Art In All Its Forms

NOTE: This episode was recorded in late 2021.On this episode of the Art In All Its Forms podcast, Suraj speaks with Nate Sloan, a professor of musicology at USC and podcast host. They discuss how Nate decided to study musicology, his academic and research interests, what he admires about Taylor Swift and her artistry, and why he decided to co-host a podcast about popular music. I learned so much by taking Nate’s jazz history class at USC in 2019. He was a fantastic professor, and it’s a privilege to have him on the podcast!*****Show Notes: 1. Nate Sloan’s Bio 2. Nate’s podcast with Charlie Harding, Switched on Pop3. Nate and Charlie’s book “Switched on Pop: How Popular Music Works, and Why It Matters”4. Nate’s article in The New York Times about the resurgence of funk music in recent years5. Segregating Sound by Karl Hagstrom Miller Subscribe at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (12 min) | The first half of my favorite song yet! I'll be finishing it for you next week. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (18 min) | NOTE: If you’d like to skip my commentary and go straight to the song, go to 13:13. However, I do suggest listening to the whole episode! NOTE 2: Other than the title, this song has nothing to do with the new film, “Last Night In Soho.” Thanks for tuning into the fifth episode of “25 Bad Songs,” an Art In All Its Forms podcast series where I (Suraj) write 25 songs — one song a week — and show you how I did it! Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

NOTE: If you’d like to skip my commentary and go straight to the song, go to 12:28. However, I do suggest listening to the whole episode!Thanks for waiting an extra WEEK for the fourth episode of “25 Bad Songs,” an Art In All Its Forms podcast series where I (Suraj) write 25 songs — one song a week — and show you how I did it!Today’s song, “When The Trees Smiled Back,” tells a story about nature, climate change, and the things we take for granted that could be lost forever.*****Full Lyrics:Verse 1We used to listen to The Beatles on road tripsEarly morning drives through the forestSinging la di dah dah day, la di dah dah dayOpen up the windows you could smell itRedwood trees and the foliageSinging la di dah dah day, la di dah dah dayPre-chorus 1Painfully unaware when we were youngerPlaying in the park as the fire got hotterSmiling at the trees in the scorching summerBut now I wish for the daysChorus 1Back when the trees smiled back at usGet on your knees and pray for usThat they’ll smile another day, smile another dayBack when the trees smiled back at usYou better hope there’s hope for usThat the smoke will clear away, they’ll smile another dayVerse 2We used to listen to lay on the ground, feel the grass growLook at the sky and the stars aboveSinging la di dah dah day, la di dah dah dayOpen up your eyes, you can see itThe things we take for granted gonna slip through our fingertipsImagine it, even if its too hard to admitPre-chorus 2Painfully unaware when we were youngerWe’re too lazy to let the world live longerSmiling at the trees in the scorching summerWishing for better daysChorus 2Back when the trees smiled back at usGet on your knees and pray for usThat they’ll smile another day, smile another dayBack when the trees smiled back at usYou better hope there’s hope for usThat the smoke will clear away, they’ll smile another dayBridgeThe world’s gonna come crashing down around us and we can’t be bothered (x4) (La di dah dah day) (x3)Chorus 2Back when the trees smiled back at usGet on your knees and pray for usThat they’ll smile another day, smile another dayBack when the trees smiled back at usYou better hope there’s hope for usThat the smoke will clear away, they’ll smile another dayOutroLa di dah dah day Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (19 min) | NOTE: If you’d like to skip my commentary and go straight to the song, go to 8:08. However, I do suggest listening to the whole episode! Thanks for waiting an extra day for the third episode of “25 Bad Songs,” an Art In All Its Forms podcast series where I (Suraj) write 25 songs — one song a week — and show you how I did it! Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

NOTE: If you’d like to skip my commentary and go straight to the song, go to 14:47. However, I do suggest listening to the whole episode!Thanks for tuning in to the second episode of “25 Bad Songs,” an Art In All Its Forms podcast series where I (Suraj) write 25 songs — one song a week — and show you how I did it! Today’s song, “Always In My Head,” tells the story of a troubled father-son relationship. It is very loosely based on Franz Kafka’s letter to his father, which he wrote in November of 1919. *****Full Lyrics:Verse 1Hey dad, I know it’s been a minuteI called to tell you one thingThat the apple falls far from the treePeople see you and they don’t recognize meI used to try to be what you wantedIt didn’t work out, you were always disappointedI was tired of it all, I was doneWalked right out and then I wasn’t your sonPre-chorus 1But even if I move to somewhere far away from you I still feel sick itIt doesn’t matter what I try There’s no escaping itI don’t want to admit that I’d be lost without youChorusOh Oh OhhI wanna be my own manBut I can’t forget all of the s**t you saidYou’re always in my headOh Oh OhhI can’t understandWhy I can’t forget all of the s**t you saidYou’re always in my headVerse 2Hey Dad, I know you didn’t think I’d call to tell you one thingWhen you said that I was weak you were wrongI was trying to be kind and I was so youngI used to be afraid of monsters under my bedYou threw me out into the cold that nightThought I’d freeze to deathBe the master of your fate, you saidPre-chorus 2And even though I try to close my ears I’m always listeningI don’t want to admit that I’d be lost without youChorus (x2)Oh Oh OhhI wanna be my own manBut I can’t forget all of the s**t you saidYou’re always in my headOh Oh OhhI can’t understandWhy I can’t forget all of the s**t you saidYou’re always in my head Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

NOTE: If you’d like to skip my commentary and go straight to the song, go to 17:00. However, I do suggest listening to the whole episode!Thanks for tuning in to the first episode of “25 Bad Songs,” an Art In All Its Forms podcast series where I (Suraj) write 25 songs — one song a week — and show you how I did it! As I said in my latest newsletter: Each podcast episode will be a little different. Sometimes I’ll share my thoughts on the writing process or the inspiration and story behind certain songs. Sometimes I’ll carefully show you how voice memos and scribbled rough drafts turn into a piece of music sounding a little more complete.Most importantly, I’m always gonna be 100% transparent with you: what I liked about the song, what I didn’t like, how I’m looking to improve, my musical insecurities — EVERYTHING. I hope it will give you a sense of what an artist goes through when they are working on something but aren’t sure of the final result. Today’s song, “Long Distance,” tells the story of a long-distance relationship coming to its end. Disclaimer: this has NOTHING TO DO with my wonderful 3-year relationship with Maura, which is strong and well!*****Full Lyrics:Verse 1I haven’t held your face in a whileOnly text messages and digital smilesOpposite coasts for years at a timeFalling asleep without you by my sidePre-chorusWatching you float away There’s only so much pain I can takeChorusTryna keep it goingEven though we’re tired of long distance, long distanceIt’s so hard to know if All of this is worth it, the long distance, long distanceVerse 2Why do we keep this charade all the timeIt’s not what it used to be, we’re not doing fineTalking in circles, feeling in squaresYou say that you love me but you’re not herePre-chorusWatching us float away Wish there was something that I could say ChorusTryna keep it goingEven though we’re tired of long distance, long distanceIt’s so hard to know if All of this is worth it, the long distance, long distanceBridgeWatching you float away Remembering better daysWatching you float away Wish there was something left here to sayChorusTryna keep it goingEven though we’re tired of long… distanceIt’s so hard to know if All of this is worth it, the long distance, long distanceOutroThere’s only so much pain I can take*****A few visualsHere’s a look at my ridiculous scribbles on Post-its and in my Field Notes Memo Book… I can barely read these notes after a few days, so I try to get everything digitized at some point. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Art In All Its Forms is back after a much longer than expected hiatus! I’ll be getting into the reason for that in an upcoming newsletter. For now, though, I hope you enjoy a new episode of the podcast. This is a special one. Suraj speaks with Lauren Patrice Nadler, an acting coach and director based in Los Angeles. They talk about Lauren’s upbringing in Queens, NY, her first introductions into acting, how she got into teaching, her directing method, improvisation, the format of her acting class, her various acting clients, and more. Here’s what I said about Lauren some years ago:"Lauren is one of those acting coaches who finds a way to relate to every single one of her students. She tells them the things that will help them grow as actors and individuals in the most efficient and healthy way. I personally cannot thank her enough for taking the actor inside of me and helping him come alive."Show Notes: Lauren’s Personal WebsiteLauren Patrice Nadler Studios WebsiteInfo on Sanford Meisner and his techniqueInfo on Uta Hagen and her technique Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Suraj talks about his recent close call with a TV audition. Also, actor Aramis Knight talks with Suraj about auditioning for a Steven Spielberg TV show, not getting it, but then moving on to bigger and better things. Show Notes: An article on “Ms. Marvel,” the show Aramis is starring in! Coming to Disney+ soon Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

This week’s episode is a little different! Suraj speaks with multiple guests about setbacks they experienced in their artistic careers. Vic Vasconcellos talks with Suraj about a serious injury she had, and Lauren Owens (Lauren Dair) discusses working on a song after a tragic death. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Suraj speaks with Amirtha Kidambi about her work as a singer, musician, bandleader, and composer in the creative music/avant-garde scene in NYC. Amirtha talks about how her upbringing as a first-generation Indian-American affects her artistic process, how she (and other musicians) arrived at the term “creative music” to describe the music she sings/plays, and how colonization has had an adverse impact on fully experiencing music. Also, FYI, Amirtha is Suraj’s second cousin! For subscribers on podcast apps, see additional show notes and links on the AIAIF website! Link below.Because this week’s episode is a little more “in the weeds” on topics like modern jazz and experimental film, I’ve made a more extensive list of show notes. Amirtha was talking about so much great artistic material — a lot of artists and works that I didn’t know — and I just HAD to include it all in the episode! Show Notes and Links: Amirtha Kidambi’s website — Lots of great videos and links to her work here, HIGHLY RECOMMENDAmirtha’s albums with her band, Elder Ones — “Holy Science” (2019) and “From Untruth” (2018)Amirtha Kidambi & Lea Bertucci’s “End of Softness” (2020)Mary Halverson’s “Code Girl” (2018) — Amirtha is a member of this band!Understanding the concept of Indian “Raag”NY Times obituary of Kadri Gopalnath, Indian alto-saxophonist — There’s a wonderful video of Mr. Gopalnath’s music that is a great introduction to the music Amirtha discusses in the episodeOrnette Coleman’s “Free Jazz” (1961)John Coltrane’s “Impulse! Records” Discography — Every one of the albums is worth listening to, with “A Love Supreme” (1964) and “Duke Ellington and John Coltrane” (1962) being two great starting points, in my opinion. Pitchfork review of Albert Ayler’s “Spiritual Unity” (1964)Lydia Goehr’s “The Imaginary Museum of Musical Works” (1992)NY Times obituary of Fred Ho, Asian-American composer and musician — Another obit that I think is a good jumping-off point for discovering of Mr. Ho’s music.George E. Lewis's book “The AACM and American Experimental Music” (2008) A NY Times article on the AACM at its 50-year anniversary in 2015A guide to the discography of Anthony Braxton, alto-saxophonist and composerA NY Times article on Vijay Iyer and a link to his NEW album “Uneasy” (2021) — Few jazz musicians today excite me as much as Vijay Iyer. Amirtha and I discuss the paradoxes of the word “accessible” when referring to music in the episode, but if you want to hear Iyer sticking to a more recognizable harmonic palate, check out his album “Accelerando” (2012). He does a version of Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature” that is groovy beyond belief.Alice Coltrane’s recording of the “Sai Bhajan,” “Prema Mudhita” and her albums “A Monastic Trio” (1968) and “Journey in Satchidananda” (1971)Website of Ravi Coltrane, Alice and John’s son, a current jazz saxophonistSuneil Sanzgiri’s website — filmmaker that Amirtha collaborated with on two film scoresIndian film director Satyajit Ray’s “Apu Trilogy” in the Criterion Collection, Roger Ebert’s review of the trilogy, and an interview with RayAn article from Vox on Iranian film director Abbas Kiarostami and a link to “Taste of Cherry” (1997) in the Criterion CollectionAn article on Charlie Chaplin filming “Modern Times” (1936)Robert Bresson’s “Pickpocket” (1959) Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (67 min) | Suraj speaks with Rebecca Lemon, a Professor of English at the University of Southern California. Prof. Lemon talks about the works of Shakespeare and their place in the English canon, how to interpret/study Shakespeare in the modern era, and the connection between iambic pentameter and regular spoken English. She also discusses the vital role of the humanities and how she finds inspiration to write her own books. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (57 min) | Suraj talks with Joey Messina-Doerning, a Grammy-nominated music producer and engineer. Joey explains the difference between being a producer, an engineer, a mixing engineer, and a mastering engineer on a given project. He also talks about his work on HAIM’s “Women in Music Pt. III,” which was nominated this year at the Grammys for “Album of the Year.” Suraj asks Joey about the paradoxes of producing music and what it’s like to make music in the time of social media. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (60 min) | Suraj speaks with Sari Arambulo, an actress, producer, and digital creative. Sari talks about growing up in LA, acting on the hit show “A.P. Bio” (NBC/Peacock), and producing new independent films. Suraj and Sari also have a conversation about diversity in Hollywood and how it has progressed over the years. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (61 min) | NOTE: This conversation was recorded back in September of 2020. Suraj speaks with Peter Erskine about his distinguished career as a jazz musician. Peter talks about his early music education, as well as his work with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, Weather Report, and numerous other groups. He also talks with Suraj about his philosophy of drumming and how the drum set connects with other artistic interests of his. Finally, Peter recommends a book he has co-written with Dave Black, "The Musician's Lifeline." (Alfred Music) Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (44 min) | Suraj speaks with Kyle Allen about his artistic work. Kyle talks about his background in ballet, how he got to Los Angeles, his TV and film work, and more. Kyle's new film The Map of Tiny Perfect Things comes out on February 12th! Show Notes: 1. Kyle's Instagram Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (55 min) | Suraj talks with Chris Callister about his work as a film editor. They discuss Chris's unique family, how Chris thinks about his role as a film editor, how Chris got to Los Angeles, the projects he has worked on, and more. NOTE: This was recorded in late 2020, before the major events of the past two weeks. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (43 min) | Suraj talks with Maura Tuffy about her work as a singer and choral conductor. They talk about how Maura got her start in music, what led her to USC and then to Yale, how choral music can impact audiences in the modern world, and more! Show notes: 1. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (49 min) | Suraj speaks with drummer Luke Woodle about Luke's band, Cab Ellis. They talk about their music education at USC, what it's like to start a band from the ground up, how to make music that is both authentic and accessible, and more! Show Notes: 1. Vic Firth's History of the Drumset: Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (43 min) | Suraj speaks with Camilla Tassi about her work with projection design in theater and opera. You may ask, "What is projection design?" Find out here! It's really cool. Camilla talks about her education at Dartmouth and Yale, how her work in computer science affects her artistic work, and what it means to present live performance to audiences in the 21st century. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (43 min) | Suraj speaks with Nick George about the Alexander Technique (AT). They talk about Suraj's AT lessons with Nick, the basic principles and training involved in AT, and how AT can be used as a broader tool for artists of all kinds. Show Notes: 1. Michael J. Gelb's Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (38 min) | Suraj speaks with Lucie Shelley about her design work for Verb haircare products. They talk about Lucie's music background, how she got into graphic design, and her process in designing the Art In All Its Forms logo. Show Notes: 1. New York Times Magazine piece on a cartoonist learning piano Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (41 min) | Suraj speaks with Adam Karelin about Adam's music and the University of Southern California's Concerto Chamber Orchestra (CCO), which he is the director of. Adam talks about music in the time of COVID-19, CCO's virtual music festival, and the steps CCO is taking to combat systemic racism and injustice in orchestral music. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (50 min) | Suraj speaks with Alan Chow about creating content for Tik Tok. Alan talks about his acting career, his guest star appearance on Grey's Anatomy, his social media following, and more! Show Notes: 1. YouTube Clip of Ellen Pompeo speaking on Ellen 2. Alan's Tik Tok Channel Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com

Listen now (2 min) | Art In All Its Forms is a podcast that explores the intersections between different art forms. Suraj Partha, an actor and musician, speaks with artists and professionals of all kinds to discover what inspires them and connects them with other artists. Get on the email list at artinallitsforms.substack.com