Crash Chords: Autographs

In this episode Matt chats with the incredible Angélique Roché. Angélique is a host, attorney, content creator, and writer focused on the intersections of activism, policy, politics, current events, and nerd culture. The two chat about Angélique’s podcasts and the creative processes behind them. She also talk about how she got started as a content creator and writer. Finally, Matt and Angélique geek out about a great many things including comics, novels, TV, movies and video games. Continue reading

In this episode, Matt welcomes stage kitten, burlesque performer and punk rock enthusiast Rex Halligan. Matt and Rex chat about how he got involved in burlesque as well as how he pursues new acts and updates existing ones. The two also talk about the NYC club scene and how performances and venues have changed over the years. Rex shares his love of pets, and opens up about what burlesque truly means to him. Continue reading

OH YEAH! This week Matt welcomes professional wrestler, Ophidian The Cobra, to the podcast! To start, the two reminisce about wrestling days of old and chat about how Ophidian got his start in the ring. They chat about Closet Champion, a wrestling costuming business, run by him and Kate Nyx. They also dive into the similarities between burlesque and wrestling, and why shows like Tasselmania and GLOB (Gorgeous Ladies of Burlesque) are matches made in heaven. Finally, Matt learns about what it’s like for Ophidian to teach wrestling and what he’s learned along the way. Continue reading

This week Matt welcomes back burlesque producer, performer, and podcaster, Viktor Devonne. The two catch up on all the new things in Viktor’s life since his last appearance on the show. They talk about “WE Burlesque: The Podcast,” the growth and change of White Elephant Burlesque, getting married, and new acts he’s developed. Viktor also talks about his upcoming new podcast “2 Night Stay: Stories from The Gilman.” Continue reading

This episode deviates from the norm a little. Instead of an interview, this is the live recording of a panel that Matt was on about Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and Goth Culture at Dark Side Of The Con 3 presented by VampireFreaks. Matt is joined by Raina Sinclair and Caitlin Strachan. Raina is a writer, burlesque performer and co producer for Magical Girl Burlesque as well as a self proclaimed weeb and huge comic book nerd. Caitlin works as a freelance product manager with a focus on production design and also in her free time she volunteers and waxes poetics on various nerdy subjects. A huge thank you again to the incredible crowd, Jet, Julia O’ Connell and VampireFreaks for making all of this possible. Continue reading

In this episode, Matt had the pleasure of moderating a Q+A with Mark Eliopulos, Christopher Hall, and Walter Flakus of the band Stabbing Westward. The panel took place at Dark Side Of The Con 3, presented by VampireFreaks. This podcast deviates from the usual formula as Matt mostly plays the role of facilitator to the con crowd’s great questions while still asking a few of his own along the way. A huge thank you to the incredible crowd, Jet, Julia O’ Connell and VampireFreaks for making all of this happen as well as Mark, Chris and Walter for taking the time to chat. Continue reading

On this episode of Autographs, Matt chats with the incomparable drag and burlesque badass, Hazel Tart. Hazel talks with Matt about how she got her start in the drag scene, her discovery of burlesque, her love of a variety of nerdy pursuits, as well as what goes into building a performance. They also discuss the great lengths to which Hazel goes in order to craft unique narratives in those performances. Finally, Matt and Hazel dive into Hazel’s hiatus from performing — and why she felt she need to take a step back. Continue reading

This week Matt welcome burlesque performer and producer, Miss Frankie Eleanor, to the podcast. Miss Frankie shares the story of her start in burlesque and tells Matt what lead to her creating her own show, Butter Pecan Burlesque. They talk about Rabbit Hole Production’s upcoming show, Tasselmania 3, and how Miss Frankie got involved. She also talks about her process for creating acts, how she draws inspiration for creating, and how she’s working to constantly evolve her performances. Continue reading

On this latest episode, Matt welcomes Julia O’Connell — blogger, goth nerd, and panel coordinator for this year’s Dark Side Of The Con III in Parsippany, NJ, presented by VampireFreaks.com. The two chat about how Julia got her start writing for Vampire Freak as well as creating her own Gothic literature blog, The Gothic Library. We also discuss how she got involved with Dark Side Of The Con III, what she’s most looking forward to at this year’s event, and what panels Matt will be appearing on. Finally, we discuss the tropes and stereotypes about goth culture, and how this con looks to challenge those. Continue reading

On this week’s episode, Matt chats with the creators of the Certain POV podcast and podcast network, Ben Milton and Addy Thomas. They share stories of their old radio days, the start of the podcast, as well as the creation of the network. The guys nerd out about Star Wars, speak about future projects in the works, and talk next steps for the network. Be sure to check out Matt’s other podcasts on Ben and Addy’s network: Reignite, “Fun” & Games and Screen Snark. Continue reading

In his latest chat, Matt sits down with actor, voice actor, improviser and podcaster Scott Thomas. The two chat about the origins of The Infinity Podcast, as well as how Scott met his co-hosts Rachel "Quirky" Schenk and Patrick Willems. Scott also talks about his journey as an actor, from training to doing VO and motion capture for his character in Red Dead Redemption 2. Matt and Scott also chat about, punk music, Marvel movies, and wrestling. Continue reading

New year, new guests, same show! This week Matt welcomes the hosts of the Dinosaur Machines Game Club Podcast: Dan Colonna, Mark Magro and Dave Grima. Matt chats with them about the origins of their podcast and their respective histories within the world of gaming. They also talk about some of their favorite games of the past few years, and what they are looking forward to in early 2019. You can find the podcast on all major podcasting platforms. Continue reading

This week on Autographs, Matt goes in depth on…his own life! This highlights episode kicks off with with a deep dive into Matt’s favorite art, media and performances from 2018. Then Matt shares some landmark moments of the year, from new projects to special events. Finally, he closes out the show with a few very special Thank Yous. We hope you enjoy this new annual tradition, and remember: Music is life, and life is good! Continue reading

In this episode, Matt interviews Genuine Independent Rap Legend Jesse Dangerously! Jesse chats with Matt about the origins of his latest release, Want For Nothing by Danger Grove, which is a collaboration between him and Lizard Grove. The two also discuss Jesse’s love of magical girl anime, as well how it’s inspired him and his music. Lastly, Jesse shares the impact of rap on his life since childhood, and tells the story of how he found the indie rap scene. Continue reading

In this episode, Matt chats with singer, performer, burlesquer and kick ass drag queen, Petra Fried. The two chat about how Petra got started in the drag scene and how she came up with her performer name. They talk about her show at Rockbar NYC and how she broke into hosting and performing burlesque. Matt and Petra also discuss their love of WE Burlesque, Viktor Devonne, and the kind and caring spaces he's created in the scene. The two also gush about the creative process and their mutual love of pop culture, as well as how it fuels the art they make. Continue reading

In this episode, my guests are the core producers of Magical Girl Burlesque, Raina Sinclair, Betty Brash …and me! I chat with my co-producers about how MGB has grown since we last spoke on the show two years ago. We talk about changes to the company, shows of the past year, as well as some of the great burlesque troupes we’ve been able to partner with like Cyn Factory and Rabbit Hole Productions. We also discuss our professional aspirations for 2019. I’m so honored and lucky to be a part of this killer team of humans. Join me as we celebrate what we’ve accomplished and look to the future of Magical Girl Burlesque. Continue reading

In this episode, Matt welcomes back nerd, comedian, game enthusiast, and musician Insane Ian! The two catch up on Ian’s life since his last Crash Chords appearance 3 years ago. Their conversation ranges from Ian’s appearance with Beefy (“I Don’t Get It”) on Vince Vandal’s latest record, FNFII: Advanced Friends & Fandoms, to his project with fellow comedy musician TV’s Kyle called Scooter Picnic and their latest song “This Groove (Is Too Dope For Us).” They also talk about Ian’s upcoming solo work, his YouTube series “1st Ian-pressions,” as well as how recent life events have affected his focus and his music. Continue reading

In this episode, Matt welcomes Ernesto Paez of Modern Mimes, a prolific and intense band from Fort Lauderdale, FL. The band is made up of Ernesto Paez on the double-neck guitar/bass and Adi Elcida Hernandez on vocals/guitar/sampling. The band’s newest record is called The Gray and features the singles, “Stare,” and a cover of The Deftones’ song “My Own Summer.” Ernesto chats with Matt about how the band came to be, how long he and Adi have been playing music both individually and together, as well as their writing process for creating new music. Ernesto shares the band’s upcoming tour plans, his experiences filming the music video for “My Own Summer,” and more. Continue reading

In this episode, Matt welcomes Omar Holmon, a poet, writer, and co-founder of the website Black Nerd Problems. He and Matt chat about Omar's appearance at Flame Con 2018, his return to poetry, and what it's been like competing for as many years as he has. They also talk about the origins of Black Nerd Problems and how the site has grown and changed over the years, as well as what the future holds for the site. Finally, Matt and Omar gush over a variety of nerdery from TV to games to movies to comics and more. Continue reading

In this episode, Matt welcomes Ryako, a nerdcore rapper from Brugge, Belgium. She and Matt chat about her latest record, Fangirl, her sources of inspiration, as well as some of her favorite artists both inside the genre and out. They talk about the nerdy properties that inspired the works on Fangirl, including Star Trek, Firefly, and X-Files. Ryako shares her journey from California to Belgium, adventures while shooting the video for “Starfleet Boys,” and teases exciting future projects. Continue reading