"Real Conversations No. 1" is a collection of lengthy interviews with indie-media luminaries Henry Rollins, Jello Biafra, Billy Childish, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the first in a series of interview books. These punks and poets extemporize passionately, angrily, hopefully, fearfully, and humorously on how to stay independent in a corporatized world, covering everything from SUVs, the WTO, and the prison industry to visual art, punk music, independent presses, and artistic and political protest. Filled with controversial, sometimes conflicting, and occasionally unexpected commentary born of years of artistic, industry, and political experience, this book appeals to a broad cross-section of progressive artists, writers, independent publishers, producers, skateboarders, intellectuals, and activists. These funny, entertaining, enlightening, deep discussions about the sources of creativity, philosophy, ethics, and the meaning of life are inspiring and provocative.