Episode 175 Stuart Swezey

The Lydian Spin

In the early 80s Stuart Swezey began his creative career organizing the Desolation Center events in the desert and at sea that featured music groups such as the Minutemen, Einstürzende Neubauten, Sonic Youth, and Meat Puppets among others. He directed a documentary by the same name about the events. Stuart is a founder of Amok Books—the influential extreme information, cult L.A. bookstore, and publishing house. His book Amok Fifth Dispatch: Sourcebook of Extremes of Information in Print was nominated for the Best Nonfiction Book Title in the FIrecracker Alternative Book awards. Stuart also produced the acclaimed feature documentary Better Living Through Circuitry about rave and DJ culture. Stuart also has worked in television. He has been a VP, Development for Original Productions (Ice Road Truckers, Black Gold), Alternative Programming exec for Syfy Channel, documentary film producer, and reality television producer and show runner.