Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., highly publicized as the Golden State Killer, is alleged to have murdered 13 people in California during the 70s and 80s. He also raped 50 women. Despite this, he’ll only stand trial for the murders.

Paige St. John, a Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter, takes her listeners on an investigative journey that reveals the devastation this deadly serial killer left behind in the Wondery and L.A. Times podcast “Man in the Window.” The series gives a more in-depth look as to who he is, the police work and the stories of his victims, including an exclusive interview with his ex-fiancee.

But what separates this crime podcast from others is it not only opens up conversation about serious and untouched topics outside of the usual murder stories, but it also amplifies the voices of his female victims who have been shushed for decades. St. John shares her inspiration to bring these stories to the podcast medium. 

What elements of a crime story do you look for when deciding whether or not to pursue a podcast discussion? 

I don’t specialize in crime stories — I seek out complicated and compelling subjects that merit and can sustain a deep investigation. In this case, that started as an effort to understand the motivations behind the man accused of one of the most brutal crime series in American history, with a stunning 106 victims of rape, torture or murder. But it quickly jumped into the podcast-sphere when I realized there is a larger story to be told, of a silent generation of women. 

The East Area Rapist was only one of many serial rapists who ran amok in the 1970s and 1980s. The experiences of his half-hundred victims capture the larger societal issues of rape at a time when feminism was still dawning. What better way to give a voice to these women, and at what better time than now as we grapple with recurring revelations of past sexual assault?

What was the initial inspiration of creating the ‘Man In the Window’ series podcast?

I first wrote a four-part print narrative for the Los Angeles Times, and then set out with the podcast to tell a complementary story that amplifies the voices of the female victims. I want listeners to know these women, like them and empathize with them, and rejoice in their strength and determination. The inspiration for the project stems from their willingness to share their most private feelings to anyone in the world willing to listen.

Was it your intention to open up and shed light on larger topics beyond the story of the Golden State Killer? Such as the “language of rape?”

Absolutely! From the start, I did not want to create a “true crime” story that served only to entertain and shock with horror and violence. To merit so much intrusion into the lives of these victims, the project required a higher purpose. I wish I could have done more, like brought in the voices of Phyllis Schlafly and Bella Abzug, to remind listeners of the rhetoric of the times. 

It was easy to see how national discord and debate over equal rights shaped the reaction to a serial rapist, even was echoed by local detectives who criticized rape crisis counselors as being ‘anti-male.’ It was jolting to be reminded of the shroud that surrounded rape in the 1970s, the lesser standing it had as a crime, the underlying implications that victims somehow invited their attack, and the scarcity of tools law enforcement had to solve these crimes. 

What challenges did you experience in creating the first season? 

The popularity of true crime podcasts presented its own major hurdle. The standard form pits a heroic detective against a force of evil, with predictable results. On top of that, the “Golden State Killer” has been heavily marketed. The challenge was to break that mold, and tell people a story they actually didn’t know, from perspectives often left shallow and one-dimensional. It was an immense relief when I started reading listener comments and saw that they got it, that this is a crime story, but also so much more, and they were not turned off by that.

When it comes to storytelling, how does the podcasting medium feel different from reporting/writing?

There’s an intensity to an extended multi-part narrative podcast that far exceeds anything I’ve done in four decades of writing for print. Voices bring such nuance, color and immediacy to the story. And the way people listen to podcasts — that they literally plug themselves into the story — creates such an intimate space. Done well, done right, it’s as if the listener and the characters exist in their own private room in the mind.  

Why do you think people are so compelled to listen to crime stories? 

I ask that of almost everyone I meet. My Uber drivers. Waiters and bartenders. The podcast-addicted editors I meet at other papers. It is a puzzle to me. Some people, usually women, say that listening to crime stories lets them work through their fears. Others enjoy the tingle of fear, and those people are sure to share with me their most terrifying moment of Man in the Window. My own interest, when I read or listen to crime, is to try to understand the human psyche. How is this possible? Who are we that we can do such things?

Do you have any “podcast heroes” or particular hosts that you listen to that have influenced the Man in the Window series? 

I transitioned from listening to audio books to podcasts, so generally sought out for more “writerly” subjects. But when I launched into Man in the Window, I polled the newsroom and came away with two top recommendations: “In the Dark” and “Crimetown: Providence.” I studied both podcasts intently, for the handling of complicated stories with multiple characters and, in Crimetown especially, the use of archival materials to bring the past to life. Providence remains my all-time favorite. The hosts don’t step on the show, or the larger-than-life personalities that they bring to life. It’s an enjoyable ride.

What do you hope to achieve with this podcast? 

Most of my investigative work seeks to right some wrong. This project is very different. My biggest hope is that it begets conversations, and understanding. That women who were raped, and stayed silent, feel safe enough to talk about it, even decades later — and if they suffer trauma, to seek help.

Anything else you would like readers to know?

It could be four years or more before Joseph DeAngelo goes to trial, if he ever does, and that leaves most of the victims of the East Area Rapist/Ransacker and families of those killed by the Original Night Stalker in limbo. I expect there may be occasional updates, even as I move on to other projects. But additional episodes are also likely as new facets of this story can be told. We are working right now on an Episode Eight, to explore why the criminal case is not moving, and to hear for the first time from some of the most silent of all the victims, the men. The things they have to say are quite amazing, and deeply disturbing. It forces us to complicate our understanding of these rapes, with evidence that both women –and men– were being stalked.   

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The Coffee House Tour at The Troubadour, Los Angeles was an unforgettable night with stellar music from three of SiriusXM’s powerhouse artists. Covering classic tracks from the 1960s to unreleased modern gems, this tour gives a taste of the full range of the music spectrum and more. 

Matt Hartke, a Coffee House veteran, who has been under the radar writing for artists such as Adam Lambert, Avicii, Kygo and Tiesto; kicked the show off with some of his newest singles barely released on SiriusXM’s radio. His new singles “American Dreams” and “Evergreen” received unanimous woos from the audience, and a heavy round of applause. Matt is an artist/songwriter who was able to captivate the entire room with just his voice and a guitar. Hartke carried an extremely pure and innocent nature throughout his performance, which resonated with the crowd in an extremely humanistic way. He closed out by bringing special guest Maggie Peake to the stage to perform one of his most popular singles, “Gold”, topping over 17 million plays on Spotify.

JD & The Straight Shot, one of the Coffee House Folk Rock hard hitters, comprised of vocalist/guitarist Jim Dolan, guitarist/vocalist/mandolinist Marc Copely, upright bassist/banjoist Byron House, violinist/vocalist Erin Slaver, drummer/percussionist Shawn Pelton and guitarist/vocalist Carolyn Dawn Johnson kicked their performance off with their title track off the album, “The Great Divide,” receiving an uproar of recognition and snaps from the crowd. The band explained the story behind each of their songs, and gave the audience a different look into their expression. Each member of this band had created different songs for their set, finding different ways to engage the room, and synergize with one another. Additionally, JD & the Straight Shot made sure to pay ode to their musical background by covering classics like, “Happy Together” by the Turtles and “Jessica” by The Allman Brothers, which had the whole room singing along and grinning. These artists are true entertainers, covering all spectrums of what it means to be a performer. 

Matt Costa, an OC native and a Coffee House icon, connected to his music on a different wavelength. From start to finish, there were almost no breaks from his music. Costa varied between several different instruments, including the trumpet, harmonica, guitar and vocals, showing the full capacity of his musical aptitude. Costa had the room packed from start to finish, reaching just about every demographic of age within his audience. His music had a storytelling and casual format making it extremely easy to connect to. Costa treated the room by showing them songs still unreleased in media, and made sure to give a show worth remembering. 

Final SiriusXM Coffee House tour dates:

7/26    Santa Barbara, CA @Soho Santa Barbara
7/28    San Diego, CA @Music Box

For more info, visit www.siriusxm.com/thecoffeehouse

Matt Costa: www.mattcosta.com

JD & The Straight Shot: www.jdandthestraightshot.com

Matt Hartke: www.matthartke.com

The post Review: Matt Hartke, JD & the Straight Shot and Matt Costa at The Troubadour, July 25 appeared first on Backstage Socal.

The artist trio is a part of the SiriusXM Coffee House tour, which kicked off in Atlanta on May 30 and will conclude at the Music Box in San Diego on July 28.

Coming off a strong year of touring around his critically acclaimed album of California story songs Santa Rosa Fangs, Costa is set to release new music throughout 2019. Multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter Matt Hartke has been working under the radar writing for artists such as Adam Lambert, Avicii, Cash Cash, The Chainsmokers, Kygo, Max Martin, Matisyahu and Tiesto. Matt released his first single “Gold” in 2016 which steadily climbed up the Spotify charts, currently sitting with over 16 million plays.

Powerhouse folk rockers JD & The Straight Shot, who released the all-acoustic album The Great Divide in March, has toured with luminaries like the Eagles, Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, Keith Urban, Don Henley, Dixie Chicks, Jewel, Joe Walsh, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

JD & The Straight Shot is comprised of vocalist/guitarist Jim Dolan, guitarist/vocalist/mandolinist Marc Copely, upright bassist/banjoist Byron House, violinist/vocalist Erin Slaver, drummer/percussionist Shawn Pelton and guitarist/vocalist Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

Copely caught up with Backstage SoCal to discuss the current tour.

What inspired you to pursue music? 
It really seemed like my only choice back in the day. Actually it was more like I had no choice. 

How would you define JD & The Straight Shot’s style or genre? 
Folk rock.

Who are the band’s influences that you feel has played a significant role in shaping your music?
Eagles, CSNY and Fleetwood Mac – to name a few.

What do your audiences experience at the SiriusXM Coffee House shows? How would you describe the band’s live shows? 
Great story songs with unexpected musical twists and turns.

Songwriting process — lyrics or music first?
It can go either way.

What are some special memories of the SiriusXM Coffee House tour so far? 
It’s been great getting to know the other artists and their bands.

What has been a “defining moment” in your career so far?
I guess years ago, when I started producing, I realized how much I love the collaborative process. I really enjoyed producing JD & The Straight Shot’s new album The Great Divide.

What do you do outside of music that helps generate your creativity? 
Meditate and read.

What do you want people to know about JD & The Straight Shot? 
This version of the band has been together now for over 5 years and we’re really hitting our stride. We have such a blast playing and creating music together. It’s a great time to come out and hear the band!

7/25    Los Angeles, CA at Troubadour
7/26    Santa Barbara, CA @Soho Santa Barbara
7/28    San Diego, CA @Music Box

For more info, visit www.siriusxm.com/thecoffeehouse

Matt Costa: www.mattcosta.com

JD & The Straight Shot: www.jdandthestraightshot.com

Matt Hartke: www.matthartke.com

The post JD & The Straight Shot’s guitarist Marc Copely talks SiriusXM Coffee House Tour appeared first on Backstage Socal.