"Denver is So Vermont" with Max Higgins

"I've Been The First Kill in Three Horror Movies" with J.W. Crump

Ái Vy welcomes the vivacious, hilarious, talented Southern Beau J.W. CRUMP to the pod **(Brandon will be back next week, don't worry kitten)** J.W. gabs about winning an apple pie making contest at his Southern Baptist church, admiring your friends who are more talented than you, and why absurdist comedy does not age !!! J.W. Crump is a writer, comedian, game show designer, and host of "POD LEDOM: That's TOP MODEL PODCAST Spelled Backwards" !!!! To be frank, he's a STAR ... find him on Instagram @jw_crump [https://www.instagram.com/jw_crump] and listen to his (now completed) podcast POD LEDOM. [https://open.spotify.com/show/1VKPEq7EDG4B2Chxdr2mHq?si=b096e01c860340c2&nd=1&dlsi=6f449155fbc44a89]

"Okay Sarah, Plain and Tall!" with Ian Lockwood

Musician and comedian Ian Lockwood joins Ái Vy in studio fresh off a successful year of performing "Ian Lockwood: The Farewell Tour." Ian won the Best Newcomer, Comedians' Choice Award at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and performed his FINAL SHOW EVER in at Red Eye NY in June 2025. Sucks for you if you missed it!! Ian has been featured in TimeOut New York, Vulture, and Paste Magazine. You can find his music wherever you streeaaammm [https://open.spotify.com/track/5GQRD66YjSk8dThf0QXZO3?si=uFHt0h-ZTxm0dp1qXRaIsQ&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A0JDMEAkwVTX6bld8ig9jsj&nd=1&dlsi=11583092fe054665] and watch his music videos on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq31rst7cE0]. Follow him on IG @mrianlockwood [https://www.instagram.com/mrianlockwood/] . You can also see him as a panelist on SINGLE RELEASE SINGLES PAGEANT at Empire Stage [https://www.instagram.com/empire.stage/] on Sat, February 7th [https://www.instagram.com/p/DTQktnNjwS8/?img_index=1]. ________ Notes & References... - Good Ol Days Diner [https://www.instagram.com/goodoldaysdiner/?hl=en] in Bed Stuy - "Sarah, Plain and Tall" novel by Patricia MacLachlan (1985)

"Denver is So Vermont" with Max Higgins

This week the pod welcomes New York darliiiiing comedian (by way of Burlington, Vermont) ... MAX HIGGINS !! (everyone say "hi Max!") Max sits down with Ái Vy (as Brandon races against the clock on an Amtrak back from a family trip) and they discuss the gamification of dating in NYC, mushroom foraging in Vermont, and loving a group project! You can find Max on Instagram @max_headgear [https://www.instagram.com/max_headgear/] or rocking out in the audience at a Phish concert. He is hosting COMEDY WOLF on January 25th (7PM) at QED in Astoria, Queens -- LINK FOR TICKETS [https://qedastoria.com/products/comedy-wolf]!! ______ Notes & references: - Jam band culture including PHISH (originally formed in Burlington, VT) and LOTUS. - "She-Ra & the Princesses of Power" animated series (2018) showrunner ND Stevenson - "The Breakfast Club" (1985) dir. John Hughes - Tae Bo workout videos by Billy Blanks [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMGIp3jifsoufZv_y8_c1Qg] - "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" by Carole King (writers Carole King & Gerry Goffin)

"Marked Safe From Poly" with Carmen Castillo

Pop Music Fever Dream bassist and girl-you-saw-at-the-door-at-Elsewhere-and-envied-her-vibe CARMEN CASTILLO is in studio with Ái Vy & Brandon this week to discuss coming up in the Brooklyn post-punk scene, her music & style inspirations, and why "Black Christmas" (1974) is a subversive feminist classic !!!!!!! You can find Carmen on IG @carmenesperanza_ [https://www.instagram.com/carmenesperanza_/] along with her band, POP MUSIC FEVER DREAM @pmfd.nyc [https://www.instagram.com/pmfd.nyc/] -- their EP "Songs for Emotion" is NOW ON VINYL - LINK HERE OKAYYY???!!!!!! [https://insecurityhits.bandcamp.com/album/songs-for-emotion] PMFD also features our gorgeous stellar rock n' roll audio editor Nicole Harwayne on guitar xoxo -------- Sampled in this episode: - "Me and My Friends [https://open.spotify.com/track/0Yq3if6IunEtm4MFdBTF3S?si=ij_rDnL3QDeR2WNwgLzu-w&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnT8P5_Nlf3LU3upsMLWuKUOhwXekuVpglktZSNRvClzgnudbEEzjXR6EaGyE_aem_NCi8lkd2KCd8IGqdCOCwNA&nd=1&dlsi=45a27e2318df4f6f]" by STAR'S REVENGE [https://www.instagram.com/starsrevengeband/](writers Olive Faber & Emily Green) - "Elegy for Memory [https://pmfd.bandcamp.com/]" by POP MUSIC FEVER DREAM [https://www.instagram.com/pmfd.nyc/](writer Tim Seeberger) - Cardi B on "Love & Hip Hop: New York" _________ Since the topic of show notes is discussed WITH FERVOR in this episode, please enjoy this not-quite-exhaustive list of references: - "Every Al Pacino Movie is Gay" [https://www.autostraddle.com/every-al-pacino-movie-is-gay/] by Drew Burnett Gregory - "Jennifer's Body" (2009) dir. Karyn Kusama - "Black Christmas" (1974) dir. Bob Clark - "Scarecrow" (1973) dir. Jerry Schatzberg - "Together" (2025) dir. Michael Shanks - "Weapons" (2025) dir. Zach Cregger - “The Red Shoes” (1948) dir. Emeric Pressburger & Michael Powell - “Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story” (1987) dir. Todd Haynes - “May December” (2023) dir. Todd Haynes - Laura Jane Grace of Against Me! / “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” - Brody Dalle of The Distillers - "We Are Sex Bob-Omb" from "Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World" OMPS (writer Beck Hansen) - "Summertime Sadness" by Lana Del Rey (writers Rick Nowels & Lana Del Rey) - The Lana & Ethel feud - RIPPERS burger shack, Rockaway Beach, NY

"I'm On Hold Listening to Stock Jazz" with Edson Montenegro

RING RING SKRRRT **DIAL-UP SOUND** RING **CUE SOFT TINNY JAZZ** We're along for the ride with comedian & themme fatale EDSON MONTENEGRO as they're on hold with a bus company, trying to change a ticket for their beloved BF. Brandon is holding down the fort solo this week to gab with his good friend about playing Plinko, being in "competitive yearbook," Greek life Dinosaurs & Sluts (?!) parties, and how Edson discovered comedy thanks to getting sober. TUNE IN TO FIND OUT IF EDSON'S BOYFRIEND MADE IT HOME!!!!! Edson is an actor, writer, comedian, and an alum of UCB Theatre NY. Follow them on Instagram & Tik Tok [https://www.tiktok.com/@edsonmountaineggroll] @edsonmountaineggroll [https://www.instagram.com/edsonmountaineggroll/] and their new sketch comedy page @nocontactsketch [https://www.instagram.com/nocontactsketch/]