MidWest Digest

Dave rickels has us over to his Wichita home to talk about fighting MMA, and being a professional at beating people up!

MariaElena is a singer/songwriter who has been involved in Wichita's music scene for quite awhile now. She came in to talk to us about her roles with Women who Rock ICT, and her launching Rock and Roll Camp for Girls in Wichita later this summer. We get into her musical life and her current bands a little bit as well. A fun conversation with a talented woman.

Manilla Road has been playing Heavy Metal since the genre was hardly being named. Founded in Wichita circa 1976 they still tour and have nearly 20 albums released. Mark 'The Shark' Shelton is lead guitarist of Manilla Road and decided to sit down and have a chat with us.

Eric is from Wichita, but just barely. She has traveled the world and says she isn't stopping any time soon. We got to talk to her about what life is like when you don't always plan ahead, and you always say yes to an adventure. The places she's been, the friends she's made, and how she keeps up with people from back home. Listen to the wisdom of a woman that knows the whole planet is her home.

Alex plays in Ophil, a ska band that's been in Kansas for years. He runs a few really great venues in Wichita as well. Listen to his story and his opinion of the Wichita creative scene.

Our crew got to chat with Wade about his path as an artist, his influences, and how one survives as an artist.

Kristin Key is a stand up comic based out of L.A. She has been on Last Comic Standing and is a regular feature in Improv and Loony Bin Comedy Clubs around the country. She also has been a guest on the Bob & Tom show. Her comedy style is a mixture of self deprecating and physical humor. She is also a comedic songwriter, we even got to record an old song of hers that she played during the interview.

Pat, Tim, and Bernardo tracked down an old pro boxer sat down with him to talk about the sport today, as well as MMA and a little of BJJ. This guy has lots of firsthand experience in the world of boxing and a lot of good stories to tell.

Hannah Carter sculpts and creates macabre puppets in Austin, TX. As a Wichita (area) native and WSU graduate, she is returning this Final Friday for her debut show at City Arts, and we skyped with her before she came into town to chat about it. Jan 29 at City Arts, 6-8p

We get the chance to talk to the subject of the documentary "Double Digits". This guy rocks! DOUBLE DIGITS introduces us to Richard 'R.G.' Miller, a tenacious low-budget filmmaker and unlikely YouTuber as he prepares for his latest epic film, "The Masked Man." This documentary follows his unconventional process and delves into over 35 years of his personal and professional backstory: utilizing footage from Richard's own archives dating back to 1979, DOUBLE DIGITS lovingly pieces together the story of one man's dream as it is born, cultivated, stuffed away, shattered, and triumphantly revived. Find the movie here: http://www.doubledigitsdoc.com/buy/

Annie is a wonderful musician and vocalist, who also cooks delicious vegan food at her day job. We got to have a talk with her and peer into her formative years concerning her music and other practices. We discuss modern music and ghosts, veganism and heartbreak.

Tiffany has started and organized a lot of burlesque in Wichita, started the roller derby scene around here, and beyond that does a lot of freelance work as well. You name it, photo, video, design, costume, whatever. She's a performer at heart and a Wichita diehard. We got to chat with her a couple months ago, and no you get to listen.

Armando is an artist and activist in Wichita, and he sat down to talk with us about coming to America, and the struggles immigrants face. He also spoke with us about Sunflower Community Action, the Urban Arts Fest, and the Seedhouse.

Seth Etter is a coder by trade and a Wichita zealot with his free time. He helps out with DevICT and Wichita Startup Weekend, and organizes events to grow the development community in Wichita. He is also hilarious and just a fun guy in general. Come learn about the coding community in Wichita as well as the business climate.

She grew up in Wichita and now she does make-up in Las Vegas. We got to chat with constance about make-up, gore, horror flicks, comics, and everything else.

We went to TallGrass and spoke to directors, producers, and stars of 10 films! Band of Robbers The Angel of Nanjing Love Between the Covers I Am Gangster Killing Ed The Boatman A light Beneath Their Feet The Age of Love They Look Like People For Grace Loads of fun talking to filmmakers from all around the world!

Comic, writer, man of the world, Daniel Pewewardy is a many faceted character. We talk about pho, comedy, minimalism, dealing with ADHD, and more. Special guest appearance by Danny Lambo!

Sit your ass down and listen to this man tell you how it is. John Morgan is a comic from New Orleans who is, as he put it: "Sweet as a honey glazed ham and as hot as a Tabasco chili pepper."

Wayne White came through Wichita during the River Fest this year for an artist residency at Harvester Arts. You may remember a show he worked on called PeeWee's Playhouse, or from any of the other myriad artistic ventures he's worked on for the last few decades. Pat, Jess, and Bernardo got him on the phone and scored us this sweet interview! Thanks again to Shelter Salon and Hellbomb Tattoo

We got to sit in on ICT Fest 2015, a Wichita music festival featuring essential music every year. The list of acts we got to talk to: Semiotic Weapons, Raunchy Dead, CJ Boyd, Bummer, Aseethe, Varma Cross, Young Readers, Blue Healer, and LewelHeads.