The Creative Independent Contributing Writer

I am a contributor for The Creative Independent, a growing resource of emotional and practical guidance for creative people. Its goal is to educate, inspire, and grow the community of people who create or dream of creating. The Creative Independent is ad-free and published by Kickstarter, PBC

I am interested in having conversations and interviewing artists, musicians, filmmakers, writers, and creative people about their careers, creative process, practices, interests, and the challenges they face to produce their work. Hopefully, these conversations will be helpful for anybody who is interested in creativity, culture, and the arts. These interviews are also a great resource to meet artists who are advocating for a better world. You can see the full archive of my 30+ interviews here.

Scroll down to see my work and some interview highlights.

Interview with artist and illustrator Pepita Sandwich

**Pepita Sandwich** is an Argentinian illustrator and visual artist currently living in Brooklyn. Her unique drawings showcase a distinct style marked by rich color palettes, a sense of motion, and a voice of her own. Her storytelling skills elevate autobiographical experiences that turn into universal narratives, she connects with her audience through topics that go from mental health to nostalgia, diversity, and intersectional feminism. She has created visual essays for media outlets like The Washington Post and The New Yorker. She has also been commissioned to do illustrated and animated pieces for a variety of brands including Motorola, Facebook, Cartoon Network, Kellogg’s, and Spotify. You can usually find her drawing, crying, or traveling in time.

Published on January 2, 2024.

The Creative Independent started 2024 with an interview with the incredible illustrator and artist Pepita Sandwich. We discussed many topics, including not limiting yourself in your work, changing styles and forms, developing a healthy relationship with social media, and connecting to the world through your work. You can read the full interview here. Below are some interview highlights.

The Creative Independent Pepita Sandwich Interview — Read the full interview here.

Pepita Sandwich The Creative Independent Interview — Read the full interview here.

Interview with film programmer Carlos A. Gutiérrez

Carlos A. Gutiérrez is the co-founding executive director of Cinema Tropical, the media arts non-profit organization, which is the leading presenter of Latin American cinema in the U.S. As a guest curator, he has presented several series at numerous institutions such as The Museum of Modern Art, Film at Lincoln Center, the Guggenheim Museum, BAM Film, and Anthology Film Archives. In 2007, he co-curated the Robert Flaherty Film Seminar. He currently serves as artistic director of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s Latin Wave film festival, and as co-director of Cinema Tucsón. He sits on Film Forum’s Board of Directors and has served as a juror for various film festivals including Tribeca, Mar del Plata, New Orleans, Morelia, Seattle, and SANFIC. He has served as both an expert nominator and panelist for the Sundance Documentary Fund, Tribeca Film Institute’s Latin America Media Arts Fund, and the Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative.

Published on November 8, 2023

I interviewed film/video programmer and arts consultant Carlos A. Gutiérrez during the fall. We talked about transparency, validation, and defining your own success in an industry obsessed with commercialization. You can read the full interview here and below are some highlights.

The Creative independent Interview Carlos Gutierrez by Miriam Garcia — Read the full interview here.

The Creative Independent Interview Carlos Guiterrez by Miriam Garcia — Read the full interview here.

Interview with musician Kristian Matsson (The Tallest Man on Earth)

Published on September 1, 2023

This is my interview with Swedish musician and songwriter Kristian Matsson (The Tallest Man on Earth). We talked about redefining what it means to be successful, not taking anything for granted, escaping the trap of self-pity, and learning from your past self. Below are some highlights from the interview.

Miriam Garcia interview Kristian Matsson

The Creative Independent Interview Kristian Matsson

Interview with musician and singer Lisa O’Neill

*Lisa O’Neill* is an Irish singer-songwriter based in Dublin. Over the past few years, Lisa has quietly but steadily built a reputation for herself on the Irish and international scenes and has long been noted as one of the most evocative singers and writers in contemporary Irish music. She has five BBC Folk Awards nominations, and a Folk Album of the Year accolade from The Guardian for her 2018 album “Heard a Long Gone Song” She sang an adaptation of Bob Dylan’s *‘All the Tired Horses’ for the final scene of the epic TV drama Peaky Blinders. Her new album, “All of this is Chance”, will be released in February.*

Published on May 9, 2023

I had a lovely conversation with the incredible Irish musician and singer Lisa O’Neill about Musician learning from everything you've done, valuing personal history, and the importance of observation. You can read the full interview here. Below are some highlights from the interview.

The Creative Independent Interview Lisa O'Neill — Read the full interview here.

The Creative Independent Lisa O'Neill — Read the full interview here

The Creative Independent Interview Lisa O'Neil — Read the full interview here.

Interview with musician and cultural curator Sokio

The Creative Independent Interview Sokio — Sokio is a composer, producer, music supervisor, and director of the New Latin Wave. He lives and works in the Lower East Side, New York. Currently working on his 5th opera, Paraíso, set to premiere in June 2023 in Brooklyn.

Published on April 20, 2023

This is my conversation with Chilean musician and cultural curator. We had a candid and honest conversation about the value of trial and error, going with your gut, and the practical side of inspiration. Click here to read the full interview. Below are some highlights from the conversation.

he Creative Independent Interview Sokio — Read the full interview here.

Interview with musician Alynda Segarra (Hurray for the Riff Raff)

The Creative Independent Interview Alynda Segarra — Alynda Segarra was born and raised in the Bronx, which they left at the age of 17, hopping freight trains or hitchhiking across the country in the company of a band of street urchins. Segarra moved to New Orleans in 2007 and formed two bands: Dead Man’s Street Orchestra and Hurray for the Riff Raff. In 2015, Segarra decamped to Nashville, then to New York, to make 2016’s *The Navigator*, a concept album that was their quest to reclaim their Puerto Rican identity. Segarra’s previous records as Hurray for the Riff Raff are *Crossing the Rubicon* (EP, 2007), *It Don’t Mean I Don’t Love You* (2008), *Young Blood Blues* (2010), *Hurray for the Riff Raff* (2011), *Look Out Mama* (2012), *My Dearest Darkest Neighbor* (2013), and *Small Town Heroes* (2014). They released their latest album *Life on Earth* earlier this year.

Published, November 15, 2022

I had a fantastic conversation with musician, singer and songwriter Alynda Segarra (Hurray for the Riff Raff) about creating your own path, taking control, reframing failure, and learning the value of time. You can read the full interview here.

The Creative Independent Interiew - Alynda Segarra — Read the full interview here.

The Creative Independent Interiew with Alynda Segarra — Read the full interview here

Interview with musician and singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya

The Creative Independent Interview with Nilüfer Yanya — Growing up in London, Nilüfer Yanya’s exploration of music was immersive from the start. She discovered classical piano at secondary school in Pimlico and a little later at Saturday music school, her relationship with the electric guitar grew (she was taught by Dave Okumu of The Invisible). Her music incorporates London’s urban edge with wandering guitar lines, soulful and jazz-flickered melodies, and minimalist and atmospheric beats. She released her sophomore album *PAINLESS* earlier this year. Read the full interview here.

Published November 1, 2022

Talked with the super talented musician Nilüfer Yanya. She discussed the value of working with family and friends, redefining success, and understanding the things that make you special.. You can read the full interview here. Below are some interview highlights

Interview with songwriter, singer and musician Jorge Drexler

Jorge Drexler interview The Creative Independent — Born in Montevideo, Jorge Drexler was a busy physician before he decided to become a full-time singer at the age of 30. His musical career catapulted after winning an Oscar for the theme song to the film *Motorcycle Diaries*. Drexler has lived in Madrid for more than 20 years since his music career took off. He has collaborated with such artists as Caetano Veloso, Shakira, Natalia Lafourcade and Mercedes Sosa.. Read the full interview here.

Published on July 26, 2022

Had a fantastic conversation with Uruguayan songwriter, musician, and singer Jorge Drexler. He talked about not being afraid to be lost during the creative process, accepting and learning from failure, and respecting the blank page. Read the full interview here.

Jorge Drexler Interview for The Creative Independent — Read the full interview here.

Jorge Drexler Interivew for The Creative Independent — Read the full interview here.

Interview with singer and filmmaker Alli Logout

Alli Logout interview for the Creative Independent — Alli Logout (they/them) is a black, gender non-conforming filmmaker and performance artist whose work explores the south, the abject, and the body. They create cinematic social experiments in collaboration with non-professional actors to author counter-narratives from within their own communities and subcultures. Their work has been seen nationally and internationally, including exhibitions and screenings at the SOMArts Cultural Center in San Francisco, BFI Flare, London, Mix NYC, New York, and the Korea Queer Culture Festival, Seoul. Their film Lucid Noon, Sunset Blush (2015) won “Best Feminist Short” at the Scottish Queer International Film Festival. Logout is also the writer and vocalist of the punk band, Special Interest. They are co-founder and co-director of Studio LaLaLa, a black and trans-operated production studio focused on aiding underprivileged communities in the creation of their own narratives. Read the full interview here.

Published on July 14, 2022

Had a wonderful conversation with performance artist, and musician (Special Interest) Alli Logout about doing things because you want to do them, not compromising your vision, and community as an essential resource. Below are some interview Highlights

Alli Logout interview for The Creative Independnet — To read the full interview click here.

Allo Lougout Interview The Creative Independent — To read the full interview click here

Interview with composer, producer, and musician Otura Mun (ÌFÉ)

The Creative Independent Interview Otura Mun — Producer, percussionist, composer, and DJ Otura Mun was born Mark Underwood in Goshen, Indiana. A drummer fluent in R&B and jazz (and the youngest member of the renowned University of North Texas drumline in his freshman year), Otura Mun took his first life-changing trip to Puerto Rico and stayed there for 20 years ago. That’s where he and his ensemble ÌFÉ created electronic music that channels the musical and spiritual worlds of the African diaspora throughout the Americas and the Caribbean. Ottura Mun has relocated to New Orleans. Read the interview here.

Published March 3, 2022

I talked with the multi-talented composer, producer, and musician Otura Mun (ÌFÉ). We talked about the surprise of landing on an original idea, some reasons for collaboration, establishing a strong work ethic, and being of service in what you make. Read the full interview here. Below are some highlights:

The Creative Independent Interview Otura Mun by Miriam Garcia — Read the full interview here.

Interview with multi-disciplinary artist Juan Miguel Marín

The Creative Independent Interview with Juan Miguel Marin — Juan Miguel Marin is an Ecuadorian multi-disciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, NY. Marin’s work explores the relationship between memory, sound, and emotion. In his pieces, the unconscious plays a crucial role, like a guide that reveals a road that can only be seen once it has been traveled in its entirety. Marin’s work has been performed, installed, and exhibited in New York City, San Francisco, Milan, Amsterdam, Quito, Lima, and San José (CR), and beyond. His design works comes out under the moniker La Moutique. He plays drums for LEGS. Full interview here.

Published on December 16th, 2021

My last interview of 2021 was with the talented multi-disciplinary artist Juan Miguel Marín. We talked about the value of trial and error, not fearing imperfections, the science and meaning behind repetition, being yourself, and embracing generalism. You can read the full interview here. Below are some highlights from the interview.

The Creative Independent Interview Juan Miguel Marin — Full interview here.

The Creative Independent interview Juan Miguel Marin by Miriam Garcia

Interview with musician Xenia Rubinos

The Creative Independent Interview with Xenia Rubinos — Singer and music maker Xenia Rubinos dips in and out of genre and structure to create movingly powerful songs. Her vocals are at the center of her music, which grows from a wide range of influences, from R&B to Hip-Hop to jazz, delivered with a soulful punk aura. Pitchfork has described her as “a unique new pop personality,” while a profile in *The New Yorker* called her work “rhythmically fierce, vocally generous music that slips through the net of any known genre.” She self-released her debut album *Magic Trix* in 2012 and went on to tour the US and Europe extensively. Her latest album *Una Rosa* was named Best New Music by Pitchfork, who noted the record “sounds like life as it arrives.” Full interview here.

Published on December 6th, 2021

Here is my interview with the talented singer and musician Xenia Rubinos. We had a deep and honest conversation on coming back after burnout, managing expectations, balancing collaboration with solitude, continuing to grow as an artist, and remembering to check in with yourself. You can read the full interview here.

Interview with writer and forester Peter Wohlleben

Born in Bonn, Germany in 1964, Peter Wohlleben wanted to become a conservationist as a small child. He studied forestry and was a civil servant in the state forestry administration for over 20 years. Today, he works at the Forest Academy he founded and campaigns worldwide for the return of virgin forests. He is a guest on numerous TV programs, gives lectures and seminars, and has written the bestsellers *The Hidden Life of Trees*, *The Inner Life of Animals*, *The Secret Wisdom Of Nature*, and *The Heartbeat Of Trees*. The magazine *Wohlleben’s World* has been published since 2019. His books for children include *Can You Hear the Trees Talking?*, *Do You Know Where the Animals Live?*, and *Peter and the Tree Children*. In 2019, he was also awarded the Bavarian Nature Conservation Medal for his emotional and unconventional communication of knowledge.

Published on November 18th, 2021

In the fall of 2021, I had a fantastic conversation with writer and forester Peter Wohlleben (The Hidden Life of Trees) on what nature can teach us about creativity, keeping science accessible, why nature can't be ranked, and what we can learn from trees. You can read the full interview here and below you can find some interview highlights.

The Creative Independent Interview with Peter Wohllen — Full interview here

The Creative Independent Interview with Peter Wohlleben — Read the full interview here.

Interview with screenwriter, director, and producer Iyabo Boyd

Iyabo Boyd is a writer, director, and producer who strives to tell stories from under-explored perspectives and to reflect the dynamic humanity of women and people of color. She is also the founder of Brown Girls Doc Mafia, whose mission is to advocate for women and non-binary people of color working in the documentary industry and to bolster their creative and professional success. She previously held positions in artist development, program management, and funding at the Points North Institute, Kickstarter, Doc Society’s Good Pitch, Chicken & Egg Pictures, Tribeca Film Institute, and the Gotham (formerly IFP). In 2021, Boyd was a recipient of DocNYC’s New Leader Award, was named a “Black Visionary’’ by the Sundance Film Institute, and a Documentary Film Influencer by IndieWire. She lives in the Bronx.

Published on November 11th, 2021

I had a great chat with screenwriter, director, and producer Iyabo Boyd. We talked about deciding what your bandwidth and abilities are, realizing that those can both change over time, and creating your own opportunities. Read the full interview here. Below are some highlights from the interviews.

The Creative Independent Interview Iyabo Boyd by Miriam Garcia — Read the full interview here.

The Creative Independent Interview Iyabo Boyd — Read the full interview here.

Interview with Portrait artist and filmmaker Catalina Kulczar

Portrait artist and filmmaker Catalina Kulczar is a natural storyteller who connects easily and authentically with her subjects and what drives them. Her work tends to be project based, or to involve groups of portraits that convey a bigger theme, f… — Portrait artist and filmmaker Catalina Kulczar is a natural storyteller who connects easily and authentically with her subjects and what drives them. Her work tends to be project based, or to involve groups of portraits that convey a bigger theme, frequently exploring topics rooted in women’s roles in contemporary work and society. She is interested in creating informed narratives about individual women who have courageously overcome resistance and obstacles in their paths, no matter what the sector.

Published on July 20th, 2021

Here is my interview with NYC-based portrait artist and filmmaker Catalina Kulczar. We talked about staying connected with past collaborators, time management, her ongoing work with David Byrne, and the value of swimming. Read the full interview here.

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Interview with author, entrepreneur, and activist Francesca Cavallo

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Published on July 16th, 2021

Here is my interview with Italian activist, author and entrepreneur Francesca Cavallo. We discussed different topics including creating the things you want to see in the world and allowing for the time it takes to make them. Read the full interview here.

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Interview with cognitive neuroscientist, writer, and dancer Fernanda Pérez-Gay

Fernanda Pérez-Gay Juárez is a Medical Doctor, a Ph.D. in Neurosciences from McGill University, and a science communicator from Mexico City. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Neurophilosophy Lab at McGill studying Theory of Mind, the capacity to perceive and understand other people’s emotions and mental states. Passionate of dance, music, literature, and other forms of art, Fernanda has engaged in science communication in English, French, and Spanish since 2014. Besides writing, hosting, and directing SINAPSIS, she has given conferences to the general public in various settings and published more than 30 science journalism articles in Canadian and Mexican media. In 2018, she was a finalist for the McGill’s Principal’s Prize for Public Engagement through the media. In her free time, she dances the Samba with the Montreal based school of Brazilian Dances Levanta Poeira.

Published on July 15th, 2021

I had a fantastic conversation with cognitive neuroscientist, writer, and dancer Fernanda Pérez-Gay Juárez. We talked about understanding purpose in a different way, learning all the possible paths, and why artists are like neurologists. Read the full interview here.

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Interview with musician and producer Camilo Lara

Mexico City-based producer Camilo Lara creates irresistible beats for the global dance floor with his project Mexican Institute of Sound. His work has landed him one Grammy and four Latin Grammy nominations, and he has produced artists ranging from … — Mexico City-based producer Camilo Lara creates irresistible beats for the global dance floor with his project Mexican Institute of Sound. His work has landed him one Grammy and four Latin Grammy nominations, and he has produced artists ranging from Los Angeles Azules, Lila Downs, Norah Jones, and Band of Horses. He’s remixed Beck, the Beastie Boys, and Interpol, among others. He’s collaborated with a wide range of artists including Cuco, Ludmilla, Bonde do Rolé, Sly & Robbie, Toots and the Maytails, Gogol Bordello, and Tom Tom Club. He was the musical consultant for Pixar’s *Coco* and his music has been featured in *Narcos,* Breaking Bad, *Y tu Mamá También*, *Californication*, and *Ugly Betty*, to name a few.

Published on December 9th, 2020

I had a wonderful conversation with musician and producer Camilo Lara. We talked about dealing with everyday setbacks, reframing success, what makes for a good collaboration, and approaching your work from a positive place. You can read the full interview here. See some highlights from the interview below:

Interview with musician and writer Rita Indiana

Born and raised in the Dominican Republic and now living in Puerto Rico, Rita Indiana is a driving force in contemporary Caribbean literature and music. She is the author of three collections of stories and five novels. Three of her novels have been… — Born and raised in the Dominican Republic and now living in Puerto Rico, Rita Indiana is a driving force in contemporary Caribbean literature and music. She is the author of three collections of stories and five novels. Three of her novels have been translated into English. *Papi* made World Literature Today’s 2016 list of 75 Notable Translations. *Tentacle*, published by And Other Stories, won the Grand Prize of the Association of Caribbean Writers, the first book written in Spanish to do so. *Mandinga Times* is her first album in 10 years.

Published on December 3rd, 2020

I interviewed Puerto Rican musician and writer Rita Indiana. We talked about multi-tasking, being grounded in your community, and creative work as a healing process. Click here to read the full interview.

Interview with singer and songwriter León Larregui from the band Zoé

León Larregui is best known as the frontman and guitarist for Latin Grammy Award-winning Mexican neo psych-rock veterans Zoé. He is also a charting solo artist and noted collaborator who has worked with many top-flight Latin artists includ… — León Larregui is best known as the frontman and guitarist for Latin Grammy Award-winning Mexican neo psych-rock veterans Zoé. He is also a charting solo artist and noted collaborator who has worked with many top-flight Latin artists including Natalia LaFourcade, Carla Morrison, and Mon Laferte. His diverse writing style melds sophisticated pop melodies with Latin and rock rhythms and juxtaposes organic instruments with electronic ones.

Published on October 1st, 2020

I interviewed León Larreguim singer, songwriter and frontband of the Mexican band Zoé. We talked about developing his artistic voice, how definitions of success change as you get older, and what he learned from Blur's Damon Albarn telling him he didn't like his band. You can read the full interview here and find some highlights from the interview below.

Leon Larregui- Interview-The-Creative-Independent

Interview with filmmaker, producer and creator of the film criticism site The Cherry Picks, Miranda Bailey

Prolific producer, director, actor and distributor, Miranda Bailey is known for creating high-quality independent films through her companies Cold Iron Pictures and The Film Arcade. In a 15 year making career, Bailey has distinguished hers… — Prolific producer, director, actor and distributor, Miranda Bailey is known for creating high-quality independent films through her companies Cold Iron Pictures and The Film Arcade. In a 15 year making career, Bailey has distinguished herself by producing over 20 films; among them, the Oscar-nominated The Squid and the Whale, the Spirit-Award winning Diary of a Teenage Girl, James Gunn’s Super, the Sundance hit Swiss Army Man, as well as the critically acclaimed, Don’t Think Twice and Norman. As a director, her first narrative feature *Being Frank, *starring Jim Gaffigan and Logan Miller premiered at SXSW in 2018 and was released in June 2019.

Published on August 18th, 2020

I interviewed Miranda Bailey, who is an amazing filmmaker, producer and creator of the film criticism site the CherryPicks. We talked about deciding to do more than one thing, learning to trust her voice, embracing fear, making real change, and why she's always happy to help other women in the industry. Read the full interview here.

Some interview highlights:

Interview with musician Raquel Berrios from the band Buscabulla

Raquel Berríos is one half of the Puerto Rican experimental pop project duo Buscabulla. The band created a hybrid they call “the Caribbean music of the future,” which includes dashes of psych, soul, and electronic music. Buscabulla released the… — Raquel Berríos is one half of the Puerto Rican experimental pop project duo Buscabulla. The band created a hybrid they call “the Caribbean music of the future,” which includes dashes of psych, soul, and electronic music. Buscabulla released their first self-titled EP, which was produced by Dev Hynes, in October of 2014. Their long-awaited debut full-length Regresa was released in May 2020. Additionally, Berríos co-founded the Puerto Rican Independent Musician and Artists Fund (PRIMA), a non-profit organization dedicated to raising micro-grants for independent Puerto Rican musicians that were affected by Hurricane Maria.

Published on July 9th, 2020

Earlier this year, I had a wonderful conversation with Puerto Rican musician, singer and textile designer Raquel Berrios. We talked about deriving support and inspiration from your community, the importance of an outside perspective, and finding ways to keep going. You can read the full interview here. Below are some highlights from the interivew.

Interview with filmmaker, writer and artist Jill Magid

American artist Jill Magid’s work is deeply ingrained in her lived experience, exploring and blurring the boundaries between art and life. Through her performance-based practice, Magid has initiated intimate relations with a number of organizations … — American artist Jill Magid’s work is deeply ingrained in her lived experience, exploring and blurring the boundaries between art and life. Through her performance-based practice, Magid has initiated intimate relations with a number of organizations and structures of authority. She explores the emotional, philosophical, and legal tensions between the individual and “protective” institutions, such as intelligence agencies or the police. To work alongside or within large organizations, Magid makes use of institutional quirks, systemic loopholes that allow her to make contact with people “on the inside” and her work tends to be characterized by the dynamics of seduction, the resulting narratives often taking the form of a love story. It is typical of Magid’s practice that she follows the rules of engagement with an institution to the letter – sometimes to the point of absurdity. An adjunct teacher at Cooper Union, Magid is the author of four novellas. Her first feature film, The Proposal, premiered at Tribeca Film Festival 2018 and received an Honorable Mention for Best Emerging Filmmaker at Hot Docs in Toronto. Her work is included in the collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, Fundacion Jumex, and the Walker Art Center, among others.

Published on April 8th, 2020

I had the opportunity to chat with American artist Jill Magid. We talked about the ways in which her work both involves and investigates complicated power structures, the complexity of trying to control your own artistic legacy, and understanding what permission actually means. You can read the full interview here. Below are some highlights from the interview and if you have a chance, go and watch her wonderful documentary The Proposal.

Interview with artist and filmmaker Jill Magid. Read full interview here.

Interview with filmmaker, academic and writer Brett Story

Brett Story is an award-winning nonfiction filmmaker based in Toronto whose films have screened at festivals internationally, including the Viennale, True/False, Oberhausen, It’s All True, and Dok Leipzig. Her 2016 feature documentary, The Prison in… — Brett Story is an award-winning nonfiction filmmaker based in Toronto whose films have screened at festivals internationally, including the Viennale, True/False, Oberhausen, It’s All True, and Dok Leipzig. Her 2016 feature documentary, The Prison in Twelve Landscapes was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and was a nominee for Best Feature Documentary at the Canadian Screen Awards. The film was broadcast on PBS’s Independent Lens in 2017. Brett holds a Ph.D. in geography from the University of Toronto and is currently an assistant professor in the School of Image Arts at Ryerson University. She is the author of the book, Prison Land: Mapping Carceral Power across Neoliberal America, and her writing and criticism have been published widely. Brett was a 2016 Sundance Institute Art of Nonfiction Fellow and a 2018 Guggenheim Fellow in film and video.

Published on January 21st, 2020

I had the great pleasure of talking to filmmaker, activist, artists and writer Brett Story, who directed the films The Hottest August and The Prison in Twelve Landscapes. We talked about rethinking the ways in which films get made, the value of imagining a better future for everyone, and never losing sight of why art speaks to you in the first place. You can read the full interview here. Below are some highlights from our conversation:

Interview with filmmaker Brett Story. Read the full article here.

Interview with archival storyteller Jocelyn Arem

Published on November 13, 2019

I interviewed Brooklyn-based archival storyteller, producer and artist Jocelyn Arem. We talked about the joys and challenges of doing interdisciplinary work, the value of exploring creative archives, and the importance of forging connections with people from all walks of life. You can read the full interview here. Some highlights from our conversation:

Interview with archival storyteller Jocelyn Arem. Read the full article here.

Interview with electronic musician Nicola Cruz

The electronic musician Nicola Cruz ’s self-described “Andes step” sound invokes the landscapes and rituals of his homeland in Ecuador. His creative process involves an attentive, careful search for the living roots and rituals that are part of Sout… — The electronic musician Nicola Cruz ’s self-described “Andes step” sound invokes the landscapes and rituals of his homeland in Ecuador. His creative process involves an attentive, careful search for the living roots and rituals that are part of South American identity—its Andean and African origins in particular—valuing its rhythms, its oral traditions, its instruments, and the energy they transmit. His first record, Prender el Alma (2015), explored the development of consciousness and spirituality, and how they connect with music. In Siku, his most recent production, Cruz continues this exploration, expanding his vision towards new stories and other cultures as sources of inspiration. A crucial aspect of this journey is his collaboration with other artists from around the world.

Published on September 16th, 2019

I had the opportunity to interview Ecuadorian musician Nicola Cruz. We talked about giving yourself time to properly develop a concept, the telekenesis involved with deep collaborations, and knowing when it’s time to move on to something new. You can read it here.

Interview with electronic musician Nicola Cruz. Read the full conversation here.

Interview with singer and composer iLe

Ileana Mercedes Cabra Joglar, better known by “iLe,” is a Puerto Rican singer, composer, and vocalist. She began in music when she was a teenager as the sole female singer of Calle 13, a group she was a part of for 10 years, along with her brothers … — Ileana Mercedes Cabra Joglar, better known by “iLe,” is a Puerto Rican singer, composer, and vocalist. She began in music when she was a teenager as the sole female singer of Calle 13, a group she was a part of for 10 years, along with her brothers René Pérez Joglar (Residente) and Eduardo Cabra Martínez (Visitante). Her first solo production, entitled *iLevitable*, won a Grammy in 2016. Throughout her young career, iLe has toured in Puerto Rico, the United States, and Europe. Her second solo album, *Almadura*, was released in May.

Published on June 19th, 2019

I interviewed Grammy Award winner iLe where she discussed the ways in which her home and culture inform the music she makes, why it’s important to travel, coming from a lineage of strong women, and why writing is a valuable way to understand yourself. You can read the full interview here. La entrevista también se encuentra en español aquí.

Some interview highlights:

Interview with Puerto Rican musician and composer iLe. Read the full interview here.

Interview with festival director Moni Saldaña

Moni Saldaña is the festival director of NRMAL, an international community-based festival in Mexico City, with diversity and equality as core values. NRMAL creates an all-ages/family-friendly live-music experience that merges art, design, and gastro… — Moni Saldaña is the festival director of NRMAL, an international community-based festival in Mexico City, with diversity and equality as core values. NRMAL creates an all-ages/family-friendly live-music experience that merges art, design, and gastronomy in an intimate celebration that spirits uniqueness, friendship, and true love for music. NRMAL started in Monterrey, Mexico in 2010, and this year, the festival celebrated its 10-year anniversary. NRMAL has the highest gender equality lineup in Latin America, as 70% of the projects this year were led by women or integrated in gender-diverse projects.

Published: June 5th, 2019

I talked with festival director and curator Moni Saldaña about the ideology behind the NRMAL Festival, and the difficulties in creating something creative, equitable, and truly diverse. Read the full interview here. Puedes leer la entrevista en español aquí.

“What matters is what you do and how you do it. Your actions speak for themselves. I want to be coherent with my life. I always say practice what you preach. It’s so easy just to post online, “Oh, I care about women, I care about diversity,” but what are you doing about it?

If you have an idea, or if you have a project, you need to work really hard. Do not get discouraged by outside factors because, in the end, your work is going to speak for itself. Where you put in your work, people are gonna connect. People are going to believe in it and they’re going to help you. People are going to try to kick you down, or they will try and discourage you. I’ve cried in meetings with sponsors, I’ve cried with my boss, I’ve cried with my team, but don’t give up. Believe in what you do, and trust that your work is going to speak for itself.”

— - Moni Saldaña

Interview with music supervisor Lynn Fainchtein

Lynn Fainchtein is a music supervisor who has taken her musical experience to a wide range of media, including cinema, television, radio, and investigative journalism. Her most recent film work includes Alfonso Cuaron’s Roma, and she contributed to … — Lynn Fainchtein is a music supervisor who has taken her musical experience to a wide range of media, including cinema, television, radio, and investigative journalism. Her most recent film work includes Alfonso Cuaron’s *Roma*, and she contributed to a number of Alejandro G. Iñarritu’s films, including *Birdman, The Revenant,* and *Amores Perros*. Other music supervision collaborations in film include *Maria Full of Grace, J.C. Chávez, Déficit, Arráncame la Vida, Precious, On the Road* and *The Butler.* On TV, she has worked in *Capadocia, Club de Cuervos, Dark, Jinn, Aqui en la Tierra, The Rain, Luis Miguel: La Serie, Sr. Ávila, La Casa de las Flores, Elite* and *The Protector.* As a producer, she has developed social-driven films such as *Hecho en México* and *0.56%*, as well as animation projects like *El Santos vs La Tetona Mendoza* and *Trypto*. In 2015, Lynn was nominated for a GMS Award for Best Music Supervision in *Birdman*, and in 2018, she was nominated for an HMMA Award for Outstanding Music Supervision in *Roma.*

Published on May 31st, 2019

In April, music supervisor invited me to her office in Mexico City for a conversation about her career insights. We talked about how how her work as a DJ and creative director led to a career in film, the push and pull involved in getting just the right piece of music for a project, and why her job involves much more than simply picking out cool songs. Read the full interview here.

Interview with music supervisor Lynn Fainchtein. Read the full article here.

Interview with filmmaker Sandi Tan

Born in Singapore, filmmaker and writer Sandi Tan published a cult zine called The Exploding Cat at age 16, and at age 22 became the film critic at The Straits Times, Singapore’s largest newspaper. She then attended film school at Columbia Universit… — Born in Singapore, filmmaker and writer Sandi Tan published a cult zine called *The Exploding Cat* at age 16, and at age 22 became the film critic at *The Straits Times*, Singapore’s largest newspaper. She then attended film school at Columbia University, and her short films *Moveable Feast* and *Gourmet Baby* have played at over 100 film festivals including the New York Film Festival, Clermont-Ferrand and at venues like MoMA. She is the author of *The Black Isle* (Hachette USA), a novel that re-imagines Singapore’s 20th century as a ghost story. She was a 2016 Sundance Documentary Film Program Fellow and a 2017 Sundance Creative Producing Fellow. Her film *Shirkers* made its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival where she won a Directing award, and the film was acquired by Netflix Originals. She was named one of *Variety*’s “10 Documentary Filmmakers to Watch” of 2018 and one of Indiewire’s “20 Rising Female Directors of 2018.”

Published on April 8th, 2019

I interviewed filmmaker and writer Sandi Tan. We talked about her wild career path, the decades-long development of her first film Shirkers, and why getting closure is ultimately overrated. Read the full interview here.

Some insights from the interview, read the full conversation here.

Interview with Angélica Negrón

Puerto Rican-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón writes music for accordions, robotic instruments, toys, and electronics as well as chamber ensembles and orchestras. She has collaborated with artists like Sō Percussion, The Knigh… — Puerto Rican-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón writes music for accordions, robotic instruments, toys, and electronics as well as chamber ensembles and orchestras. She has collaborated with artists like Sō Percussion, The Knights, Face the Music, and NOVUS NY, among others, and is a founding member of the electronic indie band Balún. She is currently a doctoral candidate at The Graduate Center (CUNY), where she studies composition. She’s a teaching artist for New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers Program and Lincoln Center Education working with learners of all ages on creative composition projects. She is currently an artist in residence at National Sawdust working on a lip-sync opera titled *Chimera* for drag queen performers and chamber ensemble. She is the composer in residence for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for their 2018-2019 season.

March 7th, 2019

I interviewed composer and multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón. We discussed how she was able to support herself through her music, how being a teacher nourishes your creativity, and how she decides which projects to prioritize. Read the full interview here.

Puerto Rican-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Angélica Negrón writes music for accordions, robotic instruments, toys, and electronics as well as chamber ensembles and orchestras. She has collaborated with artists like Sō Percussion, The Knights, Face the Music, and NOVUS NY, among others, and is a founding member of the electronic indie band Balún. She is currently a doctoral candidate at The Graduate Center (CUNY), where she studies composition. She’s a teaching artist for New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers Program and Lincoln Center Education working with learners of all ages on creative composition projects. She is currently an artist in residence at National Sawdust working on a lip-sync opera titled Chimera for drag queen performers and chamber ensemble. She is the composer in residence for the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra for their 2018-2019 season.

Interview with musician and composer Angélica Negrón. Full article here.

Interview with writer and artist Veronica Gerber Bicecci

Verónica Gerber Bicecci is a visual artist who writes. She’s published the books: Mudanza (Almadía, 2017) and Empty Set(Coffee House Press, 2018, translated by Christina MacSweeney), which won the 3rd International Aura Estrada Literature prize and … — Verónica Gerber Bicecci is a visual artist who writes. She’s published the books: *Mudanza* (Almadía, 2017) and *Empty Set*(Coffee House Press, 2018, translated by Christina MacSweeney), which won the 3rd International Aura Estrada Literature prize and the Otra Mirada Cálamo prize. Her latest projects in other media are: *The Dystopian Machine* in Museo de Arte Abstracto Manuel Felguérez, Zacatecas, 2018; *Migrant Words* in Art Association, Jackson Hole, Wyoming 2017; *Another Day…Synoptic Poems* in the collective exhibition *Talon Rouge* at Proxyco Gallery, New York, 2017. She was editor at the Mexican publishing cooperative Tumbona Ediciones for 10 years, and tutor of the Photography Production Seminar from 2016 to 2018 at Centro de la Imagen.

February 4th, 2019

I had a deep conversation with Mexican writer and artist Veronica Gerber Bicecci. We talked about the balance between working with images and text, the power of Venn Diagrams, and the benefits of reading and collectivizing your work. You can read the full interview here.

Veronica Gerber Bicecci is a visual artist who writes. She’s published the books: Mudanza (Almadía, 2017) and Empty Set(Coffee House Press, 2018, translated by Christina MacSweeney), which won the 3rd International Aura Estrada Literature prize and the Otra Mirada Cálamo prize. Her latest projects in other media are: The Dystopian Machine in Museo de Arte Abstracto Manuel Felguérez, Zacatecas, 2018; Migrant Words in Art Association, Jackson Hole, Wyoming 2017; Another Day…Synoptic Poems in the collective exhibition Talon Rouge at Proxyco Gallery, New York, 2017. She was editor at the Mexican publishing cooperative Tumbona Ediciones for 10 years, and tutor of the Photography Production Seminar from 2016 to 2018 at Centro de la Imagen.

Some highlights from the interview:

“My recommendation to young artists is to always collectivize their work. To think among others, with and for others. To understand what the other is looking for and try to think in that direction and not in the direction you would go with your own work. And to read a lot! Unlike what many people think, the act of writing or reading is not solitary, on the contrary. It is quite common to hear that from many colleagues, of course there are solitary moments, but we read to be among others, we write and make art to remember our being with others, to get in touch with others, to understand our present.”

— Veronica Gerber

Interview with artist and writer Verónica Gerber. Read the full interview here.

Interview with film editor Ann Collins

Ann Collins is a New York-based documentary film editor. This year, she was nominated for an American Cinema Editor’s Eddie award for her work on Griffin Dunne’s Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold, which premiered at the 2017 New York Film Festiv… — Ann Collins is a New York-based documentary film editor. This year, she was nominated for an American Cinema Editor’s Eddie award for her work on Griffin Dunne’s *Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold*, which premiered at the 2017 New York Film Festival. Prior to that, she co-produced and edited *Swim Team*, an independent documentary directed by Lara Stolman which has won numerous awards and premiered this fall on PBS’s POV series. She has worked in film and television for over 25 years, and has worked extensively as a story consultant and consulting editor on numerous independent documentaries. She has been a judge at the Newport Film Festival and the Woodstock Film Festival, and has spoken about editing on panels for Manhattan Edit Workshop and Women Make Movies. She graduated from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, receiving a BFA in film and television, and holds an MFA in Art Writing from the School of Visual Arts.

I talked to film editor Ann Collins on finding the narrative thread when cutting together a documentary, the relationship between editor and director, and why the story always has to come first. You can read the full interview here.

Some highlights from the interview:

“Every film is its own universe. And you have to establish what that universe is to your viewer. Some universes have voices and you never see who the voice is or where the voice is coming from. Some universes have just images, others have music playing. Some feel very rough and dark, and others feel very smooth and elegant. So the style and the language has to be established.

I want to be able to take creative risks, and know that they will support that. I want to be able to go out on a limb for them. I want to be able to try things, and know that they share my spirit of adventure in that.

Ideally for me, a collaboration is when both people are caring for each other. The relationship between the editor and the director is a sacred one. You must nurture it. I really cherish the relationships I have with filmmakers, and I do try to nurture them; I try to make sure that they’re at ease. I make sure that they know that I’m listening to them, and that I’m working on something. And that if I start taking the film in a direction that they’re uncomfortable with, I’m happy to turn back and reestablish what their vision is.”

— Ann Collins

Interview with experimental filmmaker Naomi Uman

Naomi Uman’s work is marked by her signature handmade aesthetic, often shooting, hand-processing, and editing her films with the most rudimentary of practices. Her work focuses on repetitive manual practices, agrarian ways of living, women’s work, a… — Naomi Uman’s work is marked by her signature handmade aesthetic, often shooting, hand-processing, and editing her films with the most rudimentary of practices. Her work focuses on repetitive manual practices, agrarian ways of living, women’s work, and the intersection of ethnography, portraiture, and self-portraiture. She works in many media, ranging from 16 millimeter hand-processed film, to video installation and tempera paintings. She teaches at the Fine Art Museum in Mexico City, leading workshops in handmade filmmaking.

I talked with experimental filmmaker Naomi Uman about the vulnerability required to make good work, operating with minimal resources, and how you can have a very solitary creative practice and still be a part of a community. Read the full interview here.

“When you are pointing the camera at someone else, it is an aggressive act. It is even more aggressive when you do not know the people and they do not know you. I live among my subjects and learn as much as possible about their culture and language. I work alone, this is the main key. I must communicate with my subjects. I have no one to interrupt that direct (although at times unintelligible) contact. This makes me like a child, where my subject possesses all the knowledge and I am a vulnerable observer. It gives my subjects power.”

— Naomi Uman

Interview with Daniel Alarcón

Daniel Alarcón is the host of Radio Ambulante, an award-winning Spanish-language podcast distributed by NPR. Radio Ambulante uses long-form audio journalism to tell neglected and under-reported Latin American and Latino stories. Born in Lima, Peru, … — Daniel Alarcón is the host of Radio Ambulante, an award-winning Spanish-language podcast distributed by NPR. Radio Ambulante uses long-form audio journalism to tell neglected and under-reported Latin American and Latino stories. Born in Lima, Peru, Alarcón was raised in the United States, and studied Creative Writing at the Iowa Writers Workshop. He began writing for magazines like *Harper’s*, *The New York Times Magazine*, and *The New Yorker* in 2006. Alarcón’s books include *War by Candlelight*, a finalist for the 2005 PEN-Hemingway Award, *Lost City Radio*, named a 2007 Best Novel of the Year by *The San Francisco Chronicle* and *The Washington Post*. His most recent novel, *At Night We Walk in Circles,* was a finalist for the 2014 PEN/Faulkner Award. His graphic novel, *City of Clowns*, was published in 2015. He is a recipient of a Lannan Literary Prize, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Fulbright Fellowship. He is currently based in New York.

I talked with writer, journalist, and radio producer Daniel Alarcón discusses juggling multiple creative pursuits, and how it feels when you need to abandon a bad draft and start from scratch. Read the full interview here.

La entrevista se encuentra también disponible en español aquí.

“I don’t see them as being that different. I know that sounds odd considering all the different ways people can consume things and the different languages and genres. But everything I’ve done essentially begins from a deep curiosity about people, the way they live, and the way they view the world. I did a lot of reporting in my novels, and there’s a lot of creativity or creative thinking in the way I plan a reporting trip. It isn’t that different.

Sometimes we think of the borders between different genres as less fluid than they actually are. For example, when I’m reporting a piece, whether it is for print or for radio, I always feel like I’m trying to get to a place where I’m just able to observe people the way they are and understand the things they are telling me without words. I’ve often found myself in places standing with my back against the wall while a scene is happening in front of me and just taking notes furiously, trying to understand the power dynamics between people and whatever they’re doing. Full interview here.”

— Daniel Alarcón

“A generous interpretation of my failures would be that I just don’t have enough time. I really think that to get good at anything, you have to fail a lot at it. Maybe this is not out of arrogance, this is more about the fact that curiosity can take you a long way. And I’m genuinely curious about a lot of things. If I had more time, I would like to do all of them.”

— Daniel Alarcón talking about his projects that did not worked out.

Interview with filmmaker Natalia Alamada

Natalia Almada combines artistic expression with social inquiry to make films that are both personal reflections and critical social commentaries. Her work straddles the boundaries of documentary, fiction, and experimental film. Her most recent film… — Natalia Almada combines artistic expression with social inquiry to make films that are both personal reflections and critical social commentaries. Her work straddles the boundaries of documentary, fiction, and experimental film. Her most recent film *Todo lo Demás (Everything Else)* is a narrative feature starring Academy Award-nominated Adriana Barraza; it premiered at the New York Film Festival and was nominated for a Mexican Academy Award. Almada was the recipient of the 2009 Best Documentary Director Award at the Sundance Film Festival and has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, United States Artists, The Herb Alpert Foundation, and MacDowell Colony. In 2012 she received a MacArthur “Genius” Award. Here she discusses her creative motivations as a filmmaker, and what we mean when we talk about “narrative.”

In July 2018 I interviewed one of my favorite filmmakers, Natalia Almada. We discussed the complicated structures of the film business, and the importance of trusting your instincts when starting something new. You can read the full interview in English here and in Spanish here.

La entrevista se encuentra en español aquí.

Interview with filmmaker Natalia Almada. Read the full conversation here.

From my interview with Natalia Almada:

“If you abandon the thing that you’re passionate about at the moment you hit that first obstacle, you shouldn’t be making films. You have to get through it to figure things out, and that’s a very interesting aspect of the work itself. I find one of the most interesting parts of making a film how different it would be if you just had an idea and executed it. Even having made a fiction film where in some ways you have an idea and you execute it, I think it was still important to stay present to what the situation I had created was, and respond to it.”

— Natalia Almada

The Creative Independent - Contributing Writer