Citywide Blackout

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.”

Citywide Bytes—Fun breaking glass with Kevin Williams

Our next guest was last on the show in 2010, and we’re welcoming him back to talk about some absolutely beautiful new music. Musician and composer Kevin Williams joins me to talk about his recent release, “Ways to Break a Window,” an 11-track album of instrumental music that is incredibly layered with different sounds and effects.

Kevin talks about the inspiration behind the album, which is a return of sorts to him producing his own music. He shares the story behind the sounds and how he got to experiment with different techniques during the production process. And of course, he tells us about the cool story behind the album’s name.

Closing out this interview is the song, “Bulbous Intent,” and I highly recommend listening to the entire album.

Comics by the lake: Previewing the Lake Como Comic and Art Festival

Longtime listeners will know that when it comes to comic-cons and arts festivals, we’re always down. But for this week’s guest, we’re not headed to Boston or New York City—we’re going to Italy to get a closer look at the Lake Como Comic and Arts Festival, which takes place May 16-18. 

Steve Morger, the co-founder of the festival, talks with us about how this unique event got its start and the growth he’s seen over the years. We hear about some of the guests, Steve’s personal favorites and what he enjoys the most about this comic-con by the lake.

The location of the festival— the historic Villa Erba in Cernobbio, Lake Como Italy—is perhaps the best part, and Steve shares how he found the place and why it’s remained their home all these years.

Citywide Bytes—Evette Davis talks terror and trials in “The Gift”

Author Evette Davis joined us last October to talk about her new release, “The Others,” and now she is back with a new book, “The Gift,” out on March 18.

The book, second in her series, features Olivia Shepherd—a reluctant empath who is now exploring her abilities and new role—traveling to Eastern Europe to learn about an act of terrorism that has struck the Council.

This book features a new nemesis, family secrets, and Olivia forced to choose between destiny and her own desires.

Evette talks about Olivia’s evolution as a character and where she is in her story when Book 2 kicks off. We go into the family secret and how it impacts her, as well as the 1,000-year-old vampire that is on her trail.

Evette has a third book set to be released later this year, and we go into what readers can expect as Olivia’s story continues.

Citywide Bytes-Jeffrey Gardner joins the “Shapers of Worlds”

I hope you enjoyed our first episode of 2025 with LJ Cohen, because we’re keeping things rolling with the writers. Jeffrey Gardner is part of the upcoming “Shapers of Worlds” Vol. 5, an anthology of science fiction and fantasy stories out in March through Shadowpaw Press.

In this episode, Jeffrey and I talk about his story, “Magic That Cannot Be Undone,” which ties into his existing novels and the new angle it gives on one of his characters. We talk magic, the price it takes, and the path of the mage. Jeffrey shares how he went from novel to short story and the challenges that entails.

We talk about Jeffrey’s work in genetics and biochemistry and how he shifted from technical papers to novels.