Citywide Blackout

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.

Nicki Kris's new album and Lady V on her radio show

For this week's episode, singer-songwriter Nicki Kris talks about her new album “Heartbeat” and some of the very personal stories behind her music. She's a Grammy-ballotted artist and she shares her experiences with the award process. She's also had the chance to have her work featured in movies and television.

Boston's own Lady V is up next and she's got a lot to talk about, from the origin of her program The V Line and some of the artists she's interviewed. She's a recent entry into social media and talks about how it's helped the program and some ways to avoid the pitfalls.

And for new music, it's another single from Finland-based artist Zuhlke, “Imaginary Me.”

April 2, 2019: Kitty Game/Amrit Ghatore/Naomi Westwater

Opening this week's podcast, I talk to the husband and wife comic-creating team of Comfort and Adam. I interviewed them a couple months ago for their comic “Rainbow in the Dark,” and this time, we look at their cat-inspired title “Kitty Game.” Based in part on their cat Obi-Wan, this comic follows and adventures of Marty the cat as he traverses lands of science fiction, fantasy, and action.

London-based musician Amrit Ghatore has a new music video out for his song, “It's OK.” This video includes a detailed battle scene that Amrit helped to choreograph, and we talk about the work that went into it. In addition to his work as a musician, Amrit is a model and actor and he tells us how he balances these various aspects of his career.

Boston-based artist Naomi Westwater closes out this week's show with a look at her life as a modern mystic, how it's changed her life and factoring it into her music. She's got a new album out, “Huntress: from dark to light,” inspired by the Roman Goddess of the hunt and moon, Diana. Naomi talks about the many sides to a huntress, both positive and negative.

And for new music, after the first segment I bring you “Flowers on the Moon,” from Stereo in Solo, from a new album by Thierry Noritop, a member of the French synth pop duo Stereo. And after their interviews, it's the songs “Burn” followed by “It's OK” from Amrit and “Bloodlust” and “Running” from Naomi.

Citywide Blackout, March 23, 2019: Fabien Nicieza and Reilly Brown

Comic legends Fabian Nicieza and Reilly Brown join me to talk about their highly popular comic “Outrage,” available exclusively through WEBTOON. A virus is attacking people who abuse others on the internet. Comedic ass-kickings are occurring across the country by a sentient entity that appears through the personal devices of people everywhere. We talk about the origin of the character, how the story developed, and how the current social climate plays a role. We also delve into the many, many titles that these two have worked on over the years.

And for music, it's the Manchester-based band Sepsiss with “Eyes of Empathy.” They've played a ton of shows in the Boston area, and these feature bespoke lighting, wild costumes, choreography and dazzling effects.

March 20, 2019: Boskone Podcast 2 with Brenda Clough and Morgan Duran

In the second episode of my Boskone podcast series, author Brenda Clough and I chat about time travel and how it works in her science fiction series. She also talks about the inherent challenges that come with writing a novel and the methods she uses to ensure she's able to complete a book once it's started.

Morgan Duran has both music and books to talk about, and we open with “The Chilling Zone,” a sci-fi tale with political intrigue and dark secrets. She shares her work in music, the styles that influence her, and how one connects with the other.

And for new music, I've got “The Cowboy Way,” another tune from Americana artist Mike Allen. He's on during the first break and after the second interview it's “Tread Softly” by Emily Jean Flack, a singer-songwriter whose music is rooted in folk and Celtic.