Raeghan Buchanan: A Conversation on 'The Secret History of Black Punk: Record Zero' and Her Artistic Journey

Rob Lee: Welcome to The Truth in This Art, your source for real conversations at the intersection of arts, culture, and community. I am your lovely host, Rob Lee. And today, today's a special episode, and I am delighted to welcome my next guest, who paints murals, draws portraits, plays the drums, and makes comics. Comics highlighting rock and roll's musical roots in black culture, and focuses specifically on the punk rock aspects of that canon. My guest's most recent release is The Secret History of Black Punk, Record Zero, Second Edition. Please welcome Raeghan Buchanan. Welcome to the podcast.
Raeghan Buchanan: Hi, thank you. Thank you for inviting me.

Rob Lee: Thank you for coming on. And like, I feel like there was a whole separate podcast we were doing before we actually hit the record button. That was the real podcast. You guys will never know about that. Sorry. But as we we open up, I want to ask you sort of the the introductory question. You know, we have all of these sort of deeper questions about your work, but I want to give you the space to introduce yourself. And I do that because I think there's a lot of power in it, for one. And I think, too, a lot of times we have these like online personas. We have sort of these things, these artist statements that are really fleshed out and sound really cool, Mahal loses the essence of who we are. So if you will, introduce yourself to the audience.

Raeghan Buchanan: Okay, I'm Raeghan. I'm an artist. Um, that's funny that you say that about like the art, like the artist statements or whatever, because they're always sounding so professional or whatever, or it's like, always making these connections that are very intricate to draw people in. But honestly, I feel very just like, hi, I'm Raeghan. I'm sorry. I'm an artist. I draw. I do illustrations. I do murals. I talk a lot. I write and I love comics. So, I mean, yeah, I'm not I don't have a huge introduction.

Rob Lee: But I appreciate it. And that's the thing, like it's, you know, in it, I think someone listening will gather like, oh, you're a regular person. You have these interests, but you're a regular person. Me, I am not. I have the great Rob Lee, captain of the industry podcasting. Yeah. Um, so, you know, you touched on, you know, some of the, I guess, creative things that you do and you're into. Can you take us back to, you know, what were you into growing up? Like, you know, when we go back to, like, super young Reagan, the hair is a little smaller, but still big, still floofy. Um, what were you into growing up?

Raeghan Buchanan: I always, I guess, like, uh, I, I feel kind of, like, lucky I feel like I discovered the things that I liked pretty early on, and so I stuck with them. I don't know if that's lucky. It's giving fixated. But I've always drawn, so when anybody ever asks me how that started, it's just the same as how anybody started. I just never stopped. I had older brothers who listened to music and I just, you know, wanted to be them. And they, you know, read comics and stuff like that. So I was always hanging around their door trying to get in their room trying to listen to the music that they listen to and trying to like read their comics and stuff like that. There was a comic book shop that was about four blocks away from my house. So that was like a really, you know, cool thing. I think I started collecting, I forget now, I mix things up now, but somewhere between 10 and 12 was when I started reading comic books, like for real. I remember about when I started, they re-released the Sandman like, like, so that it would come out from the beginning every week. So whatever year that was, that was probably when I started reading. And so that uh i just remember kind of like i was one of those kids i went to a catholic grade school and i was bullied pretty heavily and so you know going to get comics or whatever and reading uh that was just like for me a very kind of like little slice of heaven type of thing because there was like you know those 20 minute periods of time where you like were could be engrossed in something then you didn't have to worry about all the stuff that you can't control as like a kid or whatever. So yeah, I've, I've always pretty much been art, comics, music, Yeah, I guess. Yeah, I don't have a really big trajectory.

Rob Lee: No, no, no. I mean, I love it. And the sibling thing definitely connects. I'm the older sibling. I was the older sibling growing up. And then I learned that I had two half siblings who are older than me. So I was relegated to being the middle. I'm always the oldest sibling anyway. My brother always was like, yo, what kind of cologne Rob is on? Oh, you read that? And just trying to get in my room, trying to get my stuff. I was like, where'd you get my hat? How'd you get my stuff? You can't fit that. What are you doing? I definitely relate in that regard. And I is still a piece of that that now, too, especially when it comes to to the comic thing. I have a stack. I always go to the free comic book days or even the conventions. And I love it. I have a bunch of books in the studio where I'm recording from. And, you know, when I talk with my nephew, who's like about to be 15, I'm like, yo, start reading these, bro. Like all of that other stuff. That's cool. You need to you need to embrace the nerd them that I

Raeghan Buchanan: Yeah, I have a nephew, my sister's kid who I I kind of tried to, you know, show her older kids like art and kind of tried to get them into it, which they weren't not into it. They just like this one. It took like her youngest child or whatever. And it's like super cute because he will talk about coming on like murals with me. He'll talk to my my friends will give him advice. They're like, don't let her like cut you out you need to ask for 50% and they'll be like. you know, what color scheme should she use? Like, you know, you have to like, do some work, so then she can pay you more. And I'm like, I'm gonna give him $20. No, I'm just kidding. But like, it's really cute to see why it was, you know, I understand. Yeah, my brothers were probably like, okay, you're annoying. But it is. It is. Art is a path that like, people don't tell you how to do it. And now I know how to do it. And so it's like different Now I feel like that there are people who are my age that can like explain to people Um, hey, you actually can take steps. Your life is not going to be easy, but your life's not going to be easy anyways. So like you can anyways, I'm getting off subject.

Rob Lee: No, no, no, no. I think it's a it's a it's a good segue. You're good. I think it's a good segue into sort of this this next question in that, you know, you listen to one and it's always great. It's always great when someone can say, yeah, I listened to this episode when you said this. I was like, oh, it's a good feeling. It's a good feeling for me as a podcaster. No one's listening. But you were listening. And. You know, one of the things that I got, you know, from my parents growing up that kind of shifted the trajectory that I went on, but I eventually came back to it was doing something creative. You know, as you listen to, I wanted to be a comic book artist when I was younger. And then, you know, I had this period where I was a rapper. It wasn't good. It wasn't the great period at all. This was around.

Raeghan Buchanan: Did the tapes exist? Can you?

Rob Lee: Um, they do not wink when they're somewhere in a drop somewhere. But this is when I thought I was also going to be into the punk scene pretty big. It was some. Yeah, it was some interesting things. It was an interesting period, just trying to find like a community and all of that stuff. But specifically looking at pursuing something creative, I had to do it on my own terms. That's how I got to doing this. So for you, when did you first know like, all right, I really need to like lock in. This is going to be something that's more than just a hobby. This is going to be something creatively, all the creative things that you do. This is going to be something that takes up time, energy, money, resources. When did you come to that sort of conclusion?

Raeghan Buchanan: About comics or about like art?

Rob Lee: About art, just just generally just being in the creative space.

Raeghan Buchanan: I've never. So when I was growing up, the kind of the more prevalent thought was that you couldn't be an artist. You were never going to pay your bills as an artist. As a woman and as a Black person, you were going to have to work harder to get anywhere. That was kind of the refrain. You're going to have to work twice as hard to get to where people. So then choosing art, which is something that nobody what do you mean you're going to paint and people are going to buy your painting? You know what I mean? Like, and obviously this is before like us, you know, social media. This is like where people's view of art is like Vincent van Gogh. Like, and the only thing that people remember is the artists who get famous after they die. Which, but you know, So I, I never thought, I guess I kind of compartmentalize that as like, what this is reality. This is what I'm being taught. And this is I don't see how it's a lie. You know what I mean? So like, that's, it is what it is. But at the same time, I'm obsessed with drawing. And so I was like, the kid in, you know, my you know grade school that like you know people would give me like a dime to draw like uh you know like in fifth grade or whatever like whatever you know cartoon character they liked and it's like can you draw me can you draw me you know stuff like that And, you know, in high school, like I got the gold key award for art, which I don't even know if that's real. It's something you're the best at that thing or whatever. I was in an art commercial art shop. So I spent like three hours a day, at least in art class. And, you know, I was always doing comics and stuff like that. So I never felt like it was a hobby. But like, I don't know if I ever, I don't know if I ever even now think things through. They just happen. Things just happen to me.

Rob Lee: You're Johnny on the spot.

null: You know?

Raeghan Buchanan: Well, they do say it's being prepared and luck. And is the third thing connections? That's what it is for me. It's connections and like being able, as far as me, that's all I do is art. That's how I make my living. But like, yeah, I'm definitely and it wasn't, I didn't start out talented. Like I didn't start out like good or anything like that. And it takes me a while to get to higher plans. Like, for somebody who's been drawing this long, you would think you know, there would be I would be a lot better. But I, I just keep doing the thing that makes me feel connected to this world. And So yeah, they were just like, there isn't anything else for me to do. So I know if what I've had other jobs before, and again, it's just like, you have to do a bunch of shit you don't want to do. But I don't, I never cared about any other job or anything like that, which is probably normal.

Rob Lee: No, I think I think you're right. And it's you're one of the things I think you're touching on. It's the reps to of like, I just do this. Like I started doing this podcast and I mentioned how many episodes I'm in. Some of those questions I go back. I reach out to people on occasion like, oh, I want to get another shot at that interview. That one I did initially was mid or, you know, I'm like in the editing process, it's like, all right, I sound stupid here or whatever it might look like. But it is sort of doing the reps and never really thinking you're, quote unquote, good enough or you should be better or whatever the thing is. But just just doing it, not just doing it and getting back on the horse, the creative horse, as it were. And, you know, I find myself doing that all the time. Like going into this interview, if I'm peeling back the onion, I was nervous. I was like, she's going to hate me. And that's what I used to always think. But so I became aware of you at SPX last year. And, you know, one of the things was a panel you were discussing sort of the book that you came out with, The Secret History of Black Punk. And I know that the second volume just dropped in this month. We're recording this in February. So. Let's let's talk about the process. What was the process in bringing that together? What is it about for folks who are unaware? Give us the sort of the download, if you were, if you will.

Raeghan Buchanan: So the secret history of black punk is about like the different bands that are like different punk bands, basically, that I think that most of them have either singled out the black person in the band or chose bands that had all black members and it's kind of put together in like a style that's like collagey and then there's some sequential art and then there's just some like uh full splash page type things which i like to joke about because there it like i think it was maybe you know the wizard guide i think it was like a criticism like then we're like, if people did too many splash pages, they're like, Oh, you know, you can't do people who like a comment from, you know, from that time and comments where they're like, Oh, you can't make all these splashes, splash pages are fun and easy to do. But you can't like, just make every page a splash page. And I'm like, well, I can. Yes, they are fun to do, actually. Um, I try to, I try to get myself away from that now. But um, But yeah, it's just kind of like a roll call of like different punk bands. And kind of like a little bit about Sister Rosetta Tharpe as the rock and roll roots of punk. And yeah, the second. So the second edition or whatever it's called is just it's the same as the first but it's just has a spine. Because I think I think it's sold out. But I don't I'm pretty sure it sold out the first run. And then I guess universities or libraries or something were asking about a spine so that they could shelve it or whatever. It was very exciting to me or whatever. Also scary. But yeah, so that's what it's about. And then what was the other question? Sorry.

Rob Lee: No, no, no. It's my job to keep us on track. So shout out. OK, cool. I'll apologize. Yeah, you're good. You're good.

Raeghan Buchanan: No, I'm not supposed to apologize as much as I do.

Rob Lee: You're good. You're good. It's actually an admirable trait. So talk a bit about sort of the process of of building out like, you know, there are our histories like I was touching on before we got started, like, I'm looking for people that one interest me, but also people that look like me. You are usually towards the forefront because I don't think they they get those opportunities to have their story out there authentically. Right. So talk about the process of of building it. Like, what was the research component like? What was sort of the art component like? Talk about that and like building this out, because this is combining multiple things, your illustration background, your music background and your writing back for all of this kind of coming together. So talk about the process.

Raeghan Buchanan: Actually, it started out as like so I do a drawing challenge every year. I did one of those like and so in October, they're like all these drawing challenges where people draw like a picture a day. Do you know what I'm talking about? And I did that one year and I just like didn't like their prompts or whatever, or I just wasn't like super interested in, but I had wanted to practice more figure drawing. And so I guess the next year, I just was looking for something to do that was like more interesting to me. And so I just chose like black punk, because I thought it would give me an opportunity to like find out more for you know, myself for people that would like want to listen to you. Because, and I always say this in a way like, maybe that's like blaming other people. I'm like, well, nobody told me about this. And I know that other people don't know, too, you know what I mean? But I guess that that kind of just about black punk rockers or black punk bands, you know, but sometimes when I would find out about somebody, I would kind of be like, sad for my younger self. Because punk rock, although kind of people now try to, I don't know, like fantasize it into being like a very safe space. It's like not And it never was. It's just like any other, like, small group of people outside of like, whatever society or a bigger group of people, you know what I mean? There, it doesn't transform it into being like safer or better or whatever. So I really wish I had been able to, you know, reference like bands like Pure Hell or Death when I was feeling like sad or unsure of myself or like around people who were not so nice to me. Like because you kind of can hang on to things like you can learn about things and you can hang on to them. And like, when people make you feel bad about yourself, you can be like, reference those things I feel like, well, at least this, you know what I mean? Like, I i don't not belong here because uh i know that i do belong here because pure hell is here you know what i mean like a band of all black punk rockers um from like you know the early days of punk so um right now i think a lot of people can have that information like readily available a lot more people are aware of who like sister rezetta tharp is right now than i would have ever been you know, when I was in my 20s or anything like that, or, you know, but like, it's just that Um, so I'm meandering. Anyways, what I'm trying to say is like, I just wanted to learn more about these bands and things like that. And so doing a drawing challenge and kind of looking up information about them gave me a way to like, focus on that band for a day and like kind of like delve into like that information. And I thought that sharing it with people would be helpful to people who like taken information the way that I do, like, I'm like, one of those people that means like, the picture, I need to read about it, I need to do something about it. And then it can be in my memory a little bit more, you know. So that's where it started from. That's where the, like, interest in like, drawing, like, masks, like black bands, and, and, you know, putting them together and researching them started from

Rob Lee: Thank you. And, um, big shout out. You'd mentioned, uh, Band Called Death, what have you. And I remember watching the documentary done on him about, what, 12 years ago? And I was like, yeah, man, where's my leather jacket, man? What the fuck you doing?

Raeghan Buchanan: What movie? There was a movie that they had, like, a leather jacket on the main character. I forget what it was called. Bigger Thomas is the character. But they had, like, uh, I think, um, the words to like politicians in my eyes and the main characters like Leatherjack and I was like, oh, that's so cool.

Rob Lee: Anyways, I remember that and kind of, you know, being around it and I feel like maybe This was more towards, we had like different types of bands. And I remember one of the first shows I went to was that friend I was describing before we got started. It was his band that he was like kicked out that week or what have you. He just wasn't performing that week. And I was just like, all right, cool. So I'm like going to the show with his band and it's very, it felt weird. It felt like a weird space to be in, but I was like, oh Lord, like hoard on the music. And then the showmanship, it was a, They were white dudes, but it was a it was it was a horror themed like punk band. I was like, OK, this is great. It's like you guys are all like horror movie characters. I love this. This is great. And then a chainsaw came out, a real chainsaw. I was like, oh, so this is what we're doing.

Raeghan Buchanan: I was like, are you seeing the Misfits? Are you seeing the Plasmatics? Who are you seeing?

Rob Lee: And then I could like dive further into that. And I'm thinking about it. I was like, oh, all of this stuff is already in my playlist. I'm already there. I just don't have the aesthetic. I don't present in that way. Yeah. You know, and then, you know, some of the folks like feeling the and I think it ties back into feeling like I belong here. Right. Like when I was one of those dudes that became aware of like like something like Afropunk for sake of argument. And it's just like, oh, OK, here's the thing. And then, you know, I had a conversation about that. I'll share off mic with you that it's like, oh, this is now more so Coachella versus this other thing. And I but I look for that. I go to the seedy places like we have the, you know, set up here. It's just like, I don't know if this bathroom works. Oh, someone's doing heroin. Fantastic. And those are the things like in the bathroom. Those are the things that, you know, I kind of look for from from a scene. And I know that I'm not the only one. And I think watching the documentary of Afropunk really hit me to the degree where I started writing a like a treatment for a documentary to do a version of it. I was I remember doing the interview with James Spooner and I was like, so Afropunk 20 years later, you try to redo it. And he's like, absolutely not. I'm an old man now.

Raeghan Buchanan: No, he should. I'm sure people ask him that all the time or whatever. But I yeah, I definitely that would be awesome. There's a lot of people who are I know he feels good about all the people who kind of are doing research now and are like, it just seems like my friend Flora from my office, she always calls it like a black folk renaissance right now, or whatever. And it's kind of like, the amount of people who are into like, this like, rock based music, or rock and roll based music is like kind of at an all time high, you know, at this point. And so there's just the same as all the times when there's bands there's also then people who are doing journalistic work and taking photographs and documenting and like you know putting together shows um and and uh you know archives of things so like i think it it would be great for i'm sure some people are doing documentary type things as we

Rob Lee: I need a few more tattoos so I can be like less of a poser and just slide in. I'm just kidding. I want to get your take on sort of, you know, from your vantage point. What's the discourse been like? What's the conversations been like? Like, you know, I saw you at the panel like late last year, like September, I think. And, you know, sort of this this new volume that's this has the spine to it is out, you know, recently dropping recently. How how has that been for you? Like, you know, I'll say this, like I got like best podcast of Baltimore a couple of years ago, and it felt weird. Well, thank you. It felt weird. And I was just like, yo, I'm not comfortable with this being outside, having people know who I am. Oh, no. So, you know, the last six months being a recluse in a sense, I was like, now I'm just. So what is that experience been like? It's not necessarily the dealing with fame, but having something that you help bring to the conversation, you know, like, you know, helping on earth and helping get into, like, the dialogue. What has that been like for you?

Raeghan Buchanan: Um. well I don't have I don't it's not like I guess like yeah I feel similarly like I don't really leave my house much um and it's been it's been nicer than I thought it would be because I have like I guess I I didn't really understand that. This sounds weird to say, but I didn't really understand that people were going to like read this, even though it was like published. But this is my first book that's like was published on like a publisher. So I, I wasn't sure that I know people were gonna, you know, ask me on panels or podcasts or whatever. It seems like it's kind of happening a little fast. um not based on my life but just based on when the book came out or whatever um but i it's been people have been um appreciative and people have been like curious and nice and it's just i i thought i would get more pushback than i have and i think that uh maybe the people who would give me pushback are like either not reading it which is fine with me and uh or or not being um as like vocal or whatever um again which is fine with me um because i'm not really here to argue with people um and i don't think that like i said anything controversial it's just that with punk rock specifically and with you know music in general nobody agrees on anything And so with my definition of punk being a lot larger than some people's, I thought I would get some arguments there. And I think there's always going to be arguments about the origins of rock and roll or whatever. And so when I put it squarely on Rosetta Tharpe, which is something that I believe, or whatever, I feel like there's definitely definitely room for people to argue about that. But I, I have only gotten a few people who wanted to argue with me at panels or whatever, which has been funny, kind of. But um, but other than that, people have like, people have reached out to thank me, there's people who are, you know, still even now, like not very many black people in their scene. So you know, they felt good about like having like a book like that out there and being able to read it. And people have discovered bands from it, which they really liked. So I think, yeah, basically, people have been very nice.

Rob Lee: So I and thank you for that, because I think, you know, I would get into these conversations with people like I'm a person as a I'm a music fan. I like a broad variety. I used to do my own little mixtapes when I was burning CDs with the thing. And I remember I got into it with a friend who was like and, you know, I could turn into I'm like I'm an Aquarius Capricorn cusp. I could be very petty and. It was something that he was like, you don't know music. And I was just like, you don't know music because you got kicked out of every band you were in. And so the smoke is real. Right. And but the thing is, we were debating emo and it's sort of this thing of is a very myopic viewpoint of what it is, who's allowed in it. And I see that it's sort of. this i don't like using the word erasure but it is that sort of the people of color the black people who were involved in these different things or part of the scene from a very early point somehow they're not in it when it comes to your definition sometimes you know i mean certain people's definitions and i think your work kind of addresses yeah i wish that i had been able so when i was doing this again i wasn't really sure

Raeghan Buchanan: about when I was making this and putting it together. It's not like I had like a publishing deal on the horizon, you know, so I for I didn't know it was like gonna come out while I was like putting it together. I would hope that it would come out. But you know, I do a lot of self publishing. So I, I guess I, I do wish that like, I was able to put more information in it and go like you know deeper into and like include more bands and things like that um which is like probably like one like a hindsight thing or like one i mean there's almost only so much time to do stuff you know you can always put out another issue but like yeah there's like that's like with it's like with every like little sub-genre of music where eventually they push the roots out, or whatever. I know my friend that I do zines with Southside Frank, he talks about shoegaze and like the black origins of shoegaze and stuff like that. And, you know, DeVilt and Arthur, Arthur Kane. And we I think, right before this book out came out, like I learned about Tina Bell, from the band Bam Bam, where she, you know, was she was in a grunge band, but they never mentioned her when they talk about grunge. And I understand that grunge is like a word that like the media made up, which all of these words are, but all these genres are made up to sell records. But it really changes, you know, things when you when you learn that stuff, like, and it makes you It just does. I'm sorry, it just makes you more it makes me more interested in it or whatever. It makes me know that there isn't going to be like, um, and I'm sorry, if this is generalizing, but it's just my experience that I get pushed out of conversations. And it's not like people are like, stop talking. People ignore you. You know what I mean? They just ignore what you say. Or they're like, okay, great. Cool. Anyways, you know what I mean? So to under to like, know that there are you know, people who look like you, that would not do that to you right off of the bat or whatever is a welcome to me. And that's like the kind of stuff that's like, I'm interested, like, I guess you could tell from like, talking to me or whatever, that like, a big part of my motivation is for other people not to feel the way that I felt, or whatever. So Every question you ask me ends up with an answer that is not the question you asked me and I just like don't remember what the question is.

Rob Lee: I'm getting all of it out of you though. That's the thing that's good. Well, but this is one of the things I really like about your background or what have you. And from my vantage point, I could be completely wrong, but from my vantage point, like I understand that like, you know, Black women in comics, that's a weird sort of thing, like not getting the same respect maybe as peers or what have you, right? You're a drummer. You know, it's another thing. It's like, women don't drum.

Raeghan Buchanan: Women don't always get the full amount of respect anyway, so.

Rob Lee: So it's like you're kind of doing these things and doing them very well creatively and turning it on its head, which in itself is a very punk rock way to go about things. So why is that just like super intentional? That's like, hey, this seems like it should be hard for me and what I present as an individual. I'm still going to do it.

Raeghan Buchanan: Well, like I said, no, because not not fully because I just chose what I wanted to do and then I never I never when I was young and like didn't really examine it too much after that with like drumming. That was one thing that I wanted to pick up like being a musician when I was younger, but I really wasn't like I was really discouraged from doing that because my parents wanted me to keep my head in the books and everything like that. And so It's easier to participate in a music scene when you are participating in that way in a band. I think I was very sick of people not even knowing my name. I remember a lot of times being referred to as my boyfriend's girlfriend. You know what I mean? People didn't know my name. They knew that I was this person's girlfriend or whatever. I remember I even, in my first band that I started in Columbus, we immediately went over to Europe to tour. And I went to France. And the People's House that we stayed at, the girl was like, aren't you this guy's girlfriend? And I'm like, it's France! It's France, even! Place I've never been. And so, I think I just wanted to be like, like stand out as an individual and things like that or whatever i'm not really sure sometimes of like my motivation i know my parents raised all of you know me and my brothers and sisters to be self-sufficient and like strong and stuff like that and like i know there probably was like you know some mixed messages of being like oh you can do whatever you want to do but like not an artist but i i guess life is like that like i don't know how your brain works you probably ignore things sometimes and sometimes they like um sometimes they shine through or whatever and we you know people talk about representation um which i do like think is you know an important thing for younger kids to see um to see people holding the doors open for them or whatever um and so you kind of just gotta bite the bullet a little bit if you feel self-conscious or if you feel like you're not going to be good at something or they're able to do something, just do it.

Rob Lee: I agree. I encounter that and I got one more real question before we wrap up with the real. sirens. Yeah, I encountered that. And it's sort of these little subtle things. And that already is established. I'm petty when I you know, I'm like, hold on, run that back again. Like I've I've heard for a long time, longest time I've been a podcaster for 15 years. Right. And I'll hear you don't look like a podcaster. It's like, what does that even mean? And it's like, oh, It's too easy to say the black thing because I know that's what it is, but it's because I'm tall or it's because I'm bald. I'll say everything other than the obvious thing.

Raeghan Buchanan: I have a friend, my friend. Gabby, who's in this band, The Tulips, she told me, I'm sorry I'm telling other people's stories, but she told me that she was opening for, I can't remember what she was opening for, but you would recognize the name, they were an alternative rock band or whatever. And she's like, got green hair and she's got a green guitar and like green clothes and she's warming up on stage. And this, this guy is like, you look so cute holding that guitar, but like assumed it was like, uh that she was warming it up for somebody else like she matches the guitar like her green is her signature color you know and she's like you can literally be doing the thing that you're doing um and they don't think it's you because to them you don't look like that it's appropriate for you to be playing. It's like they can't, they don't even believe their own eyes when they decide that it's not, you know, you. And I've had people who assumed that I wasn't like, you know, the artist or whatever, if I was standing next to somebody or, you know what I mean? Or like doing a mural or something like that. They just assume that I'm like the worker or whatever. But if it happens to you all the time, I'm not even sure, like, Yeah, you're too tall to be a podcast. Do they not make microphones that, like, reach your voice or something?

Rob Lee: I'll give you this before I move to this last question. That thing I was talking about, the sort of best podcaster thing. I was in line with my tickets to go in to this event. And I'm in the magazine. It's a full spread. So my whole was in this studio I'm in currently. And I'll see a leathery white was in front of me. And like, can you scan my tickets in? She she obviously thought I worked there. She thought I was I'm wearing a lanyard that says winner.

Raeghan Buchanan: Right.

Rob Lee: It's just like and I and I didn't get as tight about it. I was just like, you know, I'm weird socially sometimes. But my partner is like, you know, turn to page 175. Like, does this look like, you know, the you know, and it's it's just odd that that's the preset. And the behavior is kind of dickish with it when they don't recognize like. Yeah, I'm, I'm actually like, not to say that someone doesn't deserve respect or whatever, if they are in that role, but it is like, nah, this is weird that you assume that I'm in that role without any context. It's not, there's no uniform shirt or nothing. I'm wearing like a pressed dress shirt.

Raeghan Buchanan: Well, and I, it's like in, you know, my experience in the music scene too, is that you know, it's really funny, or it's a common story for women. to kind of always be put off as like the girlfriend. And I just like know so many stories of women who had trouble getting into their own green room or whatever. I even, you know, even if their name was in the band, you know, like or the band was like their band was like hired hands or whatever. Like and yeah, it's sometimes it's almost like these gatekeeper type people are doing this with like glee. too, you know what I mean? And I know it can't always be on like purpose, but I do feel like sometimes people be happy to do stuff like that or whatever, like, I don't know, maybe that's assigning malice. But like, I'm not really sure how saying somebody couldn't be a podcaster would like tumble out of your mouth without thinking without knowing this person that he has some sort of chip on his shoulder where he wants to be a little bit funny. in a way that you can call him on. But the truth is, we know that we can call somebody on anything. I don't have to prove it to you what I think about you. I already know what the game is.

Rob Lee: I'll share this, and this is the last question that's coming up. It's like when Singers have this thing where it's like, this is your singing voice. And then their real voice, their talking voice is a lot deeper, like Prince's voice is super deep. And I I noticed this happens because because of this is what I do. If I just go in and I'm just talking, not like performing, not as soon as I turn any of that on, because it comes out of my natural voice. They're like, Oh, snap, you're Rob Lee. I'm like, Yeah, I am. Or they'll see this logo behind me, which is a cartoon rendering that's like four years old. You're the guy. I was like, So you recognize the cartoon version of me, but not the real life Blackman, you know? It's very weird sometimes. So this is the last question. I want to talk a little bit about community, because, you know, when you have a scene, I think there's elements of the community. There's not always that, but it's elements of the community, there's pockets. And also SPX, you know, is a community as well. Like, as I said before, and I'll say it again, I think it's very easy to get into conversation with folks there and set up interviews like we're doing right now. How important for you as a creator, as an artist, is it to be around the different communities that you're within, whether it be from a music standpoint, whether it be from a writing standpoint, Black artist standpoint, SPX? Talk a bit about that.

Raeghan Buchanan: For me, community is really important. And I know that's like a big like gendered and that there's like different kinds of communities. But I, like, especially, you know, somebody from like, I work from home a lot. And, you know, and I, you know, I have to find my own jobs and things like that, like I'm a contractor. And so it, it would be, really easy for me to like, fall out of communication with people if I, you know, didn't try and if I didn't have people who were checking on me and like making sure that I was like, being fed, which means getting jobs, you know what I mean? So I feel like I have like a very healthy kind of like, especially in the Columbus artistic like community of people who are looking out for each other there are people who are sending me um you know uh rfqs for like uh murals and there are people who are like hey do you want to um do you want to you know put your art up in in this show and stuff like that and like you know do you what are you doing right now do you need a job I can't take this one can do you want to take it and stuff like that and so for me like that's really important because that's like material that's not just like good job you know like you're a great artist which I like you know I found at times that people were like oh great you're a great artist or whatever but it and that's so nice but like the community that I have like now which is largely in Columbus like black community are people who are making sure that I'm okay, like checking on me. And like, it's not just art. It's not just what can you do for me? It's not like entertain us. It's like, hey, we need you to be okay, because you're like, we're all in this together. And that's the advice kind of when people ask me like, if they like about being an artist or whatever, like, I've, that's the advice that I try to give people to give to your community and be invested in like groups of people so that they invest back in you. You know what I mean? So that you're all like trying to like take care of each other. And I know that that might sound like, you know, Shangri-La or something, you know what I mean? Or like Hippie Dippie or whatever, but it's not. It's like, it's what's important. So for me, it's not just like, you know, people giving you like a like on Instagram or like, critiquing your art or making sure, you know what I mean? It's like a lot deeper than that for me, because this is my life. It's not a hobby. It's not like, you know, a throwaway thing. And, and I, you know, people are really there for me. So I if I didn't have like, the communities that I was in, you know, holding me up, I wouldn't have I wouldn't be able to do this at all. So

Rob Lee: It's a great answer. And thank you. And a good spot for us to wrap on the real questions and get to the weird questions. Thank you. That, you know, it's very important. I'm glad you shared that. So I got five because I've been adding them as we've been talking. I got five rapid fire questions. So as I tell people, don't overthink these.

Raeghan Buchanan: If I don't over, that's not me. I have to overthink.

Rob Lee: I want to put you on a timer.

Raeghan Buchanan: I'm as cold as possible, Rob, obviously.

Rob Lee: Oh, all right. So so here's here's the first one. This is going to be a challenging. I think it's going to be funny, though. I am not wearing black currently, but I do wear a lot of black. What is the best color that pairs with black, white, black and white?

Raeghan Buchanan: My closet, there are some colors, but it's like, you know how Marge Simpson has like, it's everything is black and white. So my t-shirt right now is black and white. I noticed that. Yeah.

Rob Lee: This next one is one that came from a listener. What's the definitive comic for you growing up?

null: Like I played it, right?

Raeghan Buchanan: My sister Ashley said it's Spawn. I love Spawn. I remember going to see Spawn in the theater with like my family. I don't I don't think we liked it. I don't think it wasn't like a great movie. I think I was the most excited to see Angela. I was like, that's Angela. I know, you know, or whatever. But I think she just like walked by. I don't think she was in the movie. But um, but yeah, it's fun. Tom and Carlin is a big influence on like my drawing style, kind of.

Rob Lee: I might circle back to you. I'm like, yo, I want to do a retrospective of HBO's Spawn television show. We should talk about that. We should talk about that. Yeah, we'll talk.

Raeghan Buchanan: I don't know. I know that it's really complicated, but I'm not sure. It's really good source material. Like we can do. Nobody remembers that Spawn 2 thing. Anytime I talk about it, somebody, people even get the actor wrong. They're like,

Rob Lee: That's Michael Jai White, that's friggin Black Dynamite. Let's go.

Raeghan Buchanan: I feel like I shouldn't have said that.

Rob Lee: I'm sorry. What is the, this is everywhere, like when I typed this in, right, because briefly I remembered your name and I spelled it right and I said it right. Thank you everybody. But I also typed and I was like, yeah, so Peppermint Ray Gunn, what is the origin of Peppermint Ray Gunn?

Raeghan Buchanan: Oh, you know how I always say, so my grandfather was, I was very close to my grandfather. And you know how they always, you know, the joke about like the older people having like the Werther's Originals or like the hard candy or whatever, he had peppermints. I got my peppermint tatsies. I love my papa's like my favorite person. He would remember every band I was in. He would give me advice. He's the most pleasant person that you'd ever meet and really cute and funny. And he's just like this cute old man who get hit on all the time. Girl, ladies love him. And he was just a sweetheart. And so I think about he passed a couple years ago, and I put him in like everything or whatever. I try to reference like my family a lot, you know, so that's where I came from. And then Reagan is just the way to so you could spell Reagan and not get it wrong if you want to.

Rob Lee: Yeah. Yeah. My my name is just a regular ass name. Robert, I've been called Roberts with an S. I know I'm a big dude, but I'm not two people. I've been called Rabbit. And it's almost like a frog, like Ribbit. And I was just like, Massachusetts? Like, why are you saying my name like this? So yeah. So this one is kind of circles back to what we talked about earlier. Thin crust or stuffed crust?

Raeghan Buchanan: I don't remember the last time I've had a thin crust pizza. Does that even exist anymore? I guess Donato's has thin crust pizza. Stuffed crust, because if we're going to eat, let's get full, you know?

Rob Lee: Love it. And this is the last one. I always ask people who draw this question, because as you know, I used to draw back in the day, and I still draw on occasion. I used to always have trouble drawing hands and feet. For you, what was your piece? What was your trouble point in drawing?

Raeghan Buchanan: I think all artists have trouble drawing hands. That's why AI is in the boat it's in right now.

Rob Lee: Mid-journey, let's go.

Raeghan Buchanan: Oh God, I hate it. I'm so bad at embracing new horrible technologies. I'm actually at the point, this is very strange, but I'm actually at the point that I can draw hands without reference, which I don't know why because I can barely draw anything without reference. My issue is, my personal issue is I don't, I always be drawing people's heads too big. So I guess that proportionately I am having trouble and then sometimes I just be like, oh well, you just got a bunch of big heads in my comics or whatever.

Rob Lee: This is a choice stylistically. Everybody in my universe has a giant head. That's what it is.

Raeghan Buchanan: Oh, sorry.

Rob Lee: As a person with a giant head, I relate.

Raeghan Buchanan: I'm like, that is twice as big as it should be. And then sometimes I erase it and draw it again. And sometimes I'm just like, whatever. Okay, whatever.

Rob Lee: And that's that's sort of it. I'll say this last this last thing before we close out here. I as a person had that does not like feet. I think my dislike of feet is because I can't draw them. And I think that carried over into real life. Like it's almost like, hey, you know, I'm going to, you know, walk around with no shoes. I was like, here, put two pair on. Actually, I don't like feet.

Raeghan Buchanan: Well, so depending on where you grew up, it might be I remember, have you ever read like the there's like this article that like, do you know who Rob Liefeld is? Like, there's this article, or they kind of like, go through all of the, like jokingly, all of the kind of like weird shit that he drew, you know what I mean? Like curved guns, like a million pounds, like the fucker in these pouches or whatever. And I think, and he always do women's feet like that, or whatever, like he always do them they were standing on their tippy toes. And I remember reading that article and being like, oh gosh, I remember being influenced by his art and not caring where planes are. I'm sorry that I'm not completely trying to talk shit or whatever, but you can blame things on him. and other people or whatever. I always draw stuff on people's feet so they always have stuff on their feet like they always have combat boots on so I've drawn a lot of combat boots so like that's fine but I also do this thing where I don't draw their feet I just draw like gears instead of feet because they're convicts like so I don't know why they need feet like they're not actually walking or whatever they might be flying I don't know.

Rob Lee: Feet are just a construct. Now I'm just sounding pretentious.

Raeghan Buchanan: It's real.

Rob Lee: And I do remember the running bit about Rob Liefeld's stuff of the, it's a picture of Captain America. And it's like, yeah, why do you got breasts, G? Like, why is he built like that?

Raeghan Buchanan: Yeah, mistriations. Like, I remember, I definitely blamed my curved guns on Rob Liefeld.

Rob Lee: Everyone is on HGH in R.I.P. Um, so, so that's, that's pretty much it for the podcast. There's two things I want to do as we close out. Um, one, I want to thank you for, for making the time and coming on and chatting it out with me. And, um, and secondly, um, I want to invite and encourage you to share with the listeners, website, social media, shameless plugs. This is what we do with this last part here, as you, as you well know.

Raeghan Buchanan: Yeah. Well, actually it's pretty easy because if you spell my name, right, you can unblock many things about me but that's the hard part because it's hard to spell. But if you if you I think if you type in peppermint ray gun like I'm like the gun like pew pew like the ray gun um then you can find my Instagram in my website which is I only have an Instagram for social media so because I hate technology so.

Rob Lee: And there you have it, folks. I want to again thank Reagan Buchanan for coming on and chopping it up with me and sharing a bit of her journey and her story and documenting these histories. And I'm Rob Lee saying that there's art, culture, and community in and around your neck of the woods. You've just got to look for it.