Creativity in the Capital

by Casey Rafter and Nick Brunner, Solving Sacramento

For "Creativity in the Capital," we illuminate the artists who feed the creative soul of Sacramento. In some episodes, we find two local artists and pair them together to discuss their successes, struggles and how they fit into our creative community. In other episodes, our hosts — Casey Rafter and Nick Brunner — engage in one-on-one talks with artists to get at the heart of what makes them tick, and why the rest of us shoul ... 

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Podcast episodes

  • Season 2

  • Lo Fidelity

    Lo Fidelity

    S02 E03
    31:01

    Paul Bates makes videos of bands performing in his living room and posts them on the internet. A simple idea, a simple visual approach and a ton of depth beneath the VHS veneer. Find out what keeps this creator connected to Sacramento's music community as the podcast stretches its own creative legs with a few new additions. lo-fire on YouTube and Instagram. www.SolvingSacramento.org

  • Creativity in the Capital: Aaron Carnes and Mendes on underground music scenes and DIY movements to self-discovery

    Creativity in the Capital: Aaron Carnes and Mendes on underground music scenes and DIY movements to self-discovery

    S02 E02
    36:14

    Writer Aaron Carnes fights for the music he believes in. It’s a very niche genre and a necessary fight. His tactics come in the form of his book and podcast called “In Defense of Ska.” The book explores the history of ska as it travels from its roots in Jamaica to the United Kingdom, to the States and explores where it has gone and will go next. Mendes Entertainment celebrates 916 loud and proud. Its owner, Anthony Mendes, who’s known colloquially by his titular surname, is a promoter and booster of local talent with immense passion for these artists and musicians. He makes it his job to spread the word of the great talent he touches in the capital city.

  • Creativity in the Capital: Andru Defeye & Tavarus Blackmon

    Creativity in the Capital: Andru Defeye & Tavarus Blackmon

    S02 E01
    35:27

    Tavarus Blackmon is a Sacramento talent whose work includes music, fashion, collages and curations. His art has been seen at Crocker Art Museum and Axis Gallery. Blackmon teaches artistic methods at Sacramento State and has taught at UC Davis. Andru Defeye is a celebrated local hip hop artist and a self-named guerilla poet who energetically supports the artistic community in all its forms. In 2020, Defeye was granted the title of Sacramento’s Poet Laureate. KSSU opened its doors for Blackmon and Defeye to meet face-to-face in the quiet studio.

  • Season 1

  • Creativity in the Capital: Cha Cha Burnadette and Danielle Mercado

    Creativity in the Capital: Cha Cha Burnadette and Danielle Mercado

    S01 E06
    41:33

    Without a leader like burlesque dancer ChaCha Burnadette, Sacramento would not enjoy the kind of spice her dance group, the Darling Clementines, adds to the mix. The group’s founder has been part of the burlesque scene for a decade. Danielle Mercado, founder and director of the Hummingbird Theatre Company in Rancho Cordova, helps make the arts accessible and enjoyable for casual theatergoers and die-hard Broadway fans alike.

  • Creativity in the Capital: Dalrymple MacAlpin and The Philharmonik

    Creativity in the Capital: Dalrymple MacAlpin and The Philharmonik

    S01 E05
    35:07

    Detroit born storyteller, multi-instrument, composer, playwright and puppeteer Dalrymple MacAlpin has spent much of his life interpreting the vivid images of his dreams into the art he presents to his audiences. Sacramento-based hip hop and R&B performer and producer Christian Gates began piano lessons at six years old. Now, as The Philharmonik, he creates vibrations with voice and keys that’s enveloped his audiences in a blanket of thought provoking sound since 2016. The two creative souls huddled for a chat in the multimedia room of Sacramento State’s award-winning news publication, The State Hornet.