SongWriter: the Rod Picott Interview

June 29, 2021 6:21 am

SongWriter is a podcast of stories and “answer songs” featuring Amanda Shires, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Mary Gauthier, Roxane Gay, and Joyce Carol Oates.

Videos by American Songwriter

Songwriter Rod Picott wrote a brand new song in response to his friend Nicholson Baker’s novel, The Anthologist for the most recent episode. Below is an edited version of the conversation Rod and I had about his and Nicholson’s work, and about the song he wrote.

Ben Arthur: How were you originally introduced to Nicholson’s work?

Rod Picott: My buddy Slaid Cleaves, who I do a lot of co-writing with, asked me if I had read this book by a writer who lived in South Berwick, Maine – which is the town that we grew up in – called House of Holes. Which is probably the most beautiful, filthy book I’ve ever read. Slaid said, “You have to read this book, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever read before.”

BA: You spoke with Nicholson about what he should read for this episode of SongWriter – what made you choose The Anthologist?

RP: I think The Anthologist is a masterpiece. I just think it’s a perfect book.

BA: Nicholson is a sometimes-songwriter, and songs and songwriters show up in lots of his books, including The Anthologist. And on your side, you do a fair bit of literary work. What have you been working on recently?

RP: I’ve published two books of poetry, one book of short stories, and I’m working on two novels.

BA: How was writing the response song to The Anthologist for you? I can imagine that since it’s one of your favorite books you might feel some pressure…

RP: It was absolutely terrifying to write something to accompany a piece of writing by Nicholson Baker, yeah.

BA: But you found your entry eventually, and wrote “Losing Faith.” What made you take that path?

RP: Something about a relationship is the easiest thing to write about. I just thought about it, and I thought about how the relationship [in the book] is disintegrating. We’ve all been through that. There was a place in the book where he talks about Roz losing faith in him, and I know what that feels like, for me. I’ve seen it happen to people I’ve been with, losing their faith in me. That relationship, we had worked very hard at it. Obviously not hard enough.

You can hear Nicholson Baker read an excerpt from The Anthologist and the brand new song that Rod wrote in response on the newest episode of SongWriter. You can follow Ben Arthur @MyHeart on Twitter and check out his new song, “Noughts and Vaccines.”

Fear and political polarization: Beth Macy + Palmyra – SongWriter turns stories into songs

Journalist and bestselling author Beth Macy (Dopesick) reads a piece she wrote to accompany her new memoir Papergirl, about her family's struggle with opposing political views. She describes a slow process of reconnecting with her conservative brother through simple things like fly fishing and the love of music. The University of Virginia’s Dr. Rachel Wahl talks about how hard it can be to break through polarization, and gives some simple advice for people struggling with the issue. The band Palmyra –whose guitarist and singer is Beth’s youngest child – talks about trans rights, and plays a song written in response to Beth's story titled “Appalachian Adam’s Apple Smile.”Chapters:00:01:36 Distorted Connections: Beth Macy tells a story about family and political polarization, and the power of music00:15:46 Breaking Polarization: Dr. Rachel Wahl discusses ways to engage, even across tremendous divides in politics and even facts.00:25:29 The Conduit of Music: the members of Palmyra discuss identity, the ways that music connects us, and the exhaustion and overwhelm of today.00:43:54 "Appalachian Adam's Apple Smile," the new song by PalmyraSongWriterPodcast.comInstagram.com/SongWriterPodcastFacebook.com/SongWriterPodcastTikTok.com/@SongWriterPodcastYouTube.com/@SongwriterPodcastSongWriter is a music and songwriting podcast that turns stories into songs. Host Ben Arthur invites writers, poets, and musicians to share a story or poem, then pairs it with an original song written in response. Along the way, the show explores the creative process through intimate conversations and performances. Guests have included Questlove, Susan Orlean, David Gilmour, David Sedaris, George Saunders, and many more. Distributed by PRX, SongWriter also appears on the syndicated radio program Acoustic Café and in Paste Magazine. Learn more at SongWriterPodcast.com. Season seven is made possible by a grant from Templeton World Charity Foundation