Meet Brandon L Joyner and Associates | Creator and Co-Owner of Shortwave Kistch

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandon L Joyner and Associates and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shortwave Kitsch Team, why did you pursue a creative career?
Maddie Casto-Koebler: For as long as I can remember, I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. Music and theater have been part of me since I was little. My mom introduced me to the greats very early on; Roger’s and Hammerstein, Roger’s and Hart, the great film classics of the 30s and 40s, and any musical on film between 1920 and 1960. I never lit up to anything like I did music and theater, and my parents generously and graciously supported and nurtured that in every way they could. They helped me fight my doubts, my fears, and my insecurities – and let me peruse the arts fully and completely.

Kristen N. Granet: Art’s pulsed through my veins from birth—singing is an intrinsic part of my existence. Raised in the church, I eagerly embraced the inaugural class of the Charleston County School of the Arts, completing all six grades– middle through high. The College of Charleston beckoned, and under Dr. Robert Taylor’s baton, our musical journey reached Regionals and Nationals at ACDA. Post-college, I joined the Charleston Caroling Company, exploring both Alto and Soprano parts. Visual arts, a family legacy, captivate me; expressing this in oil paintings and award-winning photography. Theatre, the culmination of my artistic being, brings forth electric moments on stage.

Brooke Rash: Ever since I was little performing has been a passion of mine. From dance recitals to marching band to acting onstage and running tech, I’ve always been drawn to the performing arts.

Brandon L. Joyner: It will, living in the Holy City, sound cliche. I started in church as a little kid. Singing and acting in Pasion plays and kid’s musicals with other people I worshipped with every week. That followed me into choirs and different theater organizations throughout grade school. Not to mention the Charleston Youth Company. All singing, all dancing. Then I graduated into full theatrical productions at the College of Charleston along with a BFA in Music with a Concentration in Opera. Kristen mentioned earlier our wonderful experiences at ACDA, Regionals and Nationals. If you’re like me, you are not only fueled by those musicals that you’ve known for decades, but you want to create something all of your own to live beside those. That’s where Shortwave Kitsch comes in!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Kristen N. Granet: Shortwave Kitsch is a unique art form. SWK is six vintage-kissed modern story tales rolled into one exciting show, performed live and recorded for posterity. With varying genres from adventure (“Call the Lady Physician”), to sci-fi (“Extra Intelligence”), western (“A Hog Killin’ Time”), crime noir (“Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity”), from the helpful spirit of a mystery-sleuth (“To Whom It May Concern…”), to the Hollywood hills of talent agents trying to break into the film industry (“Hollywood Hunters”). Each 1/2 hour-long episode boasts two new commercials (from one of Dr. Clutterbuck & Associates’ companies) as well as two brand new songs performed with Foley in front of a live studio audience and recorded to release via podcasting platforms everywhere you love to listen. What’s there NOT to be excited about? Getting here hasn’t been easy and staying is a daily struggle. But, when you love what you do, it’s totally worth the finished product in the end. And being able to share it with the world is what we set forth to accomplish. Once you listen, we believe you’ll be hooked and salivating for more! So, hold on tight and click the “Like” and “Subscribe” buttons to stay in the know for each exciting new episode! You won’t regret it!

Maddie Casto-Koebler: Shortwave Kitsch not only celebrates a golden age of entertainment that is slowly becoming lost to so many people, but it also can help educate what is still wrong in this world and provide so much joy in a time when we need it most. We want to share why this time period was so important, why it laid the foundations of why we have the entertainment we have today, and why so much of it still impacts us as entertainers – even if so many young artists don’t realize it. Personally, I have been incredibly lucky to have the experiences I do – with the shows and roles I’ve been part of and gotten to play, and where I got to perform. But no part of it has been easy. Being a full-time artist means struggling – maybe financially, which is stereotypically expected. But it means struggling because it can be very lonely and isolating, and keep you away from your friends and loved ones for long periods of time. You constantly doubt yourself, your abilities, and you want to support those who rely on you – especially when owning your first theatrical company. But I’ve learned that you have to be true to yourself, you cannot compare yourself to anyone else. Lead with joy and positivity. Count the moments when you realize you’re doing what you love, and remember that not everyone gets to be where you are.

Brooke Rash: I love that we don’t require a lot of the actor’s time. This allows us to be able to have a variety of talent perform with us. We have one night of rehearsal and one day of performances and we read off the scripts during the show all of which don’t require too much of anyone’s time. And producing original work (our scripts & music) is so refreshing and reviving the art of radio storytelling is really special. As the Foley artist, I get to create new sounds and the research of such a traditional art is quite rewarding.

Brandon L. Joyner: What can I say that hasn’t been by my wonderful partners? Let’s just say that I’ve been blessed with a stupid number of talented performers in the thriving theater community locally here in Charleston. Whenever I call our friends to hang out with us and have some fun goofing around on stage to engage the audience with a professional class show, they say yes. I’m thankful for that and every one of them every day. Most of all, my brother John. (Check out our Christmas Special to hear him sing “Jingle Bells!”)

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Brooke Rash: Our Farmer’s Markets. It’s a great chance to shop local. I’ve met vendors that I’ve become a huge fan of.

I’d also plan to go to the following local attractions: Angel Oak, Charleston Tea Garden. Pineapple Fountain & Waterfront Swings. Those are places I adored while growing up in Charleston. I’d also take my best friend to a show at one or more of the theatres I’ll mention below depending on what was available.

Food highlights would be Three Little Birds Cafe, Mozzo Deli, El Molino, Nigel’s, LOLA, Caviar & Bananas, Pink Bellies, Poke Tea House, Muddy Waters, Wildflour Bakery & Bok Choy Boy. And hopefully, be able to catch up with my favorite pop-ups Seoul Ahs & Tamales by Guadalupe.

Kristen N. Granet: A week in Charleston? There’s so much to fit in, but hold on tight and keep your camera by your side, ‘cause here we go! I’d recommend trying to visit during the first Friday of the month for the Downtown Charleston Art Walks or second Sunday for dining on King Street with local vendors to shop from.

Some of my favorite sites: Lowcountry Artists Gallery, Downtown Waterfront Park, Pineapple Fountain & Market, Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse at Station 18 ½ as well as Station 28 ½ by the dome house & a drive by the forts, Breach Inlet & Front Beach on IOP, the Angel Oak, Charleston Music Hall, Folly Beach washout, and Shem Creek.

Restaurants that are divine: Fleet Landing (crab stuffed hushpuppies), The Grit Counter (all the grits), Co-Op (Frosé), Metto Cafe (GF Brownies & Lavender Latte), Coconut Joe’s (Pina Colada & Coconut Shrimp), Pineapple Hut (Dole Whip Pineapple), Vicious Biscuit (Cheddar Jalapeno Biscuit), Saltwater Cowboys (Trash Can Nachos waterside), Ritual (downtown rooftop drinks) AND, last, but definitely not least: Hank’s Seafood (one of the best places in town for seafood)!

Maddie Casto-Koebler: My husband was a chef, so our relationship is filled with our love of food. We love a little bit of it all – and we love to share that with people who are visiting. We just moved to Summerville, and we’re still learning all the great places to enjoy there. Charleston has so much to offer in all of its neighborhoods!

Summerville – maybe throw some axes at The Axe Joint or some fun arcade time at Stars and Strikes. Our favorite places to eat are Bexley, Sweetwater One Twenty Three, Burnin’ 99, and Oscars.

Downtown – Would absolutely take a harbor cruise or a dinner cruise around The Battery. Maybe catch a show at The Music Hall or The Gaillard. Our favorite places to eat are Bedford Falls, Lewis BBQ, Chez Nous, Raw 167, R Kitchen, Azur, Mercantile and Mash, and Brasserie La Banque.

Folly Beach would be our beach of choice to relax on, maybe stopping at Baguette Magic to get some amazing pastries and coffee before hitting the beach or The Lost Dog, with a stop at The Pineapple Hut for dessert.

Other fun: A fossil hunt or nature trip with Coastal Expeditions, a visit to the Gibbs Art Museum or The Angel Oak.

Brandon L. Joyner: We are a foodie culture here in Charleston. Turn a corner, you’ll run into a fantastic restaurant. From Poogan’s Porch to 82 Queen. The others have far better food recommendations than I do though.

There is so much history here though. You’d really be missing out if you don’t hop on a carriage tour or a bus tour or a harbor cruise. Soak up all the day-to-day from days gone by.

We are a theater company though. So check out the people we perform with at The Black Fedora or Theatre 99. Best comedy in town at both of those places. And speaking of history, we have historic theaters at the Dock Street Theater and the Queen Street Playhouse. I don’t think you’d be disappointed in any of the theaters we have here in Charleston.

But… if you’re in town and it happens to be on a day we’re performing Shortwave Kitsch, you have to catch us! I promise you won’t regret it.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Brandon L. Joyner: I’ve been amazingly fortunate to work with a legion of great performers. But it all started with my parents, David and Jeannie Joyner. They were the first to be put under the pressure of directing me and learning me how to sing. There were people locally who would then be kind enough to put me on stage. While that list is too long for ten articles, I leave it at Robert Ivey who trusted me in so many musicals and Sheri Grace Wenger who showed me that I was a pretty great Elvis impersonator. To them, I say, “Thank you. Thank you very much.”

Maddie Casto-Koebler: My parents for being fully and utterly supportive no matter what. My amazing voice teacher, Jamie Cordes, who taught me the freedom of my own voice when I doubt my own self. One of my acting teachers, Brian McKnight, who saw more potential in me on stage than anyone ever has. My wonderful husband, who has always let me go and be the artist I am striving to become while being a wonderful partner and friend. The Black Fedora for being my theatrical home I have always been looking for. And my Shortwave Kitsch team for making this unique dream a reality.

Brooke Rash: Other local theatres. We have crossed paths with each theatre in Charleston and it’s such a pleasure to witness the local talent here. Black Fedora, Theatre 99, Pure Theatre, The Void, Queen Street Theatre, Threshold Theatre, Charleston Stage, South of Broadway, FAME Performing Arts, Rip City.

Kristen N, Granet: I think that Post Modern Jukebox kinda paved the road and opened the doors to remind everyone why vintage style is so fantastic. They bring a vintage twist to modern music. We bring a modern model to the vintage world. After all, our motto is “New stories, vintage vibes!” While we adore the vintage look and feel, we don’t necessarily condone the values. There are many teachable moments from history but if we ignore them rather than shedding light on them, we’re doomed to repeat history. So, why not embrace what came before and talk about things, recognize why things went wrong while poking fun and keeping it tongue and cheek? We learn from mistakes and try not to make the same ones. Taking the good things from the bygone era of the 40s we can introduce folks to the world that they’re longing for while helping them relate to the world today. PMJ does a great job bringing the vintage feel to the modern world and if we can share just an inkling of vintage with others through our live theatrical recordings presented to the podcast platform, well then I consider that a fine thing indeed!

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Image Credits
Rose Newman Ruta Smith Jeannie Joyner Kristen N. Granet