Citywide Blackout

Thomas Smith takes on an imaginative journey with “Other Places”

Horror author Thomas Smith has written some wildly terrifying tales over the years, and in his new horror collection, “Other Places” (Cemetery Dance), he brings us 16 different stories, all in his signature style.

In this interview, Thomas talks about the phone call from friend of the show Kevin Lucia that got this book rolling, and how he created each story. We learn which was the most fun to write, and get a peek at some of the themes and ideas he incorporated.

We look at the dedication to fellow horror writer Joe Cherkes and the history between the two that led to Thomas choosing Joe for this honor. Thomas talks about his own type of writing and what he hopes the reader gets out of it—and you may be surprised by what he has to say.

Citywide Bytes-Matthew Daddona dives into his own backstory for new book

Our next guest for the Citywide Bytes interviews has just dropped his first novel, “The Longitude of Grief,” a coming of age story about a boy named Henry and his attempts to escape a world of betrayal.

But for author Matthew Daddona, it’s far from his first foray into the literary world—in fact, he’s been working in the publishing world for years for such companies as Penguin Random House and Dey Street Books/Harper Collins, so he knows a thing or three about getting a book out there.

In this interview, Matthew shares what inspired this book, which he worked on for six years. We go into how it changed over that time and what’s different in the final version. We also talk about how working as a book editor helped him during the writing process and get the story behind his main character, Nick Manero.

This interview comes to us through the good folks at Books Forward PR, and you can learn more at www.booksforward.com.

Songwriter and producer Kenny J shares stories of love and positivity in his new album

Calling Kenny J a positive individual would be a massive understatement. This South Carolina-based songwriter and producer is hoping to spread such a message through his new music, which culminates in a summer album release.

Originally slated to be our new Citywide Bytes interview, some connection issues arose and we decided “hell with it, the show must go on!”

So, we dove into the meaning behind Kenny’s upbeat outlook on life. He also shares the sad news of his wife’s passing last year and how this inspired him to write “You’re a Woman.” Kenny talks about his late wife and it becomes clear that she is a part of what makes him the person he is today.

Kenny’s not just a songwriter—he’s worked as a producer since the 1990s and we learn how he got into that industry and his current projects.

Book, author, horror, zombie, dead, undead, love, romance, fight

Richard Farren Barber is the author of dozens of books, novellas and short stories over 30 years, and in this episode, we see his creative spirit at work in “One of the Dead,” released through Crystal Lake Entertainment. 

In this episode, Curtis and Max talk with Richard about what inspired a story wherein the undead look just like us and spread, not through devouring the living, but by stealing their life force by touch. We meet Nick, the protagonist and learn how he must fight the living dead when they go after his girlfriend Abby, a task that he is wholly unprepared for.

Richard shares the inspiration for the creepy-as-hell cover for “One of the Dead,” which features a figure in yellow wandering through a graveyard. Speaking of settings, the locations for the book came from Nottingham, where Richard has lived for many years and he talks about how they influence the story. 

Citywide Bytes-Sydney

16-year-old pop artist Sydney <3 joins the newest Citywide Bytes episode to share the backstory for her two singles, “Picture Perfect” and “Anywhere But Here.” Both songs were recently released, marking her debut as an artist.

Sydney <3 talks about what inspired her to go into music, including working with industry greats like Adam Hurstfield and Orlando Calzada. She also shares her memories of being in the recording studio for the first time. Her music includes both English and Korean lyrics and she shares about why this was done and what it adds to the music. And of course, I ask about the symbol after her name.

Opening the song is an excerpt from “Picture Perfect,” and “Anywhere But Here” closes out the episode.     

Sister Shalom’s journey through faith and music

For Dallas-based musician Sister Shalom, music began at a young age and has taken many turns along the way. Likewise, her life as a person of faith has seen some changes and in this interview, she shares both aspects of her life.

 

Sister Shalom began her ministry as an independent artist in 2020 and since then has releases some singles and the EP “Genesis” earlier this year. She talks about her style and the other types of music she explore growing up. We go into her time away from the Word of God and what brought her back, as well as sharing her faith through her music.

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Sister Shalom has called Dallas, Texas, home since 2018. She talks about some of the venues she’s been to and tackles the question: Is this her home now?

Opening this show is an excerpt from her song, “Clean Heart,” and closing the episode is the complete “Don’t Let the Devil Ride.”

It’s a musical journey with Jennifer Tefft & The Strange

Following her appearance last August, Boston-based musician Jennifer Tefft is back, this time to talk about her new band, Jennifer Tefft & The Strange. Joined by her bandmate “Sharky” we talk about their new album, “Strange Beginnings,” which dropped on May 17.

 

Jennifer and Sharky share the musical journey that the album takes us on, starting with the recent single releases “Caffeine” and “Going Out.” We go into their upcoming shows, including a performance on WMFO for Live Music Day.

Along with his music, Sharky is also a visual artist, and designed the band’s merch along with working on the cover art for the recent releases. We also get some hints as to what the future has for Jennifer Tefft & The Strange.

Opening this episode is an excerpt from “Caffeine” and closing the show is “Going Out” in its entirety.

Doug Knight returns to talk about a series dedicated to the doctors

Douglas Knight of Crosseye Comics is back to talk about the newest issue of “Super Wicked White Cell Squadron,” a series launched last year and based on his time in the hospital as a kid undergoing cancer treatment. The comic is dedicated to the doctors that took care of him and which Knight wrote, drew and colored.  

This series features a team of heroes inspired in part by the doctors Doug knew as a child and we talk about these real-life heroes. The 70-page first issue was released in 2023 and we look at how the story of SWWCS continues with the second issue. Unlike others in the creative fields, Doug chose not to back this through sites like Kickstarter and goes into what led to this decision.

The series gives a nod to shows like “Power Rangers,” and Doug shares how the costumes, mech designs, and villains all came to be. We also get a look at what he plans next in this series, and the many other projects he has in the works.

Citywide Bytes-Ryan Estrada shares some heartfelt stories in his new comics

The newest guest on the Citywide Bytes live show has worked on award-winning titles such as “Banned Book Club,” “Occulted,” and is here to talk about two great new titles.

Ryan Estrada joins me to dive into “The Silver City,” the second part in the “Student Ambassador” series, which features a new adventure with main character Joseph Bazan. We talk about Joseph and how he came to be as well as how he fares in the newest mystery. This comic is based on a very real place and Ryan goes into how he world-built the newest comic.

For “No Rules Tonight,” Ryan worked once again with his wife Kim Hyun Sook on this very real look at South Korea in the 1980s. We talk about what the country was like in this time period and how this influenced the story. Ryan shares the collaboration process with his wife and how this continues the story found in “Banned Book Club.”   

Don Silver’s new book takes on a powerful coming-of-age story

Many know Don Silver for years in the music industry as a producer, talent scout and much more. But Silver’s also an accomplished author, as we see in his soon-to-be-released book, Scorched (May 7, Holloway Press). Here’s a look at what’s in store:

After his father's sudden death, 14-year-old Jonas tries to support himself and his mother by selling weed and tranquilizers at parties–until he gets busted and sent to a boarding school for fatherless boys. To survive Lafayette Academy, Jonas and his four roommates form a tight bond. The boys vow to have each others’ backs for life--but that promise is broken the weekend before graduation when they’re drawn into a violent encounter that results in a man’s death. Twenty years later, when one of his old roommates shows up unannounced, Jonas is forced to confront his complicated past once and for all. 

Max and Don talk about the origins of the book, how he got into the head of Jonas, and how the main character changed over the course of the writing process. Don talks about how he got into writing in the first place and three books later, if he feel he has “arrived.”

This is Don’s second book in the “coming-of-age” genre and we go into what about this type of story appeals to him. We also shed light on the rest of the cast, and how they grow the story in different ways.