Citywide Blackout

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

 

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”