1:18 - We tour PNCA’s new home in the old federal post office building downtown and sit down with President Tom Manley to discuss the college’s modern metamorphosis. These digs will make you want to go back to school! 12:56 - Actor Rainn Wilson and producer Hart Hanson talk about the new Fox TV series "Backstrom:" set in Portland, shot in Vancouver B.C. (Wait, wha—?) 24:11 - Cellist-in-residence Nancy Ives shares music that will lift you up on gloomy days—or help you embrace the gloom. 30:06 - W...
Jan 30, 2015•51 min
1:21: Poet Richard Blanco talks about writing a poem for Presidential Obama's second inauguration, and how sexual identity and heritage inform his writing process. 10:00: Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas burn it up for an opbmusic studio session. 14:38: Miranda July talks about writing her first novel, and other recent projects. 30:10: p:ear bring stories of street kids, kids on the edge, and transitional youth to the stage in a Fertile Ground festival performance. 35:19: We listen to Christophe...
Jan 23, 2015•51 min
Richard Blanco talks about his path coming to terms with his cultural identity and his sexual identity.
Jan 23, 2015•9 min
Richard Blanco reads "Queer Theory According To My Grandmother" from his collection "Looking for The Gulf Motel."
Jan 23, 2015•3 min
Filmmaker, writer and artist Miranda July has just published her first novel. She’s been well known in conceptual art circles for a long time, in part because of projects in the emerging discipline of social practice. Her 2005 film "Me, You, and Everyone We Know" introduced a wide audience to the characters she had up her sleeve, lost souls and everyday seekers. Now with “The First Bad Man," she’s created an outstandingly awkward protagonist who’s in a mad scramble toward love and connection....
Jan 23, 2015•15 min
0:00: Intro 1:15: We preview releases by two of Portland’s biggest bands: Sleater-Kinney and theDecemberists. 9:20: Hand2Mouth Theater workshops their follow-up to Gus Van Sant’s “My Own Private Idaho” for the Fertile Ground Festival. 17:25: Michael Chabon talks about his novels, as well as his recent ventures into film and comics writing. 35:25: Christopher Kirkley checks back in now that his Tuareg homage to “Purple Rain” is set to premier at the Hollywood Theater. 40:50: Japanese tattoo artis...
Jan 16, 2015•52 min
Jan 09, 2015•9 min
Jan 09, 2015•8 min
0:00: Intro 1:20: Oregon Story Board strives to grow the field of digital storytellers. 9:30: Comedian Amy Miller explains why pursues her stand-up career in Portland. 15:50: John Simpkins journeys into the heart of solitude. 25:00: "Oliver Kitteridge" author Elizabeth Strout explores the importance of the “ickily human” in fiction. 33:00: NPR Music and OPB Music launch Pickathon video channel with sets from the festival’s Woods Stage. 37:10: Mary-Sue Tobin remembers how meeting Herbie Hancock r...
Jan 09, 2015•52 min
Jan 09, 2015•8 min
Last year, Richard Ford published a book called "Let Me Be Frank With You." It’s the fourth book he’s written about his most famous protagonist, the New Jersey-dwelling former sportswriter, Frank Bascombe. One of these books, "Independence Day," won the Pulitzer Prize. We talk to him about his celebrated career and what keeps drawing him back to Frank.
Jan 02, 2015•38 min
Jan 02, 2015•9 min
0:00: Intro 2:00: Author Daniel H. Wilson, who brought us “Robopocalypse,” talks about the launch of his new mobile game, “Mayday! Deep Space!” with collaborator of Nick Lambert from Mountain Machine Studios. 11:00: Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner Award winner Richard Ford talks about his new book “Let Me Frank With You,” which catches up with his most famous character, Frank Bascombe. We also talk about Ford’s approach to social issues.
Jan 02, 2015•50 min
Quality time with two people who've rocked the comics world in 2014. They curated our show, suggesting topics and talking about the trends shaping the industry.
Dec 29, 2014•53 min
0:00: Intro 1:10: Mac Smiff of We Out Here debriefs on the year in Portland’s hip hop scene. 12:40: Portland’s Independent Police Review reports on hip-hop and police relations. 19:15: Cellist Nancy Ives walks us through her process of composing music. 28:55: Hector Hernandez inherits the tradition of the great Mexican muralists, like Diego Rivera. 33:45: Justin Simien chats on Live Wire about his film, “Dear White People”. 38:50: Gary Ferguson explores how nature helped him grieve after his wif...
Dec 19, 2014•53 min
•0:00: Intro •1:10: Wild gets its Portland premier! We were there on the red carpet, and we’ll hear from Cheryl Strayed on what’s next for her. •18:00: Imago Theatre tells us how holiday show Frogz changed its entire history. •23:25: Shawn Levy talk about the many faces of Robert DeNiro. •31:00: Sallie Ford and her blasting new band play at an opbmusic session. •33:45: KMHD‘s A Jazz Life takes us through a jam session with John Coltrane •39:00: Mic Crenshaw debriefs on his recent trip to Africa ...
Dec 12, 2014•51 min
Portland MC Mic Crenshaw just returned from his second trip for the Afrikan Hip Hop Caravan - a series of summit meetings he helps facilitate to talk about the evolution of the form. This year's trip included stops in Cape Town, Harare (Zimbabwe), Arusha (Tanzania), and Nairobi (Kenya). *Since this story broadcast, Mic is making plans for a third trip, with Rasheed Jamal. Info here: http://tinyurl.com/p56b4uw
Dec 12, 2014•11 min
Cheryl Strayed talks about the process of turning her book 'Wild' into a movie.
Dec 12, 2014•17 min
"The Enclave" looks at the lives of those affected by violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Dec 05, 2014•15 min
0:00: Intro 1:25: Portland Cello Project’s new album adapts the songs of Elliott Smith. 12:00: Photographer Richard Mosse and cinematographer Trevor Tweeten bring their surreal war photography and video to Portland Art Museum. 27:20: Writer Tom Spanbauer describes living with AIDS. 35:55: Broken Bells share their collaborative songwriting process. 41:10: Pulitzer-winning novelist Richard Ford tackles race and other social issues on a micro level. 46:45: Saul Bellow blasts political correctness I...
Dec 05, 2014•53 min
PCP Artistic Director Douglas Jenkins and Larry Crane (Jackpot Recording Studios/Tape Op Magazine) talk to us about the new record they co-produced. "to e.s." includes both covers of and original music inspired by Elliott Smith compositions.
Dec 04, 2014•12 min
Beloved cult filmmaker John Waters is coming to Portland to perform his Christmas live show. We'll talk to him about the holidays, and hear about his legacy as he approaches 70.
Nov 26, 2014•32 min
0:00: Intro 1:20: John Waters talks about his schlocky — and acclaimed — career and tells us what to expect from A John Waters Christmas, which he's bringing to Portland's Aladdin Theater on Dec. 8. 34:10: Abraham Verghese recalls the experience that made him want to be a writer. 44:10: We hear about Reed College's efforts to preserve the art of calligraphy, even amongst post-Millennial elementary schoolers.
Nov 26, 2014•52 min
Kill Rock Stars Records' co-founder Slim Moon has a new career in the ministry. He talks to us about finding his calling, and what skills translate from Saturday night to Sunday morning.
Nov 21, 2014•8 min
-0:00: Intro -1:30: Slim Moon talks about his career transition from punk rock godfather to Unitarian minister. -9:15: Horse Feathers break out with an energetic new record. -20:45: Ursula Le Guin tears into the publishing industry at the National Book Awards -24:45: Margaret Atwood reflects on writing women in fiction after second wave feminism. -35:30: Las Cafeteras conducts a clinic at Portland State fusing politics with Son Jarocho sounds. -40:05: David Ackerman gets on the bad side of Charl...
Nov 21, 2014•53 min
Last week, prominent Native American artists from around the country gathered at Union/Pine — a gallery in southeast Portland. They were here for a gallery showing of contemporary design curated by Native(X).
Nov 14, 2014•4 min
0:00: Intro 1:00: Revolution Hall will open in February 1:40: Portland Opera becomes a summer festival with smaller shows. 6:30: Cellist-in-residence Nancy Ives brings Oregon Symphony pals Greg Ewer and Joe Berger along for a conversation about innovation and classicism in music. 18:45: Iranian comics author Marjane Satrapi remembers her path to her chosen medium. 25:50: Portland musician Laura Gibson moves east to try her hand at short fiction. 29:30: Native American design is featured by Nativ...
Nov 14, 2014•53 min
Portland Actor Ben Buckley took his own life in early September. Vin Shambry, who'd known Ben since high school, delivered a version of this story at a Backfence PDX event for Day of the Dead. Special thanks to Vin and to Backfence for helping us bring this story to State of Wonder.
Nov 07, 2014•6 min
Jenny Conlee, the accordionist, pianist, and keyboard player for the Decemberists and Black Prairie talks about her experience going through treatment and coming out the other side.
Nov 07, 2014•9 min
1:05: New Decemberists music. Plus the band's keyboardist Jenny Conlee talks about her struggle with cancer, and an effort to help others who are diagnosed young. 11:00: Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche from the Literary Arts archives. 20:30: Ben Killen Rosenberg, inspired by a devastating short story his wife wrote, curates a group show in Astoria with Holly Andress, Hickory Mertsching, Christine Lahti and others. 26:05: David Wolman on Pipino, Gentleman Thief, and the heist of a lifetime. 34:10: Art Be...
Nov 07, 2014•53 min
