March 31, 2016: David Harris Lang/Kelly Shepherd and NoMad Stories/The Devils Twins

The Devils Twins

We welcome back author David Harris Lang to talk about his newest release, "A Devil In Hong Kong." David's thrillers draw upon his extensive time in the city, and reading them is like getting a guided tour of every corner. We talk to David about the many characters in this tale, and how he decides who to keep for the next story, and which ones don't make it.

Kelly Shepherd & NoMad Stories join us tonight to share their amazing jazz sounds. They've got a show on April 4 at PA's Lounge, and plenty of shows all over New England this spring and summer.

We welcome back the band The Devils Twins. They're among the many amazing bands playing as part of the Rock & Roll Rumble and will be taking the stage at ONCE Somerville on April 9.
If that wasn't awesome enough, they've also got new tunes that they just released!

March 24, 2016: Bullethead/Adessa on Bay State/Steve Sheppard

Bullethead gets set up for their live set

Former co-hosts Jeff Royds returns with his bandmates in Bullethead and they absolutely rock with a killer live set! They've got plenty of shows happening, and we talk about how this group came together and their plans for the future.

Next up is the band Adessa on Bay State. They're in the process of recording a new album, and share a few live tunes on the show. This foursome is recently formed, and they share the story of how they met, and what each has brought to the table.

Last is Author Steve Sheppard, to talk about his award-winning book, "Tourist Town: A Nantucket Idyll." A longtime resident of Nantucket, Steve's time served to craft this story of mystery and a lost past with a eclectic cast of characters.

March 17, 2016: Venus Mars Project/EBASS: Ariel Strasser and Triton Taylor/New England Music Awards

Triton Taylor

Starting this week's show, we've got Peter and Jacyn from the Venus Mars Project in the house, one of the nominees for The New England Music Awards.This band has been playing some amazing shows around the city, and we'll talk about the newest members, and potential for international shows.

Next, it's the return of the Emerging Boston Area Singer Songwriters group. Ariel Strasser, Ken Budka, and Triton Taylor are on this month's segment, playing some great live music and discussing what artists should consider before and while touring. Those looking to expand beyond their normal show area can learn a lot from this segment.

Joe G from the New England Music Awards helps us close out the show. Now in its fifth year, this event showcases the best of the area in every genre imaginable. Joe gives us a preview of what to expect at this year's NEMA show, and what goes into putting it together.

March 10, 2016: Wreckless Wreck Chords/The Head/Film tax credits/Dry Branch Fire Squad

Max flies solo once more on this week's show, but he's far from alone. The guys from Worm and Wreckless Wreck Chords are in the studio to talk about their upcoming shows this and next month. Along with some great local talent, they've added touring band Andy Social and the Antidotes to the lineup of their April 4 show.

Jack Shaw from Atlanta-based band The Head calls in to talk about their 80-spot tour, now in progress. This great band has made a name for itself in Boston with some recent shows, and their tour will take them across the nation, including several shows at SXSW.

AJ Orsini of Good Natured Dog Productions joins me to talk about the proposal to cut the Film Tax Credits that have led to so many big-name productions to be made in Boston, which has in turn led to a lot of local filmmakers to find steady employment.
Does the credit in fact lead to long-term or steady employment for local film crews? Local legislators say no, that many of the jobs go to out of state workers. What do you think?

Ron Thomason of the band Dry Branch Fire Squad calls in to close out the show in an epic way. For the last 40 years, this amazing bluegrass quartet has played shows on a global scale, even organizing two festivals that feature dozens of bands. They recently performed at the Heritage Museum in Lexington, and Ron talks about how much the area has changed since he was last there.

March 3, 2016: Mike Bond/Ben Phillippo and Cara Campanelli/Isolated Antagonist/Troy Kent

Isolated Antagonist

This week we're talking to two of the first-place winners in the New England Book Festival. First up is Mike Bond, who took home the first prize in fiction with his new thriller, "Killing Maine." Ranked by a recent Gallup poll as one of the least-trusted by its own residents, the corruption of the state's government forms the backdrop of this story, one of an innocent man framed for murder. Pono Hawkins, far from being a friend to the accused, is the only one that can save him, but he'll need to battle an entire state to do it.

Next up are Ben Phillippo and Cara Campanelli. They directed and produced an amazing music video for the band Gem Club, with breathtaking visual effects and a sad, but meaningful story. Hear what went into this project and what's next.

The metal band Isolated Antagonist has a new CD out, "Affirmation of Entropy." We're playing a few tracks off this and talking about the glory days of the genre and how they hope to bring it back.

Troy Kent is another NEBF winner--his book, "The Reading Promise," took home first place in the children's category, and grand prize of the entire festival. The story is one of a struggling mother who gives he child the only gift she can--a promise to read each and every day. We'll talk about the challenges that children's writers face, and an interesting question that many of Kent's fans have raised.
 

Feb. 25, 2016: Eternals/The Versa Contrast/Tret Fure

We're starting tomorrow's show with a live set from the band Eternals. They've got a new single out, and a new album on the way.

Guest co-host Matt Martino returns tomorrow with his guests, The Versa Contrast. These guys also have new tunes to share, and their first show of the new year!

Bringing the show to a close will be Tret Fure. She talks about her new CD....her 15th to date, and the personal stories she shares with her music.

Feb. 18, 2016: Ava Suppelsa/Will Dailey/Michael J. Epstein/Prateek Poddar

We're opening with singer-songwriter Ava Suppelsa, another of the uber-talented artists that are part of EBASS. She's been hard at work in the studio recording new music, and you'll get to hear all about it, and her time studying at Berklee College of Music.

Next we are joined by musician and filmmaker Michael J. Epstein. Recently, he announced that he and his wife Sophia would be moving to California, and made some thought-provoking points about the struggles that artists in Boston face. Joining us for this segment is Will Dailey, a longtime fixture in Boston's music scene who will be performing on Feb. 25 at the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum's RISE program.

Singer-songwriter Prateek Poddar, another artist working with EBASS, brings the show to a close. He'll tell us all about his recent tour down south and new EP, "Walking in My Sleep."

Feb. 11, 2016: Andrew Martin/Sudbury Savoyards/Abandoned Asylums of Massachusetts

Andrew Martin and his wife Erin played live on the show

We start off with singer-songwriter Andrew Martin to talk about his debut album, EP 1. Andrew's been performing for years, both solo and with bands, and we talk about the recording process and some of the shows he's performed in.

Next up is Tony Parkes, stage director for The Sudbury Savoyards. They're working on a production of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Sorcerer," an interesting tale on love gone out of control! This is Tony's first time directing, but he's worked with the Savoyards for the past 20 years. We talk about the other members of the cast, and what it's like working with a community theater group.

Our final guest are authors Tammy Rebello and L.F. Blanchard for "Abandoned Asylums of Massachusetts," released by Arcadia Publishing. These two toured a number of asylums, many of which were closed years ago, and spoke to some of the people that once walked the halls to learn what mental health used to be like.

Feb. 4, 2016: Boston Bluegrass Union/Chasing Blue/Tristan Bouchard/Heavy Rotation Records

Chasing Blue played live on the show

We're fired up for this week's show, and here's why: Boston Bluegrass Union joins us to talk about their upcoming Joe Val Festival. Now in its 31st year, this three-day event--which runs Feb. 12-14, features dozens of performers, workshops, and much more. One of the many performers, Chasing Blue, are in the studio to talk about their festival memories and play some great acoustic tunes!

Tristan Bouchard's newest release "Little Nights" helped him to deal with the PTSD he suffered after witnessing a horrific accident three years ago. We talk about what went into this, and how it helped him. For some of us, it's through our art that we find the way to overcome such challenging times.

Berklee College of Music students will hear some familiar voices on this week's show. We talk to Christina Lundelius of Heavy Rotation Records for their upcoming Heavy Rotation Records 16th Annual Epic Event to celebrate Dorm Room Sessions Vol. 11. This album features seven bands comprised of Berklee students and alumni, and they span all the genres.
Plus, the folks from The Trap Music Orchestra share their experience being part of Dorm Sessions and we spin a few of the tunes on the album.

Jan. 28, 2016: EBASS/Adam Sickler/Christa Gniadek

Hailey Magee with Adam Sickler

We welcome back Hailey Magee from EBASS for our monthly music/business segment. We'll be talking about how to draft the best press material to make sure the news about your CD release or tour gets noticed above all else.
We'll also be talking to Adam Sickler, who's got new tunes to share and a tour to talk about.

Singer-songwriter Christa Gniadek returns to talk about her new album, "Hard Summer," funded by her fans through an intense Kickstarter campaign. What's in store once the album's released? We'll have all the answers for you.

Jan. 21, 2016: Dead Trains/Dronehead Odyssey/Sierra Cassidy

Dead Trains play their live set

This week we're bringing you three amazing live sets!
We open the show with a sweet live set from the band Dead Trains. They've got a new album to be dropped in February, and we're going to hear all about, plus how their different styles come together to craft their punk blues sound.

We're keeping the new tunes going with another live set from Dronehead Odyssey. This project from Matt Fuller of Ghost Cats is a smooth electronica/rock blend and he'll be performing at Great Scott on Jan, 27.

Singer-songwriter Sierra Cassidy will be bringing the show to a close with more live music, She hails from Michigan and is recently arrived to Boston, and since then has been performing at a number of places around the city. We talk about these experiences, plus her goals as a musician.

Jan. 14, 2016: Mike Kerr Group/Margaret Cowie/Leslie Browning/Kelly Kancyr

Singer/songwriter Kelly Kancyr performs live

We're rolling right along into the new year with a great lineup for tonight's show. We start off with Ven Tangaraj of the Mike Kerr Group. They've got a ton of shows both near and far, including Los Angeles for the upcoming NAAM convention.

Author Margaret Cowie is up next with her third book, which looks at experiences people have had with lost loved ones. It's called "Connected Stillâ¦Love Continues Beyond the Grave," and for those who feel like those they've lost are still with them, you won't want to miss this interview.

At the start of the second hour, we welcome our second author! L.M. Browning is a poet, writer, photographer, and founder of Homebound Publications. You know this will be an interesting talk as we highlight the many authors she works with and new books set for a 2016 release.

Last, but most definitely not least is Connecticut-based singer-songwriter Kelly Kancyr. She's been performing for 20 years and recently turned her attention to teaching the next generation of musicians.

Jan. 7, 2016: Anne Sarkisian/Izzy Heltai/Laurie Lewis and Boston Bluegrass Union

Singer-songwriter Izzy Heltai

We are back and are looking forward to Citywide Blackout in 2016! We open the show with author Anne Sarkisian to talk about her book, "Toxic Staple," a look at the world of gluten and how the benefits living without it. Anne's poured countless hours into researching this health issue, and she'll be sharing it all with us.

Born and raised in Boston, singer-songwriter Izzy Heltai has been spending the last few years playing out in the Berkshires, and he's ready to bring his sound back to the city. He talks about the music scene out in the Berkshires and his hopes for playing for the Boston scene.
He's got a new EP and plays a live set.

Bluegrass artist Laurie Lewis will be performing on Jan. 16 in Lexington at the Museum of Our National Heritage with a slew of her friends, and we'll be talking about this, her many shows, and years spent on the road and her plans today.