QUARANTINE PROFILE: Cub Sport
We’ve launch a profile series to highlight how artists are spending their time during quarantine. Several times a week we’ll highlight a new artist across the globe and see how they’re keeping busy during COVID-19 lockdowns.
We’ve been following the amazing Cub Sport’s journey for years now and we’re super excited to see them picking up much needed praise. Their latest album 'LIKE NIRVANA' dropped last month and we swear every new Cub Sport release just gets more impressive. If you haven’t given them a listen, now is the time. We chatted with Tim Nelson from the band to see what they’ve been up to over in Australia during lockdown.
Where have you been spending your quarantine?
At home in Brisbane, Australia. It’s my fav place in the world so I’m feeling really grateful to be here. Getting to experience all of the changes of season feels good. It’s something I haven’t really thought about before, but after travelling all over the place for a couple of years, constantly jumping between seasons and time zones it feels really grounding and nourishing to be in one place.
How have you been staying busy during quarantine? (or not keeping busy is totally fine too)
Putting out our new album LIKE NIRVANA has kept us super busy. Like, busier than I realised we’d be. We’ve had a relatively small amount of covid cases in Brisbane over the last couple of months, so social distancing has relaxed and we’ve been able to do a bunch of shoots and make videos including a live performance of the whole album start to finish. It’s all super exciting.
Anything new you’ve learned? / Something new you’ve done:
I think I’m rolling the fastest joints of my life
What quarantine trend have you fallen prey to?
We were making a lot of banana bread at the start of iso. Banana bread defs had a big buzz moment then kind of fell off lol
Thing keeping Cub Sport (Tim) sane right now:
One of my greatest sources of comfort and joy throughout this time has been Bolan and our dogs Missy and Evie.
What’s something new you’ve cooked/baked?
Bolan made the most incredible pasta I’ve ever had last night. It was like an oily vegan gf lemon, sage, mushroom, garlic pasta that was just perfect.
Song (or album) you’ve had on repeat:
Honestly, I’ve mainly been listening to LIKE NIRVANA. I always listen to our music lots right up until we put it out, then I kinda let it go and don’t listen much after that, but this album has been different, I put on other music and always end up wanting to listen to our album again which feels good.
What’s your go to song to make you feel less alone? / What’s a song that is your go to comfort jam?
Talking Heads ‘This Must Be The Place’ (Stop Making Sense version) always makes me happy. I’ve been listening to Wafia ‘Hurricane’ heaps - such beautiful vocals and the chorus vibes are immaculate.
What’s something you miss the most right now?
Playing shows and feeling that connection with a live audience. It’s gonna be on another level when we can do that again, I’m excited for that feeling.
QUARANTINE PROFILE: Annika Rose
We’ve launch a profile series to highlight how artists are spending their time during quarantine. Several times a week we’ll highlight a new artist across the globe and see how they’re keeping busy during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Annika Rose is an exciting new budding pop singer-songwriter we’re excited to have as our latest Quarantine Profile. Her newest track “Butterflies” is bound to be on your Summer playlists to come. This is just one of the many new singles Annika has dropped this year, with more exciting tracks to come. She describes her songs as “journal entries put to melody” and we couldn’t agree more. You gotta love honest and relatable lyrics looped in with upbeat music. Check out what Annika has been up to during lockdown below, surfing tips welcome.
Annika Rose Online: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Where have you been spending your quarantine?
I’ve been at home with my family in the Valley. I don’t think I’ve spent so much time at home since I was in elementary school!
How have you been staying busy during quarantine? (or not keeping busy is totally fine too)
I was very unproductive the first month just because of the amount of contradicting information that was being thrown at us every day, but I started filling up my days with exercise and writing and honestly paint by numbers haha. That shit makes time pass like lightning.
Anything new you’ve learned?
I’m learning how to surf!!!! so far I can make it up to my knees on the board hahaha. I have a newfound respect for anybody who can make it to their feet. Please teach me.
What’s something new you’ve cooked/baked?
Uhhhhh the only thing I know how to make is coffee lol. I rely wholeheartedly on the grocery store for the baked goods.
Go to quarantine snack:
ALMOND BUTTER AND BANANA!!!!!!
What’s a song that is your go to comfort jam?
Recently it’s been a song called “Absolute Loser” by Fruit Bats. Or “Honey” by 070 Shake if I need to revive myself.
Thing keeping Annika sane right now: Picture of a studio I’ve been able to work at during quarantine which has definitely been amazing for my sanity.
If you could only watch one film or TV show for the rest of time what would it be?
Californication. Netflix really did me dirty by removing it a few months ago :(
What is keeping you happy?
So much honestly. Being in nature, drinking excessive amounts of coffee, writing new music, driving to different beaches on the weekend. This time has its moments of being truly blissful.
What’s the best advice you’ve received during this time?
My friend told me after I went on some tangent about how strange I had been feeling, to decide that every day is going to be the best day ever.
What’s something you miss the most right now?
I want to hug my friends. Physical contact. Being in a studio. And just not having to feel some sort of looming fear surrounding everything.
What’s a puzzle you’ve completed during quarantine?
I finished the perimeter of a jigsaw puzzle of people skiing back in March when I naively thought quarantine was gonna last about two weeks haha. I’ve still yet to revisit that one.
QUARANTINE PROFILE: GRAMN.
We’ve launch a profile series to highlight how artists are spending their time during quarantine. Several times a week we’ll highlight a new artist across the globe and see how they’re keeping busy during COVID-19 lockdowns.
We’re loving getting to know new artists. Next one up is hailing from London’s Hackney area. GRAMN. just released her new EP MEDIUMN this month (more on why it got it’s name below). We’ll be honest, this EP is her best work yet and we’ve had it on repeat over here. You may have heard one of her tunes on shows like Netflix’s Dear White People. GRAMN. brings a signature blend of soulful hip-hop, R&B and trap…we definitely think you should give a listen while you check out what she’s been up to during lockdown.
GRAMN. Online: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube
Where have you been spending your quarantine?
I have been so paranoid about Covid. I stayed in my house, I really don't have the energy or capacity to deal with the pandemic threat.
How have you been staying busy during quarantine?
I kept busy mostly, but I definitely had some days where I only left my room to collect food or shower. I started working out, taking my hand to costume design and construction. I also cooked a lot but that's nothing new. AND of course, I made music in my bedroom.
What quarantine trend have you fallen prey to?
Over exercising and not being able to walk, so deciding eating chips was the best way to feel better!! Is that a thing?
What’s something new you’ve cooked/baked?
Lemon tart. Not gonna lie. It was impeccable.
Go to quarantine snack:
Home baked cookies and/or Grapes.
Thing (hopefully) keeping GRAMN. sane: “Here’s a photo of me in my goggles, I’m not sure how sane they’re keeping me but along with my mask I thought they would be added protection from the virus LOOOOOL!!!”
Album you’ve had on repeat:
Every Busta Rhymes album ever made and Chika.
What’s the best advice you’ve received during this time?
"Chill out:" -Mum. She really saved the day with that one.
What’s something you miss the most right now?
Eating out. I know it's an option. but I'm not doing it.
What do you hope we take away from this?
I hope that people really understand the importance of making time for themselves. Time to rest, time to eat, time to just be.
Anything new we should know about that you’re working on?
Look out for our debut EP MEDIUMN dropping 21st August, it’s called MEDIUMN as that was my answer to everything at the time, "How are yah?", "Medium”.
QUARANTINE PROFILE: Gracie and Rachel
We’ve launch a profile series to highlight how artists are spending their time during quarantine. Several times a week we’ll highlight a new artist across the globe and see how they’re keeping busy during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Incase you haven’t heard of them, Gracie and Rachel are a piano-violin duo currently hailing from Brooklyn. I had the pleasure of booking them years ago for their first show in Philly and I remember their set blowing everyone away. It’s been so great to see how they continue to evolve with their unique sound and pressing lyrics. Cut to today where we’re waiting in anticipation for their next album release Hello Weakness, You Make Me Strong, which is dropping Sept 18 via Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babe Records. We have a chat to see what they’ve been up to during lockdown and how they are keeping creative.
Gracie and Rachel Online: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
This is us in our loft by our instruments, where we've been live streaming from.
Where have you been spending your quarantine?
We’ve been spending our time with each other, in our loft, which is regular life for us. We’ve been quarantined together for seven years now, so really nothing new here. Being in our own chosen isolation together for so long has revealed an abundance of challenging moments as well as so many empowering ones. At the end of the day, we have each other and our little imperfect artistic nest where we grow ideas and mess them up, but always together. It’s been comforting in a way to see people experiencing this over involved living-working scenario we’ve been in ourselves for so long. Welcome, everyone! It’s exhausting and beautiful and exhausting again. You’re gonna do great.
How have you been staying busy during quarantine?
We’ve been getting creative with making visual pieces for our record during this time. We had to get creative with music video concepts due to the state of things, but we’ve ended up feeling really grateful for the time as it’s been getting different things out of us we might not otherwise have discovered. We were supposed to go to Joshua Tree in April to film a music video for one of our singles, Underneath, but that ended up not being able to happen, so we found some sand dunes on the East Coast and filmed a video of us taking off all our layers and really got underneath ourselves in the process, and it was so liberating and terrifying and liberating again.
Album you’ve had on repeat:
serpentwithfeet’s new EP Apparition has been on strong rotation. Sudan Archives is also an inspiration. We have to admit though that the vinyl test pressings of our new music have been playing on repeat as well, as we’ve been checking them to make sure there are no crackles and pops before going into full printing production, so we’ve become overly familiar with our own songs.
What’s keeping Gracie and Rachel sane right now: The upright piano in our loft. This piano has been a source of inspiration for us, listening forgivingly whenever we need it.
What’s the best advice you’ve received during this time?
Move toward the unknown.
What’s something you miss the most right now?
The stage! We miss the high adrenaline feelings of performing live in a room filled with people. We miss the electric power of a show. Will admit we don’t miss each other because we’re always together, but that’s okay.
Anything new we should know about that you’re working on?
We will be dropping our record, Hello Weakness, You Make Me Strong, on September 18th via Righteous Babe Records with more visuals and b-side treats to follow, and we hope you’ll take this music with you into your sphere someway, somehow. Beyond music, we’re working on ourselves, so stay tuned for how that exploration evolves, hopefully translated through a song near you.
QUARANTINE PROFILE: Miki Ratsula
We’ve launch a profile series to highlight how artists are spending their time during quarantine. Several times a week we’ll highlight a new artist across the globe and see how they’re keeping busy during COVID-19 lockdowns.
We’re excited to chat with Miki Ratsula about what they’ve been up to during lockdown. Miki brings a different perspective to writing by re-examining the heteronormative look on love songs and giving them a realistic lens and focus on LGBTQ+ relationships. Miki has been around on the interwebs for quite some time with their YouTube videos dating back to the high school years and now evolving into the beautiful alt-pop / R&B vibe they are today.
Miki Ratsula Online: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
How have you been staying busy during quarantine?
I’m either working in my studio, cooking or playing xbox. The best combination.
What’s something new you’ve cooked/baked?
I cooked ramen for the first time! It made our whole house smell so good. I did make the mistake of making it when it was 85 degrees outside - wasn’t the best idea.
Go to quarantine snack:
Depending on the day I’ve been going back and forth between ice cream and carrots & hummus.
Album you’ve had on repeat:
Honne’s Love Me/Love Me Not album!
What’s a song that is your go to comfort jam?
Anytime I need a pick-me-up I always blast Still Woozy. It just makes me wanna dance all my sadness away.
What’s keeping Miki sane right now: Miki’s dog Cooper. “He’s such a bundle of love and fun and he just makes me so happy”.
If you could only watch one TV show for the rest of time what would it be?
Ooo - Atypical FOR SURE. Casey and Izzie melt my heart.
What is keeping you happy?
My girlfriend. She’s my rock. So lucky we live together and are able to get through this time alongside each other.
What‘s something you miss the most right now?
Performing, the movies and the gym!
What do you hope we take away from this?
I really hope we learn to have more empathy for one another.
QUARANTINE PROFILE: Rett Madison
We’ve launch a profile series to highlight how artists are spending their time during quarantine. Several times a week we’ll highlight a new artist across the globe and see how they’re keeping busy during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Rett Madison comes in like a wrecking ball with her powerhouse voice. You may notice the vocals from other groups like Scary Pockets or Stories (to name a few), but now she’s here to show us what she’s made of with her killer solo project. We had a chance to chat with her about lockdown in Hollywood and what she’s been up to.
Rett Madison Online: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Where have you been spending your quarantine?
I have been quarantining with my partner in Hollywood! We spend most of our days in our apartment or taking walks in our neighborhood, but we try to hike once a week to get some fresh air.
How have you been staying busy during quarantine?
I've been teaching vocal lessons on Skype and live streaming with friends for my IG Live Series "Shame Is a River" where I have candid conversations about mental health. I do spend a lot of time napping and catching up on my favorite television shows.
What’s something new you’ve cooked/baked?
I've really enjoyed making vegan breakfast spreads for my partner during quarantine. My favorite meal to make is a tofu scramble with kale and maple glazed tempeh bacon.
Song (or album) you’ve had on repeat:
Donna Missal's newest album has been on repeat this weekend!
What’s a song that is your go to comfort jam?
Anything by Fleetwood Mac always comforts me.
What keeps you happy?
Calling my friends and cuddling with my partner.
What’s the best advice you’ve received during this time?
"Just because you've been treated badly, doesn't mean you're bad." - Tess O'Connor
What’s something you miss the most right now?
Live concerts and late nights at diners after shows!
Anything new we should know about that you’re working on?
I'm finishing my debut album and just released the third single, Fleas, on July 9th!
INTERVIEW: Jermaine Fowler (of The Humanity Archives Podcast)
Jermaine Fowler
The Photo Ladies Interview
Louisville, KY native, historian, educator, scholar, speaker and writer Jermaine Fowler is the son of educators and has a lifelong love of history. As the founder and host of The Humanity Archive podcast, he hopes to shed some light on historical figures and events in an engaging and thought-provoking way, using the art of storytelling to weave the stories of the past into lessons for society today. With so many people in our society not knowing the real history of our country, Fowler aims to educate people on the things that school textbooks and curriculums have not included over the years. He seeks to move past the white-washed, sanitized and sugar-coated version of American history that many people learned in school to share the real and uglier aspects of our history. He shares the dismissed, untold and forgotten stories that pertain to women and black, minority and indigenous people throughout history. Aside from focusing on people and events that aren't often discussed or well-known, Fowler also discusses well-known topics from a different perspective. His goal is to use the wisdom of our shared past as a tool to help us all think critically about the present. Using tools such as videos, articles, study guides and his podcast, Fowler hopes to educate, entertain and inspire. You can follow Jermaine Fowler and connect with The Humanity Archive podcast via the links below.
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeartRadio | RadioPublic | Castbox | Patreon
You grew up believing the version of the American Dream of going to college, which was tied to having a career and money and upward mobility. This led you to get a degree in business instead of pursuing a degree in history and sociology. What was it that finally led you to follow your passion for history and educating?
For me, it just seemed like the opportunities, with the internet and the online explosion of social media platforms where other people were presenting themselves in that way, made me think "Wow, here's an opportunity that I can kind-of lean into". I started to just put my thoughts and my studies out there to see how it takes. It was just the whole internet really and the platforms you can use to broadcast yourself.
It's definitely easier to get information out into the world now!
Absolutely! There are low barriers for entry. It doesn't cost a lot of money to start. You can really just have a cellphone and some thoughts and put them out there. That can work out for better or for worse sometimes. Sometimes with the people who are putting thoughts out there, it's like "Maybe you should calm down a little bit" (laughs). You get some people who may otherwise not have had the accessibility to a platform, whether it be for exercise or history or whatever anybody is doing. A chef making food at home or whatever.
With your podcast, you tell the stories of the more marginalized people/groups and those who are lesser known or stories that have been told but from a different perspective. What led you to want to approach your podcast in that way and tell those stories and approach it from a storytelling arc in general? The way you present each episode really draws people in with the storytelling and engaging nature, rather than just presenting facts and statistics.
I think that's something that's kind-of come naturally to me. I think whenever I started this that I knew for a fact that I wanted to be kind of anti-history in the way of that boring, drab, monotone way of teaching. I kept asking myself how I could tell these stories in the most compelling way possible. I've tried to take a bit of a journalistic approach to the study of history. I'm trying to get the interesting facts, but also underlying that with an entertaining aspect and really trying to do what a historian does in the way of presenting facts and analysis on history, as well. I try to package it in an entertaining and storytelling kind of way.
How do you come up with the topics, people and/or events you want to discuss for each episode? Do you know ahead of time or do you just see what pops out at you when you are doing your research and find people/events that you want to dig deeper into?
I try to be methodical about it because there is so much information out there that you can get lost down a rabbit hole of research and I love to research. I pursue things that are intellectual in general. I have stacks upon stacks of books. Some of my favorite places are libraries and bookstores. With all of that, I do kind of have to reel myself in, so to speak and say "Ok. I need to focus on certain topics". I do try to make it topical but am always trying to uplift the humanity of people whose voices might not be heard. I try to foster senses of empathy and sympathy with an audience for people whose stories aren't heard as much, whether that's black people, women, minorities, or immigrants. Also, if I tell the story about a person who is more known, I try to hit it from a different angle and either awaken people or enlighten people in some way.
You have said that teaching the past can help to change the future and that history is an important lesson for every up and coming generation. What do you see as the most important historical lessons that can be applied to today's world?
When you look at history, the biggest thing for me is to see that no one culture and no one people have a monopoly on anything...on culture, on science, on math, on wisdom. I think that is a big eye opener. If people study a broad history, they will see all of humanity no matter where they look, whether it's South America, Africa, North America, Australia...everyone has something to contribute in some way. I think that is the true meaning of diversity. The diversity of thought and of study is to look at the different cultures of people and see what they've had had to offer. I think there are a lot of lessons to be learned. There are so many. I think ultimately it is to just see the things that are happening now that have happened before and that themes are recurring. To see how other people have had to, whether it be different atrocities that have happened, to see how they made it through or how they held onto hope through different trials in their lives. I just dig into those stories to see how we are similar to people in the past and how we can learn from them.
What inspired your love for history and education? Did you have a teacher or other figure in your life growing up who really instilled that love for you?
It would definitely have to be my parents. Both of them are educators in the public school system, so I think that seeing them finding joy in teaching and sparking the brains of the youth definitely also sparked something in me. It was like "Wow. I can have a love for knowledge and for sharing that knowledge and do what they're doing but maybe just do it in a different way." I think that's definitely the seed that was planted and is finally growing all of these years later.
You are working on a project called Project 365 that is working to integrate black, women's and indigenous history into school curriculums year round, rather than just having a month devoted to each. What can you tell me about the project and what led you to want to start it?
I think that I never really liked how I would see like Women's, Black and Indigenous History months. To me, that just kind of boxes it into a one month period. I think that the goal should ultimately be to integrate it, right? To have an equality in the telling of the stories in history. For me, until we see that...it does mean something to have these months but that's not the end goal. The founder and creator of Black History Month, Carter G. Woodson, he also had the same idea, to do this for a little while but with the ultimate goal to have it all integrated throughout the year and to see that equality in the storytelling. All these years later it still hasn't happened.
You don't really get the real history, just the edited version.
Yeah-the sugar-coated and sanitized and watered-down version. I think until those real stories are told, there's definitely a need for something like Project 365 in order to push to get those stories in there.
There definitely seems to be a great awakening of sorts. Everyone is really educating themselves on the true history of this country. What do you see school curriculums looking like going forward? Do you have hope that they will reflect a broader, more factual history?
There's always hope, right? I think there are definitely individuals within the school systems who are hoping for that and pushing for that. I have talked to curriculum writers from school districts who want to do this but on the other side, I think you have to look at the school system as a whole because there are always good people within systems that don't really operate in a way that's going to be beneficial. I think we definitely have to look at the institution itself and why this history isn't being taught and why there isn't more equality. One thing that was disturbing to me when I was talking to someone within the public school system was that they are working on different histories but it's going to like an elective in college. So that again segregates and keeps it to the side. If it's a choice, are people really going to choose to take those classes or are they going to look at them differently? So I think that's really not the goal, unfortunately.
That's disappointing!
It really is. It's not what I was hoping for. So there is definitely still work to do.
You have talked about how the quote from Socrates "The only thing that I know is that I know nothing" is your favorite quote and that you seek to challenge your own assumptions and beliefs and are always striving to learn. What do you think have been the hardest assumptions and beliefs that you have had to overcome?
Yeah. I see that a lot of times everybody thinks they know everything right now. There's like a cult of smartness. I think that by knowing nothing, so to speak, it kind of keeps me with an intellectual humility where you're always seeking new knowledge and never saying you're there, so to speak. You always have work to do. As far as my own assumptions, I mean just growing up in America I've had to deal with internalized racism, which is big in the black community as far as people looking at themselves and feeling the effects that it has personally and psychologically. I think everything from patriarchy to homophobia. I mean, I've struggled with all of those things, whether it be the images or the prevailing ideas within the communities you grow up in. I think that civil war within anybody is worth fighting. I think that first we have to acknowledge it, right? A lot of people are in closet about these assumptions they have and pretend that they don't have them.
Change can't happen until people acknowledge there's something that needs to change.
Yeah. So until we actually come out and expose that, whether it be within ourselves or within society, we can't deal with it. That's why I try to be honest, not only with my social criticisms, because I can talk about things that happen in society, but I think that first you always have to be honest with yourself. That's why I'm so comfortable talking about some of the things that I battle with every day.
What can you tell me about your love of collaboration? You have done Instagram collaborations with Marcie Alvis-Walker (@blackcoffeewithwhitefriends) and @uncolonial_history, to name a couple. What do you find to be the personal benefits of collaboration and do you have anything else in the works?
Yeah, I have several collaborations in the works. I just really try to tap into people who are doing similar things a lot of times. It's not like I'm on there trying to find much contention or anything. I talk to other people who have a love of history and of knowledge and are intellectually minded. I have one coming up with an anti-racism educator and one coming up with a transgender man and I'm going to be talking to a biologist about the history of biological racism. I really just try to tap into as many thinkers as I can as a way to share ideas and knowledge and grow. That's part of growing those collaborations. For me, it's really just for personal growth. A lot of things come out when I have these conversations and different perspectives and I think that's one of the great benefits of collaborations.
What can you tell me about the 'BE THE NEXT ONE' series you did? Is that something you plan to continue?
That really speaks back to the collaboration process. I do have a spirit of collaboration. If I see somebody doing something that is interesting to me or intriguing, I try to tap into that. There was a fantastic artist from Italy and I saw him on social media and he sent me something that he was working on in an email. I was like "Wow. What if we came together and kind of did your art with some poetic prose about historical figures?". We started to build a bit of momentum with the project and then boom, the coronavirus hit and it hit first in Italy, right where he is in Milan. That kind of derailed the project. We still talk and plan to get back off the ground once everything calms down. We'd planned to do maybe 10 historical figures and only got like 2 done before the virus hit and it just dropped off with the virus. It's definitely bittersweet. I'm glad for what we did do, but also hopeful and look forward to continuing.
Sticking with that collaborative series, it explores black history on an international level. What can you tell me about the importance to you of showcasing an international perspective of black history?
I don't want history to be something that's boxed in. I think we have to have a broader perspective and know that the black experience didn't just start at this one point, right? I think when we do that, we tend to pigeonhole it. I always try to go back further into history and dig deeper, and it does take more digging to find those stories. I just did something on the Mali Empire in West Africa. You really have to do some digging to find stuff. I had to dig into some dark recesses of libraries because the information just isn't as available. I think we have to be careful where our starting points are because that can definitely narrow our view whenever we start it too soon. It's the same with other types of histories, as well.
Something you have brought up in the second season of the podcast that I found intriguing is the comparison of oral versus written history. A lot of black and indigenous cultures have historically relied heavily on the oral tradition. What can you tell me about the value you feel there is in the oral histories of different cultures?
Absolutely. I think when we look at that, we first have to look at it as being subjugated and pushed back and pushed down. I think the oral tradition, from the Western perspective, isn't respected. There are some scholars who are trying to uplift it and are fighting for it like "Hey. We need to look at these as the real records". I mean, who's to say? A lot of written history actually was written 100 years later, after the fact as well. There's really no logic behind not including that as part of the record. I definitely think that's something that drives me too with the podcast and the storytelling. There's just something with that live, energetic storytelling that you just can't get from reading a book. And I love reading books so I'm not trying detract anybody from reading books at all! There's definitely an energy and a connection with the speaker and the audience, kind of like a synergy. Anthropologists say that with all cultures, what all of us have in common, no matter where you are from on earth, is storytelling. That's kind of like the currency of life. That's always been interesting to me, to tap into those stories. It's basically like a goldmine of untapped resource because we have all of these oral traditions and oral stories and it's very awesome to be able to bring them to the forefront.
You have also talked about emphasizing black history, beyond just what exists in this country. Why do you feel that black history before America hasn't been more broadly researched and discussed?
I think that ties directly into colonization and subjugation and slavery. Anytime that you have one society or civilization that subjugates another, one of the first things they do is burn the books and erase the history. I always say if people don't have a history, they don't have an identity, so it's harder to get to know them. Then you kind of have those aspects of dehumanization to where you have that thought of the "other" and of "I don't know them and I don't know their story so they're nobody". By erasing people's histories and stories you kind of make them nobody. I think at some point in history, that definitely was the protocol, whether it was inadvertently or purposely done. I think we are still seeing those shadows and those effects lingering today, as far as those stories not being told. That's another thing that drives me, to get to tell those stories.
Something I found interesting that you mention in Season 2 of the podcast, was the question of what might have happened if the Europeans had gone to Africa when the Mali Empire was at it's height and was strong, rather than during it's downfall and whether or not colonization would have happened.
Yeah, I thought that was an interesting thought for sure. There are always these interesting points in history with the "what ifs". What if it had been tweaked a bit one way or another? What if things had gone a little bit this way or that way? I've always been interested in those thoughts. You can go down some rabbit holes with that! I've had to pull myself back for sure (laughs)!
You have also emphasized the concepts of historical thinking and moral energy. Could you talk a bit about why those concepts are so important to you in the study of history, as well as current events?
Yeah. I think for me, I mean, what is history a lot of times? You're exploring relationships between the powerful and the powerless. A lot of it is that, so I think to not have an analysis of that is to do a disservice to the story. I think that's why people see a lot of fakeness in the history as it's taught, because it's not exploring those relationships. It's the "great man theory", right? Like, this great president or this great figure and there's this deification and fetishization of people instead of looking at them in their raw, true humanity and their flaws and triumphs and tragedies and all of that wrapped in together.
Where do you think we go from here? How do you feel we can use history to guide us forward from where we are now? A lot of the issues we are facing now are issues this country has been facing for many years now.
Yeah. I think to me it's just as basic as having a tragic sense of history. Not the sugar-coated, sanitized, watered-down version, but one where we tell the real stories, whether it be stories about slavery or suffrage or individuals who fought for things that are greater and grander than themselves like justice and equality. Those are the stories I try to highlight, because then people can see examples to follow. I think a lot of times we see examples and they may not be the best examples to follow, so we need to highlight people who might be better examples to push democracy and equality and ideas of justice forward. I think that's definitely a way we can use history to push society forward to be more equitable and diverse, which is better for everybody.
We've had important black leaders throughout history, such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr and Frederick Douglass. Who do you feel are some current leaders that you feel are really making a difference?
We still have a lot. We just lost John Lewis, but we have philosophers like Cornell West and Angela Davis is still with us. There are figures like that who I still look to that are still with us today. I think that sometimes I see a bit of a vacuum with the young leadership. We have a lot of movements and collectively young people are coming together but I don't really see the emergence of the leadership of the past. Maybe I'm blind! You might be able to tell me some people I'm not seeing. I'm sure they're there! I think things definitely look a little different now. It's more communal I think now, as far as movements, as opposed to there being one Martin Luther King like figure, or a savior-like figure. What I see now is more groups. The power is more in the group rather than a specific leader. I think we'll see how that plays out but ultimately think it can be a good thing.
What gives you hope? Everything going on right now can be very overwhelming. As a historian and seeing the struggles that people have endured throughout history, what gives you hope right now for the future?
I think just the youth. Looking in the eyes of the youth. We have precious youth out here and they have to come into whatever we leave behind and are trying to spearhead something they can follow behind to make the world better for them. It's like the saying "Leave the earth better than you found it". That's the thought process that I have with that. That gives me hope, just trying to leave the earth better than I found it when I got here for the next generation and for my kids and for all of the youth in the world.
What's next for you? You've talked a bit about some collaborations that are in the works, but what else do you have coming up?
Really just pushing forward with Season 2 of the podcast and just focusing in on that. And really trying to build awareness and grow the audience of The Humanity Archive. I think I've really just scratched the surface so far. I've only been doing this really, heavily, since January and it's grown tremendously since then. I really just want to get it out in front of more people and amplify it and just continue to grow it.
What do you have coming up on Season 2? Anything you can talk about or specific themes?
It is a lot of times thematic, which is what I'm going for. It's the 100th year of women's suffrage, so I'm going to tell some of those stories. I also want to tell some stories about war, but not in the more fandom kind of way. There are some people who are more anti-war, so from that perspective that you maybe don't hear as much. So I definitely have a few themes coming up. I also have something else I'm doing with suffrage with UofL. I'm going to be speaking with them on virtual panel. It would have been in person, but with everything going on it will be on a virtual panel. I definitely have some things in the works and am looking forward to continuing to grow The Humanity Archive.
PLAYLIST: August Addiction
Somehow we’ve reached August already, which means it’s time for another playlist! The Photo Ladies came together to share 40 tracks we’ve had on repeat over the last month, and we hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
With 100 founding members, and over 1000 Photo Ladies part of our community, we all have a huge variety of musical tastes, and we plan to showcase them each month through our upcoming playlists. Full playlist below, along with some Photo Lady blurbs behind the choices.
“‘When I heard the news of the George Floyd murder on the heels of the murders of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, and the Christian Cooper incident in Central Park, I knew I had to release the song. It is my response to the feelings that have been rising in me ever since my heart broke in 2012 with the murder of Trayvon Martin.’ (Taken from our interview with Doug Locke)”
'Enemy Reimagined' is far from Designer Disguise's classic hard-hitting core sound, as the original song has been tailored into an acoustic version which leaves the listener raw, vulnerable and exposed. Jackson Bengtsson, vocalist, stated that this song is a true representation of the fears they have of themselves when they're at their worst. They hope that by talking and singing about mental health, it can begin the process of normalization. We are no weaker just because we are vulnerable and open. Instead, by admitting and sharing our struggles we are stronger. - Sara Scott | @scenestories
This collab with Grace Carter and Jacob Banks is one of those beautifully heartbreaking tracks. That line ‘It was a one way track, why don’t you love me back?’ I think is super relatable and honest. I don’t know how you can listen to this and NOT feeling something. - Carolyn Lederach | @Cled1024
Father John Misty’s cover of Anthem by Leonard Cohen is a beautiful homage to the artist. A reminder to us all that in these times of darkness and uncertainty through the tiniest of cracks light (hope) can get in. We could all use a reminder of these during these times. - Skylar Davis | @helloskylar
“Detroit’s Protomartyr are probably one of my favorite acts ever since discovering their second album six years ago. They’re a band that continually push themselves and on their latest record, Ultimate Success Today, came out in July and features jazz musicians. Vocalist Joe Casey has stated that “Processed by the Boys” was written with the US agency ICE in mind. ”
“I’m sad that Mitski has decided to retire from touring (indefinitely? Maybe?) but it seems she did it at the right moment in time. Her shows were incredible, and I’m hoping she can give us new music inspired by these isolated, strange times. ”
This song struck me the second I heard it. It has a beautiful storytelling element and a level of innocence that is so childlike, and the melodies are so soft and gentle. It feels like the end of a good summer day. - Nina Tadic | @ninatadicphotography
The very first single from new indie band Stablemate is such a mood. A dreamscape to get lost in, I have caught myself listening on repeat without even noticing. - Angela Rose | @itsmissgirlface
“A new-ish Chicago rock band, “You Died” came out with their first EP last year. This song was so catchy, I couldn’t get it out of my head for days! ”
“Fiction has an energy that is unmatched, and the brand new Felonious Punk single is no exception. Exciting, innovative, and catchy... I can’t stop listening!”