube page: Check out his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9CsiunXsDzhP7J8GNKxK3Q. 

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Spoken word poet Rolland Tizuela tells the full story of how he went from backpacking across the Pacific Rim to founding the super rad art / poetry group, Glassless Minds (Try and figure that one out. Or just read about it on their Facebook page.) The story is part kismet (something about a disappearing guy with an espresso machine), part pure love (think secretly placing hand-bound poetry books into the shelves at Barnes & Noble), and includes Rolland’s own induction into the fascinating world of spoken word. Star Wars metaphors, 8 Mile references, and another bar. We talk about finding your own voice, and though Rolland came into slam poetry learning from some of the “heavy hitters” as he puts it, his own voice is loud and clear, and evident through the TRULY incredible poems he reads (and has memorized). Don’t miss this one. And stick around for – or at least skip ahead to – the Columbus poem at the end.

Glassless Minds: https://www.facebook.com/glasslessminds