SWRT 312 | Folklore of North America with Mike Bass

December 19, 2024

Author Paulette Stout talks about writing with the senses.

“As we know in folklore, the ability to put a name and a face on something sort of takes away the power of it.” Mike Bass

Are you ready to journey through the captivating world of folklore? This week on the Story Works Round Table podcast, Alida has the pleasure of sitting down with Mike Bass, a distinguished folklorist and printmaker, whose artistry is as intriguing as the stories he tells. Growing up in a house teeming with spirits, Mike’s fascination with the supernatural and the macabre has shaped his work, resulting in a unique blend of art and storytelling that captures the imagination.

Throughout the conversation, Mike and Alida explore the evolution of folklore, discussing the differences between traditional and modern tales. They delve into the role of folklore in reflecting societal values and fears, examining how stories evolve as they traverse cultural and temporal boundaries. Mike’s insights into the intersection of folklore and art reveal the enduring power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of the world.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, folklore aficionado, or simply curious about the mysterious and the macabre, this episode promises to be a captivating exploration of the stories that shape us. Don’t forget to visit storyworkspodcast.com to view Mike’s prints and connect with his work. Happy listening!

AUDIO

Chichiricus

Chupacabra

Onaite

Ciguapa

Frightful Folklore

Sasquatch

VIDEO

Mike Bass is a print maker, author, folklorist, and storyteller who loves hearing a good tale as much as telling one!

He lives in Madison, Wisconsin with his wife, where they are purveyors of the un-massproduced unusual at Zip-Dang!

Connect with Mike

SHOW NOTES

Things we talked about:

Mike’s background. (4:04)

A ghost story! (5:47)

Has his art always been thematic? (10:11)

When did he start seeking the folklore aspect? (11:42)

How did the book come into being? (15:39)

Mike reads Chichiricus. (21:19)

Alida and Mike talk about Chichiricus. (26:00)

Why tackle the entire continent? (27:20)

How did Mike track down the folktales? (29:30)

What differences does Mike see in traditional versus modern folklore? (33:32)

Does modern folklore have more levity to them? (36:09)

Folklore is not founded in fact – the origin of the goatman in Texas. (41:48)

More differences between modern and traditional folklore. (44:45)

The story of Wendigo and the role of time, culture, and change in folktales. (48:50)

The Gichigami Goonch. (61:33)

Why does nature and natural forces take the face of monsters in folklore? (66:10)

LINKS

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About Your Hosts

Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Three times nominated for the Pushcart Prize, she is also a notable in Best American Essays and winner of the Page Turner Award. Author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series, Alida lives and writes in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.

Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.

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