Citywide Blackout

Sterling Golden and The Sterling Perspective Podcast

Longtime radio host Sterling Golden joins me to talk about his new podcast, The Sterling Perspective, which premiers on June 21 on Boston Free Radio's Podcast Network. Sterling talks about how it felt to close out his morning show, Sterlingtology Live, what the new program will focus on, and his co-hosts, Whitney Otte, Jon Afrobeats, and Tiara Life. We also look at the public reaction to the end of his last show and the debut of his new one and how he's adapting to being a podcast host.

Playlist

Bianca Kaiser—Broken Window

 

Being BALR all day, house concert happenings, and the crisis of Curls

It was so much fun, we're doing it twice! Austin Arocco and Julie Diorio return to talk more about the upcoming BALRFest 2019 show happening June 29 at Thunder Road. This time, they're bringing friends! Liz Bills of Analog Heart and Susanna Smash of The Skirts, two of the bands on the lineup, join the discussion on being in a female-fronted band and plans for similar shows in the future.

Linda Marks is up next to talk about the upcoming show at City Winery Boston that she'll be performing at, the joy of house concerts, and the many, many musicians she's met over the years.

Author and film producer Sharon Contillo is helping me wrap up the show with a look at her new film, “Curls.” The theme takes aim at the inaccurate portrayal of women and girls in media and advertising. She focused this story on hair because while little girls may not understand or relate to body image, they will relate to their hair.

Playlist (In order of airing)

The Skirts—If You Want To

The Dirty Dottys—Dragonfly

blindspot—All I Am

Linda Marks—Into Your Heart

Linda Marks—Long Long Time

Three At Home—Capsize

A tale of two cities--and lots of great music

Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, singer-songwriter Jerry Hull made the big jump 17 years ago to the UK, where he lives today. He's got years and years of show stories, and he shares a few of them, including one where a malfunctioning piano required some impressive improvisation. He talks about some of his favorite venues in England and Memphis and how he adapted to the new life.

Jerry has a new album out, “When You Were Famous.” It's got some pretty great stories, and Jerry talks about these, including one song that he cannot listen to—it's just too personal.

After the interview, I'll be playing three of Jerry's songs—“Claire,” “Matchbox Cover,” and “Punky, I Love You.”

Being a Millennial and capturing 16 years in music

Author Peter Darrow is up first with his new book, "Wise Millennial: A Field Guide to Thriving in Modern Life." This book looks at the concept of millennials and how they can grow and find their own path. It's something Peter is very familiar with, having started his own restaurant in New York City and closing it a short time later. He speaks to lessons learned over the years and what his life experiences have had to teach him.

Rapper Tru-L has a lot to be happy about.  In just a few days after this posting he sees the release of “Pass the Torch Unsigned Talent Mixtape Volume One,” featuring singles & freestyles from 30 different artists produced by a variety of producers. Tru-L is the executive producer for the project due to his interest of wanting to help other artists careers grow in the music industry.

He also has a new album coming out, “Truology: The New Beginning.” This album, available June 8, captures 16 years of music experience with a lot of great stories.

Featured Music-Noble Jacks- “Lights Out”

 

Being a BALR and just what's under The Platform

On this week's show, Austin Arroco and Julie Diorio and I talk about the music scene of Boston and the need for more representation for its artists. This ties in with the great show coming up later in June called BALRFest 2019, showcasing Boston's BadAss Ladies of Rock. Austin helped book this show and gives us the lineup, all female-fronted bands of different genres.

ShellzdaGod joins me to talk about his newest releases and the great global response they've received. He's had the chance to work with artists from other cities, and we talk about how he'd do if he decided to bid Boston good-bye.

Writer Alex Bernstein has a new book out called “The Platform,” in which a writer stumbles upon a murder scene that leads him to discovering a group of people living underneath a subway platform, each with a story to tell. Alex talks about the writing process, which character he likes the most, and the challenge of stepping back and labeling the book as “done.”

 

Featured music

FLEMT- “In My Dreams”

 

Carla Bonnell- “Raven's Song”

Cool concept albums and epic sci-fi adventures

Comic creator Jim Zub opens the show with a detailed look at the new title, Stone Star. Jim introduces us to the team he's working with to bring this great sci-fi title to life, the story covered in the five-part series, and plans for more down the road. You can get this title exclusively on Comixology Originals.

After the break, I'm joined by singer-songwriter Lissa Schneckenburger. Her new album, available May 17, is called “Thunder In My Arms.” It's a concept album that looks at her personal experience as a foster and adoptive parent. It's sung from a number of perspectives, including that of a child in foster care. Among the shows she has planned for the album release is a June 2 performance at Once in Somerville.

Lissa's music will close out the show, and after Jim's interview, I've got “It's Dangerous (To Go Alone) from Collin Russell Mullins. This is the third single from the Austin multi-genre, singer-songwriter-guitarist.

Pax East, Part 1

In Part 1 of our coverage of Pax East, Convention Correspondent Ben Chou chats with Daniel Beardo, co-founder of the Pax East Unofficial Community group, and the official Beachball Guy, Ted Morang.

 

From Florida to Boston and back again

On this week's show, I chat with ALX, a member of the Berklee College of Music's Popular Music Institute, where they get the chance to hit the stage for summer festivals, and learn from other students about song development, marketing, and promotion. ALX nerd out a bit on anime, something that has found its way into his music, and talk about his plans once college is completed.

Next up it's Tampa-based singer-songwriter Frankie Raye. She's got a new album out called “Brave” and shares some of the stories behind her songs. Frankie's got a lot of good things to say about the Tampa music scene, and tells us about some her favorite venues.

And for music, ALX and Frankie will be on deck. From ALX, it's “King Tut” and “Often,” followed by “Brave” and “Something Else” from Frankie.

Certified clairvoyants and life coaching

Author Michelle DesPres is up first, and she has a great story to share. A certified clairvoyant, she talks about how one tells the real deal from the fakes. She's got a new book out called In "Intuitively You," and in this she breaks down the stereotypes that only certain people are gifted with intuition and teaches how intuition can be utilized in every situation.

Kayce Stevens Hughlett lived her life in a successful career before one day deciding to give that up to pursue a new career as a life coach and author. Her new book “Soulstroller” follows her journey through family hardships, dramatic changes, and the new life she's created for herself.

The music for this week's program is “Wishing You The Best” from Monique Brown, currently up for an 2019 LDM award and “Cry” by Lightly Plugged. Both are members of the International Singer Songwriters Association.

 

Divertier Publishing's 10-year anniversary, new game Heroes and Treasure, and author Kate Kaufmann's latest book

Ken Tupper of Divertir Publishing opens the show with a look back at the company's 10 years in business, if Ken ever thought he'd reach this milestone. He walks us through the process of book selection and how much time he gives to the hundreds of submissions he receives each year.

Next up, a gem from our Boskone visit, Matt Zappa and I talk to Jason Davis, creator of the family-friendly board game Heroes and Treasure. Jason talks about how he came up with the idea, the game's mechanics, and the process of getting it out to the world.

Last up is Kate Kaufmann for her book “Do You Have Kids? Life When the Answer is No.” The book was released earlier this month and compiles the stories of women who, for a number of reasons, did not have children. Kate talks about the stories she collected and the stigma sometimes experienced by those childless women.

And for music this week, I've got Stone the Druggist with “Burn Slow” after Ken's interview, and Amrit Ghatore's “Chess Game” after the Heroes and Treasure interview.