WDEK Ep. 100: Marcellus Hall An Artist in New York City - 2/22/22

WE DID IT! We created 100 Episodes - which mean we stuck together for 100 months celebrating people from all walks of life, the comedy found in our lives and world, the amazing art created by those in our community and the voices of a wide array of inspirational people.  We are proud and we are not shy about saying we are excited about what is yet to come. 

We open with the WDEK crew in different cities: Shonali in DC, Christian in Palm Springs and Justin in Brooklyn.   Christian reveals his first "Daddy" t-shirt.   When we look back over our 100 Episodes, we give shout outs to the many performers who delivered brilliant character performances throughout the years including (but not limited to): Alan Yaspan who played the Russian Hacker; Theo Koppel who played WDEK Dance Choreographer; Becky Chicoine who played Rhonda The Dog Trainer; Roy Koshy who played NXIVM cult leader Keith Raniere; Jordan Clifford who played the Grumpy Holiday Guy; Nat Towsen who played the Podcast Protestor; Matt Hunziker who played Mitch The Enthusiasm Coach; and Matt Little who played Gary the (Bad) Vampire.  

Offical poster for Marcellus Hall an Artist in New York City - illustration by Marcellus Hall

In this celebratory episode, we celebrate the work and career of our long time friend, illustrator and musician Marcellus Hall. Our own Justin The Intern aka Justin Joseph Hall was the director via his Fourwind Films and worked with Marcellus in creating a documentary series titled Marcellus Hall An Artist in New York City.  For the first time we presented a virtual screening of a documentary and later interviewed and had a Q&A with the artist himself.

Listen and enjoy!  We discuss the artistic interplay that Marcellus brings together in his music and illustrations, his approach to life not just music, his reaction to the pandemic as an artist and what's on the horizon for Marcellus including his upcoming Leestavall recording session - for which you should pre-order now! 

Marcellus Hall's vibrant illustrations can be found throughout well-known periodicals and books including The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Time, and The Cow Loves Cookies (Simon & Schuster 2010). Also an indie musician with his bands Railroad Jerk (Matador Records), White Hassle (Glacial Pace Records), and his solo project, he starts his career in New York City and falls deeply in love with it, intoxicated by its never-ending inspirations and possibilities. He’s recorded the city as well as the ups and downs of his personal life for years through his art and music, which are featured seamlessly throughout episodes. This award winning short series documents his creative journey from being seven-years-old drawing pictures to a successful working artist, and all the stages in between.

Thanks to all of you for supporting us over the years!  Here's to 100 more Episodes together! For more info on how to view the documentary Marcellus Hall An Artist In New York City sign up for the Fourwind Films Newsletter !

WDEK Election Day Special Ep. 86 - Part 1: Marcellus Hall, David Cross, Jon Glaser, Matt Arnold & Cocoon Central Dance Team - 11/3/20

WDEK Election Day Special: Please Vote America was a special episode with comedy, music, guest pop ins from across the country, videos and chat all in place. Our guests include John Early, Tash Neal, Chelsea White, Kendra Cunningham, David Cross, Cocoon Central Dance Team, Jon Glaser, Marcellus Hall, Tommy Do, Katie Compa, Negin Farsad, Nimesh Patel, Katie Compa, Eric Slovin, Tyson Meade, Marcellus Hall, Maggy Adeleye, Brad Lauretti, Emmrose, Matt Arnold and more!  We celebrate voting!

In Part 1 of 4, our guests include Marcellus Hall, Jon Glaser, Matt Arnold, Cocoon Central Dance Team & David Cross.  Our first guest is musician, illustrator Marcellus Hall joins us performing a brand new tune off his forthcoming album called The Kitchen Sink Blues. 

Comedian Jon Glaser appears in his most amazing Detroit Pistons attire. We divert our thoughts on voting to discuss #urbanwildlife and Jon leaves us with #moreproof of why Christian's fears of squirrels are warranted. 

Matt Arnold of The Iowa Idea Podcast joined us from Iowa, duh. He gave us the lowdown on Iowa demographics and voting patterns.  He also is our first guest to own a laminate WDEK press pass. Check out his friend Andre Wright's #HumanizeMyHoodie movement/

Cocoon Central Dance Team (Sunita Mani, Eleanore Pienta, Tallie Medel) shared their talents with us via video! For those of you who would like to SEE these wunderkinds in action - check out our video of the show at 45:37 on Facebook and 45:29 on YouTube!

Our next guest is comedian, actor, writer David Cross. He takes a break from his hat modelling side hustle gig to talk to us about all things including Covid19 travel, voting, James Patterson vs Rob Pattinson, makeup skills, skincare & pondering with us on just WTH are Trump voters thinking.  

David along with us thank all of you who have been working as first responders, voting workers, volunteering to get out the vote, and those of you who voted! Looks like 2021 may be looking up for us!  Stay tuned for parts 2-4!  

WDEK Election Day Special Ep. 86 - Part 1: Marcellus Hall, David Cross, Jon Glaser, Matt Arnold & Cocoon Central Dance Team - 11/3/20

WDEK Podcast Ep. 59: Emily Flake, H Jon Benjamin & Rob Townsend - May 29, 2018 →

Welcome to our 59th Episode of WDEK Podcast. Justin the intern starts the live show on a Tuesday night at the Red Room in NYC! Christian just returned from father's retirement party in Chicago. Shonali just returned from Nashville where she kept up with the news about a racist crazy tv star and her tweets. What's it like to have your creative work rejected in person to your face over and over? 

We ask our first guest that question. She is cartoonist, illustrator, writer and performer Emily Flake.  She has "cobbled" together a living as a cartoonist for a long time now. She's come a long way from being an ad sales person for alt weekly New York Blade to becoming a successful cartoonist who has had hundreds of her works featured in the New Yorker.  She's written a book about parenting called Mama Tried. She's a parent who refreshingly doesn't think being a parent is the MOST awesome thing in the world. How cool is that? Look out for her upcoming YA (Young Adult) book she's working on now, a fictional fanzine from 1992.

Our second guest is H. Jon Benjamin, a comedian, actor and writer probably most famous for his work as the voice of Bob in Bob's Burgers and the voice of Archer in Archer.  Benjamin as Shonali calls him (they are old friends) used to host a comedy show in the East Village called Midnight Pajama Jam. It was the best. JB's written a book that just came out called Failure is An Option: An Attempted Memoir.  Shonali's been listening to the audiobook and loves it.  She is intrigued by Jon Benjamin's love for disco, roller skating and disco balls.  Jon explains what the main take away from his book is in two words.

We Get It Off Our Chest with illustrator musician Marcellus Hall who refuses to rap with us.

Our final guest is musician, singer, songwriter Rob Townsend.  Rob is originally from Spartanburg, SC.  He's also a part time sailing instructor and may be the only gay sailing captain on the Hudson. We like the idea of a gay sailboat. We discuss the difficulty of selling music during an era where everyone gets their music free.  Rob moved to NYC from Austin, TX where he was in a folk band.  His music has changed drastically.  He is humble and self deprecating but we think he's awesome. He sings an original song called Clatskanie and a Randy Newman tune called Short People! Welcome to our new sound engineer Ezana Million! ENJOY!!! Photo by Daria Huxley.

Direct download: WDEK_Chapters_Ep._59.mp3
Category:general, comedy, good+times -- posted at: 12:14pm EDT

We Don't Even Know - Ep. 28 - Todd Barry, Marcellus Hall, Jo Firestone - Nov. 25, 2014 →

Our Thanksgiving episode includes a star studded lineup with the one and only comedian Todd Barry, the talented illustrator and musician Marcellus Hall, and game show expert - the charming comedian Jo Firestone. Thanksgiving begins with going home for the holidays and most of the members of our studio audience did not. Shame on you. Christian and Shonali discuss what is annoying about the holidays.

Special guest comedian Todd Barry joins us for the first time. Just who was Todd in high school and college? Did he get "after it?" You already know that Todd is a very famous comedian, but did you know that he just released a comedy tour film called Crowd Work Tour via LouisCK.net? Purchase it now because it's GREAT. Christian learns the meaning of a new word which truly isn't user friendly.

Marcellus Hall tells us about his recent illustration gig, going on a road trip with an international group of chefs in the Yucatan and illustrating the party. Some guys have all the luck. Marcellus plays two brand new songs for the first time live on We Don't Even Know. Some audiences have all the luck.

Comedian Jo Firestone has a horrible flashback. Have you ever kept a secret? Do you have a 5 year plan! Jo has done both. Jo hosts her own live game show with her dad, Fred Firestone here in NYC. Find out why Jo does not appreciate Gillian Flynn. Listen to Jo's Dr. Gameshow on WFMU on Monday nights. Thanks to everyone who attended the show. We will not be having a show in December. Our next show is in January. We will see you then. In the meanwhile share this link with others and Happy Holidays everyone.

Ep. 28: Todd Barry, Marcellus Hall, Jo Firestone - Nov. 25, 2014

We Don't Even Know - Episode 20 - Shalewa Sharpe - December 11, 2013 →

The trees, the lights, the people, the shopping ....ugh! Shonali has a new look. Marcellus Hall just had a release party and his Afterglow CD is available on Band Camp. Christian calls Shonali "perky." Holiday angst on the subways and streets of New York. Gift giving is not so easy. Christian uses the term "viral vids." Tigers & Monkeys have a new CD, The Animals Will Forgive Us Again coming out January 7, 2014. Episode 20 guest, Shalewa Sharpe is all about gift receiving this year. Christian calls Shalewa "perky." Some people are bold and break into millionaire's homes and throw parties. Some are even bolder and steal snow leopards. Shonali understands animal facial expressions. Did you see the fake sign language translator on the Mandela Memorial? Shalewa is a rising comedian, former adult video store clerk and a new New York transplant from Atlanta. There are some surprises to working in an adult video store. Long ago, Shalewa shared a very important video with Shonali. Shalewa had low expectations of her comedy career when she arrived to New York. Lots of comedians talk about their junk. Dad's stop understanding their daughters after they turn 9. Justin and Shonali are going to Minneapolis for a free Sardines Out of A Can screening party at Varsity Theater, Wednesday, December 18th at 7:30pm. Shalewa is at The Creek and The Cave, December, 16th in Long Island City for Caught On Tape. Deerhunter is a great band from Atlanta. Here is their awesome video Back To The Middle. Happy Holidays! Don't let your family get to you!

Episode 20: Shalewa Sharpe - December 11, 2013

Episode 14 - Nimesh Patel - April 21, 2013 →

Our hearts go out to the city of Boston and all those affected by the awful attack they endured last week. Due to the high pollen count in NYC, Shonali's asthma has been flaring up and Christian is of no help. Christian's barber knows foreign policy. Little things can get under your skin, like babysitting the babysitter or an entitled toddler in Prospect Park.

Our WDEK Episode 14 special guest is Nimesh Patel who comes straight out of Jersey. He is Indian, but grew up in Jersey, lives in NYC and is a comedy finance guy. Yup, very unique. He promised us on Friday he would be hung over on Sunday morning, and he accomplished his goal although we couldn't really tell. He was as fiesty and belligerent as he usually is. Ep. 11 guest Marcellus Hall turned Shonali on to Nimesh's comedy. Nimesh advises Shonali to use Vicks for her asthma and informs us on a number of Indian cure alls. Nimesh killed it at his office holiday party and gained mad respect. Ladies, Nimesh is on Tinder (the Grinder for straight people) if you need some tenderness. Ever heard of the "We Just Got of Jail" comedy show? Nimesh hosts a Monday night show in Williamsburg, at Bar Matchless called Broken Comedy. He wants you to come to his show on April 29th. He's hosting a special pilot taping of Minority Report. Our new music, comes from the amazing, Shannon Wright. She has a new release titled In Film Sound coming out next month. This is the first song, Noise Parade. She is currently on tour in Europe and will be in the US next month.

Episode 14: Nimesh Patel - April 21, 2013