We had the good fortune of connecting with Richard Perkins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Richard, why did you pursue a creative career?
We need more poetry in the world. And we need to make it cool and unique. We want to inspire people to write more poetry and feel comfortable sharing it with the world, whether it be reading it out loud or making zines or self-publishing books.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Jerome Spencer and I have been artists our whole lives. I’m a photographer and he’s a visual artist, but we’re both poets. We’ve been writing poetry since, who knows… high school? We both grew up in skateboard culture. We both did music and everything. But poetry is the main focus in our lives right now. And it’s beautiful here in Nashville because we have a poetry scene here. And I’ve met so many good amazing people from that scene.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If any homie flies into Nashville I’m taking them straight to The Cobra. If you want to get food I might take them to Dino’s or I might take them to Bolton’s. Mitchell’s is tight, too. Maybe Roy’s Meat Service. When I shoot photography I get all my film developed at Third Man, so we would eventually be going there as well. But mainly The Cobra Nashville is where we are going to be hanging.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Uncle Tyler (Tyler Warnalis). He created Public Zoo Press and he made everything that me and Jerome Spencer do possible. This all started in Norfolk, Virginia, but now me and Jerome are out here in Nashville. We are really trying to push this culture. Also, shout out to Matt Johnstone and The Free Nashville poetry Library; they are the most supportive we could possibly have here in Nashville. And obviously, shout out to the Cobra Nashville which is the place that lets us do our monthly poetry nights which just just keep growing and growing and growing.

Website: https://www.parachutefullofforks.com

Instagram: @whothefuckisrichardperkins. @publiczoopress

Youtube: Mulligan&PerkinsVHS

Image Credits
Images by: Rue Blue, Richard Perkins and Elissa Curtis, Jack Ryan

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutTennessee is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.