Citywide Blackout

Boston musician shares gig stories, plus a look at Keystone Comic-Con

Boston-based singer-songwriter Maddy Roop chats with me at the Real School of Music about her debut album, “Rings,” which spanned a three-year period. She also talks about some of the many shows she's played in the Boston area and how it felt to go from weekday to weekend gigs, as well as the big Halloween one she has planned.

Keystone Comic-Con Event Director MK Goodwin and I talk about this event's second year and what fans can look forward to. We look at the big names who will be making an appearance, changes from last year, and the planning that goes into making this amazing convention happen.

And following this, it's “Can't Get Over You,” from Jennifer Mlott, a past guest of the show. This new song has a beautiful opening and the vocals are amazing.

The guys of Rough House Publishing take us on a gory ride

Love gore and comics? Then you'll want to listen to this week's show! I sit down with Derek Rook and Steve Van Samson of Rough House Publishing to talk about their new Gore Shriek® Resurrectus project. We talk about the killer art, great stories, and what led to this new release. We also look to their upcoming appearance at Rock and Shock, and past experiences at this epic convention.

And for tunes, enjoy “Sun Ra” from the London-based Between Suns. The video for this was so damn cool and the song is a great way to kick off the day. Sick rock and stellar vocals.

Following that, Echoheart, a two-piece pop-rock group from Maryland brings you their new song, “Void.” I loved the chill opening flow of this one, and the way it ramps up is very smooth and well done. A great follow-up to “Sun-Ra.”

 

 

Mark Bergin charts an amazing story in his debut police procedural

Author Mark Bergin taps into his nearly 30 year career in law enforcement for his new book, “Apprehension,” released on July 30 through Inkshares/Quill. “Apprehension” follows the story of Detective John Kelly; his niece was murdered right before his eyes. His family says he failed her, and Kelly can’t share his secret act of vengeance. Now, fellow detectives digging in another case can end Kelly’s career and send him to jail.

This book also seeks to bring awareness to an important—though sadly not well known—issue in law enforcement: police suicide. 

And following this interview, I've two great songs for you. First up is “Tonight,” from Austin singer-songwriter Christine Renner. This is her first single, released on July 12 and taken from a forthcoming EP of the same name. This is a very chill, but catchy tune. Christine has a great voice, and I think you'll dig this tune.

After that, The Cranberry Merchants bring you “Going Nowhere.” This husband and wife rock duo out of Atlanta, Georgia, are writers and producers of all of their own material, and even produce their own music videos, filming to editing. I loved this song, which has a great classic rock feel.

Canada's music scene, a caregiver's journey, and music marketing 101

Ontario-based musician Sabrina Fallah talks about the music scene in Canada and some of her favorite festivals and venues she enjoys performing at. She was recently signed by Dance Plant Records and talks about how they met and the benefits of working with them. She's also got a new compilation CD out and walks us through the many stories she has within her music.

 

Author Donna O'Donnell Figurski unexpectedly found herself in the role of caregiver for her husband David when he suffered from a traumatic brain injury and never fully recovered. Her book, "Prisoners Without Bars" tells the story of her journey as a caregiver and she holds nothing back in her retelling of David's injury and work through rehabilitation.

 

Closing out the show, I chat with Brandon Stoner of the band Thieves & Lovers. He shines the lights on some of the venues they've played at, both in the Pittsburgh area where they're based and on other shows they've done on the East Coast. Brandon brings his marketing background to bear on the band's promotion and gives his take on what works.

 

Playlist (In order of airing)

Sabrina Fallah—All or Nothing

Sabrina Fallah—Hurt

Sonoride—Life 101

Thieves & Lovers—Always Winter

Thieves & Lovers—Underneath

Sci-fi surgery, magical comics, and Boston promotions

To kick things off, I'm chatting with Erika Lewis, co-creator and co-writer of the Webtoon series Firebrand, now in its second season. This magic-themed story has seen strong reviews and responses from fans, and we talk about that as well as what happens in the new season (but no spoilers!). Erika introduces us to the team behind it and what has made this project a success.

Up next is author Marty Thornley for his book “Painless.” The book features a new surgical procedure that can eliminate pain, but comes with unexpected psychological side effects. Written originally as a screenplay, Marty talks about how he transitioned this to a book format. He also talks about the science behind the book and personal experiences that led him to write it.

Ending this week's episode is B.A.D.D., an old friend of the show, joined by fellow rapper KB. We talk about the new promotional business that the two started, Daniel Promotes, and how they're bringing a fresh perspective to working with local businesses. The two also share their take on the current Boston hip-hop scene and who they see as the rising stars.

 

Playlist (In order of airing)

 

Adam Lanceley –Are You More

 

The Impersonators—Broken Snow

 

B.A.D.D. And Prezidential Grown—Yawkey Way

 

B.A.D.D.—Feel Like HOV

 

The latest from Boston hip-hop, plus the hardest choice for children

NOTE: Some of the music in this episode contains explicit content and may not be suitable for younger listeners

 

Mike McNeill kicks off the show with a look at his upcoming book, “No Hard Feelings,” as well as the soundtrack that will be released with it. This autobiographical story look at McNeil's life in Boston hip-hop and the other artists he worked with.

K Mafia is next up, and he has a great story to tell. An artist since 2010, he now runs two companies, New England Rising and Loyalty Over Everything. He has a great show happening on July 13, and outlines the many great local artists on the lineup. We talk about how he came to start these two companies and how he finds the artists he works with.

Closing out this week's show is author Rea Frey for her new book, “Not Her Daughter.” The book focuses on a woman who kidnaps and abused child, which begs the questions, is it kidnapping if it saves a life? The movie's been optioned for a film, and Frey talks about how she re-wrote the story for the big screen.

 

Playlist (In order of airing)

Mike McNeill—Monster

Mike McNeill—No Hard Feelings

K Mafia-P.O.M.E.

K Mafia-Yeah Yeah

Chris Harbach—Ashes

Celtic rock, the many kinds of weaving, and a new superhero team

Author Deb Brandon opens the show with a look at her new book, “Threads Around the World: From Arabian Weaving to Batik in Zimbabwe.” It covers many different weaving styles that she has explored in-depth, some with a very interesting cultural story. Deb is a brain injury survivor, and weaving helped her to recover. She talks about this, the healing process, and the many techniques she has learned.

 

Joe Glass is the writer behind the popular LGBTQ+ super hero series, “The Pride,” available on Comixology Originals. The series—which recently kicked off its second season—features an LGBTQ superhero team that take on both villains and different societal issues. Glass talks about the different characters and their roles on the team and how people have responded, both in e-mails and when Joe attends different conventions.

 

Melissa Lycan of the band Nordic Daughter give some tour stories from their recent travels. This Celtic rock band has some impressive stage shows and Melissa talks about what people can expect when they see Nordic Daughter live. Melissa also introduces listeners to the many members of the band, all of whom have a great backstory.

 

Playlist (In order of airing)

The Beings—Butterfly

Floating Worlds—Sailing in History

Nordic Daughter—We Are One

Nordic Daughter-Born to Be a Valkyrie

Pax East, Part 3

Ben Chou's Pax East coverage wraps up with three great interviews. Kelsey Choi—a cosplayer and League of Legends Pro-Am player—opens the podcast with an in-depth look at how the games work and how she became an ambassador. She also talks about the games she grew up on and how it helped her overcome her shyness. She's been cosplaying for years and has been making her own costumes as well, and talks about what she's learned through doing this.

Angelica Marie is also a cosplayer and talks about her Skull Kid costume from The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. She's been cosplaying for six years and takes it back to the beginning to what got her into it and the different costumes she's done. She talks about the good parts of the Pax community and how the people help each other. Angelica also highlights some of the games she's enjoyed at Pax and some of her favorite games.

Zeen Rachidi is a Pax Enforcer and walks us through his time with Pax East and West. He's definitely a Pax East fan and talks about what has made the event such a success. He shares his origin story on how he became a Pax Enforcer and what the role entails. Though not security for the event, they have a lot to do, including helping with booths, providing information to attendees, and making sure everyone has what they need.

 

Playlist (In order of airing)

Cat Beach—Get After It

DDK-Margarita Mix

The life and times of Sepsiss

Singer-songwriter Kate Eppers joins me as guest co-host to hang out with the New Hampshire-based metal band Sepsiss. We talk about the band's origin and how they've built it into the business it is today. They outline their ongoing tour, early shows and the lessons they offered, and the epic fans known as the Sepsiss Zombies. We also touch on gaming with Immaculate Connection Gaming, the Halo community they've created.

 

Playlist (In order)

Sepsiss-To Write Hate On His Arms

Sepsiss-Eyes Of Empathy

Pax East, Part 2: Fidget Creative and Hub Games

For our second installment of Ben Chou's Pax East coverage, he talks to John, co-founder of Fidget Creative, about their new game Valhallamas. It's a card game featuring llamas in a battle royale-style format. Players draft their llamas and gear and then the fun begins!

John talks about the kinds of games the company makes, how they're more family-oriented and how kids react to them.

Following this, Ben sits down with Rory O'Connor and Michael Fox of Hub Games. They outline some of the games that the company has produced, including the worldbuilding Megacity Oceania and Holding On. They outline the philosophy behind their games and what they hope people gain from the experience.

Playlist

Cameron Sanderson—Cascade