Episode 184: Mandy Brownholtz

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For Episode 184, Zach Romano joins Tom as co-host for an interview with Brooklyn-based author Mandy Brownholtz.  Brownholtz just released her debut novel, Rotten, which tells the story of a young twenty-something named Viv Taylor as she navigates the seedy underbelly of the DIY scene in Washington D.C. The plot sees Viv confronting past traumas experienced through the scene and reckons with issues of consent and millennial sexual politics, particularly in the context of tight-knit music communities. Tune in to the interview to hear about Brownholtz’s decision to self-publish the novel and what went into that process, the “Ooze” motif that follows Viv throughout the book, how her own experiences in the DIY community helped her develop the characters in Rotten, and more. Plus, Mandy picked some awesome records from Tom’s record collection from Times New Viking, Parquet Courts, Fiona Apple, and more. You can follow along with her picks via the official playlist for Episode 184!

The first print edition of Rotten is sold out, but you can sign up for the waitlist for the second edition. You can purchase a digital copy of the book via Brownholtz’s website. Keep up with her via Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.