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In the Heart of the Heart of the Country

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 08 Aug 2026 20:43:24 +0000

I read William Gass's great 1968 story.

Sound & Fury book-release

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 13:03:18 +0000

A recording of the book-release for a new illustrated version of William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury at Tangible Books on Saturday, July 18th, with publisher Mallory Smart and designer Dmitry Samarov.

A Minute Clicking of Wheels

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:34:07 +0000

A few pages of Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury on the occasion of the publication of a new illustrated edition.

Chris Connelly

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 02:25:54 +0000

A talk with the musician Chris Connelly about only a few of his many, many projects, starting with Fini Tribe and ending with Catholics Against Architecture, but barely even scratching the surface...

Donna Knezek

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 01:13:01 +0000

I talk to Donna Knezek about her start in the restaurant business and how she ran legendary Chicago eateries like Leo's Lunchroom, Bite Cafe, and Feed.

Ornery Cuss book-release

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 13:04:56 +0000

A recording of the book-release party for Ornery Cuss by Krystle Ratticus at Tangible Books, June 20, 2026. Readings by Nathan Hoks, Westley Heine, and the author; hosted by Dmitry Samarov.

Colin Asher

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 28 May 2026 15:45:14 +0000

A talk with Colin Asher about his new book, The Midnight Special.

Read my review of his biography of Nelson Algren here.

Ornery Cuss

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 09 May 2026 13:26:46 +0000

A talk with Krystle Ratticus about her new book. Order yours here.

Kick’s cat

Dmitry Samarov — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 09:45:47 +0000

I read a few pages from William Gass's Omensetter's Luck.

Tangible Reading, 3/5/26

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 19:46:36 +0000

Krystle Ratticus reads "Bucket of Pig's Blood" and Dmitry Samarov reads "Dust Jackets" at Tangible Books, March 5th, 2026.

Winesburg, Ohio book-release

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 15 Feb 2026 03:52:28 +0000

A recording of the book-release of a new illustrated edition of Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson, featuring publisher Mallory Smart and designer Dmitry Samarov at Tangible Books on February 14th, 2026.

Sam Bodrojan

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:35:37 +0000

A talk with writer Sam Bodrojan about writing, film, the internet, and lots more.

Why the Dog Wont Show its Eyes

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:52:35 +0000

An excerpt from Russell Hoban's Riddley Walker.

John Tottenham

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:01:06 +0000

A talk with writer/artist John Tottenham about his work.

Read my review of his novel, Service, here.

“Where We Live Now” by Philip Levine

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:57:51 +0000

I read a poem from Philip Levine's 1979 collection, Ashes.

Rebecca Lyon/Chicago Film Society

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 21:14:18 +0000

A talk with programmer/projectionist/wearer-of-many-hats Rebecca Lyon about the work she does with Chicago Film Society and how she got into the movies, with occasional commentary from her colleague, Tavi Veraldi.

June Skinner Sawyers

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 02:02:25 +0000

A talk with writer/indexer/editor June Skinner Sawyers about her many interests in the literary racket.

Alexander Sorondo

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:48:57 +0000

A talk with writer Alexander Sorondo about his epic William T. Vollmann profile, the even longer new Mark Danielewski one, Substack, Miami, and more.

Krystle Ratticus

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 20:26:42 +0000

A talk with Krystle Ratticus about zines, art, writing, Chicago, and the rest of it.

Ben Tanzer

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 15 May 2025 14:45:23 +0000

A talk with Chicago/New York writer Ben Tanzer about his After Hours book and a lot more.

Moby Dick book-release

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 11 May 2025 04:20:03 +0000

A talk between publisher Mallory Smart and designer Dmitry Samarov on the occasion of the release of a new illustrated edition of Herman Melville's classic by Maudlin House. The event took place at Tangible Books in Chicago on May 10th, 2025.

The Incognito Lounge by Denis Johnson

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 13:38:05 +0000

I read the title poem from a 1994 Denis Johnson collection.

Nathan Knapp

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 18:16:29 +0000

A talk with writer Nathan Knapp. Read my review of Daybook and listen to me read its first few pages and, most importantly, buy yourself a copy!

Daybook by Nathan Knapp

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 14:47:39 +0000

I read the first few pages of Nathan Knapp's Daybook.

Read my review.

Avner Landes

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 16:16:06 +0000

A talk with writer Avner Landes about his forthcoming novel, The Delegation, and other matters.

Order the new book and read my review of his first one.

Cathedral by Raymond Carver

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 07:41:52 +0000

I read the title story from Carver's great book.

Dmitry Samarov & Jasmon Drain at Tangible Books

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

A conversation between Dmitry Samarov and Jasmon Drain about Samarov's Making Pictures is How I Talk to the World at Tangible Books in Chicago, 8/24/24.

Eugene Marten

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 17:25:05 +0000

A talk with writer Eugene Marten about the re-release of Layman's Report and other matters.

Maggie Umber

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 12:07:30 +0000

A talk with artist/writer Maggie Umber about her nearly-wordless book, Chrysanthemum Under the Waves.

Truth Serum

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 18:58:07 +0000

A couple pages from Eugene Marten's Layman's Report.

Read my review of the book.

Background music by Emily Robb.

Bruce Wagner

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:04:48 +0000

A wide-ranging talk with novelist/screenwriter Bruce Wagner.

Order his new book and read my review of his previous one.

De Kooning on the Renaissance

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 05 May 2024 15:28:42 +0000

I read an essay Willem De Kooning wrote in 1950 that is included in a tiny book I bought from the collection of Tom Verlaine.

Scott Schaaf

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:22:48 +0000

A talk with Scott Schaaf about growing up in the Quad Cities and ending up in Chicago to eventually open his great record store, Pinwheel Records, in Pilsen.

A Georges Perec list

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 13:00:00 +0000

A hundred-seventy-nine-line list from Georges Perec's Life: A User's Manual that is a kind of skeleton key or cheat sheet for the whole book.

Lucy Sante (2024)

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with Lucy Sante about her new memoir, a lifetime of writing, and her unexpected newfound fame.

Dmitry Samarov

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:57:51 +0000

Skyler Rowe interviews Dmitry Samarov about childhood, art, and the rest of it.

Katherine Eremia

Dmitry Samarov — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 02:57:57 +0000

A talk with artist Katherine Eremia about growing up in the South, coming up to Chicago, and a whole lot more.

Tyler Dempsey

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with writer/podcaster/lover of remote locales, Tyler Dempsey.

Read my review of his novel, Will We All Still See Each Other Afterward.

Bartlebooth learns to watercolor

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 13:21:25 +0000

A few more pages from Georges Perec's Life: A User's Manual.

Preamble to Life: A User’s Manual

Dmitry Samarov — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 19:13:39 +0000

I read the intro to Georges Perec's 1978 novel.

Coyle & Bandini

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 00:13:26 +0000

I read the first few pages from George V. Higgins' The Friends of Eddie Coyle and John Fante's Wait Until Spring, Bandini.

It’s Because We’re So Poor

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 17:06:29 +0000

I read a story from Juan Rulfo's The Plain in Flames.

Pedro Páramo

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 16:15:20 +0000

The first couple pages from a new translation of Juan Rulfo's 1955 novel.

The Story of RR 1: Father Frost

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 20:52:01 +0000

The fifth conversation in an ongoing series about one woman's childhood.

Castling

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 02 Dec 2023 15:21:16 +0000

The first few pages from Renata Adler's Speedboat.

Go

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:45:17 +0000

A few pages from Benjamin Labatut's The Maniac.

Mallory Smart: I Keep My Visions to Myself

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with writer Mallory Smart about her forthcoming book. Order it here.

The Story of RR 1: Healing Fantasies

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 01 Nov 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Another installment in the story of one woman's childhood.

The Story of RR 1: Against the Wind

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The story of one woman's childhood continues.

The Story of RR 1: Little Orphan Annie

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The second in a series of conversations about one woman's childhood.

The Story of RR 1: Stella Dallas

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:00:00 +0000

The first in a series of conversations about one woman's childhood.

“to whom it may concern” book-release

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 20 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000

A recording of a book-release event at Tangible Books on September 16, 2023, featuring Mallory Smart and Annie Howard.

“Don’t Put No Hands on Me”

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 15:52:34 +0000

A short reading from Don DeLillo's "Mao II" in honor of my own book-release.

The Yard Man

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000

I read a story by Bonnie Jo Campbell from her 2009 collection, "American Salvage".

Stan Klein

Dmitry Samarov — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 14:29:03 +0000

A talk with artist and wearer of many hats Stan Klein.

Joe Judd

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 12:00:00 +0000

A talk with Joe Judd about starting Myopic Books, moving away, then coming back and establishing Tangible Books in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago.

Read my article about Tangible here.

Johnny Sampson

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 12:00:00 +0000

A talk with illustrator/artist Johnny Sampson about the art racket, comics, music, and the whole kit and caboodle.

Mark Turcotte

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 22:59:34 +0000

A talk with poet Mark Turcotte about his youth in North Dakota and Michigan, his various jobs, and ending up a professor of literature at DePaul University in Chicago.

How to make a poppyseed roll according to my mother

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 02 Jul 2023 21:04:47 +0000

My mom tells me the recipe for poppyseed roll that her mother-in-law taught her. (in Russian)

Of Burning Books

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 03 Jun 2023 13:23:21 +0000

A few pages from Olga Tokarczuk's The Books of Jacob.

Matt Grimm

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 22 May 2023 00:46:50 +0000

A talk with Matt Grimm about his quarter-life crisis.

Alexander Samarov

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 10 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000

A talk in Russian with my father about his childhood, his love of nature, and the roots of his interest in literature.

Nora Samarov

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 03 May 2023 13:00:00 +0000

A talk in Russian with my mother about her childhood, work in hospital, and early loves.

Comfort Station

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

Practice readings for a performance at Comfort Station on 4/20/23 with music by Keefe Jackson, Aram Shelton, and Jeb Bishop.

Background music by The Dwarfs of East Agouza.

EXPO Chicago 2023

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 13:00:00 +0000

A report from my personal Yom Kippur.

Art by Toni LaSelle.

Jasmon Drain

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 02:14:07 +0000

A talk with Chicago writer Jasmon Drain. Read my review of his book, which led to our becoming friends.

Wendy Clinard

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 01:18:29 +0000

I talk with artist/dancer/choreographer/human Wendy Clinard about her circuitous route through the creative landscape.

John Salhus/Buena Vista Projects

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with painter John Salhus about his new art space, Buena Vista Projects, in the East Side neighborhood of Chicago.

New Year’s Eve without Mama

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 18:26:20 +0000

I read another story from Alla Gorbunova's It's the End of the World, My Love in Russian.

Mark Shippy

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 13:00:00 +0000

A long talk with musician/artist Mark Shippy about U.S. Maple and many other things under the sun.

Kevin Hickey

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A wide-ranging talk with Chef Kevin Hickey about his long history in the kitchen, his travels, plans to dot Europe with Duck Inn hotdog stands and more.

Sunday @ Archie’s Cafe

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A reading/concert by Westley Heine and Dmitry Samarov at Archie's Cafe in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, 2/26/23.

It’s the end of the world, my love

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A reading from Alla Gorbunova's It's the End of the World, My Love. I found out about this book from a podcast called Polka. Apologies to any non-Russian-language-speaking listeners. Hope to be back with an episode in my adopted language soon.

Jessi Phillips

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician/writer Jessi Phillips about Michigan, California, New York, writing, music, relationships, and all the rest of it.

Ben Terrall

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 08 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with writer Ben Terrall about Boston, San Francisco, and the state of the world.

Jason Sanford

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with artist/musician Jason Sanford about Boston, Colorado, art, music, and more.

Mike Reed

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 25 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with Mike Reed about playing music, starting the Pitchfork Music Festival, running Constellation and the Hungry Brain, and lots more.

Don Southard

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A long talk with painter and teacher Don Southard.

Damian Rogers

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A wide-ranging talk with Toronto-based writer Damian Rogers. Read my review of her great book about her mother here.

Soviet Stamps at Dominican

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 14:00:00 +0000

A talk about Soviet Stamps in Frank Spidale's freshman seminar at Dominican University, November 22, 2022.

Dear———

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000

An excerpt from a work in progress.

Chris Brokaw

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 21 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with Chris Brokaw about his bands past and present, touring, teaching, and more.

James Marlon Magas

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician James Marlon Magas about leaving the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for Chicago and his journey through music, art, and even rideshare driving.

Janet Beveridge Bean

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician Janet Beveridge Bean about growing up in Kentucky, playing music as a child, her bands—Freakwater and Eleventh Dream Day—and current writing and and musical projects.

Pilsen Community Books, 10/19/22

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 30 Nov 2022 14:00:00 +0000

A book-release talk about paint-by-numbers with Annie Howard. Recorded at Pilsen Community Books in Chicago.

John Hodgman

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with writer/actor/humorist John Hodgman about Shopsin's, the future of capitalism, zines, and all the rest.

Mallory Smart

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with writer, publisher, and my horror movie podcast cohost Mallory Smart. Check out Maudlin House and Textual Healing for what she's about.

A Very Old Man

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 02:12:24 +0000

A couple pages from Italo Svevo's A Very Old Man.

Elliot Dicks

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 14:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician and sound guy Elliot Dicks about growing up in Columbus, Ohio, moving to Chicago, and building a life in music. Check out his current band and one of his old ones here.

Jake Austen

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with Jake Austen about growing up in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, art school, his lifelong fascination with masked singers and much more. Check out what Austen's all about at his Rocktober site.

Mat Daly

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician/artist/craftfair majordomo Mat Daly.

Westley Heine

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with writer/musician Westley Heine. Get his 12 Chicago Cabbies and Busking Blues and read my Reader article about him.

Nancy Carey

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with Nancy Carey about writing, painting, baking, conflict-resolution, and more.

“What else do you teach?”

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 06 Oct 2022 19:14:07 +0000

A reading of chapter 12 of Don DeLillo's White Noise.

Theme music, forever, by Bill MacKay.

James Jankowiak

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with Chicago painter James Jankowiak about growing up in Back of the Yards, getting into graffiti writing, becoming an artist, a teacher, and a whole lot of other stuff. See a bunch of his work here.

Check out his show at Compound Yellow through 11/20/22.

Theme music, forever, by Bill MacKay.

Azita Youssefi

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician Azita Youssefi about the transition from visual to musical art, the Chicago scene, and more. Listen to Azita’s music here.

Theme music, forever, by Bill MacKay.

Subscribe at Apple or the other usual places.

Max Samarov

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with Max Samarov about Israel, California, metal music, and other matters. Learn more about Max here.

Theme music, forever, by Bill MacKay.

Subscribe at Apple or the other usual places.

Alicia Martinez

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with forensics student and former mixologist Alicia Martinez. Follow her on Instagram (if she lets you.)

Music today, tomorrow, and the days after that by Bill MacKay.

Subscribe at Apple or the other usual places.

Keefe Jackson

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with jazz musician Keefe Jackson. We discuss his youth in an Arkansas college town, the switch from cello to saxophone, his move to Chicago, and more. Catch his gigs or buy a record at his site.

Theme music by Bill MacKay, as ever.

Sam Wagster

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician Sam Wagster about growing up in Texas, studying film and writing, and playing in bands. Listen to Mute Duo, The Father Costume, Anatomy of Habit, but also enjoy Wagster’s work with The Cairo Gang, Azita, and countless others.

Theme music by Bill MacKay, as ever.

Mick Collins

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician and aspiring linguist Mick Collins about the Dirtbombs, the Gories, the Wolfmanhattan Project, and inventing his own language. Follow Collins on Twitter and listen to all his music you can find.

Theme music by Bill MacKay.

Brian Case

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician and graphic designer Brian Case about coming from St. Louis to Chicago, getting into the music scene, and about just keeping going. Check out his current band, FACS, as well as his solo work, and his old band, Disappears.

Theme music—as if you needed to ask—by Bill MacKay.

Scott McClanahan

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with writer Scott McClanahan about Robert Mitchum, writing, music, and more. Get his books here and here and read my review of The Sarah Book.

Music now and always by Bill MacKay.

Matt Lux

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with bassist extraordinaire Matt Lux. Check out his Communication Arts Quartet, Isotope 217, and KVL.

Theme music forever by Bill MacKay.

A Few Readings

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:44:06 +0000

I read excerpts from several books.

00:00 from The Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupery

02:37 chapter 57 of Moby Dick by Herman Melville

10:00 from I'm Losing You by Bruce Wagner

14:58 from A Fan's Notes by Frederick Exley

Tom Shannon

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with musician Tom Shannon about Cheater Slicks, about Boston, Columbus, his long career in music, and much more. If you don’t know Cheater Slicks music, start here.

Theme music by Bill MacKay, as ever.

Laura Park

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with cartoonist Laura Park about moving to France, living in Chicago, quitting art school, how everyone should love dogs, and a lot more. You can also find her on Instagram.

Theme music by Bill MacKay, as ever.

Leor Galil

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000

A talk with music writer Leor Galil about studying at Brandeis, getting into music, and ending up at the Chicago Reader.

Theme music, now and always, by Bill MacKay.

Three by Denis Johnson

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 19:18:00 +0000

I read three chapters from Denis Johnson’s “The Largesse of the Sea Maiden”.

Marc Fischer

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 13:14:00 +0000

A talk with Marc Fischer about his many varied activities. For more, start here and here.

Theme music, forever, by Bill MacKay.

Tobias Carroll

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 07:05:00 +0000

A talk with the writer Tobias Carroll about the publication of his new novel, Ex-Members (Astrophil Press), New Jersey, punk bands, Vol.1 Brooklyn, et al. Learn more about Carroll here and read my review of his book.

Theme music, as ever, by Bill MacKay.

Lindsay Hunter

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 07:11:00 +0000

A talk with writer Lindsay Hunter about Florida, podcasting, being okay with not becoming Claire Danes, and more.

Get her books and follow her on Twitter.

Music today, tomorrow, and the days after that by Bill MacKay.

Sonia Weiner

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 07:02:00 +0000

A talk with writer and professor Sonia Weiner. We discuss migratory literature, the time she wrote about me, her family’s move from the US to Israel, and more. More about her here.

Theme music today, tomorrow, and all the other tomorrows by Bill MacKay.

Sam Pink

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 07:00:00 +0000

A talk with writer and artist Sam Pink. Before we talk, I read Pink’s story. “Move in With Me”. Follow Pink on Twitter and Instagram.

Episode art by Sam Pink. Theme music forever by Bill MacKay.

Jonathan van Herik

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 31 May 2022 07:08:00 +0000

A talk with musician Jonathan van Herik about Wicker Park in the 90s, being in bands like Joan of Arc, Boas, Disappears, and Facs, self-doubt, and a whole lot more. Follow van Herik on Instagram.

Theme music, eternally, by Bill MacKay.

Gint Aras

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 25 May 2022 18:57:00 +0000

A talk with writer Gint Aras. Learn more about him at his site and read my review of The Fugue .

Theme music, forever, by Bill MacKay.

Subscribe at Apple or the other usual places.

Kathleen Rooney

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 18 May 2022 18:54:00 +0000

A talk with Chicago writer Kathleen Rooney. We discuss teaching, competing generations, and our bizarre cultural moment. Learn more about Rooney at her site, the press she co-runs, and her poetry-typing concern.

Theme music by Bill MacKay, natch.

Rick Rizzo

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 11 May 2022 18:50:00 +0000

A talk with Rick Rizzo of Eleventh Dream Day about his music career, teaching, working for AC Nielson, collecting records, and a whole lot more. Buy Eleventh Dream Day albums on Bandcamp and follow them on Instagram.

Theme music by Bill MacKay, of course.

Kat Sachs

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 04 May 2022 18:38:00 +0000

A talk with film writer Kat Sachs. We discuss how her love of cinema was born at drive-ins in Ohio, auteur theory, our odd cultural moment, and more. Learn more about Sachs at Cinefile and the Chicago Reader. Read her great essay on Jane Campion too.

Theme music by Bill MacKay, as ever.

Emmett Kelly

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 18:38:00 +0000

A talk with musician Emmett Kelly about Chicago, LA, art, the state of the recording industry, and much more.

Check out Kelly’s cassette label and his old band, the Cairo Gang. Kelly also plays with Will Oldham, Ty Segall, and many others.

Theme music by Bill MacKay.

Gil Roth

Dmitry Samarov — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 18:34:00 +0000

I talk to podcaster, pharma trade guru, and novice artist Gil Roth about podcasting, his day job, getting into visual art at 50 and more. Listen to Gil’s great Virtual Memories show and see a bunch of his drawings and paintings.

Theme music by Bill MacKay.

Adam Gnade

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 21:48:00 +0000

I talk to writer, farmer, and cassette-label mogul Adam Gnade about writing, living, off the land, releasing cassettes, and more. Learn about him at his site and all the usual social media places.

Theme music by Bill MacKay.

Poems in Russian

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 18:18:00 +0000

I read some poems in Russian. Selected a few dozen that my father sent me during the plague.

00:00— “New Year’s Eve” by Boris Ryzhy
01:00— two poems by Boris Ryzhy
02:51 —”A Winter Night” by Boris Pasternak
04:00—untitled poem by Sergey Gandlevsky
07:30—several by Lidia Zaozerskaya
12:00—”Neznakomka” by Alexander Blok
15:00—”Mirror” by Arseniy Tarkovsky
17:57—”From a Poet” by Arseniy Tarkovsky

Take a look at the limited edition folder of typed-out Russian poems with notes in English, illustrations, and collaged covers.

Old Style

Dmitry Samarov — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Recorded readings (circa 2020) of rough drafts of chapters from my 2021 book, Old Style.

00:52 —”Flyover” (music by the Dick Slessig Combo)
08:30—”Don Lived Upstairs from the Blue Light (music by Mute Duo)
11:34—”Dead Rae” (music by Arvo Part)
19:57—”Can’t Recall” (music by Ran Blake)
31:45—”Ask for Rose” (music by Thelonius Monk)
41:07—”Innocent When You Dream”

Don DeLillo’s Underworld

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 18:02:00 +0000

Four excerpts from Don DeLillo’s Underworld, which I reread during plague lockdown in 2020.

00:00—”Waste” (music by Charles Mingus)

06:00—”An American Sort of Thing” (music by Miles Davis)

10:50—”Quotidian” (music by Ornette Coleman)

17:25—”Denizens” (music by Endless Boogie)

Frank Spidale

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 03 Apr 2022 17:11:00 +0000

I talk to one of my oldest friends, Chicago painter Frank Spidale. We talk art, music, jobs, living in Chicago, and more. See Spidale’s work at his site and follow him on Instagram.

Lucy Sante

Dmitry Samarov — Fri, 01 Apr 2022 17:04:00 +0000

A talk with writer Lucy Sante. We discuss immigration, her upcoming trip to her native Belgium, transitioning, and more. Learn about Sante at her websiteand follow her on Instagram. Read my reviews of The Other Paris and Maybe the People Would Be the Times and a newsletter about a lunch we shared in May, 2021.

Mallory Smart

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 18:30:00 +0000

I talk with Chicago writer Mallory Smart about writing, publishing, and a lot more sometime in 2021.

The Green Arcade (2021)

Dmitry Samarov — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 18:23:00 +0000

Ben Terrall talks with me about All Hack, Old Style, and more at The Green Arcade in San Francisco in December 2021.

Daniel X. O’Neil

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 18:10:00 +0000

I talk with collector Daniel X. O'Neil about street art, etc.

John Vernon Forbes

Dmitry Samarov — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 18:02:00 +0000

I talk with musician/artist John Vernon Forbes about Tijuana Hercules, art, music, and more.

Skyler Rowe

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 17:49:00 +0000

I talk with Chicago musician Skyler Rowe about art, life, etc.

Rebekka Federle

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 17:37:00 +0000

I talk collage, art, etc with Chicago artist Rebekka Federle.

The Green Arcade (2020)

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 16:18:00 +0000

Ben Terrall talks with me about Soviet Stamps and more at San Francisco's The Green Arcade in 2020.

Soviet Stamps w/ Kyle Beachy

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:08:00 +0000

Kyle Beachy talks to me about Soviet Stamps at City Lit Books in 2020.

Soviet Stamps w/ Christian TeBordo

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 29 Aug 2020 15:57:00 +0000

Christian TeBordo talks to me about Soviet Stamps at the late lamented Dial Bookshop in 2020.

Filmfront

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 18:16:00 +0000

I talk with Alan Medina, Malia Haines-Stewart, and Ashley Cooper about their storefront cinema in Pilsen for a 2018 Chicago Reader article.

Brian Wells

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 20 Jul 2020 17:59:00 +0000

I talk to Chicago painter Brian Wells about his work for a Chicago Reader article in 2018.

Stan Klein

Dmitry Samarov — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 07:09:00 +0000

I talk to Stan Klein about art, music, running a gallery, and more in 2018.

Christian TeBordo (2019)

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 07:01:00 +0000

I talk to Christian TeBordo at the Rainbo Club about Ghost Engine and more.

The Green Arcade (2019)

Dmitry Samarov — Fri, 10 Jul 2020 06:49:00 +0000

Ben Terrall interviews me about Music to My Eyes at the Green Arcade in San Francisco in 2019.

CTA drawings interview

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 12:21:00 +0000

Bill Savage interviews me at Firecat Projects about my show of CTA drawings there in September 2018.

Old Fashioned Days

Dmitry Samarov — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 22:16:00 +0000

I talk to filmmaker John McNaughton and photographer/musician Paul Petraitis about the 1970 student film they shot in their Roseland neighborhood and plans to make a documentary around that footage.

(from 2018)

From Suttree

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:07:00 +0000

I read a few pages from Cormac McCarthy's Suttree.

Music by Chris Brokaw.

Rainbo Club (2019)

Dmitry Samarov — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:53:00 +0000

Tim Kinsella interviews me about Music to My Eyes etc.

Peter Prescott

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 14 Apr 2019 16:22:00 +0000

I talk to Peter Prescott about his time in Mission of Burma, Volcano Suns, and more. Read the article I wrote for Aquarium Drunkard and listen to Prescott's current band Minibeast.

Film Talk w/ Don De Grazia

Dmitry Samarov — Thu, 15 Nov 2018 14:16:00 +0000

In 2018, Don De Grazia and I attempted to start a movie podcast. We covered four films: Lowlife (2017), You Were Never Really Here (2017), First Reformed (2017), and The Other Side of the Wind (2018) , then threw in the towel.

Jitney (2018)

Dmitry Samarov — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 13:38:00 +0000

My first bit of podcastage. A reading of a thing that wound up in my 2020 book All Hack about the rideshare racket and how it resembled an older type of public driving.

Music by Dexter Gordon.