Spoken Word - Dandelion Snow by Ilona Martonfi

This week in Verbal Vol. 1 we're featuring a spoken word poem by repeat Blasted Tree contributor Ilona Martonfi, an author, performer, and literary event organizer. Ilona has written three books of poetry, and she is the founder and producer of The Yellow Door reading series in Montreal. Her poem "Dandelion Snow," addressed to the unseen Daughter, asks how mental illness and poverty contribute to the erasure of intimacy. Ilona's poem can be heard (and read) on The Blasted Tree, and you can download all of Verbal Vol. 1 as it becomes available, one track per week throughout spring, on Bandcamp.

LISTEN TO DANDELION SNOW

If this is your first listen to Verbal Vol. 1, be sure to read the Forward by Blasted Tree editor Kyle Flemmer for a quick introduction to spoken word and the challenge of "publishing" literary audio.

Spoken Word - Filter by Adrien Smart

The second entry in Verbal Vol. 1, a digital anthology of spoken word poetry, is "Filter" by Blasted Tree contributor Adrien Smart.  Adrien a writer of poetry, short fiction, and screenplays living in North Vancouver. "Filter" takes on the cultivation of personas, social hierarchy, and addiction : "I'm the ecstatic truth / The glazing of the facts." Adrien Smart's poem can be heard (and read) on The Blasted Tree, and you can download all of Verbal Vol. 1 as it becomes available, one track per week throughout spring, on Bandcamp.

LISTEN TO FILTER

If this is your first listen to Verbal Vol. 1, be sure to read the Forward by Blasted Tree editor Kyle Flemmer for a quick introduction to spoken word and the challenge of "publishing" literary audio.

Spoken Word - ProjectAwake - 3.02 AM by Audrey Lane Cockett

Welcome to the first installment of Verbal Vol. 1, The Blasted Tree's digital spoken word anthology! This week we're featuring the lyrical stylings of Audrey Lane Cockett, a Calgary-based spoken word poet, soundscape artist, arts organizer, and park naturalist. "ProjectAwake - 3.02 AM" is set to soothing music by SHIGETO, and emphasizes breathing and an interconnectivity with the world. Audrey Lane's poem can be heard (and read) on The Blasted Tree, and you can download all of Verbal Vol. 1 as it becomes available, one track per week for the next eight weeks, on Bandcamp.

LISTEN TO PROJECTAWAKE - 3.02 AM

Be sure to read the Forward to Verbal Vol. 1 by Blasted Tree editor Kyle Flemmer for a quick introduction to spoken word and the challenge of "publishing" literary audio.

Spoken Word Anthology - Verbal Vol. 1

Tomorrow begins our eight-week series on Canadian spoken word poetry, Verbal Vol. 1, showcasing audio recordings of poetry performances delivered all across the country. Each track is unique, from the topic chosen to the method of recording - some are even set to music! The series forward, penned by Blasted Tree editor Kyle Flemmer, provides a quick introduction into spoken word and the challenge of "publishing" literary audio. Verbal Vol. 1 opens on Sunday, March 25, 2018 with a track by Calgary-based artist Audrey Lane Cockett, and will proceed one track per week throughout spring. Be sure to check back every Sunday for a new adventure into spoken word!

LISTEN TO VERBAL VOL. 1