In this episode of The Truth in This Art, I sit down with Jenna Balderson, better known as Eyas, a Filipina musician and producer based in Baltimore, MD. Known for her genre-blending sound that merges indie-pop, jazz, RnB, and folk, Jenna discusses the journey behind her debut EP, Quiet Loud, set for release on November 22nd.

We explore how her music transforms personal emotions into art, creating what she describes as the "sonic equivalent of a collage." Jenna also shares stories about her inspirations—from Fleet Foxes and Björk to recent influences like Saya Gray—and opens up about collaborating with fellow Baltimore artists like JPEGMAFIA and Micah E. Wood. Plus, she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at Quiet Loud, a deeply personal EP featuring introspective lyrics, dynamic soundscapes, and a mix of high energy and reflective moments.

Join us as we unpack the emotions, influences, and community connections that shape Jenna's music.

📅 Quiet Loud is out November 22nd.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community in Baltimore, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on "The Truth In This Art" podcast. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the arts and culture podcast scene and showcase your insights on "The Truth In This Art" with Rob Lee.

Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart

Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.

Support the show:

Merch from Redbubble | Make a Donation

In this episode of The Truth in This Art, host Rob Lee is joined by Ed Baldi and Nick Moreland, co-founders of Sonic Lifeline, a platform that provides musicians with unrestricted expression and the creators behind The Hemingway Room, an intimate jazz venue in Little Havana, Baltimore. Together, they explore their mission to foster deeper connections between artists and audiences, their unique collaborative journey, and how their distinct backgrounds in live production and photography shape Sonic Lifeline’s vision. The conversation delves into their efforts to revive the jazz pipeline between cities like Baltimore, D.C., and Philadelphia, while highlighting the challenges and triumphs of curating a thriving jazz scene in a post-pandemic world. Ed and Nick also share how The Hemingway Room creates space for authentic, artist-driven performances, ensuring that each show is a distinct and powerful experience.

This episode is brought to you as a part of my media partnership with Baltimore Magazine.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community in Baltimore, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on "The Truth In This Art" podcast. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the arts and culture podcast scene and showcase your insights on "The Truth In This Art" with Rob Lee.

Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart

Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.

Support the show:

Merch from Redbubble | Make a Donation

In this episode of The Truth in This Art, I chat with Greg Mike, a renowned street artist and founder of Atlanta's ABV Gallery. Greg opens up about his path from skate culture and cartoons to creating murals known for their vivid colors and playful characters, like his signature Larry Loudmouth. We talk about how his travels—from Amsterdam to the Swiss Alps—influence his work and how he channels his vision into community-driven projects.

Greg also shares the story behind the Outer Space Project, an annual mural festival in Atlanta combining art, live battles, and block parties to celebrate public art. Through ABV, he's built a creative hub that brings together artists and audiences for an unforgettable experience.

Links & Credits:

• Terry Guy, Secret Walls founder interview
• Photo by Dave Roland

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community in Baltimore, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on "The Truth In This Art" podcast. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the arts and culture podcast scene and showcase your insights on "The Truth In This Art" with Rob Lee.

Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart

Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.

Support the show:

Merch from Redbubble | Make a Donation

In this episode, I sit down with Andy J. Pizza, a New York Times bestselling author-illustrator and the creative force behind the podcast Creative Pep Talk. Known for his bold, maximalist style, Andy J. Pizza brings an electric energy to his work, seen in books like A Pizza with Everything on It and Invisible Things. During our conversation, Andy opens up about how his ADHD shapes his artistic approach, fueling a vibrant, layered aesthetic that captures the imagination.

We dive into Andy’s journey from aspiring illustrator to sought-after collaborator with major brands like Warby Parker and Target. He explains how Creative Pep Talk grew out of his desire to inspire and encourage creativity in others, offering a unique space where art and self-expression meet personal growth. Andy shares insights into the power of storytelling, balancing authenticity with client collaboration, and his philosophy of “turning up the volume” on creativity.

This episode is packed with inspiration for anyone looking to infuse their life and art with passion and purpose. Tune in for an engaging conversation with Andy J. Pizza on what it means to make art that resonates and brings joy.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community in Baltimore, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on "The Truth In This Art" podcast. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the arts and culture podcast scene and showcase your insights on "The Truth In This Art" with Rob Lee.

Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart

Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.

Support the show:

Merch from Redbubble | Make a Donation

In this episode, I sit down with Michael Carini, the neurodivergent artist famously known as the "Acrylic Alchemist." Michael has captivated audiences worldwide, with over 100 exhibitions showcasing his journey of transforming pain into purpose through a method he calls acrylic alchemy. We explore how Michael, a San Diego-based artist with a background of resilience and determination, discovered a creative process that channels his life's challenges—like Tourette's and a traumatic brain injury—into visual storytelling that deeply resonates with viewers.

Michael Carini shares insights into his journey, from his early influences to his unique approach that combines vulnerability with emotional depth. Join us to hear how he embraces his neurodivergent identity and creates art that's not only personal but meaningful to those who connect with it.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community in Baltimore, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on "The Truth In This Art" podcast. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the arts and culture podcast scene and showcase your insights on "The Truth In This Art" with Rob Lee.

Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart

Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.

Support the show:

Merch from Redbubble | Make a Donation

In this episode of The Truth in This Art, host Rob Lee engages in a captivating conversation with award-winning choreographer, dancer, producer, and educator Dominic Moore-Dunson. Known for his community-centered approach and recently recognized by Dance Magazine as one of 2023's “25 to Watch,” Dominic Moore-Dunson shares insights into his latest project, The Remember Balloons, a moving dance-theater production exploring memory loss, Alzheimer's disease, and intergenerational storytelling.

The conversation delves into Dominic Moore-Dunson's inspiration from the children's book The Remember Balloons, how dance intersects with storytelling and community engagement, and his unique creative process, including building the show through improvisation with his team. Dominic Moore-Dunson also touches on his journey into dance, his passion for urban Midwest storytelling, and the impactful themes that drive his work in The Remember Balloons.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community in Baltimore, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on "The Truth In This Art" podcast. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the arts and culture podcast scene and showcase your insights on "The Truth In This Art" with Rob Lee.

Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart

Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.

Support the show:

Merch from Redbubble | Make a Donation

In this episode, Rob Lee sits down with Jennifer Murray, a Chicago-based artist, educator, and cultural producer who serves as the Museum Manager at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago. They dive into Jennifer Murray's dynamic role in art curation, her journey from academia to museum management, and her experience fostering community connections through contemporary art. Jennifer Murray also shares insights into the unique mission of 21c Museum Hotel Chicago, balancing creativity with art handling, and the upcoming Staple and Stitch art book and print fair. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation with Jennifer Murray about the intersection of art, education, and community impact.

Don't miss Staple + Stitch, an art book and print fair happening at 21c Museum Hotel Chicago from November 15 - 17, 2024. This free event, organized by Jennifer Murray, will feature arts publishers, independent presses, book artists, zine makers, and more, with programming open to all ages!

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community in Baltimore, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on "The Truth In This Art" podcast. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the arts and culture podcast scene and showcase your insights on "The Truth In This Art" with Rob Lee.

Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart

Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.

Support the show:

Merch from Redbubble | Make a Donation

In this special Election Day episode of The Truth In This Art, join me as I sit down with Diana Jean Schemo, co-founder of 100Reporters and the visionary behind Double Exposure, America’s first and only film festival dedicated to the exciting intersection between investigative journalism and visual storytelling. Diana’s career spans over 25 years, including work at The New York Times and The Baltimore Sun, where her investigative reporting earned her a Pulitzer Prize nomination.

We explore her enduring commitment to unearthing truth and holding power to account, a mission that fuels Double Exposure’s impactful lineup of investigative films. Through its unique festival format, Double Exposure brings together filmmakers and journalists, highlighting stories that challenge the status quo and shine a light on issues that shape our world.

Tune in if you're intrigued by the role of journalism in democracy or curious about how film can bring urgent issues to the forefront. This conversation is a timely look at how storytelling and journalism can drive meaningful change.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community in Baltimore, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on "The Truth In This Art" podcast. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the arts and culture podcast scene and showcase your insights on "The Truth In This Art" with Rob Lee.

Follow The Truth In This Art on Twitter, Threads, IG, and Facebook @truthinthisart

Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

Hosted by Rob Lee, "The Truth In This Art" podcast dives into the heart of creativity and its influence on the community. This arts and culture podcast from Baltimore highlights artists discussing their ideas, sharing insights, and telling impactful stories. Through these artist interviews, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the creative economy and artistic life in Baltimore.

Support the show:

Merch from Redbubble | Make a Donation