Dark times call for stories of passion and resilience, and today’s episode delivers just that. We’re diving into the world of Star Wars-inspired folk music with the incredible band Folk the Empire.

I had such a great time talking to Erik, Chris, and Mike and I hope you enjoy our wide-ranging coversation about how they formed, their unique blend of punk and folk, and the deep storytelling that infuses their music. If you’ve ever wondered what fight songs the Rebellion would rally behind, this episode is for you.

Stick around to the end of the episode to hear one of their songs, and if you like what you hear, check them out on social media and support their upcoming EP "Rise Up" on Bandcamp which drops Friday March 7.

00:22 – Introduction to Folk the Empire: A band that merges Star Wars, folk music, and anti-fascist resistance.

01:07 – Meet the band: Erik (banjo), Chris (guitar), and Mike (cajon/percussion), their backgrounds, and how this project came to life.

02:22 – The origins of Folk the Empire: How a banjo, punk roots, and a rebel recruitment song started it all.

04:09 – Playing their first live show at a metal gig (!?) and the surprising support of the metal community.

07:40 – The importance of humor in Star Wars and protest music, and the role of folk music as 'news of the land.'

0:39 – Writing songs in the Star Wars universe: What would a Rebel pilot sing before a battle? What does life on Tatooine sound like?

6:13 – The power of allegory: Using Star Wars to talk about real-world politics and activism in a way that resonates.

19:56 – Introducing their in-universe personas: The Burgundy Squadron and their rebel radio past.

24:44 – Why folk music is the perfect vehicle for Star Wars storytelling.

30:42 – Playing live shows: The challenge of fitting in and their favorite gig experiences.

40:19 – Handling Star Wars fandom and avoiding toxic gatekeeping.

46:43 – The impact of Andor and what makes ‘gritty’ Star Wars so powerful.

53:11 – The DIY spirit: Why making something by hand is more meaningful in the digital age.

58:51 – Upcoming releases: New cassette EP with amazing artwork inspired by classic Star Wars toys.

01:12:19 – If they could play any venue in the galaxy, where would it be?

1:18:08 – Where to find Folk the Empire and what song to start with.

Follow Folk the Empire on Instagram: instagram.com/folk_the_empire [https://www.instagram.com/folk_the_empire] Listen to their music on YOUTUBE: youtube.com/@FolktheEmpire [https://www.youtube.com/@FolktheEmpire] Pre-Save the "RISE UP" EP: distrokid.com/hyperfollow/folktheempire/rise-up [https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/folktheempire/rise-up]

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#49 – FOLK THE EMPIRE!

Josh chats to returning guest DR. DAVID WEST REYNOLDS about his new documentary project, CHASING RAIDERS, which explores the real history and archaeology behind Raiders of the Lost Ark.

📖 CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction and Chasing Raiders project overview 01:19 - Reynolds' previous Star Wars documentary success 02:25 - Scope and goals of Chasing Raiders 06:46 - Filming locations and production plans 13:05 - Discovering the Tanis dig site in Tunisia 20:03 - Working at Lucasfilm and conversations with George Lucas 33:01 - The true origin of Indy's bullwhip 40:03 - Real archaeology vs. Indiana Jones 42:32 - Discussion of Crystal Skull and later sequels 48:19 - The Flying Wing budget story 54:39 - Nietzsche, filmmaking, and the spirit of adventure 58:48 - Documentary's themes and Kickstarter campaign 1:02:28 - Closing thoughts and how to support the project

🔗 LINKS

Kickstarter for Chasing Raiders: tcp.show/ChasingRaidersKickstarter

Chasing Raiders Official Website: ChasingRaiders.com [http://ChasingRaiders.com]

Instagram: @ArchaeologyOfIndianaJones

Previous Episode with Dr. Reynolds: https://trashcompod.com/43

👉 FOLLOW

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#48 – CHASING RAIDERS: Dr. David West Reynolds' new Indy doc

Josh chats with Patrick Cotnoir, producer of The George Lucas Talk Show, about the new documentary "I'm George Lucas: A Connor Ratliff Story.” Patrick discusses the origins of the show, its evolution during the pandemic, and shares behind-the-scenes insights into this unique comedy phenomenon.

📖 CHAPTERS

0:00 - Introduction  2:17 - Origins of The George Lucas Talk Show  5:38 - Patrick's involvement as producer  9:16 - Why George Lucas? 12:23 - Resonating with non-Star Wars fans 15:14 - Approaching guests for the show  19:23 - The Naboo Movie live reading event  23:24 - Impact of the pandemic on the show  29:30 - Livestreaming vs. live performances  33:38 - Dream guests for the show  37:10 - Has George Lucas heard about the show?  41:44 - Hopes for interviewing George Lucas  46:57 - Where to watch the documentary and show  49:50 - Closing thoughts and upcoming projects

🔗 LINKS

Check out "I'm George Lucas: A Connor Ratliff Story" and The George Lucas Talk Show: ImGeorgeLucas.com [http://www.imgeorgelucas.com]  YouTube.com/TheGeorgeLucasTalkShow [http://YouTube.com/TheGeorgeLucasTalkShow]

Follow Patrick Cotnoir:  Instagram: @Coitner [https://www.instagram.com/cotnoir]  Twitter: @PatrickCoitner  [https://x.com/patrickcotnoir] Website: PatrickCoitner.com [http://PatrickCoitner.com]

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into Star Wars (and Star Wars adjacent) topics.

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#47 – I'M GEORGE LUCAS: Documenting The George Lucas Chat Show (w/ Patrick Cotnoir)

Is Star Wars art or mere content? As Star Wars continues to thrive as a Disney franchise, can it maintain any artistic integrity, or was it always a product of the capitalist culture industry? We explore these questions and more, including:

 * The transition from George Lucas’s vision to Disney's corporate ownership.
 * The impact of capitalism on artistic endeavors within the Star Wars universe.
 * Whether the new era of Star Wars can still produce subversive, meaningful art.

🤝 GUESTS:

 * Andy Boyd: Playwright, author of The Trade Federation, Let's Explore Globalization Through The Star Wars Prequels. Check out his new play Occupy Prescott available now from No Passport Press.
 * Matt Barbot: Playwright, author of the award-winning El Coqui Espectacular and The Bottle of Doom, having its next production at Long Wharf Theatre in January 2025 [https://longwharf.org/shows-events/el-coqui-espectacular/].

📖 CHAPTERS:

00:00:00 Introductions 00:01:19 Star Wars: Art or Corporate Product? 00:04:08 Anti-Capitalist Themes in the Star Wars Prequels 00:08:01 Creativity vs. Corporate Control in Disney's Star Wars 00:12:10 Segmenting the Audience with Different Flavors of Star Wars 00:16:44 The Future of Star Wars and Expanded Universe Integration 00:21:38 Impact of Streaming Models on Star Wars Content 00:25:03 Andor: A Case Study in Artistic Integrity within a Franchise 00:29:01 Could Andor Work Outside of Star Wars? 00:32:10 Balancing Artistic Vision with Franchise Continuity 00:37:36 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

🔗 LINKS:

 * Andy Boyd on Instagram: @AndyJBoyd [https://www.instagram.com/andyjboyd]
 * Andy Boyd Official Website: www.andyjboyd.com [http://www.andyjboyd.com]
 * Matt Barbot on New Play Exchange: Matt Barbot | NPX [https://newplayexchange.org/users/1342/matt-barbot]

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into Star Wars (and Star Wars adjacent) topics.

===============

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THE CORPORATE ALLIANCE: Is Star Wars Art or Content?

Josh, Jonny, and special guest Ro from The Scarif Scuttlebutt Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/c/ScarifScuttlebuttPodcast] (https://www.youtube.com/c/ScarifScuttlebuttPodcast) dive deep into George Lucas's 1971 feature film debut, THX 1138. They discuss the film's themes, its relevance today, and how it laid the groundwork for Lucas's later work, including Star Wars. We discuss:

 * How THX 1138 offers a unique insight into George Lucas's artistic vision and themes that would later be explored in his Star Wars films.
 * How the movie remains relevant today, as it examines the dehumanizing effects of technology and the struggle against oppressive systems.
 * While the CGI additions in the 2004 Director's Cut are controversial, the original film remains a stunning example of low-budget, avant-garde science fiction filmmaking.
 * THX 1138 can be seen as the first part of an informal trilogy, alongside American Graffiti and Star Wars, that explores the idea of leaving a small world to enter a larger one.

CHAPTERS: 00:00:00 - Introduction and guest introductions 00:03:02 - Overall thoughts on THX 1138 and its insights into George Lucas as a filmmaker 00:18:19 - Relevance of THX 1138 in the age of AI and dehumanization through technology 00:23:07 - Comparison between the feature film and Lucas's original student short 00:30:06 - The character of SEN 5241 (Donald Pleasence) and his role in the story 00:34:19 - The music of THX 1138, composed by Lalo Schifrin 00:35:37 - Thoughts on the controversial CGI additions in the 2004 Director's Cut 00:42:48 - Parallels between THX 1138 and the Andor prison arc in Star Wars 00:45:41 - The relationship between humans and technology in George Lucas's films 00:52:53 - THX 1138's stunning visuals and low-budget filmmaking 00:56:47 - Closing thoughts on THX 1138 and its place in George Lucas's filmography

WATCH THX 1138 on Amazon Prime: https://amzn.to/49Pcq4D BUY THX 1138 on Bluray: https://amzn.to/3w8NQ0U BUY THX 1138 on DVD: https://amzn.to/4dpcICz

(Purchasing through these affiliate links will earn us a very small commission. Thanks for supporting the show!)

===============

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THX VIBES: A Discussion of THX 1138

Join us for a special bonus episode celebrating the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace! We've compiled highlights from past episodes where we discussed topics related to this groundbreaking film. Hear insights from Dan Madsen, former head of the Lucasfilm fan club, and Dr. David West Reynolds, co-editor of the Episode 1 teaser trailer, as they share their experiences and perspectives on the hype and excitement leading up to the movie's release. Plus, hosts Josh and Chris reminisce about their own memories of seeing The Phantom Menace for the first time.

Chapters: 00:00:00 - Josh: Introduction 00:01:32 - Dan Madsen: Experience at Lucasfilm 00:04:21 - Dr. David West Reynolds: Crafting the Episode 1 Teaser Trailer 00:05:52 - Dan Madsen: Reaction to the Final Trailer 00:06:57 - Dr. David West Reynolds: Debating Reveals and Spoilers in the Trailer 00:07:47 - Dan Madsen: The Excitement and Anticipation Leading Up to Episode 1 00:09:38 - Dr. David West Reynolds: George Lucas's Vision for the Prequels 00:10:24 - Dan Madsen: The Legacy of The Phantom Menace 00:11:06 - Dr. David West Reynolds: George Lucas's Foresight and Long-Term Storytelling 00:12:14 - Dan Madsen: The Changing Perception of the Prequels 00:13:31 - Dr. David West Reynolds: Vindication of George Lucas's Vision 00:14:16 - Dan Madsen: George Lucas Having the Last Laugh 00:14:52 - Dr. David West Reynolds: Letting Go of Expectations 00:15:31 - Josh: Difficulty in Being Objective About the Movie 00:15:46 - Chris: Memories of Seeing Episode 1 00:23:31 - Josh: Conclusion

Don't miss our next full episode, where we'll be discussing George Lucas's first feature film, THX 1138, dropping on Tuesday, May 7th. Be sure to follow us on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube @TrashComPod for more Star Wars content and updates!

StarWars #ThePhantomMenace #Lucasfilm #MayTheFourth

===============

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PHANTOM FLASHBACKS: 25 Years of The Phantom Menace

Josh is joined by the hosts of THE YOUNG INDIANA JONES CHRONICLERS Podcast: Peter Holmstrom, and Daniel Noa, and delve into the eponymous TV series, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. Discover the groundbreaking production techniques, the educational value, and the passion that George Lucas poured into the often overlooked series. Learn how the series served as a testing ground for the digital technology and production techniques that would later be used in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Explore the themes of disillusionment and the loss of innocence that are present in both The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and Lucas's later work. Whether you're a die-hard Indiana Jones fan or simply interested in the history of film and television, this episode is a fascinating look at a lost relic of George Lucas's filmography.

Chapters:

 1.  [00:00:00] Introduction
 2.  [00:01:55] The origins of The Young Indy Chroniclers podcast
 3.  [00:04:53] Young Indy's role in pushing filmmaking technology forward
 4.  [00:11:53] The educational goals of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles
 5.  [00:16:59] How George Lucas almost revolutionized television in 1992
 6.  [00:21:43] The cinematic scope and ambition of Young Indy
 7.  [00:24:27] George Lucas's hands-on involvement in the series
 8.  [00:28:37] Young Indy as a fusion of Lucas's interests and passions
 9.  [00:33:18] The connection between Young Indy's cancellation and the Star Wars prequels
 10. [00:38:43] Recommended episodes for new viewers
 11. [00:42:35] Young Indy as an entry point for Indiana Jones fans
 12. [00:50:24] The groundbreaking nature of Young Indy for a TV series
 13. [00:54:01] Young Indy as George Lucas's passion project
 14. [00:58:08] The hosts' growing appreciation for the series
 15. [01:02:54] Thematic connections between Young Indy and the Star Wars prequels
 16. [01:06:37] The hosts' hopes for the podcast's impact
 17. [01:09:41] Conclusion

===============

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GEORGE'S MASTERPIECE: Young Indiana Jones w/ Peter Holmstrom & Daniel Noa

In this episode, Josh interviews Dr. David West Reynolds about his unbelievable journey from archaeologist to editing the hugely-anticipated teaser trailer for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999). Show Notes:

 * Learn how Dr. Reynolds went from earning his PhD researching ancient sites to launching an expedition in Tunisia to uncover forgotten Star Wars filming locations from the first movie.
 * Hear the serendipitous story behind producer Rick McCallum connecting with Dr. Reynolds' work and bringing him on board to help scout new desert planets for the prequels.
 * Get a peek inside Skywalker Ranch and Lucasfilm during the production of The Phantom Menace leading up to the trailer's debut.
 * Find out what it was like collaborating with "the best trailer editor in Hollywood" to shape two minutes that would preview this new era of Star Wars to anxious fans everywhere.
 * Listen as Dr. Reynolds details the conversations and debates that determined which Phantom Menace scenes and surprises to tease or preserve for theaters.
 * Discover why choices for the trailer were so complex given filmmaker George Lucas' wildly different vision for the prequels compared to what adult fans may have hoped for.

Whether you were one of those avid fans who watched the trailer frame-by-frame in '98 or simply want an insider's look at this seminal pop culture event, join Josh for a compelling chat with Dr. David West Reynolds!

For more about Dr. Reynolds, visit www.DavidWestReynolds.com [http://www.davidwestreynolds.com]

===============

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PHANTOM TEASER: Editing the Episode I Teaser w/ Dr. David West Reynolds

Welcome to a special episode of Trash Compactor, part of the Star Wars Podcast Day 2024 celebration! This year, we're not only joining forces with podcasts around the galaxy to honor #StarWarsPodcastDay2024, but we're also commemorating the 25th anniversary of the pioneering Star Wars podcast, Jedi Talk, which debuted on this very day in 1999. For those tuning in for the first time, we're a group of cinephiles and pop culture enthusiasts who dive deep into the realms of filmmaking, technology, and, of course, all things Star Wars. Our discussions range from in-depth analyses of the Star Wars saga and explorations of how Star Wars intersects with other elements of (pop) culture.

In this episode, we delve into a question that's been sparking curiosity across the galaxy: "What Does George Lucas Think About AI in Filmmaking?" As the visionary behind the Star Wars universe and a trailblazer in digital cinema, George Lucas's perspective on the rise of generative AI technologies like ChatGPT and MidJourney is a topic ripe for exploration. Join us as we embark on a thought-provoking journey through the potential implications, challenges, and opportunities that AI presents to the creative process in filmmaking.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

George Lucas's Legacy: Reflecting on Lucas's pioneering role in integrating digital tech into filmmaking.

AI in Creativity: Delving into the capabilities and implications of generative AI for artists and creators.

Expert Insights: John and Bracey share their perspectives on how Lucas might view AI's role in both enhancing and potentially undermining the creative process.

Human vs. AI Creativity: Discussing the balance between technological innovation and the intrinsic human touch in storytelling.

The Future of Creativity: Speculating on the evolving relationship between creators and AI tools in shaping the narratives of tomorrow.

Whether you're a long-time listener or joining us for the first time on this special occasion, we invite you to engage with us in this fascinating discussion. How do you think the integration of AI in filmmaking aligns with the visionary spirit of George Lucas and the Star Wars saga? 🔔 Subscribe to Trash Compactor to stay updated on our latest episodes, and don't forget to like and share if you enjoy our journey through cinema and beyond!

GeorgeLucas #ArtificialIntelligence #CreativeTechnology #FilmMaking #TrashCompactorPodcast #StarWars #DigitalArt #GenerativeAI #CinemaTech #StarWarsPodcastDay2024 #SWPD2024

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IF DROIDS COULD THINK: George Lucas on AI #SWPD2024

We're joined by editors Dr. Emily Strand and Dr. Amy H. Sturgis to discuss their new essay collection "STAR WARS: ESSAYS FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY." From in-universe lore to real-world influences, this compilation of academic analysis reveals new depths even diehard fans may have missed.

Guest Info: Dr. Emily Strand Website: www.emilystrand.com [http://www.emilystrand.com] & liturgyandlife.com [http://liturgyandlife.com/] Co-host of podcasts "Potterversity” and “Meet Father Rivers"

Dr. Amy H. Sturgis Website: www.amyhsturgis.com [http://www.amyhsturgis.com/] Professor of intellectual history and speculative fiction

Book Info: "STAR WARS: ESSAYS FROM A GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY" Available via Vernon Press: https://vernonpress.com/book/1751

OR request it from your local library!

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ACAFANS: The Rigorous Study of Star Wars

Thoughtful takes on STAR WARS and related topics from the VHS generation.

Josh Bernhard

Shows