June is a lazy warm month so far

Our radio show continues. This week Over the Edge is hosting a great many events: tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. Thanks to Collin Devaney and Bobo for our most recent shows.

We'll try to have reading or poems for next week. Go back to our roots...

And, finally, it has occurred to me that The Postcard Factory is now a year old! Happy birthday. Know who else has a birthday at the moment? Charlie Byrne's bookstore! Until next weekend (I think) you can get 3 books for the purchase of 2. Go forth! Buy! Consume! You can feel good that your money is fueling the economy of the humble used-book market.


...Oh greatest of the mass media, thank you for elevating emotion, reducing thought and stifling imagination. Thank you for the artificiality of quick solutions and for the insidious manipulation of human desires for commercial purposes. I offer this bowl of lukewarm tapioca, representing my brain, in sacrifice. Bestow thy flickering light forever...

What's in the pipeline

First, some apologies. Last Tuesday I was ill with a debilitating and non-specific disease that caused me to neglect you, my patient listeners. I promise I am mending and will deliver new fun air-wave delights for you this coming Tuesday.

Some of which may include:
-Highlights from the grand opening of the newly renovated Amnesty Intern'l Cafe
-Poetry from Rita Ann Higgins
-Bobo, band of Galway fame and legend
-Really famous people if I can swing it
-Perhaps something nautical in honour of these ocean races that are descending on the city and bringing much tourism and merriment along with a newly landscaped Eyre Square

*tips of the hat*
-L

21 Outs and the Theatre

This week (tomorrow) we go on the air with 21 Outs, a band you should pay attention to. Listen in to hear the story of the band's name, more tales from the darker side of busking, and how Philip Cassidy grew up in a record store. The band has an excellent website viewable here, with gigs and info and tunes and sexy photos in which Phil may or may not be licking an electric guitar.

OTHER NEWS

-More fun at the cheese/wine bar with Over the Edge, some poets and some MA in Writing poets, THIS FRIDAY, THAT'S THE 8th, at 8pm.

-Poetry Slam next Monday (THE 11th) at the Crane where they always are, 9pm, 3 euro in if you're skint or a student, but FREE if you bring poems to read in the competition. Win the wine! For it tastes of victory and cheap wine! I'll keep on saying it: this is a fun night out.

- WATERDONKEY is performing once more. Their best show yet-- Pigeon Racing: Advanced Techniques. 13th-16th May 8:30 pm Town Hall Studio!! It's almost upon us! See the link in the postcard of the week above or visit the website. Get your tickets just as soon as you can lest it sell out, as has been known to happen with Waterdonkey's shows. Look also for FEATURE ARTICLES in the Galway Advertiser and the Independent this week.

Best of luck to everyone and, until soon, confusion to your enemies.
-L

We're back, just so you know

Last Tuesday's show was a nice section of a radio play in the spirit of Cuirt, the international literary festival that is happening in Galway right now. I encourage the attendance of events.
Coming up soon are two programs devoted to yet more brilliant unlicensed bands of local renown, a preview of the upcoming Waterdonkey performance "Pigeon Racing: Advanced Techniques", and, of course, more poets.

Keep on keepin' on

Status Update

The Postcard Factory is off the air until the Tuesday following next, due to Easter and study breaks and the campus station ceasing to broadcast during these times.
However, "we" are hard at work for your sake making some nice programs with rock stars and the like.
In the meantime, here are somethings to read:

Different Kinds of People

Animal Rights

How To Attain Enlightenment if You Think Zen Might Be the Hobby For You

The Cuirt Programme of Fantastic Events for your Literary Edification
-Which by the way is worthy of your attention if you are a Galway resident.

From the Poetry Slam

Tonight being the North Beach poetry slam at the Crane, and myself being one of the readers, it was a fun if nerve-inducing night. You will be happy to know that there are several excellent poets, in attendance at the slam this evening, who willing to come read for you on PCF shows of the near future, however. And also, as a special treat I will post that love poem I read, because I was told I should. It is almost a winning poem: I tied for first place and took home the bottle of wine.
So there's your proof, Galway: ANYONE can win these things. There is a poet in YOU waiting to get out and alarm your friends and family with pensive sighs and dark, contemplative observations upon mundane events. Once you have something written contact me at thepostcardfactory@gmail.com

And tune in tomorrow for another brilliant interview with Sian Brown of Cork and exceptional fame, this time to include reggae. As always, at 16:00 GMT, FM 101.3.


In the meantime:

A Sincere Love Song for Mandolin

There is something surprisingly expected about you.

As when one practices chords then gets them right.

Like throwing broken glass into trembling waves;

in fact, I feel like filigreeing streets

with sidewalk chalk; the chalk shall be yellow.

And I could tell you, I’ve found the smallest beautiful thing in the world.

String notes. The tip of your fingers and you

Light up on a street corner. I’ll just keep smelling your hair.

And I think I’ll learn to play the mandolin.

But carefully.

Pressing a gentle tremolo out of the strings,

Rich shaft—little frets, warm hardwood. And almond oil.

Then I could try to make something from those notes sink.

I swear you taste better than a blonde espresso and

my hands will make those rough golden shapes someday;

I swear if I could I’d get any nonsense out of a mandolin;

I’d write you songs.

Weeks go by

Here is more update from your favorite source of everything you always wanted to know about but didn't know you wanted to know about: The Postcard Factory.

This week we had Kaitlyn Linsner on to read some poetry, it was class. Remember archives of the show(s) are available by emailing thepostcardfactory@gmail.com. Then there's the show that came the week before that, with Elaine Feeney, who has a myspace page and who has put her interview up for your listening pleasure on that very same myspace page.

We mentioned also Kaitlyn Linsner's blog. You should read it.

(Note that these sites are also included in the ever-enlightening list of links in the section of this page titled "These Folks Are Really Terrific", which is below.)

This Friday at 8pm, I recommend coming to Sheridan's Wine bar above the cheesemonger's, by the church, for a book launch by Salmon publishers. There is likely to be cheese, as before. Certainly this ought to be enticement enough. Keep an eye on Monday the 23rd, as well, for it is the next Poetry Slam at the Crane bar, upstairs, starting at 9, and that's the night of the great love-poem throwdown-- or at least, the one night of your lives you are likely to hear yours truly read a sincere and honest love poem in public.

Note too that Friday is the deadline for the RTE PJ O' Connor Awards for radio drama.

Which all ought to keep you busy enough for now.