Blackout Bootleg: Rhode Island Comic-Con

Max and Ben spent the weekend of Nov. 10 hanging with the stellar artists of the Rhode Island Comic-Con. In this podcast we talk to authors L.L. Craft, Stephanie Deschenes, Heather Dunn, Tom Davis, and cartoonist Tim Jones.

Blackout Bootleg: Boston Asian American Film Festival, Part 2

Convention Correspondent Ben Chou's collected a great set of interviews with the filmmakers, cast, and organizers of the annual Boston Asian American Film Festival. This is the second of two parts.

Blackout Bootleg: Boston Asian American Film Festival, Part 1

Convention Correspondent Ben Chou's collected a great set of interviews with the filmmakers, cast, and organizers of the annual Boston Asian American Film Festival. This is the first of two parts.

Nov. 16, 2017: Leaving Eden/Bob Bradshaw/Joann Mead/Isolated Antagonist

Leaving Eden

Boston rock band Leaving Eden is up first, talking about their newest release, "Out of the Ashes." The band has toured all over North America and Europe, and they share some of their stories from the road as well as the many shows they have lined up.

Singer-songwriter Bob Bradshaw has some great tales to share in his new album, "American Echoes," which is 25 years in the making. The set marks Bob Bradshawâs seventh studio recording, and is a tribute to his time spent absorbing the music of his adopted home, the United States. We talk about the Americana genre, the artists he grew up listening to, and his goals performing in Boston.

Author Joann Mead has some thrilling bioterror tales in her two books, "Underlying Crimes" and "Tiger Tiger." What may be most terrifying is that the science in her books is far more fact than fiction. She shares the research that went into the books, and perhaps gets the better of host Max Bowen.

Glen Mitchell of the metal duo Isolated Antagonist returns to Citywide to talk about their new album, "Oblivion," set to be released Nov. 20 on Bluntface Records. Presales went to Dana-Faber Cancer Institute, and Glen talks about the amazing person and their tragic passing that led to this donation.
The album has an added level of awesome with ex-Fear Factory member Christian Olde Wolbers.

Nov. 9, 2017: Rachel Marie/60 Kel/Satin Russell/Young Bizzness

Author Satin Russell

Opening the show, singer-songwriter Rachel Marie brings some great acoustic tunes to Citywide. She's got a new album in the works, and shares some of the personal stories behind her music. Originally of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, she's been in Boston for a few years and has a lot planned for her time here.

60 Kel returns to the show with the Stripeteam, A.B. Soarin, Mark Mula, and more to talk about his new single, "Imma Go Get It," He's also got some upcoming music videos in the works.

Author Satin Russell is next, and talks about her Harper Sisters Trilogy. She made the call a few years ago to change from the financial industry to the world of writing, and she talks about the work that went into making this transition. Since then, she's published two books, and has a lot to share about being a self-published author and the many roles they take on.

Rapper Young Bizzness closes out the show. He too has an album set to be released early next year, "Medical Degree." He's been making music for the last decade, and shares some insight into getting into the music world.

Nov. 2, 2017: Copperfrog Games/D.R. Perry/Johnny I Band

Michael Epstein of Copperfrog Games

On this show, I welcome back Michael Epstein, game designer with Copperfrog Games. He's working on a new game, Pigment, where players take on the role of Renaissance painters to create their masterpieces. Michael talks about the work that into creating the game, the Kickstarter campaign now nearing completion, and his upcoming convention appearances to promote Pigment.

Author D.R. Perry has written a number of fantasy-themed books set here in New England, and will be among those at the annual Rhode Author Island Expo. She's released two books in her ongoing Wiser Guys and Nine Lives series, and talks about those and the other titles she's working on.

John Ingrassia of the Johnny I Band closes the show with look at his new album, the "Johnny I All Star Blues Revival, Vol. 1." This album is a massive collaboration effort with musicians such as Billy Cox, Bruce Katz, Tommy Shannon, and many more. John talks about the process of writing the songs working with so many great artists, how they helped shape the songs, and the upcoming second volume.

Oct. 26, 2017: Keith Carreiro/Haunted Somerville

Griegg, the Master of Scareamonies at Haunted Somerville

Author Keith Carreiro opens the show with a talk about his new series, "The Immortality Wars," a fantasy series set in the 26th century about the quest for a means to live forever. Now in the second part, with a third on the way, Keith talks about how he came up with the idea, the writing process for his first books, and the beta readers he worked with.

Next up is Matt Martino, a longtime contributor to the show who has brought back Haunted Somerville, his annual Halloween showcase that has grown so much over the years and features some of the most terrifying scarers in Boston. Over the last few years, the maze has changed a lot, and we look at what makes a goodscarer, and his plans for future years.

Oct. 19, 2017: Illusion's End/John Raposa/Mark Mula and A.B. Soarin

Illusion's End

Opening the show we've got the band Illusion's End. They've got so much happening, between a recent single release and a number of upcoming shows. We even debut a brand new song! They also do some cool acoustic versions of their songs and we talk about the band's beginnings and where they're going from here.

Author John Raposa is next with his first book, "Children of Apis," a post-apocalyptic story where a group of young heroes work against the tyrannical leader of the new world following a global cataclysm. John and I talk about how he brought his first book together, his plans for the next one, and his upcoming convention appearances.

Last but not least, we've got hip-hop artists Mark Mula and A.B. Soarin. These two have been making music for years, and work with some amazing people. The guys are great to talk to and share their time in Boston, their appearances in other cities, and if they'd consider hitting the road and trying their luck in other parts of the country.

Citywide Blackout, Oct. 12, 2017: The Joker/Clown Prince of Fashion/Lynne Heinzmann

Clown Prince of Fashion

We've got a one-of-a-kind guest to open tonight's show. The Clown Prince of Crime, the Joker! He's visiting Boston and hopes to make his mark on the city. We talk about his various origins, the rest of Gotham's rogues gallery, and his long-standing dance with a certain pointy-eared vigilante. 

I manage to survive my encounter with Mr. J, and then have the pleasure of talking to cosplay artist The Clown Prince of Fashion. We met at the recent Granite-State Comic-Con, which was actually his first time in costume. He's taken on a number of Joker roles, and we talk about how he makes his costumes, other characters he'd like to try, and the joy of meeting the fans.

Author Lynne Heinzmann joins me to talk about her first book, "Frozen Voices," a historical fiction tale that focuses on four characters from the doomed ship, the Larchmont, which sank with nearly all hands in 1907. She learned of the story of the Larchmont and began a years-long research project to learn all she could about it. We also talk about her experience at different book conventions.

Blackout Bootleg: Granite-State Comic-Con

Welcome to the Blackout Bootleg Series, where the crew from Citywide Blackout goes to the conventions, shows, and festivals, to bring you the best of New England's local entertainment in their backyards. This podcast is a collection of interviews from the recent Granite State Comic-Con, held in September in Manchester NH.

First up, we've got Christopher Paniccia, author of the Gridiron Conspiracy series.

Next is Mark Tufo, author of the Zombie Fallout Series and The Indian Hill Trilogy.
I also speak to Ariele Sieling, author of The Wounded World, The Clock Winked, The Lonely Whelk, and the Rutherford the Unicorn Sheepbooks.

Last but not least, Emily Rhain Andrews, illustrator of the comic series Mag Na Mell.

Oct. 5, 2017: Rozy, Miko, and Machi/Ken Garlick/I am James

Opening the show, we've got Rozy of the New York-based band Rozy, Miko, and Machi. These three have a cool style that blends elements of 60s classic rock, 70s psychadelic and 90s alt-rock. We talk about the scene in New York, their recent single release, and their own production style.

Next up, author Ken Garlick shares his ghost/thriller story "Call Me Madame Alice." This is is first book, and he shares the range of characters, the extensive research he did with the real-life inspiration for his story, and the response he's gotten from the public and editor.

Singer-songwriter Sierra Cassidy is back with a brand new project, I Am James, a more pop-influenced style. She's also started a new life in Nashville, having moved there a month ago. Along with the new sound, we talk about her time playing there and plans now that she's started this new journey.

Sept. 28, 2017: Gentle Temper/Lauren Kelley/The Rationales

Max Bowen and David Mirabella 

First up on the show, we've got the folk duo of Gentle Temper, Ryan Meier and Marion Earley. From a recent open mic win, this amazing pair of musicians have a number of shows lined up. We talk about their family influences and what role they played in their musical careers. Ryan and Marion also play some great acoustic tunes.

Author Lauren Kelley is next with her children's book series, "Tuggie The Patriot Pup." Based in New England, the series chronicles some of the major events in our country's history, all through the eyes of a small dog. Lauren shares the making of the series and her plans to continue it for a full 13 books. Lauren will be a part of the upcoming Rhode Island Author Expo in December and we also talk about her experience at different conventions.

Closing out the show is David Mirabella of the band The Rationales. The ban recently released a new album, "Upstream," to rave reviews both locally and nationwide. The band has been around for a decade, and we talk about their growth both musically and as people. The Rationales have long been a part of Boston's Americana scene, and we talk about how it's changed and the many faces that make it up.

Sept. 21, 2017: Laurel Ostiguy/Toke the Closer

BADD with Toke the Closer and his team

This week, we see the debut of Citywide Blackout Street Team member Gina House, as she interviews the band The Last King. 

Plus, author Laurel Ostiguy opens our series of interviews of members of the upcoming 5th Annual Rhode Island Author Expo. Laurel's two books into her new Onondoga State series, and we talk about the different characters, how one spawned their own story, and how she's planned out the series. Laurel even treats us to an on-air reading from book.

Hip-hop author Toke the Closer has brought his entire production team with him to wrap up the show! He's been making music for years, and we talk about how he managed to craft his quick and precise style, how the music he makes has evolved, and future releases.