Invisible Ink
Putting a face to our freelancers
By Erin Hunsader
A writer is the person behind the words on the page. Back in the days before social media, writers were household names, from Joan Didion to John Dunne. Now – not so much. Green Bay City Pages is going to change that. Putting out a weekly arts and entertainment publication wouldn’t be possible without the help of this talented troupe of writers and photographers (of which Green Bay is full of).
So, here they are, the who’s who of Green Bay City Pages.
Freddy Moyano – Film Critic (also an award-winning filmmaker & actor)
Where are you from? “I was born and raised in Madrid, Spain. After I received my Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (2002), I moved to Wisconsin, where I have happily remained ever since. My wife is from Marinette. We met in Germany in 1999, while backpacking around Europe.”
What genre of arts & entertainment do you like to focus your writing on and why? “I focus my writing on motion picture and screen acting, through film critiques. I cherish independent films, even more when they involve low-funded resourcefulness. I also like to bring unknown Wisconsin, Midwest-based and nationwide upcoming actors and filmmakers into the public eye.”
Do you consider yourself an artist, and if so what field? What inspired you to pursue this? “In my own filmmaking (wildlife based, mostly birds), I like to creatively film, edit and convey audiovisual stories thanks to the extensive wildlife footage I’ve been collecting in the last three years in Northeast Wisconsin – from Appleton to Marinette and New London to Sturgeon Bay and Algoma. I observe patterns of owls, eagles, herons, rodents, coyotes… documenting them with my lens through my cinematography skills.”
What is your favorite thing either about Green Bay or to do in Green Bay? “Birding is a definite thing I love doing. I spend an average of two hours per day outdoors, rain or shine, driving around shorelines, walking in the woods and monitoring bird activity.”
Norb Rozek – Freelance Writer
Where are you from? “I’m from here. I went to Washington middle school and East high school. That’s pretty Green Bay.”
What genre of arts & entertainment do you like to focus your writing on and why? “I write about old records released by local bands. There’s been a bit of a resurgence of interest in vinyl lately, but a lot of it is sort of gross, like chasing around on Record Store Day to find a $100 George Harrison box set or whatever. I’d like to help cultivate a little more interest in local rock history. Ignorance of your culture is not considered cool and all that.”
Do you consider yourself an artist and if so what field? What inspired you to pursue this? “I play in bands, write and design graphics, but I’ve never considered myself an artist because I don’t think I’m talented enough to be one. I consider myself more of a performer than a musician, more of a graphics guy than an artist and more of a contributor than a writer. I knew since I was fifteen that what I really wanted to do was to be in bands, get my picture taken, make records, write about music and learn to design record covers. Those are very achievable goals.”
What is your favorite thing either about Green Bay or to do in Green Bay? “All my stuff is here and I don’t have to move it.”
Chris Rugowski – Freelance photographer, musician
Where are you from? “Green Bay, WI.”
What genre of arts & entertainment do you like to focus your writing on and why? “I like to focus on live music, and arts-based events. We have a booming original arts and music scene here, you just have to be willing to open your eyes and go to new venues. We’re a small city that gets big city music acts. We have culture here with the Native influences as well. That makes this city a unique experience for someone who has never been privy to that kind of environment.”
Do you consider yourself an artist and if so what field? What inspired you to pursue this? “Not for a long time. I took every art class in high school, I think my teacher probably even made classes up for me, and meanwhile got C’s in everything else. Later in life I embraced the artist and now am a full time freelancing artist and musician.”
What is your favorite thing either about Green Bay or to do in Green Bay? “My favorite thing about this area is cheese. Wisconsin has some of the best cheese in the world, hands down. I also love the fact that we have so many migration stops for unique birds. Spring and Fall are special times in Northeast Wisconsin.”
Kira Doman – Freelance writer
Where are you from? “Washburn, WI.”
What genre of arts & entertainment do you like to focus your writing on and why? “My mom always considered me a serial writer, because I span all different genres (of writing), there was a time when I liked writing poetry. Then another time when I liked writing fiction, then essays, now journalism, and I also really enjoy editing.”
Do you consider yourself an artist and if so what field? What inspired you to pursue this? “I do consider myself an artist, in the musical field because I enjoy singing and performing. Also, in the writing field – fiction and poetry. I also enjoyed my time writing for Sheepshead Review on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus.”
What is your favorite thing either about Green Bay or to do in Green Bay? “I really like going mural hunting in the area. I think it’s so important to show that part of the community.”
Josh Hadley – Freelance writer
Where are you from? “I am from here. Where? Here.”
What genre of arts & entertainment do you like to focus your writing on and why? “I am a movie person. I live my live at 24-frames-per-second. I write about movies and pop culture and I am deeply rooted in that genre. I am a warehouse of completely useless information. Just try to talk to me without me making some kind of TV or movie reference at you.”
Do you consider yourself an artist and if so what field? What inspired you to pursue this? “I paint with words – good thing too, as I can’t paint with anything else. I am a filmmaker. I have an eye that is… unique. I write for comics and magazines and I feel that at some point I will write something that makes some kind of sense, so far nothing though.”
What is your favorite thing either about Green Bay or to do in Green Bay? “The odd pride that people have for the city.”
Jake Phelps – Illustrator
Where are you from? “From Green Bay, WI.”
What genre of arts & entertainment do you like to focus your writing on and why? “I love design. I enjoy working with letters, colors, illustrations and layout – coming up with something appealing, original and sometimes unsettling.”
Do you consider yourself an artist and if so what field? What inspired you to pursue this? “I started working with design around age 13. Mostly graffiti-style lettering and doodles in my notebook. Nowadays, graffiti and street art are still an influence on me. I let that style show through my work. Sometimes subliminally.”
What is your favorite thing either about Green Bay or to do in Green Bay? “My favorite part of Green Bay is the underground-element that it holds. DIY art shows and concerts, back alley graffiti galleries and the grit of a few unkempt corners of our downtown.”
Dan Robinson – Freelance writer
Where are you from? “Originally from Indiana. I lived in De Pere for 14 years and then in Shawano for 5 years. I presently live in Three Rivers, Michigan where we moved to be closer to family.”
What genre of arts & entertainment do you like to focus your writing on and why? “I have a strong connection to the waters of the Great Lakes and their watersheds. So for me, writing about them from a spiritual perspective, and getting to interview people working to protect the Great Lakes Basin is a privilege. Writing feeds my soul and gives me a chance to contribute to healing the ecosystems in which we live, including the Fox-Wolf Rivers watershed, the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.”
Do you consider yourself an artist and if so what field? What inspired you to pursue this? “I do consider myself an artist, using different media and expressions. I was a professional musician for many years, and while I still play and perform, my artistic energy is focused more on photography, and especially writing now. My inspiration for the writing I’ve shared through Green Bay City Pages is my love for the Great Lakes and the waters that feed them.”
What is your favorite thing either about Green bay or to do in Green Bay? “I love being around the Bay of Green Bay and Lake Michigan!”
Josh Koerner – Freelance writer
Where are you from? “I grew up on the outskirts of De Pere. The edge of Lawrence, De Pere and Wrightstown to be precise.”
What genre of arts & entertainment do you like to focus your writing on and why? “I never lost the spirit of the storyteller. However, my stories began to focus on food in 2017 when I moved out to east Green Bay and began discovering the robust culture of local Hispanic and Asian food. A friend convinced me to commit these stories to a Facebook blog, we called Josh Eats Green Bay, and that has brought me to where I am today with City Pages.”
What is your favorite thing either about Green Bay or to do in Green Bay? “My favorite part about writing in Green Bay has been getting to know the community that exists behind the menu. Their stories are what has inspired me. They are what keep my passion alive.”
Matty Day – Freelance writer
Where are you from? “Born in Milwaukee, raised Green Bay.”
What genre of arts & entertainment do you like to focus your writing on and why? “Mostly music. I’ve been a gigging musician for more than 15 years, during which I’ve been a member of 10 bands, recorded seven albums and played more than 500 shows. I’d written about music for other local outlets for five years, and was honored when Green Bay City Pages recruited me to start up again. More than anything, I write out of appreciation for the people who work to elevate the local music scene.”
Do you consider yourself an artist and if so what field? What inspired you to pursue this? “I started playing guitar at age nine, hoping it would make me cooler (jury’s still out). That’s my main medium, but I also double-majored in English and film, which has made for some fun projects, a Packers comedy show with Tommy Burns called Live from Stadium Drive, a stage script for Appleton magnate Cory Chisel and a ‘zine with Matt DeWane called Blasphemia.”
What is your favorite thing either about Green Bay or to do in Green Bay? “Hittin’ the town with my gorgeous wife Jaci.”
Erin Hunsader is the Editor of Green Bay City Pages. She can be reached at [email protected]