NEW STUFF: Toad updates
Hey there, Toads and toadettes. Here’s a smattering of exciting new developments for the Joplin Toad. So much fun new stuff ahead!! We’re arranging it like a countdown, because studies show you’re more likely to read it all if we do that. Send us an email to let us know if it worked?
Ah, forget it. If you’re not going to scroll all the way down, you probably won’t write us an email either.
#5: THE TOAD HAS A MUSIC EDITOR
Announcing a more intentional continuation of an ongoing collaboration with @wearefoxroyale frontman and Joplinite, Nathan Hurley.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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We want to keep up with the Joplin music scene as it grows- which it's doing in a hurry, pandemic or no. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Nathan knows that world well and has a heart for fellow local artists that the world hasn't heard of just yet. He'll be on the Toad monthly, featuring those artists and bringing their music to you. Hence we've given him the official title, TOAD MUSIC EDITOR.
you can read a new article from Nathan on the making of a music video during a pandemic, as well as check out the recent music video from his band right here.
Here’s a bio from Nathan. We let him write his own:
Nathan Hurley is a jack-off.
Wait no. I meant to say “jack of two trades.”
Sorry.
Let’s start over.
Nathan Hurley is a [toad]hole. And a jack of two trades.
First, he writes music. He’s the lead singer and writer for his band Fox Royale. In addition to writing with his band, he also helps write music with other groups and artists due to his love for collaborative efforts in the creative world.
The second trade in which Nathan dabbles is another kind of writing. He will write about anything music-related. He has written many short films and a few have gone on to become the scripts for music videos. He writes about bands he admires. He also wrote one whole entire article one time about staying creative during quarantine.
That’s all he does. He writes and writes and writes about what he writes. He’s writing right now.
In conclusion, every assumption and judgment you might make about Nathan upon seeing him for the first time (from his overly-cuffed skinny jeans, denim jacket and devilishly stylish boots and a perhaps unearned swagger) has likely been true about him at some point in his life.
#4: VIDEO SERIES COMING SOON: THE TOAD LISTENS
Our first entry into the conversation about race has gone very well. It’s in the form of a 2 part podcast, which you can read about here (or just look up “joplin toadcast” wherever you take em’ in).
The second piece is a 4 part video series, featuring thoughts and stories from 6 Joplin individuals.
The entire series is meant to provide a bridge for the conversation, for those who just aren’t sure what to think or how to enter it. It’s removed from politics and simply faces the issues head-on with honesty and heart.
Here’s a preview:
#3: TOAD MERCH!
We recently released our own toad masks with help from binky guy, and our toad-wearing-a-mask-mask was so popular we’ve already just about sold out of it. We ordered more! They’ll be available at Bookhouse Cinema and Joplin Ave Coffee Company within the week.
#2: HALLOWEEN ISSUE HITS IN A MONTH!
One of our favorite moments last year was our online Halloween issue. It featured spooky artwork, short stories, a haunted history podcast episode, music, and more. You can see all that here. More in the same vein is coming next month!
Last years Halloween issue cover, by Brad Shipp
#1: Joplin Toad #1 PRINTED ISSUE HITS STANDS VERY SOON.
Very soon is what people say when they don’t know exactly WHEN the thing is happening. What we’ll say is this: it is VERY soon and we think it’s going to be one of the coolest published works to come out of our city. We can be that bold because it’s so well put together by our talented print editor Kayla Monteleone, and because it’s so chock-full of delightful features from creators in our community. It’s ad free, which means it won’t be free- but it’ll be worth it, we promise.
The magazine is entirely pandemic themed (our “quaranzine”) and is currently in the very final editing stages. The printing process is the very next stage. Stay tuned on our instagram or facebook accounts to know exactly when and where you can purchase your own! In the meanwhile… here’s the very first look at the cover, featuring an image from Joplin alum Aaron DuRall.
That’s all for now, Joplin. We’ll talk to you soon.
PS- have something you’d like to submit to the toad for consideration? We’re always looking for new work from Joplin area writers, artists, and humorists. Send your submissions to: joplintoad@gmail.com.