Podcast Gathers stories, history and conversation

BOOKISH podcast, Gather is the latest audio project from Amy Tsilemanis, bringing people, ideas, and artforms together alongside her interest in the past, present and future.

Launching her first episode last week, the bi-monthly releases will delve into history, how that connects to communities today, and how historical moments can impact the ways people move forward.

“It’s all about people being able to gather in different ways, which isn’t always physical,” Ms Tsilemanis said.

“The podcast gathers different voices, especially women and people who might be underrepresented in the media, with all the things I love; books, music, art and ideas.

“I interview people all around the world from one little room with the wonder of technology.”

Part one of the first episode, Book Arcade explores just that; Cole’s Books Arcade in Melbourne.

“That was an amazing bookshop that opened in 1883 run by E.W Cole, creator of Cole’s Funny Picture Book,” Ms Tsilemanis said.

“I interviewed people who’ve written books about him. Richard Broinowski’s book, Under the Rainbow came out this year, and Hilary Bell and Phillip Johnston were working on a musical to bring Cole’s Funny Picture Book to life.

“The episode has snippets of the music that would have gone into this show, and Lisa Lang reads from her novel, Utopian Man.”

The next instalment will look at travel, featuring Australian musician and creator of Sounds from Home, Belle Chen, who is based in London.

“We look at ways to travel when you can’t actually physically travel anywhere,” Ms Tsilemanis said.

“During editing, I’ve loved weaving in layers of music and archival sound. There are bits of local content and stories from around the world, so I hope it’s internationally enjoyed.”

Each episode includes two regular segments; “things found in books,” and a look at an indie author or bookseller.

A Regional Arts Victoria grant supported the set-up of the project.

“It allowed me to get some mics and equipment. I have a sound engineer, music from a local musician, and got some branding done by a regional designer,” Ms Tsilemanis said.

She is creating collages to match each episode and engage listeners in another way. The design can be purchased online as a way of supporting Gather’s production.

Visit minervasbooks.com/gather-podcast.