Experience an exclusive live episode of the SongWriter podcast, where stories are transformed into music. This unique event features the esteemed Joyce Carol Oates, a prolific American author with a vast array of literary achievements including bestselling novels, short fiction, essays, and poetry, and Ali Sethi, a New York-based artist known for his viral hit "Pasoori" and for blending South Asian music with international rhythms. Both are celebrated for their innovative contributions to their fields, with Oates holding the Roger S. Berlind Distinguished Professorship at Princeton University and being a longstanding member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and Sethi recognized by TIME’s 100 Next list for his groundbreaking work. The podcast, created and produced by the Emmy-nominated songwriter Ben Arthur, is known for transforming captivating tales into songs and has featured distinguished guests such as Questlove, Neil Gaiman, and David Gilmour. The live event, hosted by Ben Arthur, promises an evening of engaging stories, enthralling music, and stimulating discussions.
Joyce Carol Oates stands as one of America's most versatile and esteemed writers, with a diverse body of work that includes everything from novels and short stories to essays, plays, and poetry. Her extensive career also encompasses roles as an editor and anthologist, showcasing a broad range of forms, themes, and genres. Oates is a distinguished professor at Princeton University and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters since 1978.
Ali Sethi has carved a niche for himself as a writer, composer, and performer, earning international acclaim with his music that merges traditional South Asian sounds with contemporary beats. His song “Pasoori” achieved global recognition, and his work has been praised for its nuanced exploration of identity and culture. Sethi's artistry has been recognized for its innovative and subtly rebellious nature.
This SongWriter podcast event is supported by the Queens College School of Arts, the MFA Program in Creative Writing & Literary Translation, and the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, with funding from the Templeton World Charity Foundation.