Kalamazoo Valley Instructor Finds Personal Milestone in New Silkworm Book

For more than two decades, Silkworm has been more than just a band to Kalamazoo Valley English instructor Isaac Turner, they've been a thread running through his life. He first saw the indie rock group in the mid-'90s, eventually sharing stages with members' later projects and building what he describes as a genuine friendship.

So, when the editor of a new book on Silkworm came looking for contributors on the book "Lay it in full View", his name surfaced quickly. The invitation to write a chapter, he said, was both unexpected and deeply flattering.

His contribution became a personal reflection, tracing how the band's albums aligned with pivotal points in his life. As a drummer who spent years touring, Silkworm's music was often the constant in the background "a soundtrack to my life," he said.

He has worked at Kalamazoo Valley since 2003 and says the rhythm of his days on campus supports his creative work. Seeing his chapter in print has served as a spark. "I'm honored," he said. "It's really jump-started my creative energy."

In the classroom, he approaches teaching the same way he approaches writing, with honesty. He makes a point to learn students' names, encourage their voices and build genuine connections.

"Lay it in Full View" is available in the U.S. through Comedy Minus One, the record label handling domestic distribution.