Citywide Blackout

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...

We’re talking all things comics on this episode, featuring “13 Demons Dead” by Adam Tierney and set to be released by IDW Publishing on Aug. 4. Here’s a peek at what lies within its pages: “Fourteen-year-old Everly “Ev” Espada was walking home one night when she spotted her favorite teacher, Father Serrano, suspended in midair, choking and being ripped apart by something she couldn’t see. Acting o...

Getting your foot in the door of the music industry is a challenge, and in this episode, the musical duo of Twayn — twin sisters Hannah and Grace —share their advice, which includes taking the opportunities when they arrive. We talk their new single, “Wouldn’t It Be Better?” and the very personal experience that inspired it. Hannah and Grace recount their early years and how they came to be a band...

GRAMMY® Winner and three-time nominee Darlene Koldenhoven’s memoir, “Put Your Dress Down and Sing” (Sibylline Press), shows how a shy, introverted, Calvinist girl from the South Side of Chicago became known globally as the tambourine-waving choir nun in both “Sister Act” movies with Whoopi Goldberg and the featured soprano soloist in “Yanni, Live at the Acropolis,” the most popular PBS-TV Special...

Following his time with the legendary American punk band Model Citizen, ChiodoSupply has a new venture, but with the same vibe and message. In this episode, we’re going to talk about art and speaking to the state of the world, which is captured in his new single, “Homeland.” Chiodo and I also share the hard truths of the music industry, the use of artificial intelligence in making art, and give a...

Just in time for the anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s birthday, author Mima Tipper has released a new book, “Channeling Marilyn.” Here’s a look at what’s in store: High school senior Lexa Donovan longs to be more than a bit player in her own drab life—and when she’s chosen to be part of her school’s spring production of Bus Stop, she thinks her wish has come true. But her thrill turns to panic when...

Author Perrin Pring joins me to talk about her recently-released book, “Cash and Gravity” (Diversion Books), set in a world where everyone’s trying to get off it as quickly as possible. In this book, Chevy Cole is a female Launch Tech Marine who lives in a world where mega corporations battle each other for Earthly metals in the pursuit of one day getting humans permanently off planet. During a ba...

Following our talk about new music and the New England Americana Fest, Boston-based musician Kier Byrnes of Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners stuck around to talk a little business—specifically, the music business. In this episode, we go into the things he thinks musicians should stop doing, as well as the different ways that they can make a living—and it’s more than just selling merch or ticke...

In this episode, I’m reunited with Boston’s own Kier Byrnes of Kier Byrnes & The Kettle Burners. They’ve got a new EP out called “Moonshine & Other Spirits,” an absolutely amazing five-track collection of high-energy Americana music. Kier and I talk about the origin of this album, which all began at an off-the-grid moonshine distillery in New Hampshire (yes, that really happened). We go in...

In this episode, I’m joined by author   AJ O. Mason and illustrator Dominic Bustamante to talk about new sci-fi YA queer graphic novel, “Kloud 9: The Star Soldier,” which drops on July 7 through IDW. Kloud 9 follows Kal, an Earthling without much purpose in life. Cosmot’urr Col Al’neyr, Cosmo for short, is an alien struggling to find his place in the galaxy. Sparks fly when the two meet—but when C...

We hope that you enjoyed Part 1 of our discussion with Lynzi and TJ of the band Pixiepunk, because there is a lot more to hear! Music, in the end, is a business, and we talk all about that aspect with TJ and Lynzi. They dive into the things that musicians should NOT be doing, as well as new opportunities down the road. The two share some hard —but very accurate — truths about the industry, and whi...

In this episode, author Brad Barkley joins me to talk about his newest YA book, “The Reel Life of Zara Kegg (Regal House, June 16, 2026). Here’s a look at the story: “Three years after her mother’s death, 16-year-old Zara still feels like an outsider in Carolina Beach. Working during the beach’s off-season as the lone projectionist at the Palace Theatre—a rundown retro cinema that shows only vinta...

I’ve been a fan of the band Pixiepunk for a while now, so getting to talk with members Lynzi and TJ is something I’ve been looking forward to. We had such a great time and talke for so long that we decided to make this a two-parter! So in this episode, it’s all about the music, as we dive into their (at the time) newest release “Roses,” and the interesting origin behind it. We talk about their son...

Making a comic is a lot of work, but taking that first step is the most important part. Writer/artist Mike Maihack talks about that step in this episode, as we dive into his new title, “The Moonlit Spiral,” to be released Oct. 6 through Candlewick Press.   Mike shares how those with an idea can make it happen, and not through a long-running series or a 100-page trade. He also gives a few tips as t...

Emily Woo Zeller has been in the voice acting performance field for many years, and may have even voiced the audiobook you’re reading now, so she has a lot to talk about when it comes to breaking into this field and earning your spot. This episode takes a deep dive into how Emily started off, with a really fun origin story! She talks about the steps people can take if they’re interested in trying...

Zara Marielle’s empowering fantasy debut “The Cafe of Infinite Doors” (now available) follows a trapped housewife who finds shelter in a magical cafe after a fight with her toxic husband, only to be drawn into a thousand-year-old battle between two Scottish goddesses, which threatens to destroy not only the cafe, but the entire world. In this episode, Zara talks about the origin of the story and h...

Comic creator Dave Wielgosz joins us to walk a road of revenge and redemption in his first creator-owned comic, “Showdown.” The first issue drops on May 13 through Ignition Press. Here’s a look at what’s in store: When Trish Sullivan left her hometown for college, she left behind unfinished business. Now she’s back and looking to settle up.   Trish blames Harvey Harlowe for the death of her little...

What should be your first step as a musician? I pose this questions to singer and actor Michelle Forziati in this week’s episode. We talk about the lessons she’s learned as an artist and her advice to those just beginning their own journeys. Michelle shares the story behind her single “Stranger” and how this pushed her into the world of music and the story behind her most recent release, “Once Mor...

Woodstock, 1969–A cultural milestone in this country’s history. Now, add some vampires. Trust me, it works. Now, picture yourself, an aspiring comic creator looking for that first step to make your idea a reality. You’ll get both in this week’s episode, where I talk with SHP Comics founder and the writer behind their new title “Woodstake,” Shawn Hainsworth. Shawn and I begin with the origin of thi...

When it comes to launching your music, starting can be the hardest part. How long before you know if you’re ‘ready’ to play? Tyler Pollard of the Boston-based band Robotic Hawks has been in the music game for a long time and believes that there is no ‘ready.’ You just gotta go for it! Check out this episode for that discussion, as well as a dive into their new EP, “New, Better Things.” It’s four s...

Ottawa-based hard rock band The Space Between recently released a new single, “Weapon of Choice,” from their forthcoming album, “Dying Sun,” and I for one cannot wait to hear the rest. Band members Maryn Pegan and James Shaheen join us to talk about working with producer Brian Moncarz at Noble Street Studios and how this offered a brand new experience for the band. We go into the themes and story...

Awhile back, we featured the single “Comets” by the Boston alt-rock duo Arrows of Athena as part of the Blackout Collection. Now, Scott Lerner and Jac-Lyn Gibson join me to talk about the 19th century story that inspired it. We also dive into their new album, “Daydreaming,” which came out on April 3. We talk origin stories, being live on stage for the first time in awhile and what's next for Arrow...

With her new EP, “Between Then and Now,” 19-year-old fiddler, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Irish Millie captures the space between two chapters of life and the quiet realization of how much growth happens in the in-between. In this episode, we talk about that time and the different stories that the album covers, including a powerful dedication to her fiddle teacher. Millie also shares how she...

Picture this—an island paradise, cut off from all the craziness that we see in the world today. A perfect society, where nothing can go wrong….until it does. Author Mia Dalia joins me to talk about her new book, “Beautiful, Once,” out through Crystal Lake Publishing. Here’s a look at the story: When a controversial tech billionaire retreats from society, he constructs a private island designed to...

JUNO Award-winning blues artist Crystal Shawanda’s new album “Sing Pretty Blues,” has earned her a 2026 JUNO Award nomination for Blues Album of the Year. It’s a real powerhouse of an album, with a range of music that doesn’t hold back. In this interview, Crystal talks about what it means to receive this nomination and her reaction on getting the news. We talk about her many years in music and the...