Episode 377
with Luis Alberto Urrea, Eileen Myles, and Moshow The Cat Rapper
This special Live Wire episode brings together some "All-Star" guests by way of the Portland Book Festival; celebrated author Luis Alberto Urrea dissects the dynamics of his Mexican family, which inspired his latest book The House of Broken Angels; master poet Eileen Myles takes on the presidency in a reading of their epic poem Acceptance Speech; and internet sensation Moshow The Cat Rapper gives lessons on peace, love, and not declawing your cats.
Luis Alberto Urrea
Author
When you’re the best-selling author of 17 books, a Pulitzer Prize finalist for nonfiction, and a member of the Latino Literature Hall of Fame, it makes perfect sense for NPR to hail you as a “literary badass.” Said badass, Luis Alberto Urrea, uses his dual-culture life experiences to explore greater themes of love, loss and triumph. His latest book, The House of Broken Angels, explores the “final fiesta” for a family as Angel de la Cruz gathers his progeny for his last birthday. Urrea’s prolific work in poetry, fiction, and essays is widely acclaimed and frequently selected by cities and colleges as community reads – which is pretty badass to us! Website • Twitter
Eileen Myles
Poet
Eileen Myles cannot be contained by any one art form. A poet, novelist, performer, and art journalist, they’re also a college professor at NYU and Naropa University, whose huge body of work is widely acclaimed and awarded. The author of more than twenty publications, Myles has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, four Lambda book awards, and the Clark Prize for excellence in Art Writing. Their most recent book, Evolution, the first book of new poems since 2011, continues to push the limits of genre and play with our modern vernacular. At this point, we would truly expect nothing less from the exuberant, multi-faceted writing of Eileen Myles. Website • Twitter
Moshow The Cat Rapper
Rapper
Born and raised in inner Baltimore, MD, Moshow defied the odds to build a name for himself as the Internet's premiere Cat Rapper. He now calls Portland, OR his home with his 5 cats - Black $avage, Sushi, Tali, Mega Mam, and Ravioli. Moshow is on a mission to inspire the world, sharing with others the lessons he has learned, to not give up on yourself and follow your dreams, no matter where they take you. Listen • Twitter
