Citywide Blackout

Citywide Bytes-Back in the studio with Lorenza Wildcard

It was August of 2023 and Lorenza Wildcard was on the show to talk about the beginning of her musical journey. Today, she has appeared on multiple podcasts and shows, performed all over and received a slew of awards.

In this episode, we look at some of the highlights of her career and what keeps her going. She shares some performance milestones, including the famous Dublin Castle in London. She talks about the lessons learned, both on stage and in the studio and how she views her time as an artist after a couple years.

Lorenza released “My Worth” in January, and she talks about the story behind the song and gives us a glimpse into what she has planned next.

Closing out the interview is the newest single, “My Worth.”

Maggie Giles keeps the mystery going with “Wicked”

Our next guest was last on the show in October 2023 for her mystery thriller “Twisted” and now, Maggie Giles is back with “Wicked,” the new title in the series, out on April 22.

While the mystery behind the robbery and murders in “Twisted” was uncovered a few months back, there is still a very large loose thread that Detective Ryan Boone desperately wishes to tie up. He convinces his superiors to allow him to travel to Ottawa, where he’s uncovered a lead into a conspiracy that hints what happened in Toronto has nationwide and horrific implications. 

Meanwhile, former detective Cora Porter has moved to forensics, but when a strange case involving a murder, a runaway and a case of mistaken identity hits close to home, she squeezes her way into the investigation. It also doesn’t help that a certain visiting detective has caught her eye, and is also willing to work with her on the case.

Maggie talks about the ‘loose thread’ that ties the two books together and what sends Boone to Ottawa. We go into the new mystery of “Wicked” and learn about antagonist Blaine Roche and how they’re able to keep ahead of the detectives. Maggie shares how she devised the crimes of the new book and how she gets into the head of a criminal mastermind.

Citywide Bytes—Award-winning writer explores life though the eyes of a middle-schooler

Author Nancy McCabe’s new book, “Fires Burning Underground” takes us through the life of Anny as she copes with the death of a friend, her family’s religious home and questioning her own sexuality.

Nancy and I talk about what inspired the book and how it reflects on her own life. She goes into the development of Anny’s character and navigating the many aspects of the story. Nancy shares how it felt to revisit her life in the pages of this book and if she views the middle-grade age group any differently.

She goes into about the lessons she presents as a writing teacher and what we can expect as she brings one journey to an end and begins a new one.

Bumblebee Radio celebrates five years on the air

It was during the pandemic that radio personality Kristen Eck decided to make a long-term dream a reality with the launch of Bumblebee Radio. Five years and hundreds (maybe thousands!) of songs later, the Boston-based station is marking five years on the air.

In this episode, Eck joins us to talk about the station’s early days and how it’s thrived since 2020. We go into the ins and outs of running a station, including how she gets the rights to so much music and how to make your own studio! We also talk about plans for the big 5 and what we can expect in future years.

Citywide Bytes—“Boy With Wings” shows what it means to be different

In his book, “Boy With Wings,” (Koehler, March 15) author Mark Mustian explores the history of the American freak show and what it means to be different in this world.

 

Johnny Cruel is born with wing-like appendages. Is it a miracle, or is he cursed? Is he an angel or a horror? Struggling to find his place in the world, Johnny ends up in a freak show traveling the 1930s South, where he bares his back to onlookers who come to gape, laugh, recoil and fawn. While looking for a place to call home, Johnny notices a strange man who pursues him. What does this man want, and can he be trusted?

In this episode, Mark talks about the history of the American freak show and how it remains a presence in 2025. He shares how he developed the character of Johnny and how his story develops over the course of the story. We talk about how he embraces, and struggles, with his “fame” and the mysterious person who pursues him.

Mark is also the founder of The Word of South Festival, which takes places April 4-6 and what people can expect from this great blend of literature and music. 

Battlemode talks about Boston Calling debut

Every band has their firsts—first album, first show, first tour. In this episode, the three-member chiptune band Battlemode talks about their first performance at the upcoming Boston Calling. Band members Biff and Astro talk about how this appearance came to be and the musicians they’re looking forward to seeing.

Boston has a great chiptune scene and Biff and Astro take us on a tour of what makes it so awesome. We learn about some of the other chiptune artists they’ve worked with and their Boston Bitdown festival, which takes place this weekend. We also talk about what else they have planned for the rest of 2025.

Closing out the episode is the track “Just Pretend.”

Citywide Bytes—Julie McGue shares family story in new book

For her new book, “Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood,” Julie Ryan McGue shares the story of her and her twin sister growing up in their expanding adoptive family.

In this episode of Citywide Bytes, she talks about the family story and adapting it for this book. She also talks about how the book expands on her previous novel, “Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging.” We learn about the ongoing book tour she has and how it feels to be recognized by receiving Literary Titan and Independent Press awards.

Linda Viens talks Hall of Fame inductions, new music from Girl With a Hawk

At Citywide Blackout, we don’t toss around the word “legend” casually — but this time, we feel it applies.

Linda Viens and Richard Lamphear of Girl With a Hawk join us to talk about Viens’ recent induction into the New England Music Hall of Fame as part of the solo artists of 2025. Linda talks about the experience of hearing her name announced at the ceremony and what it means for her as an artist.

Linda and Richard talk about the formation of Girl With a Hawk in 2020 and the band’s recent single, “Share It All.” The two have been part of the Boston music scene for decades and talk about their favorite venues and musicians. We take a walk down memory lane and discuss the different places we’ve seen shows at and how the scene has changed over the years.

Closing out this episode is “Share it All.”

Citywide Bytes – Ghost on TV takes a trip with “Mister Silence”

From past musical projects to years of world travel, Paul DePasquale has a number of influences as an artist, which have all played a role in his new album “Mister Silence” under his Ghost on TV project.

In this episode of Citywide Bytes, Paul talks about how the new album came together and the ways that his time in Japan, working with the band Vary Lumar and others helped shape the sound.

He goes into his new mindset of freeing himself and the ways this helped him as an artist. We also talk about his many years collaborating with Sean McLaughlin of 37’ Productions and his role in “Mister Silence.”

Wrapping up this episode is the title track, which we really enjoyed. Be sure to check out this and the rest of the album.

Derek Smith takes us on a cosmic journey with ‘Opus’

For this episode, we’re going to pivot from the authors we’ve been interviewing and focus on the music with Derek Smith from Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures.

Derek talks about the new album, “Opus,” described as a sort of “best of” collection of music, though the tunes here are all new. Derek shares his exploration of different music styles and how it all came together for the 10-track lineup.

We also go into the band’s origin, his musical parentage and how he settled on such a cool band name. Derek talks about the cool cover art made for “Opus” and his dad’s own artistic contributions. And of course, we talk about the plans in place for 2025.

Closing out this episode is “Preacher,” one of the tracks from “Opus.”