Podcast appearances and mentions of Omar Musa

Catch up on our latest #UWRF24 episode with award-winning authors Felix Cheong, Nam Le, and Omar Musa, alongside host Veronica Sullivan, as they explore the art of genre-shifting and how conventional forms in literature are being challenged. Revisit a rich discussion as they make sense of the creative process behind shifting genres and discuss its challenges.The complete session is now available to watch at ubudwritersfestival.com/media. Or, tap the link in our bio to listen to the session on podcast platforms like Spotify and Simplecast.

In a special series direct from the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (UWRF) Omar Musa chats with Irma about how growing up in an artistic family set his course, why he stopped reading and writing during a dark period and how a new form of expression saved him, the ways in which earning a living from the thing you love can be deeply problematic, why winning the Australian Poetry Slam took him to UWRF and was a gateway into the literary world, why he wants to challenge his own assumptions and biases through his work, why he found it so difficult to go from poetry to writing his first novel, what it's like collaborating with his cellist wife, and how he deals with deep fear and self-doubt.About OmarOmar Musa is a Bornean-Australian author, visual artist and poet. He has released four poetry books, four hip-hop records, and a novel, Here Come the Dogs, which was long-listed for the International Dublin Literary Award and Miles Franklin Award. In 2015, he was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Young Novelists of the Year. His one-man play, Since Ali Died, won Best Cabaret Show at the Sydney Theatre Awards in 2018. He has had several solo exhibitions of his woodcut prints, and his most recent book, Killernova, combines prints and poetry. His next novel Fierceland is out 2025, and here at the Ubud Writers and Readers festival he is performing The Offering with cellist Mariel Roberts.

Omar Musa joins us to perform from and talk about his new album The Fullness. We talk about collaboration and his amazing collaborators, pushing into liminal spaces of multiple identities, leaning into grief and joy ("our lives given shape by shadows"), ego deflation, how some of the songs on The Fullness were created, the percussiveness of rap and its conjunction with poetry, the alchemical process of art, the dissolving of borders between artforms and nationalities, the resonance of the mother tongue, poetry as a language of feeling, the value of working on multiple projects at once, and lots more.  Listen to The Fullness: https://open.spotify.com/album/4KTsmsM6AlcoZbno4rlpax?si=91db8a8708684c52 Omar's website: https://www.omarmusa.com.au/

Jeremy and Marino are joined by The Breach co-ordinating editor Emma Paling (@emmapaling) to discuss a column from Carson Jerema, the National Post's comment editor, who in accordance with Post traditions doesn't seem to do much editing. According to Jerema, Pierre Poilievre's shrieking about the globalistsat the World Economic Forum isn't a conspiracy theory at all. In fact, it's exactly like Chrystia Freeland's tepid criticisms of the WEF in her book Plutocrats, which Jerema adds is a Marxist conspiracy theory. Read The Breach and subscribe to its newsletter.If you like our work, please consider donating to our Patreon. You'll get to join our community on Discord and hear occasional bonus episodes.Plugs and Recs (The Rinse)Emma: Listen to the band Wednesday and read Killernova by Omar Musa.Marino: Watch Ronin (1998), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Frasier (1993-2004) and read Bullshit Jobs by David Graeber.Jeremy: Visit Banff and Jasper, subscribe to The Orchard and preorder Kenneyism: Jason Kenney's Pursuit of Power to your local independent book store.Big Shiny Takes is a proud member of the Harbinger Media Network, which includes other great shows, such as Tech Won't Save Us (produced by our beautiful boy Eric), Darts and Letters and The Progress Report. If you enjoyed this episode make sure to leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts, and give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram. For more Big Shiny Takes, sign up to our bonus feed here.

Maylasian-Australian novelist, rapper and poet, Omar Musa is part of Iron Mountain Festival this weekend. A remarkable artist - just listen. We look at What's On in the Glens, Hawk's Well, The Dock, The Abbey Ballyshannon, Balor Theatre and The Model. And Craig Cox talks with composer, John Buckley, ahead of the Con Brio Sligo Music Series and we hear some of his work. All Podcasts can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Soundcloud or wherever you find your podcasts. Just search OceanFmIreland.

With an unexpected turn of phrase or lyrical twist, poetry can surprise, thrill and invite readers to make meaning from between the lines. Hear from acclaimed Australian artists and writers Maxine Beneba Clarke and Omar Musa as they discuss their electrifying new poetry collections, which upend conventional wisdom about colonial history, climate change and our pandemic-afflicted times. Maxine's How Decent Folk Behave extends her reputation as a “powerful and fearless storyteller” (Dave Eggers), while Omar's Killernova has been described as “if Frank Ocean ghost-wrote Nostradamus” (Hera Lindsay Bird). They appear in conversation with Evelyn Araluen. Sydney Writers' Festival podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and subscribe to our channel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A multi-hyphenated soul, Omar Musa is a Malaysian-Australian multidisciplinary artist, author, rapper, poet, hip hop artist and now also woodcut printer. He has to his credit a long list of accomplishments, including four poetry books, four hip-hop records, he has written an acclaimed one-man play called Since Ali Died, and his debut novel, “Here Come the Dogs” was longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award and the Miles Franklin Award. His most recent work, Killernova, is a new collection of poetry and wood cuts, and is an innovative, form-blending exploration of identity, history, and healing. He joins us now to share more.Image credit: Omarmusa.com

#Estreno #TuFormaDeVerElMundo #GermanAbal #Cine #Independiente #Quilmes #Berazategui ESTRENO 23 DE JUNIO Cine Gaumont - Sala 1 Avenida Rivadavia 1635 Funciones diarias a las 18:30hs SINOPSIS Alan (Jorge Garrido) es un abogado y padre de familia que vive inmerso en su rutina laboral sin prestarle demasiada atención a Inés (Gaby Valenti) su esposa y Lautaro (Tadeo Iglesias) su único hijo. A raíz de un accidente automovilístico Alan queda internado en el hospital más cercano. Allí conocerá a Víctor (Omar Musa) un hombre mayor repleto de valores y buenas costumbres que le enseñará otra forma de ver la vida. FICHA TÉCNICA Dirección y Guion: Germán Abal Producción: Germán Abal Producción ejecutiva: Silvina Cherry Jefes de producción: Gonzalo Carbone, Claribel Britez. Productores Asociados: Franco Rizzoli, Matías Sosa, Barbara Nieto, Nicolas Marinelli, Diego Faiman. Dirección de Fotografía: Ricardo Gonzalez. Dirección de Arte y Vestuario: Julieta Meana. Dirección de Sonido: Martin Cesaretti. Sonido Directo: Tatiana Paties. Musica Original: Leonardo D atri Montaje: Emiliano Vergara. Asistente de montaje: Jorgelina Festante DCP: Santiago Azzolina Maquillaje y Peinado: Yamila Contreras Cámara: Carla Puppi Asistente de Dirección: Pablo Pujadas Elenco: JORGE GARRIDO, OMAR MUSA, GABRIELA VALENTI TADEO IGLESIAS, GASTON PAULS, MARIO ALARCON, CHELA CARDALDA, ALEJANDRO FIORE, MAGALI CASTAGNO, LEONARDO VENEGAS, CHRISTIAN VODOPIVEC, SABRINA RAVELI, FEDERICO PIGNOTA LAMES. Si quieren invitarme un cafecito: https://cafecito.app/cineconmcfly ☕ Seguí todas las novedades del mundo del cine y los últimos estrenos videocomentados en: En Twitter: http://twitter.com/pablomcfly En Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cineconmcfly En Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/pablomcfly

Co-hosted by Readings, hear Omar Musa discuss his work and gift us a performance to take you into the moment. Omar Musa, a Malaysian-Australian rapper, poet and author is one of Australia's most important young voices. In his writing and music he confronts the dark realities of Australian history and culture. His latest release, Killernova, is a collection of poetry and wood cuts that burns blindingly bright. With equal parts swagger, humour and vulnerability, Musa charts a journey through the colonial history of South-East Asia, environmental destruction, oceans, bushfires, race in Australia, the isolation and addiction of COVID lockdown, family, lost love and, ultimately, recovery.

After 47 years the Australian Chamber Orchestra has found its forever home at Sydney's newly revitalised Walsh Bay Arts Precinct. To celebrate, it's throwing a party with special guests including William Barton, Jimmy Barnes, Jane Campion and poet Omar Musa.

Ahead of his show on the 30th of April with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, this week Shareeka chatted to Bornean-Australian author, wood carver, rapper and poet Omar Musa. Often described as liminal, oscillating between genre, culture and disciplines - Omar's work defies definition. We chat about reaching a point of wanting to create from a place of euphoria and healing, creating your own myths, how wood carving has brought a visceral and tactile connection to his homeland of Borneo, and taking up unapologetic space with art making to challenging norms. Listen back to hear this powerful, tender conversation and to be flawed by Omar's poetic responses. Join Omar Musa & Friends for a night of storytelling, visuals, poetry and political commentary on Saturday 30th April at 9pm. Tickets available here through the ACO website, $35 for under 35s and from $49 for adults. Omar will also be appearing at the Sydney Writers Festival later in the month, with limited tickets available here through the SWF site.  This episode was hosted, produced and edited by Shareeka Helaluddin with special guest Omar Musa. Cover image: Omar Musa in his studio courtesy of the artist.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drawing on a printmaking technique he learned from punk-rock climate activists in Borneo, Malaysian Australian author and poet Omar Musa wrestles with race, family and isolation in Killernova, his new book of poetry and art. He talks to Zoya Patel and also performs poems from his new book

'Since Ali Died' was a stage show by Omar Musa performed at the Arts Centre Melbourne in 2019. This show presents some of the spoken word pieces from the CD of the same name. Presented by Di Cousens. Omar Musa, a Malaysian-Australian rapper, poet and author from Queanbeyan and author of 'Here Comes The Dogs'.

Great Conversations features interviews with authors and writers, exploring books, writing and literary culture from Australia and the world.Today's episode features Omar Musa discussing KillernovaToday on the show...Omar Musa is a Malaysian-Australian author, poet and hip hop artist. His debut novel Here Come the Dogs was longlisted for the 2015 Miles Franklin award. Omar is celebrated for his Slam Poetry and spoken word and today joins us with a unique new collection.Killernova combines poetry and woodcarving allowing Omar to explore his heritage and the ongoing tension that exists within Australia and around the world, between indigenous peoples and colonialism.Join me as we discover Omar Musa 's Killernova...Want more great conversations with Australian authors?Discover this and many more conversations on Final Draft every week from 2ser.https://2ser.com/final-draft

Several years ago, Omar Musa had reached what he describes as a dark night of the soul. Then, a chance encounter with woodcarving at a show in Borneo gave him a new passion and a chance to connect with the playfulness he'd lost in his work. His latest book, Killernova, combines prose, poetry and carvings, to become a piece of art as well as a collection of the same.

Several years ago, Omar Musa had reached what he describes as a dark night of the soul. Then, a chance encounter with woodcarving at a show in Borneo gave him a new passion and a chance to connect with the playfulness he'd lost in his work. His latest book, Killernova, combines prose, poetry and carvings, to become a piece of art as well as a collection of the same.

This week's interview could have gone for hours, as the editors talk to one of Australia's great writer's about his transition into the world of printmaking. From semi-biographic thrillers to block printing. From angry young man to nuanced creator. He's been described as “the bad boy of Queanbeyan Noir” - The town's first ever triple-threat writer/poet/artist, Omar Musa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Omar Musa is a Malaysian-Australian author, poet and woodcutter. His latest work is the one-of-a-kind Killernova. He has also released three poetry books (including Parang and Millefiori), four hip-hop records, written an acclaimed one-man play (Since Ali Died), and received a standing ovation at TEDx Sydney at the Sydney Opera House. His debut novel Here Come the Dogs was published in 2014 and was longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award and the Miles Franklin Award. Musa was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Young Novelists of the Year in 2015. About The Garret Read the transcript of this interview at thegarretpodcast.com. The interview was recorded by Zoom, and we can't wait to start recording in person again soon. You can also follow The Garret on Twitter and Facebook, or follow our host Astrid Edwards on Twitter or Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AM 1390

 7;00     Acknowledgement of Country 7:15   Tim O'Connor Amnesty International on religious freedom draft bill. 7:30    Sue Wareham MAPW (Medical Association for the Prevention of War) on why Australia's military participation with the US in the Strait of Hormuz shows poor judgement by the Fedreal Government 7:45     Juliet Fox on the research for her book Community Radio's amplification of communication for social change 8:00      How the politics of US boxer Mohammed Ali touched the life of a Malaysian-Australian boy growing up in Queanbeyan: Since Ali Died    Omar Musa 8:15      Zoey Dawson talks to Alice about the writing of her new play Australian Realness.  MusicSong                                  Artist Natural Woman                  KaiitSince Ali Died                     Omar MusaThink about the people      Osibisa 

This week, Tim Costello visits the studio to talk about his book "A Lot With A Little”; Sarah, Daniel and Gez chat about the sentimentality of jackets; An interview with Omar Musa focuses on the universality of Muhammad Ali, in relation to Musa’s upcoming show at Arts Centre's Fairfax Studio; 'Weird Science' this week has Dr Jen explaining the main differences between early birds and night owls; Geraldine’s niece is going to school camp which gives the Breakfasters a chance to reminisce about their school camp experience;  writer, poet and broadcaster Alicia Sometimes comes by to chat about her show “Particle/Wave." And last but by god not lease: Henry Wagons gives a rave-up Triple R's annual Radiothon and the importance of supporting Triple R at this time. 

As the Darwin Festival kicks off, we find out about the unique opportunities — and challenges — that come with making art in the Northern Territory, we pay tribute to the late George Whaley, we speak with Omar Musa about his work Since Ali Died and its journey from poem to album to theatre, and Stephen Sondheim's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece Sunday in the Park with George returns to the Australian stage.

As the Darwin Festival kicks off, we find out about the unique opportunities — and challenges — that come with making art in the Northern Territory, we pay tribute to the late George Whaley, we speak with Omar Musa about his work Since Ali Died and its journey from poem to album to theatre, and Stephen Sondheim's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece Sunday in the Park with George returns to the Australian stage.

Perth-born, Sydney-based artist Abdul Abdullah talks racial profiling, challenging people's prejudiced perceptions of race and culture through art, and King Keanu.  See Abdul speak alongside Omar Musa with live music from OKENYO on Wednesday 8 June at the Art Gallery of NSW. More info here.

If Australia finally cut ties to the tiara and became a republic, what would the maiden address of our first president sound like? Lend an ear to speculative speeches from Father Rod Bower, Marcia Langton, Nakkiah Lui, Omar Musa and Matt Preston. Hosted by Michael Williams. Recorded live at Melbourne Writers Festival 2018, supported by Australian Republic Movement.

Today, rapper, poet, playwright, and novelist, Omar Musa. When Omar was growing up in the regional NSW town of Queenbeyan, the son of a theatre historian and Malaysian poet, he fell slowly into the world of the arts– driven partly by an obsessive desire to create, and partly by the injustices he saw in the Australia’s combustible society. It would be the basis for a life spent creating in all forms. One that would take him from seedy record labels in London, to otherworldly cultural experiences in California, and back to his family roots in Borneo. As a rapper Omar has collaborated with some of the greats – Horrorshow, Kate Tempest, Marc E. Bassy, and Akala to name a few. Beyond that his poetry books, and novel have both been widely acclaimed.  He’s currently finishing a run of his self written, self performed play Since Ali Died at Sydney festival.

Thrilled to have our first MC’s in the house in the form of Mantra and Omar Musa. These two gentleman are not only extremely talented at everything they do, they’re also freaking hilarious. Have never laughed so much in the Castaway Studios! For the first time ever for More Than A Whelan we have two guests in the studio simultaneously. Things get loose and wild in the round! In tribute to having two hip hop MC’s in the house Sean opens up the show by performing a poem he wrote called ‘Black Hearted Tagger: The Oldest Living Graffiti Writer in Melbourne’. Mantra rises to the More Than A Whelan challenge and performs a piece he wrote based on the prompt Eulogies for Great Meals supplied by George Dunford. Thanks George! Sean reads a poem he wrote based on the creative prompts Maiden Hair Fern (Jenny O’Keefe) Inaccessible Voicemail (Penny Waller) and Underpants Exchanges (George Dunford). Thank you SO much to our muses of the week, George, Jenny and Penny! . Recorded by Derek Myers at Castaway Studios, Collingwood, Australia. insta: @castaway_studios

Gillian Armstrong is in the studio talking about the restoration of My Brilliant Career, and what she thinks about gender representation in the industry right now. Plus, we mark the 20 year anniversary of the revolutionary TV series Sex and the City, and Sicario-2: Day of the Soldado reviewed.

Gillian Armstrong is in the studio talking about the restoration of My Brilliant Career, and what she thinks about gender representation in the industry right now. Plus, we mark the 20 year anniversary of the revolutionary TV series Sex and the City, and Sicario-2: Day of the Soldado reviewed.

We look at questions of fetishisation and Orientalism in Wes Anderson's new Japan-set animation Isle of Dogs. A conversation about hip hop and representation in the new season of drama-comedy Atlanta. Michelle Law and Chloë Reeson discuss mixing comedy with chronic illness in their new series for SBS, and Behind the Screens with an Animal Wrangler.

We look at questions of fetishisation and Orientalism in Wes Anderson's new Japan-set animation Isle of Dogs. A conversation about hip hop and representation in the new season of drama-comedy Atlanta. Michelle Law and Chloë Reeson discuss mixing comedy with chronic illness in their new series for SBS, and Behind the Screens with an Animal Wrangler.

Hip-hip extraordinaire Omar Musa, multidisciplinary performer Nancy J Denis and new poetry duo Lewa (Stelly Gappasauress and Mel Ree)! Live feature performances as well as some pieces from open mic. The February show marks Word in Hand's relaunch at the Red Rattler, an artist-run venue dedicated to creative expression and community.

The 2017 ASAL Patron's Lecture (with special thanks to the Cultural Fund of the Copyright Agency) Malaysian-Australian author, rapper and poet from Queanbeyan, Australia, Omar Musa combines readings from his own work with his thoughts about his writing process, such key themes as migration, belonging and dreams, and reflections on Australian literature and culture at large. Held as part of the Sydney Ideas on 17 October 2017: http://sydney.edu.au/sydney_ideas/lectures/2017/asal_patrons_lecture_omar_musa.shtml

comes to town and it was a great chance to interview a range of talented authors taking part in the festivities. My interviews are with: Ben Rawlence - his book City of Thorns is about Northern Kenya - the home of the world’s largest refugee camp, with half a million people. Opening Night speaker at the Perth International Arts Festival. Candice Fox - her first novel, Hades, won the Ned Kelly Award for best debut in 2014 from the Australian Crime Writers Association; she has since gone onto numerous books on crime and punishment. Hannah Kent - is the best-selling author of Burial Rites and the newly released The Good People - stories of culture, crime and history. Garth Nix -  is an award-winning sci-fi fantasy author with several series of fantasy and fiction; I asked him about his new book "Frogkisser" ahead of his appearances at the festival. Amy Stewart - an author of nonfiction books on the perils and pleasures of the natural world, including New York Times bestsellers with The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Bugs and Wicked Plants. However, her range has extended to the tales of a trio of turn-of-the-century sisters turned detectives, with the latest being Lady Cop Makes Trouble - the second book in an ongoing series. Chinelo Okparanta - this Nigerian-American author  writes stories of women and children, family life, migration, war and love; she first started with short stories, with the collection Happiness, Like Water and then her most recent novel Under the Udula Trees. Inua Ellams - London-based playwright and poet Inua Ellams' work explores the themes of identity, displacement and destiny – areas of life he’s intimately familiar with. Dan Box - the National Crime Reporter for The Australian and creator of crime podcast Bowraville. Marwa Al-Sabouni - Syrian architect Marwa al-Sabouni is battling to heal her home city of Homs, having remained there as bombs destroyed much of what she knew and loved. Her ideas to mend the city are now laid out in a visionary memoir, The Battle For Home. She is presenting the closing night address. Clementine Ford - Australian feminist columnist and author of the best selling book Fight Like A Girl. Lindy West - is a Seattle-based writer, editor and performer who’s work has appeared in a number of well-known publications - and the author of Shrill: Notes From A Loud Woman. Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa - a Perth performance poet, she’s a workshop facilitator, actor, artist and humanitarian. Her questions about notions of Australian national identity, got her to the finals of the national Australia poetry slam. Nathan Hill - short story author and author of The Nix; a tale of estrangement and displacement in both families and national politics. Adrian Todd Zuniga - creator of Literary Death Match -  touted as Def Poetry Jam meets American Idol, this competition sees four authors perform a short excerpt of their most electric work before a panel of judges. Omar Musa -  a Malaysian-Australian rapper and poet from Queanbeyan, Australia. He is the winner of the Australian Poetry Slam and the Indian Ocean Poetry Slam and has released three hip-hop albums, two poetry books, and received a standing ovation at TEDx. ************ A quick note about supporting the podcasts! Check out  – and consider  Thanks to RTRFM for their support, especially producer Peter Barr. Theme songs “Cosgrove” by Pogo, from and “Leap Second” by Milton Mermikides, of  Additional ambient music from Jukedeck – create your own at .  – they include: Steven, Andrew, Dr T, Paul, Gerry, Josh, Kathy, Linley, Gold, Iggy, Lukas, Finch and Andrew. Thanks to everyone who contributes and please consider joining to help continue these shows at  Please leave positive comments and reviews on iTunes and consider supporting the show via visiting  – and I’d love to get your feedback via tokenskeptic@gmail.com. 

This week on Word for Word, poet, rapper and author Omar Musa waxes lyrical on the rich diversity of Australian slang. Also: the Macquarie team explains how a new word gets in the dictionary and we hang out with a local Harley Davidson chapter. Read more about Word for Word at macquariedictionary.com.au/podcast 

Auckland Writers Festival 2016 It’s no surprise that hard man Irvine Welsh likes Omar Musa’s debut novel Here Come The Dogs, finding it a work of “such swaggering exuberance that it will make most other fiction you read this year seem criminally dull”. Malaysian-Australian Musa has published two poetry collections and two solo hip hop albums besides, and describes his writing as “poetry of unease”. He applies his provocative voice to issues of migration, racism, violence, masculinity and loneliness. Musa is in conversation with Selina Tusitala Marsh.

Auckland Writers Festival 2016 Australian slam poet and hip hop artist Omar Musa and New Zealand hip hop legend King Kapisi come together for an acappella match-up. Each artist has 25 minutes to impress with their rhymes and beats. Expect an inventive earful. Musa’s debut novel Here Come The Dogs, a mash-up of poetry and prose, tells the story of disaffected youth in small town Australia; Kapisi is one of the country’s most accomplished hip hop recording artists. Supported by APRA / AMCOS

This episode of Long Night with Vish Khanna was recorded at the TRANZAC in Toronto, as part of the Spur Festival on Friday April 8, 2016. My guests were Emergency Physician and a leading expert on transgender care, Dr. Carys Massarella, acclaimed journalist, author, and Middle East expert, Hadani Ditmars, and Malaysian-Australian author, rapper, and poet Omar Musa. My […]

In this episode of the Australian Book Review's States of Poetry Podcast, state editor Jen Webb introduces the ACT poets: Adrian Caesar, Jen Crawford, Paul Hetherington, Jeanine Leane, Omar Musa, and Sarah Rice. All the States of Poetry anthologies will be available to read on the ABR website. You can read the anthologies here: https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/poetry/states-of-poetry

This is the late 80s in regional NSW. The time of revolutionary politics and revolutionary artists. A time that made its mark on award winning author, poet and rapper, Omar Musa. iTunes Best Podcasts of 2015 Season One, 'High School' celebrates the good, the bad and the ugly of those complicated years, told by Australia’s best emerging and early-career writers. sbs.com.au/truestories Small Town Boy, Big Town Book is written and read by Omar Musa. Music & Sound Design: James Cecil Executive Producer: Kylie Boltin Producer: Megan Gibbon Illustrator: Stella Leuna True Stories is commissioned and produced by Australia's multicultural broadcaster, SBS.

To mark their 25th anniversary, the Friends of the National Library of Australia explore how libraries inspire and inform us all. Writers Don Watson, Marion Halligan and Omar Musa speak about why supporting libraries is important and why libraries matter to them personally.

This event encompasses everything Seizure is about, giving newbies a chance to read their work. FirstTimers was hosted by first-time host Portia Lindsay and started with a bang as Omar Musa orated from his debut work. Then Summer Land made us laugh along to tales of her childhood, before Jo Riccioni took us back in time to post-WW2 England. We ended with the ground shaking beneath our feet as Bruce McCabe gave us a taste of near-future terrorism. We even had time for a few wild cards who had recently been published.

Slam poet, artistic genius, Queanbeyanite, author, orator. "It's a short life. I'm always very aware of mortality. That's just the way I'm built - I don't have a minute to waste." Omar Musa is a Queanbeyan native ("2602, adds up to a perfect 10!") and proud of it. His latest book, which reached number 2 in Australia the week before we recorded the show, is called Here Come The Dogs, and it has been the focus of some very positive attention. We spent some time talking about the novel, but a lot of this podcast rolls out just how this kind of thing should - it's a flowing conversation, touching on slam poetry, mortality, Cicero, Malcolm X, Stanislawksi, making a life around a crazy workload, and the worst bookshop in Alice Springs. This was our first live show outside of Melbourne - thanks a million to Meg O'Connell for coming up with the idea, pulling strings, finding a venue, and making it happen.  

Omar Musa See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.