Concavity Show

In this episode, Matt speaks with Lauren Elkin about her new novel, Scaffolding. They discuss Lacan, marriage, and why Paris is so damn literary, among other things. Lauren Elkin is a French and American writer and translator, most recently the author of the novel Scaffolding (FSG), a New York Times Editor's Choice which the Observer called both "erudite" and "horny." Previous books include Art Monsters: Unruly Bodies in Feminist Art, No. 91/92: Notes on a Parisian Commute, and Flâneuse: Women Walk the City, which was a finalist for the 2018 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay, a  New York Times Editor's Choice and a Notable Books of 2017, a Radio 4 Book of the Week, and a best book of 2016 by the Guardian, the Financial Times, the New Statesman, and the Observer. Her writings on books, art, and culture have appeared in a variety of publications including the London Review of Books, the New York Times, Granta, Harper's, Le Monde, the Times Literary Supplement, Les Inrockuptibles, and Frieze, and her essay "This is the Beginning of Writing," published in the Sewanee Review, was awarded notable distinction in the Best American Essays of 2019, edited by Rebecca Solnit. Her website is: https://www.laurenelkin.com/ You can find her on BlueSky here: https://bsky.app/profile/laurenelkin.bsky.social The Spotify playlist she created for the novel is here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3saYDj2BSKyCFWGXsUhCTZ?si=f7a471a0e77e45bc   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

We're delighted to present our conversation with the remarkable Benjamín Labatut for Episode 81, in which we primarily discuss his 2023 non-fiction novel The MANIAC, its primary figure John von Neumann, the madness and magic of fiction, and the limits and future of science and the human mind.    Run, don't walk to buy Benjamín's two English-language books:  When We Cease to Understand the World  The MANIAC   Extra special thanks to Cameron Waller of Penguin Random House Canada (@cameronsbookshelf) for (a) putting us onto Benjamín's work in a personal way, and (b) making this conversation with Benjamín possible.    Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

For episode 80, we welcome Jessica Anthony back to the show. She has long been one of our favorite writers and she returns this month with a new novel titled The Most (out July 30 from Little Brown).   Jessica Anthony is the author of three books of fiction, most recently the novel Enter the Aardvark, a finalist for the New England Book Award in Fiction. Her debut, The Convalescent, won the inaugural McSweeney's Amanda Davis Highwire Fiction Award in 2004. A recipient of the Creative Capital Award in Literature, Anthony wrote The Most while guarding the Mária Valéria Bridge in Štúrovo, Slovakia. She lives in Portland, Maine.   Preorder the book on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-most-jessica-anthony/20862156?ean=9780316576376 You can see some of the upcoming events for the novel here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/jessica-anthony/   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/  

In this episode, Matt Bucher interviews Matt Lowell of the band Lo Moon.  They discuss the genesis of Lo Moon's new hit song, "Water." Lowell shares how he discovered David Foster Wallace's writing and he also breaks down his collaborative writing process. Later, he digs into some of his literary influences and the two Matts discuss Salinger, Fitzgerald, Knausgaard, and more. You can order the new album on vinyl here: https://www.lomoonofficial.com/ and there you can learn more about Lo Moon's 2024 tour schedule here: https://lomoon.komi.io/.  Check out their private fan community, Raincoat Chronicles. You can keep up with Lo Moon on X: https://twitter.com/lomoon   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In this episode, Matt interviews Don Hough. Don is the author of a collection of short stories titled The Funeral Girl, a collection of essays called The Exact Right Word, and a new correspondence collection called All the Best. They discuss how The Funeral Girl is influenced by David Foster Wallace's work, how Don discovered DFW, James Cameron's Titanic, Labute's In the Company of Men, Alexander Theroux, Jonathan Franzen, Taylor Swift, and much much more.   You can follow Don on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/DHSayer His blog is here: http://donhoughauthor.blogspot.com   And be sure to order his books: The Funeral Girl: https://www.amazon.com/Funeral-Girl-Don-Hough/dp/1541008553 All The Best: https://www.amazon.com/All-Best-Correspondence-Don-Hough/dp/B0D251Q6NK Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/  

In this episode, Dave and Matt sit down with Adam Levin to discuss the publication of the Bar Mitzvah edition of that great novel, The Instructions. They discuss growing up in the land of Bar Mitzvahs, the writing process, and what happens to Gurion, among other things. Adam Levin's website is: https://www.adamlevinadamlevin.com/ You can order the new edition of the book direct from McSweeney's here: https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/the-instructions-bar-mitzvah-edition?taxon_id=1 And here's a friends-and-family discount code for 25% off: mazeltov   The Material is the new novel from Camille Bordas.   Adam Levin is the author of the novels The Instructions, Bubblegum, and Mount Chicago, as well as the story collection, Hot Pink. His writing has appeared in numerous publications, including The New Yorker, McSweeney's, and Playboy. He has been a New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award winner, a recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, and a National Jewish Book Award finalist. He lives in Chicago.   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

It's our favorite annual episode on the show, when we get to look back at the best of our year in reading with someone else who has read cool stuff. This time it's with Ben Diamond, a very keen listener and patron from London, who for three years running has sent us an annual best of his year recording, always full of interesting books, shows, music, and films. We had an awesome conversation with Ben that we hope you'll enjoy.    Stay tuned for the Patreon bonus episode in two weeks that covers all other things we liked this year in pop-culture.   As always, this episode comes with a playlist of our favorite songs of 2023: Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/best-of-2023/pl.u-yZyVDNACYq2akv Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6Uq1526MP5mLBVI4zM0e5j?si=59d0bc52f08e41aa   Quick reference Top Fives Ben:  1. The Instructions by Adam Levin 2. Something Happened by Joseph Heller  3. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan 4. Porn: An Oral History by Polly Barton 5. Anything that Moves by Jamie Stewart   Dave:  1. THE MANIAC by Benjamín Labatut 2. The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen 3. The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty 4. Magnetic Fields by Ron Loewinsohn 5. The Passenger & Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy   Matt: 1. Dayswork by Chris Bachelder and Jennifer Habel 2. Chaotic Good by Lee Klein 3. Diana: My Graphic Obsession by Sivan Piatigorsky-Roth 4. The Deluge by Stephen Markley 5. America Fantastica by Tim O'Brien     Contact Ben Diamond: ben.diamond@gmail.com   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In Episode 75 we welcome poet Diego Báez back onto the show, to discuss his fantastic forthcoming book of poetry, Yaguareté White, which releases from University of Arizona Press on February 20, 2024.  You can pre-order it directly from the publisher or from Bookshop.org   Follow Diego on Twitter   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/      

In this episode with speak with bestselling writer and journalist David Lipsky. To David Foster Wallace fans, Lipsky is, of course, familiar as the author of Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself which was the basis of the 2015 film The End of the Tour. David Lipsky is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The New Yorker, Harper's, The Best American Short Stories, The Best American Magazine Writing, The New York Times, The New York Times Book Review, and many others. He contributes to NPR's All Things Considered, and is the recipient of a Lambert Fellowship, a Media Award from GLAAD, and a National Magazine Award. He's the author of the novel The Art Fair; a collection, Three Thousand Dollars; and the bestselling nonfiction book Absolutely American, which was a Time magazine Best Book of the Year. His new book,  The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial is out now from Norton. The book examines the roots of climate change in popular thought, reaching back to the invention of electricity and the global impacts of technology. Lipsky profiles the scientists and characters who have taken up climate science and those who work to deny the effects of carbon and warming. The New York Times described the book, saying Lipsky "spins top-flight climate literature into cliffhanger entertainment." The extensive notes to the book, which he mentions in this episode, can be found at https://www.theparrotandtheigloo.com/   (Thank you to Kory Hill for technical assistance.)

In this bonus episode, we have a special audio production from British literary scholar Saul Leslie and American writer Wendy Liu.  What do you think David Foster Wallace was really like in a tennis match? You are invited to listen to a tennis commentary of a fictional match played between David Foster Wallace and Martin Amis. This audio piece was part of DFW2023, held in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It was written and presented by Saul Leslie, and features commentary by fictional Wimbledon champion and writer Elsa Canetti (voiced by Wendy Liu), and a guest 'courtside' appearance from literary academic Beci Carver. Hopefully this gives you a sense of what it would be like if Amis and Wallace really did play against one another. As for who is ultimately triumphant, you'll have to listen to find out! Be sure to check out this pamphlet for more details about the tennis match and the audio production. Follow Saul:  Email - sileslie@liverpool.ac.uk. Twitter - @postpost_its Follow Wendy: Twitter - @dellsystem Website - https://dellsystem.me/  

In Episode 73, Dave welcomes special guest Matt Bucher on the show to discuss his debut novel, The Belan Deck.  Buy Matt's book here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-belan-deck-matt-bucher/19943822?ean=9798888623428 Biblioklept review: https://biblioklept.org/2023/06/02/matt-buchers-the-belan-deck-is-an-unexpectedly-moving-argument-for-humanity-and-serious-triviality/ The Belan Deck on Goodreads (featuring reviews by many of our amazing listeners, like Phillip Freedenberg, Jack Waters, and Richie Speiser): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/128126023-the-belan-deck Erick Eckel review: https://erikeckel.com/2023/06/18/the-belan-deck-hints-of-microserfs-in-an-ai-age/ Jay Innis Murray review/interview: https://www.thevisionarycompany.net/blog/the-afterlife-of-anecdotes-a-review-of-the-belan-deck-by-matt-bucher   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In Episode 72, we welcome friend of the show, Edith Wharton scholar, accordion/bagpiper extraordinaire, and prolific writer, Sheila Liming on to talk about her new book Hanging Out, delving into the myriad ways that unstructured hang time is a radical, life-affirming act that resists capitalist commodification.  The New York Times article on Sheila and the book: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/16/style/sheila-liming-hanging-out-interview.html Sheila on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/seeshespeak Buy the book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/717263/hanging-out-by-sheila-liming/ and here https://bookshop.org/p/books/hanging-out-the-radical-power-of-killing-time-sheila-liming/18462992?ean=9781685890056   Information about the 2023 DFW Conference in Gettysburg, June 22-24: https://dfwsociety.org/conference/   Contact Matt and Dave: Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In this episode, we talk with prolific reader and accomplished musician Evan Stephens Hall from the band Pinegrove. We discuss his top books of the year and go through a few of our own favorite reading experiences from 2022.   Here is the David Foster Wallace & Richard Powers Q&A we mention.    And here is the reading poriton of that event that begins with DFW talking about the “brick” in his pocket.   The Pinegrove songs featured in this episode are Alaska and Habitat.  Thank you to Rough Trade Records, Pinegrove and Evan Stephens Hall for permission.    Here are our Concavity Show Best Songs of 2022 playlists:   iTunes: https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/best-of-2022/pl.u-EdAVv5dCaMJB7j   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1BwuTDJq2LoU8ZzdSDXSK5?si=052f5d25ed514b43   Evan, top books mentioned: A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines (Gaines stamp!) Morality Play by Barry Unsworth Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut Public Library by Ali Smith (and Autumn!) Breaking and Entering by Joy WIlliams  Leave Society by Tao Lin    Dave, top books mentioned:  Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyaasi Intimacies by Katie Kitamura The Overstory by Richard Powers Autoportrait by Jesse Ball Liberation Day by George Saunders   Matt, top books read this year: Robert Crews by Thomas Berger Literary Alchemist by Steve Paul We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper  Airport Music by Mark Tardi Zol by REYoung   Evan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evanstephenshall/ Pinegrove website: https://pinegroveband.com/   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/  

In episode 70, we talk to our friend Peyton Thomas, a DFW, Louisa May Alcott, and American Girl doll enthusiast. His recent YA novel, Both Sides Now, was published in 2021, and his writing has appeared in Vanity Fair, Pitchfork, and Billboard, and many other places. Peyton is currently at work on his second novel, a contemporary interpretation of Little Women. You can read more about this forthcoming book in Oprah Daily. Peyton also hosts a podcast about Little Women called Jo's Boys.  Peyton's website - https://peytonthomas.ca/ Buy Both Sides Now - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652876/both-sides-now-by-peyton-thomas/ Jo's Boys Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jos-boys-a-little-women-podcast/id1610742792 Peyton's Pitchfork reviews - https://pitchfork.com/staff/peyton-thomas/albumreviews/ Peyton on Twitter - https://twitter.com/peytonology   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/      

In Episode 69, we talk to our friend Mike O'Connell about his recent collection from University of Mississippi Press, Conversations with George Saunders, and discuss Mike's background, the origins of the collection, particulars of the interviews in the book, the trajectory and flavor of Saunders' literary career, and where it all might go.    Buy the Conversations book here - https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/Conversations-with-George-Saunders Buy George's brand new book, Liberation Day here - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/564990/liberation-day-by-george-saunders/   You can find Michael online in these places: Twitter - https://twitter.com/moc Academia.edu - https://sienaheights.academia.edu/MichaelOConnell Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/books_in_2022/   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/  

In Adam's second appearance on the show, we discuss his brand new novel, Mount Chicago, which follows a handful of characters living in the shadow of a "terrestrial anomaly" that befalls Chicago's downtown. Both hilarious and tragic, the book shows off Levin's great versatility as a storyteller, metafictionist, humorist, and, maybe to some extent, autobiographer. We also talk about birds (again).  Buy Adam's new book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/695826/mount-chicago-by-adam-levin/ or here: https://bookshop.org/books/mount-chicago/9780385548243 Adam's website: https://www.adamlevinadamlevin.com/ Seminary Co-op Virtual Event on August 10th (registration required) - https://www.semcoop.com/event/adam-levin-mount-chicago "A Lot of Things Have Happened" by Adam Levin - The New Yorker https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/12/27/a-lot-of-things-have-happened Recent New York Times piece on Mount Chicago - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/21/books/summer-books-writers.html   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/  

In Episode 67, we welcome Christian TeBordo back to the show to discuss his new novel, The Apology, as well as get a rundown of the recent David Foster Wallace conference in Austin, with overall reflections from Matt.  Christian on Twitter - https://twitter.com/xtebordo Buy The Apology here - https://www.astrophilpress.com/the-apology   Contact Dave & Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In Episode 66, we welcome Dario Diofebi, the mind behind one of our favorite books of 2021, Paradise, Nevada, from Bloomsbury Publishing.  You can buy the book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/paradise-nevada-9781635576207/ Stay tuned for the bonus episode, dropping about two weeks from this launch. Check out our Patreon for access details: https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow   Contact Matt and Dave:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In Episode 65, we bear witness to the glorious return of Kyle Beachy to the show, to discuss his new book on skateboarding (and marriage, architecture, literature, etc.), The Most Fun Thing: Dispatches from a Skateboard Life, out now from Grand Central Publishing! You can buy the book from your friendly local book store, or online, here: https://bookshop.org/books/the-most-fun-thing-dispatches-from-a-skateboard-life-9781549166969/9781538754115 Find Kyle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kylebeachy And here: https://twitter.com/TheMostFunThing Kyle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themostfunthing/?hl=en Kyle's Podcast, Vent City: https://soundcloud.com/ventcity Read and check out more or Kyle's writing, interviews, and videos here: https://linktr.ee/kbeachy   Contact Matt and Dave:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In Episode 64, we recount our year in reading, noting our highlights along the way. Stay tuned for Film, TV, and Music in the Patreon bonus episode! Apple Music Year End Playlist - https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/concavity-show-best-of-2021/pl.u-r2yBJmEIPj5rYl Spotify Year End Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/39OGzFZKMCQGSoZIQGudL6?si=366545dd4e93492d   Show Notes: Robyn O'Neil Cards - https://www.robynoneil.com/cardsandstickers Rob Rahmier's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rdeezy84/ Jacob Rahier's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jrahmier/   Contact Matt and Dave:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In Episode 63, Matt and Dave talk to Deb Olin Unferth—author of the fantastic novels Barn 8 and Vacation, short story collections Wait Till You See Me Dance and Minor Robberies, and the memoir Revolution—about her writing, research, and creative writing teaching.    Contact Deb about Pen-City - pencitywriters@gmail.com Deb's Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/debolinunferth Deb's Shipman Agency page - https://www.theshipmanagency.com/deb-olin-unferth Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deb_Olin_Unferth   Contact Matt and Dave:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In Episode 62, Dave and Matt talk to the author and illustrator of the cryptic meganovel sensation, America and the Cult of the Cactus Boots: A Diagnostic, out now from Corona/Samizdat Press. Audio recording featuring thunder!   Show Notes: Buy the book: 20€ + Shipping, Send email to (rick.harsch@gmail.com), pay through PayPal (same email address) Leaf by Leaf video review by Chris Via: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2HKsvOU5mM Everyone Who Reads It Must Converse preview interview w/ Phill and Jeff: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6AP66P9bBQ Off the Wall Novels video review by Daniel Backer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBA4s8Vv_lM Cactus book official page on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultofthecactusboots/?hl=en Phill's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eraserheaddad/?hl=en Jeff's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matter_interacting/?hl=en Corona/samizdat Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corona_samizdat/?hl=en Dave and Matt on 30 Mins +/- w/ Maestro and the Doc – https://m.soundcloud.com/user-404883881/episode-15-30-minutes-with-the-maestro-and-the-doc-final-epsidoe   Contact Matt and Dave:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In Episode 61, we welcome the highly celebrated, multi award-winning American writer Steve Erickson, author of Shadowbahn, Tours of the Black Clock, These Dreams of You, and a host of other novels and non-fiction. To help celebrate the release of Conversations with Steve Erickson, out now from University of Mississippi Press, we're joined by the book's editors, familiar faces on the show, Matt Luter and Mike Miley, who talk with Steve about the book itself, his body of work, his latest online piece "American Stutter," music, film, and lots more.  Stay tuned for the Patreon bonus episode in two weeks, where Matt and Dave talk to Steve about his favorite novels of all-time.     Show Notes: Conversations with Steve Erickson: https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/C/Conversations-with-Steve-Erickson Literary Conversations Series: https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Series/L/Literary-Conversations-Series "American Stutter" by Steve Erickson (from Journal of the Plague Years): https://www.journaloftheplagueyears.ink/long-player-special-edition Steve Erickson Official Website: https://www.steveerickson.org/ Steve Erickson Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Erickson Matt Luter Website: https://matthewluter.com/ Matt Luter Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthewjluter Mike Miley Website: https://www.mikemiley.com/ Mike Miley Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikecmiley   Housekeeping:  Matt's appearance on the Beyond the Zero podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5v3OcB0IPDcvzpydFH8x2s?si=Ap5clHZESWCmJskwwUzZNg&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1&nd=1 David Jensen's Society 6 store: https://society6.com/infinitejensen David Jensen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/infinitejensen?lang=en David Jensen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infinitejensen/?hl=en Howling Fanbot on Twitter: https://twitter.com/howlingfanbot?lang=en DFW Amsterdam Conference 2021: https://www.dfwsociety.org/dfw2021/ DFW Masterclass with Allard den Dulk: https://www.nica-institute.com/event-masterclass-metamodernism-new-sincerity-post-critique-25-years-after-wallaces-infinite-jest/ DFW Austin Conference 2022: http://www.dfwsociety.org/dfw22/   Contact Matt and Dave:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/  

In Episode 60, Dave and Matt are joined by National Book Award Finalist, Brandon Hobson, to discuss his brand new novel, The Removed, as well as his other tremendous fiction.  Notable links:  Order The Removed - https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-removed-brandon-hobson?variant=32126575837218 Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young (Heartdrum imprint) - htthttps://www.harpercollins.com/products/healer-of-the-water-monster-brian-young?variant=32269101989922 Brandon's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandon.hobson.7/?hl=en Brandon's Twitter: https://twitter.com/bwhobson The Mother and the Whore (La Maman et la Putain) film - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mother_and_the_Whore   *Sorry for the barking dog near the end and a couple of Zoom glitch sounds.    Contact Matt and Dave:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/    

In Episode 59, Dave and Matt make a special announcement about the podcast, and outline a host of exciting changes!    There is also a Jessica Anthony Enter the Aardvark giveaway contest, so hang in til the end. You have until the end of July 15th to email us your entry!    Check out our Patreon page with a fresh $5 per month tier, offering an exciting new reward: https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow   We now have a Threadless merch store! Get your Concavity Show wares here: https://concavityshow.threadless.com/ (Note that at time of episode launch, some products are not quite formatting the logo image correctly [notebooks, mugs, stickers, magnets], but we're working through this with their support people)   *Due to some technical issues, you'll notice a shift in audio sound around the 14:20 mark, so sorry for the jarring change. You'll get used to it in no time!    Contact Dave and Matt:  Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/ Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Threadless Merch Store - https://concavityshow.threadless.com/

In Episode 58, Dave and Matt are joined by YouTube creator Chris Via of the Leaf by Leaf book review/discussion channel. A special surprise guest also makes an appearance that was about impossible to seamlessly edit out!  We discuss Chris' excellent book channel's origins, primary preoccupations, Chris' recent re-read of Infinite Jest, the joy of reading, and a host of other great books and authors.    Show Notes: Leaf by Leaf Homepage: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAGMLh7Gh38MjmHeHDTnzw Chris' Infinite Jest video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOcMmriW0xQ&t=2403s Leaf by Leaf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leafbyleaf_official/?hl=en Leaf by Leaf Twitter - https://twitter.com/leafbyleafvlog?lang=en Growing Sentences with David Foster Wallace - https://kottke.org/09/03/growing-sentences-with-david-foster-wallace   Contact Matt and Dave:  Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In the third and final installment of our 2020 Year in Review episode, Dr. Grace Chipperfield joins us to talk about her Ph.D. thesis on Wallace, and the music and board/video games that stood out this year.    Show Notes: TGC's Best of 2020 Music Playlist:  Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/54cVYaPoAuOOCRFygJjYH9?si=_JT7ZtK6Su63rd_2DOMYoQ Apple - https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/best-of-2020/pl.u-zPyLLE5tZxBPNl Grace's Playlist - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7qHeOMoSBTHdMRV9nM5VQP?si=1tFzStCITkuS80d6v_g3og Aidan Knight "Veni Vidi Vici" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmw64PXdJ9g   Contact Grace: grace.chipperfield@flinders.edu.au   Contact Dave and Matt:  Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Part 2 of our 2020 Year in Review, we talk to old friend of the show, Chris Ayers, our resident film and TV specialist, about the year in screen-based entertainment.    Part 3 with Grace Chipperfield coming soon!    Find Chris' amazing Wallace-related and design work here:  Poor Yorick - https://pooryorickentertainment.tumblr.com/ Professional - http://www.chrisayerscreative.com/ Redbubble - https://www.redbubble.com/people/cwayers/shop/?collections=999954 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chrisayerscreative/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/chrisAcreative   Connect with Dave and Matt:  Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

Given our Year of Collective Quarantine, we had so much to talk about w/r/t our literary and pop-cultural consumption, that we have a three-parter for our 2020 recap. In Part 1 here, we talk to old friend and recurring guest of the show, Matt Luter, about his productive year in reading, and ours. We hope you find a slew of new books to add to your stack. Part 2 coming in January. Happy New Year to our wonderful listeners, and ode to a much better 2021!   Find Matt Luter on Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthewjluter   Contact Dave and Matt:  Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Episode 56, we have the great pleasure of talking to Jessica Anthony about her exceptional new book, Enter the Aardvark, as well as our classic favorite, The Convalescent, which you've no doubt heard us mention over the years. Jess unpacks for us her views on the imaginate power of fiction, 19th century British taxidermy, and some of the most expensive luxury goods on the planet.    Show Notes: André Breton “Manifesto of Surrealism - http://www2.hawaii.edu/~freeman/courses/phil330/MANIFESTO%20OF%20SURREALISM.pdf Zadie Smith – “Fascinated to Presume: In Defense of Fiction” - https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2019/10/24/zadie-smith-in-defense-of-fiction/ Buy Enter the Aardvark (Little, Brown) - https://www.littlebrown.com/titles/jessica-anthony/enter-the-aardvark/9780316536134/ Buy The Convalescent (McSweeney's) - https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/the-convalescent Jessica on Instagram - @entertheanthony   Contact Dave and Matt:  Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Episode 55, we're joined by writer Christian TeBordo, author of the recent short story collection Ghost Engine, and novel Toughlahoma. He's the director of the creative writing program at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and a colleague and friend of recent guests Adam Levin and Kyle Beachy.    You can buy his excellent books here:    Ghost Engine - bookshop.org/books/ghost-engine-stories/9781732366732   Toughlahoma - bookshop.org/books/toughlahoma/9780986086908   You can read some of his short fiction here:   "The Star Thrower-Thrower" https://www.alwayscrashing.com/current/2018/3/26/the-star-thrower-thrower   &   "How We Lived on Mainstreet" https://vol1brooklyn.com/2018/12/02/sunday-stories-how-we-lived-on-main-street/   Christian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/xtebordo     Connect with The Great Concavity here:   Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow   Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/   Email - concavityshow@gmail.com   Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow   Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Episode 54, we talk to Martina Testa, Editor at Edizioni SUR, and one of Wallace's Italian translators and interpreters. The conversation explores her background with discovering Wallace's writing, getting contracts to translate his work, the Italian fervour surrounding him, and her friendship with Wallace.    You can find Martina online in these places: Twitter: https://twitter.com/martinatesta Edizioni SUR Website - https://www.edizionisur.it/chi-siamo/   Connect with The Great Concavity here: Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Episode 53, we're joined by the writer Adam Levin, author of The Instructions, Hot Pink, and the incredible forthcoming novel Bubblegum, which releases April 14, 2020. In our conversation, we talk a good deal about the new novel, Adam's experience reading/thinking about Wallace, swearing, parrots, swearing & parrots, metafiction, and other fun topics. Show notes: Adam's website: https://www.adamlevinadamlevin.com/ Order Bubblegum - https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780385544962 Guernica excerpt of Bubblegum - https://www.guernicamag.com/bubblegum/?fbclid=IwAR39CVIwDGSW9KZm7rrzGA7DaMEAG4sLpf7lxjHVZq4wEvtYZpo2LJW7s58 Order The Instructions - https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/the-instructions Order Hot Pink - https://store.mcsweeneys.net/products/hot-pink?taxon_id=1 "Kid Positive" The New Yorker - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/03/02/kid-positive "Kid Positive" interview, The New Yorker - https://www.newyorker.com/books/this-week-in-fiction/adam-levin-03-02-20   Contact Us:  Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/  

In Episode 52, we talk to Jon Baskin, author of the exciting new book Ordinary Unhappiness: The Therapeutic Fiction of David Foster Wallace. Topics of exploration in the conversation include Freud, Wittgenstein, and hating Ben Lerner (or not).    You can find out more details and buy Jon's book here, through Stanford University Press: https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id=29316 Jon's Twitter: https://twitter.com/BaskinJon The Point Twitter and website: https://twitter.com/the_point_mag & https://t.co/QV9prYnta5?amp=1 On The Hatred of Literature - https://thepointmag.com/letter/on-the-hatred-of-literature/   Contact Us:  Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Episode 51, we bring on our resident film expert and Episode 38 guest Mike Miley to talk about our year in books, movies, music, TV, and games.  Show Notes:  Link to Jeff Tweedy & George Saunders interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWlKCB1JCG0 2019 Playlist (iTunes): https://music.apple.com/ca/playlist/the-great-concavitys-best-of-2019/pl.u-yZyVVY3tYq2akv 2019 Playlist (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6blJyhTb9QdKFB1qdyc9ug Mike's Book: https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/T/Truth-and-Consequences Mike's Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikecmiley?lang=en Approaches to Teaching Wallace: https://www.mla.org/Publications/Bookstore/Approaches-to-Teaching-World-Literature/Approaches-to-Teaching-the-Works-of-David-Foster-Wallace   Contact Dave & Matt Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Episode 50, we talk to Michael McGowan and Martin Brick, the editors of David Foster Wallace and Religion: Essays on Faith and Fiction, out now from Bloomsbury Academic: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/david-foster-wallace-and-religion-9781501345289/ Contact our guests:  Michael McGowan: prof.mcgowan@gmail.com Martin Brick: brickm@ohiodominican.edu   Contact Dave & Matt Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

This is the second and final episode covering Wallace and DeLillo's correspondence, housed at the Ransom Center Archive in Austin, Texas.  Show notes:  1996 Leonard Lopate interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZ4AeIRKbfwhttps://www.wnyc.org/story/56878-david-foster-wallace/ 1996 David Streitfeld piece: https://craigfehrman.com/2010/05/05/details-1996-profile-of-david-foster-wallace/ Robyn O'Neil's show at The Modern, WE, THE MASSES: https://www.themodern.org/exhibition/upcoming/robyn-oneil-we-the-masses-/5115 Robyn O'Neil pop-up shop at The Modern: https://shop.themodern.org/collections/robyn-oneil   Contact Dave and Matt: Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

After a very busy summer, Dave and Matt reconvene to discuss the Wallace/DeLillo correspondence housed at the Ransom Center in Austin, Texas. This will be the first instalment of a several-part episode, as there's a lot here to cover! Five Dials, David Foster Wallace Memorial - https://fivedials.com/files/fivedials_no10.pdf   Contact Dave and Matt: Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Episode 48, we're joined by Yonina Hoffman. Yonina is PhD student at the Ohio State University. Her work centers around, you guessed it, David Foster Wallace. In this discussion, we cover a range of topics around DFW's work and Yonina's dissertation. We discuss voice, narrative, voice, humor and other issues that track across Wallace's career. Yonina has also presented on Updike and New Sincerity so we ask her about that. You can find Yonina on Twitter: @yonina. She also has this nifty website: http://www.yoninahoffman.com/   Contact Dave and Matt: Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Episode 47, we're joined by Jim Gauer, author of the excellent Novel Explosives, a book you've no doubt heard us mention in recent conversations. Jim is a mathematician, published poet, and self-described as the world's only Marxist venture capitalist.  In this discussion, we cover a range of topics around Jim's book, it's relation to Wallace's sensibilities and Infinite Jest, the dangers of hyper-capitalism, the anxiety of influence, lethality enhancement, and a host of others.  Jim's book can be purchased through your local bookstore (which he most encourages), with the backup plan of online sales (though he implores you to avoid giving Jeff Bezos more money to fuel his space colony dystopia, if possible) - http://zerogrampress.com/2016/10/08/novel-explosives/   Links discussed: Jim's interview with Michael Silverblatt on Bookworm: https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/bookworm/jim-gauer-novel-explosives Jim's interview on Eye 94: https://www.mixcloud.com/lumpenradio/eye-94-4-15-2018-jim-gauer/ Jim's Paris Review poetry: https://www.theparisreview.org/poetry/2778/will-this-thought-do-jim-gauer   Contact Dave and Matt: Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/

In Episode 46 we talk to Rhodes College professor and O.G. Wallace scholar Marshall Boswell about his new book The Wallace Effect: David Foster Wallace and the Contemporary Literary Imagination, out now from Bloomsbury Press! As usual, we bash Franzen a bit, get some overview of the central novels addressed in Marshall's book, and discuss the recent trend of "Wallace Snark" online.    Contact Dave and Matt: Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/concavityshow/  

In Episode 45, we get to talk to Kyle Beachy, Associate Professor of English and Creative Writing at Roosevelt U in Chicago, and author of the novel The Slide. In it, we discuss his extensive teaching of Wallace's work to creative writing students, his novel and writing on skateboarding, and get some great book recommendations from him (Kyle being one of the most well-read people Matt knows, which is saying a lot).    Things we said we'd link to:  Growing Sentences with David Foster Wallace - https://kottke.org/09/03/growing-sentences-with-david-foster-wallace Kyle's "The Deep Seams: A Search for Fun in David Foster Wallace's Peoria" - http://theclassical.org/articles/the-deep-seams Dave's skate video part (from around 2002) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-4BV-tbwMk Kyle Beachy's (apparently outdated) website - http://kylebeachy.com/ Kyle Beachy Twitter - https://twitter.com/kylebeachy Kyle Beachy Tumblr - http://themostfunthing.tumblr.com/ James Dahl Memorial Harry Ransom Donation - https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/utgiving/online/nlogon/?menu1=HR**   Contact us: The Great Concavity on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow The Great Concavity on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/ Email us - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow

In this episode, Dave and Matt talk about their favorite literary and pop-cultural artifacts from the past year. This episode offers a contest as well, associated with the following music playlist. Good luck! TGC's Favorite Music of 2018 (iTunes) - https://itunes.apple.com/ca/playlist/the-great-concavitys-favorite-songs-of-2018/pl.u-pMyll2jh4KoErM TGC's Favorite Music of 2018 (Spotify) - https://open.spotify.com/user/concavityshow/playlist/6Gkdv29x9bpXIIzmmlWolO?si=V2aBBNKASm-70W12xwfn0g   Show Notes: *Correctional note* - When Matt was talking about Robert Coover in Marfa, he meant Robert Creeley. Dante Society - https://www.dantesociety.org/ The Great Concavity on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow The Great Concavity on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/?hl=en Email us - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow

In Episode 43 we meet our nemesis Bo Butler of Pynchon in Public for the inevitable postmodern fiction podcast throwdown. Join us as we discuss the history of our beefing over literary turf and all related topics!

In Episode 42 we talk to Chicago-based journalist and teacher Esther J. Cepeda about her love of Wallace, annual Infinite Jest reads, and other related literature and pop culture. A huge thank you to our Patrons as well on #ThankYouPatrons day today!  Show notes:  Esther's favourite cards - Art of Play - https://www.artofplay.com/collections/playing-cards  Esther's Twitter - https://twitter.com/estherjcepeda Great Concavity on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Great Concavity on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow/?hl=en Email us - concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow  

In Episode 41, we talk to Dr. Tim Personn (in person!) from the University of Victoria about his recently-defended dissertation, "Fictions of Proximity: The Wallace Nexus in Contemporary Literature." Buckle up for a philosophical discussion, as Tim takes us on a ride through the work of Wittgenstein, Derrida, and other thinkers whose work informed Wallace's fiction and influence on the modern literary landscape. Other topics include tacos, seeing Parquet Courts live, and potential future podcast beefs!   Show Notes: Shazia Hafiz Ramji's book Port of Being - https://invisiblepublishing.com/product/port-of-being/ Kieran Setiya's Midlife - http://www.ksetiya.net/midlife.html Tim's website - timpersonn.com Post 45 "The Dave Show" - http://post45.research.yale.edu/2011/11/the-dave-show/ Medium/Just Words "How David Lipsky Captures the Spirit of David Foster Wallace" - https://medium.com/just-words/the-dave-show-5f07c1f83a86 Tim's Twitter - https://twitter.com/timpersonn Contact The Great Concavity: Twitter: https://twitter.com/ConcavityShow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/concavityshow Email: concavityshow@gmail.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/concavityshow    

In Episode 40, we welcome Greg Carlisle, author of the Infinite Jest commentary, Elegant Complexity, and Nature's Nightmare, an analysis of Wallace's Oblivion collection.    Greg's books here: http://www.sideshowmediagroup.com/books/   Contact Greg: g.carlisle@moreheadstate.edu

We're joined by repeat guest Matt Luter to talk about all the fun Dave missed out on at the recent Illinois State University Wallace conference, held June 7-9, 2018. Topics covered include panel recaps, anagram alter egos, karaoke highlights, and all other manner of conference scoops. Almost as good as having been there! 

In Episode 38 we talk again with Mike Miley, Vice President of the International David Foster Wallace Society and quiz kid extraordinaire. Topics include film, game shows, Oliver Stone, JFK assassination scoops, and hanging out with Michael Silverblatt.  Show Notes:  Smart Set – “Reading Wallace Reading” https://thesmartset.com/article08181401/   Medium – “Caught in the Bandana Trap” https://medium.com/just-words/caught-in-the-9fa2c864b76d   Medium – “The Eye of Sauron” https://medium.com/just-words/the-eye-of-sauron-d454ed83377a   Critique­ – “…And Starring David Foster Wallace as Himself: Performance and Persona in The Pale King” https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00111619.2015.1028611?needAccess=true   Mike's Twitter: twitter.com/MikeCMiley  

In Episode 37 we welcome the Diversity Committee Coordinators from the International David Foster Wallace Society to talk about issues of representation in the writing of Wallace, and within the Wallace community itself. Relevant links:  Diversity Announcement - https://www.dfwsociety.org/2017/05/27/introducing-the-diversity-committee/ Diversity Blog Posts - https://www.dfwsociety.org/category/diversity/ Sean Gandert's “A Short Meditation on the Whiteness of David Foster Wallace's Writing” -  https://www.dfwsociety.org/2017/07/15/a-short-meditation-on-the-whiteness-of-david-foster-wallaces-writing/ “Cat Person” by Kristen Roupenian, from The New Yorker - https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/12/11/cat-person Andrea's Twitter: https://twitter.com/nmn80418 Diego's Twitter: https://twitter.com/diego_baez As always, you can reach Dave and Matt via email at Concavityshow@gmail.com and on Twitter and Instagram @ConcavityShow 

In Episode 36 we have not one, but two special guests(!), both experts in the cartography of Infinite Jest's Boston (and beyond). William Beutler is the creative mind behind the staggeringly glorious Infinite Map (among other things), and Bill Lattanzi has led a series of walking tours in the Boston area tracing the locations of Wallace's opus, so you can see the emerging theme of the episode here.  List of links to pertinent discussion points in the episode: Infinite Atlas: http://infiniteatlas.com/  LA Review of Books article by Bill L: https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/messing-maps-walking-david-foster-wallaces-boston/   Bloomington-Normal City website: David Foster Wallace tour: http://www.visitbn.org/visit/6171/david-foster-wallace/   Bloomington-Normal DFW sites map: http://www.visitbn.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/David-Foster-Wallace-Map-1.pdf   Engl 3001: "Walking Infinite Jest" at Boston College: http://www.walkinginfinitejest.com/   Infinite Atlas shop: https://shop.beutlerink.com/ ENTER CODE "CONCAVITY" FOR 20% DISCOUNT ON ALL PRODUCTS!   Infinite Map: https://shop.beutlerink.com/products/infinite-map   Great Seal of O.N.A.N.: https://shop.beutlerink.com/collections/posters/products/great-seal-of-o-n-a-n   O.N.A.N. Stickers: https://shop.beutlerink.com/products/seal-of-onan-sticker   Infinite Jest tote bag: https://shop.beutlerink.com/collections/other/products/hfb-tote-bag   Granada House website: https://granadahouse.org/ ("An Ex-Resident's Story" by Wallace: https://granadahouse.org/testimonials/an-ex-residents-story/)   Madras Press Fogle Novella: https://gumroad.com/l/advancedtax   Aaron Swartz's Infinite Jest ending explanation: http://www.aaronsw.com/weblog/ijend   Bill Lattanzi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/blattanzi   William Beutler's Twitter: https://twitter.com/WilliamBeutler   Bill Lattanzi's WBUR piece on Derek Walcott: http://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2017/03/20/remembering-poet-derek-walcott-bill-lattanzi   William Beutler's podcast, Enter the Void: Website: http://enterthevoid.fm/ & Twitter: https://twitter.com/enterthepod?lang=en   William Beutler's other podcast, KubrickCast: Website: http://kubrickcast.com/ & Twitter: https://twitter.com/KubrickCast   Matt and Dave can be reached at the following places:   Email: concavityshow@gmail.com   Twitter: @concavityshow   Instagram: @concavityshow   Matt Twitter: @mattbucher   Dave Twitter: @dave__laird