Souls, Love, and AudioTape
Bitpunk fm - A signal
Once again, we’re in the throes of another AI debate with Substack’s newest bright idea: an AI-powered feature to (often mistakenly) judge authors on whether or not they wrote their own pieces. As I settle down to write a piece about a recent beautiful and uplifting experience on Substack, my eyes are also assaulted by several instant guarantees of 500-plus subscribers for a small course fee… How tempting to be cynical and despairing, but there are humble yet extraordinarily powerful forces for good in the Substack world, too.
Josh Datko is one of those forces, and I’d like to tell you all about the delightful and rejuvenating experience of being featured on his podcast. Josh Datko is a joyful presence—everything he does is brimming with an almost childlike excitement and delight; however, beneath the exuberance is an underlying layer of calm wisdom and deep thought. We’ve been friends and mutual admirers for a while now on Substack, but after this wonderful podcast, I feel truly understood and seen. I also feel that I’ve uncovered a little more of his bright wit, rich kindness, and deep strength of character.
He read selected pieces from my book Chantry Circuitry—one which I admit I had misgivings about. It was written at a time when various external AND internal forces seemed to be working against me on mental and physical levels (at least that’s how it felt at the time). I’d come to view the book as perhaps too obvious, too desperate, and the “call” format as twee.
Josh’s beautiful readings of the poems—rich, slow, and with utter reverence to the forces they invoke—restored my faith in them. His work is more than a simple recital; as a musician, his understanding of rhythm, harmony, and timing brings forth layers of hidden meaning in poetry. I’ve always believed that metered poetry reaches behind the construction of its words into subtle realms of pure sound and emotion. Through Josh’s unique and masterful voice, the Call To Passion rumbles like magma preparing to burst forth into the world, while the Call To Silence sharpens every syllable like delicate but infinitely strong trapeze wires. I must be clear, though: while I admit to a certain pride in finding those words, it is Josh’s wonderful delivery that has unlocked their greater potential. Much like Frank Herbert’s “power of the voice,” two people can say the words, but one finds THE vibration—and this is where Josh Datko excels.
As we wandered into the realm of vibrations and the esoteric, Josh Datko took the thought and care to relate these poems back to his Quaker faith; he wove the thread of the calls into a tapestry of faith and connection. His story of the beautiful ceremonies of silent intergenerational meditations not only grounded some of my airy-fairy ideas—it also amplified them greatly beyond my original sketched-out concept. Regardless of anyone’s particular religious beliefs, we all share the need for connection and something bigger than ourselves—whether you frame that as Hecate, The Christ, or Quantum Theory… We are all part of that something bigger. When we reach out, someone or something will reach back. Josh is living proof of this; I’m far from the only writer to feel his generosity of spirit and mammoth commitment to supporting artists.
Perhaps the greatest revelation in the podcast was Josh’s own experience with PTSD—a hugely important and courageous subject to address. For something of that import to be discussed alongside my work is uplifting, humbling, and carries a weight of responsibility. Again, Josh’s speaking is rich with that sense of deep, solemn joy. It’s been a few months since I completed Chantry Circuitry, and while I felt a sense of satisfaction with the work and shifted my perspective on language, spirit, and the power of mantras, it is only now that I feel the work has come full circle and I consciously understand what I was aiming to do. Even I needed Josh’s excellent interpretation skills.
There is an abundance of love here: call it a community, a movement, maybe a society. It’s tangible and real. My own review section, McAllister’s Mates, is really only me getting caught up in a glorious flood. In the midst of a tribute that was already moving me to the point of tears, Josh Datko found time to honor my little review section as well. Even when it seems like the system behind the platform is working to divide, the people come out stronger!
I moan and groan about Substack—the silly notes that seem to get insane hits, the clunky interface, the layout that makes it impossible to read fiction (a moan I’ll reserve for later, as it’s just not fair to my fiction author friends)—but this whole experience has been purely delightful. My deepest gratitude goes to Josh Datko, as well as to the listeners for their kind comments during the podcast. Love to you all.
Best wishes and Josh Datko my dear friend THANK YOU
Graeme
You bring out the best of us. Thank you