SHARE THIS SHOW:
RELATED CONVERSATIONS:
RECENTLY ON TOL:
TOL Our Town
- A tumblr site dedicated to the people and places that make up Oregon and Southwest Washington.
TAGS:
Willy Vlautin has stories to tell. Whether in song, as frontman for the Portland band Richmond Fontaine, or in prose, his tales dredge the details of lives on the edge. He says his latest novel, Lean on Pete, is "a little more hopeful" than his first two books.
It's still set in the world Vlautin knows and tells well: life in old-man bars and places to sleep that become home. Lean on Pete is the story of Charley Thompson, a 15 year old boy on his own, and the aged racehorse he falls in love with and tries to save.
Boy, that sounds maudlin! It's not! Vlautin's storytelling has won him comparisons to his inspiration, Raymond Carver, and praise for his straighforward empathy toward people who life has beaten up and broken down.
Lean on Pete is, in some ways, a love song to Portland's broken down racetrack, Portland Meadows, and to Vlautin's Aunt Margie. (She is partly responsible for the fact that the book leaves Charley in a more-hopeful-than-usual place.)
Vlautin is on stage a lot now, but he says he was so shy as a kid he cut deals with teachers so they wouldn't call on him. And although he loved to read, he did badly enough in school that
I assumed I couldn't be a writer, but I thought everybody could be in a band.
Now he does both. To hear his music, check out this session from OPB Music last summer. And post your questions here for Willy Vlautin about his life, music, stories, or the people who grab his heart.
Thanks to listener Kendra Mingo, writer Kevin Sampsell, Debra Bogart of the Eugene Public Library, and Robin Beerbower with the Salem Public Library for suggesting Willy Vlautin for our Northwest Passages series. Keep the suggestions coming - just go to our suggest-a-show page.
Willy Vlautin will be reading at Powell's on W. Burnside in Portland April 27. His band, Richmond Fontaine, will be playing at the Doug Fir Lounge in Portland April 29.
Tagged as: books · northwest passages · willy vlautin
Photo credit: Lee Posey
-
love to listen to Willy read his stories.
-
Willy has some great writings that sure can outweigh a lot of musicians scribblings!
-
yes, that's an amazing experience. not only the words but also the songs can touch my inner spirit. Did he wear a Rolex Submariner in the campaign last year?
-
There are lots of stories, but your is very heart touching...it is mind blowing I would say....this is why I will write my custom essay about it
-
Can you please post a follow-up link that plays the audio of the song Vlautin plays live on the show that relates to the book? I could find "the boyfriends" elsewhere but not the other song...
Great interview. Thank you for covering local artists.
-
Ah, sorry! We put them up on our Facebook page. Here they are right now:
I Fell Into Painting Houses in Phoenix, Arizona
and
Laramie, Wyoming
-
Hi !
I've heard about Wlly Vlautin and even read one of his novels . I must admit that it impressed me much. I think that he is a great person with high potential. I found out some video about him and hope that you'll be interested in it. Check out this video from Willy Vlautin, writer of amazing novels and amazing songs http://www.videorolls.com/watch/Lean-on-Pete-by-Willy-Vlautin
-
Could you post a newer video. I may not have a plugin taht I need, but that one isn't working right for me. Also, do you have any that could help flatten a belly after pregnancy? I would really appreciate it.
-
Hi !
I've heard about Wlly Vlautin and even read one of his novels . I must admit that it impressed me much. I think that he is a great person with high potential. I found out some video about him and hope that you'll be interested in it. Check out this video from Willy Vlautin, writer of amazing novels and amazing songs
<a href= http://www.videorolls.com/watch/Lean-on-Pete-by-Willy-Vlautin> http://www.videorolls.com/watch/Lean-on-Pete-by-Willy-Vlautin </a>
-
Hi !
I've heard about Wlly Vlautin and even read one of his novels . I must admit that it impressed me much. I think that he is a great person with high potential. I found out some video about him and hope that you'll be interested in it. Check out this video from Willy Vlautin, writer of amazing novels and amazing songs http://www.videorolls.com/watch/Lean-on-Pete-by-Willy-Vlautin
<a href="http://www.videorolls.com/watch/Lean-on-Pete-by-Willy-Vlautin"> http://www.videorolls.com/watch/Lean-on-Pete-by-Willy-Vlautin </a>
-
Willy Vlautin, I have read some of his stories and novels. I have become a fan of him after I happened to read his latest book "Lean on Pete". I was preparing for my college Essay. When I happened to stumple upon it. He has wonderfully written the story line and the inner happenings of the young boy. 15 years boy felling in love is quite natural. I urge all the others to read it.
-
This is great for my Essay Writing thesis. A great article then
-
Thanks for the nice writing Emily.You can check our website presents many offers to rent villa for the perfect family vacation.
-
I am glad to be on this site and noted down so many important points that helps me in my in future, it would be good that you upload more information about surrounding over it.
<a href="http://www.ghostpapers.com">Custom Papers</a>
-
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about information and love learning more on this. If possible, as you gain expertise, It is extremely helpful for me. would you mind updating your blog with more information?
buy wow account
-
It's nice to read his story. Of course, it's good for him to speack out.
memory foam mattress -
very nice site
zygor guides
shokz guide
dugi's guide
-
There is currently some useful information that regarding to health problem around this subject on the net and some are most definitely better than others. You have caught the detail here just right which makes for a refreshing change – thanks.meilleur placement financier
-
Very interesting post.
Spray Foam
Places To Visit In New York
-
Interesting article.
Cheap iPhones For Sale
Grants
-
Very nice post.
Cheap Engagement Rings
Astigmatism contact lenses
Funny Jokes
Get Rid Of Acne Scars
Lose 10 Pounds
Shower Doors
1000 Loan
Bronx Glass
Beyonce Music
Stucco
rene Lalique
cheap iPhone 4
-
I found this is an informative and interesting post so i think so it is very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article. I am hoping the same best work from you in the future as well. In fact your creative writing ability has inspired me.Regards, Thanks. faxless online payday loan
-
This post is written in such a way is very good and it creates lots of useful info for me. I'm glad your unique way to write the mail to get. Now, that makes it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thanks for the post. ovulation symptoms
-
This is a great marketing stategy. I am really very much impressed with this technique. This is really something that is very effective from what you state. I really think that this is great. fake diploma review
-
I am glad to be on this site and noted down so many important points that helps me in my in future,
sports betting champ review lottery black book review silver lotto system review -
Comments are now closed.
Willy, as you progress and mature in your writing practice, do you feel that writing as practice is shifting in how it supports your inner world vs. serving as a vehicle for creating evocative stories?
As an off/on writer, I have seen writing shift from a means for processing tough emotions to a more creative outlet for storytelling - a practice to explore creative expression.
Thanks Willy for all your thoughtful and heartfelt words!