On June 21, Toronto Poetry Slam will feature 6 is 9, a spoken word artist from St. Paul, Minn. To learn more about his creative process and slam experience, Toronto Poetry Slam asked him a few questions recently. Get to know 6 is 9 before he takes the stage at the Drake Hotel:

TPS: What got you into spoken word/poetry?

6 is 9: My best friend in high school was a poet. He inspired me, and I wrote my first poem for a girl. I didn’t get the girl, but I got poetry, and I stuck with it.

TPS: What kind of topics and themes are you attracted to when you write?

6: I’m known (possibly notorious) for writing a LOT, and about virtually anything. Among my favorite poems right now are about Chucky the killer doll, crazy kindergarteners, a love poem to a cancer patient, and a persona piece about an old man losing his grip.

TPS: Every city has its own poetic flavour, its own style (sometimes). What is St. Paul like? How would you describe it to someone who has never been there before?

6: I really enjoy the Twin Cities poetry scene right now. We’re colorful and diverse in styles and content, and very supportive of each other on the whole. We truly value quality writing, and have regular writing workshops at Common Roots Cafe where they let us use the back room. Comedy tends to do well here at slams, but serious work is rewarded as well.

TPS: You’re coming to Toronto for the first time. What are you hoping to achieve with your gig at TPS? Canadian fans? Merch sales madness? Smarties to take back home (the U.S. doesn’t have Smarties)?

6: I want to put on a great show. I want to sell stuff. And I want to see a good bit of Toronto, since the weather should be nicer. And I want to spread the word that the Twin Cities is for real. I’m counting down the days…

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