This episode is honestly ridiculous. What started as a supposed conversation about art takes a whirlwind spin and turns into anything from 90's/00's pop culture to topics you wouldn't talk about with your hyper-Christian aunt. In this episode, Jamie & Roger talk with artist Zach Brown in what is arguably the funniest episode we've ever recorded. Seriously. Jamie actually LISTENED to this episode, and she hadn't yet listened to a single episode. We added "pre-show" banter at the end, starting basically from when Roger turned on the microphones up until when we did our introductions and started the actual episode. It was so funny to listen to during editing that it had to be added in. Take the bonus material in stride; There are chewing noises (S/O Sierra Sellers for the peanut butter cookies left in studio), loads of coughs from our nicotine addiction, and more than a bit of ranting. This episode is definitely longer than any of the others we've had. It's unlike most of the conversations we've ever had. Definitely follow us on Facebook, Instagram if you aren't already! @whatdoyoudoagainComments? Just tryna reach out? Send an email to whatdoyoudoagain@gmail.comPhoto by Emma VescioGraphic by Jamie EarnestPodcast Theme by Roger Romero

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Episode 26 - Scat Play (feat. Zach Brown)

We're taking a bit of a hiatus for a few weeks, because Jamie and I are moving and wanna spend time doing that. In this episode, Jamie & Roger go through the struggle of living in the same space as where you work. Jamie feels like the anxiety of sleeping in a room that's next to her studio messes with her mental health. Roger feels that having people walk in and out of his house constantly because of the recording studio messed with his ability to work on his own. Now that they're separating the studio/living space, they feel a certain amount of relief. How do you feel about living where you work?

Episode 25 - Workspace/Home Life Boundaries

In this episode, Jamie, Roger and guest artist Jen Hitchings chat about her journey into a once-burgeoning-now-established gallery art scene in Bushwick, Brookyln. Jen is first and foremost an artist, but also works collaborative curatorial gallery called Transmitter. As a gallerist, she tells us stories of some of the wacky things that happen in the spaces she curates. She is currently acting as juror for the new member show at Associated Artists of Pittsburgh (run by executive director Madeline Gent, who has been on the podcast). This is Jamie & Roger’s first experience as podcast hosts in front of a live audience! It was thrilling and we’re grateful to everyone who came out to support! What started as a side-side-side project slowly morphed into a side-side project.

Episode 24 - LIVE PODCAST with Brooklyn-based Artist/Curator Jen Hitchings

In this episode, Jamie & Roger talk about their struggle to effectively navigate when people approach them about their art/work. Roger chats about being approached by other artists about his own music/upcoming release and being overwhelmed by the state of keeping appearances. Jamie talks about her difficulty speaking with artists whose work you don’t necessarily like. In all of these cases, the trouble is staying respectful, being receptive to the praise, and giving energy back to the people who made the effort to approach them in the first place. It’s kind of tough; sometimes it feels like a waste of time to entertain certain questions. In the end, the struggle should be well worth it if it means uplifting the careers of emerging artists.

Episode 23 - How We Handle Being Approached as Artists by Other Artists

In this episode, Roger, Jamie and guest Martayla (a.k.a. martymoment on Instagram) talk about some of the challenges that come with working in an industry driven by social media. As a makeup artist, Marty is constantly hit up on her Instagram DM's about collaborating with other artists. Her struggles, which include keeping up the appearance of being busy while maintaining a semblance of mental stability, are all too common in artists day-to-day usage of social media platforms. We draw on how, although Marty may be passionate about what she does, when the fervor dies, she still has to find new ways to gain fulfillment. In these instances, she uses social media to her advantage. 

Episode 22 - Artist Collaboration on Social Media for Serial Entrepreneurs (feat. martymoment)

In this episode, Roger & Jamie speak to their experiences with stereotypes in sex and romance that artists are bombarded with. Roger, as a saxophone player, is often perceived into this "sexy sax man" role. The perception is that when you see a saxophone, the person playing it should perform in a sexy manner and/or play a specific song (9/10 Careless Whisper). Jamie, as a painter, is asked to paint her dates' nude portraits. They argue that, in neither instance is there an intrinsic value proposition. Why the hell should they, really? Exposure dollars?

Episode 21 - Fetishization of Artists

In this episode, Jamie, Roger & special guest DJ FEMI talk through the creative struggles of a working DJ in Pittsburgh. FEMI is a Pittsburgh native with a full lifetime of music (she started playing piano at 4 and came out of Pittsburgh CAPA) even before she became a DJ. In 2017, she decided to take her career as a DJ seriously, after which she committed to doing this work full-time. She'll tell you herself: there's a lot of untold struggles when it comes to being an artist. Not knowing where every next paycheck is coming from, some days she might find it hard to both pay rent and feed herself. With a talented team and her #FEMIGANG, she finds a lot of local support despite institutionalized barriers to her success, such as race, gender and clothing style. With SXSW, some dope events within Pittsburgh, and a serious talent for DJing, FEMI is on her way up and keeping you lit along the way.  

Episode 20 - DJs are Artists tryna get you LIT (feat. DJ FEMI)

In this episode, Jamie, Roger & guest David Bernabo discuss his story as a modern, local, independent filmmaker. He transitioned his career to filmmaking after working for 8 years at Highmark. A multi-dimmensional artist, David also performs as a dancer, had 40 record albums out last year alone, and recently put on a visual arts show at The Union Hall in Pittsburgh. One of his latest projects, Moundsville, created with former Wall Street Journal Reporter turned Pittsburgh filmmaker John W. Miller, was recently reviewed and written about in The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/notes/2019/03/an-appalachian-saga-that-is-different-from-most-youve-already-heard/584416/). Outside of speaking about his work, we delve into how a modern indie filmmaker tours, physically distributes and digitally distributes their work to ultimately make a profit. 

Episode 19 - The Indie Filmmaker's Artist Journey & Career in Pittsburgh (feat. David Bernabo)

In this episode, Jamie & Roger discuss the running list of questions that they get asked on the regular. Common questions that people ask artists include “How did you do that?” or “So, how do you make money?” Our listeners gave us some additional questions that they get all of the time via Instagram (@whatdoyoudoagain), so we got even MORE of these questions to talk about. Most questions are inoffensive and simple, but their answers are much more complex. When we entertain the questions, however, it feels as though the asker isn’t satisfied with the answer. It’s a common tale as old as time (well, as old as art stuff) and a struggle that we’re to deal with for the rest of our lives.

Episode 18 - Questions that Artists get ALL OF THE TIME

Jamie, Roger and guest J. Thomas Agnew talk through the avenues through which you can both support artists and be a successful entrepreneur. In this episode, Thomas talks to us about his slow-and-steady grind to being where he is as an entrepreneur whose life revolves around artists. He wears many hats, as many artists do, but ultimately his goals have always been to create opportunities for artists to develop, grow and garner attention. As the operations director and co-founder of Boom concepts, he facilitates the artistic endeavors of many local Pittsburgh artists with a space and micro-residencies. As the founder and E.I.C. of Jenesis Magazine, he's been able to create a platform for countless artists at all career levels. This goes from giving artists like Mac Miller their first cover spread in a magazine to chopping it up in an interview with Run the Jewels. In addition to his leadership roles, he provides more directed support through creative consulting and participates in the board of directors at GPAC (Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council). It STILL doesn't mean he has a grounded paycheck through any particular source of income, and works plenty of this out of pocket. Through it all, J. Thomas Agnew continues to learn and develop innovative/creative new ways to assist the artists he meets. 

Episode 17 - Making a Career Out of Supporting Other Artists (feat. J. Thomas Agnew)

In this episode, co-hosts Jamie and Roger talk about what they've attempted to do to propel and finance their careers. Part of it is the numerous grant, fellowship and residency applications that you need to make yourself aware of. A non-trivial part of it is handling the rejection that comes with not always getting the stability that you need. We're not lawyers, doctors, or engineers - we're artists! The path to success isn't obvious, but there are means to get there if you're willing to be proactive about your search for opportunities. 

Episode 16 - Artists Need to be Proactive in Finding Work

Jamie, Roger and guest Mia talk about the importance of copyrighting your work, with real world examples from Mia's current legal battle. Artists should mainly be focused on their work, right? Well, as a small business, you want to expect the best and be ready for the worst. Without proper preparation, others could easily take advantage of your work and you could end up with little-to-nothing as compensation. In this episode, we go through our experiences with copyright and speak to the educational resources that aren't (but should soon be) available to the hard-working emerging artist.

Episode 15 - Artists! Musicians! Creatives! Copyright your work!! (feat. Mia Tarducci)

Listen to Jamie, Roger and our featured guest Brian Siewiorek dork tangent about mini discs and cassettes while they scratch the surface of what hardcore public radio/music fans do for a living. Public radio is vital to the education and distribution of music. As Production Director at 91.3FM WYEP, Brian uses his acquired skills in broadcast radio to investigate, research and distill stories in music. The local radio station is committed to music locally and nationally, featuring artists that are of expressed interest to their audience and the staff. With music always on his mind, Brian has been able to cultivate side hustles through his love of music. 

Episode 14 - Creating Your Artist Skill Set Through Love of Public Radio (feat. Brian Siewiorek)

In this episode, Jamie & Roger speak with special guest Madeline Gent about the work surrounding the professional artist realm. Madeline is the executive director of Associated Artists of Pittsburgh, a non-profit arts organization specializing in exhibitions for its members. In working with hundreds of artists regularly, she navigates the art world in knowing the consumer, the artist and the details to get one to the other. From pricing your work to understanding the gallery system, this episode takes the listener through the universal struggles that accompany maneuvering a career in the arts.

Episode 13 - Maneuvering Professional Artists Organizations and constructs (feat. Madeline Gent)

In this episode, Jamie, Roger and guest Riley Mate talk about using branding as a tool in an artist's career. Branding is more than just creating a logo; it involves developing the entire visual aesthetic. Riley, as the creative director at Clockwise and the founder of his own brand pseudodudo, works with his clients to build a personal stamp in someone else's image. As artists, we have an obligation to present ourselves - whether that be performing, showing at a gallery, or even posting on social media. It is important that we understand what we show unto the world and are deliberate about our delivery. 

Episode 12 - Artist Branding (feat. Riley Mate)

Hosts Jamie Earnest and Roger Romero explore the trials and tribulations through which musicians, painters and artists in general navigate their creative careers.

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What Do You Do Again?

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