Podcast Summary: ALL OF IT — Previewing the Public Song Project

Host: Koosha Navadar (filling in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Simon Close, Producer of the Public Song Project
Date: May 30, 2024
Podcast: ALL OF IT by WNYC

Overview of the Episode

This episode offers a lively update on WNYC’s Public Song Project, a community-driven music initiative inviting participants to create songs based on works in the public domain. Host Koosha Navadar checks in with producer Simon Close about the close of the song submission period, highlights from the incoming entries, what happens next, and the wide-ranging creativity sparked by the project. The conversation is a celebration of musical diversity, artistic discovery, and shared culture, all culminating in upcoming air features and a live summer concert.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Public Song Project Submission Recap

• Submission Window Closed: As of May 12, public submissions for new songs based on public domain material are in; the team is reviewing the entries.
• Number and Range of Entries: Around 80 songs were received, contributed by a mix of amateur musicians and professional artists.
  • “There were some familiar names, which was cool to see, but also a lot of new names... amateur singing groups, ukulele players... to some artists who were more professional recording artists. So a broad span of people submitted.” — Simon Close (02:39)

2. Themes and Patterns in Submissions

• Year 1928 Dominates: Many submissions drew from works entering the public domain in 2024, especially those from 1928.
  • Popular songs included "I Want to Be Loved by You" (from Good Boy, 1928), Cole Porter's "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love" (1928), and especially “Mack the Knife” from The Threepenny Opera — receiving four very distinct interpretations.
    • “We got four versions... The highest number of versions we got of any one particular song of Mack the Knife by Kurt Weill and Berthold Brecht.” — Simon Close (03:32)
• Different Takes: Submissions were notable for their diverse approaches — one “Mack the Knife” even reimagined as an ‘80s synth version.
• Other Favorites: “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin was the second most popular (both instrumental and vocal versions).
• Beyond Song Covers: Entrants also set poetry by Langston Hughes, Edna St. Vincent Millay, Robert Frost, Dorothy Parker, T.S. Eliot, and others to music.
  • “The second most popular category was poetry, I think... three Langston Hughes poems turned into songs. We got two Edna St. Vincent Millais poems. And that’s a name that came up a lot last year too.” — Simon Close (04:42)
• Creative Hybrids: Some submissions merged literature or film sources—like a song inspired by Steamboat Willie (Mickey Mouse), or a piece based on a 1922 photography book.

3. The Power of Inspiration and Community

• The project not only encouraged artistic output but forged connections with source material and historical artists.
• Simon shares heartfelt feedback from participants:
  • "Thank you so much for doing this project. It’s provided me with the renewed inspiration to write and a treasure trove of great material.”
  • "It not only inspired me creatively, but my research also exposed me to other poets of the early 20th century who I plan to read in the future.”
    — Simon Close reading emails from submitters (06:46–07:29)

4. Judging and Next Steps

• Judging Panel: Notable in-house WNYC talent, musicians, public domain experts, and partners from Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, and NYU Law are reviewing songs.
  • “John Schaefer and Karen Havelik and Irene Trudell of the New Sounds Team. Paul Cavalcante is a part of it again this year... Shanta Thake from Lincoln Center... public domain experts, including Jennifer Jenkins... and Michael Weinberg from NYU’s law school.” — Simon Close (07:37)
• Timeline: The review process continues through June, with winners and features announced and aired in July.
• Recognition for All: All qualifying submissions will be featured on the WNYC website playlist and included in a digital album, alongside special guests like Rhiannon Giddens, They Might Be Giants, The Lemon Twigs, Bela Fleck, and Roseanne Cash.

5. Upcoming Live Event and July Celebrations

• Public Song Project: The People’s Concert

  • Date: July 20, 2024
  • Location: Lincoln Center, as part of Summer for the City Outdoor series (Jaffee Drive)
  • Admission: Free, with several public song contributors and special guests performing
  • “They turn it into this kind of cool speakeasy thing... a free event that features a couple of special guests to be announced and a roundup of members of the public who have been part of the Public Song Project. And it should be a really fun evening.” — Simon Close (09:46)

• Timing: July is also WNYC’s 100th birthday month (July 8), with all project features clustered around the centennial.

6. Where to Follow Updates

• Listeners should check:
  • WNYC’s Instagram and Twitter: @allofitwnyc
  • The project webpage: wnyc.org/publicsongproject

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On diversity of submissions:
  “You can kind of see what fascinates people who are just discovering the public domain.” — Simon Close (04:36)

• On participant feedback:
  "Thank you for this project. It not only inspired me creatively, but my research also exposed me to other poets of the early 20th century who I plan to read in the future." — Submitter message, read by Simon (06:56)

• On inclusivity:
  “If you're part of the project, everybody's a winner. And that is true in the sense that everyone who submitted a song that qualified... will get their song featured on WNYC's website.” — Simon Close (08:28)

• Koosha’s parting words:
  “Thanks for hanging out and all your work you're doing on it.” — Koosha Navadar (10:54)

Notable Timestamps

• 01:34 — Episode content begins; Koosha introduces the Public Song Project segment.
• 02:37 — Simon discusses the song submission period and judging process.
• 03:05 — Discussion on submission volume and diversity of participants.
• 03:32 — Highlights of most popular songs and unique reinterpretations.
• 06:22 — Unusual entries and creative expansions on the public domain brief.
• 06:46–07:29 — Simon shares inspiring feedback from participants.
• 07:37 — Introduction of the judging panel and discussion of selection process.
• 09:46 — Announcement of The People’s Concert at Lincoln Center.
• 10:22 — Details on July roll-out and WNYC’s centennial.
• 10:54 — Final information on updates and project website.

Episode Takeaways

• The Public Song Project is sparking invigorating creativity by inviting the public to interpret and reimagine public domain works.
• There is a vibrant mix of talent, genre, and artistic approach among nearly 80 submissions.
• The project is as much about participation and discovery as it is about professional recognition.
• Listeners can look forward to new music features, a digital album, and a special free live concert at Lincoln Center in July, as part of WNYC’s 100th birthday celebrations.

For more details and to keep up with project news:
Follow @allofitwnyc on social media and visit wnyc.org/publicsongproject.