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.

April 27, 2017: Annie Brobst/Kate Eppers/Mikel Wisler

Kate Eppers and Max Bowen

There's an army invading Citywide Blackout! Country musician Annie Brobst brings a few members of the Annie Brobst Band Army with her to talk about her upcoming show with Miranda Lambert, what brought her to Boston seven years ago, and the country scene here in New England.

Fellow Salem native Kate Eppers has a lot to talk about, between the recent release of her debut EP, "The Wishing Well" and work with local film as an actress and musician, she's got a lot on her plate, and we're just getting started. Plus, she knows all the cool places in Salem, something host Max Bowen loves talking about.

Author and filmmaker Mikel Wisler is back on the show for his new short, "Empathy O.D."It's a look into the near future, where people are so connected with their technology that they need to take drugs just to feel something. If it seems familiar to what's happening today, that's something that Mikel and Max take some time to discuss.

Northeast Comic-Con, Part 1: Joan Creamer/Homeless Comics/Wishkoi

Wishkoi

In Part One of Citywide's podcast series from Northeast Comic-Con, Max talks to children's author Joan Creamer, the folks from Homeless Comics, and illustrator Wishkoi.

April 20, 2017: Mieka B/Ellen Herrick/Alissa Musto/Ungovernable Films

Alissa Musto performs live

This week, friend and Boston filmmaker Matt Martino joins us!

Though Mieka B is fairly early in her career, she's made great strides with an upcoming EP, several single releases, and a music video in the works. We talk all about this, what got her into music in the first place, and her dreams as a hip-hop artist.

Author Ellen Herrick has a wonderful story to share in her new book, "The Forbidden Garden." The second in her series starring the eclectic, whimsical, and hilarious Sparrow Sisters, the story came about through fan requests to see Sorrel Sparrow in her own adventure. We look at Sorrel's journey to try and save a Shakespearean garden that has defied efforts to restore it, and how its fate is linked to hers.

Singer-songwriter Alissa Musto is a strong advocate of music education, and in this interview, we talk about the work she's done to further this. A daughter of a musician, and we talk about all that she learned, both at home and on the road.

Dave Sullivan and Paul McAlarney of Ungovernable Films round out the show. This company produces some of the most intense, horrifying movies around, and we talk about how they push the envelope, recent release "The Ungovernable Force," and upcoming "The Streets Run Red."

April 13, 2017: Katie Dobbins/BADD/Ben DeUrso

Katie Dobbins

There's some great new music in store in this week's show! Katie Dobbins is first up for her soon-to-be-released debut album "She if Free." This album covers 11 years of songwriting that signifies Katie's struggle with her fears about her music and sharing it with the world. Katie also plays some great live music.

Hip-hop artist BADD is back for a third run on the show, and as always, he's got a lot to cover. He debuts a new song, "C4Change," written in support of Boston City Council candidate Charles Clemons Muhammad. BADD also introduces fellow hip-hop artists Smoove and Mitts, who have both been writing since the young age of 12.

Ben DeUrso's a familiar face on Citywide, and he comes back to talk about his recently-formed band Koogler, which recently performed the soundtrack to the Rocky Horror Picture Show soundtrack.