July 13, 2017: Anturazh/Worm/Readercon

Opening the show is Bell Rey of the rap duo Anturazh. The group recently completed the United By Art tour, playing in venues up and down the East Coast, many of which were new to them. We talk about new music, the ups and downs of touring, and just who in the group is faster in a race.

Mikke and Tyler of the band Worm and Bill from The Pint Killers are next to talk about a huge show they have at The C Note in Hull. With so many venues outside the city, there are great opportunities for bands and music lovers, and we talk about all that the area has to offer.

Ending the show is Rachel Borman of the annual Readercon book show, which happened over the weekend in Boston. A rather unique gathering of writers, this convention doesn't have music, costumes, or other such things-instead, it's focused on the books, offering a wide array of panels and forums.

June 22 2017: Marcela Cruz/8-Ball Entertainment/Cado

Marcela Cruz

It's our first show from our new WEMF digs, and it's an amazing space! You'll hear all about the new location and what is has to offer.

First up is hip-hop/R&B artist Marcela Cruz. Since beginning her music career a few years ago, she's done amazing work, recently releasing a new remix and a cool showcase in Philly.

Kevin Edward of 8-Ball Entertainment is next up, and he has a lot to share! He started this company to give rising musicians a chance to make their mark, and the talent he's worked with has been nothing short of astounding. We talk about how he knows an artist is good to work with, and what they need to bring to the table to take things to the next level.

Trevor Kaminski is back, and he's brought one half of the rap team Cado. They've got new music to share, plus an August show that you won't want to miss.

 

July 6, 2017: Travel Amygdala/JPRiZM/ShellzdaGod

Travel Amygdala in their live set

The guys from the metal band Travel Amygdala are back in the studio for a killer live set! Afterward, we talk about their upcoming shows at Wookiefest, the Highlander Fest, and Tap Fest 3. After that, they're taking a break from Mass shows for the rest of 2017, and plan some more events outside the Bay State.

JPRiZM is next up, with a collaboration with Houston-based Jennie.O called "Heroin (My Love)," which explores the similarities between drug and love addiction. He's also got a new EP out called "Waves," and the styles and sounds he creates are amazing to hear.

ShellzdaGod rounds out the show with a look at how he went from an avid reader and writer to crafting all sorts of beats, even influencing the next generation to pursue their dreams of being in the music world.

June 29, 2017: Resonate/Eli Font/Sweet Wednesday/Bracken MacLeod

Jake and Mark from the band Resonate open the show, and after a bit about what the big stars do in their off-hours [out theory is Lady Gaga has a quiet suburban home life] we get down to business with what this killer rock band has been up to. They formed pretty recently, and already have a new single out, "Open Your Eyes," and lots of shows planned for the summer.

Eli Font and his musical cohort Kyle Pickard play some music for us share their own journey down in the wilds of Connecticut. These two seem to be always working, whether it's further developing their own style or trying their hand at some new projects. The fans take to the live stream to voice their support for this duo.

Lisa and Dave of Sweet Wednesday have been playing their energetic folk style for more than a decade. From a chance encounter, they formed a unique style that has carried them across the U.S. We get to enjoy some live tunes and hear about their many, many shows planned for the summer, some of which take them back to favorite stomping grounds.

Author Bracken MacLeod has been on the show a few times already, and I always love it when he returns. He has a new book out, "Come to Dust," which opens with an incredibly dark subject: the death of a child. There's a lot to this story, from the main characters to the bad guys, and we talk about it all, plus the nature of living life to its fullest.

June 15, 2017: Twice Upon An Apocalypse/Lital Yohay

Authors Scott Goudsward and Rachel Kenley talk about the anthology that they edited, "Twice Upon An Apocalypse," which combines classic fairy tales with Lovecraftian elements. Hear about the submission process, some of Lovecraft stories that Scott and Rachel have read, and some of the new writers that made the final cut.

Singer-songwriter Lital Yohay calls in to share her story of being an artist in Israel and her work with the Musical Song School. She talks about her goals as a musician, and how she got her start as an artist.

Blackout Bootleg: Super Megafest

In this edition of the Blackout Bootlegs, Max travels to Super Megafest to talk to artist Dan Kern, outline the work of CausePlay New England, and learn about the long-running manga series Chaotic Kiss.

June 8, 2017: One Time Mountain/Chris Ruediger/Lisa Finelli

Opening the show we have the intense rockers at One Time Mountain, back with a new album "Seasons," lots of wrestling talk, and such great music to share! We cover the changeover they've had in the lineup, and how that's shaped the new music that they'll be releasing in just a matter of weeks.

Chris Ruediger is another returning favorite to Citywide, and he too has a new collection of tunes, "Secrets," his debut album! We take a lot of questions from the audience in this interview, including how he got his start, the first song he learned, and his favorite place to perform.

Lisa Finelli has been a part of the Boston music scene for years, and in this interview, she addresses a critical issue-genre equality. She's organized a forum on June 15, with a stellar lineup of speakers to look at how hip-hop, R&B, jazz and blues musicians have not gotten the opportunities they have earned. This promises to be a great event, and we preview some of the topics to be covered.

June 1, 2017: The Sewer Buddies/Damn Tall Buildings/Divine Regale/Theodore Richards

The Sewer Buddies

Opening the show is the new band, The Sewer Buddies, a punk band for kids. We talk to Lindsey Loogie, Serious Paul, Smelly Melly Mucous, and Kick Butt Kyle about the message to kids that's in their music, and importance of kids being exposed to music at a young age, and the many artists who contribute to the band.

Max and Avery from the band Damn Tall Buildings tell us all about their new album, "Good Enough!", their third to date. The recording process, their four years of touring and festivals-it's all on the table as we look into the band's history and their plans for the new release.

Divine Regale brings some prog metal to the show, and damn is it good! With a huge show at Jewel this past weekend, they've got a lot in the works, including new music.

Author Theodore Richards closed out the show with his new book, "The Great Reimagining: Spirituality in the Age of Apocalypse." We talk about the nature of being spiritual and how technology has led to both greater and lesser connections among people. World travel is a big part of Richards' life, and we look at where he's been and how it's shaped him as a writer and a person.

May 25, 2017: Seven Spires/Sean Fay Wolfe/Sleight of Hand Films

Seven Spires

First up is the metal band Seven Spires, and they have a lot to talk about! They have a new album, "Solveig," a concept album about a lost soul's journey through the underworld. They're also releasing a series of videos for each of the songs on the album. In addition, they've got an overseas show coming up.

Author Sean Fay Wolfe returns, with a brand new book, "The Elementia Chronicles Battle Book." It includes artwork of the characters in the Elementia Chronicles series done by artists from around the world. Plus, Sean talks about his work visiting schools across the country.

Filmmaker Dave Sullivan is back, and he's brought friends. The cast and crew of Sleight of Hand Films invades the studio to talk about their sexploitation films, bringing back a genre that has been gone for years. We look at the production process, the challenges of finding the perfect set, and their newest work, due out in September.


 

May 18, 2017: Ibby/Rajah Samaroo/Mary Petiet/BlaccGoose

Filmmaker Rajah Samaroo

18-year-old singer-songwriter Ibby opens the show with some great acoustic tunes. She recently released her second album, "Cross Your Heart," a reflection of her own experiences and travels. We talk about how she's evolved as an artist since releasing her debut album at 15, as well as her plans now that she's graduated high school.

Filmmaker Rajah Samaroo is next, and it's a reunion of sorts, as he and Max worked together on the movie "The Joneses" nearly 10 years ago. Rajah has a new project in the works, "Pseudo Love," and he outlines the story behind it, and how he's been able to work full-time as a filmmaker.

Author, journalist, and radio host Mary Petiet has a great story to share in her book, "Minerva's Owls." In it, she helps readers achieve a spiritual balance, a sometimes daunting task in this day and age. We talk about how social media has served to both connect us with the world, and isolate us from the rest of the world. She also shares the origin of her podcast Kitchen Table Mystic, where she talks to inspiring women.

Last but not least is Cincinnati-based hip-hop artist BlaccGoose. He's been making and recording music for the last five years, but he's been crafting his tunes from a much younger age. He's got a lot to say about the talent of Cincinnati and how it doesn't get the attention it deserves. His fiance is also a musician, and the two collaborate often.

Blackout Bootleg: Northeast Comic-Con Podcast, Volume 2

In the second and final volume of our podcasts at the Northeast Comic-Con, Max talks to Michael Mitchell of Mitchell Comics, and the folks at HB Comics.

May 11, 2017: EBASS/Bracken MacLeod/Positive Negative Man

Bracken and Max 

This week's show marks the end of a wonderful segment, with Hailey Magee of the Emerging Boston Area Singer Songwriters (EBASS). Hailey joined the show around two years ago and helped launch a mothly segment that not only educated other musicians about the business side of the industry, but also featured some of the best performers in the city. Hailey recently decided to take a hiatus from EBASS, and we wish her the very best!

This week, we talk about the work that goes into running an organization like EBASS. Who knows, maybe others will be inspired to launch groups like it for other genres in the city. In addition, Zion Rodman plays a couple tunes and tells us all about his upcoming CD release and his ongoing Apartment Concert Series.

Horror author Bracken MacLeod returns to tells us about his new book, "13 Views of the Suicide Woods." It's a thrilling collection of dark fiction that Bracken wrote for ChiZine Publications. We talk about the state of horror and what the new generation of writers has to offer.

The guys from the band Positive Negative Man return to talk about their recent shows at the Somerville Porchfest, as well as their upcoming performances. They've also got lots of great new music to share!

May 4, 2017: Falcon's Bandits/Leslie Browning/Prateek Poddar

Prateek Poddar

Arcadio Falcon of the band Falcon's Bandits opens the show with a very frank talk about the band's music, how they bring their styles together, and the reception of their recently-released album. They've been together since 2015, and began recording shortly thereafter. We also get a little political, talking about how the world perceives events in other countries, and how we rarely get the full story. 

Author Leslie Browning has some big new to shareâher main publishing house, Homebound Publications and its imprint, Owl House books, just inked a global distribution deal with Midpoint Trade Books. This deal puts the company's 75-plus titles into every bookstore on the planet! It's a huge milestone since the company launched in 2011, and we talk about the work that went into it, and the many authors that have asked to join the company.

Singer-songwriter Prateek Poddar is back in the studio to record a new EP, and he needs your help to do it! He has launched an IndieGoGo campaign to fund the album, and the response so far has been tremendous, with a full third of the amount needed already raised. We look into the people involved in the new album, and Prateek plays a few acoustic tunes for us.