Paul Holdengräber is joined by Johnny Temple on episode 167 of The Quarantine Tapes. A musician and publisher, Johnny tells Paul about his experience of the pandemic, talking about how this time at home has deepened Johnny’s relationship to books and music.

Johnny talks about his work as both a musician and book publisher, and explains how his publisher, Akashic Books, approaches publishing differently from the major corporations in the industry. Johnny shares how musician, and independent book publisher, Henry Rollins, influenced his career. Paul and Johnny discuss the writers and musicians that inspire them, Johnny’s recent children’s book project, and the latest music from Johnny’s band, Fake Names. Johnny shares one of the songs off of their debut album, “All for Sale.”

Johnny Temple is the publisher and editor in chief of Akashic Books, an award-winning Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing urban literary fiction and political nonfiction. He won the 2013 Ellery Queen Award and is the editor of the anthology USA Noir, which was selected as a New York TimesEditors’ Choice. Temple has taught courses on the publishing business at Wilkes University, Wesleyan University, and Pratt Institute; and is the Co-chair of the Brooklyn Book Festival Literary Council, which organizes the annual Brooklyn Book Festival. He also plays bass guitar in the bands Girls Against Boys, Soulside, and Fake Names, which have toured extensively across the globe and released numerous albums on independent and major record companies. He has contributed articles and political essays to various publications, including The Nation, Publishers Weekly, AlterNet, Poets & Writers, and BookForum.

Credits:

Paul Holdengraber - Co-Creator, Host, OLA Director
Anthony Audi - Co-Creator, Researcher, OLA Director
Alejandro Cohen - Co-Creator, Producer, Composer
Christian Pitt - Production Coordinator 
Erin Cooney - Copy, Production
Dublab Team