A Librarian & An Audio Engineer Walk into a Studio: A Conversation with Josh Berk & Matt Molchany

Lehigh Valley Arts Podcast

This week, we feature a fun conversation between Matt Molchany & Josh Berk about local music, the importance of participating in the local music scene, and why accessible recording studios are important to the community!

Josh Berk is the Executive Director of the Bethlehem Area Public Library as well as an author and musician in the Lehigh Valley. Josh comes from a family of librarians and has deep roots in the Lehigh Valley. In addition to being a librarian, Josh is also an author. His first book for young adults, The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin, was set in a high school in PA coal country and was placed on several “best of” lists. His first book for younger readers, Strike Three You’re Dead, allowed him to write about his passion for baseball. It was a finalist for the prestigious Edgar Awards presented by the Mystery Writers of America. In addition to writing, Josh is also a musician and plays Bass in the band Fictional Name! When he’s not working, writing, or playing bass, he’s fanboying on instagram over the new face of the Lehigh Valley Punk Rock Scene, Chloe the Chug. You can find Josh Berk on instagram at @jberkjj, the Bethlehem Area Public Library at @pabapl, Cloe the Chug at @cloethechug, and Fictional Name at @fictional_name!

Alongside Josh on this episode is Mall Molchany, the seasoned sound engineer who started Tape Swap Radio owns Shards Recording Studio in Southside Bethlehem. Matt is also a member of the bands VoirVoir & Wipes. You can find Matt on instagram at @shards_recording_studio, tape swap radio at @tapeswapradio, and VoirVoir at @voirvoirband!