Phil SaintDenisSanchez Responds To Our Questions!


What is your beverage of choice?

Um, I think Kir Royales are really tasty if the proescco is really dry and the cassis is quality and not heavy. I really like coconut water fresh out the coconut. I gotta coconut jack, so I bust open least one coconut a day. Feels good–not just for the reward.

Tell us a little about your work in REALITY BEACH.

It’s narrative non-fiction like most of what I write. I lived it through and through. It’s one of the wildest things that’s ever happened to me. That and being bitten by a sea krait in Thailand are the two craziest things that have ever happened to me–at least off the top of my head. Neguinho do Samba whom I reference in the piece and whom I studied with privately while I was in Bahia passed away on Halloween, which is my favorite holiday, of the year we worked together. RIP. He was truly a master percussionist. He co-founded Olodum and is credited with helping invent the samba reggae (pronounced “hay-ghee”) rhythm.

What is your typical writing process?

Write in my notebook to get all the thoughts and words out–usually while listening to one song on repeat. Then type them up on the computer and edit and organize.


Yeah you right

Do you have any home remedies for loneliness?

Singing. Writing music and poetry. Coconut milk ice cream and a movie (solo netflix and chill).

What have you conquered recently?


Um, I think Origins Literary Journal is for sale and they published one of my pieces?

What motivates you?

My people. The spirits that are always whispering in my ear. The need to prepare for the coming changes of the world (that are ultimately unknowable). How wildly unsustainable the structure of our civilization and whole species is currently.

Any upcoming projects?

Always. SaintDenisSanchez OH MY GOD EP should be ready for release either late fall 2016 or early spring 2017 (no winter releases). The organizing of the films/events to accompany the music are holding it up more than the music at this point. Also, working on a chapbook about growing up in nola called watch out for falling bullets.


The bed they sleep and make babies in.

Be sure to read Phil’s poem in Issue Two!