Universal Folklore

Episode 17 is with my friend Peter Stone, a great person and a wonderful musician! He's also the last guest that recorded AT MY HOUSE! Everyone after this episode will have been recorded in the new studio (Universal Studios Steelton). We got deep in the woods on songwriting with this one. I've had a chance to play music with Peter a few times, and I've always loved it, so it was great to spend some solid time talking about our approaches to songwriting, and how we fell in love with the art of music. We talk about the value of making choices and getting busy with doing the work that comes with those choices. Thanks again for taking the time, Pete! You can follow Peter on Instagram (@peterstonemusic) and be sure to listen to his beautiful song, Fells Reservoir, wherever you stream music. Be sure to follow me @stephen_michael_haas!

MATT LE-SCHIN-SKI! MATT LE-SCHIN-SKI! My guest this week is a good friend of mine and a long time collaborator on the music side of things. Matt Leschinski has been instrumental in making my vision for Flower Garden come true. In addition to working with me on Flower Garden, he's done work with other HBG local icons such as Concrete Beach and The Belly Boys! But in addition to being a wizard with sound, he's a smart and interesting guy with an affinity for learning and soaking up ideas, whether they come from a book or from the woods. I really respect the way Matt lives his life and I loved getting a glimpse into his world for everyone to enjoy. Find Matt on instagram @mleschinski and you can follow me @stephen_michael_haas. Be sure to like, share and subscribe to the podcast if you're enjoying it. Thanks so much!

It's always so nice when I get to catch up with Eli Studer! We were able to do just that for episode 15 of the podcast, and three hours went by so quickly! Eli is an awesome artist who works primarily as a tattoo artist at The Iron Dahlia Tattoo Lounge in Philadelphia. We talk about a lot of things, but we spend a good bit of time talking about the highs and lows of being a young artist still trying to figure out what being an artist even means. You learn quickly that there are a million ways resistance will try to talk you out of pursuing your goals as an artist. We also spend some time talking about history and empires, rock climbing, and our general workflows these days. You can see what Eli is up to on Instagram @elistuder. Thanks so much for spending some time and being on the podcast, Eli!

WE ARE FINALLY BACK! It's been nearly 3 weeks since our last episode, and we're so happy to be back. We've been busy BUILDING OUR NEW STUDIO! It's not quite done, but it's getting there, and we can't wait to move in! We're coming back strong with Tanner Bingaman for episode 14. Tanner's a musician and farmer, and just such a thoughtful and kind guy. We talk about a lot of things including playing music, regenerative farming practices, and the dissolution (or at least the checking) of ego and what life can look like once you've moved past your ego. I really enjoyed having Tanner on the podcast, and I think you'll enjoy it also. It's a long one, but #solidgold the whole way through. Thanks again for taking the time, Tanner! We put two of Tanner's songs into this episode! The first one you'll hear is East Virginia, and the song at the end is Lauren's Song. Follow me @stephen_michael_haas and at my website, stephenmichaelhaas.com. And think about leaving a review on iTunes if you're digging the podcast.

Zaywuap is a rapper from Harrisburg, and my second guest from artist collective Naomi 17 (shoutout to Geniuz)! I met Zay when I recorded the episode with Geniuz, and it was really great to have him back and be able to speak more extensively with him this time around. I think we really hit it off, and I'm stoked to have met another new friend through this podcast! We talked about our favorite cartoons and anime, instant versus delayed gratification, and the importance of honest and loving conversation. We're including two of Zaywuap's songs in this episode! The first song you'll hear is called Michiko and after our conversation you'll hear Anime Titties. Be sure to check his stuff on SoundCloud here and be sure to follow him on all social media @zaywuap. Thanks again for being on the podcast, Zay! universalfolklore.com Also, check out my hot new watermelon shirts on my website!

This week's episode is with the brilliant Meghan Morrison! Meghan is an artist, poet and yogi. I've known Meghan for over five years now, and we always have a great time when we get together to chat. In this episode we focus on the importance of self-work and understanding your true nature and purpose. With all of modern society's distractions, it's so easy to lose sight of who you truly are and why you're on this Earth. It's so easy to focus on the shortcomings of everyone else, and we end up losing sight of our own shortcomings. This episode was a great reminder to me that we are all intuitive, deeply spiritual beings who require love and respect, first and foremost from ourselves. You can find Meghan on Instagram @lavieenmeghanrose and at her website, meghanrosemorrison.com. Thanks a lot for being on the podcast, Meghan! Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts, and if you have an extra minute, please leave a review on iTunes! You can follow me @stephen_michael_haas and stephenmichaelhaas.com. Follow the podcast @universalfolklore and universalfolklore.com.

This was a great episode with my friend Jelly the Photographer! Jelani Splawn is a photographer based in Harrisburg, PA. He's currently working hard to capture the energy of everything that's going on right now, particularly within Black Lives Matter. Jelani works with Kevin Maxson and Voice For the Voiceless as a photographer. He's been sharing some really powerful images lately on his Instagram, and I wanted to bring him in to talk about his experience. We talk a lot about current events, and the need for strong community and support for one another. We talk about the importance of meeting the challenges you're faced with in order to achieve new levels of growth, and how admitting that you know nothing is probably exactly what you need in your life. You can follow Jelani @jelly_the_photographer. Thanks for being on the podcast, Jelly! Be sure to subscribe to the podcast if you're digging it, and if you're reeeeeally digging it, leave a review on iTunes. Thanks for the support!

Star Dxg! Xander Moppin! My dear cousin, friend and musician! I love this guy so much! I live with him and we talk all the time, but it's still so rare that we have in-depth conversations like this. It was so nice to put some time aside and dig deep with him. Xander is the bassist of Yam Yam, and the brain behind Star Dxg, which is so fly and funky! We talk a lot about the importance of striking balance in your life, the importance of getting into stressful situations, and really coming to the understanding that we need to be able to surrender to what we don't have control over. You can find Xander on Instagram @star_dxg and find his band Yam Yam @yamyamband. Check out his new single “Locked” on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/track/16hk6OAQyR3agbvgCeH5Jk?si=EXqxg7CvQ-OzMet_FduoVA. Thanks for listening. Share the show if you're digging it, and if you're REALLY digging it, give it a review on iTunes! @stephen_michael_haas @universalfolklore stephenmichaelhaas.com

Geniuz is a rapper and member of Naomi 17 Collective based in Harrisburg, PA, and a new friend of mine! It was so good to get to know him a bit during this conversation. He made me think about things in a way that I usually don't think about them. We talked a lot about the importance of hustling and setting a positive intention for yourself. Geniuz has a great vision for what he wants out of life, and I found his positive energy rubbing off on me even days after we recorded. Super excited to see his growth, and find ways to work together in the future. Check out Geniuz on Soundcloud and on Instagram @geniuz717. Thanks for listening! Be sure to subscribe and leave a review if you're enjoying the podcast!

We took a week off last week, but we're back this week for episode 8 with Josh Nesmith. Josh is a filmmaker and musician in Harrisburg and someone who's work I've admired for a while. We had a great conversation about living as an artist and making that your main priority. We talk about how quarantine has been helpful for so many, and how we can take the positive lessons we've learned during this time into the future as we begin to open our society back up. We also spend some time talking about video games, which you all know I love to talk about. This was a really great talk. You can find Josh on IG @nesmithjosh or at his website nesmithfilms.com. Enjoy! Follow the podcast @universalfolklore and universalfolklore.com. If you have a moment, subscribe, and leave a review on iTunes, it really helps! Thanks for listening!

Jason Mescia is a saxophonist for the band Yam Yam and an all-around fun and interesting person. We talk a lot about the importance of practice in this episode, and while he's talking about practicing music, the conversation could be applied to anything. We talk about what life for an artist may look like post-COVID and maybe, just maybe, we could all try to go into the future, whatever it will look like, with more empathy and goodwill in our hearts. Thanks for the conversation, Jason! You can find Jason on Instagram @jasonmescia and his band @yamyamband. As always, follow the podcast @universalfolklore and at universalfolklore.com!

So excited to have William Padilla-Brown on the podcast! A scientist and artist, and a leader in the world of mycology (although his mind goes far beyond just mycology). I've known Will for a long time, and I've always had such vibrant and stimulating conversations. Thanks again for taking the time to be on the Podcast, Will! You can check William Padilla-Brown on Instagram @mycosymbiote and @itscosmicmusic and on the web at the following locations: cognitivefunction.net mycosymbiotics.net mycoshop.net youtube.com/apexgrower And thank everyone who has been taking the time to listen. I really appreciate it. If you're enjoying the podcast, think about leaving a review! Be sure to follow the podcast @Universalfolklore or universalfolklore.com and follow Stephen at Stephen_Michael_Haas!

Yo Adrian! Mr. Adrian Selkowitz is my guest for this episode of the 'cast. Adrian is a filmmaker and co-founder of Cowboy Bear Ninja, a video production firm based in New York City. He's been a good friend and mentor for the last decade, and it felt great to sit down with him again for this episode. You can find Adrian on Instagram @cowboyadrian and on Youtube. You can learn more about Cowboy Bear Ninja at cowboybearninja.com Thanks Adrian! And thanks to everyone who has been listening! Follow the podcast on Instagram (@universalfolkore) or visit the website (universalfolklore.com) to stay up to date!

I hung out with my friend David Forkkio for this one. We discuss his process for making art and the very real power of resistance within each of us that tells us it would be easier to do something else. We also discuss his interest to always find and process new information and perspectives, and how he tries to always live his best life. You can find David on Instagram @davidforkkio and you can stream his music on Spotify (Forkkio). Thanks for hanging out, Forkkio! And thanks to everyone who is listening. If you want to help, subscribing to the show and leaving ratings and reviews would be a great way to do so! Follow me on Instagram @stephen_michael_haas and you can follow the podcast @universalfolklore.

I hung out with Alex for the third episode, and it was a blast. Alex Chadwell is a New York City-based composer of genre-fluid music, teaching artist, and arts administrator. He's an all around brilliant and interesting guy, and I'm really excited to share this episode. You can find Alex on Instagram @heyachadwell and at his website: alexanderchadwell.com I also recently did some artwork for his project "EVERYTHING WILL BE TAKEN AWAY" which you can check out HERE on SoundCloud. Thanks to everyone who's been listening, downloading, following on insta, etc. I appreciate it! If you feel like it, leave me a review on iTunes. It helps!

Episode 2. Clark Stefanic. Clark is a videographer based in Harrisburg and an all-around "film guy." We had a great time talking about the similarities in our creative processes, the politics of the film industry, and why it's important to just get down to doing the work. You can find Clark on instagram and on his website, stefanicvideo.com. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast to be up to date on all new releases! Universalfolklore.com Stephenmichaelhaas.com

For the inaugural episode of Universal Folklore, I sat down with a longtime friend, Shawan Rice. Shawan is a musician based in NOLA and an overall brilliant and lovely person. Among many things, we talk about how she found herself in New Orleans, the importance of feeling a bit uncomfortable at times, and the struggle of recognizing and projecting your value as an artist. You can find Shawan at: Shawanrice.com Shawan's Patreon Shawan's Instagram Shawan's Youtube