Catching up on old times and new with Three at Home

Curtis and I have been friends with the Boston-based Three at Home for many years, and shared many a show together. In this episode, we take some time to catch up with the rock/pop trio to see where they’ve been and what’s in their future.

Band members Dann Russo, Mary Casiello and Kari Paisley-Flango talk about some recent shows in Boston and the Steam Kettle Festival at Hale Reservation in Westwood. Kari joined the band in 2022, and talk about how they met with Dann and Mary and their experience being part of Three at Home.

Boston has been a big part of all our lives and we take some time to go into the changes we’ve seen in the city, its role as a place for the arts, and the challenges and opportunities that it’s created for the artistic community in recent years.

Opening this episode is an excerpt from "Mama Werewolf" a Brandi Carlie cover and which the band performed at the Steam Kettle Festival, featuring Kari on lead vocals. Closing the episode is "Just Like This" an original by the band and recorded before Kari joined the band.

Citywide Bytes: Hayley Verrall shares an upbeat tale with “Peach Iced Tea”

Hayley Verrall

On our latest episode of Citywide Bytes, singer-songwriter Haley Verrall joins me to share the story behind her latest single, “Peach Iced Tea.” 

It’s an upbeat tale and a shift from some of her past work. We talk about this and some of the different sounds she’s tried out since she began releasing music.

We also talk about some her past music, including “Late Bloomer,” which was part of a past edition of the Blackout Collection.

Since college, Haley has run Singing for Smiles, performing for senior citizens. This came about from when she sang for her grandmother and we go into what she’s done over the years.

Opening the episode is an excerpt from “Late Bloomer” and closing things out is “Peach Iced Tea.”

It’s a musical journey with Jennifer Tefft & The Strange

Following her appearance last August, Boston-based musician Jennifer Tefft is back, this time to talk about her new band, Jennifer Tefft & The Strange. Joined by her bandmate “Sharky” we talk about their new album, “Strange Beginnings,” which dropped on May 17.

Jennifer and Sharky share the musical journey that the album takes us on, starting with the recent single releases “Caffeine” and “Going Out.” We go into their upcoming shows, including a performance on WMFO for Live Music Day.

Along with his music, Sharky is also a visual artist, and designed the band’s merch along with working on the cover art for the recent releases. We also get some hints as to what the future has for Jennifer Tefft & The Strange.

Opening this episode is an excerpt from “Caffeine” and closing the show is “Going Out” in its entirety.

Citywide Bytes-Mark Femino talks 30 years of music

In our most recent episode of the live show Citywide Bytes, I’m joined by Mark Femino, and if you’re in the Boston music scene, that’s a name you likely know. 

Mark’s been a professional musician, performer, and teacher for nearly 30 years and actively toured in the mid-90s with the jam band, Blind Man’s Sun.

Today, Mark is a seasoned musician and, in this interview, we talk all about the path he took to get here, including the recent release of his single, “Damn Girl,” a really interesting take on a breakup song. 

Mark also has a new acoustic album called “These Are The Moments,” and he shares some of the stories he’s captured in these eight songs. We also get a couple live songs!

Following this interview is the new single, “Damn Girl,” in its entirety.

Jonathan Panetta talks mental health and music

As it says in his bio, Jonathan Panetta is “trying to heal the world with a hard rock brain and a punk rock heart.”

In this episode, we talk about how songs like “Inner Demons” deal with mental health and what he hopes people take from listening to them. Jonathan shares the creation process behind his new EP and the different avenues he goes down when it comes to sound and style.

Jonathan’s done some collaborating, particularly with friend of the show Dany Horovitz on the single “Make Use of Your Time,” which was inspired by the “Life is Strange” video game series. We talk about working with Dany, how this happened, and other artists he’s worked with. Jonathan and I do a little nerding out over the game, the amazing soundtrack and some of the takeaways from the story.

“Inner Demons” also has its own music video, and Panetta worked with Nesskaf Productions and we look at the planning process and cool visuals seen throughout.

Opening this episode is an excerpt from “Make Use of Your Time” and closing things out is the full track, “Inner Demons.”

Jennifer Tefft talks new music, old venues, and working with the best

If you’re part of the Boston music scene, then the name Jennifer Tefft likely rings a bell. If not, you’ve got some listening to do!

In this episode, Curtis and I talk with Jenn about the recent release of the acoustic version of “Going Out,” all about escaping for a night on the town. We talk about its sound and what the full band version will be like. She’s got another single, “Love & War,” and goes into what we can expect from that. Part of the process included working with musical heavyweights Munk Duane at Bad Stella Studios and Hans DeKline, a Grammy winning Los Angeles mastering engineer.

Jenn has been part of the Boston scene for some time and we talk about her fave venues, both past and present. We look at the state of the scene and get her take on all the recent changes. Jenn also share some stories from her time as a music teacher and the lessons she works to impart.

We kick off the show with an excerpt from “Love & War,” and end the show with the full “Going Out.”

Four years of music and shows with Frankie Raye

It was in 2019 that I first interviewed Florida-based singer-songwriter Frankie Raye. Since then, she’s played hundreds (yes, hundreds) of shows, debuted at The Bitter End in NYC, and gotten the chance to try out voice acting in “The Boar Knight” podcast.

In 2021 alone, Frankie booked over 300 shows and talks about her approach with a venue, especially one she’s never worked with. We go over her time at The Bitter End, a first for her as a performer and talk about some potential future Northeast shows. Frankie also shares the stories behind her recent single, “Foot in Mouth,” which is about being content with where you are in your journey, specifically in the music business.

Frankie takes us through her time with “The Boar Knight” podcast as Dr. Comet Chianina of the United Bovine Science Coalition on Episode 13, “Up, Up and Away.” We talk about getting into character and some future episodes.

Opening this episode is an excerpt from her single “Over Now” and closing out the show is “Foot in Mouth.”

Generations share a diverse musical background with a common goal

Generations may be a relatively new band, buts its members have a wide array of past experience. In this episode, the guys join me for a look at where they all came from and how the band came to be.

We look at how the past projects they’ve been involved with influenced the sound of their debut single, “Dreambound,” and what we can expect in their upcoming album release. Plus, they talk about the music scene in their area and one very interesting sound guy.

After this, kick back and enjoy “Dreambound,” which has a great intensity and a very cool sound.

Senseless Optimism and Selfish Bodies talk new music and stage experiences

It’s an all-music episode! Senseless Optimism of Boston joins me to catch up on all that’s happened since we last spoke, and believe me, a lot has happened! The singer-songwriter released the new single "Done" on Oct. 7 with a brilliant music video shortly afterward. 

She’s also been nominated in the Boston Music Awards and New England Music Awards, taking home multiple titles in the latter. We talk about the new sound and what went into it as well as her planning for the music video.

After this, enjoy the new single, which incorporates music of her West African roots, most notably elements of Soukous and Makossa.

Following that, Canada-based band Selfish Bodies and I dive into their origin in early 2018 and how their style changed as the lineup shifted. We talk about their plans as a band and how those had to change when COVID hit, and how they’ve gotten back into the flow as things reopened.

To close things out, we’ve got their recent release, “Bambi Legs.”

ShellzDaGod shares how it is being back on stage and making cash on IG

ShellzDaGod's a familiar face from the show and in this episode he joins me once again to talk about things resuming some form of normal. For Shellz, that includes being back on stage in front of a crowd, and he gives a heads-up on what he has in store in 2022.

 

And in bigger news, Shellz recently became monetized on Instagram! He said the news came out of nowhere and we look at the posts he's made, including some that preview his new music.

 

After this, I've two of Shellz's songs for you. Up first it's “Into Something,” followed by “Daddy Is A Joke.”

Tara Kelly talks about career changes made during the pandemic

A few months ago, I interviewed Tara Kelly to talk about her newest music video. This time, we cover a lot more ground as we look at her decision to move to Los Angeles, what it's been like, and how her music has flourished.

Tara's folk-infused style has changed a lot over the last year. We look at the new direction she's gone in during the pandemic, when shows and touring came to a halt. We also talk about her personal style and how it reflects her music.


Tara's music career is still in its early stages, and we look at her 

goals, both in the short-term and down the road.


Following this, enjoy Tara's new single “Play With Fire.”

Lewis Ciavarella shows us how to be productive in a pandemic

Lewis Ciavarella

BONUS—Tara Kelly talks about the adventure of making her new music video


It's a mix of musical styles in this episode. To start off, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Lewis Ciavarella has been up to quite a bit over the last year. He talks about what it was like when live shows stopped being an option and how he kept things moving forward.

He's got a new album out called “Two” and the electro/pop styles are really something. We talk all about his development as an artist, which has included a lot of time spent busking as well as working with Kelly Rowland following an appearance on The Voice.




Plus, we've got another bonus interview for you. Tara Kelly, who hails from Los Angeles, has a new music video out for her single “The River.” This song is based on a real-life cheating boyfriend, and actor Hunter Garner brings his A-game to the production. We also look at some unexpected hiccups and how the creative crew worked around them.

Following Lewis' interview, enjoy his single, “New Sun,” and at the end of the show, kick back with Tara's “The River.”

KIN talk about creatives crossing styles, and adventures in music videos

The London-based pop band KIN have been making the most of 2020, releasing three new singles and music videos. In this episode, band members Grace and Adam talk about the story told in the videos and how they worked with the limitations brought on by the lockdown.

The band—Grace, Adam, and Ritu—all have lengthy creative backgrounds, including modeling, starring in Netflix shows, and on stage with the National Theater. We look at how they've been able to apply this work to their music and some of the different directions it's taken them in.

The members also have a lot in store for 2021, from new EPs to live performances—which I sincerely hope can happen.

Following this, enjoy the band's recent single “L.O.V.E.” I really loved the vibe of this song, and the music video touches on the festivals that we all miss.

Senseless Optimism talks musical originals and her unique style

In this episode, Boston-based bedroom pop artist Senseless Optimism and I talk about what led her to produce and release three EPs and several singles since last July. She talks about the evolution of her style of music and what she's learned as a self-taught artist.

We also look at how she's grown as a musician and what led her to include of her personal life in her music, including her most recent release, “Half a Home.” And I'm very excited to ask about her upcoming virtual show for ONCE Somerville and the unique path she took for her performance.

Following this, enjoy her song, “Lonely Daze.” Thanks go out to Mark Kaye of Hear Now Live for his help arranging this interview.

Leah Belle Faser talks about the stories behind her songs in her debut EP

In this recording of an Instagram Live interview on Oct. 8, Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Leah Belle Faser and I talk about her debut EP, “Crossing Hermi's Bridge.” 

Set to be released on Oct. 16, this album this seven-track album includes relationships gone both right and awry and the comforts of going home again. Leah talks about what went into the album and the team she worked with, as well as some upcoming shows she has later this month and in November.

After this, I've got two tracks off the upcoming album, “Better Than Mine” and “Back Home.”

He's back! Jeff Royds returns with a revamped “Greatest Hits” album

Former Citywide co-host Jeff Royds returns to talk about the recently released “Greatest Hits Vol. 2: Director's Cut” album for his band, We Are Bullethead. This is a revamp of some earlier music, which Jeff and the band felt wasn't up to the level it should have been. So, a number of great tracks got a complete strip-down and rebuild. Jeff talks all about this and what was changed. We also dive into how it felt to bring We Are Bullethead to a close and change the name to We Were Bullethead and what he is up to these days.

Following this, enjoy two songs from the album, “Celebrity Douche Bag (Even Douchier Cut)” and “Welcome to My Nightmare (Deadman's Digest Cut).”

Punk artists talk about their work in children's music

In this episode, Lindsey Loogie and Nemi of the band The Sewer Buddies talk about their newest releases, Butt Brains and Pizza Butt. The Sewer Buddies is a collective of various Massachusetts musicians, founded by Lindsey, that collaborate to create comedic children's punk music. We talk about the creative process and the shows that the band has played as well as what they want the kids to get out of their music.

After this, enjoy four songs from the band—Doggy Dance, Mud, Popcorn Octopus, and The Pizza Song.