Citywide Blackout

This is an interview that has been a long time coming. Now Hear This President Bruce Wawrzyniak joins us to talk about his podcast, Now Hear This Entertainment, which he has been doing for years, interviewing musicians and other artists to share their stories with the world. Bruce goes into the start of the podcast, some of his memorable guests, and the different ways that he connects with them. B...

Fantasy and romantasy writer Alesha Escobar joins us to talk about her newest (of many) book, “The Queen’s Oath,” the first in the Soulweaver Trilogy. She shares the creation of her protagonist, the soulweaver Lysara Vale and how her quiet village life is transformed into a quest with the fate of a kingdom at stake.  Alesha has been writing for years and talks about how she kicked off this journey...

Silka Weil has established herself as an emerging voice in Canadian indie music with her self-titled debut EP in 2023. Based in Montreal, she brings a depth to the singer-songwriter genre with a blend of introspective folk-pop and post-grunge edge. In this episode, Silka and I talk about what got her stared in music, as well as how she has grown as an artist with her new EP, “Midnight Blue.” Along...

Hi everyone! Citywide Blackout will be taking a brief hiatus while co-host Max Bowen focuses on a personal matter of some pretty major importance. We're planning to resume with a new episode of Citywide Bytes on Monday, Oct. 19. See you then! 

Wandering Planet Toys has turned heads with their line of collectible action figures that celebrate the pop culture icons of yesteryear. Now, co-founders Gavin Hignight and Chris “Doc” Wyatt are teaming up for an all-new line of retro-style action figures, featuring the coolest, quirkiest space travelers ever known to the universe: The Planetoid Raiders, inspired by Kenner Toys’ 1978 Star Wars act...

Located on the historic Medfield State Hospital campus in the heart of MetroWest, Bellforge is a place for gathering, creativity, and shared experiences, where art is accessible, community-driven, and alive. Executive Director Jean Mineo joined us for a look at the site’s long history and how it went from a state hospital to a center for the arts. She takes us through the recent groundbreaking for...

Novelist, actor, professor, and popular podcast host Jaime Parker Stickle’s new novel “Take Hart” continues her "Corey in Los Angeles" crime series. Here’s a look at what’s in store: Corey Tracey-Lieberman is a former television journalist who’s determined to bring justice to her corner of Los Angeles, while balancing an increasingly challenging modem day-to-day reality: consulting for the LAPD; c...

After finding film censorship notecards among a deceased relative’s belongings, award-winning author and TV producer  Glenn R. Miller  knew he had a story on his hands. The author of “ Doorman Wanted ” (2026 Plymouth Reads Book of the Year) is now preparing to release a new satirical novel on censorship in the arts: “Rough Cuts” (Koehler Books, Sept. 29, 2026). It’s 1926 and the world of film is a...

For this episode, I’m chatting with Jane Brookwood about her new cozy mystery, “The Hanged Man” (Brookwood Publishing, September 15, 2026). Here’s a look at what’s in store: In small-town Pineridge Hollow, Fiona Miller runs a metaphysical gift shop where she reads tarot, sells crystals, mixes tea, and generally minds her own business alongside her cat and familiar Rosie. But when she pulls The Han...

Rising country-pop artist Sofia Renee has a new single out, “Stuff About You,” and that’s just the tip of the iceberg in this this episode. Sofia talks all about her beginnings as a musician and the journey to find her sound as an artist. We talk about the many different shows (and why she’s banned from booking any!) and some of her favorite times on stage. Social media is a tricky beast, but Sofi...

Texas musician Randy C. Mooore has worked with some of the legends of country music scene, played shows all over the world, and been inducted into the European Country Music Hall of Fame….so it’s safe to say that he’s done a lot in his lengthy career. Randy joined me to talk about what got a guitar into his hands at the age of 15, and how he has stuck with it all these years. He goes into teaming...

It was 2024 when songwriter Drew Lawrence connected with drummer/producer Like Adams to form the band seeTrees. We talk all about those early days and the release of their debut album, “Greater than the Past,” including the story behind some of the songs. Drew also shares his ongoing summer tour and opines on the memorable venues. Later this year he’ll be at the Troubadour in Los Angeles and you c...

Dr. Candicee (pronounced Can-dee-see) Childs joins us to talk about her newest children’s book, “ Cece's Sour & Sweet Journey to Medical School ,” which encourages young readers to embrace perseverance, dream boldly, and see themselves in STEM and medicine. We talk about the unexpected origin of this book and the lengthy process as she shaped the story. The book is a children’s version of her...

Since I heard their recent single “Spirits of the Dead,” I have become a huge fan of Sisters of Black Mountain, so of course we had to have the band on the show. Cecilia Enriquez joins us to share how this amazing musical project got its start and the story of the aforementioned single and it’s amazing music video. Cecilia also talks about the perils of AI in music and offers her thoughts on the b...

DB Stewart has been songwriting since he got his first guitar at age 12, started volunteering at local shows at 14 and started his first band at 15. Today, he’s got a new single called “Love is Funny,” and the story behind it is amazing! We talk all about this, the folks he worked with and some unexpected surprises that happened. Back in April, DB released, “Take to the Streets,” a call to action...

In the third part of our interview series with Mikel Wisler, we dive into the business of writing books and making movies. Mikel’s been doing this for awhile and there’s a lot to learn, especially for those just jumping in. Mikel and Max talk first steps for film and books, going from the idea stage to seeing your concept come to life. Mikel shares some mistakes to avoid and gives his take on the...

We hope you enjoyed our last episode with filmmaker and novelist Mikel Wisler, because that was just the beginning. In this episode, we talk about his recently-released time thriller, “Stop.” Here’s a look at what’s in store: When Jake Howell returns to his childhood home after his mother's death, he finds a trove of his late father's research into six locations in rural Maine where time parts way...

Canadian singer-songwriter Jon Mullane recently released his new five-song EP, “The Road,” a collection of music inspired in part from his trips to Nashville. Jon joins the show to talk all about that journey and the amazing artists he worked with, including Michael Delaney and Michael Jay. Jon also talks about his growth as an artist, in part from his many years working with musician and producer...

For longtime fans, Mikel Wisler is a real blast from the past. He was last on the show in 2019 and this time, we talked for so long, we decided to release it in three parts! This interview focuses on his soon-to-be-released short sci-fi thriller “Proxy,” released through Elzaon Films and debuting at Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival on Aug. 8.  Here’s a look at the story: “When an...

Catherine Marshall-Smith (author of "American Family") recently released her second novel, “The Resilience of Red Thread” (She Writes Press), which follows a young mother fighting to save herself when her would-be rescuer proves to be as dangerous as the man she escaped. We talk about what first inspired the book, and how a lengthy period of research led to a significant re-write. Catherine shares...

Kicking off a new musical venture has a lot of steps, and in this episode, we talk with Seattle/Tacoma artists Jody Ellen and Tara Chugh of the band The Sirens about some of the key first parts in the process. We also go into the different ways to grow this into a career, and how you balance the various aspects that can make it up. Jody and Tara share the story behind the band’s recent single, “Re...

A longtime veteran of the music industry, Linda Viens of Girl With A Hawk joins me to talk about the band’s debut album, “Regenesis,” which was released back in June. Linda talked about how it felt to put out the album, done through Rum Bar Records. We also go into the sound of the album, as well as some of the songs and what they mean to her. Part of the album reflects on a life lived in bands, a...

To say that Cleve Sylcox is an experienced writer is putting it mildly. Over the years, he’s penned 42 books, ranging from poetry to science fiction to mystery thrillers, and will soon release “The Weight of Nothing,” a collection of short stories on the topic of, well…nothingness. In this episode, Cleve and I talk about how he got his start as a writer and his early years learning the craft and t...

Turning writing from something you do after work to a full-time job can be a long and difficult journey, and in this episode, author Staci Lynn Wilson shares some insight into how fellow writers can make this happen. She also talks promotion options and the benefits of working with an editor or book group. Staci has a new book out now called “Murder in the House of Mirrors” through Crystal Lake Pu...

In this episode, I welcome back author Jonathan Janz, and do we have a lot to talk about! It begins with a recent three-book deal that he signed with Weird Tales and Blackstone Publishing for his three upcoming titles—“Marla,” “The Stars Have Left The Skies” and “Panopticon.” We dive into all three books, what they’re about and the possibility of a connection between them. If that wasn’t enough, t...