The Postcard Factory

June is a lazy warm month so far

2009-06-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

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

2009-05-21T06:30:00.001-07:00

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

2009-05-04T06:25:00.001-07:00

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

2009-04-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

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

2009-04-09T11:05:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-23T17:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

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.

Gigs, many many gigs

2009-02-27T04:46:00.000-08:00

Niceol Blue, the lovely guest of this last Tuesday's show, is playing THRICE over the coming week: today, Friday the 27th, at BK's wine bar, 9pm. Next Wednesday the 4th, the Crane Bar, with Jim Paige of Seattle, 9pm. And, finally, next Friday, the 6th, at BK's wine bar, 9pm.

It's an excellent time!

Reiteration of events

2009-02-11T02:52:00.000-08:00

Coming up fast are Valentine's Day and Friday the 13th, two great occurrences that might yield some amusement. On Friday there is the Muscailt one-act play series at the Bank of Ireland Theatre at UCG, which is to be recommended. Then there is a Zombie Walk taking place on Valentine's Day at 10:30 a.m., also starting from UCG, and is to be reccomended.
On Monday, there is a slam at the Crane Bar!
So there you go. Social lives sorted.

It's a new month. hello my listeners.

2009-02-04T15:37:00.000-08:00

I want to mention that there are many other shows on Flirt FM 101.3 other than mine that are wonderful listening experiences. Obviously, there are. Some of them include:
-Rock Routes, which is at 16:300 on Tuesdays (right after us!)
-The Playground, which is on Wednesdays at 13:30 and includes a brand-new weekly radio drama. Each 5 minute episode of "The Heights" follows the lives of 4 students who live and love and drink and avoid study together in a town very much like yours. The drama and the humor are amazing! Listen. Get hooked. Archives available if you miss it! Email The Postcard Factory to request them.

There are many, many more-- explore them here and I will continue to recommend later.

Another thing: the big poetry reading at Sheridan's Wine Bar this Friday. 8pm, but get there early, because with free cheese and wine available it tends to get crowded in there; oh yes and the poetry promises to be very fine.

Hello, tens of listeners

2009-01-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

The show today more or less said it all. But since we always go the extra mile for you, dear listeners...

Here are the links to some nice poetry review journals that may be interesting:

http://cimarronreview.okstate.edu/

http://www.glimmertrain.com/

http://www.poetryireland.ie/publications/poetry-newsletter.html

Now for some more fun! Sean James recommends this as some nice light reading:

http://www.clovenhand.com/webcomics/unlife-is-unfair

Now. For the next couple weeks, you can have all sorts of fun. You could go to the Sheridan's Wine bar across from St. Nicolas's church on February 6th (which is a Friday) and see the ultimate poetry reading of many of the top Galway poets, thanks to Over the Edge. This starts and 8 pm and includes free cheese.

What other fun could you get up to? Well, many things. But I'll let you figure that out for yourself.

Inauguration Day; Look at all the stuff to do this week!

2009-01-20T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hope you enjoyed the show today! Now, get out your diaries because you should write these things down:

- Over the Edge has a reading at the city library, as they do, this Thursday, at 6:30 pm

- On the same evening (aka this Thursday!), as every week, the Amnesty International Cafe hosts Unchained Melodies at 6:00pm

- Speaking of Amnesty, at the same cafe, on Friday, is the screening of an excellent documentary on Gaza, at 7:00pm

- There's a poetry slam at the King's Head, in the Ruby Room, on Thursday the 29th, more details on the next programme/ blog entry

NOW GO FORTH AND DRINK TO OBAMA

I am going out for tunes.

Ta
-L

Something for your pleasure

2009-01-17T02:22:00.000-08:00

The Postcard Factory recently conducted a great interview with singer and songwriter Sian Brown of Cork, which will air next week on Tuesday at 4pm like always.

While you wait in happy anticipation, you can check out Sian's myspace where there is a blog entry about Flirt 101.3 and The Postcard Factory to read.

I highly recommend this; there are good tunes on that myspace.

Whoo hoo! We're FAMOUS!

We are BACK, yes, that is right

2009-01-13T03:14:00.001-08:00

Back on the air on this fine January 13th is the Postcard Factory, the favorite show of the many tens of listeners who wait eagerly for every weekly installment. Today we are talking about music, with all-around good human being Sean James. We promise to phrase our sentences normally and not in any way like Yoda.

Those sultry airwaves are still to be had at FM 101.3 in Galway, and at flirtfm.org for elsewhere, at 16:00 GMT, every Tuesday.

Keep on the lookout, as well, for actual Postcard Factory postcards so you can send them to all your friends, which will brighten their day and spread the word. Those should be available soon, in locations such as the Galway city library, Charlie Byrne's and the Flirt FM station. If you love us so much you would like to be able to listen again, drop a line to thepostcardfactory@gmail.com to request a CD of archived show(s).

Best to all
-L

Off Air

2008-12-12T02:14:00.000-08:00

Just so everyone knows, the Postcard Factory, and Flirt FM, are off the air for Christmas and will return mid-January.
Cheers.

Welcome to December!

2008-12-03T02:40:00.000-08:00

Thanks to NUIG lecturer Val Nolan for his brilliant poetry yesterday, and for opening our eyes to a new appreciation of rocks.
Remember:

There is a North Beach Poetry slam at the Crane Bar on December 15! It is at 9pm.

There is an open reading by Over the Edge, last of the year, on December 18th! It is at 6:30pm. At the city library.

W A T E R D O N K E Y Theatre performs! This Sunday! Which is December 7th. Come to the Galway Social Space at any time from 2pm-8pm and be privy to the wonder and beauty of the drama experience.

NEXT WEEK on PCF: Trevor Conway!

Thank you.

News from the front

2008-11-25T16:32:00.000-08:00

We here at the Postcard Factory are pleased to have read to you Anton Chekhov's "The Bet" today, in order to, as we put it, "gild your soul" with the trappings of literature.

Now, there are some things you should heed.

- W A T E R D O N K E Y Theatre performs again on December 7! This is to be an "installation piece", or, a performance that lasts for 6 hours, for one day only. It should not be missed (the audience is welcome to come any time and for any amount of time within the duration of the performance). More information on the Waterdonkey website: www.bebo.com/WaterdonkeyTheatre

We talk about science

2008-11-18T13:17:00.000-08:00

There was some mention of layman's physics on today's recording of The Postcard Factory. Also some beautiful poems by Miceal Kearney.

Go to the city library the day after tomorrow for the Over the Edge Reading. I shall be present, reading poems.

It Has Come To My Attention:

2008-11-14T04:35:00.000-08:00

That some of you out there may wish to get in touch with me about things you hear on the air. Or, perhaps you want to send in some anonymous love poetry to be read out-loud on the air by yours truly. Perhaps, you have long dreamed of being a Postcard Factory guest, and have only wanted the means of contacting us to make your dreams reality.

Well, suffer no longer, for The Postcard Factory has an email address. It is

thepostcardfactory@gmail.com

And it is to this address that you may send any and all your correspondence.

You may also text me, Lindsey Morck, at 086 3713185 with comments on the show, requests for songs or readings, or to set up a time when YOU can be The Postcard Factory's star interviewee.
And as always, to make a live request of Flirt FM 101.3, you can text 085 180 1013.

www.flirtfm.org

Ciao, kiddos

History Made in the Same Old World

2008-11-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

All I have to say is that I am very proud of my country. Cripes, did we the world need something like this. I'm not going to be precisely holding my breath for all these great new changes, but I sense that if ever people were ready for some hard work, it is now. Good on yer.

In the meantime, there is a poetry slam on at the Crane Bar this Monday the 10th at 9:00pm. I do encourage your attendance, especially if you are cute.

God love the musicians who played a fun gig over at the Amnesty International Cafe yesterday-- the Songs From a Cage concert. Anyone who missed it, never fear, for you can still take plenty of action for the sake of closing Guantanamo. Likewise there is still music every week at the Amnesty Cafe, on Thursdays. This is Unchained Melodies. It is a time for warmth, coffee, and tunes. Go.

Keep listening to The Postcard Factory! To come these next weeks will be writers, songwriters, and other such bohemians with an ax to grind. Well, and some good upstanding people too. Always full of diversity, yep, that's us.

Beautiful things happen here in the universe

2008-10-22T12:27:00.000-07:00

The most recent chapter of The Postcard Factory (of Tuesday last, the 21st) involved some poems and music from local Galway man Pete. No surname here-- but he does tend to hang around the Buttermilk Lane and play really nice music for the passers-by, so if you were pleased with what you heard, you might keep your eyes peeled. Thanks for the choons, Pete.

And a special congrats to all the NUIG graduates this week.

To recap the PCF's central promotion of the past few weeks: Waterdonkey Theatre, in its first staged production, came through with a wildly successful artistic event: Heart. The experience Waterdonkey created in that play, and the number of people it reached, is remarkable and it would do to keep tabs on this group and their future work. What they bring you next will surely blow your mind a thousand miles away...

Next week is the first annual Galway Theatre Festival. It's been kept pretty secret, but there is an absolute wealth of entertainment, joy, enlightenment and theatre workshops to be had for you, the humble Galway resident. Get into it.

Otherwise stay tuned to Flirt FM 101.3. Oh yes, and if you are from the US, remember to vote. If you have American friends, make them vote. VOTE B**ches VOTE

P.S. VOTE YOU US CITIZENS YOU

P.P.S. Of course it is recommended that you vote in your own elections anytime if you are a citizen of some other sovereign entity-- we don't want to be biased toward the US citizens here on the PCF...

P.P.P.S. US citizens? Just vote. The end.

Marie Cadden for Tuesday

2008-10-13T15:01:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow's Postcard Factory will showcase the poetry of Galway local writer Marie Cadden. There is no telling what topics we will meditate upon nor what insights will unfold during this broadcast.

Sure maybe that sounds a lot like what I said last week, and the week before that. But if you loyal readers have not yet learned to avoid taking me seriously, you should. And if you think I'm kidding about those remarkable insights I speak of, well, surely you have never listened to The Postcard Factory.

EVENTS!: Poets read for your edification at Sheridan's Wine Bar by the St. Nicholas church this Friday, a free event and there's drink, 8pm; Waterdonkey Theatre premiers Heart on Wednesday (though opening night is sold out so grab your tickets for Thursday, Friday or Saturday ASAP), that's 8:30 in the Town Hall Studio; oh, and North Beach poets are slamming even as we speak at the Crane Bar. Aren't you sad you missed it? There, there. Next time then. You should really write these things down, you know.

Villians! I shrieked

2008-10-09T01:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who tuned in this last Tuesday to the brilliant discussion of Edgar Allan Poe and

W A T E R D O N K E Y Theatre

which, as those enlightened among you will know, is quite possibly the greatest theatre group ever founded.

(HINT: WATERDONKEY IS PERFORMING NEXT WEEK! OCTOBER 15th to the 18th! YOU MUST COME SEE US!)

Next week's show promises to feature all the raw beauty and human empathy that poetry can offer, and all read out in the sultry, dusky voices of our esteemed guests and yours truly. Listen in.

Stay tuned as well for further events: things to come include POETRY SLAM by NORTH BEACH POETRY and that is MONDAY THE 13th. It's at the Crane Bar on Sea Road and is at 7pm.

ALL CAPITALS IS JUST EXCITING ISN'T IT?

The Show Today!!-- Anthony Daly Reads a Short Story

2008-09-30T04:22:00.000-07:00

As above, Anthony Daly is the illustrious guest to be reading today, and is not to be missed. Who knows what wonders he will have in store?

In keeping with the eclecticity (which is a word I have just invented, out of general brilliance) of this programme, we will also be playing some music and possibly some other lovely poems. All will be full of insight.

Listen to the show at 4:00 pm on 101.3 or http://www.flirtfm.org. Come to the poetry slam tonight at 7:00pm in the King's Head. Do.

Thursday is Auspicious; or, the Oyster Fringe

2008-09-27T16:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday is auspicious, for Thursday, the 2nd of October, is the first National Poetry Day here in Ireland. What a magical land we are.
The good event to come in honor of the great meaning we are shrouding the Thursday in, is a reading extraodinaire at the Galway City Museum. Look for the posters, and check back for more!
Other things to look forward to include a Poetry Slam in the King's Head (Ruby Room, upstairs) on Tuesday which is the 30th of September. I am totally going to this, it is always so much better than cinema and it is free. Everybody go.

And lo, Galway people: Before these events, or afterwards, you could eat an oyster in a pub. I highly recommend this, oysters-beer-and-poems, as a activity/field trip/date/adventure of choice for this week. Poetry is good for enlightenment and mind-blowing, and as they do say, "nothing in life prepares you for your first raw oyster". In my opinion the second or third raw oyster is no less a culinary cliff dive and I cannot think of a food better suited to round off a few hours of poetry. It could be an Oyster Fringe Festival! After all, I sure can't afford the party in the tent that is the "Oyster Festival" and by heck we should reclaim it for the poor bohemian poetry-conscious individuals. Thank you.

There will be more talk, on more very important stuff, in the next 36 hours. Until then, be well.

-Lindsey

Our Most Excellent Radio Show

2008-09-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Hello to all and word up,

This is the official blog and website of Flirt FM 101.3's radio talk show The Postcard Factory. The show airs every Tuesday, at 16:00-16:30, and features lots of poetry, literature and creative writing. News on upcoming shows, interviews and events to be found here every week. Listen! Read! Reply! And don't worry, we're professionally unprofessional.

Best of wishes,

-L. Morck, DJ of the most excellent programme