The Moth Podcast: Kimya Dawson & Kevin Haas – Halloween Stories

Episode Title: Kimya Dawson & Kevin Haas: Halloween Stories
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Host: Dan Kennedy
Podcast: The Moth

Introduction

In this special Halloween episode of The Moth Podcast, host Dan Kennedy delves into the spooky and humorous tales of Halloween costumes and unexpected encounters. Embracing the festive spirit, Dan shares listener-submitted stories about their most memorable Halloween costumes before unveiling two captivating stories from renowned storytellers Kimya Dawson and Kevin Haas.

Listener Costume Stories

Dan begins by engaging with the audience through social media, highlighting some of the most story-worthy Halloween costumes shared by listeners:

• Molly:
  "Second grade I was a refrigerator had to stand up all day at school. Worth it."
  (00:02)
  Molly's imaginative costume choice reflects the creative lengths children go to embody their favorite objects.

• Kelly:
  "Santa Claus. From ages 9 to 11, that person went as Santa Claus for Halloween."
  (00:17)
  Kelly’s repeated Santafy underscores a blend of childhood innocence and the universal appeal of beloved characters.

• Catherine:
  "I taped a duck decoy to my mortar board and went as a lake. Brilliant."
  (00:26)
  Catherine's witty wordplay transforms a conventional costume into a clever pun, showcasing originality.

• Ellen Jones:
  "Back in the day when cigarette commercials were on TV, I went as a pack of cigs."
  (00:39)
  Ellen's costume carried an anti-smoking message, adding a layer of social commentary to her Halloween attire.
  "The problem with the costume was that the bottom of the box fell below my knees and all of the houses in my neighborhood had stoops. I couldn't get up the steps to say trick or treat and had to depend on the kindness of others to bring candy back for me."
  (00:48)
  This anecdote highlights the unintended challenges of elaborate costumes.

• Erin Bell:
  "I was a nurse on my first Halloween at age five. I wound up in the ER getting stitches in my nurse costume and got more candy than I would have had."
  (12:44)
  Erin’s experience combines childhood enthusiasm with an adventurous twist, resulting in a memorable night.

• Anonymous Listener:
  "Black and white cow costume. I went all over the neighborhood and then some. No one even recognized me. And I got tons of candy."
  (13:15)
  This simple yet effective costume choice led to an abundance of treats, embodying the essence of Halloween.

Story 1: Kimya Dawson – A Borderline Scare

Story Title: Rock and Roll Saved My Life
Storyteller: Kimya Dawson
Timestamp: [04:30]

Kimya Dawson recounts a nerve-wracking experience from her time with the band The Moldy Peaches as they prepared for a US and Canada tour. Upon arriving at the Montreal border, Kimya, the only person of color in the group, was singled out by customs officers.

"And they were like, Kimya Dawson, you're going to have to come with us. I was just like, oh my God, they think I'm a terrorist."
(04:40)

In a cramped interrogation room, the officers pressed Kimya about her whereabouts in October 1996. As she scrambled to recall any misdeeds, memories surfaced of her time working in a haunted house attraction:

"In October of 96, I worked in a haunted house... I had to stand in a corner with a black hooded sweatshirt on and zombie makeup."
(09:50)

One particularly mischievous night, Kimya describes scaring a group led by none other than Mariah Carey:

"I backed her into the corner of these two trucks, and I was like, come on... Hit the high note, bitch."
(11:20)

Despite her attempts to intimidate, the encounter ended with Mariah Carey physically confronting her. This memory inadvertently led the officers to her, culminating in a $250 fine for a past DWAI offense—a punishment Kimya reluctantly accepted to avoid canceling the tour.

"If I didn't pay it, we'd have to cancel the show that night."
(12:20)

Kimya reflects on the absurdity of the situation, pondering how her actions might have differently influenced her and Mariah's paths.

Story 2: Kevin Haas – Vampires on Bleecker Street

Story Title: After Hours
Storyteller: Kevin Haas
Timestamp: [14:16]

Kevin Haas takes listeners to Bleecker Street, New York, where his routine nighttime walks home from work took an unexpected turn one Halloween. Despite warnings from friends about local rowdiness, Kevin felt confident—until a group of individuals dressed as vampires confronted him and his colleagues.

"There was a gang of vampires that told me they were gonna kick my ass outside Thunder Jackson's."
(14:25)

The vampires, donning black and white face paint with leather Yankees hats and gold chains, initially attempted intimidation without any real threat. However, as tensions rose, the situation escalated:

"As they're coming at us, he [Mike the bouncer] goes, alright, brace yourself... I hit the button. The knife flips open. These guys think it's the click of a gun being cocked."
(16:10)

The faux-weapons triggered the vampires' fear of law enforcement, especially when local beat cops recognized the situation. The simulated threat caused the group of vampires to scatter, leaving Kevin and his friends unharmed and laughing at the absurdity of the encounter.

"Once they got by us, they yelled, you're lucky the cops were here... We just burst out laughing."
(17:15)

Reflecting on the event, Kevin admits to being more cautious during his solitary walks but cherishes the story as a testament to handling unexpected confrontations with humor and quick thinking.

Conclusion

This Halloween episode of The Moth Podcast masterfully intertwines humorous and suspenseful narratives, offering listeners a glimpse into the unique experiences of Kimya Dawson and Kevin Haas. From border misunderstandings rooted in past pranks to surreal vampire encounters on New York’s streets, these stories encapsulate the unpredictable and often entertaining nature of Halloween.

Dan Kennedy wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude to the storytellers and the audience for sharing their festive tales, encouraging everyone to have a safe and story-worthy Halloween.

About the Storytellers

• Kimya Dawson: Known for her work with The Moldy Peaches and Antsy Pants, Kimya has also collaborated with rapper producer Aesop Rock in the band The Uncluded. In 2013, she released an album as part of this duo and continues to share her musical talents through solo projects.

• Kevin Haas: A writer and storyteller, Kevin enjoys presenting his narratives with a Midwestern perspective on The Moth stages in New York and Los Angeles. He resides in Santa Monica, California, with his wife and dog.

This summary is crafted to provide an engaging and comprehensive overview of the Halloween-themed episode, highlighting the key stories and memorable quotes from the storytellers.