Citywide Blackout

Stephanie Mathias returns with new music, videos, and artist collaborations

Singer-songwriter Stephanie Mathias is back with a lot of great news to share. She was last on the show in May 2020, as the pandemic was becoming a long-term situation. In that time she has remained very busy with new music, including “Hero Side” released last October and “Blue Diamond Light,” available on all streaming platforms on March 26.

 

Stephanie and I talk about her work over the last 10 months, including the influences for the two songs and how real life played a role. She has a music video out for “Hero Side” and we talk about Jarreau Williams, the artist she worked with and her plans for the production.

 

We also look at other artists she'll be working with in the future, including a cool podcast that she's become a part of.

 

Following this interview, enjoy “Hero Side,” followed by “Blue Diamond Light.”

Author Michael Kaufman's new book features a main character with a computer in their brain

Michael Kaufman returns to fiction with his new book, “The Last Exit.” Set in Washington, D.C. in 2033, climate change has hit hard, fires are burning, unemployment is high, and controversial longevity treatments are only available to the ultra-rich. Michael talks about the different elements he weaves together in this novel and how he balances them out.

 

We also look at how he's promoting the book at a time when book festivals aren't happening. Michael talks about the different ways he's interacting with the fans and what they've had to say about the book.

 

Michael also talks about the main characters, Jen Lu, and Chandler, a computer in her brain that assists her with police work. We look at the balance between the two and how they work as a team.

Ana Lal Din makes her debut with a thought-provoking fantasy tale

Author Ana Lal Din joins me to talk about her debut novel, “The Descent of the Drowned,” available on March 15 through White Tigress Press. This story takes elements of Ana's background, and is set in a Indo-Persian world with aspects of Pre-Islamic Arabian mythology.

 

The book focuses on Roma and Leviathan, two characters who could not be more different. Fate has other plans, however, and puts them on a quest to find an ancient treasure that will doom humankind should it fall into the wrong hands. She talks about both characters, one of whom struggles with a mental illness. It's something that Ana is very familiar with, having worked for years with her own mental health issues.

 

We also look at the art of the story, both on the book's cover and some amazing creations done by adamar.art on Instagram. Ana also gives some hints at future projects.

Lewis Ciavarella shows us how to be productive in a pandemic

BONUS—Tara Kelly talks about the adventure of making her new music video

 

It's a mix of musical styles in this episode. To start off, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Lewis Ciavarella has been up to quite a bit over the last year. He talks about what it was like when live shows stopped being an option and how he kept things moving forward.

 

He's got a new album out called “Two” and the electro/pop styles are really something. We talk all about his development as an artist, which has included a lot of time spent busking as well as working with Kelly Rowland following an appearance on The Voice.

 

Plus, we've got another bonus interview for you. Tara Kelly, who hails from Los Angeles, has a new music video out for her single “The River.” This song is based on a real-life cheating boyfriend, and actor Hunter Garner brings his A-game to the production. We also look at some unexpected hiccups and how the creative crew worked around them.

 

Following Lewis' interview, enjoy his single, “New Sun,” and at the end of the show, kick back with Tara's “The River.”

Author Sarah C. Patten brings us into the world of WWII spies in debut novel

In this episode, writer Sarah C. Patten take readers into a world of love and espionage with her debut novel, “The Measure of Gold,” available on March 2.

 

The year is 1940. Following the death of her father Penelope receives a letter from her longtime friend Naomi, urging her to join her in Paris. There, she falls into the esoteric world of alchemy and espionage, and spies on the clients of a powerful French brothel.

 

Sarah and I talk about the lengthy research that went into this book, as well as the different turns it took in the worldbuilding process. We look at her background both as a writing teacher and short story writer and how both helped prepare her for this new milestone in her career.

Sal Abbinanti talks about how real life led to his new comic “The Hostage”

Sal Abbinanti has been a part of the comics industry for years, working as a media rep for some of the biggest names in the business. But Sal is a creator as well, and very soon his new comic “The Hostage” will be available to readers.

 

The story is based on a trip Sal took to Rio de Janeiro. There, he saw the abject poverty that so many lived in, including children. “The Hostage” is his tribute to the country and the kids. Sal and I talk about the work that went into this, from the world-building to his rather unique art style. We talk about his work in comics, and what he's learned about being an indie creator.

 

Sal launched a Kickstarter to support the project, and it's available until Feb. 25. Follow the link to become a supporter and get some amazing tier rewards.

Arielle Perez talks about life and loss in debut EP, plus Natalie Joly shares tales behind new music video

In this episode, I talk with Ontario-based musician Arielle Perez, who recently released her debut EP, “Fourteen.” This five-track album looks at the themes of bullying, loss of a loved one, and finding your way through life, and we talk about how real life inspired her music. Her songs all have music videos to go with them, and she walks us through the planning process and the folks that she worked with.

 

Arielle is also a model, having been on the cover of CAN Kids Magazine in 2020 and we look at the role that modeling plays in her life and the common ground between it and music.

 

After this, enjoy two tracks from her EP, “Find the Way” followed by “Without You.”

 

 

But wait, there's more! Wakefield-based artist Natalie Joly joins me for a new segment, where we check in with past guests to see what's new in their world. Natalie just finished a new single, “Yours To Stay,” and the music video, which she filmed in an abandoned mansion. Following the interview, kick back and enjoy the new tune, which will be available on all streaming services on Feb. 26.

WALLIS talks music videos in the pandemic and the Philly art scene

In this episode, 15 year-old-WALLIS, a singer/songwriter from Philadelphia, talks about how she continued to create and perform during 2020 by writing songs with her father. Her debut single, “Lonely Christmas,” embodies the complexity of the season as people find new ways to be together while staying physically apart.

 

WALLIS also talks about working with her father on the song, as well as the music video she made with her family and how they worked within the limits brought on by the pandemic. Her song and the music video have been a tremendous success, earning thousands of streams and over 1 million views.

 

WALLIS has been active in the Philly art scene through her music as well as acting, and she shares some of her experience, including being part of a show at the Walnut Street Theater.

 

Following this, enjoy Wallis' debut single, “Lonely Christmas.”

KIN talk about creatives crossing styles, and adventures in music videos

The London-based pop band KIN have been making the most of 2020, releasing three new singles and music videos. In this episode, band members Grace and Adam talk about the story told in the videos and how they worked with the limitations brought on by the lockdown.

 

The band—Grace, Adam, and Ritu—all have lengthy creative backgrounds, including modeling, starring in Netflix shows, and on stage with the National Theater. We look at how they've been able to apply this work to their music and some of the different directions it's taken them in.

 

The members also have a lot in store for 2021, from new EPs to live performances—which I sincerely hope can happen.

 

Following this, enjoy the band's recent single “L.O.V.E.” I really loved the vibe of this song, and the music video touches on the festivals that we all miss.

Joan Law Lowell's book provides a platform to learning about the Bible

Author Joan Law Lowell and I sit down to talk about the lessons found in the Bible, but shown through a very unique lens. Her book, Teach the Little Spirits: The Ten Commandments introduces young children to the concepts of the Ten Commandments through the daily adventures of animals down on the Lord’s Little Farm.

 

Joan and I talk about how she went from concept to finished product, and some of the changes that got made along the way, including a fact-check to make sure the book was Bible-friendly. Joan also shares the worldbuilding process and the many characters to be found in the book.