42. Keep the Little Flame Alive w/ Carsie Blanton
Summary
Matthew Reimskey interviews musician Carcy Blanton about her unschooled upbringing, jazz influences, and radicalization within the collapsing music industry. They discuss her role in the Global Sumud Flotilla, the artist’s duty to reflect the times, and her theory of songs as channels for the zeitgeist. Blanton also shares strategies for digital disengagement and the importance of collective, depersonalized creative work.
Topics discussed
Intro: Summer break, audiobook, and Carcy Blanton's background
Carcy's unschooled upbringing and early education
Jazz records, Nina Simone, and musical influences
Developing a unique voice and the 'zeitgeist'
Music industry collapse and radicalization
The artist's role in late capitalism and self-censorship
Political theory, Mark Fisher, and mystical songwriting
Living offline, boredom, and real-life organizing
Kids media collaboration and emotional impact of prison songs
Navigating fame, parasocial relationships, and collective work
The Global Sumud Flotilla and assessing risk
Tango Luigi: Reflecting societal sentiment and risk
Advice for youth: Making up your life and society
Outro: Podcast break and new book on friendship
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