Alex Pappademas and Joan LeMay, "Quantum Criminals": Exploring Steely Dan Characters and Artistic Collaboration

In this episode of "Unlocking Your World of Creativity," host Mark Stinson delves into the fascinating world of storytelling, art, music, and character development with author Alex Pappademas and artist Joan LeMay, the creative duo behind the book "Quantum Criminals: Ramblers Wild Gamblers. Another Soul Survivors from the Songs of Steely Dan." The book explores the rich tapestry of characters found within the songs of the legendary band Steely Dan.

The conversation begins with Alex discussing the genesis of the book and how Joan's idea to base it around characters transformed the project. Their collaboration, guided by a massive spreadsheet of 160 characters created by Joan, allowed them to explore the extensive catalog of Steely Dan's characters and bring them to life in a unique way. Alex highlights how the character-based approach enhanced the writing process, adding depth and humanity to their portrayal of the band's history.

Joan discusses her artistic process and how her lifelong fandom of Steely Dan influenced her visual interpretations of the characters. With a penchant for high chroma and psychedelic aesthetics, her vibrant paintings captured the essence of the colorful and sometimes enigmatic characters. The collaborative nature of the project brought a new dynamic to both Alex and Joan's creative processes, providing support, encouragement, and a fresh perspective.

The interview also delves into the research behind the characters and the extensive exploration undertaken by Alex. While the band members, Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, didn't provide much information about the characters, Alex's research led him down intriguing rabbit holes, uncovering fascinating connections and stories. He shares examples such as the inspiration behind "Kid Charlemagne" and the story of Sayoko Yamaguchi, the model featured on the cover of Steely Dan's album "Asia."

Throughout the conversation, the evolution of Steely Dan's characters over time is explored, with Alex noting that the reunion albums allowed for a clearer understanding of the individual songwriting contributions of Fagen and Becker. The duo's sensibility shifts and a touch of sentimentality emerges in their later work, which can be heard in songs like "Shame About Me."

Highlight Quotes:

·      "I think that was what was exciting about it because I, this started out, I was going to write a Steely Dan book before Joan came into the picture. But the idea to base it around characters was an idea that Joan had." - Alex Pappademas

·      "Joan made a giant spreadsheet. At the beginning of this process that had 160 characters on it, which is like a Robert Altman level of character." - Alex Pappademas

·      "I prior to diving into this I've always painted in a very high chroma way. All of these are gush paintings that are 18 by 24 or nine by 12. And I I've always. I've always painted slightly psychedelic in, in terms of pallet. So it it was an easy, it was an easy application of that natural tendency here, for sure." - Joan LeMay

·      "So I when this project started to I had thought about I, I'd start, I had started. Making a fanzine called Danze, where I was going to depict every single named character in the entire Steely Dan universe." - Joan LeMay

·      "I think for years, Several friends and I who are Steely Dan fans have been like, oh, they're such a major dude. As a, as, just as a colloquial way to refer to somebody referring to the song, but to refer to somebody who is a solid friend, who's somebody you're gonna call if you're in trouble." - Joan LeMay

Overall, this podcast episode explores the captivating journey of Alex Pappademas and Joan LeMay as they delve into the world of Steely Dan's characters, combining storytelling, art, and music to create a unique and visually stunning book, "Quantum Criminals." Listeners are taken on a deep dive into the creative process, research, collaboration, and the evolution of Steely Dan's characters over time.

Alex Pappademas is the author of Keanu Reeves: Most Triumphant—The Movies & Meaning of an Irrepressible Icon and the writer and host of the acclaimed podcast The Big Hit Show. His work has also appeared in GQ, the New York Times, and Grantland. https://www.instagram.com/pappademas/

Joan LeMay is an artist based in London and New York City (although the paintings for this book were created in Portland). Her work appears in multiple publications and books and has been shown in museums, galleries, and public spaces internationally. https://www.instagram.com/joanlemay/

From University of Texas Press