Citywide Blackout

Julianna Joy talks new music and why more support for artists is needed

BONUS TRACK-LX looks at destructive relationships in new single

 

In the newest episode I head to LA (virtually at least) to talk with Julianna Joy, who's made a life and career for herself in music. We talk a lot about the support that artists don't get and how it's impacted them. It's mind-boggling to think of this given the money that revolves around shows and we look at how this needs to change.

 

We also talk about her newest singles, which include “Don't Come to LA” and “Spirits.” There's a story behind the tunes, which focus on a relationship that just didn't work out and the artist making the tough call to let it end.

 

After this, kick back and relax with the new single, “Don't Come to LA.”

 

Following the music break, I talk with LX for her new single “Naked Truth,” which shows the reality behind getting out of a destructive relationship, while also celebrating being able to end it in the first place. LX and I talk about the real-life relationship that inspired the song and her own battles with these kinds of confrontations.

 

After this, enjoy the new single, “Naked Truth.” I dug the honesty of the song as well as the style.

Author Robert Stadnik talks a return to events and expansion of his Exodus series

I'm excited to once again sit down with writer Robert Stadnik, creator of the popular Exodus series. We look at a series of short stories he's working on that expand on characters, plots, and events of the series. We also talk about the future of the Exodus series and if Robert think it will eventually be finished.

 

Recently it's been announced that book expos and conventions will be returning, with some already held, and Robert discusses what he plans to do and if he feels ready to get back amongst the crowds.

 

Ten years ago, Robert wrote a superhero story “Tales Of A Former Child Superhero.” We talk about the genre and how he got into it, and his plans for further developing this and other stories.

Author Justin Lee is back with a most unexpected sequel

In 2018, author J. Lee published his first book, “The Hubley Case,” introducing the world to the character Ben Siebert. At the time, it was supposed to be a one-off story, with no sequels planned. But the fans spoke, telling Lee that they wanted another adventure for Siebert—and so we have “The Silent Cardinal,” available on Aug. 3.

 

In this interview, Lee and I talk about his feelings as release day approaches and plans for in-person events now that such things can be done. We look at the continuation of the story and how Ben grows as a person. We also talk about the villains and how to make such characters unique in a world where thriller bad guys are so prevalent.

 

Lee also talks about the complex story he created and how it all came to be, as well as his planning process and outlining.

 

It's a double dose of Boston music with Linda Marks and Daniel Promotes

As the title says, it's dual Boston artists in this episode. Kicking things off is singer-songwriter Linda Marks, who has a brand new album out called “Monuments of Love.” Inspired by and written during the pandemic, the album touches on a lot of the last year, from the health risks we were all faced with to separation anxiety to lost moments with loved ones.

 

Linda and I talk about how she stayed creative during this difficult time, even hosting a regular livestream music series. We also look at how she completed two other albums, “The Piano” and “Songs at the Heart of Life” during COVID. Linda also has a big triple album release show planned for Aug. 1 at The Burren in Somerville.

 

After Linda's interview, enjoy one of the tracks for the new album, “Prayers,” written for a musician friend who battled a hellish case of COVID but is now on the mend and singing once more.

 

Following this, I'm back with Daniel Promotes, and we also find ourselves chatting about the last 15 months and what it's been like for him. Daniel's also been hard at work joining Ambitious Writerz, and it looks like there's going to be touring in the near future. We look at the Boston rap scene and how it weather the pandemic, focusing on some artists who really made their mark with new releases during this time.

 

Marc Bernardin shares the diverse, detailed world of “Adora and The Distance”

Recently, I had the chance to read the new graphic novel “Adora and the Distance,” available exclusively through comiXology Originals. It was created and written by Marc Bernardin, who has a lengthy history in television, journalism, and comics.

 

“Adora and The Distance” is an amazing story about a young girl named Adora who faces a violent force called The Distance, a city-killing threat. Rather than wait for it to bring an end to her home, she and a group of adventurers set on a quest to stop it.

 

The story is years in the making, and Marc and I talk about how it came to be and the hurdles faced pitching it to publishers before connecting with comiXology. “Adroa and The Distance” is inspired by Bernardin’s daughter who was diagnosed with autism as a toddler, and we talk about what it's like raising a child on the spectrum and how they're often portrayed in media.

 

Marc and I also talk about the team he worked with. This includes Ariela Kristantina (Illustrator), Bryan Valenza (Colorist), Bernardo Brice, (Letterer), and legendary comics editor Will Dennis. I learn how they worked to create the vivid, lush world found in the pages of this comic and how it even influenced some of the story.

Matt Jatkola talks about tying music into his health journey

Boston singer-songwriter Matt Jatkola returns to talk about his newest singles—“When Tomorrow Comes ” and “Japanese Butterfly.” Both were written at different stages of Matt's battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. “When Tomorrow Comes” was written shortly after he received the diagnosis in early 2020, and “Japanese Butterfly” was penned as his treatment was nearing its end. Matt's been cancer-free for nearly a year now.

 

We talk about Matt's mindset when he began writing the songs and why he wanted to share the story through his music. Matt shares his feelings when he was diagnosed and how it feels to have a clean bill of health. We also look at Matt's interest in professional wrestling and how it helped him to get through both his treatment and the pandemic itself.

 

Keep listening after this interview, because I've got both songs for your listening enjoyment. They have very different sounds, both of which I really liked.

Dan Nicklin talks studio ownership, live music, and mental health

Boston's Dan Nicklin and I dive deep into the history and amazing work being done by Henley Row Studios. Nicklin founded this years ago and in that time it's undergone a lot of growth. Nicklin talks about the studio's creation and some of the artists he's worked with. The studio has released a number of great songs under The Henley Row All-Stars, which features a revolving cast of musicians.

 

Nicklin's a member of the band OldJack and they've got a new single out called “Take a Picture.” The song has a strong message about social media and mental health, which Dan outlines as well as past works that have a similar theme. It's an issue that many are dealing with from the pandemic and we need to keep in touch and offer a friendly ear when needed.

 

Live music has begun to return and Dan and I talk about comfort zones and how people feel about being back in crowded venues after more than a year in COVID. OldJack has some shows scheduled and we talk about how it feels to be back on stage.

 

Following this, enjoy the new single, “Take a Picture.”

Jeremy Haun takes us on a tour of his horror world in Haunthology

Comic writer and artist Jeremy Haun joins me again, this time for his exciting new project, Haunthology. It's a 144-page collection of more than 20 black-and-white horror stories, all written, drawn, and lettered by Haun. Currently there's a Kickstater page for the comic with some amazing rewards, including digital and print copies, an enamel pin, T-shirt, and much more.

 

When the pandemic hit last March, Jeremy's life went from over-full to a complete stop. It was a tough time as all the projects he was working on paused, some for good. He said that storytelling makes him happy, and what began with a three-page tale has grown over the last year into this amazing collection.

 

In this interview, we talk about the concept and how it helped him through a very difficult year. Jeremy also talks about how horror can comment on the world around us, and what Haunthology has to say about the events of 2020. We look at how the experience has influenced his plans for the future and what it'll mean once the world of conventions comes back.

 

Jeremy takes us through the world of Haunthology and some of the different monsters, nightmares, and apocalypses he wrote about. We also look at the different story elements and how they're also found in his other works, such as “The Red Mother” and “The Realm.”

Ballet dancer looks at life on stage in collection of memoir essays

In her new book “Fierce and Delicate,” Renee Nicholson looks back on her 14 years as a ballet dancer, which began as a child and ended abruptly with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Renee pulls no punches in this book—written as a collection of essays—and talks about the internal struggles experienced when it came to certain topics. As she puts it, nearly everything was taken out of the book at one time or another.

 

Renee and I talk about the direction her life took after her time as a dancer ended. This includes a new teaching role and she reflects on how her time in ballet prepared her, from guiding young dancers to dealing with their parents. We also look at the ways that the dance world has changed, how young dancers are learning from one another, and the way they're planning for the future.

 

“Fierce and Delicate” isn't Renee's first foray into the writing world and she talks about working in Narrative Medicine, where she helps people in difficult medical situations to share their stories.

Writer dives into the story of Marjory Stoneman Douglas in new book

The name Marjory Stoneman Douglas is one that many find familiar and in her new historical fiction novel “Among the Beautiful Beasts,” author Lori McMullen takes on Douglas's story. The book blends an urgent midnight chase through the wetlands with deep dives into her journalism career, environmental activism, and much more.

 

In this episode, Lori and I talk about what led her to writing about Douglas' life and the different avenues down which the research took her. The midnight chase that opens the story didn't actually happen and Lori talks about the role it plays in the book.

 

We look at Douglas' life—spending her childhood in New England nursing her mother, marrying a swindler 30 years her senior. writing for the Miami Herald, and protecting the Florida Everglades. Lori and I also look at Douglas' legacy and the many different stories she's left behind.