Citywide Blackout

Author Frank Thoms gives us a look at the real Russia in new book

Writer Frank Thoms has spent 25 years talking about Marxism, Russian history, and Soviet Communism as a teacher. But he's also spent years in Russia on seven different occasions since 1985 and has been beyond the Iron Curtain and the Red Veil to what the country is really like. In his new book, “Behind the Red Veil: An American inside Gorbachev’s Russia,” he introduces people to Russia, its people, and how he changed from the experience.

Leah Belle Faser talks about the stories behind her songs in her debut EP

In this recording of an Instagram Live interview on Oct. 8, Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Leah Belle Faser and I talk about her debut EP, “Crossing Hermi's Bridge.” Set to be released on Oct. 16, this album this seven-track album includes relationships gone both right and awry and the comforts of going home again. Leah talks about what went into the album and the team she worked with, as well as some upcoming shows she has later this month and in November.

After this, I've got two tracks off the upcoming album, “Better Than Mine” and “Back Home.”

Daniel Promotes has a new album planned and changes for his company

Boston-area rapper and business owner Daniel Promotes joins me again to share some big news with his company, OMT. A lot has changed since we last talked and there's some new faces at the company. He also has a new album with a Dec. 25 release, “Amen,” and we talk about the music and what people can expect. 

Following this, enjoy “Boston Thing,” featuring Kenaughty, BADD, and Tru-L.

He's back! Jeff Royds returns with a revamped “Greatest Hits” album

Former Citywide co-host Jeff Royds returns to talk about the recently released “Greatest Hits Vol. 2: Director's Cut” album for his band, We Are Bullethead. This is a revamp of some earlier music, which Jeff and the band felt wasn't up to the level it should have been. So, a number of great tracks got a complete strip-down and rebuild. Jeff talks all about this and what was changed. We also dive into how it felt to bring We Are Bullethead to a close and change the name to We Were Bullethead and what he is up to these days.

Following this, enjoy two songs from the album, “Celebrity Douche Bag (Even Douchier Cut)” and “Welcome to My Nightmare (Deadman's Digest Cut).”

The creators of The Sandbox Police give us a new take on comedy

In this episode, I'm talking with Sharisse Zeroonian [Flynn], Stephanie Wang [Ellie and Caroline], and Evan Gabovitch [Charlie], the creators and cast of the new YouTube series, The Sandbox Police. The show is a comedy about a podcast and was going to take place in a fictional college radio station.

But when the pandemic happened, the trio went ahead with the show and began filming episodes entirely on Zoom. We talk about the story behind the show, the role that each character fills, and what we can expect in future episodes.

Caitlin Garvey's debut novel looks at love, loss, and the meaning of moving on

Author Caitlin Garvey's debut novel, “The Mourning Report,” looks at the passing of her mother and the subsequent battles she had with depression and being admitted to a psychiatric facility after a suicide attempt.

In her book, she interviewed the people who were part of her mother's care, including a hospice nurse, a priest, an estate planner, a hairstylist, and a funeral director. If she figures out how they could function after being so close to her mother’s death, then maybe she can learn how to navigate her own life. Caitlyn shares some of the stories told in these interviews and what they meant to her, as well as what she thinks it means to “move on.”

This book is scheduled to be released in print and electronic formats on Oct. 6 through Homebound Publications.

Author ties in numerous genres in new book

In this episode, author Nancy Burke and I talk about her new book, “Only the Women are Burning” (Apprentice House Press, Oct. 1). One of the unique aspects of this book is how it blends elements of mystery, science-fiction, domestic fiction, fabulism, and feminist literature and we look at how it all came together. Nancy talks about her friend and why the book was dedicated to her and the cause she's supporting with a portion of the proceeds.

And be sure to check out her virtual release party on Oct. 7 at https://www.crowdcast.io/e/burning. 

Blake English talks personal journeys in “Spiders Make Great Poets”

Performing artist Blake English's new EP “Spiders Make Great Poets” shows his journey from Athens, Georgia to LA, going back to his childhood when he sought a safe space to be himself. He's doing well in LA having recnetly completed the horror-themed music video for “Sad Girls Dance Party,” with a new one in the works. We talk about his background and how it's shaped him, as well as the different places life has taken him (Hint, LA was not going to be his original destination).

Following this, I've got two songs from the new EP, “Sad Girls Dance Party,” followed by “The Neighbors.”

Boston artist recognizes friends and influences in new album

In this episode, I'm live with Boston-based musician Matt Jatkola for his new album, “Never Fixed.” The album is a collection of covers and remixes featuring artists such as Teagan and Sara, Cyndi Lauper, The Bee Gees, and Soft Pyramids. He talks about the different roles that the artists played, whether it was contributing to his own style or being a valued friend he's had over the years.

After the interview, enjoy two songs from the album, “I Was A Fool (Tegan & Sara Remix)” followed by “Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper Instrumental Cover).”

Sabrina Fallah talks about getting her music on the radio

Ontario-based musician Sabrina Fallah has been hard at work getting her music onto radio stations around the world, and it's led to some amazing results. We talk about the stations you can hear her music on and the shows it's led to. She also gives some insight into getting your work heard and the pitfalls to avoid.

Following this, check out two of her songs, “All or Nothing,” followed by “Kiss is a Killer.”