Citywide Blackout

Citywide Bytes—Fighting for your freedom

Zara Marielle’s empowering fantasy debut “The Cafe of Infinite Doors” (now available) follows a trapped housewife who finds shelter in a magical cafe after a fight with her toxic husband, only to be drawn into a thousand-year-old battle between two Scottish goddesses, which threatens to destroy not only the cafe, but the entire world.

In this episode, Zara talks about the origin of the story and how she developed and worldbuilt it into the final book. She talks about her protagonist Marceline, how she was created and the unique situation she finds herself in. We also dive into what it’s like being a debut author, and Zara offers some advice for those about to embark on their own literary journey.

Like what you heard? Check out www.zaramarielle.com for more info to get your copy.

Facing your past in “Showdown”

Comic creator Dave Wielgosz joins us to walk a road of revenge and redemption in his first creator-owned comic, “Showdown.” The first issue drops on May 13 through Ignition Press. Here’s a look at what’s in store:

When Trish Sullivan left her hometown for college, she left behind unfinished business. Now she’s back and looking to settle up.  

Trish blames Harvey Harlowe for the death of her little brother, so Trish’s homecoming is an eye-for-an-eye mission. She’s going to kill him, and Harvey should get his affairs in order. But Harvey’s dad has just died, and an injury destroyed his football scholarship. Without a future ahead of him, Trish’s challenge is all the more welcome. He’s more than ready to go down fighting, and no one is going to step in and save him.   

Dave talks about the origin of the story, which he developed over the last 12 years. He introduces us to the team and shares how each one of their contributions helped shape the comic. We also talk about how he came to work with Ignition Press and how it feels to have his first creator-owned title about to debut.

We’ve got a lot to share about the business of comics, and Dave offers his advice on what first-timers can do to launch their comic. He offers perspective on past hurdles and how he overcame them and looks ahead to where the industry is going.

Like what you hear? Check out the comic at https://ignitionpress.com/pages/property/showdown.

Citywide Bytes—Michelle Forziati talks about her first steps in music

What should be your first step as a musician? I pose this questions to singer and actor Michelle Forziati in this week’s episode. We talk about the lessons she’s learned as an artist and her advice to those just beginning their own journeys.

Michelle shares the story behind her single “Stranger” and how this pushed her into the world of music and the story behind her most recent release, “Once More.”

Michelle’s recent single, “Once More” closes out this episode.

Like what you heard? Then follow her on Spotify at https://tinyurl.com/mter4p93. 

Citywide Bytes—SHP Comics shows how your story can meet the world

Woodstock, 1969–A cultural milestone in this country’s history. Now, add some vampires. Trust me, it works.

Now, picture yourself, an aspiring comic creator looking for that first step to make your idea a reality.

You’ll get both in this week’s episode, where I talk with SHP Comics founder and the writer behind their new title “Woodstake,” Shawn Hainsworth. Shawn and I begin with the origin of this great new comic, including how he developed it from concept to finished product. Shawn shares working artist Felipe Kroll and his reaction to seeing his art, which is really one of a kind.

Shawn also gives some tips on the best ways to get your work out into the world, and ways to convert a passerby at a convention into a potential new customer. He also offers a first step he thinks creators should take when it comes to making their comic. 

Now that you’ve got all that, head over to https://shpcomics.com/ to get your copy of “Woodstake” (with a special offer!).

Citywide Bytes—Tyler Pollard of Robotic Hawks talks band launches

When it comes to launching your music, starting can be the hardest part. How long before you know if you’re ‘ready’ to play? Tyler Pollard of the Boston-based band Robotic Hawks has been in the music game for a long time and believes that there is no ‘ready.’ You just gotta go for it!

Check out this episode for that discussion, as well as a dive into their new EP, “New, Better Things.” It’s four songs of awesome, recorded by Benny Grotto/Mad Oak Studios and mixed by band hero, Paul Q. Kolderie (yes, I ask about that!). Tyler also talks about booking shows and gives us a preview into upcoming performances.

We’re going to wrap up this episode with “Heartbeat,” my personal fave off the new EP.

You can check out more at www.richardtylerpollard.com. 

The Space Between strikes hard with “Weapon of Choice”

Ottawa-based hard rock band The Space Between recently released a new single, “Weapon of Choice,” from their forthcoming album, “Dying Sun,” and I for one cannot wait to hear the rest.

Band members Maryn Pegan and James Shaheen join us to talk about working with producer Brian Moncarz at Noble Street Studios and how this offered a brand new experience for the band.

We go into the themes and story behind the single and their vintage approach to the sound. Maryn and James talk about the origin of The Space Between and how the four members met up, and give us a glimpse of what’s to come.

Wrapping up this interview is “Weapon of Choice,” and be sure to visit www.thespacebetweenband.com for show dates, merch and a lot more. 

Citywide Bytes—Arrows of Athena soars with “Daydreaming”

Awhile back, we featured the single “Comets” by the Boston alt-rock duo Arrows of Athena as part of the Blackout Collection. Now, Scott Lerner and Jac-Lyn Gibson join me to talk about the 19th century story that inspired it.

We also dive into their new album, “Daydreaming,” which came out on April 3. We talk origin stories, being live on stage for the first time in awhile and what's next for Arrows of Athena.

Wrapping up this episode is “Comets,” one of the singles from “Daydreaming.”

Like what you heard? Then check out more at https://www.arrowsofathena.com.

Citywide Bytes—Irish Millie captures a pivotal time in music

With her new EP, “Between Then and Now,” 19-year-old fiddler, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Irish Millie captures the space between two chapters of life and the quiet realization of how much growth happens in the in-between.

In this episode, we talk about that time and the different stories that the album covers, including a powerful dedication to her fiddle teacher. Millie also shares how she first found the fiddle and what about it drew her in. She talks about some dream collaborations and gives us a hint at her next album.

Like what you heard? Check out https://irishmillie.ca for more.

Closing out this episode is the song “Allison,” one of my favorites off the new EP.

Citywide Bytes—Dreams become nightmares in “Beautiful, Once”

Picture this—an island paradise, cut off from all the craziness that we see in the world today. A perfect society, where nothing can go wrong….until it does.

Author Mia Dalia joins me to talk about her new book, “Beautiful, Once,” out through Crystal Lake Publishing. Here’s a look at the story:

When a controversial tech billionaire retreats from society, he constructs a private island designed to be the ultimate controlled experiment: a hand-selected population, sustainable systems, and a flawless model for humanity’s future. A paradise engineered to perfection. 

But perfection breeds boredom. 

Seeking recognition—and perhaps validation—he sends a message into the cosmos, broadcasting The Island’s triumph to the universe. All hell breaks loose when something replies. 

Within hours, the community fractures. Neighbors turn on neighbors. A savage, insatiable hunger spreads. Civilization unravels.

I’ve just started reading this and am loving it! Mia and I talk all about the creation of the book, the different perspectives of the characters that drive it, and get a peek at just how badly things go wrong. Mia also shares the story behind the amazing cover and gives us a look at her many works to be released in 2026.

Like what you heard? Then check out Mia’s website at https://daliaverse.wixsite.com/author.

And discover all the amazing Crystal Lake authors at https://www.crystallakepub.com. 

Citywide Bytes—Crystal Shawanda’s new album earns JUNO nom

JUNO Award-winning blues artist Crystal Shawanda’s new album “Sing Pretty Blues,” has earned her a 2026 JUNO Award nomination for Blues Album of the Year. It’s a real powerhouse of an album, with a range of music that doesn’t hold back.

In this interview, Crystal talks about what it means to receive this nomination and her reaction on getting the news. We talk about her many years in music and the different paths she’s taken from a country artist to singing the blues. She shares the themes and stories behind “Sing Pretty Blues” and working with her husband Dewayne Strobel on the creation process. We also talk upcoming festivals, and get a look at what’s next.

Wrapping up this episode is the single “Preaching Blues,” the strong opener to the new album. Be sure to follow Crystal on Instagram at crystalshawanda and visit https://crystalshawanda3.bandzoogle.com/home.