On Demand
The Next Big Thing
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Sonic Forest, LC, Christopher JanneyMavericks
People who stand apart – from novelist Nuala O’Faolain, who gives host Dean Olsher a tour of her Irish-tinted New York, to Zero Boy, a man who makes vocal cartoons on command. Dean also speaks with Ned Rorem, the renowned 80-year-old composer who has written music for an instrument he doesn’t even like. We’ve got comic relief from two of our favorite regulars – Jonathan Katz and Henry Alford. And we remember the writing of Philip Hamburger, read here by his New Yorker magazine colleague Calvin Trillin.
Henry’s Horoscope Hotline
Scientists are still working to understand the particulars of Sedna, the newly discovered "tenth planet." Meanwhile, inquiring minds want to know: what are the astrological repercussions of this recent discovery? Next Big Thing contributor Henry Alford is on the case.
"Letter from Rome"
On May 8, 1945, New Yorker writer Philip Hamburger wired this dispatch from Italy, where he observed the fall of the Fascists and the execution of Mussolini and his henchmen. His words, read here by New Yorker colleague Calvin Trillin, have particular resonance today. Hamburger died this past month. Produced by Emily Botein.
City and Country
A walk through the forest...in mid-Manhattan. Here’s an audio postcard from the Next Big Thing’s Pejk Malinovski, who stumbled upon sound artist Christopher Janney’s "Sonic Forest" in Union Square.
» Learn more about the Sonic Forest
Walkman Busting
A guy walks up to you on the street and asks you what's playing on your Walkman. You tell him. But wait - now he says he wants to listen, too. Before you know it, he's plugged his recorder into your player and he’s taping your music. That's right, Gideon D'Arcangelo is at it again with his "Walkman Busting." And now we plug in to HIS player, to find out what he heard. Produced with Jill Krauss.
Radio Cartoons
Cartoons – they’re not just for your eyes anymore. At least not according to a man who goes by the name of "Zero Boy." He’s a self-described "vocal acrobat," and he’s prepared to translate into sound any scenario we throw his way – complete with dialogue and sound affects. Produced by Pejk Malinovski.
» More on Zero Boy
Stump Zero Boy!
Now it’s your turn to commission a short-form radio cartoon. E-mail us with your 1-sentence scenarios, involving as many strange and challenging elements as you can think of, and we’ll submit them to Zero Boy. Then stay tuned to hear the best entries translated into sound on The Next Big Thing.
Winning entrants will be rewarded with their very own Next Big Thing mug.
A Writer Between Places
Nuala O’Faolain used to be a columnist for the Irish Times, but after gaining international fame for her first memoir, Are You Somebody, she decided it was time to get some distance on her Irish life. So she moved to New York City and began writing a novel. She takes host Dean Olsher on a walk through her adopted city, offering commentary that is equal parts New York bluster and Irish lilt. Produced by Jill Krauss.
Along the Border
» Click for a larger picture of the border
Inspired: Journeys into the Creative Mind
What with all these feisty new voices in liberal radio, some of you may be feeling nostalgic for public radio’s mild-mannered days of yore. Never fear. Jonathan Katz is here, along with comedians Tom Leopold and Julianne Bond. Produced by Tom Snyder.
High and Low Notes
Composer Ned Rorem, who recently turned 80, has composed art songs, symphonies, and other works. Perhaps less well-known are his compositions for organ, some of which will be performed next week at New York’s Riverside Church. Rorem and Dean talk life, death, and music, and we hear organ excerpts performed by Gregory D’Agostino. Produced by Emily Botein.
» More on Ned Rorem
