Strays is a sweet, hysterical, raunchy comedy featuring potty-mouthed dogs in one of the best animal movies ever made. < Back Strays: Feast Upon This Keeley Brooks Oct 13, 2023 Share Strays is a sweet, hysterical, raunchy comedy featuring potty-mouthed dogs in one of the best animal movies ever made. Rating: 4 out 5 foul-mouthed Boston Terriers Strays is probably one of the best animal movies ever made. Yes, yes, I hear you all screaming at me about Milo & Otis and Black Beauty and all the others, but did any of them feature foul-mouthed dogs with a flair for the obscene and nasty, kind of like that one Jimmy Buffet song that makes most “squares” uncomfortable (i.e., “Why Don’t We Get Drunk”)? Nope? I didn’t think so, and that’s precisely why you’re gonna want to watch Strays ! Directed by Josh Greenbaum ( Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar ), Strays features a whopping all-star cast that includes Will Ferrell ( Anchorman ), Randall Park ( Totally Killer ), Isla Fisher ( Wedding Crashers ), Jamie Foxx ( Ray ), Josh Gad ( Ghostbusters: Afterlife ), Harvey Guillén ( What We Do in the Shadows ), Rob Riggle ( 21 Jump Street ), Brett Gelman ( Stranger Things ), Jimmy Tatro ( American Vandal ), Dennis Quaid ( The Day After Tomorrow ), Phil Morris ( Doom Patrol ), Jamie Demetriou ( Barbie ), Sofía Vergara ( Modern Family ), and Greta Lee ( Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ). Strays is lovingly brought to us by “the humans” who gave us 21 Jump Street (2012) and Cocaine Bear (2023), so right off the bat, you know this flick is gonna be hella funny. And it is. Nevermind those critics who’ve said that Strays , “wants to startle us with its tonal shifts … but its wild careening from sentimental to super scuzzy makes it seem like the moviemakers lost track of what they were trying to do.” To them I say: LIGHTEN UP, FRANCES. You knew it was a raunchy comedy going into it. No one expected Strays to be an Oscar contender, but we all like a good time, and Strays is absolutely that. (Warning: Video below features foul language!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGKmwKSpxeg The R-rated comedy follows the life of Reggie (Ferrell), a super sweet but extremely naïve and gullible Border Terrier who’s more of a glass-half-full personality. It’s a great role for Ferrell, allowing him to return to the nature of his character in Elf. credit: Universal Pictures Reggie lives with his owner, Doug (Will Forte, of Macgruber ), who’s a complete and total dick as far as pet owners go and a total loser as far as grownups go. Doug has no job, no money, no life, and no girlfriend, and he spends his days being a slob, smoking pot, guzzling beer, and living off his struggling mother’s social security checks. Will Forte as Doug (credit: Universal Pictures) Reggie loves Doug and thinks he’s a great pet owner who likes to play Reggie’s favorite game: “Fetch & F**k.” This is where Doug drives somewhere and throws a tennis ball then leaves while Reggie searches, hoping Reggie won’t find his way home. When he does show up with the tennis ball in his mouth, Doug’s response is always, “F**k.” So, one day after Reggie accidentally breaks Doug’s favorite bong, Doug drives Reggie four hours away to a big city, backs up to an alley, then throws the tennis ball for Reggie to chase. When Reggie runs after it, Doug leaves. Sad, right? It really is, right up until the moment Reggie meets Bug (Foxx), a once-owned-but-now-stray Boston Terrier with street smarts, a sharp tongue, lots of love, and a giant, tough-talkin’ personality. And as a recent Boston Terrier mama, I can say this personality is quite accurate. When Reggie tells Bug how he wound up in the alley, Bug tells Reggie his owner left him on purpose and he’s now a stray, then befriends him and decides to help him adjust. credit: Universal Pictures As Bug walks Reggie through the city, he tells Reggie there are three rules to being a stray: (1) If you want it, pee on it. (2) You can hump whatever you want. (3) You’re on your own: “You’re a stray now! You can do anything you want!” Bug also takes the time to point out how weird and mean humans can be. Bug notes that while they’re awesome because they drop food all the time, they’re also evil because they collect dog poop and snip the balls off of male dogs. Bug says humans love "this thing called chocolate,” and he’s convinced the reason chocolate is so good to humans is because the secret ingredients are dog poop and dog balls. So, along the way, Bug and Reggie hit the park, where Reggie befriends other animal companions: Maggie (Fisher), a person-owned Australian Shepherd who doubles as a scent queen, and Hunter (Park), a Great Dane (i.e., “the muscle”) who is a former police dog turned therapy dog, who always wears a cone—not for a medical reason but because it makes him feel safe. Hilarious, right? I know. credit: Universal Pictures credit: Universal Pictures When Reggie introduces himself to the pack, he says his name is, “Shitbag, or sometimes Dumbass Shitbag … or F**k Nugget.” When Maggie asks if that’s what his owner calls him and Reggie says yes, she, Hunter, and Bug kindly point out that those aren’t terms of endearment and that Doug sucks. As Reggie’s shiny, innocent reality shatters right before his sweet little eyes, his sadness turns to anger as, with the group's encouragement, he declares he’s going to find his way back home and take away Doug’s favorite toy: “I’m gonna bite his dick off." So, together the four embark on a long journey to get Reggie home, whereupon they encounter vicious predators, animal control officers, the wrath of God, and even some mind-altering mushrooms. There’s a lot about Strays that make it a must-own movie. In addition to its script and cast, Strays features an outstanding soundtrack full of N.W.A., Ludacris, Doja Cat, Olivia Rodrigo, Tony K, Travis Scott, Reem, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd (with Playboi Carti and Madonna), Post Malone, and more. And guys, these songs are paired with the perfect accompanying scenes, most of which are shot in super creative slow motion with epic comedic undertones. Sometimes overtones. Strays is packed levity throughout the cruelty driving the story, such as the festival scene. Reggie tells the group he remembers passing “a big wheel in the sky and it smelled like hot dogs.” Maggie goes to work and picks up a scent, leading the gang right to the county fair. As the strays make their way through the crowd of humans, Reggie steals a link of hot dogs. When the others find out he stole from a human, they panic, but Reggie tells them to relax, “No one saw.” At that very moment, fireworks erupt and Hunter shouts, “GOD SAW!” as they all freak out and run, thinking God is trying to bomb them for stealing hot dogs from a human. That scene, ladies and gents, is side-splitting hysterical. It’s so good, you’ll back it up and watch it again. Likewise, in another great moment, as the dogs stop to howl, it turns out that all can howl except for Hunter, who literally howls by saying the word “howww-ling.” It’s quite adorable. As a former Great Dane owner, I can attest that what they do sounds more like a “roooo” than a howl. Then there’s the scene where the dogs come upon a sea of mushrooms and think they’re food, so they eat as many as they can … and proceed to trip their balls off. It makes for one psychedelic good time, as the strays hallucinate a gaggle of toys they then proceed to tear up. When they awaken the next morning and realize the toys were actual rabbits, they feel like serial killers and leave the forest in shame. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmWQmj7GJjk There’s even a story within this story that focuses on a little girl gone missing, whom the strays actually come across and rescue. It’s very, very sweet. And, I’ll go ahead and spoil it for you because it’s no big surprise, but Reggie does make it home to Doug and bite his dick off in an epic scene of vengeance that plays out to Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking Ball.” Overall, Strays is absolutely one of the best animal movies ever made, for adults only. It’s a beautiful story of awareness, friendship, family, and brotherhood—er, doghood—as well as courage and strength. The writing is funny and clever, remaining sweet with endearing moments, and all dogs featured in Strays were absolutely amazing. In fact, they all were legit strays adopted and trained or came from the pound and were adopted and trained. For more on that, go down the YouTube rabbit hole and enjoy that ride. Strays is currently streaming exclusively on Peacock and available for rent or purchase on Apple TV, Video On Demand, and Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzwOLKTbCUw Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with a voracious appetite for entertainment consumption and an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches, even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Acid Bath are Louisiana cult icons of sludge and southern metal. < Back Nick’s Corner: From the Swamps to Concert Halls, the Legacy of Acid Bath Nick Cline Nov 26, 2024 Share Acid Bath are Louisiana cult icons of sludge and southern metal. Acid Bath was born from the depths of Louisiana . Its sludgy riffs, dark poetry, powerful but vulnerable melodies, and pounding rhythm section launched the Houma-grown band into the cult classic stratosphere. Here we are in 2024, and their music resonates just as much as it did back in the day. I may not have been around for their heyday, but I am seeing the influence of this iconic band more than ever in the present day. You cannot mention Louisiana metal without mentioning Acid Bath . For those not familiar, Acid Bath began in Houma , Louisiana, in 1991. The initial creation of the band was the brainchild of multiple people from two separate bands. The first influential band was Dark Karnival , which consisted of Audie Pitre , Sammy Pierre Duet , and Tommy Viator . The second band was Golgotha , which featured Dax Riggs , Mike Sanchez , Jimmy Kyle , and Jerry "Boon" Businelli . The camaraderie within both bands led to a constant rotation of musicians, eventually leading to the bands leaning into each other when needed. The culmination of these two bands created a lightning-in-a-bottle moment that the world was waiting to see. The "finalized" line-up was Dax Riggs (lead vocals/guitar), Mike Sanchez (guitar), Sammy Pierre Duet (backing vocals/guitar), Audie Pitre (backing vocals/bass), and Jimmy Kyle (drums/percussion). Credit: Wikipedia Over the years, Acid Bath has cultivated a devoted following by pioneering a unique sound that cannot be categorized. Their blend of riffs reminiscent of Black Sabbath , the relentless rhythm of punk , grunge , and metal , and the soulful poetry infused with blues and alternative energy created a musical force that emerging bands cannot touch. Even today, their music stands the test of time and sounds as fresh as the day it was released. In 1993, Acid Bath recorded their first demo, Hymns of the Needle Freak , which gained quick and fierce traction in the Gulf scenes. In 1994, the legendary album When the Kite String Pops was released to the world. Most of the general audience knows this album by its iconic album art, which features the painting of the infamous serial killer, John Wayne Gacy , in his haunting Pogo the Clown costume, but it is so much more than that. The vibe that this album has is so unique and different from anything else out there, and it truly stands the test of time. Click to listen Songs such as ‘ Cheap Vodka , ' Scream of the Butterfly ,’ and ‘ Dr. Seuss Is Dead ’ are among the most popular in the track listing, but one of my favorites is ‘ Tranquilized .’ When the Kite String Pops’ powerful sound in the '90s put Acid Bath in a league of musical legends from across the country that included Pantera , Down , Corrosion of Conformity and many others, still, they never truly reached that career peak they deserved. Acid Bath’s success, alongside their sophomore album, Paegan Terrorism Tactics , cemented them into history books for metal bands nationwide, too. With potent tracks such as ' Paegan Love Song ' and ' Venus Blue ', this album solidified who Acid Bath was. However, still, the problem with this is that their legacy was not hammered into the souls of the listeners besides a very dominant cult following their creation . Could that happen now? I think so. Click to listen In 1997, the band ended abruptly when Audie Pitre , the bassist, died in a fatal car accident. This unexpected tragedy cemented the end of Acid Bath , as the music world knew it, or so we thought. Enter the present day. Even after almost 30 years , Acid Bath 's legacy continues to thrive in the swamps, streets, and hearts of the metal world in Louisiana and beyond. Their unwavering commitment to originality is what most people remember from their music. This sentiment was echoed by many in my interviews. One anonymous source shared that Acid Bath was among the first music and shows they discovered, sparking a sense of wonder and scale in the Louisiana scene. Ryan Henry , better known as We Are the Virus , shared his take on encountering Acid Bath member Sammy Pierre Duet at shows. "Sammy makes the audience feel seen. The one time I got to meet him, he made an effort to shake my hand, hold a conversation, and give time to me in the midst of so many trying to get his attention." This year marked a new milestone for Acid Bath . In October, the band posted a statement that confirmed something was brewing, but what exactly? They announced their involvement in a couple of music festivals in the northern United States, but is this a true return? After the announcement, the internet exploded with support and shock, which only fueled the fire that Acid Bath started in the 90s. The true power in their legacy is not only their music—it is their originality, home-grown talent, involvement in the scene, and overwhelming mission to make a mark on the music world, even though life has pushed them down repeatedly. Acid Bath will live on from the depths of Louisiana, and I am here for it. Even though I was not old enough to know their music back in the 90s, I look forward to this new era with the band and await more news from these iconic musicians. After you finish reading this article, go listen to Acid Bath’s music if you are unfamiliar. I guarantee you will be hooked after that first listen. To learn more about Acid Bath: en.wikipedia.org Acid Bath - Wikipedia www.acidbathofficial.com The Official Acid Bath Website The Official Acid Bath Website www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nick Cline is the powerhouse behind the Louisiana-based band, Phantum Sun , and loves checking out new music. Got something you think he'd like? Email us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Select Stoner Movies in Honor of 420 < Back Chillin’ Out, Maxin’, Relaxin’, All Cool: Celebrating Cannabis Culture with Cinema Keeley Brooks Apr 20, 2023 Share Select Stoner Movies in Honor of 420 ‘Tis a beautiful day in the neighborhood, my friends. It’s sunny out, the week’s almost over, and—oh yeah!—it’s 420! Holla! That means it’s the perfect time to chill out at home, be cool, and indulge in one or several of some of the best stoner movies ever made. While there are multiple versions about the theories and origins of 420 being the California penal code or police radio code for marijuana, they’re actually not true. According to the History Channel , it all began with a group of students in California in the 1970s and centered around a treasure hunt in 1971 involving five high school kids who created a ritual for getting high. The Waldos, as the group was called, learned of a Coast Guard member who had planted a cannabis plant and could no longer tend to the crop. So, provided with a treasure map—perhaps by the plant’s owner, but we don’t know for sure—the group met at the Louis Pasteur statue outside their high school once a week to conduct a search for the plant. Their meeting time? 4:20 p.m. Apparently these kids were athletes, so they had to meet after practice. Then, allegedly, the Waldos would pile into a car, burn some leaf, and scour the Point Reyes Forest for the illustrious plant. One of the original members of the Waldos, Steve Capper , told the Huffington Post , “We would remind each other in the hallways we were supposed to meet up at 4:20. It originally started out 4:20-Louis, and we eventually dropped the Louis.” While the Waldos never did score their free bud, they instead stumbled upon something much bigger and longer lasting by coining the term 420, which has allowed teens across the globe to rap with their friends about smoking pot without their parents or teachers knowing what they mean. As far as how the term spread internationally, that seems to have everything to do with the Grateful Dead. Capper told Huffington Post that members of the Waldos had open access and many connections to the band, because one of the Waldos’ father managed the Dead’s real estate, and another Waldos member had a brother who was good friends with Dead bassist Phil Lesh. Capper explains, “There was a place called Winterland, and we’d always be backstage running around or on stage and, of course, we’re using those phrases. When somebody passes a joint or something, ‘Hey, 420.’ So, it started spreading through that community.” However it originated and spread across the world, we are grateful (no pun intended). And in honor of that gratitude, today (and perhaps through the whole weekend) we celebrate 420, and in my world, well, that's none of your business. Here are some of my favorites stoner movies worth revisiting or checking out. The Big Lebowski (1998) – This Coen Bros. cult classic is certainly my favorite stoner flick, and it should be at least in your top three. Jeff Bridges stars as The Dude, a grown man in Los Angeles named Jeff Lebowski who desires nothing more out of life than taking it easy, smoking his Js, and bowling. When his identity is confused with that of local millionaire Jeffrey Lebowski, aka The Big Lebowski, The Dude’s world begins to unravel, and he’s pulled into a web of comedic intrigue and shenanigans that only the Coen Bros. could weave. The shenanigans kick off right from the get-go with The Dude being roughed up in his own home, having his head shoved in the toilet, then having to watch his precious rug get peed on. The nerve! Now, The Dude’s on a mission to get his rug replaced. After a bowling game with his sidekicks, Vietnam war vet Walter Sobchak (John Goodman, The Conners ) and the sweet, empathetic Donny Kerabatsos (Steve Buscemi, Fargo ), The Dude tracks down The Big Lebowski and soon finds himself as “the bag man” responsible for handing off a ransom in hopes of kidnappers returning The Big Lebowski’s porn-star wife, Bunny (Tara Reid, American Pie ). The Dude is very easy-going and being embroiled in this situation upsets his chi. It’s in that juxtaposition that the film is hysterical on multiple levels. Plus, it stars John Turturro ( Severance ) as Dude’s bowling rival, Jesus, and Julianne Moore ( Boogie Nights ) as Maude Lebowski, The Dude’s lady friend and a feminist avant-garde visual artist, as well as the protagonist daughter of The Big Lebowski. I could write all day about this movie and its characters, plot, and subplots, but I’ll just let you watch it for yourself and soak up all those Coen Bros. nuggets of dialogue. You’re welcome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fIWtaK1QLQ Dazed and Confused (1993) – Some of the most famous Matthew McConaughey movie quotes on the planet originate here, and this one is a must-see, especially since it’s McConaughey’s first role. “Say, man. You got a joint?” he asks a young high school kid on the way to an end-of-school party. When the kid says no, McConaughey’s character smiles and with such coolness says back, “It’d be a whole lot cooler if you did.” It’ll make you both melt and laugh. Littered with quotable dialogue, this film by director Richard Linklater ( Everybody Wants Some ) features an ensemble cast of authentic American high school archetypes and exploits them during an afternoon on the last school day of the year in May 1976 that’s spent hazing younger students, searching for good times, avoiding any authority at all costs, and dreaming of the future. You’ll see Parker Posey ( Lost in Space ), Ben Affleck ( Gone Girl ), Milla Jovovich ( Resident Evil movies), Adam Goldberg ( The Equalizer tv show), Joey Lauren Adams ( Big Daddy ), and Cole Hauser ( Yellowstone ), to name a few. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aQuvPlcB-8 Friday (1995) – This stoner comedy film franchise was created by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh, and when it hit theaters, it HIT! Taking place in South Central Los Angeles, the series follows the exploits of perpetually unemployed Craig Davidson (Ice Cube), who—along with his friends and relatives—is thrust into various issues that happen to occur on a random Friday. There’s so much about this movie that is worthy, but I must mention it doesn’t just feature but stars a very young and absolutely hysterical Chris Tucker ( Rush Hour series), who plays a character named Smokey. “I know ya don’t smoke weed, I know this,” he tells Craig (Ice Cube). “But I’m gonna get you high today cause it’s Friday, you ain’t got no job, and you ain’t got shit to do.” That line sums up the entirety of the movie, which plays out with two friends hangin’ out all day on a Friday, making jokes, and observing the ongoings in their neighborhood whilst adding in their commentary. Tucker did not appear in either sequel, which perhaps is why they weren’t as well received as Friday was, but nonetheless: This one is also a must see and is another one of my top three favorites. As Smokey says, “Weed is from the earth. God put this here for me and you. Take advantage, man, take advantage.” I hope wherever you are today, even though it’s Thursday, you can “take advantage” in honor of Smokey. Also stars Tommy Lister Jr. ( Jackie Brown ), Nia Long ( Big Momma’s House ), Regina King ( Jerry Maguire ), and Bernie Mac, among many other recognizable faces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii5ILbK86Qg Pineapple Express (2008) – Written by Seth Rogen ( Knocked Up, Superbad ) and Judd Apatow ( Old School ), this comedy is about a lazy stoner and process server (Rogen) who winds up being the sole witness to a murder by an evil drug lord (Gary Cole, Office Space ) and a corrupt cop (Rosie Perez, White Men Can’t Jump ). Now marked for death, the stoner does what probably any stoner would do: He runs right to his dealer (James Franco, 127 Hours ) to hide and ends up dragging him and his supplier (Danny McBride, The Righteous Gemstones ) on a hilarious weed-fueled adventure. What ensues next will have your face hurting from laughing so hard. Also stars Craig Robinson ( Hot Tub Time Machine ), Ed Begley Jr. ( Young Sheldon ), Joe Lo Truglio ( Brooklyn Nine-Nine ), and Amber Heard ( Aquaman ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUnaQTKQNis Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) – Man, what a classic. When Korean-American office worker Harold (John Cho, The Grudge ) puts off his work responsibilities and decides to smoke up instead with his Indian-American homie Kumar (Kal Penn, Smile ), together they create one of the absolute best product placements in movie history after they start craving those yummy little burgers from White Castle. On the way there, of course, shenanigans unfold and they run into Neil Patrick Harris ( How I Met Your Mother ), who plays a womanizing version of himself that is so outrageous, you’ll have to back the scene up and rewatch it again. Harold and Kumar also find themselves riding a cheetah through the woods and we get a montage featuring a life-sized anthropomorphic bag of weed. Now tell me, what would you do? Mmm hmm, that’s what I thought! The film is quite the entertaining ride, yes, but it also magnifies the issues of racial prejudice existing even to this day in our country. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PjPSqp12wtk Super Troopers (2001) – Over-enthusiastic but under-stimulated Vermont State Troopers raise pure hell on the highway, keeping motorists anxiously watching their rear-view mirrors. They’re avid pranksters with a knack for f**king everything up and are always looking for action. One way they do that is by engaging in an ongoing feud with local cops over whose junk, er, manhood is the biggest. When they are faced with the government wanting to shut them down, the “Super Troopers” find themselves precariously and hilariously speeding towards calamity as they try to out-do the local police department by solving a crime and avoiding extinction. Stars Jay Chandrasekhar ( Beerfest ), Kevin Heffernan ( Tacoma FD ), Steve Lemme ( Club Dread ), Paul Soter ( Tacoma FD ), and Erik Stolhanske ( Beerfest ), Brian Cox ( Succession ), and the famous comic Jim Gaffigan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV6wkUIMrl8 Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke (1978) – Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are, without a doubt, the grandfathers of weed comedies. The two starred together for the first time in this flick, which sees them accidentally transport a van made of marijuana from Mexico to the United States, with narcotics officers hot on their trail. Cheech and Chong go together like movies and popcorn, so it’s no surprise their easy-going camaraderie drives the movie as viewers are led on a hazy trip from one location to another, avoiding repercussions from their actions. You don’t have to be a fan of stoner comedies to enjoy this one, but it is important to note that this flick pretty much paved the way for others in the genre. It’s a classic and a must see, as well as a worthy addition to your queue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcCrQv6aEM8 Grandma’s Boy (2006) – I have to say, I wasn’t a fan of this movie when it came out, but upon a second and third go at it, I changed my mind. The plot centers on video-game tester Alex (Allen Covert, The Wedding Singer ) and the work and life circumstances that lead him to the point of having to move in with his grandma, played by Doris Roberts ( Everybody Loves Raymond ), and her friends, played by popular tv actress Shirley Jones and Shirley Knight ( Paul Blart, Mall Cop ). From there, the movie just becomes a laugh-out-loud series of embarrassing yet hysterical moments. Also stars Peter Dante ( The Waterboy ), Kevin Nealon ( Weeds, The Wedding Singer ), Nick Swardson ( Reno 911!: Miami ), and Linda Cardellini ( Avengers: Age of Ultron ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgZ3a5dxRms Other stoner flicks to check out: Your Highness (enjoy the "glorious herbs" scene!) Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back Half Baked How High This is the End American Ultra Smiley Face Road Trip Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches. Even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

10 Miles Into the Dark is a carefully crafted journey. < Back Exploring Darkness and Depth: A Review of Dark Miles’ 10 Miles Into the Dark Nicole Brice Sep 26, 2024 Share 10 Miles Into the Dark is a carefully crafted journey. With fall here, I have decided to review one of my favorite new albums from this year for you because it perfectly fits the fall mood. Released on April 25, 2024, 10 Miles Into the Dark is the first solo album from Portuguese musician Pete Miles and is a meticulously crafted piece from start to finish. No stranger to the music scene, having fronted the band MOSH previously, Pete has crafted a fantastic album with a constant theme of 80s new wave influences; it’s got synths, guitars, and beautifully crafted lyrics, making for one solid effort. This 10-track album blends heavy, melodic undertones with a shadowy ambiance that makes it strangely cathartic. Released April 25, 2024 As the album title suggests, 10 Miles Into the Dark isn’t just a collection of songs but a thematic journey. The “10 Miles” could be interpreted as the stages of emotional descent, exploring themes of isolation, personal struggle, and the human experience when faced with despair and uncertainty. The “dark” isn’t literal darkness but a metaphor for the unknown, the fears and doubts we often hide from. The concept of a gradual descent is prevalent throughout the album, with each song building upon the last, moving deeper into a dense, gloomy atmosphere. The tracks serve as individual chapters in this narrative, guiding you into the album's complex emotional soundscape. Let’s get into the track listing, shall we? 10 Miles … It is a hauntingly beautiful opening song that starts softly and then continues to build, setting the tone for the album. Your Heart is an Empty Street This song is the first single released from the album. It’s upbeat, with a new wave edge, and full of soul and depth. We also reviewed it here , so read more about it via the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI-hZGHrhes When the Lights Go Out It is one of the most influential and poignant songs to come out of the industry in a long time. It resonates with lyrics that speak of hope, love, and unity. We need freedom for all. Yes, yes, we do. Pete’s vocals are full of emotion and conviction. This song will evoke some feelings, so have the tissues handy. Because of the message and lyrical content, I feel this song will be a very important song in the future. I could even see Pete re-recording this song with the legendary Aaron Lewis of Staind . It's that good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsLyx8Eo3sk Running in Circles This is a low-key track with beautiful synths and soft vocals. It’s very mellow and soothing. Don’t Let Me Fall Apart This song departs from the vibe of the rest of the album. It starts with a country twang on the guitar and beautiful vocals. Nothing Left to Feel This song starts with a pulsing synth beat and evolves into a song full of 80s nostalgia. The synths remind me of Depeche Mode . Favorite lyrics from ‘Nothing Left to Feel’ : “ Save me from this poisoned room – just take me anywhere but here. ” The Waiting This song has a Smiths meets Echo and the Bunnymen vibe. Great track. One Last Goodbye This song starts with the sound of rain coming down and then the guitar – and it hits you. All at once. Pete’s voice has tinges of Andrew Eldritch from The Sisters of Mercy on this track, which is terrific. Dear Enemy This is a solid rock song. Quite enjoyable. …Into the Dark ‘Into the Dark’ is the perfect exit for a well-crafted album. It’s plain hypnotic. 10 Miles Into the Dark is a stunning debut that establishes Dark Miles as a band to watch. The album’s ability to balance beauty and brutality, light and darkness, makes it a compelling listen from start to finish. Be sure to check it out NOW! I’m confident you’ll love it as much as I do. To learn more about Dark Miles: Bandcamp : musicdarkmiles.bandcamp.com 10 Miles Into The Dark, by Dark Miles 10 track album Distrokid : distrokid.com Your Heart Is An Empty Street by Dark Miles Stream and Save Your Heart Is An Empty Street - Distributed by DistroKid Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/4XvSRfdTywsHsvqbCHbOgQ?si=A_NaSa0gS0uCBTmX0xHG2A Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/darkmilesband Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/darkmilesband X : https://x.com/darkmilesband YouTube : www.youtube.com Dark Miles Dark Miles the solo project of Pedro Lima (a.k.a. Pete Miles), lead singer of the extinct band from Portugal (MOSH). MOSH were a rock band that existed between 2004/2010. MOSH played at big festivals, and as a support act for renowned bands, like Marilyn Manson, Ill Niño, Soulfly. Their video had frequent airplay on MTV Portugal and nominated for Best Newcomer Act by MTV in 2007. They were also invited by the streetwear brand "Volcom" to play at the brand's world event in Biarritz. Pete went into an artistic hiatus that ended with the arrival of the pandemic, which led to an album focused on his influences beyond the heavier spectrum of rock, the 80s and 90s alternative rock. Influences from Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Peter Murphy, The Sound, Psychedelic Furs and Peter Gabriel, to Mad Season, Stone Temple Pilots, Chris Cornell, Mother Love Bone, Temple of the Dog, Mark Lanegan, etc, Pete Miles tries with this album to pay homage to these two brilliant decades of international music. *Cover photo via Facebook Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Oppenheimer shines as Christopher Nolan’s best, most hypnotic film to date < Back Film Review: Oppenheimer Shaun Corley Jul 25, 2023 Share Oppenheimer shines as Christopher Nolan’s best, most hypnotic film to date Christopher Nolan has returned to theaters with Oppenheimer , which may stand as his best film to date. Nolan occupies a rare niche in American cinema: He makes intelligent, layered movies that are given the same marketing treatment as Mission Impossible or MCU offerings. Very few other filmmakers can pull this off; Nolan’s only peer in this realm may be Jordan Peele. For Oppenheimer , Nolan pulls out all the stops, creating a long, dense, and ultimately hypnotic film. Christopher Nolan left a grand impression on movie-goers with his second film, 2000’s Memento . Starring Guy Pearce, the movie followed an amnesiac as he attempted to piece together various clues, such as cryptic tattoos, in a bid to discover his life before. Memento was smart and did not insult the viewer’s intelligence. These qualities would be present in Nolan’s next movie, a 2002 remake of Insomnia . A career high for the late Robin Williams, Insomnia ensured Nolan’s place in American film, a promise that came to fruition with the director’s Batman trilogy. While movies such as Memento put Nolan on critics’ radars, Batman Begins and its two sequels made the director a household name, affording him a status unlike any other. In 2020, he released Tenet , which opened to fair reviews and a low box office–although to be fair, the film was released during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time in his career, Nolan had polarized the critics and audiences. While Tenet may be ripe for rediscovery one day, it remains the one film that did not receive universal acclaim from critics. However, with Oppenheimer , Christopher Nolan comes roaring back, reasserting himself as one of the best directors working today. Oppenheimer is, at its core, a biopic. It tells the story of Doctor Robert J. Oppenheimer, a young physicist who is recruited to the Manhattan Project during World War 2. Cillian Murphy (L) as Robert Oppenheimer (R); Source: Associated Press At the beginning of the war, United States intelligence learned that Germany was conducting atomic experiments, with the goal of creating a weapon. In response, the U.S. created the Manhattan Project, with the intent of beating Germany to the punch. Oppenheimer was recruited to lead the Project, despite protests from the military. A key aspect of the Manhattan Project was its secrecy and compartmentalization; the facilities and scientists were scattered across the country, all working towards the same goal—even if they didn’t know what it was. Of course, America did develop the atomic bomb, dropping it on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on August 6th, 1945. The film touches on Oppenheimer’s ambivalence towards the bomb, particularly after it is dropped. In one powerful scene, the Los Alamos scientists learn the bomb worked, and Japan has surrendered. Many of the scientists celebrate joyfully, but a few do not. As Oppenheimer leaves the party, he sees his fellow researchers crying or vomiting in horror of what they unleashed. Source: Associated Press The film’s final part focuses on this fallout. Before the war, Oppenheimer had talked to (but never formally joined) the United States Communist Party—a fact that Lewis Strauss tried to use against him when it came time to extend Oppenheimer’s security clearance. Some of his friends, such as Doctor Edward Teller, sold him out in the hearings, and the film touches on this as well. Oppenheimer features a jam-packed cast: Cillian Murphy ( Peaky Blinders ) as Robert Oppenheimer, Emily Blunt ( A Quiet Place ) as his wife Kitty, and Robert Downey Jr. ( Iron Man ) as Lewis Strauss, the former chair of the Atomic Energy Commission. Each of these actors gives great, Oscar-worthy performances. Murphy, a frequent collaborator of Nolan’s, hits a career high as the titular physicist, embodying both his hopes and his fears for atomic energy. Emily Blunt, as Kitty Oppenheimer, stands out as well. She is the woman of an intelligent man, and she is every bit as smart herself but must take a back seat to her husband. A pointed commentary on gender roles at the time, Kitty still nevertheless supports Oppenheimer through thick and thin. Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt as Robert and Kitty Oppenheimer; Source: Associated Press Finally, Downey shines as Lewis Strauss. Strauss pretended to be Oppenheimer’s friend, but it was revealed he was ultimately the one who torpedoed Oppenheimer’s security clearance. Downey perfectly embodies this political sleaziness, pretending to be Oppenheimer’s friend while simultaneously selling him out. Robert Downey Jr. as Lewis Strauss; Source: Associated Press The supporting cast is enormous and also features some stand-out performances. Florence Pugh ( Black Widow ) plays Jean Tatlock, an ardent Communist who had an affair with Oppenheimer. Jack Quaid ( The Boys ) plays the notorious Richard Fenyman and Benny Safdie ( Licorice Pizza ) plays Edward Teller, two other scientists who worked with Oppeheimer on the Manhattan Project. Others turning in great performances include Tom Conti ( Peripheral ) as Albert Einstein, Josh Hartnett ( Penny Dreadful ) as Ernest Lawrence, and Gary Oldman ( Slow Horses ) as Harry Truman. As mentioned earlier, Oppenheimer is a biopic . This is a genre that has proven popular with moviegoers as well as critics. However, these films tend to be overproduced and over-sentimentalized; some use the term “Oscar Bait” to describe them. These arguments are not without merit, as these films can sometimes gloss over certain aspects of the subject’s life. Nolan breaks the biopic mold with Oppenheimer. The film is not a simple retelling of events but instead uses a challenging narrative structure to tell Oppenheimer’s story. The film regularly jumps from era to era, offering viewers the chance to see Oppenheimer both at the Manhattan Project and years later at his security clearance hearing after the Project ended. However, it is a testament to Nolan’s skills as a director that the story flows smoothly, despite the structure. There is much to like about Oppenheimer, such as the performances and its structure. It would be a disservice not to discuss Ludwing Goransson ’s stirring score, which he recorded in just five days. Nolan built a name for himself working with composer Hans Zimmer; however, Zimmer did not work with the director on Oppehemier . Instead, Goransson, whose other scores include Black Panther and Fruitvale Station, among others, delivers a fantastic soundtrack--his score perfectly complements the film. Oppenheimer ’s three-hour runtime may be daunting to some viewers, but rest assured it is time well spent. Between Nolan’s superior direction, the stellar performances, and a killer score, Oppenheimer is hypnotic, drawing fans in and keeping them hooked. While the film may be difficult to get through for some, patient viewers will be rewarded with not only one of the best films of the year, but also, perhaps, Christopher Nolan’s best as well. Oppenheimer is currently in theaters across the U.S. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYPbbksJxIg Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, but they're far outnumbered by comic books and the smell of rich mahogany lingering in the air. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

T. Mason and the Bricklayers < Back Laying the Foundation: Brick by Brick Nicole Brice Dec 12, 2022 Share T. Mason and the Bricklayers My late teens and early twenties were filled with nothing but punk music. At 41 years old, getting to hang with punk bands while conducting interviews for Mixed Alt Mag , I feel I am getting a chance to rediscover my youth and it’s almost as if I’m listening to punk music for the first time. Travis Mason has been a fixture on the South Louisiana music scene ever since I can remember. I first was acquainted with his talent and stylings via a friend’s punk band, The Skullniks , when I was 19 years old. With the nickname, “Tiny”, this man is nothing short of even being remotely small and that includes his talent. Getting to hang with him and learn a bit more about what all he brings to the music scene was a hilarious experience and I, literally, look up to him now. No, seriously, he’s so tall that I must stretch my neck to look up at him. May I present T. Mason & the Bricklayers . Josh Selser, Andy Clancy, and Travis Mason of T. Mason and the Bricklayers (credit: Gary Governale) Taking their band name from a combo of his own name and that of his beloved canine friend, this group of guys are full of personality, so get ready! Bricklayers, mount up! The next big band on the scene. I can feel it. The time is long overdue for some new and fresh good old-fashioned pop punk music. The band is comprised of Travis Mason of Justin Bailey on drums and vocals, Josh Selser of DeadCentered on bass, and Andy Clancy , formerly of Starscream’s Revenge, on guitar. Using the three-piece band formula made famous by many others before them, these guys bring the noise both musically and personality wise. credit: Gary Governale When Travis is not focusing on T. Mason and the Bricklayers, he is heavily involved with Justin Bailey , Audrey Seymour , and iLiaka , all of which have different sounds and are of different genres making him a very well-rounded musician. He also runs his own studio out of the house called Volcano Studios , which I had the pleasure of seeing and this beast of a set-up was impressive. What does this man NOT do? Growing up in a strictly country music household where he began writing song lyrics when he was an adolescent and citing Tre Cool from Green Day as the reason for his want and need to play drums at 13 years old, Travis is one of the most ferocious drummers on the kit locally. Not to mention, his sense of humor will leave you in stitches. credit: Gary Governale NB : So, I’ve been checking out some of your stuff and you are so talented. Anyone that can play drums and sing at the same time, do you know how incredible that is? TM : Well, thank you so much. NB : No, dude, I’m just being serious. First, love the band. Love “Future Retro”. TM : Have you gotten a chance to listen to the three-song demo? “Future Retro” is the single, bay-bay. NB : Yes, love it, too. Not sure if you’ve gotten this comparison, but if Fat Mike from NOFX joined Face to Face, that’s T. Mason & the Bricklayers. TM : Oh, honey, that is high praise. Thank you so much. Face to Face is like my favorite vocalist. NB : Your music takes me back to those days of skateboarding and just listening to music and just hanging out and it’s that feel good punk rock sound that we need these days. TM : Because when you’re young, especially in those times it’s like every day was an adventure and anything could happen and you’re on the edge of eternity. You get together with your friends and every day is a new exploration into something amazing. You’re working at McDonald’s three days a week, not giving a damn. Yep, I can see that. NB : I see good things for your band, because I don’t know if you notice, but the type of punk you play is making a comeback. It’s like there is a nostalgia for it. They say time repeats and it’s coming back, dude. So, Demolition demo, you have it on Bandcamp, but are you doing physical CDs at the shows? TM : Right. Exactly. I’ve got a CD burner and I’m burning them myself and putting in the work, writing on them, the whole handmade feel to it. NB : Well, you know that’s the whole punk aesthetic, the DIY attitude. Just do it yourself. So, production. Did you do all the production and recording on this yourself, too? TM : Absolutely. Very proud to be able to work on a lot of that self-sufficiently. I have a lot on there that I recorded myself, but I also had some other people help me mix it and finalize it and all. I’m finally getting confident enough to put out stuff I did solely in house, which is an achievement. It might not be as good as some of the other stuff, but I take a lot of pride in the fact that I took it from conception to production and then a final product. NB : Knuckles, homie. TM : That’s right, knuckle up! The thing I’m most proud of is the band I’ve put together. We’ve got Josh Selser on bass, kind of like a secret weapon, but it ain’t no secret that guy gets right out front with it. Everybody tells me after they hear us play or hear a recording, “Man, your bass player”, and I’m like, “I know”. credit: Gary Governale NB : Josh is so talented as a musician, and I keep telling him that. TM : Yeah, I recognized his talent when I first met him probably when I was 15 years old. Before I was in the Skullniks, I was in another band. He was in a band called Bleeding Power with Michael Poole. He’s always played with Michael Poole. NB : They’re like a duo. TM : Yeah, they’re like a duo. Yeah. Mike inspires me because his bands have put stuff out. They’re out there recording. Audrey Seymour hasn’t recorded anything and iLiaka has a few things, but nothing comprehensive. [Justin] Bailey is kind of coming back from extinction. credit: Gary Governale NB : Now, let’s turn to current. As far as currently, are there any current bands on your playlist inspiring you? TM : Oh boy. Man. Yeah, sure. One of my favorite bands is a band called High and they’re from New Orleans and they’re comprised of all kinds of dudes from way back in the day that I know from New Orleans. I remember the first show we ever played. It was at Library Joe’s. Those guys played in two different bands and we just kind of put on a show and then we recognized each other from other bands and so they’re like us. Guys that have chosen this lifestyle and persevered to do cool shit. NB : Well, that’s the best lifestyle to have, to be quite honest. TM : Absolutely. NB : So, I want to ask you one more thing. Everyone wants to know future goals. What do you want to achieve going forward or what would you like people to know about you and your music? TM : Well, a lot of my material is quite personal and draws from my personal experiences I go through and a lot of it is very relatable because we all go through a lot of the same stuff. I like to make light of it. Light of some of these heavy issues to make them not so bad. A lot of it deals with loneliness or other things. I feel it puts a positive spin on these things, though. Through the process of the lyrics and making sense of it, by the end, you have something you can be proud of that brings you joy, and I think, man…if I hadn’t been through that trying circumstance, then I wouldn’t have this final product. I like to take a feeling and make something great out of it. I want people to connect with the lyrics and concepts and be inspired by it. I want to get deep, but not over people’s heads. I want them to be able to relate. On one level, you can listen to my music, and it hits you one way, but then in another way, people can listen and go, “Whoa, this dude’s kind of insightful here”. credit: Gary Governale To hear T. Mason and the Bricklayer’s newest release, head on over to their social media pages, Bandcamp, or YouTube. “The Demolition Demo” is out NOW ! Bandcamp: the demolition demo | T. Mason & The Bricklayers | T. Mason and the Bricklayers (bandcamp.com) Facebook: T. Mason & The Bricklayers | Facebook Instagram: T. Mason & The Bricklayers (@t.mason_and_thebricklayers) • Instagram photos and videos YouTube: brick vs. window - YouTube *All photos by Gary Governale* www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Chillin' with Fred Westra < Back A Humble State of Calmness Keeley Brooks Jan 12, 2023 Share Chillin' with Fred Westra You know that music that plays in yoga studios and on meditation apps, how soothing and relaxing it is? Sometimes it doesn’t even sound like a real person could be playing it because it’s so intricate, so ethereal. But, a real person does play those sweet meditative sounds you zone out on, and thank the stars for the internet because without it, I never would have stumbled across this beautifully artistic gem of a musician, who does just that. He is, without a doubt, sent from another planet to ease the minds of all who are stressed out with day-to-day life and need some gentle vibrations to relax and return us to center. That’s exactly what Fred Westra and his music do. I should know, because I’ve been listening to his music for a few years now when practicing yoga and meditation, and the effects on mind and body have been nothing short of healing. I won’t lie and pretend I don’t visit his YouTube channel from time to time just to watch him play an instrument with which I’m unfamiliar, and that is just as relaxing as listening to what he produces. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZN9dZsyFWII Fred is a composer of some of the most calming, creative musical vibes your sweet little ears have ever heard, and that’s an editorial guarantee. Perhaps the only thing better than listening to his music is watching him play these multi-cultural instruments with such tender care and emotion you just can’t help but be moved at your core over what you’re hearing and seeing. He lives in Beverwijk (near Amsterdam) in the Netherlands with his wife, Erika (a former yoga teacher), and is a composer, musician of many different instruments, studio technician, and producer. He’s also a man of deep humility and outward kindness, who positively affects everyone who crosses his path. He’s well known in many yoga circles for the music he produces and is a very popular go-to for teachers when searching for music to accompany their classes. I reached out to Westra on a whim, and he ever so kindly took some time out of his busy schedule to kick it in conversation with me, so settle in all you stressed-out beings; I've got your solution to stress right here. MaM : Fred, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. You and your music have accompanied me on more meditative journeys than I can count, so this truly is an honor. Tell us what all you play. FW : I play lots of instruments a little bit and I'm specialized in playing the guitar, though I think of myself as a total musician, more composer than musician. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWjLHfQsGZs MaM : When did your creative talents began to emerge? FW : When I was five years old, I heard the music of Ennio Morricone from the movie “Once Upon a Time in the West,” and I remember the sound of the violins and [the] opera voice made a huge impression on me. [To] this day, Morricone is still a great inspiration to me. When I was eight, my parents bought me a guitar. I was always very interested in music, but I did not know what to do with the guitar because I wanted to be a drummer. When I was 10, my neighbor friend [taught] me how to play blues on the guitar, and [I remember how] fantastic [it was] to learn to play! After that, I learned to play tunes from The Shadows (a pre-Beatles era English instrumental rock group) by ear. My taste evolved to Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, and all other famous rock guitarists. I just wanted to be the greatest guitarist alive! MaM : When did you know you wanted to pursue music? FW : I wanted to pursue music when I heard Stevie Ray Vaughan and (Swedish guitarist) Yngwie Malmsteen. These guys where so incredible! They inspired me to practice 10-12 hours a day. MaM : That’s true devotion to honing your craft, man. Very respectable. I understand you used to be in a metal band, Xhausted. Tell us about your time with them and how that took off. FW : In the early 90s, I was very inspired by metal bands like Machine Head and Pantera, so we started the metal band Xhausted. I never had a record deal, so I bought lots of recording equipment to get [one]. We recorded a demo and got [a] deal in Japan! By that time, my son was born, and he cried a lot ... a [whole] lot! My wife and I could barely handle [that] situation, so I quit Xhausted. [And] here's where my dream ended. I think it was a good thing to quit, because I am not the type to go on tour with a band. I love being at home. MaM : Oh, I very much relate to that! I’m an absolute homebody and much prefer to be in my own environment. What made you move towards meditative music? FW : In the early 2000s, my wife asked me to compose some yoga music for her. I was always interested in yoga and meditation music because I loved the positive vibe of [it] … just like nowadays I love the positive vibe of the music of Snatam Kaur (an American singer/songwriter/author who makes Indian devotional music). It makes me feel so peaceful inside. When I was recording metal music, [which is] technically very demanding, I always got a headache. Really. [laughter] It was hard working to play fast, technically, and precise. When I was recording yoga music, I felt very calm. Instead of making music with my head (to impress people creating complicated guitar parts), I was creating music with my heart. About six years ago, I said goodbye to the metal music. I sold most of my electric guitars and all my amps and pedals. I just wanted to focus on yoga music. My wife and daughter say I have ADHD, so creating calming music is almost a must for me. It keeps me grounded. MaM : I’m so glad you said that. That is exactly what your music does for me: grounds me. I don’t just listen for yoga or meditation; I also listen when I’m writing sometimes. Allows me to be more mindful and deliberate in my work. Would you tell us what you are currently involved in doing? FW : At this moment, nothing special … just creating new music for all yoga music lovers, and massage and Reiki therapists. MaM : What’s your relationship with/to music and to the art of meditation through your music? FW : Meditation is always a struggle for me. Can you imagine having ADHD and finding time to meditate? A few times a week, I'll meditate but find it hard to incorporate it into my daily life. Hopefully my music can inspire people to meditate more than I do. MaM : As someone who does not deal with ADHD, I cannot imagine. I just have an anxious brain that never shuts down, and I often find meditation difficult—unless there is soothing music to help me focus. That’s what your stuff does for me, so I’m certain it is doing that for others. Are there any current or upcoming albums? FW : There are always new albums on [the] way! I upload music to digital music stores under three different names: Zentral Ztation, Fred Westra, and The Samata Society. Zentral Ztation is massage and Reiki music. (Click images below to listen.) My newest release under Zentral Ztation is "State of Calmness." The Samata Society is a project I started to collaborate with other musicians, but I don't record with other musicians anymore. The music is more Eastern-oriented and [is] slightly more experimental. The curators of Spotify put together a playlist of Samata Society tunes. [It's all the essential Samata Society tracks in one playlist.] Music released under Fred Westra is yoga and meditation music. My most recent albums under [my name] are "Chakra Flute" and "Earth Frequency." MaM : If there’s a message in your music, what do you intend it to be? FW : If there's a message in my music, it would be acceptance . Every emotion needs to be felt and seen. When I listen to Bach's “Air”, I feel so much emotion. I also think it's unbelievable that someone can create such beautiful music. I hope one day someone thinks the same of my music. Bach's “Air” and Morricone's “Once Upon a Time in the West” are the templates of my music. If you hear one of my songs in minor, you actually hear Bach or Morricone. Mam : What’s next for Fred Westra? FW : Good question! I am 57 now and [have worked] for 40 years in (night) shifts. I hope that my music will [be well received] so I can make a living of it and don't have to work in the steel factory, though I also love this job. Luckily my music is doing very good, and I feel so grateful! MaM : Where can people find you and your music? FW : People can find me on Facebook and my music is on all the digital music stores like Spotify , Apple Music , iTunes , Amazon Music , Deezer , etcetera. And there you have it, my friends. If you're in the market for some creatively soothing tones to wash away your stress and leave you feeling completely rejuvenated amidst the chaos, I urge you to explore Fred's music under all his artist names. He is absolutely worth it, and your body and mind will thank you. *images courtesy of Fred Westra www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Judas Priest roll into Huntsville, AL with the Invincible Shield Tour. < Back Judas Priest: Probst Arena at Von Braun Center Bud Gambrell May 10, 2024 Share Judas Priest roll into Huntsville, AL with the Invincible Shield Tour. For many concert goers, such as myself, Tuesday, May 7th gave us a chance once again to witness the metal monsters Judas Priest . This concert was a huge accomplishment for me since I have been listening to this amazing band since 1978. As a teenager, I would listen to Stained Class , Hell Bent for Leather and Unleashed in the East in my room as my parents would yell to turn it down. My friends and I got to see Judas Priest Live in the early and mid-80s. For Tuesday's concert, though, I was back as not just a fan, but as a photographer. Being in the pit taking pictures of Rob Halford was an apex moment for me and Judas Priest did not disappoint! All these years later, Rob Halford can still carry every single note high and low. In many cases of rock singers, that does not happen. Rob Halford is still the reigning Metal God. The show was spot on. The band covered songs from every era old and new. They even played three songs from the new album, Invincible Shield . If you haven’t heard it yet, go get it! If this tour comes to a town near you, do yourself the favor of buying the ticket. This show is definitely one you do not want to miss. *All photos by Bud Gambrell bgambrellphotography.com Bud Gambrell Photography Bud Gambrell Photography is a locally owned and operated photography business in North Alabama. Call or email us today for an appointment. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Jrago < Back What Do a Musician, an Indie Label, and a Video Game Have in Common? Nicole Brice Oct 18, 2022 Share Jrago Jeremy Pourcy is what you might call a veteran of the local music scene in South Louisiana. He originally started out with Knever in 2001 and continues making music with his very own metal band Jrago , in addition to playing bass with the First Baptist Church Worship Team in Denham Springs , LA. And did I mention he is developing his very first video game, Jrago – The Demon Hunter ? Because he sure is! Jeremy was previously involved with bands Eden , The Mysterious Stranger , Ambassador , and Branded for Exile . Multi-talented and multi-faceted doesn’t even begin to cover what all this man is about. We recently sat down with Jeremy to pick his brain on many topics, and he was incredible! Set to release a new album on December 16, 2022 , Jrago and Jeremy Pourcy are a MUST on your worth-checking-out list. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Give us a short bio of everything you have been involved in. I’ve been reading up on you and you’ve been on the scene for many years. JP : Well, in 2001, I joined my first real band called KNEVER playing bass. The lineup was Jason Ourso on vocals, Rusty Laughlin on guitar, and Jon Maher on Drums. I attended high school with Jason and Rusty , so that’s how we knew each other. After a few years, we added Cody DeRouen on guitar. During this time, we almost got a record deal, which failed, but it led to me starting an Indie label called Jrago Records . By 2004, we ended up replacing Rusty on guitar with a dear friend of ours named Luke Fauver . We had played shows with his other band, Caustic 6 , but unfortunately in the summer of 2006, Luke passed away and the band broke up. MaM : …and then from there, you created Eden with your wife, correct? JP : Yes, later that year in 2006, I married my wife, Kelly Smith , and we began to write and record music together. We called our project Eden , and it was mainly just writing and recording at home. MaM : After Eden, you had quite a long list of projects. credit: Gary Governale JP : Yes, I did. So, in 2007, I got a call from Jason Ourso , and he was starting up a new rock band and needed a bass player. It was called Murder on Sunday , which would eventually be renamed to The Mysterious Stranger . My time in the band was short lived, however, and I was replaced with another bassist. A couple of years later, I was invited to play for an A Perfect Circle cover band called Sea of Names (Mer de Noms) . The line-up was Rusty Laughlin on vocals, Adam Shelton on guitar, and Jeremy Rasti on drums. I was playing bass and keyboards. We never played any shows, but we had a good 10 songs we practiced for several months. MaM : It was about this time that you guys decided to bring Knever back, right? JP : Rusty and I joined Jon and Cody again, but this time Rusty was singing. We called it Never Again as a bit of a joke. By 2011, it was finally show ready, but I ended up leaving the project after the birth of my daughter. MaM : And when did Ambassador come about—after the reunion of Knever? JP : 2015 – I get a call from Jason Ourso once again, and he’s starting a new rock band. This time, with Gabriel Vicknair on vocals and Ean Savoy on drums. That was the beginning of Ambassador … but, then in 2016, Knever was back in action and needed a new bassist, so I joined them once again. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8b0T32Wg8do In 2018, Kelly and I released our third Eden album, Window , and Ambassador released its first album, Belly of the Whale . Coincidentally, Knever also released an album, which was to become the final album, The Collection . credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, what happened in 2019? I know a good bit went down but tell me a little more. JP : Well, in 2019, Ambassador gave me the boot, developing problems in Knever led to a breakup again, and I started to play with Branded for Exile for a few months but then ended up leaving that, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNk0knNcoSY So, by 2020, I was pretty much all alone musically and was trying to record a song unsuccessfully. After a few months, I got a call from Jon Maher , who also left Branded for Exile , and eventually we got our song “ Into the Precipice ” recorded. And that was the start of Jrago . MaM : Obviously, Jrago’s name is a play on your own name and you guys have been releasing songs like crazy. I can’t even keep up. Give us a little more info. JP : With Jrago , we decided to treat each song like an album and release them all as singles. This method of writing and recording allowed us to focus on each song individually. By the summer of 2021, we had six songs finished and decided to put out some CD’s (yes, I realize it’s an outdated medium these days, but we’re kind of old skool). So, our first album was called Destruction Breeds Creation . Our second album will feature eight songs and it’s called Disconnect . We have the release planned for December 16, 2022. credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, you obviously do everything yourself, which I admire tremendously. I, myself, am the same way. What recording software do you prefer to use? JP : I use Apple’s Logic software for recording. As far as why? I had previously used Apple’s “ Garageband ” software, and the interface and button configurations are similar. In Jrago , my main goal was to be able to write, record, mix, master, and produce music without having to get anyone else involved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoD54kktIUE MaM : What has been the biggest obstacle musically since starting Jrago? JP : Guitar. Without a doubt, guitar. Being a bass player, it took quite a bit of practice to get my first guitar chops up to par to be taken seriously. Even now, I still consider myself amateur at best. In addition, vocals and lyrics were tough, too. Jon had been doing back-up vocals in our previous projects, and now he was able to shine as Lead Vocalist. So, both Jon and I are stepping out of our comfort zones and filling multiple roles in this project. While it’s difficult sometimes, it has allowed us to both grow musically. credit: Gary Governale MaM : As far as inspiration, from whom or where do you draw inspiration? JP : I believe music comes from God . As far as my influences, it would have to be my friends and fellow musicians. Growing up in South Louisiana , there has always been a ton of fresh, original bands all around me. I, honestly, listen to more local music and band room/live recordings than I do mainstream releases. If I had to list some big bands that inspired me, it would have to be Metallica , Tool , A Perfect Circle , Avenged Sevenfold , Nirvana , Pearl Jam , Soundgarden , Killswitch Engage , Dredg , Evanescence , Fear Factory , Times of Grace , The Empire Shall Fall , Eighteen Visions , 36 Crazyfists , Blindside , and Pink Floyd just to name a few. Be sure to check out and follow Jrago on YouTube , Facebook , and Instagram for the latest on upcoming releases and shows! Jrago | Facebook Jrago Studios | Facebook Jrago Records | Facebook Jrago (@jrago_) • Instagram photos and videos Music | Jrago (bandcamp.com) Jrago Records - YouTube credit: Gary Governale *All photos by Gary Governale* www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Unwelcome is Gremlins meets Straw Dogs and is rooted in tradition and mythology, infusing a creature feature with searing psychological horror. < Back Unwelcome: Film Review Shaun Corley Oct 16, 2023 Share Unwelcome is Gremlins meets Straw Dogs and is rooted in tradition and mythology, infusing a creature feature with searing psychological horror. The 2022 film Unwelcome mixes the real-world horrors of home invasions with a creature feature, and while the result can be a little uneven, it is still a satisfying watch. Directed by Jon Wright , who brought audiences Robot Overlords (2014) and Grabbers (2012), Unwelcome sets itself apart from other such movies by embracing 80’s style practical effects over CGI. Drawing on Irish folklore, Unwelcome was pitched by Wright as “ Gremlins meets Straw Dogs .” Unwelcome stars Hannah John-Kamen ( Ant-Man and the Wasp ) and Douglas Booth ( Great Expectations ) as Maya and Jamie, a young couple who are the victims of a brutal home invasion the night they learn Maya is pregnant. While Maya is unharmed in the invasion, Jamie is severely beaten. The trauma of the incident leads them to relocate to Ireland, where Jamie has just inherited his aunt’s old estate. Maya and Jamie are embraced by the locals—for the most part. The estate is in desperate need of repair, and the couple hire a family known as the Whelans to fix it up. credit: IMDb Colm Meaney as "Daddy" Whelan with Jamie & Maya (credit: IMDb) On their first night in the house, they are advised by local neighbor Maeve (Niamh Cusack, of The Tower ) to leave out a blood offering each night, to appease the “Redcaps.” Maya and Jamie dismiss Niamh’s warnings. The next day, the Whelan family arrives at the estate. “Daddy” Whelan (played to the hilt by Colm Meaney, of Hell on Wheels ) bullies his three grown children, played by Jamie-Lee O’Donnell ( Screw ), Kristian Nairn (Hodor, of Game of Thrones ) and Chris Walley ( The Last Voyage of Demeter ). The children, in turn, terrorize Maya and Jamie, starting by stealing small stuff from their house. Later, one of the children, Eoin (Nairn), tries to assault Maya, drawing the wrath of the Redcaps, who drag him away. Matters spiral out of control from there. Looking for his missing son, Daddy Whelan and his surviving brood ramp up their war against Maya and Jamie, ultimately culminating in another violent home invasion. All the while, the two must contend with the Redcaps and a legacy of evil that threatens to engulf them. The two stories collide in a brutal and unforgettable climax, ending on a truly horrifying note. Unwelcome has a good deal going for it. Like all good folk horror, Unwelcome is rooted in tradition and mythology, in this case from the British Isles. The film’s Redcaps are actual creatures from Scottish and English lore. Closely resembling leprechauns, Redcaps are said to kill those who enter their territory, staining their hats red with the blood of their victims. Also called the far darring , these creatures are evil and malevolent. The Redcaps are brought to glorious life using largely practical effects, which adds a layer of realism to their appearance. The Redcaps’ menacing look was designed by Paul Catling with prosthetics created by Shaune Harrison . The lack of CGI in Unwelcome is a breath of fresh air in today’s industry. credit: IMDb Yet Unwelcome is not merely another creature feature. Instead, Wright infuses the movie with searing psychological horror . Maya and Jamie have been through hell together, surviving a violent home invasion with their lives. Wright effectively explores the trauma the incident left on them: Jamie becomes increasingly violent and more protective of Maya, to the point of reading books on self-defense techniques. Maya, by and far, seems to have healed and moved on from the trauma, but Jamie cannot let it go. It is a bleak and stark reminder that recovering from trauma takes time, if it happens at all. Wright described the film as a “home invasion thriller,” invoking the classic Sam Peckinpah film Straw Dogs (1971). Indeed, there are a number of similarities. Maya and Jamie, much like David and Amy in Straw Dogs , have relocated to the countryside, running up against provincial thinking and customs and mores that are wildly different. And just like Straw Dogs , this mistrust and tension builds to an explosive final conflict, one in which there are no real victors. One of Straw Dogs ’ themes of violence causing us to lose our humanity is taken to its extreme here in a bloody and unsettling ending. These elements could make Unwelcome a truly great movie, but the execution is a little uneven. However, the performances, particularly from Colm Meaney, more than make up for any deficiencies in the script. Likewise, Douglas Booth does an excellent job of chronicling Jamie’s descent into madness, one spurred not only by painful memories from London but also by the supernatural events going on around him. A fine addition to the folk horror canon, Unwelcome manages to rise above any flaws to become an entertaining movie. Unwelcome is currently streaming on AMC+, Prime Video, and DirecTV and is available to rent or purchase on Shudder, Google Play, Vudu, AppleTV, and Roku Channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQCAgCKQ5WY Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, which are far outnumbered by comics and the smell of rich mahogany. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The philosophy of the Saw franchise and its iconic serial killer mastermind John Kramer cuts deep beneath the surface into the realm of Nietzschean nihilism. < Back The Philosophy of John Kramer and the Saw Franchise, Part 1: Film Analysis Ezekiel Kincaid Oct 19, 2023 Share The philosophy of the Saw franchise and its iconic serial killer mastermind John Kramer cuts deep beneath the surface into the realm of Nietzschean nihilism. In 2004, Director James Wan introduced us to a new kind of horror icon with the release of Saw : John Kramer, aka Jigsaw. In case you haven’t seen Saw , here’s what you should know: It’s one of the best and highest-grossing horror franchises of all time, having become a pop culture phenom that expanded into various other films, video games, comic books, theme park attractions, music, and tons of merch … and there’s even a Saw television series rumored to be in development at Lionsgate Television . The Saw series revolves around serial killer mastermind John “Jigsaw” Kramer and his apprentices, who are actually victims he traps in life-threatening scenarios that he refers to as tests or games. It’s up to the victim to decide what their scenario will be. What makes Jigsaw different from other horror icons like Freddy, Michael, Jason, and Pinhead is that John doesn’t kill for the thrill. in fact, he claims he’s never killed anyone at all. He simply gives people a choice. “Live or die. Make your choice,” is uttered more than once from him through the Saw franchise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaANSeQ3La4 As the storyline progresses, we find out more about what makes Jigsaw tick and why he does what he does in capturing people and putting them in traps. Immediately, Saw ’s storyline taps into our empathy, and in a weird, way we understand where he is coming from. Franchise creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell humanize Jigsaw and make us sympathetic to his plight, and they do so well with tapping into our psyche, that while watching the movies, we actually cheer for John Kramer at times. Saw features excellent storytelling, great tension, and creates so many moral gray areas , you can’t help but walk away from these movies thinking deeply about ethics, philosophy, and morality . This is because John Kramer thinks he has found the way to rehabilitate people and that is by placing them in traps that, if they survive, will help them walk away with a new appreciation for life. So, this topic will be a four-part series, but with this first part , I’m going to do something vastly different from the other film reviews to which you guys have become so accustomed. You’re used to seeing the snarky, sarcastic Zeke who enjoys making you laugh by subjecting myself to some terrible B movies. But behind the smart-mouthed persona, I have a deep intellectual and philosophical bent consisting of three degrees in theology, and with those degrees came lots of courses in philosophy. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I would take a special interest in the Saw franchise. Besides The Evil Dead , Phantasm, and The Conjuring universe, the Saw movies are by far my favorites in the horror genre. Cracking the Philosophical Code of Saw and John Kramer I’m so taken by the Saw movies that I have spent years watching and rewatching them, meticulously taking notes and trying to figure out where John Kramer falls on the philosophical spectrum. After years of research and comparing Jigsaw to numerous philosophical thoughts, I believe I have cracked the code. Now, I don’t know if Wan and Whannell ever had this in mind when they thought up Kramer’s character, so I cannot speak to their intent. All I have to go with is how John Kramer is portrayed in the movies. That being said, I believe that John Kramer’s philosophy fits squarely within the realm of Nietzsche's nihilism. Let’s unpack this theory and compare Kramer to Nietzsche, shall we? Over the years, I have read numerous articles arguing how the Saw franchise is ethically convoluted. On the surface it can seem this way, and I will be the first to admit it. However, instead of just making a broad, sweeping statement, I believe once we take a deeper look, it all begins to make sense, especially once we look at it through the eyes of Nietzschean nihilism, which can be subdivided into two categories: passive nihilism and radical nihilism. The complexity surrounding John Kramer exists because, ironically, he falls into both categories. This would explain why, on a cursory viewing, the Saw franchise’s ethics seem to be disjointed. Indeed, what comes out of Jigsaw’s mouth at times is hypocritical, but when seen in this new light, they are not confused. Before we jump neck-deep into the world of philosophy, I want to assure my readers of something. I know not everyone has a philosophy background, and I know as soon as someone mentions the word “philosophy” it can be intimidating. Though I have all these theological degrees, I assure you I’m just a blue-collar redneck at heart. I promise to make this understandable and not use lofty jargon, and for the times I have to, I will define the words. Feel better? Good! Let’s continue. First, let’s define nihilism : It basically summarizes a family of thought that says life is meaningless . It rejects all religious and moral principles, including the fundamental aspects of human existence. It is skeptical of all human knowledge, morals, and religious ideologies. Nietzsche , the father of modern nihilistic thought, took this category and divided it into two parts: passive and radical. In talking about nihilism in his book " The Will to Power" (1967), Nietzsche defines a nihilist as someone “who judges of the world as it is that it ought not be and of the world as it ought to be that it does not exist.” To put it in blue-collar terms, all he is saying is that because purpose and meaning in life is unknowable, the nihilist cannot accept the world as it is. Understanding nihilism is extremely important if we are going to make sense of Jigsaw's morality, since it is his morality that drives the Saw franchise. In fact, when we view his morality through this lens, it shows us how coherent Jigsaw’s moral mission is in his own mind and to those of us watching the franchise unfold. I have read other critics who call John Kramer a monster and comment how the film does damage to viewers because it promotes a mindset that is against modern ethics. Sure, I can see how and why the critics would say this, but their criticism doesn’t hold up once we firmly place Kramer in the camp of nihilism. As I will unpack in this series, Kramer’s moral quest is not to save other people and leave behind some immortal legacy ; rather, what Jigsaw wants to do is more destructive. His aim is to destroy the world as is by changing the world around him. This, my friends, is nihilism. Viewing Jigsaw through nihilist eyes shows us that following the loss of his unborn son and a failed suicide attempt, he seeks to destroy himself. How so? Go back and watch the Saw franchise. Have you ever noticed that Jigsaw’s victims MIRROR his own obsessive traits? This is what I am going to break down for you moving forward. We’ll look at passive and radical nihilism, their differences, their similarities, and how Jigsaw fits within both these paradigms. My goal is not to categorize John Kramer but to give us a lens to view the movies through to make sense of his morals and mission. So, for the next few articles, sit back, get your Saw movies queued up, and let good ole Uncle Zeke take you on a magic philosophical carpet ride. Stay tuned as we cut deeper beneath the surface in Part 2 of The Philosophy of John Kramer. Ezekiel Kincaid lives for horror and loves to watch it, write about, and talk about it, whether that be in his own horror novels or in reviews. His experience as a pastor and paranormal investigator brings everything he writes to life. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Phantum Sun’s music blends the ethereal with the visceral in a lush atmospheric fusion. < Back Phantum Sun: An Immersive Journey Through Sound Margo Leblanc Aug 26, 2024 Share Phantum Sun’s music blends the ethereal with the visceral in a lush atmospheric fusion. Phantum Sun , a Louisiana-based band from Lafayette known for its unique sound and dependability, has recently surprised the local music scene with its unwavering work ethic and drive. But why? What started it all, and who influenced them? Who is Phantum Sun ? Phantum Sun is grunge with a bit of rock and a little alternative . They don’t have one specific category that their music falls into. The band makes music for those who appreciate the artistry of creating songs. Phantum Sun started because of Nick Cline and Alec Louviere's high school aspirations to create together. In 2023, when long-time friend Drake Lasseigne joined the two, the line-up became complete, and here we are. The trio is full of spirit and angst, shown heavily in their music. Nick is on vocals and guitar, Drake is on bass, and Alec rounds it all out on the kit. Credit: Facebook Phantum Sun’s music balances the familiar warmth of nostalgic tones with a forward-thinking approach to composition. Lyrically, Phantum Sun is all about introspection and emotional depth. The lyrics aren’t always straightforward, but that’s part of their charm. With three singles under their belt, the band’s latest song, ‘ Robbery ,’ was released in May 2024 and is reminiscent of early 90s alt-rock by The Smashing Pumpkins , Screaming Trees , and Buffalo Tom . Mixed Alt Mag recently had the opportunity to speak with the guys from Phantum Sun about their music, aspirations, and more. Take a moment to learn what makes this band so unique below. MAM : Thank you for speaking with me today. First, who inspired you to pursue music, and how did they influence your original songs? Alec : Anything 80s related to rock' n’ roll got me to get up and start learning drums. Feeling the beat and sound of that era made me want to get up and do the stuff these guys were doing. Drake : I’ve been interested in music since I was a kid but didn’t have an outlet to learn to play an instrument until middle school. I took up saxophone, but it’s not the type of music I was into. My dad loved the look and sound of the grunge movement in the '90s, so he showed me the hard bass lines of Krist Novoselic and the melody powerhouses Layne Staley and Jerry Cantrell . No questions what inspires me to make music. Nick : My biggest inspirations were my love of blues, grunge, metal, and everything really. I grew up listening to Ozzy Osbourne , Metallica , Stevie Ray Vaughan , Soundgarden , Green Day , and Alice in Chains . Eventually, I found myself fascinated with garage rock, which was my tipping point regarding sound and songwriting. All my influences have now fused to make one absurd amalgamation of tones, influences, and passion. It all ties together to make up the sound of Phantum Sun. Credit: Facebook MAM : How would you describe writing new music and the process that goes with it? Alec : I like to feel what the other two put together, then come in and see what fits the style we’re going for in that specific song. Drake : Nick writes the guitar parts and lyrics, so whenever he shows them to us, I watch and listen to what he has to say and start thinking of bass lines that match to get the best bass line I can for that particular song. Nick : I usually write many lyrics and guitar parts per day. Then, I bring the melodies, guitar parts, and lyrics to the band. After that, we jam and feel out the idea until it sounds like what we want as a unit. Credit: Facebook MAM : Who would you love to collaborate with one day? Why that person? Alec : I’d personally love to collaborate with Tommy Lee , just to study and learn about his drumming style. Drake : Definitely, Dave Grohl . Dave is my favorite musician and seems to be a genuinely good guy. He knows so much about the industry that I could learn from. Nick : I would love to collaborate with Jack White . Jack is why I picked up the guitar five years ago, and I haven’t put it down since. His guitar tone and passion for music would make for a wicked collaboration that would lead to me learning more as a musician. Credit: Facebook MAM : Where is your favorite venue where you’ve performed so far? I know you guys have been playing shows like crazy. Alec : I enjoy outdoor venues, partially because we can be as loud as we want; it feels freer, and the crowd tends to engage more. Drake : The 19th Hole in Houston, Texas has been my favorite so far. The bar's vibe has been immaculate every time we’ve been there; the stage is huge, and the sound guy is amazing and does such a great job. Nick : My favorite venue is a toss-up between Artmosphere and the 19th Hole . Both venues have shown unimaginable kindness to me and the guys. The vibe and sound of both venues keep me wanting to come back more and more every time we play there. Credit: Facebook MAM : That’s awesome. Having the support of the venues is enormous, in my opinion. What skills have you learned along the way that help you to be productive as a musician? Alec : After learning bits and pieces from other bands that we’ve played with, I’ve learned to practice consistently, but also being patient really helps when it comes to drumming. Drake : To me, it’s the chemistry between Alec, Nick, and me on and off stage. It never gets tedious or tiring if you trust each other. Nick : Practicing, trust in the process, hard work, networking, and the ability to learn from the smallest lessons are all skills that I have adopted and built on to become a more productive musician. Credit: Facebook MAM : What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses in being musicians? Alec : I think my strengths and weaknesses go hand in hand; it’s weird. I’m still learning as we go. Drake : The ability to blend what Nick does on guitar and Alec does on drums into something that makes the song thicker and heavier. My weakness is my age, which is due to my lack of experience. I’ve only been playing bass since 2021. Nick : I think my greatest strength as a musician is my never-ending sense of wonder and passion for music. It keeps me on the path of learning and evolving as a songwriter and musician. My greatest weakness is my need to be too hard on myself. Credit: Facebook MAM : Outside of music, what other hobbies and interests do you have? Alec : I know it’s probably not a “cool” thing to admit, but I’m a huge wrestling fan. I’m all about anything WWE . I also love puzzles, if anyone needed more proof of me being a nerd. (laughter) Drake : I’m a big outdoorsman. I love hunting and fishing, especially here in my home state of Louisiana . I feel so comfortable when I’m either on stage, on a boat, or in a duck blind. Nick : Outside of music, I am deeply interested in learning about anything I can, writing, watching horror, fantasy, sci-fi, etc., reading comics (preferably DC), and whatever else sparks the ADHD fuel in my head. Credit: Facebook MAM : What would you be doing if it weren’t for your interest in a music career? Alec : In all honesty, I have no idea. I never really had a backup plan. Drake : I’d probably be going to college for something related to the tech industry, but I never really had a plan B in mind. Nick : I would be in a field related to writing. Writing has always been my second love, after music, so anything dealing with that would be great for me. With their first tour approaching this fall, Phantum Sun continues to work hard to make a name for themselves in the local scene and beyond. If they come to your town, take a chance and see them live. You might just be a little surprised. They are a band built on hopes, dreams, and aspirations of someday making it big with raw talent and an unconditional love for music. That love fuels their drive to pursue no other life paths besides making music for the masses. To experience the music of Phantum Sun, just hit one of the links below. Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/5PdjxAClNtSIyvvnj2vgsU Apple Music : https://music.apple.com/us/artist/phantum-sun/1710758804 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@phantumsunofficial Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/people/Phantum-Sun/61556703719338/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/phantumsunband/ www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Margo Leblanc loves listening to music, writing about music, and discovering new music. Do you have a band you think she'd like? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next

An insider’s perspective on the Louisiana film industry < Back Behind the Screens with Kelly Mills C.G. Smith Jul 5, 2023 Share An insider’s perspective on the Louisiana film industry For quite some time now, Louisiana has been dubbed Hollywood South due to the many film and television productions happening in and around the state, mostly down in New Orleans but also in the capital city of Baton Rouge. According to the Louisiana Film & Entertainment Association , there have been over 2,5000 films and tv series shot in the state thus far. However, of all the cities used as settings, New Orleans is surely the city that has seen the most, with an explosion in numbers of productions being filmed pre- and post-Covid. More productions mean a greater need not just for actors but also for all the important people running around behind the scenes making everything work and flow. These are the people responsible for ensuring filming goes smoothly and according to plan, for creating the costumes and building and operating props, sets, and cameras … all the choreographers and coaches and stand-ins, the sound engineers and crews and special fx teams, the assistants and screenwriters and editors—all the people who make up the industry’s foundation but don’t often get the attention and credit they deserve. Kelly Mills is one of those people. courtesy of Kelly Mills Having been involved in the Louisiana film industry for over a decade now, Mills has had experiences working as a production assistant, as part of the camera department, as part of the art department in set decoration, and most recently as a grip. “It just depends what I get hired for,” Mills says. “It’s a gig-based industry, so it changes.” From working on popular tv shows like Strangers Things , Salem , and Your Honor to known films like Where the Crawdads Sing , Mills has been an instrumental part of making sure what’s supposed to run smoothly (and be historically accurate) does just that. She’s a hunter, a gatherer, a creator, a set designer, a prop master, an art director, a fixer, and a most dedicated, loyal worker. She’s also a complete ball of fun to be around. I was able to sit down with Kelly in January of 2023 to talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all from an insider’s perspective. Grab yourselves a tasty beverage and kick back as you read about what it’s like working in the Louisiana film industry today. MaM : So, you’ve been working in the Louisiana film industry for ten years, right? KM : The first gig I ever had was in 2009. That was up in Shreveport, and I’ve been working in the film industry since then—full time since 2010. MaM : How’d you get started, what did you start out doing, and what do you do these days? KM : This takes a little bit of exposition. So, I graduated with a degree in theater in East Texas, which had absolutely no jobs whatsoever, so I moved to Shreveport and started tending bar. These two guys started coming into my bar with carpet samples. I asked, ‘Why are you sitting at my bar, taking up space with these damn carpet samples?’ They said, ‘[We’re] from California and we are art directors in the film industry.’ One day they asked me what I thought about their carpet samples. I told them they were all ugly and they needed new samples. Then they asked [if I wanted a job] and I said yes. I had no idea what this job would entail, but yes. The next day they called and said, ‘[We are] working on this movie and we need an art department intern.’ I asked, ‘When does it start?’ and they said, ‘Now, but we can’t pay you anything.’ So, I did it. Sometimes it’s kind of obvious when things are being thrown in your face, like this is what you need to do. So, I worked during the day on set for this movie and at night I still did my full bartending shifts. I did the whole movie that way. MaM : What movie was it? KM : It was called Playing for Keeps with Gerard Butler and a bunch of other people. It was ye old general romance, ‘Oh no, what do I do? There’s a kid. I’m in love with her, I’m in love with him – divorce – ahh!’ You know, that kind of thing. That’s where I first started. MaM : So, you weren’t just picking carpet samples. What did you start out doing and what are you doing now? KM : I started out as an art department intern, which legitimately meant I went and got coffee, I rode around with the art director, I helped him take notes, [and] I did a lot of basic sign designs and things of that nature. Then I figured out that I was going to next move to working on set as a production assistant. Because at that time there were some movies in Shreveport, but not a lot, and you needed to get paid for what you were doing, so I started working on set as just a general production assistant – getting actors coffee, shushing people, telling people to be quiet, where you can’t walk – that kind of thing. I was a production assistant for a very long time, probably three-and-a-half years. To move from a production assistant to work in the director’s guild, you need about that amount of time to get your days and submit all the information to try to join. I quickly figured out that it was a miserable job, and I didn’t want to do that anymore, so, I got lucky when a TV show called Salem came and I got to move back into the art department and set decoration world. I started working with them as their coordinator and working with their set decoration buyers. So, essentially, for a good while I was nothing but a professional shopper, which is a wonderful and incredibly stressful job all at the same time. Then I moved from set decoration to working the property department, which is very, very similar. I moved in the art department world for a good while. This was in the days before then-Governor Bobby Jindal put the cap on the tax incentives, but it was after Katrina hit New Orleans and a bunch of the productions had moved up to Shreveport. So, it was kinda like this weird wild, wild west where you just took whatever job you could take at the time—it didn’t really matter what department it was in. You just did what you had to do to get the job because that was the only job in town. Then, in 2015, I believe in June, Bobby Jindal put the cap on the tax incentives. I moved to New Orleans because [he did that]. Literally within a week of him announcing that he was capping everything, I knew that Shreveport was never going to see – at least for a good stretch of time – they weren’t going to see a union job, and I had just gotten into the union. The only place in all of Louisiana – if you were going to be filming in 2015 and after, you were either going to be working in New Orleans or living in New Orleans and working in Baton Rouge, that’s it. Maybe there [were] a couple of little low budget ‘I heart Jesus movies’ or Hallmark or whatever, but not anything that was union or paying. MaM : I heard you say that cap on the tax incentives actually led you to get married. KM : It did! It did! My poor husband, bless his heart. So, my husband Joe also works in the film industry. He’s a grip. He had come up a couple of times, working in Shreveport, and we did this LOW budget ‘I Heart Jesus’ movie called Dancer and the Dame . We met and hit it off, became friends, and we did a couple more low-budget things together in Shreveport. Then, in June 2015, the TV show I had been working on, Salem, had just wrapped and not a week after, Governor Jindal announced that the tax incentives were being repealed. I was like, ‘Crap, what am I gonna’ do?’ I called Joe and was like, ‘Hey dude, so I gotta’ move away from Shreveport and I’m moving in with you.” He was like, ‘Oh, that’s cool. Well, I totally would love to have you, but I don’t have an extra bedroom.’ I was like, ‘No, that’s fine, I’m literally moving into your bed – I’m your girlfriend now.’ He was like, ‘Oh, well, yeah, I think that’ll work. You’re gonna’ do that?’ I said, ‘Yeah, man, I literally just sold everything that I own, I bought a new car so I could get myself down to New Orleans, and I’m coming tomorrow.’ He’s like, ‘Oh, well, I guess that’s what we’re gonna do!’ We decided to get married six months later. MaM : What a great story. (laughs) So what are you doing now? KM : I move back and forth between the camera department. courtesy of Kelly Mills I got really lucky—I worked in the art department for years and years; it’s one of my favorite jobs. I love doing it, but it kinda got stale for a little while, so I was talking to a couple of my friends that work in the camera department and they were like, ‘You could do this.’ I was like, ‘Yeah! I could do that! Show me what to do!’ At the time, in the summer of 2021, we had so much work it was just crazy, because we were still trying to come back from the demand from the gaping hole of Covid-19. We were creating content like nobody’s business, and that requires union labor. So, they hired me, and I’ve been really enjoying working in the camera department now. It’s been interesting because I’m learning a whole bunch that I never even thought that I’d be capable of – I’ve always been the art girl. I’m the ‘I’ll bring the glitter, I’ll bring the fake drink, do you need orgies? We’ll do the orgies.’ That was my gig for years and years and years. Then, all of a sudden, they were like, ‘Here’s this camera that’s worth, like, a house; why don’t you pick it up and mess with it?’ I was like, ‘Oh, God!” MaM : That’s a lot more technical than the arts department. KM : In the art department, I have eight different ways that I can make vomit, depending on what the scene calls for. I have lovely vomit recipes. I know how to move a couch by myself … that kind of work. This [camera] is completely different work, and I’m really having a great time learning how to do it and stretching myself as a union employee to be able to do this work. MaM : Tell us about an average day on a set. Are there major differences between film and TV? KM : There aren’t really a lot of major differences between film and TV, except for with TV, you pretty much shoot a little film every week, which is rough. You have a shorter prep time, but you’re still expected to produce a film-like quality production. On an average day, our call time will be between 6 and 7:30 a.m. You show up and they provide what they call a non-deductible breakfast, which is a courtesy breakfast. You go, you eat breakfast, and then you show up to your prospective truck – whichever department you happen to be working in. courtesy of Kelly Mills So, let’s say I’m working in the prop department. I get my tool belt and look at the call sheet so I know exactly what to anticipate for the day. Say we’ve got [an] ‘explody bomb’ [on the list]. I already know how the bomb works, [and] this is what I need to give to the special effects guys who are actually going to make it all ‘splody.’ I know how to explain to the people that this is safe, it’s not going to ‘splode all over them, things of that nature. So then at call time, that’s when we start unloading our trucks and pushing our carts. Everything is in bins and carts. We usually send someone ahead that works with the actors on set for any hand props they need for the day. We set up and then you find out two important things: Where’s the bathroom and where is craft services. Do they have sandwiches? You make sure that you anticipate any unexpected needs, you wind up coming up with a lot of creative solutions for really, really, weird requests, whatever it may be. Whatever you can possibly think of, we have come up with weird solutions on the fly. Then there’s lunch, which is a good six hours after you start, Then you go back to work for another six to eight more hours. Our minimum is usually twelve [hours]. It’s not guaranteed that we’ll be in the same place all day. You’ve got to move your carts, you gotta take props away, you gotta give props back to them—a lot of minute details. Then you wrap and go to Avenue Pub (when it was open for 24 hours) and have a drink, then you go home and wonder why you made the decisions in life that led you to work fourteen-hour days. MaM : What are the most locations you’ve been to in one day? KM : In one day I had five different truck moves, which means you unload the truck completely, you do your thing, then you load the truck back up and you go to the next location. That’s just the shooting crew. When you’re on the pre-production [team,] you move around all day. MaM : As with any job, it depends on the people you work with. Is it one big happy family on set, or are there ever issues? KM : I am extremely proud to work with the brothers and sisters of 478. courtesy of Kelly Mills Generally speaking, we are kind, courteous, and professional to each other. Of course, when you spend twelve to fourteen hours together, you’re gonna’ wind up butting heads, but I have never met anyone in the 478 that I can say I dislike working with. There are definitely a number of directors I’ve wanted to murder—learn how to read a plan! MaM : Can you tell us about your worst and best days on a set? KM : Oh God, it’s probably all the same day! (laughter) No, so my worst day was in Arkansas [on] a movie called Greater . This was in my last couple shows where I was still a [production assistant] but I was moving over to the art department. It was low budget, low rates, miserable non-union, and the last day we had to shoot for 24 hours straight. At that point, it doesn’t matter if everything has gone well, you still have been physically at work for 24 hours. It was just the worst feeling I’ve ever had in my life. I was in North Arkansas, of all places. It was cold. I was in the Arkansas University stadium; it was just miserable. MaM : Now what about your best day? KM : My best day was probably the first day that I really, really understood what I was doing in the camera department. The first day that I was able to go into the camera truck—this was on a movie called Fast Charlie with Pierce Brosnan (who is a lovely man, sweet man)—and pull out and prep everything that I knew I needed. It was just a good day! Nothing went wrong; nothing f**ked up on the camera; our cables didn’t fail; I didn’t have to haul heavy shit anywhere; and we were just in three different areas in the same place. I didn’t have to push the cart and it was just, it was lovely. I was just really proud of myself for being able to do it—something that I would have never thought that I could possibly do. courtesy of Kelly Mills MaM : … coming from bartending. KM : Yeah, coming from bartending and telling two guys their carpet samples were ugly. (laughter) MaM : Why do you think Louisiana gets so many film industry jobs? Is it just the allure of the city, the way it’s stepping back in time, or … ? KM : It’s a combo of things. Some of it is, of course, is the French Quarter, and then some of it is being able to … so many stories are southern. New Orleans, in particular, is equitable to other southern states. New Orleans can play Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia. You wanna do it, you can do it in New Orleans. You want mountains? Can’t do it in New Orleans. We also have the Central Business District, and we have an infrastructure, thankfully, based around the film industry. We have rental houses, Panavision—the camera rental house—prop houses, and stages where you can shoot all of this stuff. So, [I’d say it’s] between the allure of the French Quarter and the allure of telling southern stories in a southern city. Also having the infrastructure to do so, and then, I think, the icing on the cake are the crews of New Orleans. The grip brothers and sisters and kin, the prop people—all of the people that routinely work in the film industry that are dedicated to the job that we do. Simply put, I don’t think that I’m bragging here when I say that New Orleans and Louisiana crew works hard and are generous and kind people to spend a really long time around. Producers come back for that. Who wants to work with crews that are bickering and are mean to each other, which of course make delays that cost money? We have a strong and compassionate union behind us. I really think … all of that … is a 1-2-3 punch—a knockout. MaM : What are some of the most memorable productions you’ve worked on? KM : Obviously, Stranger Things . I was very lucky to work on Seasons 2 and 3 of that. That was rewarding. I worked the set dec department as a buyer. My job on Season 3 was to carve. It was set during Halloween, [so I had to] carve hundreds of pumpkins. Just hundreds of pumpkins. That was my job. That and they just pretty much gave me a van and cash and said, ‘Go to estate sales.’ They were very conscious of being period correct in literally everything that is on that set. I was literally taking apart appliances and looking for the serial number to see if it was made in 1983 or 1984. Some crazy person on the internet is going to find your name on IMDB, figure out that you worked in the set dec department and then message you. That happened to me. They’re crazy. That was one of my favorite ones. I worked on a TV show called Salem for three years. It was set in Salem during the witch trials and that really taught me how to work in time periods and period-correct shows. I really honed my skills on doing the research that was necessary. MaM : Was there ever a piece or something that you couldn’t find? KM: Thankfully not on Stranger Things . On Salem, we pretty much just had to roll with what we could get. I had a lot of things manufactured. The hardest thing for me was bicycles for Where the Crawdads Sing . We had kids on kids on kids riding period-correct bicycles. They had to be working and functioning, and period correct. So finally, I drove up to Texas, because thank God my dad randomly collects vintage bicycles. I went and raided the man’s barn. I took every one of them to the Freret Street Bike Shop (shout out to Aaron!) and was like, ‘Fix these for me!’ Working on period pieces is my favorite. That’s what I like to do. MaM : So, Stranger Things , Salem , and Where the Crawdads Sing— anything else that stands out? KM : Let me look at my IMDB, I’ve done so many things. Ok, I was the prop master on a movie called The Card Counter . [It was] the first movie I did coming back from Covid, and it’s been nominated for a couple awards, I believe, which I’m really excited about. It was directed by the same guy who did Taxi Driver . I did the entire first season of Your Honor as well. I was really, really proud of that. The thing that I am least proud of: So, I did a movie called The Case for Christ . It was the first movie I ever did in Atlanta. It was miserable, and it was with Pure Flix, which is the worst. They didn’t pay their bills. I had to fight them for every paycheck. They should call Jesus to ask them how to run their business. It was rough. MaM : You’ve worked in the art department. Anything you’ve made that you’re really proud of? Like the pumpkins on Stranger Things ? KM : Yes! Pumpkins on Stranger Things ! One of the things I am most proud of is that in my career I have helped create three different orgy rooms. MaM : Each one’s different! KM : Each one is completely and utterly different! My favorite one that I helped to create was on the TV show Claws . I was lucky enough to be the assistant art director on the third season and we just had so much fun. There was this big orgy room. The research I did, I can’t even begin to tell you how many lists I’m on now because of that. (laughs) MaM : Because of your web searches? KM : Because of my web searches! Like, every kink that you could possibly think of we crammed into one giant warehouse orgy and I’m just so proud of it! That’s one of three orgies I have helped create—NOT been a part of, but that I just helped create. I would like to point out that at one of them I did have a buffet a la It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The industry has been almost my entire adult life. I’m proud of the work that I’ve done. I’m proud of the union labor that we are able to do in the Deep South, despite such strong anti-union sentiment that is just built into the way that we’re raised. I’m grateful for our union leadership and the work that they do. If any of our crew members are reading this, right now we’re in such a very strong economic downturn, but I want to encourage you that we have been through this before, we will go through it, and we will not just survive, but we will come back, be strong, and make movies. Because that’s what we do. We love stories. We will continue to do it. For more on Kelly Mills, visit her IMDB page and take a peek at all the cool shit she’s done and been an integral part of helping create. And to Kelly and those like her, we as viewers have to recognize how much we appreciate all of your effort and hard work in creating something of quality that entertains the masses. As viewers, we often do not know what it’s like for any workers in the industry unless we personally know of someone, so next time you meet a Kelly Mills, be sure to thank him/her/them for all the hard work. Without them, we’d have to say to Russell Crowe in Gladiator , “No, Maximus, we are not entertained.” Fortunately, we’re all in a different position so we don’t have to say that. Let’s hope the entertainment continues to flourish, and as it does, Mixed Alternative Magazine will be there as a landing spot for all the independent artists working so hard to make it happen. For more on the Louisiana Film Industry, visit them online at www.LouisianaEntertainment.gov . www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Moon Tree is a down-to-earth musical odyssey intertwining jazz, blues, country, and rock to create art built of timeless stories. < Back Moon Tree: Reflecting the Sounds of the Cosmos Erica Machen Jan 17, 2024 Share Moon Tree is a down-to-earth musical odyssey intertwining jazz, blues, country, and rock to create art built of timeless stories. Have you ever sat cross-legged, captivated by your grandpa’s extraordinary stories? The mysticism and legacy within words passed through generations lasso your attention. A similar enchantment echoes from the sonic musings of Moon Tree. Hailing from the Muscle Shoals area in Alabama, the band, consisting of Jeremy Parvin, Greg Chapman, John (aka Chet) Hicks, Kevin Reed, and Grayson Wright, intertwines jazz, blues, country, and rock. They may be sharing some folklore, but these are no classic folk songs. Band members contribute distinct elements. Vocalist Jeremy Parvin draws from Southern Baptist roots, infusing vocals with 70’s artists, blues, and southern rock influences. Guitarist Greg Chapman underscores the collaborative songwriting process defining the band. Drummer Kevin Reed injects high energy and jazz nuances. Chet Hicks, the bass player, emphasizes the band's melting-pot vibe with his musical experiences from across the country. And Grayson Wright, on keys, ties everything together with his incredible talent and youthful spirit. Each of the guys brings their own flavor to their musical gumbo, creating a uniquely soulful blend. Just as each of their flavors is unique, so are their albums. Moon Tree’s journey through genres is evident, from the gritty jazz-and-blues blend of their debut to the country-blues rock of "Too Much Honey". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w3PMrmTiIY Moon Tree’s latest album, "Into the Unknown," released in October and immerses fans in a cosmic odyssey, merging 70’s hard rock sounds with blues and gives vibes reminiscent of The Black Crows. Moon Tree’s streaming catalog is a musical space odyssey. “Footsteps and Stones” tells of one North Alabama man’s tribute to his indigenous ancestor through a hand-built stone wall. She walked for five years from Oklahoma to come home to the “Singing River” that is the Tennessee. Not only is this a testament to the tale, but it is a testament to Moon Tree’s journey in crafting musical masterpieces. Like the story they are telling, their art is being built of timeless stones. Inspired by the ethereal and space, "Into the Unknown" takes listeners on an epic celestial journey. Mixed Alternative caught up with these down-to-earthers to learn more about what inspires their sound, how their name is tied to the Apollo 14 mission, and the recent release of their third album, “Into the Unknown”. Check out our conversation below, then be sure to follow them on social media and get lost in the ride. MaM : In the spirit of Moon Tree's unique sound, each of you, in your own words, please give us a snappy introduction that captures the heart and soul of your musical vibe. L to R: Grayson Wright, Chet Hicks, Jeremy Parvin, Greg Chapman, Kevin Reed Credit: Amanda Chapman JP : I sing and don't play an instrument, which is probably best for all of us. I'm the front man. I was raised a Southern Baptist minister’s son. Gospel has always had a big influence. In my vocals, I draw a lot from 70’s artists with blues and Southern rock-and-roll influences. GC : In Moon Tree, we all have different musical backgrounds. We come up with things on our own, then bring it together for everyone to work on it. We put it on vinyl and hope people will listen like they used to listen to music. KK : I’m Kevin, the drummer. I’ve always played in more hard rock bands. Coming into this group, they weren’t necessarily a hard rock band, but they had really cool songs. We blended a little high energy with some of the jazz-type stuff they had going on. We build new things with each album. The first album is kind of jazzy, the second is kind of country, the third album is kind of hard rock stuff, and the next one … who knows what it's going to sound like? I try to help facilitate that as best I can by making it louder. CH : I’m Chet, the bass player. I’d say the vibe of our band is what most of our shows have shown: a melting pot. MaM : I’m glad you mentioned a melting pot. I was going to say Moon Tree's sound is a gumbo pot of gospel, classic rock, Texas blues, and jazz. How do these musical flavors come together in your songwriting to create something uniquely Moon Tree? CH : There are a lot of different kinds of influences. Everybody brings something different and are from different backgrounds. I think that's what made Muscle Shoals so cool back in the 70s. It's really the same thing with us. We all try to come up with song ideas, and then we try to make it sound like Moon Tree. It always does. It's great! JP : There's a tradition here [Huntsville, AL] in sort of making your own music and making your own fun. We really like working on the songs and getting them to that point. We all seem to gravitate toward the same musical point, which is really nice. We start off with the idea that's pretty raw; at the end, it's really refined. I think everybody's songwriting skills come into play, because everybody's bringing something to it in a creative way. MaM : Chet, with extensive experience, you have been around the musical block, so to speak. Would you share how your diverse experiences help shape the band's process in creating original tunes? CH : I have just played in so many different kinds of bands that when we started doing this one, it was easy. It was easy because it was kind of clear from the beginning. It was like ‘Ok, we're not really going to have any musical rules.’ We're just going to try to write the best songs we can write and get the best recordings we can make. There’s a lot of things coming from different genres since I played a bunch of different kinds. I was ready to do it [integrate genres]. A lot of what we do is really unspoken and understood between us. MaM : The Moon Tree name is tied to the Apollo 14 mission … pretty cosmic stuff! How does this out-of-this-world connection influence your storytelling, especially when delving into themes like folklore, spirits, and alternative perspectives? Credit: Amanda Chapman GC : The Moon Tree name came from the moon tree over at Ivy Green. Steven Tyler came here, and he hugged the moon tree. Whenever we saw that, it was like ‘Moon Tree?’ You know, that would be a good name. JP : There was a forestry expert who went on the Apollo 14 mission with the astronauts. He orbited while they went to the moon, but he was tasked with taking some seeds up with him in the orbit around the moon. When they came back in the early 70s, they spread those out amongst all the forestry commission. They planted seeds in certain areas. There are lists online for them. A lot of our music is inspired by ethereal things and space itself. Our latest album is titled ‘Into The Unknown’ and is very much in that lane, especially the title track, which is written by our drummer (Kevin). It has a very sort of, I don't want to say spacey, but let's say heavenly feel to it. MaM : You’ve opened for heavy hitters like Jimmy Hall and Jefferson Starship. How have these experiences shaped your live performances, and can you spill the beans on a standout moment from those gigs? GC : I just want to say we really appreciate everything we've had an opportunity to do. We've been very fortunate to play some shows like Jefferson Starship. It's an amazing opportunity to play those kinds of show. It gives you experience for future shows so that you're ready for anything that might happen. That makes you want to play better. Whenever we opened for Nick Saban, that was quite fun. That was the first time I ever used one of those in ear monitors. It gave me experience. It’s those experiences that prepare you for when something big comes up. JP : The show he is referring to was a charity event we were able to play very early in our career as a band together. We were very fortunate to play before Coach Saban was going to speak for the event, and it was great. MaM : You guys just released your third studio album, “Into the Unknown”, in October. What fresh sounds or themes can fans expect, and what cool surprises should everyone be on the lookout for in Moon Tree's upcoming adventures? Click image to experience Moon Tree KC : Hopefully, in the coming year, we're going to be playing in different towns. We’ve done Huntsville, Birmingham, and things like that. We want to spread out a little and really play behind this new album. We're really proud of this album. It's still new. So, hopefully we're going to be coming to more towns, playing more shows, and writing new music. Tonight, we've been rehearsing and have already worked on four new songs. They're all kind of gelling together real good [sic], and it’s totally different from the last album. We're always kind of moving forward. There's never much of a down period in this band. We record an album, we put out an album, we play some shows, and then we do it all over again. That's kind of the way it goes around here. GC : I would just like to say that I really appreciate having great local places around here where we can play original music, like Lava Room , For the Record , and Champy’s Shoals . JP : We also want to throw a shoutout to our superhuman keyboard sorcerer, who doesn’t always practice with us, because he is perfect and doesn’t have to! His name is Grayson Wright, and he is young and hip to what the kiddos like! He provides brilliant, often improvisational, chops on any style of piano/keys/synth, you name it! Venture out a little further on your expedition and be sure to visit Moon Tree online at www.MoonTreeBand.com . Moon Tree | YouTube Moon Tree | Facebook Moon Tree | Instagram Moon Tree | Spotify Moon Tree | iTunes *Cover photo by Amanda Chapman Erica Machen is a beast when it comes to consuming, writing about, and reviewing music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

‘Come On Home’ is an upbeat and heartfelt anthem. < Back Reviews on the Real: Jared Daws Invites Us Back to Appalachian Roots with Soulful New Single ‘Come on Home' Nicole Brice Sep 16, 2024 Share ‘Come On Home’ is an upbeat and heartfelt anthem. Music truly can transport us to different places and times if the lyrics, vibe, and tone are just right. Enter Louisiana country artist Jared Daws , who has just released his latest, ‘ Come on Home ,’ an upbeat homage to rural country life and the relaxation that comes with it. Released September 6, 2024 The track has a strong opening that leads to crisp, clean vocals and a toe-tapping, head-nodding sound. With sing-along choruses and an incredible mix, Jared has managed to craft a feel-good song full of nostalgia and longing. Yes, just take me back to Appalachia, please. With a tinge of Louisiana flavor, Jared’s voice resonates with soul and strength. His vocals alone draw you into a song full of emotion that never lets up. This is truly an enjoyable track. The video , which was released on September 13, 2024 and is available on YouTube , paints a vivid visual and truly brings the entire song to life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rXvOFv6kJQ We were able to ask Jared a few questions so you can get a better feel for his newest tune. Check out our conversation below. MaM : Tell us a little about the inspiration behind your latest release, ' Come on Home '. What is the song about? How long did it take you to write the track? JD : ‘ Come on Home ’ is a tune about just getting back to your roots and doing the things that inspire you. For me, that’s being out in nature. Just breathing the air and hearing the sounds of the woods does something for me. The song came about from a little riff I wrote. From there, it all came together quickly. My buddy Pat Lyons , who plays for Colter Wall , helped me shape it up a bit, and it all came together from there. Credit: Cherish Ann / Memory Lane Photography MaM : Where was the new music recorded, and what are your plans for the rest of 2024 into 2025? JD : We recorded this tune in Nashville at The Owl studio in Berry Hill. A huge thanks to Pat Lyons (Colter Wall), Solly Levine (ex-Colter Wall, Noeline Hofmann), Preston Wait (Brothers Osborne), Geoff Henderson, Mitch Furr , and Katie Lang for helping me make this record! For 2024, we will just be ripping some gigs and getting ready to tour in 2025! MaM : What inspires you to create the music that you love? JD : Honestly, it all comes from my life experiences. I’ve dealt with and seen a lot in 30 years. Music helps make good and bad memories exist in a space where I can utilize their power. Being able to take a bad memory and turn it into something I enjoy or use a good memory and make it even better with music helps me out a ton mentally. Credit: Black Heart Media / Tayler Blackhart MaM : How would you describe the music you typically create? JD : They say country music is three chords and the truth. Most of my music has more than three chords, but that is true. So, I guess we will call it “country for the most part.” I just make what feels right, and it typically walks the line of country, folk, & Americana. It doesn’t matter what ya call it; I need ya to listen! MaM : Are there any musicians or bands you'd like to share the stage with in the future? If so, who? JD : The list would take up every bit of the space allotted for this interview, so I’ll keep it short and sweet. Sierra Ferrel , who, in my opinion, is the new-age queen of Americana music. Tyler Childers , for sure, as well. His sound is so raw, and I love that he’s just genuinely him. Lastly, I’ll say Chris Stapleton . That man has the soul of three generations inside of him. To make music with him would be an honor. MaM : We saw that you just released an album in January 2024. What are your plans for new material? Are you going to continue promoting your catalog, or do you have plans to push forward with new stuff? JD : I’ll always promote my catalog because I am proud of those songs. However, I see myself pushing my newer music more because it shows where I am currently in life. I’m living in the moment more these days, so pushing the music that’s with me right then and there is very important to me. I have a lot more music coming showcasing what life has been like lately, and I’m super excited and proud of it. ‘ Come on Home ' is a soothing, calming, relaxing song full of harmony that makes you think of campfires, hanging out, telling stories, and just the good times, so be sure to stream it today on your favorite streaming platform and catch Jared Daws live this fall at a venue near you. For more information on Jared Daws: www.jareddaws.com Jared Daws Official Website Home of country music artist Jared Daws. Shop for merchandise, stream and purchase music, as well as find tickets to upcoming events involving Jared Daws. *Cover photo by Cherish Ann / Memory Lane Photography Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

‘Run for Cover’ is an evocative track with introspective lyrics. < Back Reviews on the Real: Run for Cover by Aaron J. Burke Nicole Brice Oct 1, 2024 Share ‘Run for Cover’ is an evocative track with introspective lyrics. ‘ Run for Cover ’ is the latest release from Irish musician Aaron J. Burke , released on September 16, 2024, and offers a captivating and catchy blend of emotional sincerity and musical finesse. The song opens with a gentle and upbeat guitar riff, setting the tone and vibe. “Run fast, run for cover,” echoes the pre-chorus and chorus as Burke’s honest and raw vocals are delivered with vulnerability and intensity. The chorus – urgent yet melodic – serves as the song’s emotional core, reflecting between confrontation and retreat. Released September 16, 2024 Thematically, ‘ Run for Cover ’ explores escape, self-reflection, and the desire to find safety amidst inner turmoil. Burke’s lyrical style is poetic, and I genuinely enjoy it. The song's production is bare and stripped down, allowing Burke’s voice and lyrical content to take center stage. In contrast, the subtle build with instrumentation throughout the song adds layers of intensity, culminating in a powerful climax. There are no frills – just straight, enjoyable music. That’s the best way I can describe ‘ Run for Cover ’ by Aaron J. Burke. It’s melodic from start to finish, with excellent lyrics. For the lyrical inspiration behind his latest single, Aaron J. Burke said, “Run for Cover lyrically is a mash-up of various things, times when I've felt powerless or oppressed in life; it was my way of dealing with those emotions and writing something where I was saying, ‘No more, I won't be treated this way, I'm taking control over my life.’” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og2TUD8YZns I can even envision this song with a full band accompanying Aaron. I’ll be curious to see the future direction of his musical career as time progresses, so be sure to stream ‘ Run for Cover ’ on your favorite streaming service today. To learn more about Aaron J. Burke: Facebook Instagram www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Attachment < Back Shudder’s New Queer Horror Thriller Will Have You Rethinking Your Relationship Anxieties Shaun Corley Apr 3, 2023 Share Attachment New relationships can be a great thing. The feeling that, once again, somebody loves you and takes joy in your company is a rush unlike few others. Yet with all the giddiness and excitement can come anxieties as well–namely, meeting your partner’s family. It can be a nerve-shredding experience even on the best of days. You’re on your best behavior and putting your best foot forward ... you need to be on point, right? Mess it up and your new relationship could be in for a rough ride or a quick end. In Attachment, Danish director Gabriel Bier Gislason's first feature, protangonist Maja doesn’t do anything wrong in meeting her new girlfriend’s family, but she is still confronted by these anxieties, and in Gislason’s hands, they blossom into full-blown terrors. Attachment is a new queer romantic horror-thriller brought to you by Shudder. The film received a ton praise from critics at the 2022 London and Los Angeles Film Festivals, not because it’s a refreshing take on romance and horror but because it explores myths and tales of Yiddish folklore by using cast interaction and the story itself as “the creepy factor,” instead of the typical jump-scare efforts we are used to, hence the slow unnerving burn. The film’s opening moments introduce us to Maja (played by Jospehine Park), a young woman and former child actress, who coasts on old glories that amount to reading stories to bored children at the library. One day, Maja, who lives in Denmark, bumps into Leah (Ellie Kendrick), a young Jewish woman from London studying abroad. They go out for tea and find themselves back at Maja’s apartment. Their affair quickly blossoms and for a while, all is golden. Their idyllic existence comes to an end, though, when Leah has a seizure, during which she accidentally breaks her leg. Leah’s studies in Denmark are also winding down, which would spell the end for her and Maja, but Maja decides to accompany Leah back to London. From there, it’s all downhill. Maja moves into Leah’s second-floor flat above Leah’s mother, Chana (Sofie Grabol), who lives on the first floor and does not approve of Maja at all. It becomes quickly apparent that Chana is highly overprotective of Leah, as she repeatedly called her daughter while she was living with Maja and continues to hover over her now that Leah is back in London. It also becomes apparent there is more going on than Maja ever thought. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBYIhO2hg34 Chana and Leah hail from an Orthodox Jewish community, and Maja struggles to find her footing. Noticing that Chana and Leah’s flats are adorned with symbols from Jewish culture, Maja, in good faith, decides to learn more. Venturing out into the community, she visits a Jewish bookstore, where she meets the store’s owner Lev (David Dencik). Lev and Maja become friends, and she is astounded to learn Lev is Maja’s cousin. When Chana learns that Lev and Maja have become friends, she forbids Lev from speaking to her—an action that clues Maja in that something sinister is going on. Sure enough, Maja’s suspicions are confirmed when she learns that since Leah was a child, she has been besieged by a dybbuk , an evil spirit in Jewish lore. Chana’s overprotective nature stems from her desire to save her daughter from its influence. At its core, Attachment is a demonic possession thriller, but where most films in this genre are rooted in Catholic doctrine, this one grounds itself firmly in the Jewish tradition, giving viewers something new and unexpected. Gislason does not stop with dybbuks; he also invokes the Golem as well as Kabbalah. These topics may seem out of place in our modern culture, but Gislason, who is Jewish himself, never once adopts a condescending attitude towards them. Instead, in his hands, the dybbuk is a terrifying entity—one that wants nothing more than to destroy Leah and all that she loves. But, as stated earlier, Attachment draws its power by mining the anxieties that come with a new relationship. Maja is clearly out of her element in Leah’s ultra-Orthodox community, and Chana can barely hide her disgust. Part of this resentment is because Chana sees herself in Maja. She reveals she was not originally a part of this community either; she married into it. After converting, Chana’s husband left her. Now alone in a world that was never hers, Chana has had to make the best of it. Meeting a new partner’s family can be nerve-wracking, and Gislason knows this. He ferociously runs with this and successfully turns common anxieties into supernatural horror. Attachment is a slow burn of a thriller with subtle scares. Gislason does not opt for conventions. There are no jump scares, nor is Leah’s possessed form too demonic looking. Here, the emphasis is on atmosphere—Gislason is out to unnerve the viewer and he does this by keeping matters low key. The classics of the possession genre, such as The Exorcist , are often brutal and visceral, but Attachment keeps it subtle and, in the process, creates a genuinely unsettling movie. credit: Movie Reviews 101 With its slow-burn plot and complete absence of gore or jump scares, Attachment may not be for everyone, but Gislason has nevertheless crafted a solid entry into the possession film subgenre. Attachment takes its time getting where it’s going, but patient viewers will be rewarded with an atmospheric, unsettling horror film tapping into common new relationship anxieties that won’t subside anytime soon. Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. He’s a big, important ScreenRant writer who has many leather-bound books (and comic books) and whose apartment smells of rich mahogany. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Sludge Metal Legends Reunite for a Long-Awaited and Historic Performance. < Back Acid Bath’s Triumphant Return: A Night 28 Years in the Making Justin Hammer and Charles Sagona Apr 27, 2025 Share The Sludge Metal Legends Reunite for a Long-Awaited and Historic Performance. Friday night, the mythical Louisiana sludge metal legends Acid Bath returned to the stage, kicking off their reunion tour with a sold-out show at the Fillmore in New Orleans — their first performance in precisely 28 years . Credit: Justin Hammer Photography The current lineup features original members Dax Riggs (vocals), Sammy Duet (guitar), and Mike Sanchez (guitar), joined by Goatwhore's Zack Simmons on drums and Crowbar's Shane Wesley on bass . It's a blend of old blood and new energy , and from the moment they launched into the opening notes, it was clear this wasn't just nostalgia — Acid Bath came to reclaim their legacy. Dax Riggs by Justin Hammer Photography Acid Bath was one of Louisiana's most influential sludge metal bands in the 1990s , known for their unique blend of doom metal , punk , grunge , and Southern rock . The band was active from 1991 until 1997 , when they disbanded following the death of founding member and bassist Audie Pitre . After their final performance in Shreveport, Louisiana , on April 25, 1997 , it seemed to everyone, including the remaining band members, that this marked the end of an era and that their music would never be heard live again. Sammy Duet of Acid Bath by Justin Hammer Photography What makes Acid Bath 's return even more remarkable is how their legend status grew during their long dormancy. In their original run during the '90s, Acid Bath wasn't selling out venues like the Fillmore . They were packing into dive bars like Papa Joe's in Baton Rouge , Zeppelin's in New Orleans , and gritty all-ages shows in small-town halls like Gonzales, LA . Their glory days weren't measured in ticket sales , but in the cult following that quietly spread over the years, turning their two albums — When the Kite String Pops and Paegan Terrorism Tactics — into sacred texts of underground metal. In October 2024 , the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas announced its lineup, and to everyone's surprise, Acid Bath was included. However, shortly after the announcement, the festival was canceled. Despite this setback, more shows began to be organized, officially confirming the remarkable return of the iconic Louisiana band. Fast forward 28 years to the day: Acid Bath made their highly anticipated return to the stage at the Fillmore New Orleans on April 25, 2025 , performing to a packed and sold-out crowd. The show opened with an electrifying performance by Eyehategod , another iconic band from New Orleans and friends of Acid Bath 's members. Fronted by Mike Williams and featuring founding member Jimmy Bower from Down on guitar, Gary Mader on bass, and Aaron Hill on drums, Eyehategod set the stage with an incredible 45-minute set that energized the crowd. The biggest question lingering over the night: could Dax still deliver after three decades away? — was answered immediately. His voice was astonishing, shifting effortlessly from throat-shredding screams to hauntingly beautiful melodies , often within the same song. The years had done nothing to dull his dynamic range or emotional power. The audience was diverse , consisting of older fans who remembered seeing the band at their peak in the '90s, and younger attendees who were born well over a decade after the band disbanded. Acid Bath took the stage to a roaring, packed crowd. The moment's significance sank in as they began to play: Acid Bath was back. Looking over the audience, we could see everyone mouthing and singing along to their iconic songs, regardless of age, fully immersing themselves in this historic moment in music history . Immediately following ' Bleed Me an Ocean ,' the crowd couldn't contain their excitement and broke into chants of "Acid Bath! Acid Bath! Acid Bath!" Sammy grinned and told them, "Hey, y'all calm down — there's plenty more where that came from," which drew a giant pop. Sammy Duet of Acid Bath by Justin Hammer Photography Midway through the set, Sammy paused to ask the crowd, "Be honest — did you think this would ever happen again?" The thunderous "NO!" that followed said it all. The setlist , while powerful, leaned toward deeper cuts rather than expected anthems. Classics like ' The Blue ,' ' Cheap Vodka ,' ' Jezebel ,' and their traditional closer ' Cassie Eats Cockroaches ' were notably absent, leaving some fans both exhilarated and a little wistful. It wasn't a flawless performance. Early-show jitters led to a few songs being stopped and restarted. "Sorry," Sammy told the crowd after one hiccup. "You guys don't deserve this. Hold on — I just want to give you the best experience ever," before relaunching into a blistering rendition of ' Dr. Seuss Is Dead .' Sammy Duet of Acid Bath by Justin Hammer Photography But in the end , none of the minor missteps mattered. The sheer joy radiating from both the band and the audience was undeniable. It wasn't just a concert — a resurrection, a testament to how far their shadow had stretched while they were silent. This band has had a tremendous impact on the metal scene in New Orleans , and they continue to do so by selling out every show they announce within minutes. Their music resonates with younger generations, inspiring both local bands and fans. Even after being absent for 28 years, their influence remains significant. The merch line snaked through the venue, with fans waiting over an hour to score shirts, posters, and a piece of history. Acid Bath's long-dormant flame has been reignited, burning brighter than ever. Setlist: Tranquilized Bleed Me an Ocean Graveflower The Bones of Baby Dolls Dead Girl (Agents of Oblivion version) Old Skin New Death Sensation Venus Blue Scream of the Butterfly (dedicated to Audie Pitre) Paegan Love Song Dr. Suess is Dead Set List from 4.25.25 To learn more about Acid Bath: Website: The Official Acid Bath Website *All photos by Justin Hammer Photography Shop Photography Art | Justin Hammer Photography www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

With Halloween 2023 right around the corner, Mixed Alternative got together to recommend some of our favorite Halloween movies! < Back 20+ Halloween Films to Watch This Season: Feast Upon This Keeley Brooks & Mixed Alternative Staff Oct 22, 2023 Share With Halloween 2023 right around the corner, Mixed Alternative got together to recommend some of our favorite Halloween movies! ‘Tis the season for all things spooky, my friends, and here at Mixed Alternative, we love the weird and spooky because, well, that’s just who we are—well, maybe not spooky but definitely weird in the best possible way. In addition to costumes, candy, and creepy-looking house parties, Halloween is also celebrated in cinema. With the 2023 Halloween season right around the corner, we thought it would be fun to give you guys a little roundup of our favorite Halloween movies recommended by our writers and editors. Happy Viewing, my friends. --------------------------------------------------------------------- C.G. SMITH Evil Dead II (1987) Director: Sam Raimi Cast: Bruce Campbell, Sarah Berry, Dan Hicks, Ted Raimi, Kassie Wesley DePaiva The Evil Dead franchise follows Ashley “Ash” Williams (Campbell) in his battle to survive on onslaught of flesh-possessing demons that he and his friends accidentally unleashed when they found an old book, the Necronomicon, at a cabin in the woods and read it aloud. Oops. Evil Dead II finds Ash holed up in cabin with a group of strangers as the demons continue their attack. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qBGnzz7mPI “I first watched Evil Dead II in middle school with friends at a sleepover, and what I loved about it then and now is the way it mixes comedy with gore . It’s wonderful. Evil Dead II will always be one of my favorite horror movies because of how absolutely fun it is to experience and how many memorable and quotable scenes there are not just in the franchise but in Evil Dead II in particular.” A Quiet Place (2018) Director: John Krasinski Cast: John Krasinkski, Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe If they hear you, they hunt you. Imagine having to live in a world where making the softest sound could get you killed. In A Quiet Place , a family must live in silence to avoid mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. Knowing that even the slightest whisper or footstep can bring death, Evelyn (Emily Blunt, of Edge of Tomorrow ) and Lee (John Krasinski, of The Office ) are determined to find a way to protect their kids while desperately searching for a way to fight back. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR7cc5t7tv8 “ A Quiet Place is so great on so many levels, as it took something we all tend to take for granted and made the mere act of making sound a death sentence. Imagine giving birth in a world where you can't make a sound and there is no medical care, where you must keep your newborn quiet lest it be snatched by an alien before you can blink. Babies are not quiet, so the combined tension of giving birth silently and keeping a newborn quiet are just horrific. A Quiet Place is excellent writing and acting merging into a masterpiece from one spectacular idea . While A Quiet Place Part II didn't quite live up to the original, I still hold a place in my heart for this movie.” *Honorable Mention: The Omen (1976) Director: Richard Donner Cast: Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, Harvey Stephens, David Warner The Omen is about a boy named Damien (Harvey Stephens, of The Bat ) who is believed to be the Antichrist. When American diplomat Robert (Gregory Peck, of Cape Fear ) adopts Damien after his wife Katherine (Lee Remich, of Around the World in 80 Days ) delivers a stillborn, Damien’s first nanny hangs herself. When Father Brennan (Patrick Troughton, of Doctor Who ) warns Robert that Damien will harm Katherine’s unborn child, it isn’t long before Brennan turns up dead and Katherine miscarries when Damien pushes her off a balcony. As more people around Damien die, Robert investigates the kid’s background and realizes Damien may just be the devil’s son. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS-sXcx30O4 “I read ‘The Omen’ book as a young child and later saw the film. The idea that a child had been born as the son of the devil to an influential family and would one day rise through the ranks of society was fascinating to me. The way The Omen built suspense and overall tension is truly something to witness . ‘Damien, it's all for you.’ Plus, I kinda looked like the child actor when I was his age.” --------------------------------------------------------------------- JEFF CRESPI Drag Me to Hell (2009) Director: Sam Raimi Cast: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Ruth Livier, Lorna Rave, David Paymer Alison Lohman ( Gamer ) stars as Christine Brown, a beautiful girl with a loving boyfriend (Justin Long, of Accepted ) and a great job at an L.A. bank. Her heavenly life becomes a living hell when, in an effort to impress her boss, she denies an old woman’s request for an extension on her home loan. In retaliation, the crone places a curse on Christine, threatening her soul with eternal damnation. Christine seeks a psychic’s help to break the curse, but can she afford the price to save her soul? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd8NNcd4Oeo “ Drag Me to Hell is one horror movie that always stood out to me. Actress Alison Lohman does an amazing job as the lead and looks a lot like our editor-in-chief, Nicole Brice! Drag Me to Hell has some very suspenseful and scary moments throughout the film, starting from early on. I think this is a great movie that doesn't fall into a list with the more obvious ones ." The Exorcist (1973) Director: William Friedkin Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb, William O’Malley One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair, of The Exorcist: Believer ) starts acting odd—levitating, speaking in tongues—her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn, of Requiem for a Dream ) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. However, a local priest (Jason Miller, of The Exorcist III ) thinks the girl may be seized by the devil, so he makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow, of Flash Gordon ) to help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDGw1MTEe9k “I would have to say the scariest film of all time would be The Exorcist . The story, cinematography, acting, editing, and old school techniques combine perfectly to cast a deep shadow of fear in the hearts of any viewer. ” *Honorable Mentions: Saw Franchise (2004) Director: James Wan Cast: Leigh Whannell, Cary Elwes Creators: James Wan and Leigh Whannell, Shawnee Smith, Tobin Bell, Danny Glover A groundbreaking horror franchise, Saw is about a sadistic serial killer named Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) who kidnaps people and sets them up in one of his perverse little puzzle games so that they have the choice: live or die. In the original Saw movie, photographer Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannel, of Upgrade ) and oncologist Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes, of The Princess Bride ) regain consciousness while chained to dirty, grimy pipes at either end of a filthy bathroom. As the two men realize they’ve been trapped, flashbacks relate the fates of Jigsaw’s previous victims while the two men are forced into torture as they fight for their survival, as Gordon’s wife and young daughter watch via closed-circuit video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-1QgOMQ-ls “As far as gore goes, the Saw franchise is fantastic and ultimately features some of the most cringeworthy horror scenarios available today . It’s no wonder the Saw movies make up the highest-grossing horror franchise of all time.” Halloween II (1981) Director: Rick Rosenthal Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasense, Charles Cyphers, Dick Warlock After failing to kill stubborn survivor Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis, of True Lies ) and taking a bullet or six from former psychiatrist Dr. Sam Loomis (Donald Pleasence, of Halloween ), the masked Michael Myers follows Laurie to the Haddonfield Memorial Hospital, where she’s been admitted for Myers’ attempt on her life. The institution proves to be particularly suited to serial killers, however, as Myers cuts, stabs, and slashes his way through hospital staff to reach his favorite victim. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzOdUKVD8Ac “There’s a lot about the Halloween movie franchise that stands out for numerous reasons, but one of my favorites is Halloween II , which focuses on Dr. Loomis’s hunt for Michael as a traumatized Laurie is rushed to Haddonfield Memorial Hospital. Only thing is, Michael is right behind her and when he gets into the hospital, the action makes for one unforgettable scene that forever stands out for me. It’s a must see .” --------------------------------------------------------------------- CHUCK BROOKS Get Out (2017) Director: Jordan Peele Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, LaKeith Stanfield, Betty Gabriel, Marcus Henderson In a slam dunk of a directorial debut from actor, producer, writer, and comedian Jordan Peele ( Nope ), Get Out follows young couple Chris (Daniel Kaluuya, of Black Panther ) and Rose (Allison Williams, of M3GAN ) as they go to visit her parents in Upstate New York. Chris has never met them before and is a little weary about this milestone in their relationship. When they first arrive, Chris reads the family’s overly accommodating behavior as nervous attempts to deal with their daughter’s interracial relationship (Rose is White, Chris is Black), but as the weekend progresses, a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries leads him right to a truth he could’ve never imagined. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koQKnuQb7zQ “What I enjoyed about Get Out is its commentary on how Black people are treated in the 21st Century. Peele managed to write an ingenious horror movie that’s stone-cold realistic commentary on the enslavement of a race of people for their perceived physical attributes and longevity . Get Out is masterfully told and acted out on all parts of the cast—the ensemble of which was a big deal. The scene where Chris is struck in sheer terror emanates with how Black people must feel today: like there’s an area where if they cross some perceived line in reality, there’ll be retaliation by the system. Catherine Keener ( The 40-Year-Old Virgin ) and Bradley Whitford ( The Handmaid’s Tale ) represent this and capitalize on Black lives before Black Lives Matter ever became a thing. This movie is important for a lot of reasons : It’s a good movie with a valuable message as a horror movie , it adds to the shallow repertoire when it comes to black horror films, and it crosses borders like Us (2019) does. The social commentary with Get Out is exploitation on Black people as a whole treated as a commodity, as something to be traded or sold. Peele wrote a horror movie about Black people that is a real-time horror tale set in real life, and he couldn’t bring more valuable views and messages to the masses with his work.” Zombieland (2009) Director: Ruben Fleischer Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Abigail Breslin, Bill Murray After a virus turns most people into zombies, the world’s surviving humans remain locked in an ongoing battle against the hungry undead. Four survivors—Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson, of White Men Can’t Jump ) and his cohorts, Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg, of The Social Network ), Wichita (Emma Stone, of La La Land ), and Little Rock (Abigail Breslin, of Little Miss Sunshine )—abide by a list of survival rules and zombie-killing strategies as they make their way toward a rumored safe haven in Los Angeles … at the house of one Bill Murray ( Lost in Translation ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlW9yhUKlkQ Zombieland is one of the best comedy-horror films today. From its comedic aspects such as Columbus’s rules for surviving in this new zombie-infested world to the tough but sensitive levity Woody Harrelson brings to his character to the zombies’ development and adopted zombie-telling techniques from other areas, everything about this film works together to enhance an already excellent storyline . Zombieland is exciting, full of wild action with well-choreographed stunts, and it features just the right amount of gore without being too much. Zombieland is a movie that you can still watch and get something out of it, even if you’re not a zombie person . --------------------------------------------------------------------- EZEKIEL KINCAID The Exorcist (1973) Director: William Friedkin Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb, William O’Malley One of the most profitable horror movies ever made , this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events . When young Regan (Linda Blair, of The Exorcist: Believer ) starts acting odd—levitating, speaking in tongues—her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn, of Requiem for a Dream ) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. However, a local priest (Jason Miller, of The Exorcist III ) thinks the girl may be seized by the devil, so he makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow, of Flash Gordon ) to help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDGw1MTEe9k “ The Exorcist set the standard for possession movies. Friedkin's bold adaptation of Blattey's novel has shocked and scared audiences since its release in 1973 and still does so to this day. Often imitated but never replicated, no possession movie has ever surpassed this one in thrills and chills .” Hereditary (2018) Director: Ari Aster Cast: Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff When the matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter and grandchildren begin to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry, trying to outrun the sinister fate they’ve inherited. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6wWKNij_1M “I once read somewhere that Hereditary was The Exorcist of this modern-day generation, so it is no surprise I love it. The Exorcist it is not, but that doesn't mean it isn’t unsettling. Ari Aster's dark take on the cult/occult subgenre of horror will keep you awake for days . That’s a guarantee.” Halloween (1978) Director: John Carpenter Cast: Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tony Moran, Nancy Kyes, Charles Cyphers On a cold Halloween night in 1963, six-year-old Michael Myers brutally murdered his 17-year-old sister. He was sentenced and locked away for 15 years. But on October 30, 1978, while being transferred for a court date, a 21-year-old Michael Myers steals a car and escapes, returning to his quiet hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he looks for his next victims. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5ke9IPTIJQ “John Carpenter and Debra Hill raised the bar for slasher movies with Halloween . Ominous, atmospheric, and foreboding, Michael Myers has a creep factor that many of his predecessors and contemporaries lack. Halloween also has the best theme music ever !” --------------------------------------------------------------------- KEELEY BROOKS 28 Days Later (2002) Director: Danny Boyle Cast: Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Megan Burns, Naomi Harris When a group of eco-terrorists free a chimp from its lab cage in a Cambridge medical research lab, they’re unaware it’s infected with what is called the “Rage virus” and unknowingly unleash the apocalypse. When London bike courier Jim (Cillian Murphy, of Peaky Blinders ) wakes up from 28 days in a coma, he finds London in total collapse, the world in destruction, and society completely obliterated. It’s only when he’s chased through the streets by aggressive, wicked fast, bloodthirsty creatures and is saved by a couple of uninfected that he learns what has happened and must figure out a way to survive in a world not only full of raging zombies but also littered with broken down groups of humanity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7suz9ndPBHg “ 28 Days Later was the first zombie movie to truly scare me. Before then, I’d never seen fast zombies, let alone violent, aggressive ones. I love everything about this movie, from its concept to its pace in storytelling to its simple use of blood to imply more than what is seen. 28 Days Later features stellar acting (this was Cillian Murphy’s first big movie) and a smart soundtrack that drives the panic and tension throughout the story. And further compounding this hair-raising scenario is the horror story within the horror story , which shows what happens when humanity ceases to exist. I also love how Director Danny Boyle juxtaposes this horrific scenario with the beautiful backdrop of nature—ironic since nature is where viruses originate. ** For more about this movie, read my full review of 28 Days Later . World War Z (2013) Director: Marc Forster Cast: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, Matthew Fox When former U.N. investigator Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt, of Ocean's Eleven ) and his family get stuck in urban gridlock, he senses it’s no ordinary traffic jam and he’s right: The city is erupting into chaos at an incredibly fast pace, leaving little to no chance for escape or survival. A lethal virus spread through a simple bite is turning healthy people into something vicious, unthinking, and feral within a matter of 12 seconds. As the pandemic threatens to consume humanity, Gerry leads a worldwide search to find the source of the infection and, with a stroke of luck, a way to halt its spread. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slfrrjPndV4 “Clearly, zombie movies are my favorite horror movies--next to slasher films, of course. World War Z had the same effect on me that 28 Days Later had: sheer terror . I didn’t think it was possible to amp up the aggression, speed, and bloodlust that zombies of the early 21st Century had come to display, but World War Z came along and nailed it. With the exception of about four minutes at the beginning and end of the film, World War Z is adrenaline-inducing and heart pounding from start to finish . Every single moment of this film is level 10 panic and chaos—no time to think, no time to movie, no time to fear. The cinematography is gorgeous, again using the technique of juxtaposing breathtaking views with a horrific reality. And I have to give mad props to the makeup and special effects department, who, no pun intended, killed it with these zombies. Those moments in the halls of the Center for Disease Control had me holding my breath as I sat there, mouth wide open, in total awe and appreciation of what I was seeing: tension to the max . Also, that massive horde of zombie savagely climbing the walls of Jerusalem is just breathtaking—terrifying, but breathtaking. World War Z is stellar horror all the way around .” Scream (1996) Director: Wes Craven Cast: Drew Barrymore, Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, Neve Campbell, Tatum O’Neal, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, Henry Winkler Set in the small town of Woodsboro, Middle America, Scream ’s plot follows high school student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell, of The Craft ) and her friends, who, on the anniversary of her mother’s murder, become the targets of a costumed, knife-wielding serial killer known as Ghostface. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWm_mkbdpCA “I love Scream because it scared me without terrifying me and made me laugh in ways that didn’t make the movie any less effective in its serious nature. Featuring one of the best opening scenes in a slasher movie , which was alone enough to instill the fear and pace of this narrative and hook us in from the get-go, Scream reinvented and revitalized the slasher-horror genre . It’s funny and clever in dialogue and character portrayals—thanks, in part, to momentous performances from David Arquette ( Never Been Kissed ), Matthew Lillard ( Good Girls ) and Henry Winkler ( The Waterboy )—while remaining deep in the vein of seriousness, psychological thrills, and plenty of jump scares. Craven masterfully builds tension and self-parody as the body count in Woodsboro rises and a fright-masked knife-wielding maniac stalks high school students in middle-class suburbia. Another reason Scream is a must see : the irony in Randy Meeks’ (Jamie Kennedy, of Son of the Mask ) scene explaining the rules to surviving any horror movie: (1) never have sex, (2) never drink or do drugs, and (3) never ever ever, under any circumstances, say, ‘I’ll be right back.’” Cujo (1981) Director: Lewis Teague Cast: Danny Pintauro, Dee Wallace, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Christopher Stone Adapted from infamous horror author Stephen King’s story of the same name, Cujo is the terrifying tale of a sweet St. Bernard who is bitten by a bat and contracts rabies. Cujo, who roams between his owner’s house and auto garage on the same property, starts behaving oddly and becomes very aggressive, eventually morphing into a dangerous beast thirsting to kill. When stay-at-home mom (Dee Wallace, of Sons and Daughters ) gets caught in Cujo’s crosshairs while out on a fateful errand with her young son Tad (Danny Pintauro, of Who’s the Boss? ), she must fight to protect herself and Tad from Cujo when they become trapped in their tiny Ford Pinto after it breaks down at the auto garage … for days, with no help in sight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFUD8b-BZCc “I won’t lie: Cujo scared the absolute shit out of me when I first saw it as a young teen. It’s not the rabies-infested dog that makes Cujo so scary; rather, it’s King’s claustrophobic scenario of being trapped in a tiny, dysfunctional car guarded by crazed, rabid beast that terrifies. From the scenes of Dee’s escalating fear to Cujo viciously attempting to get into the car to Teague’s filming techniques that keep us grounded in awareness, Cujo is definitely one of the scariest real-life scenario movies I’ve ever seen . I never looked at St. Bernards the same way after seeing this film.” Beetlejuice (1988) Director: Tim Burton Cast: Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones, and Winona Ryder After Barbara (Geena Davis, of A League of Their Own ) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin, of Supercell ) die in a car accident, they find themselves stuck in their country residence, unable to leave the house. When the unbearable Deetzes (Catherine O’Hara, of Schitt’s Creek , and Jeffrey Jones, of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ) and their teen goth daughter (Winona Ryder, of Mr. Deeds ) move in, the Maitlands attempt to scare them away without success. That’s when they turn to rambunctious bio-exorcist Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton, of Batman ) and all hell breaks loose in the best possible Tim-Burton way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8drwhnYhmw “I adore this movie and everything about Tim Burton’s exaggerated gothic style. Beetlejuice features an all-star cast who, honestly, couldn’t have played their roles any better. Beetlejuice is original, creepy, funny, artistic, and completely entertaining . This movie never gets old and now with a sequel coming in 2024, I suspect Beetlejuice will reach a whole new generation of fans. I can't wait.” --------------------------------------------------------------------- MO THORNTON The Night House (2020) Director: David Bruckner Cast: Rebecca Hall, Sarh Goldberg, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Evan Jonigkeit Reeling from the unexpected death of her husband, Beth (Rebecca Hall, of The Town ) is left alone in the lakeside home he built for her. She tires as best she can to keep it together, but then the dreams come and disturbing visions of a presence in the house call to her, beckoning with a ghostly allure. But in the harsh light of day, any proof of a haunting dissolves. Against the advice of her friends, Beth digs into her husband’s belongings in a frantic search for answers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Tshycci2ZA “I love a good scare, and one of my go-to films for a sleepless night that has me double-checking the locks on my door while experiencing mounting, almost unbearable suspense is The Night House . Rebecca Hall stars as a widow whose grief is complicated by anger, confusion, and guilt as her husband died by his own hand. The remote lake house setting makes it all the creepier (and more delicious) to explore, along with the protagonist's thin spaces between reality and nightmare.” Fear of Rain (2021) Director: Castille Landon Cast: Katherine Heigl, Harry Connick Jr., Madison Iseman, Israel Broussard “ Fear of Rain brilliantly takes the audience into the dark, terrifying world of a teen girl who struggles with mental health.” Rain (Madison Iseman, of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle ) has early-onset schizophrenia, a condition that not only causes her to see vivid hallucinations but also puts a strain on her parents. When she meets Caleb (Israel Broussard, of Fear the Walking Dead ), a charmingly awkward new kid at school, Rain finally feels a lifeline to normalcy. But as she starts to suspect her neighbor kidnapped a child, she must figure out who and what is real while also battling the overwhelming forces that haunt her daily life . “The danger she encounters during her episodes might not all be ‘in her mind.’” https://youtu.be/jFxOxLLzjG8?feature=shared “Full disclosure: Both The Night House and Fear of Rain deliver heart-stopping jolts of fright that let me skip the gym the next morning—an added appeal.” --------------------------------------------------------------------- NICOLE BRICE Halloween (2007) Director: Rob Zombie Cast: Scout Taylor-Compton, Malcolm McDowell, Tyler Mane, William Forsythe, Udo Kier, Danny Trejo Nearly two decades after being committed to a mental institution for killing his stepfather and older sister, Michael Myers breaks out, intent on returning home to Haddonfield, Illinois. He arrives on Halloween with the indomitable purpose of hunting down his younger sister, Laurie (Scout Taylor-Compton, of An American Crime ). The only thing standing between Michael and a Halloween night full of bloody carnage is Dr. Sam Loomis (Malcolm McDowell, of A Clockwork Orange ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjWLc-7SI00 “Rob Zombie’s Halloween completely changed my view of the Halloween franchise. Growing up, I always felt that beyond the first two original Halloween films, the franchise became cheesy and stale. Then in walks Rob Zombie with this scary as f**k take on the narrative and I was blown away. To this day, Halloween (2007) still freaks me out, but in a good way." Sleepy Hollow (1999) Director: Tim Burton Cast: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson, Jeffrey Jones, Christopher Walken Set in 1799, Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow is based on Washington Irving’s classic tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. Faithful to the dreamy custom-bound world that Irving paints in his story, Sleepy Hollow mixes horror, fantasy, and romance while featuring an extraordinary cast of characters that dabble in the supernatural. And, of course, it features Tim Burton’s unforgettable gothic style to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=504uo6f3xEc “I absolutely love everything about Sleepy Hollow . When Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp, of Pirates of the Caribbean ) is sent to the creepy town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of three people, he soon discovers the culprit isn’t another person but is the legendary apparition The Headless Horseman . Everything about this movie is perfect : the acting, the tone, Burton’s pace of his film, the cinematic techniques used to create suspense and fear, the scenery, the narrative—absolutely perfecto in my opinion. --------------------------------------------------------------------- SHAUN CORLEY Night of the Living Dead (1968) Director: George Romero Cast: Duane Jones, Judith O’Dea, Karl Hardman, Marilyn Eastman The black-and-white George Romero classic Night of the Living Dead follows seven people trapped in a farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania as they fight to fend off a hungry horde of reanimated corpses. Pragmatic Ben (Duane Jones, of Vampires ) does his best to control the situation, but when the reanimated bodies surround the house, the other survivors begin to panic. As any semblance of order within the group begins to dissipate, the zombies find their way inside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob8vZhSjES8 “ Night of the Living Dead is my first favorite movie from when I was all of 10 years old. When I revisited it in college, I found out it held up really well. What I like about Night of the Living Dead is its subversive nature. It was a commentary on 1968 America, and it is still relevant today .” The People Under the Stairs (1991) Director: Wes Craven Cast: Ving Rhames, Sean Whalen, Brandon Quintin Adams, Everett McGill, Wendy Robie, A.J. Langer When young Fool (Brandon Adams, of The Sandlot ) breaks into the home of his family’s greedy and uncaring landlords, he discovers a disturbing scenario where incestuous adult siblings have mutilated a number of boys and kept them imprisoned under the stairs in their large, creepy house. As Fool attempts to flee before the psychopaths can catch him, he meets their daughter, Alice (A.J. Langer, of Private Practice), who has been spared any extreme discipline by her deranged parents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx4jKIzvVUo “ The People Under the Stairs is the first R-rated movie I ever saw in theaters. How my dad convinced my mom to let him take me I'll never know. The People Under the Stairs comes across as goofy and campy, but there's actually a great deal of subtext about gentrification and ‘urban renewal’ in it.” --------------------------------------------------------------------- TIM JACKSON The Exorcist (1973) Director: William Friedkin Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair, Lee J. Cobb, William O’Malley One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, this tale of an exorcism is based loosely on actual events. When young Regan (Linda Blair, of The Exorcist III ) starts acting odd—levitating, speaking in tongues—her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn, of Requiem for a Dream ) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. However, a local priest (Jason Miller, of Paradox Lake ) thinks the girl may be seized by the devil, so he makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow, of Flash Gordon ) to help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDGw1MTEe9k “The scariest horror movie for me remains The Exorcist. At maybe 13 years old, I saw the TV version of the original 1973 movie, and even that version with the most graphic scenes and swear words removed was the scariest movie I had ever seen . Several years later, I saw the full, uncut version and was once again terrified. The Exorcist is exquisitely done . Its special effects for that era were superb. The subject matter, especially for someone raised in the church, seemed so much more real than a Freddy Krueger or Jason Voorhees. The Exorcist avoided a lot of the jump-scares and other horror tropes and instead just told a story that scared the shit out of you. It's the all-time best horror movie , in my opinion. *I also love some of the movies adapted from Stephen King's books: The Shining, Pet Sematery, Carrie, Christine, and Cujo , for instance. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Empowered < Back Rockin 4 Jesus: The Next Great Band You Haven't Heard Yet Nicole Brice Oct 22, 2022 Share Empowered Many bands label themselves and label themselves wrong. Case in point, Baton Rouge 's own, Empowered . A Christian Rock band fronted by Benny DiChiara with Shane Madere Jr. (lead guitarist, backing vocalist), Jeff Maddox (bass and background vocals), Mic Capdeville (percussion and background vocals), and Justin Burdette (guitarist and background vocals), this band has a serious unique sound that needs to be heard and is much more than just Christian Rock. With lyrical content that pulls at your heart strings, Empowered proves they are a band you should take notice of and listen to. credit: Gary Governale Empowered got its start in 1998 and was the brainchild of DiChiara who had previous success on the local music circuit singing with various secular bands. In 2011, they released the album Soulcry to modest success, but it wasn't until 2019's Three Days that the band really began to pick up steam. Three Days was produced by Mikey Howard of 7eventh Time Down / Love Journey Music and showcases the Empowered sound in all its glory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TIny6LmI7c To follow up the success of Three Days , Empowered have recently released their third EP, Yahweh-Nissi via Slingshot Records , an Indie label based in Baton Rouge , LA. The title track is straight up in your face rock-‘n’-roll with a hardcore message and the rest of the EP is a finely produced melodic journey of love and Jesus that will leave you singing at the top of your lungs. Empowered performing at Yes Fest in Baton Rouge, LA on October 15, 2022 credit: Gary Governale Shane Madere Jr. , lead guitarist for Empowered , said of the sound he achieved for recording the title track, "I used a combination of my Ugly Amps Big Ugly 100 on the Ugly Channel plus an emulation of an Xotic BB Preamp from my Fractual Audio AX8 unit to get the sound I was looking for." Shane definitely got it right and the guitar has a nice crunch with the sound emulating the stomps of an army on the march. When I asked Shane of his guitar influences, he cites Eric Johnson . “My solo sound and even the notes I used on the studio recording of Yahweh-Nissi was very much influenced by him. He writes very melodic solos that fit the song." Shane Madere Jr. (guitar) credit: Gary Governale Recently, Empowered took the stage at Yes Fest 2022 to play their new EP in its entirety at the state fairgrounds in Baton Rouge sharing the bill with 7eventh Time Down and Kari Jobe amongst others. Their set was a powerhouse performance of finely tuned music that left you wanting more. Justin Burdette (guitar) credit: Gary Governale Of the experience playing Yes Fest , DiChiara has said, “Playing Yes Fest in Baton Rouge was such an exhilarating experience, not only being on that stage, but the ministry aspect of it as well. It’s an amazing and humbling thing to see God work things out for our good – but only if we are looking to see it." Mikey Howard of 7eventh Time Down with Benny DiChiara credit: Gary Governale He went on to say, "A special thanks to all of the artists who we got to share the stage with. It wasn't just about meeting other artists and hearing about their ministries, but we also got to share the stage with our mentor/producer/friend/brother in Christ, Mikey Howard . We sang our new radio single ' Jesus Can Heal The World ' and it was an incredible moment." Mikey Howard took the stage to perform "Jesus Can Heal the World" with Empowered credit: Gary Governale Empowered 's sound is definitely unique and DiChiara has said of their sound, "Well, it’s not necessarily that we're trying to write to a sound. Over the past two records, we do seem to have come into our own. Someone said if U2 married Daughtry , we’d be their band baby." Jeffrey Maddox (bass) credit: Gary Governale When asked what inspires the band, he went on to say, "The inspiration simply comes from God . Yahweh-Nissi was a direct discussion between He and I, and I was told of the direction for the title track. It’s simply a war cry for believers to rally with Jesus and take it to the evil that seems to be everywhere in the world right now. I think that the rest of the record points everyone in that direction as well. Who’s gonna rise tonight?". These guys in Empowered are definitely on the rise and people should take notice. Mic Capdeville (drums) credit: Gary Governale Empowered 's new EP, Yahweh-Nissi , is available NOW on all streaming platforms and you can learn more about the band via their social media and YouTube . Empowered | Facebook EmpoweredOfficial (@empowered_rockin4jesus) • Instagram photos and videos EMPOWERED - YouTube ‎Empowered on Apple Music Empowered | Spotify *All photos by Gary Governale * www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Bringin' back the classic rock vibe < Back Born to Rock: Adam and the Metal Hawks Keeley Brooks Apr 24, 2023 Share Bringin' back the classic rock vibe By now, just about everyone on the planet has seen their video creatively (and hilariously) reviving the Guns ‘n Roses classic rock tune “Sweet Child O’ Mine”. If you haven’t, don’t sweat it—you know I’ve got you covered. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4eo6LS9lto BUT, you must also watch this take, because it features new drummer Griffin McCarthy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNiAKNJOTnk This fun-loving group of irresistible talent is known as Adam and the Metal Hawks and right now, you can’t open TikTok without seeing one of their infamously funny and wholly entertaining music videos full of prowess and passion. The band shot to stardom last summer when Jack Black finally publicly acknowledged his musical doppelganger in lead singer Adam Ezegelian after the band recreated Tenacious D’s “Kickapoo”, posted it on TikTok, and called on Black to duet with them. After six attempts to get his attention, and with the help of social media followers embarking on a public pressure campaign calling on the celebrity to respond, Black did just that. “We tried to incorporate either songs that he had covered or his songs,” Ezegelian said in an interview with Sweety High , “and we worked them into different formats for our TikToks.” At the time the Hawks posted these videos, their one main goal was to get the actor and musician, who covered the track in the hit movie School of Rock , to post a video reply. So, fans and band members constantly posted on Black’s TikTok videos, urging him to respond, and on May 27, 2022, he did. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzqJtpfct48 This attention, paired with their impeccable three-part harmonies and meme-worthy videos, shot the band into notoriety heaven and the rest, as they say, is history. “That was an amazing experience,” says lead singer Adam Ezegelian. “We’re all huge fans of [Jack Black] and Tenacious D, his band, and their music, so, in the beginning when we first jumped on TikTok, we kept getting comparisons to him because of my voice and facial expressions. So, we sort of leaned into it and started posting videos … a little challenge to get him to duet us, and eventually it just worked. … It was crazy. We were all in shock.” While Black has followed the Hawks on social media and liked some of their posts, he hasn’t necessarily responded verbally, but Ezegelian notes he is keeping an eye on them. “One day, hopefully we’ll do something worthy enough to get his attention and maybe get the invite out or to open for them on tour, which would be amazing. We’d love to play with them. We’re just holding on and keeping his attention and hopefully sending something out he’ll enjoy.” The guys have even gotten the attention of Styx with their mouth-wide-open version of “ Come Sail Away ”. With over three million followers on TikTok and one million on Instagram, it’s safe to say Adam and the Metal Hawks are the most famous band to emerge from social media as quickly as they have, but it’s not just because of their talent. These guys are so down to earth and genuinely hilarious on and off camera, their infectious energies and personalities suck you right in and make you feel like you’re hangin’ out with your best homies, just having a good time and kickin’ it to some bitchin’ rock tunes. All hailing from Long Island in New York, Adam and the Metal Hawks features, from left to right, original founding Metal Hawks members Johnny Barry on guitar and Ryan Daversa on bass, Adam Ezegelian on lead vocals (and I do mean lead vocals), and Griffin McCarthy on drums. Though none of them grew up together, you’d never know it given how they interact with and support one another. They’re truly a band of brothers enjoying life to the best of their ability, then sharing their experience through music and entertainment. Image taken from artist social media Prior to Adam, the band was known as Metal Hawks and consisted of Johnny and Ryan, who met at a local talent show in 2014, and the group’s original drummer, Alex Hertler, who left the band in 2022. (He is featured in the first “Sweet Child O’ Mine” video at the beginning of this article.) The three played every bar and club on Long Island and honed their craft before meeting Adam through mutual friends in 2019 and bringing him in to sing. “I was playing bass and singing at the time, so it was a little bit of a blow to my ego” laughs Daversa, who, in my opinion, bears a bit of a resemblance to 80’s rock band Warrant lead singer Jani Lane but who most commonly gets compared to Eddie Munson of Stranger Things or Michael Beck of the 1979 action-crime thriller The Warriors . “But, you know, the way Adam sings, man, I don’t want to sing anymore. That guy’s just too freakin’ good.” Once Adam took over singing duties, Ryan—heavily influenced by rock greats Rush, Van Halen, and Led Zeppelin—shied away from the role of lead singer and began focusing more on bass. Image taken from artist social media Guitarist Johnny Barry recalls always having had the vision of being in a rock band. He picked up the guitar when he was eight, and at age 10, he started his first band called Metal Hawks with two other kids, who would later be replaced by current bandmate Ryan Daversa on vocals and later, bass, and former drummer Alex Hertler. “My parents were very into music but never played any instruments. My dad loves classic rock, and his favorite band is Van Halen, which is also my favorite band,” Barry says. “Mine, too!” Ryan chimes in with a laugh. Adds Griffin, “Yeah, we’re all in fortunate situations with our families, who understand how difficult it is to do this for a living and to pursue it—my parents especially, because they’re musicians and know firsthand how difficult it is to get started. Our family circle is very supportive, so we lucked out with that. They’re all very great people.” “My dad is our number one fan, for sure,” Johnny continues, and the other guys agree. He credits Guitar Hero with helping him find his passion. “For my communion at eight or nine years old, my parents got me my first guitar, and ever since, I kept trying to start a band. I’m also into AC/DC and Greta Van Fleet.” Image taken from artist social media After Hertler left the band in 2022, drummer Griffin McCarthy was quick to audition and take over the throne. It was his addition that allowed the Hawks to pull out those beautiful three-part harmonies and achieve that awesome sound not many bands can pull off, especially since technology plays such a huge role in today’s music. “We’re trying to bring the classic rock feel back, especially to these kids on TikTok [who] may have never heard any of this music before or just heard it in a random animated movie. … We’re trying to be that voice of rock that just brings it back,” Ezegelian explains. And bringing it back they are, but they’re also putting their own spin on the sound, and that’s what makes them so unique. Each member is his own reincarnation of some great classic rock artist and collectively, they have a really hip vibe of effortlessly singing like birds while playing instruments, and that is pretty impressive. McCarthy said they all took the best of their inspirations of that era and molded it into their own style and brought it together, and it blends well. “It’s great people see it for what it is because there’s a huge gap in the market for that right now. So, it’s very cool to see this generation want to go see a full band live, [especially in this modern technological age]. It’s good for us because that’s what were here for,” laughs Griffin. Image taken from artist social media McCarthy cites his biggest influences as Rush, The Who, and Queen and says he’s been drumming since the age of three. “There was always music in my house. My parents are piano players and always played for me, then I started picking some of it up and playing a little on my own. I always had rhythm from an early age.” He eventually started showing interest in the drum set, which his mother noticed, and when he was seven, she enrolled him in drum lessons. “I got my first drum set at eight, and I haven’t stopped playing since. I always foresaw a future there. I fell in love with the drums immediately. And it’s amazing, because I’ve finally found a band who wants it as bad as I do.” McCarthy has toured with several acts prior to Adam and the Metal Hawks, including Yngwie Malmsteen and Prong, who went on the road with Overkill, and he even toured briefly with a Broadway production of “Rent”. Lead singer Adam Ezegelian says he’s been fueled by rock energy since he arrived on this planet, and his parents had a lot to do with that by raising him right and exposing him to good music. Growing up, Adam was active in plays and musical theater—even jazz band and an acapella jazz ensemble. Image courtesy of artist social media “I just love performing,” he says. “You know, making people laugh and clap along and bob their head … just getting into it.” Ezegelian’s life changed in 2015 when he auditioned for American Idol and got a ticket to Hollywood. He took his influences of Aerosmith, Guns N’ Roses, and AC/DC, as well as his love for rock, and filled people with happiness with his resonant, multi-dimensional voice and animated facial expressions. Adam sailed right through to the Top 16 before being sent home, then in 2019, he met the Metal Hawks and, as their website says, “they’ve had stellar rock chemistry ever since.” And they’re right: Their chemistry is so stellar, it’s palpable. That might have something to do with the fact that they were all raised so right in being constantly exposed to some of the best, most influential music on the planet. Someone needs to give these guys’ parents a giant high-five for being so cool. Way to go, parents; you guys truly do rock. Recently the guys finished recording their second album as Adam and the Metal Hawks, though their first one, a self-titled album that dropped in 2020 during Covid, features their former drummer. Their hit single from that album released Sept. 2019 and is titled “ Turn Around ”. It’s a love song encased in a hard rock shell, and that’s easily relatable to all of us. That single set the tone for who they were and, shortly thereafter, they released “ Wastin’ Time ”, then “ Backwards ”. Since, with new drummer Griffin McCarthy (who reportedly plays a mean cowbell), the Hawks have released two other singles with videos, “Hey Hey Mama” and “Love is on My Wishlist (When It’s Christmas)”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8H0m1MD2cUk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGUxSx5cSUE “We’ve been working for over a year [on this new album]. These songs are songs we’ve taken on road and played at shows and gotten crowd feedback and changed things here and there, and we’re just very excited to show you guys what we’ve been working on. It’s gonna be great when we can release it and see what everybody thinks,” says Ezegelian. “Yeah, all the songs are diverse and unique in their own way,” adds McCarthy. “Not one song sounds like the other. You won’t feel like you’re listening to the same song twice. It’s very original.” Adam continues, “A lot of our material is coming from our personal experiences, of course, and we want to make sure everybody can take something away from each song ... so, there’s strength in having that wide array of songs. There’s something for everybody there: power ballads, acoustic ballads, heavy songs, fast songs … if you’re a rock band fan, there’s gonna be some songs that you’re gonna love. As far as concept, a lot of it has to do with our rise from nothing to [being a] viral sensation, so we’ve got some good stuff on there—inspiration from being cooped up from Covid and the culmination of the past couple years going into this album. It’ll be a large weight off our shoulders once it’s released to just spread it throughout the world ... 10 lovely tracks.” I’d say the fellas are getting used to their newfound fame quite well. They remain graciously humble, without all the ego, but reality did smack ‘em right in the face last year while playing a festival in Switzerland. The guys agreed that seemed to be a pretty huge “Oh SHIT!” moment for them. “That … moment, for me, was about five minutes before we were going on stage in Switzerland last year. There were 15,000 people there … and it was the biggest crowd we’d played for. That was one of the only shows in my whole career where I was shitting a brick. It was that nerve-racking. But, after the first two songs, the crowd was totally into it, and we got a standing ovation.” Griffin agrees: “It was mind-blowing to see that many people in one space. It was such a unique experience. And what a beautiful area Switzerland is, too. The band before us didn’t have much crowd engagement, so we were worried the crowd wouldn’t like us but two songs in, they were engaged and going nuts for every song. They were super loud, super high energy. It was nice to see that because majority of those people had no idea who we were. [It] was really amazing to have that reception and make so many new fans at once.” Ryan chimes back in: “Yeah, that is one of my favorite things about playing these festivals. No one knows who you are but if you’re good enough and blow people away, then everyone knows who you are. That makes fans for life.” Currently Adam and the Metal Hawks are gearing up for their UK tour happening later this year, and they’re already working on their third album. While there are currently no U.S. dates at this time, the band does expect for that to change. “We don’t have anything formal to announce just yet but, like I said, [we have this] new album that should be out by summer or end of the year … maybe singles and videos out by summer,” says Adam. “We’re playing a bunch of festivals this summer to push the album release, and we have the UK tour lined up. I’m sure very soon after there will be something announced for the States.” Rock gods, we hope so. The guys also hope to return to Canada for another tour after playing there last year, and they say they’d also like to get some South America dates. “We’re just looking to jump all over the world and just spread the music.” So, if you can’t tell by now, these guys are a group you’re going to want to follow and keep up with, because they’re on the verge of blowing up worldwide. And, given what they’ve already produced and released, there’s no telling what kind of genius is waiting in the wings. One thing’s for sure, though: Adam and the Metal Hawks are just getting started. Expect great things from these guys, my friends. Image courtesy of artist social media In the meantime, I highly recommend visiting their social media pages and diving into their videos. I spent an entire day going down the AMH video rabbit hole and there’s so much yumminess in there, I sat covered in chills, boosting my serotonin, whilst rocking out with them to Toto, Queen, Twisted Sister, Aerosmith , Scorpions , The Romantics, Meat Loaf, Bon Jovi , Led Zeppelin, Elton John, AC/DC (with water!) , Leonard Cohen , Metallica, Van Halen, Steppenwolf--do I need to keep going? Because I totally can. They’re downright entertaining, engaging, creative, talented, original, and full of that classic rock goodness we’ve all been longing to return. "We're just always trying to have fun in our videos," Ezegelian said. "That's why we have such a large following: They want that little piece of fun, that serotonin boost, in their day, and that's where we come in." One day, guys, people are going to be covering your tunes and paying you tribute in the honorable and exciting ways you are doing now. And so, my friends, I leave you with quite possibly some of the best compilation videos in existence. Enjoy, and don't say I didn't warn you! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI2I10rNVSk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucKQDibzh04 For more information on Adam and the Metal Hawks, and their badassery, cruise on over to any of the links below and rock your face off. YouTube @AMHBand Instagram @AMHBand www.amhband.com HOME | amhband.com AMH is a hard rock band from Long Island, New York, formed in 2019. The band consists of American Idol finalist Adam Ezegelian, along with Johnny Barry, Ryan Daversa and Alex Hertler. They released their debut album Adam and the Metal Hawks in April of 2020 and have since seen viral popularity on TikTok and other social media platforms. Twitter @AMHBand Facebook @AMHBand TikTok @AMHBand Spotify www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Alternative music will have a huge impact on 2025. < Back Nick's Corner: January 2025 Recs Nick Cline Jan 7, 2025 Share Alternative music will have a huge impact on 2025. Hello everyone! First, I would like to apologize for the lateness of this one. December and January are some of the craziest times of the year, as most of you can attest. But, besides that, welcome! Welcome to the first playlist picks for 2025. I want to thank all of y'all for the support you've been giving since I started at this magazine in June of last year. I am very grateful for all the opportunities and people I have met through this magazine, and I hope to continue meeting all of you beautiful people in the future. Okay, enough with the yapping. Let's get into it! 1 Black Gives Way to Blue by Alice In Chains Click to listen Deets about the track : First up on the chopping block is this beautiful song from 90s legends Alice in Chains . This song is from their 2009 album, Black Gives Way to Blue . It is the title track of the album that we will be discussing today. The song, ' Black Gives Way to Blue ', is a song that gets me through the harsh months of December and January. It is a tonal masterpiece that will leave chilling reminders of your triumphs, darkness, and lives ahead of you and the lives before now. It is perfect for that somber feeling of winter, and it can give you hope to push past the harshness of the past year into the greatness you will become in this new year. 2 Bleed by Kris Russ Click to listen Deets about the track : Next up is a local Louisiana act, Kris Russ . His song ' Bleed ' is an absolute banger. It is a grand testament to the possibilities of the music scenes in Louisiana. His mixing of early 2000s alternative and pop rock is a masterful determination of sonic mixing with modern sounds. The lyricism hits every note of the broken-hearted minds that will find his music inspiring and soothing. I can't wait to see what awaits Kris Russ in 2025, so I hope y'all feel the same after checking out his music. Follow Kris Russ closely because he has crafted a sound all his own. 3 Drywall by Goodbye Academy Click to listen Deets about the track : The following two picks will be more local acts that light the stage on fire with every note and beat they lay across. First up, Goodbye Academy . Goodbye Academy is a band located in the Baton Rouge area, and let me tell you, everyone needs to treat themselves to their live set. They are a powerful trio of musicians with so much energy and personality, and their sound reflects this in perfect unity. Their song, ' Drywall ', is the ideal introduction to their music that fuses the sounds of midwest emo , punk , and high-octane rock . Please do yourself a favor and check out this song and their catalog. You will not be disappointed! 4 Daydream by Jean Claude Seagal and The Gosh Darn Dangs Click to listen Deets about the track : Next up, we have the last local pick for this installment. Welcome, Jean Claude Seagal . Their sound is reminiscent of alternative legends of the 80s and 90s, but they fit in the modern twist of hard rock and punk . The song I want to show off today is ' Daydream .' This song is a special treat to listeners because it shows off another great band, The Gosh Darn Dangs . They are an amazing group to check out as well. This song offers sonic pleasures that will show off both sides of the two bands involved in the project. ' Daydream ' reminds me of Dinosaur Jr. in every significant way, but it has its sonic uniqueness that I genuinely feel deserves more love. Mixing fuzzy, spacey melodies, progressive drum styles, and pounding bass lines offer a sonic palette that will satisfy just about anybody. Do yourself a favor and check out this band of wickedly talented people. 5 Dragonaut by Sleep Click to listen Deets about the track : The last of this first playlist picks is Sleep 's wicked song, ' Dragonaut .' The stoner rock legends Sleep offer a different light to the playlist picks. They are a heavy, droning, and ready to beat your eardrums into the ground type of band. If you are a fan of old-school Black Sabbath and a fan of walls of fuzz, then you are in luck because these guys offer that in strides. Please do yourself a favor and check out Sleep and their discography. They have cemented themselves as legends in the stoner rock genre. This song is an excellent introduction to them because of its familiar feel of blues-influenced rock with that twist of walls of fuzz, droning melodies, and a rhythm section that could floor just about anybody. Check these tracks out and let me know what you think. -Nick- www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nick Cline is the powerhouse behind the Louisiana-based band, Phantum Sun , and loves checking out new music. Got something you think he'd like? Email us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Truly a Time to Let Your Soul Fly Free < Back Metal: The Killer of Trends Nicole Brice Nov 10, 2022 Share Truly a Time to Let Your Soul Fly Free To say that Metal , especially Southern Metal, had a HUGE impact on my life would truly be an understatement. To be honest, I cannot recall a single time when Metal was not a staple in constant rotation within my music collection. The one band, though, that I can attribute to me truly getting into super heavy music, though, would have to be Pantera , and I had the opportunity to not only see them once in my life, but twice . Those memories will never be forgotten, and those ticket stubs will forever be treasured heirlooms as will my 1996 concert tee from the tour for The Great Southern Trendkill . The ticket stubs from when I saw Pantera LIVE Tour shirt from July 11, 1996 Pantera always had that in-your-face / want to punch something sound. I can recall hearing ' Becoming ' for the first time in my brother's burgundy 1984 Honda Accord on his Alpine stereo at full blast while riding home from school one afternoon. The aggressive guitar that starts the track gives an instant punch to the cojones and what a musical journey that song is. It never lets up. Aggressive all the way through. Dimebag truly was a pioneer of his time and is so missed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLP0xP2M4S8 'Becoming' by Pantera Shows were a way of life growing up and every show that came to town was a "must see". In 1996, my brother and his friends heard that Pantera was coming to town, and so, I instantly HAD to go, right? Add in the fact that they were to play with White Zombie , and duh, no brainer! We were there! We ended up scoring balcony seats, fail , but at least we were getting to go to the concert, so there's that. On May 7, 1996 , The Great Southern Trendkill was released, and the cover was so sick that I knew before I even pressed play that I was in for an incredible experience. To this day, ' Floods ' is one of my favorite Pantera songs, hands down, because of Dimebag's amazing guitar solo , and I like to listen to that track on rainy days in my car at full volume. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5pr9lDaEyw 'Floods' by Pantera Considered one of Pantera's most aggressive albums, The Great Southern Trendkill features some of the fastest tempos and down-tuned guitars in their entire anthology, and even though it was to be one of the last Pantera offerings for a long while after, it serves as a reminder of days past when Metal ruled, and life was simpler. The 1996 show with Pantera and White Zombie was killer, no lie, and was one of the BEST shows I have attended in my LIFE . White Zombie was incredible, Pantera was incredible, Eye Hate God ...not so much, but the entire show was definitely one to remember. Back then, it was my first time seeing Eye Hate God , and their set was lacking something. I can honestly say that after all these years, Eye Hate God has gotten so much better, and I really enjoy their live shows. They have become icons, in their own right. Many years later, on a whim, I bought tickets to see Pantera again, but this time they were playing with Soufly . Winner, winner, chicken dinner! I am a HUGE Max Cavalera fan, HUGE ! I, literally, cannot go a day without listening to at least one Sepultura or Soulfly song. Max's voice gets me so pumped up! Just a few of my fave Sepultura songs are ' Refuse/Resist ', ' Roots Bloody Roots ', and ' Ratamahatta '. I even religiously wore my brothers Soulfly t-shirt in high school, often pissing him off when he would go looking for it and couldn't find it. It was almost always in my room in my dresser, ha! Oopsie! No clue how it got there. ::grins:: I'm wearing the infamous Soulfly t-shirt here, but it's hidden behind this stuffed pig. No clue why I was holding a stuffed pig. Anyway, so ended up getting to that second Pantera show late and arrived in the middle of Soulfly's set, bummer, but at least I got to go, and Pantera did not disappoint, once again. Sadly, I did not get a t-shirt from that show, but I have the memories of who I went with and the experience. Those things can never be replaced. Even though, Pantera is no longer around with the OG's, the memories of seeing their brilliance on stage will forever live in my mind, and maybe if I'm lucky, I'll stumble upon a YouTube video in the future of someone who recorded the shows I attended. Even though we didn't have camera phones back then, some people did sneak video cameras into those shows, and I'm sure someone out there has footage. They just have to. Till next time, listen to good music, reflect on the memories, and let us teach the future generations what classifies as truly GOOD music. Love and Light -Nicole- Me in high school wearing my Pantera tour shirt in 10th grade Geometry class www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The power of authentic expression < Back Women Who Rock: Wanda Wesolowski Tim W. Jackson Aug 7, 2023 Share The power of authentic expression Wanda Wesolowski doesn’t particularly sound like a rock star name. The bespectacled, coveralls-wearing, unadorned young woman, still in her 20s, doesn’t necessarily look like a rock star, either. But the North Alabama southern pop rock singer/songwriter/musician is becoming well-known as a talented force in the area’s rich music scene, leading Wanda Band to release its second full-length album, “Only Feeling” , on August 11. As that album prepares to drop, Wanda shared a bit about her success, her sobriety, and her sexuality in a beautifully unassuming and authentic way. Wanda grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, with supportive and musically gifted parents. She explains that her father, Chuck, plays guitar and bass while her stepmother, Jill, is a classical pianist. “We had a music room when I was a kid,” she says. “Guitars on the walls and a drum set and a grand piano. So, I just kind of grew up around that.” She started playing drums and took drum lessons at age 10. “I played snare in marching band and vibraphone, xylophone—all the phones,” she says. Wanda started playing the ukulele and then playing guitar and singing. By the time she was 14, she was gigging every week. Credit: Malachi Byrd “My dad would take me to my gigs, and he would stay the whole time and walk around and listen and kind of let me know what people were saying and give me tips and pointers.” She says that while her parents have always been very invested in what she does, it’s somewhat of a blessing and a curse, “because on the one hand, they're like, ‘Hey, what are you doing today for your music career to happen?’ I'm like, sometimes I'm doing nothing and that's okay,” she says with a laugh. Early on, Wanda was performing covers and even jingles because they were quicker to learn. Eventually she started going to an open mic night in Huntsville that required acts to play originals because the venue didn’t pay its PRO (performing rights organizations) fees. “That was really how I became a songwriter,” she says, “because I wanted to play and I was like, ‘I guess I have to write my own songs if I want to play at this open mic night.’” That was The Foyer, which, as Wanda remembers, “was kind of a golden age in Huntsville that a lot of people still talk about, ‘Remember The Foyer days?’ It was a coffee shop open until two in the morning and was a great hangout for musicians and college students.” In fact, it was at an open mic event in Huntsville where she first met its host, Andrew Sharpe. Wanda explains, “He said, ‘Hey, you're really good. You need a band. I wanna be in your band.’ And then I went in the next week, and he was like, ‘Hey, I got a band together for you. We rehearse on Monday.’ So, I was like, ‘All right, cool.’” And that’s how the Wanda Band was born. A few folks came and went but ultimately the band became a trio with Wanda on guitar and vocals, Andrew on bass, and Nick Recio (Black Jacket Symphony, the Artisnals, and Great Peacock) on drums. Credit: Andrea Belk “We have a lot of laughs and make fun music and it's good,” she says. After its initial album, “ One-Hit” , which was released in late 2020, Wanda Band signed this year with Single Lock Records out of Florence, Alabama, and has released a series of singles leading up to its release of the new album “Only Feeling.” Image Provided by Artist, Album Artwork by Gaby Wolodarski One of those singles, “Reggae Song”, was released in June as part of Pride Month. I want a woman to touch my thighs Who loves to sing and only smokes to get high I want a woman to scream my name She could be anybody, she just has to be gay In this song, Wanda is more explicit about her sexuality, although she says, “I guess a lot of my songs are about queer heartache and that experience and some of my frustrations with living down in the South and being a queer person. I think it's important for me as a woman, a queer artist, to be out and to show that there can be queer joy, there can be queer heartache, and just kind of giving a voice to those who feel the same way and maybe have experienced the same things.” She goes on to say with a laugh, “I definitely think that whether anybody wants it to be or not, all Wanda Band shows are a pride event .” Wanda says she’s been pleased with the reception of “Reggae Song” and the three other singles that have been released ahead of the full album. “I like the idea of giving everybody a little taste pretty relentlessly, like once a month, of our music,” she says. “And then we'll just give them all 12 (songs) for the full release and that will be fun. I'm really excited for everyone to hear the whole thing as a cohesive album.” As for the album, it was recorded with producer and musician Jay Burgess (The Pollies) at his studio in Greenhill, Alabama, which also happens to be the hometown of Jason Isbell . “Once it was done,” Wanda says, “Jay showed it to Ben (Tanner of Single Lock Records in nearby Florence) and Jay asked if Ben could put some stuff on it. So once Ben put all his keys on it, he was like, ‘I really want to pitch this to Single Lock and see if they want to put it out.’ So, they came to us and that was really special to me because it meant that they actually wanted to be involved with it. Using their resources has been extremely helpful and we're really thankful for their support in that way.” It probably doesn’t hurt that Wanda was a student of John Paul White ’s in the music department at the University of North Alabama. White, a noted singer/songwriter in his own right, is a co-owner along with Tanner and others of Single Lock Records. Wanda’s Shoals-area connections paid off in landing her a spot in the 2022 version of ShoalsFest, a musical weekend event brought to the area by Jason Isbell and his team. That was a dream come true,” Wanda says. “When I first moved to Florence, I worked ShoalsFest. I tore down the stage. I stood up on that stage and looked out and I was just like, ‘Now imagine yourself being here next year.’ So just being connected in the Shoals really has helped our career skyrocket in a way that it wouldn't have been able to just sitting in Huntsville.” In addition to the album release, another important date is looming for Wanda. She’s closing in on five years of sobriety. “I just was like ‘I guess if I'm an artist, I need to be troubled,’” she says about her early days of drinking. “As soon as I got out of high school, I just started drinking and smoking and doing a bunch of things I shouldn't be doing because I thought, ‘Oh, this is what it means to be young. This is what it means to be a brooding artist.’ And I took it a little too far and realized after about four years of regular heavy drinking that it wasn't helping me. It was kind of making me hate myself for not pursuing my dreams in the real meaningful way that I wanted to because I was so concerned with drinking and partying and being an artist in that way—and not really focusing on my art.” Credit: Tim W. Jackson She realized, “Some people can casually have a drink or two. I was not one of those people. It was like, as soon as I have a drink I'm blacking out. It was not good and not healthy. So, I finally made that decision (to choose sobriety) and started The Wanda Band like six months later and just really poured myself into my art and my music. In a way, maybe I traded one addiction for another— just being addicted to working on the band. But it was a healthy outlet for me, and it helped me pass the time and gave me a creative outlet that I didn't have when I was drinking all the time.” The focus on music has definitely paid off. The band has gotten more notoriety, and not just because of what has become their trademark coveralls. “I just got a pair of coveralls one day and thought, ‘Hey, I look pretty good.’ And then the boys were like, ‘I wanna wear some coveralls.’ So, our first album release show we got matching coveralls for the event, and we never looked back. We were just like, ‘I guess we're a coveralls band.’ “It's so funny,” she continues. “With the coveralls, I don't have to think about (what to wear). I'm just like, what color do I want to wear today? Sometimes I forget to tell the boys what color to wear and they'll show up to the gig with all of their coveralls in the back of their truck. I like that they're into it. They both work in construction, so it kind of just goes with their aesthetic.” Catch the “coveralls band” in a handful of album release shows in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, and give the album a listen on your streaming service of choice. And keep your eye on this rising star who stands as a testament to the profound impact of music when it emerges from the heart and soul of a genuine artist and storyteller. Wanda’s dedication to her craft and ability to connect with audiences will ensure her indelible mark on the world of music, reminding us all of the power of authentic expression. For more on Wanda Wesolowski and Wanda Band, visit her below at any of the following links: www.TheWandaBand.com Instagram @TheWandaBand Facebook @TheWandaBand YouTube @WandaBand Spotify @TheWandaBand *Cover photo by Andrea Belk Tim Jackson is a seasoned journalist and author with a penchant for all things dark, macabre, and somewhat sinister. He lives in Tuscumbia, Alabama, with his artist wife and their remote-chewing dog, Maple. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Last Giant's music is nostalgic and fresh < Back Last Giant: Captivating and Catchy Chris Pryor Jun 21, 2023 Share Last Giant's music is nostalgic and fresh In the vast world of music, it's always a pleasant surprise to come across a band that manages to impress with its unique style and sound. Last Giant is one such band that has caught my attention, and in this review, I'll be focusing on two standout songs from their latest album, "Monuments" released on June 9, 2023, by indie label Little One Ate the Big One and distributed via The Orchard. Released on June 9, 2023 via indie label Little One Ate the Big One Beginning in 2014 from the ashes of former Northwest indie-rock heavy-hitters System and Station (1998-2013), Last Giant is comprised of frontman RFK Heise (vocals, guitar, keys), Palmer Cloud (bass), and Matt Willes (drums). Last Giant has toured the U.S. extensively and has been featured in film and television, as well as shows including Mike Watt's "The Watt from Pedro" and Allen Epley's "Third Gear Scratch." Last Giant's video for "Captain My Captain" was the winner of MTV's indie video award with over 70,000 votes and they were a featured artist on MTV2. courtesy indie label Little One Ate the Big One With "Monuments," demoing started in early 2021 before Last Giant's film release, "Live from The Hallowed Halls." Shortly after, personal tragedy derailed the band from living in a consistent zip code. Band leader RFK Heise continued to write and hone songs, most of which would become Monuments while living throughout Northwest and Southern California. Lyrical inspiration was found in observation and introspection on not having a consistent home and being a stranger in a constant strange circumstance. First up for review is "Lost and Losing," a track that immediately captures your attention with its captivating guitar work in the intro. The vocals exude a smooth yet bluesy/folksy quality reminiscent of the legendary Bob Dylan. However, Last Giant infuses their music with a modern touch, resulting in a sound that is both nostalgic and fresh. "Lost and Losing" stands out as the perfect contrast to the rest of the album, and it's a fantastic choice for a closing track. The production is top-notch, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the West Coast scene that Last Giant expertly captures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6g5IV4647A Moving on to my personal favorite, "Soldiers." Right from the start, this song hits you with a heavy, crunching sound similar to the legendary Motley Crue. The riffs are undeniably catchy, while the driving drums keep the energy high throughout. The transition to the bridge and subsequent lead guitar solo is seamless and adds another layer of excitement to the track. As the song progresses, it momentarily slows down, building anticipation for a rockin' crescendo that doesn't disappoint. The structure of "Soldiers" is masterfully crafted, making it a perfect fit for modern rock radio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sR0iBZ_0esU Last Giant's musicianship and production shine brightly throughout the entire album. The band has honed their style and sound, resulting in a cohesive body of work that showcases their talent and creativity. Last Giant is a well-rehearsed group of musicians who know how to captivate their audience. Based on their impressive performance on "Monuments," there's no doubt that Last Giant is a band destined to be seen and heard. Their ability to blend classic and modern rock influences sets them apart from the crowd, and I have no doubt that we'll be hearing even more from them in the future, so keep an ear out because they're ready to rock your world. To check out more from Last Giant, visit their website at www.LastGiantBand.com or hit one of the links below. Last Giant | Spotify ‎Last Giant on Apple Music Monuments | Last Giant (bandcamp.com) Christopher Pryor is a multi-talented Renaissance man who currently fronts the Louisiana-based band Chris Pryor & The Main Event. He loves to listen to new music and give his opinions. Got something you'd like him to listen to? Hit us up at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com or mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . *cover photo provided by indie label Little One Ate the Big One www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Spyne!’s music is raw unfiltered rock with a nod to the classics. < Back The Dynamic Sound of the New Jersey Band Spyne Nicole Brice Mar 2, 2024 Share Spyne!’s music is raw unfiltered rock with a nod to the classics. In the 90s, the musical landscape was full of rock tunes, but over the years the music being pushed to the masses has changed, taking on a different sound and vibe. With the industry focused more on overproduction and autotune, newer generations of independent musicians are starting to bring rock music back to where it belongs – on top. By reinventing guitar-driven music for a new generation, these bands are looking to make a revolutionary change by authentically creating tunes full of originality. New Jersey is known for its vibrant music scene and is continually churning out all sorts of musical creatives. Formed in New Jersey in 2021, the band Spyne! is steadily making a name for themselves on the local music scene, and includes frontman and rhythm guitarist Kyle Moyer, drummer Eric Muhler, lead guitarist Liam Muhler, and bassist Toni Manousos. Full of personality and charisma, Spyne! are four talented musicians on a mission to push boundaries and create music that resonates with listeners on a deep level, and the best way to describe Spyne!’s music, for those not familiar, is it is unfiltered rock with hints of punk and pop. It is simply feel-good rock. The band’s latest single “ Win ” was released on September 15, 2023, and is an anthem for any underdog facing criticism. With crisp, clean bluesy guitars and powerful vocals, the chorus asks, “Yeah what if I win?” in a sort of mocking tone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57hhuIemfqg One of the defining features of the band’s sound on this track is Kyle’s powerful and soulful vocals , which could be compared to Daniel Johns from Silverchair meets Wolfgang Van Halen meets Dave Grohl . His dynamic range and emotive delivery add depth and intensity to all the band’s songs creating a powerful and enjoyable listening experience. Since their formation, Spyne! has been steadily releasing new music, and their debut EP, “ Away ”, released in 2022, showcases the band’s raw talent with an enjoyable 14 minutes of sound. Spyne! is currently working on a full-length album to be released in the future, but in the meantime, you can stay up to date on all their music via their social media. With a growing catalog of original songs and dynamic live shows, Spyne! is poised to continue making a name for themselves in the music industry and their solid booked calendar for 2024 can attest to that. Credit: Photo provided by band Mixed Alternative Magazine had the opportunity to chat with the guys in Spyne! recently to discuss aspirations, what makes them so unique, and upcoming plans. Take a moment to learn a little more about this talented and comedic group of musicians and then go stream their music and crank it up to 11. MaM : Hey guys, thanks for chatting with us today. First question – where did the band name and clever logo come from? Kyle : So, this goes back to me and our old drummer. We were sitting around, and he had just gotten done with treatment for scoliosis, so the name “spine” popped into our heads. We decided to add the “y” for a different take on the spelling and then the exclamation point at the end to show emphasis, so it reads as “Spyne!”. Also, too, with the “y”, it looks like a crooked back. MaM : What got each of you into music initially? Liam : I initially got into music because every member of my family plays an instrument, and we all play different instruments, so that has definitely been an influential factor in my interest in music. It was almost destined to happen and just seemed normal. I love all sorts of genres and we all have a different style, so it all just meshes well. Eric : Since Liam and I are brothers, you know we had a pretty similar upbringing. Both of our parents are teachers, so there was always a push for us to do something with music. Over the years, I tried numerous instruments, so it was about finding something I wanted to stick with. I started playing the drums, and over time, that ended up being the instrument that stuck with me. Toni : I was always fascinated with people moving people with their music. I think it’s a very powerful thing. Kyle : The earliest memory I have is listening to a bunch of different CDs in my mom’s car on the way to school. Growing up, I had a lot of eye surgeries done in New York, so we would have some long drives from New Jersey to New York and I remember listening to a lot of Deep Purple , Aerosmith , Van Halen , and anything classic rock , to be honest. My mom and dad were huge influences on my music taste, though. They introduced me to some great stuff. Credit: Photo provided by band MaM: That’s great parenting! How would you describe the music you typically create now? Kyle : I guess you could say it’s got a classic rock sound with a modern twist. We’re not trying to copy anyone, but we’re looking for a new sound that incorporates things from the past. Liam : I like to think of it as reinventing classic rock. An extension of an already rich tradition, but for a different demographic … more for our age group. I don’t feel like we’re making music to appeal to an older audience but more to a diverse audience. MaM : How do you approach writing music? Take us through the creative process. I read that you’re going to release a full-length album later this year, so tell us a little more about all of that, too. Liam : We are very privileged to have a great songwriter in Kyle. He writes from the heart and with his songwriting and Eric’s drumming skills, it’s just an excellent combination for Toni and me to add some riffs and harmony. We have a great formula and with live performances, we can stretch our muscles a little bit to change up the songs for the performance. Maybe change up a solo here or there. Our chemistry has these really consistent roles. Kyle : He’s right on the dot. It starts with me and then goes to Eric and then to the other two guys. We’re very lucky. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : If you could collaborate with any musician in the future, who would it be and why? Kyle : There are so many. I love Dave Grohl and have been a Foo Fighters fan since I was 12 years old, but I love Aerosmith, too. Liam : So, I have a bad answer for this. If I could collaborate with any artist, it would have to be Bruce Springsteen so I could complain to him. (laughter) No matter where I play or where I go, people keep mentioning him. The funny thing is that everyone around me has said they have met or seen Springsteen , so I feel like I owe it to myself to meet him. Everyone sitting at this table today has seen Springsteen . I’ve even done two Springsteen tributes in other bands, and I have yet to see or meet the guy. (laughter) MaM : If you ever do meet him, you need to tell him that he’s like Waldo … where’s Bruce ? (laughter) Toni : Paul McCartney for me. He’s influenced me the most. Eric : Rise Against for me. I would love to work with them and meet them. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : You guys are younger than me, and probably can’t remember a time without it, but how do you feel the internet has impacted the current state of the music industry? Liam : I think that the internet has fundamentally changed how we advertise things. I think that part of interacting with these social media platforms means that you must play by their rules a good bit and so we try to keep up with all of that. We try to put up cute and funny posts every so often. Something that can promote things seriously, but have a punchline, too. Sometimes having a sense of humor with what you post helps because it shows that your material is friendly and inviting. Kyle : I feel the same as Liam. Doing cute and funny things is great, but we’ve seen a good bit of changes with the internet just through the time we’ve grown up. Everything is so accessible now. Growing up it was more recreational, but since the 2010s, it feels like everything is media. The biggest struggle for us has been getting people to the shows, and in the past, it was more about just supporting the venues. Today, it’s so hard to pull people in and sometimes it’s the short funny media that makes them come to a show. It’s a learning experience. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Do you have a favorite song to perform live? Eric : “ Away ” or “ Heaven Find You ”. People usually start jumping around during “Away” and it’s just fun to play. With “Heaven Find You”, I’m a big fan of the drum part I wrote for the song and love playing it. The chorus of the song is well-received by the fans, too. Toni : I think “ Win ” is my favorite original song to play. It’s just one of the best Spyne! songs and fun to play. Now, our cover of “ No One Knows ” by Queens of the Stone Age is one of the best we’ve done, and everyone loses their minds when we play it, too. Kyle : I don’t have an answer since I wrote all the songs. (laughter) I love each one. If I had to pick, though, it would be “ By the Bay ” and “ Heaven Find You ”. I also like it when we play “ Pride and Joy ” by Stevie Ray Vaughan, too. Liam : I’m going to start with my favorite cover to play live. Generally, with the covers, I love it when the songs have a good solo section because I like to make up stuff a lot. The guys give me a good bit of freedom to go crazy, but we played a cover at our last set at The Stone Pony by Kiss … we did “ Love Gun ”. That fulfilled something for my inner child because I grew up listening to Twisted Sister and other hair metal bands, and I just love the guitar work. With this cover, I was able to go crazy on stage and I think we have a recording of the performance somewhere. As far as originals go, I would have to pick “Win”. It’s got a kickass guitar riff that everybody remembers, and my friends have come up to me after a show to tell me that they really like “Win”. It’s such a terrific song. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Ok, going to throw you guys a funny question. Do any of you have any useless talents outside of the musical realm? Liam : I can juggle pins on a unicycle. (laughter) MaM : That’s awesome. Kyle : I’ve seen that happen. I want to say automotive repair because I suck at it, but it’s not exactly useless. I can play drums on my stomach and can do that incredibly well for no reason. (laughter) Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : So, when can we expect the new album? Where do you see yourself headed in the future? Kyle : We’re looking towards 2024, but I have a feeling it will push into 2025. We want it to be right. We have these songs that are an amalgamation of everything perfect. We want it mixed the way we want, and I think we’re going to fulfill our full artistic capabilities. The goal is to open for bigger acts and get our name out there to similar music tastes because the internet isn’t great at that. Liam : I think it’s really good that we’re going to be patient with the process. We’re not the type to rush into releasing something a little bit premature. I want to wrap it with a neat bow when we release it. As Spyne! continues to evolve and explore new musical territories, one thing remains constant – their passion for creating music that connects with people on a visceral level. Whether you’re a fan of rock or alternative, Spyne’s music is sure to resonate with you on a profound level. To check out the music of Spyne!, click the link below. Spyne! | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree *Photos by Jeff Crespi www.jeffcrespirocks.com JEFFCRESPIROCKS See through a different lens! www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Subliminal Landmines are back with a new, harder-edged sound. < Back Subliminal Landmines: Detonating Their Return to Louisiana’s Punk Scene Nicole Brice Dec 3, 2025 Share Subliminal Landmines are back with a new, harder-edged sound. The Louisiana music scene is brimming with great bands, and one that is set to make a significant comeback in 2026 is the Lafayette-based punk band Subliminal Landmines . After a brief hiatus due to lineup changes, the band is back with a new, harder-edged sound and is ready to take the stage by storm. Credit: Gary Governale Since their inception in 2017 , Subliminal Landmines has continued to grow in scope, with numerous releases all showing a steady progression in sound. When asked about the origins of their band name, founder Grant Duhon explained, "Each of the songs we write has a deeper context, a subliminal aspect to each, and then once the listener connects the dots, and it clicks that you understand what the song is about, it's like a landmine that goes off triggered by realization." The name definitely reflects the essence of a band that never stops gaining momentum. Subliminal Landmines is more than just a punk band; it is a trio of creative individuals from diverse backgrounds who share a passion for making music and creating art. Initially, the band’s sound was more reminiscent of Green Day and a bit poppier, but over the years, their sound has evolved to embrace the skate-punk aesthetic, in the vein of Pennywise , and has now expanded into the hardcore punk genre. The new lineup features Scratch on vocals, Fry on bass, and Taz on drums. Credit: Gary Governale Recently, Scratch opened a multi-use chill space in downtown Lafayette called The Devil’s Den , which he hopes to house a barrage of shows in the future. As a hydro/hydra lounge and boutique , The Devil’s Den offers numerous beverages and oddities for purchase, including handmade corsets and jewelry , along with game rentals and more. With this new venue, Subliminal Landmines is poised to make a comeback that promises to be even more intense than before. The first show with the new lineup is scheduled for Friday, December 19, 2025, at The Devil’s Den . Mark your calendars and be there! Subliminal Landmines make their return on December 19th! The band recently stopped by the house to hang out and chat, so take a moment to learn more about what they have been up to as well as what’s in store for 2026 . MaM : So, tell us a little more about this new line-up and how things came to be. Scratch : We were looking for a bassist and a drummer, and some time had passed, and then my friend Steven ran into Fry one night, and they linked up, and he gave Fry my number. He then hit me up and tried out for bass and fit the spot perfectly. Then we had drum tryouts, and that’s where Taz came in. We then started practicing and writing, and we actually just recorded four new songs. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Nice! Are you still going to promote Restless Thoughts from Different Cities that came out with the old line-up? I know once it came out, not much else was done in terms of promotion. Scratch : Well, I kind of plan to promote it, but for the most part, it’s just a release that is out there because we don’t have any physical copies. We had those songs in the vault for over two years, and we didn’t want to sit on them. MaM : It’s such a great EP. So, let’s talk to your new members, Fry and Taz. Guys, no last name? Just a first name? (nodding) MaM : (to Fry) How long have you been playing bass, and what got you into it initially? Fry : Well, I tried out guitar, and it was cool, but I like bass because I’ve always heard it prominently. I actually found Gorillaz, first off, and I started playing acoustic bass. Then I saw Red Hot Chili Peppers and Primus, and I always wanted to learn the hardest song to practice. That taught me you could do vocals while playing bass, so I’ve been trying to freestyle while playing bass. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : (to Taz) How long have you been playing drums? Taz : Three years. I had a drum set for a long time, and finally got to practicing on it. One day, I just looked at it and started. Played it, liked it, upgraded to the set I have now. Credit: Gary Governale Scratch : Fry has his own signature bass style. You can hear him slapping that bass. Fry : Double thumb is what we’re doing a lot of on this new stuff. Lowkey. I’ve been adding little strums and whatnot, too. I like to keep the action low so it’s a bit more rumbly. So, I’ll do some complex fingerstyle if I’m going to play fingerstyle, and it usually works out. You don’t hear enough slap in punk. It’s criminally underrated. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : (to Grant) So, you’re going by Scratch now? Why the persona change? Take us through that. Scratch : It’s a nickname I’ve always had, but when we brought Fry on, I was like, you know, it would be cool if we each had our own identities tied to the band, and I actually came up with a last name, too, as I was creating a character for The Devil’s Den . For the PS4 profile, I put Scratch as the first name, but then I needed a last name, so I picked Wilson because who can make it happen? Scratch WILL SON ! It just rolls off the tongue. (laughter) Credit: Gary Governale MaM : (looks to Fry and Taz) Are you guys going to add a last name to match Grant’s? Fry : I started with Fry Lock . So, like Fry’s locked in. MaM : That’s awesome! Fry : I have an adlib that I’ll do a lot, where I’ll spell out my name F-R-Y. MaM : Well, think about the whole gimmicky nature of previous bands choosing personas over their real names. Look at The Ramones, and The Donnas … I love when bands do that. It brings it full circle. Taz : I guess I need to find a last name now. Scratch : Mine naturally made itself. I didn’t actually think of it. The universe gave me a circumstance. It was like choose your last name, and Wilson was the first thing that came to mind. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : It’s almost as if you could change your whole persona within the band and make it to where people don’t know your real name. Scratch : So, with The Devil’s Den , I introduce myself as Scratch . That’s just my persona downtown [Lafayette]. I don’t really want people knowing my real name because I’m meeting a lot of people every day. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, let’s talk new venue. How did this all come about? Scratch : Well, so the name, obviously, has been floating around for a while in my head, but as a restaurant originally. A spicy food-based restaurant, actually, but it just didn’t work out that way. When The Grouse Room closed down, I was thinking about how Lafayette has lost another music venue, and what an opportune time to do what I do on a bigger scale or more consistently, not just once a year like Radfest . If I could house an event center where people can hang out, host events regularly, and host Radfest, then that would be it. But you can literally walk out of The Devil’s Den , and Parc International is right there. Right in our backyard. MaM : Tell us a little more about the venue. Scratch : I looked into The Grouse Room when it closed down, and I didn’t know whether they wanted a lease or if they were trying to sell it. They wanted to sell it, so then I saw a building two doors down, and when I tell you universal synchronicities with this building … things kept lining up and happening to make it happen. MaM : That’s usually how it works out. Scratch : The building was already red and black. The main wall inside, an original, beautiful brick wall, was basically sculpted by Fry, Taz, me , and a couple of other people. We got a crowbar and a hammer, chiseled off the rest of the wall to expose the brick, and then I basically revamped that whole building. It’s red-lit inside; it has this vibe. We’ve been getting some foot traffic. Basically, it’s just an awareness period right now, but a lot of peace and love went into those walls. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, what’s on the horizon for 2026? Tell us about the new music. Scratch : Yeah, the new stuff is a little more hardcore punk . It’s all recorded, four songs. My vocals are more aggressive, too. We recorded with Ben Finley at The Shed Sound Hole , and we hope to have it released by January or February 2026 . I hope to be booking regular shows at The Devil’s Den , not just for Subliminal Landmines , but also for other bands, and to do some fashion shows there, too. All kinds of things will happen in 2026 . Credit: Gary Governale As Subliminal Landmines continue to carve out their place in the Louisiana music landscape and beyond, make it a point to check out their first live show with the new line-up on December 19, 2025 , at The Devil's Den in Lafayette, LA. To learn more about Subliminal Landmines: Spotify: Subliminal Landmines | Spotify Apple Music: ‎Subliminal Landmines - Apple Music Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Subliminal Landmines (@subliminallandmines) • Instagram photos and videos YouTube: "Where's My Coke?" - OFFICIAL VIDEO *All photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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Top 5 Nostalgia Picks for October 2024 < Back Way Back When: Nostalgia Picks for your Playlist October Nicole Brice Oct 1, 2024 Share Top 5 Nostalgia Picks for October 2024 It’s my FAVORITE month in the entire world! Woo Hoo! I struggled to decide on these, but I think you’ll enjoy them all. … and if you don’t … I don’t care. My column. My rules. I’m winking at all of you as I type that, too. 1. AFI – Halloween This 1999 Misfit’s cover by AFI is more enjoyable than the original, in my opinion. Something about AFI’s persona during this period does it for me, too. I know bands must evolve, but this period between Black Sails and Art of Drowning is my fave. Turn this one up loud and enjoy! 1999 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1v7KmK5xpM 2. Ministry – Everyday Is Halloween In 1984 after Ministry left Arista , they recorded a couple of singles for Wax Trax! , and this was one of those singles. For those who know of Ministry with its more brutal sound , this track will surprise you. More in vain with bands like Depeche Mode , this track was released as the ultimate goth anthem, and when I first discovered it, I would play it nonstop in the control room at 90.9 KSLU while we were working on promos because I loved it so much. You’ll be bopping along in no time once you put this one on your list. Trust me. 1984 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFPI9b9N6CQ 3. Def Leppard- Photograph Even though I was only two years old when this song was released, my earliest memories of hearing it were when the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair would come to town. I can remember this song being played on the sound systems with various rides that were going around. When I finally saw the video on VH1 years later, I became even more intrigued with the band. Forever one of my faves. 1983 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4dHr8evt6k 4. How to Destroy Angels - BBB This song is from the first self-titled EP released under the How to Destroy Angels name, featuring Trent Reznor and his wife, Mariqueen . It is so infectious that you’ll be zoned in within minutes while nodding your head. 2010 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y27mjl7iI1I 5. Candlebox – Far Behind This song instantly transports me back to 6th grade in the fall. There is so much love for this song in my heart. If you’ve never heard it, turn it up! 1993 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTqyUz_jSIo Hey, if you don't like these, cool. If you've never heard them, check them out! Love and light, Nicole www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Hawthorne Oachs brings deep awareness to everyday life < Back Hawthorne Oachs: A Free-Spirited Young Artist Full of Beautiful Harmonies Nicole Brice & Chris Pryor May 30, 2023 Share Hawthorne Oachs brings deep awareness to everyday life Sometimes, a musician comes onto the scene and just blows us away to where we are left virtually speechless. The next musician we are bringing to you has done just that and her name is Hawthorne Oachs. At the young age of 12, this spirited artist wrote, produced, and released her first single, “My Lullaby,” which was released in November of 2021. At 14 years old, Hawthorne has many talents and is not only a musical artist but also a digital artist and award-nominated actress with Z-Fest 2023 as a Best Child Actress Nominee. She has created the cover art for all her music released thus far and is frequently known to share her artistic creations on social media. With song lyrics written from the perspective of a young teenage girl, Hawthorne has a mature-sounding voice that is both powerful and contains soulful evoking memories of LeAnn Rimes when she first broke on the scene in the mid-90s. Photo provided by artist An incredible storyteller drawing inspiration from everyday life, Hawthorne’s songs are often about personal experiences with her relatable and thought-provoking lyrics. In addition to her music and art, Oachs is an advocate for mental health awareness, where she has spoken publicly about her own struggles with anxiety and depression. She hopes to use her platform to help others who are struggling with mental illness and wants to be a role model for young people everywhere. If you’re looking for music that is both powerful and meaningful, then we highly recommend checking out the music of Hawthorne Oachs. In fact, we listened to her entire catalog and could not find a single song we did not like. Her music is that good. Oach’s latest single, which released on April 21, 2023, is titled “A Single Flower.” It is a hauntingly beautiful arrangement full of abundant wisdom for a girl so young. Listening to it gave us the chills, and when that happens, you know something is resonating with your own energy. It has excellent production value and a good use of effects, and the harmony flows perfectly with the medley of the music. We cannot recommend it enough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIGEX0gNN4I Set to release another new single in June, Hawthorne is a talented artist with a bright future ahead of her, so stay tuned! We recently had the opportunity to ask her a few questions, so check out her responses below and then go listen to her beautiful catalog of tunes. She is sure to become a household name in the years to come. MaM : Hawthorne, thanks so much for taking time to talk with us. Your vocals are so melodic, soulful, and strong for such a young lady. Who are your vocal inspirations and why? HaO : Thank you so much for the kind words, Nicole! Some specific singers that I really respect are my mom, Mafumafu, and Hayley Williams of Paramore. My mom is a talented singer and has been such a fantastic mentor throughout my life. I know I would have made my way to music eventually if I was born with different parents, but my mom and dad have given me the gift of a life immersed in music, and I wouldn't have had it any other way. Mafumafu is a very emotional and passionate singer and I connect with that. I find a lot of joy listening to his work, and I found his music at the height of the pandemic, so his songs comforted me. I’m massively grateful for that in ways I’m not sure I can clearly articulate. Because of my mom, I’ve been listening to Paramore since before I could understand the meaning of the lyrics, so their music has always held a special place in my heart. They were my first concert when the ‘After Laughter’ album came out! Hayley has such a wonderful, powerful voice and I really love listening to both her solo work and Paramore’s whole discography. Their new album is a such a banger, too! Zac is a superb drummer and Taylor is a stellar guitarist who also has curly hair, like me! Listening to these people play their hearts out really inspires me to keep learning, growing, and improving as I turbulently make my way through these adolescent voice-changing years. Photo provided by artist MaM : When did you realize you wanted to create music and why? HaO : I’ve always been way into music starting from when I was really young. I'd sort all of the CDs and records in my house, taking them off the shelf, looking at the album art, listening, then putting them back. I also used to run around the house playing my little pink acoustic guitar, singing at the top of my lungs, making up songs. The piano was a safe place to play and decompress from the events of the day. I still do that. I was around [five years old] when I started taking formal lessons for both piano and guitar, and I immediately wanted to quit because if I didn't get something right on the first try, I would get discouraged. I'm also tenacious and headstrong, which I’m grateful for, because I stuck with those lessons and now piano and guitar are my favorite songwriting tools. During the pandemic, most of us turned to art to consume and keep us soothed and entertained. In the beginning, I ended up writing a considerable [number] of songs cathartically. Through that catharsis, I developed a love for songwriting and a realization that I was fastened to music for life. Photo provided by artist MaM : Who are your musical influences for your sound? HaO : Because I've grown up in a musical household, I've listened to quite possibly every genre that exists. As a result of that immersive education, I have an extensive collection of favorites that I've held closely in my heart. I can usually find something to like in whatever I'm listening to, and every day I'm discovering new artists that I love. For example, I've been listening to Minami, Mitski, and Blü Eyes lately. Right now, the songs I have on repeat obsessively are ‘Thick Skull’ and ‘Running Out Of Time’ by Paramore. I think inevitably over time, everything you've ever listened to influences your own sound. Experimenting and figuring out who I am as a musical artist has been a welcome adventure. My fifth single ‘Chase Me’ was probably the first time my sound and aesthetic felt most like home. With the latest songs that I've been creating, I've got a solid vision for the path forward and I'm exhilarated about that! Since I started releasing songs at [age] 12, there has been growth in me personally as well, so it seems logical to see growth in my music. In the fall, it'll have been two years since I started doing this. What's cool about it is that I can look back to where I started and see the growth and changes. I'm proud of everything I've done so far, and I wouldn't have changed anything! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izRMLjP3CT0 MaM : If you could share the stage with any artist, who would it be and why? HaO : Mafumafu! A few years ago, I had to pick a second language to learn for school. I started learning French, but that was a big non-merci from me after about a month. I just couldn't get the pronunciation right and wasn't feeling it. Since my appreciation for Japanese culture, candy, and food had grown, I chose to learn Japanese. Early on, it was suggested that I listen to and learn songs in the language to engross me, which would aid in familiarizing myself with pronunciation and vocabulary. When studying one day, a J-pop playlist was on autoplay, and I heard Mafumafu's cover of ‘Hated by Life Itself’ for the first time. I felt like I was hit by lightning. I understood him without understanding a single word. Between a global pandemic and the trials of adolescence, I needed brightness in my life. When I heard Mafumafu's voice, I felt seen, heard, and understood. I listened to that song incessantly for a while. All of his music and variety of content was the fortification I needed to see me through to better days. Admittedly, without something to hold onto then, I'm not sure what would've happened. I hope someday I'll get to meet him and tell him just how truly grateful I am, and wouldn't a Mafumafu x Hawthorne Oachs musical collaboration be the most beautiful finishing touch to that story? Photo provided by artist MaM : What music or things around you are inspiring you to create these days? HaO : Mental health awareness has been on my mind for the past two years, and lately I find myself digging into the problems we face as a society, but particularly those directly related to mental health. The surgeon general recently declared loneliness to be a public health crisis and said it's comparable to smoking. While I wrote and released it before this news broke, my most recent song ‘A Single Flower’ tackles the topic and the debilitating effects of loneliness. Another thing that's been on my mind is the alarmingly high rates of teenage suicide. My new song ‘Red Spider Lilies’ that is coming out on July 27th addresses the grief that one might feel when the person tethering them to this world is gone forever and they want to go, too. Maybe they were already thinking about it, and this was their breaking point, or maybe the grief was so unbearable they made the decision in a split second. I think if anyone said they were having those feelings out loud, it would be divisive, and some might even chastise them for those thoughts. This song is acknowledging that those thoughts and emotions can be part of being human and we should do better by supporting mental health, listening to others without judgment, acknowledging that humans can and do have dark thoughts, and normalize talking about those struggles. I think about how I turn to the creative output of others to comfort me, so if the art I create can be of that same service to others, then it feels like it's a small contribution and my own way of making the world a better place. Photo provided by artist MaM : What are your aspirations for the future? HaO : My primary aspiration is that my music gets to the ears and the hearts of the people who need it the most. I always set short-term goals for myself and celebrate them wildly when I reach them. I appreciate that this industry is overly saturated and jumping to the head of the line isn't realistic, nor is it a goal. I simply want to help people first and foremost. I want my music to be of service to others in the same way that music has been of service to me in my life. If that turns into something bigger than I am imagining right now, I will enthusiastically embrace whatever comes from it. The one thing that is non-negotiable and that I refuse to do is stop creating music. Music has been and always will be a comfort to me, and my true aspiration is that the music I release will be a comfort to others. - Be sure to add the music of Hawthorne Oachs on your playlist today! This young lady is creating something magical, and we cannot wait to see what she has in store for all of us in the future. To check her out, follow any one of the below-listed links. Hawthorne Oachs (@hawthorneoachs) • Instagram photos and videos Hawthorne Oachs | Facebook Hawthorne Oachs | Spotify ‎Hawthorne Oachs on Apple Music Hawthorne Oachs - YouTube www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Stockholm Syndrome is a mental exercise that challenges you to think critically. < Back Reviews on the Real: Stockholm Syndrome by Fishbone Nicole Brice Sep 25, 2025 Share Stockholm Syndrome is a mental exercise that challenges you to think critically. It's rare for an entire album to resonate with me as deeply as the latest release from Fishbone, titled Stockholm Syndrome . This masterfully crafted album is filled with profound truths that emerge in every song. Each track flows seamlessly into the next, and no two songs sound alike. The strength of this album lies in its lyrics, which convey wisdom to those who are awakened while also offering narratives that are accessible to the general audience. For those of us who truly understand, we recognize the significance of the messages on this album, and Fishbone provides the perfect soundtrack for our ongoing journey. Released June 20, 2025 Fishbone's latest album isn't just a collection of songs; it's a mental workout, challenging you to think critically in an age where mindless consumption is the norm. The band has never shied away from confronting uncomfortable truths, and this time they invite you to engage mentally—an idea that feels foreign in a culture hooked on passive scrolling and shallow perspectives. This fourth incarnation of the band includes: Angelo Moore (Vocals, Sax, Theremin, Percussion), Christopher Dowd (Vocals, Keyboards, Trombone), Tracey Singleton (guitar), Hassan Hurd (Drums), JS Williams (Trumpet, Vocals), and James Jones (Bass). Credit: Matt Dessner Thematically, the album explores the concept of psychological captivity, echoing the haunting complexity of Stockholm Syndrome, where the oppressed not only accept their chains but also defend their captors. It serves as a reminder that mental freedom begins with awareness, and Fishbone is here to shake things up. " Now that you've got a stake in the game. Now that you've got your own lane. On with the show, let's go... this is it! Now that you've got a full tank of gas. With a crew at your back when it's time to whoop ass. On with the show, let's go... this is it! " -Suckered by Sabotage Let’s roll with a detailed review of every track. Last Call in America (ft George Clinton) This is an upbeat tune that poses all the questions we have while announcing the "last call" for America. It’s truly remarkable! I found myself throwing my arms up and singing along while dancing in the laundry room to this one. "Last Call in America!" Who knew that doom and gloom could be so upbeat? I have to keep dancing until the world ends. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxfTe-VPSRw Last Call in America Video Adolescent Regressive Behavior This track is high-energy and packed with the grooves that Fishbone is famous for—it's another solid addition to their repertoire. Dog Eat Dog Cheerful and engaging, yet it conveys a profound story. Pay attention to this one. Suckered by Sabotage I love everything about this song. The beginning has such a punk rock energy that I feel like bumping into people and slam dancing. Then, when it slows down and the groove takes over, it creates a laid-back vibe that's full of funk. And that chorus! It sneaks up on you, and before you know it, you'll be singing along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfmw2daTMpw Video for Suckered by Sabotage Secret Police Truth. This song embodies all truth: the guitar, the groove, the drums, and the message. Listen closely. The guitar work on this track is truly exquisite; it establishes the tone for the powerful message. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSC57A8bqpY Secret Police Lyric Video Gelato the Clown Guess what? Bullies always get what’s coming to them, and Fishbone wants you to know this. Amazing track. Why Do We Keep on Dying This is an outstanding reggae track with a powerful message. You’re going to love it! Hellhounds On My Trail It’s just fun ska with a great message. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSkP77COU_Q Hellhounds on My Trail Video Racist Piece of Shit Try not to sing along to this one. I dare ya. I double dare ya. It’s just too damn catchy. Living On the Upside Down It’s got an ethereal 80s vibe with more truth. Dive in. All About Us The beginning has a great rockabilly vibe that makes you want to dance. When the horns start, be prepared to look for someone to dance with. Love is Love The most impactful message to conclude an album, especially in today's world. Experience it fully with headphones. I listened using my pink ones. What makes this album so important is its timing. In an era of political unrest, cultural upheaval, and increasing polarization, Fishbone serves up an urgent and unfiltered perspective rooted in decades of lived experience. This isn’t nostalgia – it’s resistance, revival, and a reckoning. To learn more about Fishbone: www.fishbone.net Fishbone Fishbone is Red Hot! Welcome to the official website for the legendary Ska-Punk band from California. Hailed as one of the greatest live bands of all time, Fishbone hasn't slept for 40 years and keeps getting better! www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Drop us a line at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Indie-rock duo Perry A releases two singles from upcoming EP “OK Wait” boasting a dark sound and heavy political inspiration. < Back Perry A: Just Two Guys Making Music Keeley Brooks & Nicole Brice Dec 6, 2023 Share Indie-rock duo Perry A releases two singles from upcoming EP “OK Wait” boasting a dark sound and heavy political inspiration. Gen Xers (like me and Nicole) love to hear modern music reminiscent of one of the best decades for music: the 90s . It was a turning point in music history, seeing the emergence of new genres like industrial, grunge, emo, and alternative rock that were eventually overshadowed by technology. Enter Perry A, a southern-based, two-man band working to combine the best of the best of the 90s in their upcoming EP “OK Wait”. Perry A is an indie-rock duo out of New Orleans, Louisiana, who brings to mind bands like Cracker and The Screaming Trees, except their music is of a darker sound and is heavily politically inspired. Perry A is comprised of “two neighbors in a home studio" making music, and they are C.G. Smith (acoustic guitar, drum programming, bass, synth, and vocals) and J. Pitre (lead guitar, harmonica, and creepy vocals). It’s been a busy year writing, recording, and releasing for Perry A, who have been working on their forthcoming EP “OK Wait”. May 2023 saw the release of their first single, “ Opinion ”, and the guys recently released their second single, "Fiction". “Opinion” is a mellow alt-rock tune with explosive choruses and just the right amount of fuzz, also featuring a lot of political opinion. “Fiction” is darker in tone and stands out due to its bad-ass harmonica playing paired with Pitre’s creepy vocals. Their third single, “Sorrowful Days”, releases at the end of this year. Mixed Alternative had a chance to rap with Perry A about their inception, what influences their sound, and what kind of mirages appear on their horizon. Check out our conversation below--these guys are super fun! MaM : Guys, thanks for talking with us today; it’s nice to have you. Would you tell us a little about the inspiration behind Perry A and how the name developed. CGS : Well, when my wife and I moved back Uptown from the Irish Channel in February 2022, we moved to a place on Perrier St. Shortly after moving in and getting my humble Hearwaxx Studio set up there, I met my neighbor, JP, and we hit it off over both being songwriters. JP & CG (credit: Chad Besse) The name is part genius and part lazy. I’d heard people pronounce the street we live on like ‘carrier’ (and also like the sparkling water), so I said we should call our little project Perry A. (laughter) We’ve also kicked around the idea of a mysterious figure who seems to be involved in the inner workings of politics being called Perry A, but right now it’s just a play on the street we live on. There’s actually a song with the title ‘Perry A’ that is going to be amazing when we get it done, but that will probably be on the second release. I originally envisioned [it] as something like the ‘Dessert Sessions’ albums, where Queens of the Stone Age leader Josh Homme had a rotating cast of musicians and friends come make music, but baby steps! JP : [Our band name] is simple, not profound as far as I know. Band names are fun though. There are bands like Oasis and Hootie and the Blowfish. Where did those names come from? Who is Hootie? If you know, please tell me! MaM : Perry A just saw its second release with “Fiction" from your forthcoming EP “OK Wait”. Give us some insight on both. CGS : The first [release] from ‘OK Wait’ was a song called ‘Opinion’ that we released back in May of 2023. [It] was music that JP wrote, and I put lyrics and vocals to. [It holds a lot of our political opinion]. ‘Fiction’ is a song I had been working on for a while and it finally culminated once Perry A was born. It has lyrical themes of the separation of Americans since MAGA, as well as the use of religion to drive wedges instead of bringing people together. JP’s solos are madness and I love it. He also did the harmonica and most of the creepy voices in the track. Click image to listen to "Fiction" by Perry A. ‘OK Wait’ was originally an inside joke. JP says it all the time when we are working on playing/arranging a new song, but it also seems like a fitting phrase for political change in this country to me. There will be a track on the album with that title as well. MaM : When do you plan to release “OK Wait”? CGS : Good question. … It’s really tough to get much done with the limited time we both have, but I’m learning more and more about being a producer. I record, mix, and master everything myself and it can be slow-going, [but] we HOPE to have the Perry A ‘OK Wait’ EP out in early 2024. MaM : Talk a little about doing everything yourself. How has having your own studio to do all this in changed your process as a recording musician? CGS : Well, it’s nice to have everything in my house, but again, JP and I both have a 9-to-5 and family, so just because the studio is right there doesn’t mean we are working on music 24/7. … I honestly had given up making music for a long time—well over a decade—but during the [lockdown] in the height of the pandemic in 2020, I dusted off my acoustic and wrote songs. Then I decided to record an album. credit: Chad Besse I ended up getting some affordable mics, a budget interface, and software and watched a lot of YouTube videos to teach myself how to produce. I’m still learning every time I sit down at my workstation. I’m sure there are glaring errors that pros can pick apart in my productions still, but I’m getting better! Overall, it is nice to have the space set up in my home, and JP right next door, but there is never enough time in a day, or week, or year when you have other responsibilities. (laughter) MaM : What are y’all’s instruments, and what are your favorites to play? CGS : I play guitar, sing, and dabble in keyboards and synths. I’m learning bass, and I am getting better at programming drums since we don’t have a real drummer. Oh, I also have an old, used Boomba (look it up) that was my wife’s grandmother’s. … That was fun to play around with. My favorite will probably always be acoustic guitar just because that’s what I’ve known for so long. JP : I play mostly guitar and bass. I do keys and vocals. I like to do falsetto and baritone on recordings. I like to add layers of vocals and guitar parts and keys and make harmonies and blend everything together to create a soundscape. I would say I don’t have a favorite instrument. My favorite thing is to create and just keep creating. It’s all about patterns and unpredictable ideas. I don’t always adhere to the typical song structure you hear in most music. credit: Chad Besse MaM : What inspires you guys musically? CGS : (in a Jack Black voice) The search for inspirado! (laughter) I’m inspired by many things. Life is full of inspiration if you just take the time to see it. I’d say for Perry A, the inspiration has definitely come from watching the GOP and MAGA traitors attempting to destroy the progress America has made over the years. My wife, my friends, and my family all inspire me to be a better person every day. JP : What inspires me musically? Well, usually it’s the pain of life. Some of the songs I’ve written come from tragic experiences. Music is something I don’t always care about, to be honest. I sometimes feel like my motive is to use music to heal pain. Being human isn’t easy for anyone. I don’t care who you are or what your social media looks like, we all wear masks, and everyone is a little crazy. Some people are just not interested in exploring the darker aspects of human nature. I think it’s important to make art and be authentic. MaM : Any live performances on the horizon? CGS : Ha! JP keeps saying we need to do more practicing and get an acoustic three-song set so we can go do open mics, but I’ve always been much more comfortable in a studio setting than live on a stage. … Right now, it is just a home-studio-production type of outlet for us. JP : We may never play live and that’s ok. I think we are like those old guys who are trapped in a different era. I love the 90s. Music today is all the same to me. Lady Gaga, Adele, Ed Sheeran, and Billy eyelids. If we play live, I pray we don’t f*ck up. I know CG will be mortified, and I will be mortified about him feeling those powerful emotions. I don’t really know how much people care about music these days. It’s 2023. What do people want? They wanna stare at the phone and watch YouTube or porn. Why would they care about Perry A? I wouldn’t mind playing live, but I enjoy just the process of creating music. Music is the way we decorate time. See, that’s deep. But how could anyone ever appreciate the music if they’re too busy watching Nikki Minaj twerk and say stuff about her WAP? credit: Chad Besse MaM : Last question: What are you guys watching at the moment? CGS : I’m currently obsessed with Kane Pixels’ Backrooms . They are a collection of fictional YouTube short videos that delve into anomalies brought on by a corporation’s scientific experiment gone wrong. This kid was 16 when he wrote and produced these amazing videos, and he is now making a movie with A24 based on them. Besides that, my wife and I are currently enjoying watching new seasons of Apple TV’s The Morning Show , Netflix’s Sex Education , and our guilty pleasure CBS’ (formerly MTV’s) The Challenge , although more and more of our long-time favorite competitors are retiring and these new challengers just aren’t the same. (chuckles) JP : I like Black Mirror . I’ve watched a lot of episodes. I really enjoy the tension and nightmare scenarios the characters wind up in. Have you ever gone to Canal Place? You know that parking garage? It has an exit that winds over and over like you’re going in circles. I imagine that happening forever and that’s what hell is probably like. Or maybe hearing Tiny Tim sing the same song over and over forever. Black Mirror is sort of like that kind terror—the terror you can’t escape from. I also like that show 90-Day Fiancé . That is disturbing and suspenseful as well. And there you have it, folks. Just two guys in a home studio making music, doing the best they can with “limited knowledge of production techniques,” hoping “people like the songs, even with their technical shortcomings.” Check out Perry A’s singles, “Opinion” and “Fiction”, at any of their links below, and be sure to catch their newest single, “Sorrowful Days”, when it drops at the end of the month! For all things Perry A: Perry A Online Perry A | Instagram Perry A | Bandcamp Perry A | Spotify Perry A | Apple Music Perry A | Soundcloud *cover photo credit: Chad Besse cmdbphotography.myportfolio.com chad besse www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

“Chin Up, Kid” is a refreshing take on introspection, combining the emotional intensity of alt-rock with the edginess of 90’s punk and grunge. < Back alltheprettythings: A Soul-Baring Alt-Rock Anthem Erica Machen Nov 7, 2023 Share “Chin Up, Kid” is a refreshing take on introspection, combining the emotional intensity of alt-rock with the edginess of 90’s punk and grunge. alltheprettythings is keen on changing the way you look at rock music. This music supergroup out of Wilmington, N.C., has combined musicians from bands you might know to make music you wouldn’t expect. alltheprettythings features current, previous, and touring members of Alesana , Emarosa , He Is Legend , and Chiodos , and their newest single “Chin Up, Kid” is a bad-ass anthem of deep introspection set to release next week. "Chin Up, Kid" is a dynamic blend of alt rock, punk, and hard rock that digs deep into the emotional struggles of the heart and brain. The song is a refreshing take on introspection, offering a unique perspective as it portrays a conversation between the heart and the mind, and the lyrics are a beacon of hope and encouragement for those who find themselves trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and overthinking. The band's lineup is brimming with talent, featuring (from L to R in the cover photo) Will Sowers on bass, Tristan Matthew on guitar, Logan Tabor on lead vocals, Worth Weaver as the band's producer and guitarist, and drummer Jeremy Bryan. They bring with them diverse experiences, melding together in creation of an incredible and eclectic mix. “Chin Up, Kid” is an emotionally charged yet uplifting song with the depth of emo rock highlighting the heart's desire to help the mind navigate the challenges of life. This concept comes through in the lyrics, where the heart urges the mind to call for support and not succumb to the weight of overthinking—something to which we all can relate. What sets "Chin Up, Kid" apart is its ability to combine the emotional intensity of alt rock with the edginess of '90’s punk and grunge. It's a song that resonates with those who appreciate both the emotional and the rebellious sides of music. With remarkable depth and emotional power to their music, alltheprettythings shouldn’t go overlooked—they are easily one of the most exciting bands producing music today. The band saw very warm reception with their single “Teenage Lines” , which showcases lead singer Logan Tabor’s otherworldly range. While each track released by alltheprettythings is impactful in its own way, “Chin Up, Kid” serves as a powerful introduction to any new listeners and a must-listen for fans of alt rock, punk, and hard rock. Mixed Alternative had the chance to rap with Logan Tabor, who brought insight into the song's inspiration and the band's creative process. Here’s some of our conversation with him. Logan Tabor - photo provided by artist MaM : Logan, thanks so much for chatting with me today! Let's dive in with the upcoming release of "Chin Up, Kid". When I listened, I thought it was heavy but in all the right ways. Could you share the inspiration and what fans can expect? LT : ‘Chin Up, Kid’ is an interesting one for me. I don’t usually write this way. I've explained it to my bandmates and others as conversation between your heart and brain. The line, ‘If you love me, why don't you call me?’ sets the tone for the entire song. It's like your heart is trying to reel back your brain from what it’s caused, saying, ‘If you're struggling, why don't you reach out to me, and I can help.’ It's honest and has an uplifting element. I see it as a kind of pep talk. MaM : The way you've described it really comes through in the song. This brings me to a question I always like to ask: What comes first, the chicken or the egg? In other words, what comes first for you in your writing process: lyrics or instrumentals? LT : That's a big question, and I appreciate the big question! It's a bit of a mixed bag. I've got these books filled with lyrics I've been writing for about 20 years. Sometimes it's a single line, other times it's a hook, a full verse, or an entire song. But which one is the chicken, and which one is the egg? MaM : Let's go with the lyrics are the chicken. (laughter) LT : We do need to establish that. So, if we consider lyrics as the chicken, technically, the chicken came first. But it's not until it meets the egg, the instrumentals, that they truly come to life. The lyrics nor the instrumentals mean much on their own. I have these lyrics sitting around, and I know I want to do something great with them, but I can't until I have the right musical instrumental ideas … [which] often come from someone other than me, but sometimes I'm the guy … It’s more like the chicken and the egg coming together to create a new velociraptor. (more laughter) MaM : I'm curious about your bandmates and how ATPT formed. Can you share the story of how the band came together? LT : I've known Worth for a while from sharing bills in Wilmington. We were both playing in different bands. I was in Demona Waits, and he was in He is Legend. We crossed paths quite a bit, both locally and on the road. Later on, we ended up working at the same place just outside of Wilmington, selling guitar and amp parts for an online manufacturer. That's where we really got to know each other beyond occasionally sharing a bill. After I moved away and came back, I heard some stuff Worth and Tristan had recorded. I had wanted to sing over something like that for years. I'd been missing that vibe. I didn't know Tristan at all, but Worth did. They met while moving gear into a studio they'd be working in. Jeremy, who drums for Alesana and is now our drummer as well, and Will Sowers, who played bass for Emarosa and is now our bassist, were connections of Tristan and Worth. It's all a bit serendipitous, really. MaM : Your music incorporates a unique blend of sounds. Could you share some of the artists or bands that have influenced your music? LT : Are you open to me asking you what you hear? Then I can respond to that? MaM : Let's go for it! I'll try not to offend. I'm a child of the grunge era and was all about grunge, wallet chains, and Wet Seal. When I heard your music, it brought back that vibe. I picked up hints of Blink 182 and Deftones. But the first thing that struck me was the Christian alt-rock era. It's the power and emotion in ATPT's music. LT : I appreciate the comparison to Christian rock. Growing up in a musical family, I have immense respect for that genre. I'm not offended, although some might be. I'm not afraid of such comparisons. I grew up in church, playing music, running sound, and watching my parents direct choirs and contemporary music groups. And you're absolutely right: There was a wave of heavy, Christian-based music in the early 2000s. It provided an outlet for all of us. I understand the energy and praise-and-worship buildup in that style of music. Apart from that, I grew up listening to Blink 182's "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket" and "Enema of the State" and I love the Deftones. So, you're right on the money there. Beyond these influences, I have a deep admiration for Chris Cornell. I probably love that guy more than most people. Now, this throwback might freak people out more than the Christian rock comparison, but Genesis’ Peter Gabriel. I discussed this recently with Worth [as] we watched old 1980’s Peter Gabriel live concerts. I don’t understand why our generation doesn't connect with his music as strongly as the people from his generation did. I love artists like him, because, even at 70 years old, he has a more expansive imagination than most 11-year-olds. That's what kept him at the forefront of great songwriting, live performance, pyrotechnics, and all the theatrical elements of a great show. He stays a child at heart, and that inspires me to maintain my imagination. … Apart from Peter Gabriel, Chris Cornell is a significant influence, and my exposure to Schuylar Croom from He is Legend, whom I grew up with too; I see him often. If I'm honest, I've listened to everything he's ever done, even before his band was called He is Legend. All of his work has inspired me. He's one of the best songwriters in the heavy music genre. He excels in the studio and in songwriting. He's a great performer, and his entire band is great. MaM : Beyond music, do you have any other passions or creative outlets that drive your artistic expression? LT : Yeah, I professionally edit video and film. That’s a massive creative outlet for me. I do everything from editing to project management. It combines creativity with a structured and logistical approach. Occasionally, I get the opportunity to score a short film. Music and movies create sort of a Venn diagram. On a more global scale, there are very few industries larger than music and movies, except life and health insurance. Those are the two biggest things in demand at all times, and there's a reason for it. It's because it helps people. I just enjoy being a part of those things. MaM : What can we expect from ATPT in the near future? LT : 'Chin Up, Kid' (currently available for pre-save by clicking the image below) is the big thing coming up on November 15. [Following that, we’ll release more songs] roughly every six weeks until the album is complete. Including 'Chin Up, Kid', that will be seven songs. We're also working on something I'm pretty excited about: a cover of Garbage's 'Special'. The unique part is that it fits so seamlessly with the rest of our original music. It feels like it meshes with everything else we're doing. At times, it doesn't even feel like a cover. I didn't write it, but it goes so well with all the other stuff we're doing, especially in the way we're doing it. It may as well just be a part of the album. It's right there on par, and Garbage is f**king sick, dude. MaM : Anything else you'd like people to know? LT : Well, we all need to acknowledge that aliens are real. I feel like we've taken steps in that direction over the past couple of months. The only other thing I'd add is that you should play ‘Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’. It'll make you a happier person. We can link up online and have a great time playing the game with strangers. And there you have it, folks. The future looks bright for alltheprettythings as they continue to explore new creative avenues and connect with their audience. “Chin Up, Kid” releases November 15, 2023. While you wait for it, read more about alltheprettythings at either the links below! alltheprettythings | Official Website alltheprettythings | LinkTree Erica Machen is a beast when it comes to consuming, reviewing, and reviewing music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

She Might Be a Beast unleashes the raw power of Neo-Grunge with their latest album, “Art Class” < Back She Might Be a Beast: An Enigma of Youth, Retro Vibes, and Energy Erica Machen Nov 29, 2023 Share She Might Be a Beast unleashes the raw power of Neo-Grunge with their latest album, “Art Class” She Might Be a Beast, hailing from the melting pot of eclectic music that is New Orleans, La., electrifies listeners with their unique Neo-grunge sound. The band is comprised of the Brezinsky brothers, Jake and Julian, alongside John Williams. Jake is the lead vocalist and guitarist, with Julian on bass and back-up vocals, while John bangs on the drums. They infuse their music with a blend of 90s-inspired grunge, punk, and metal, dashed with that distinctive NOLA spice. The trio's live performances are nothing short of exhilarating, which can be found all over their YouTube page. As a matter of fact, I was excited to interview them after just a few minutes of video watching. Following our chat, I am beyond motivated to catch a live performance. It doesn’t hurt that sharing the stage with iconic acts like Doyle from the Misfits and Powerman 5000 is propelling their rise in the local music scene, and their fan-base is gaining momentum. “ Art Class ” is the latest album from She Might Be a Beast, and it reveals their unwavering commitment and adeptness in showcasing their distinct Neo-grunge style that continues to bewitch their listeners and audiences. Released August 1, 2023 Their creative process is dynamic, with instrumentals and lyrics converging into powerful compositions at the band’s creative hub called "The Maze". That’s where spontaneous jam sessions become the breeding ground for evolving riffs and energizing lyrics that can transform into future hits. The band's future is brimming with excitement, with an upcoming single set to pump us up. They have a drive to provide unforgettable experiences through their music that sets them apart and makes way for an engaging journey ahead. With that being said, She Might Be a Beast's passion and exceptional talent have promise for lasting impact on the music scene. Keep an eye out for their next performance and be prepared, because they ARE a beast! Check out our conversation! MaM : Hey guys, thanks so much for speaking with me today. I have Jake, Julian, and John, correct? Jake : That’s right! We’re pretty excited for the interview! MaM : Cool, so am I! Since our readers are getting introduced to She Might Be a Beast today, and all three of you are here, how about each of you give a brief self intro? Jake : All right. Sounds good. I guess I'll go first. I'm Jake. I sing lead vocals, and I play guitar … And, yeah, I really enjoy playing in our band. I do a lot of the management for the band as well. I couldn't do it without Julian and John. John : What's up? I'm John. I'm a drummer, of course. What can I say? We got good thing going here. We’re really motivated with a level head and a lot of good and interesting material, from our writing to our live shows. Things have been moving forward and progressing, and we’ve really been putting in a lot of work. Julian : And I'm Julian, bassist and mostly harmony. It's such an awesome thing, being able to play music and do it, you know, semi-professionally right now. That's the dream, you know. So, we're having a great time! MaM : Jake and Julian, y'all are brothers, right? SMBAB : That’s right. MaM : John, how did you come into the mix? John : They had another drummer prior to me. He had some complications in his life and kind of wanted to take [a break from] music for a little bit. I met Jacob when he was still in another band called Everyday Addiction. [He] and I met up before the rehearsal, jammed in my space, and got pretty cool with each other. We kept each other's contact information, and once the other drummer decided to take a break, he called me. The next thing you know, I auditioned with them, and I was in the band. Credit: Facebook MaM : Awesome! Sometimes it just falls into place like that. Please, go on … John : Oh, yeah, it was a nice little thing how it happened. But, ya know … MaM : Y’all hit me out of nowhere with a blast of nostalgia coupled with some New Age sounds. How did you find your sound? Tell me about your influences. Jake : Well, we all love rock and roll, and some of our favorite bands are Alice in Chains, Green Day, and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. We also mix that kind of heavier grungy metal vibe with the music that we've grown up with. You know, we are all born and raised in New Orleans, so there’s a dash of NOLA spice in there. We see our music as a mix of punk rock, 90’s grunge, metal, and then, like I said, that little dash of NOLA funk. MaM : I feel that! I immediately heard Green Day as one of your influences when I checked you guys out. I kind of even felt some 311 vibes in your instrumentals, with an STP edge. I even heard a little Brandon Boyd (Incubus) with you, Jake, in your vocals. Do you all get compared to other bands often? Julian : Yeah, people tell us all the time … that we sound just like whomever from the 80s or 90s, but it’s always a different band in every show that someone says we sound like. Some nights we get Alice in Chains, and the next weekend we hear Green Day. Credit: Facebook MaM : Do you find it flattering or are some of the comparisons confusing for y’all? Julian : I like it. I mean, if it was just one band all of the time we got compared to, I feel like it would get old. With the variety, sometimes I hear a band that I never even really knew I was very inspired by, but the connections were there. MaM : Tell me about She Might Be a Beast’s peaks and valleys through the industry so far? Jake : I feel like that's a good question for me, because I deal with a lot of the management and reaching out for booking and stuff. We've had a lot of support through a lot of the people we've met in this industry, and the community is really one of the biggest things that propels us to the next level. With that being said … 95% of the people that I reach out to will definitely ignore me. It's just something that happens, but that can't stop you. [Eventually] we started getting onto bigger shows where we’re opening for more famous people. … We actually opened for Doyle, who is the guitar player for the Misfits. Credit: Facebook MaM : What performance that y'all have done so far spoke to y'all? John : We’ve done a couple of House of Blues shows, and this placed called Southport Hall. We played a gig on a Monday night; I believe it was for a band called Cynic. They had a lot of fans there, especially that show, for the opening act. It's kind of a blessing whenever your fan base is semi-growing and starting to get established, but you don't really have to rely on your fans showing up with everyone at that show. You can gain new fans from playing for other people. MaM : How do you get so much energy going before you play? How do you shake the nerves and bring the same intense level every time? Jake : Well, we do really love to jam. It's what keeps us doing this. It's what started us doing this in the first place, and we get really excited playing our music. You're only on stage for a lot of these shows for maybe 30 minutes to an hour. So, we want to leave everything on the stage and give the fans the best, best show possible. They're paying for these shows. So, we want to give them all the energy. We want them to go to sleep thinking about the show and wake up and talk to their friends about how much fun they had. Credit: Facebook MaM : It truly looks like y'all are accomplishing that! So, with things like the pandemic, AI infiltration, and even social media algorithms directly impacting artists and bands, how do you stay motivated to keep pushing through all of that? Jake : You know, that is an interesting one, because it seems like every single day there's another AI to steal somebody's job doing the things a lot of creatives have done for a long time. At the same time, that AI can do some pretty impressive things, there's just no way for AI to replicate human soul and music in writing and stuff like that. I think there's always going to be something special about the human mind and heart when they're putting themself into a piece of work. You know? Credit: Facebook MaM : Absolutely, and you can't match that human experience. So, I am going to ask you my favorite question now. Just hear me out: What came first the chicken or the egg? SMBAB : Um … What do y'all think? I don’t know, the egg. I think it would have to be the egg, for sure. MaM : That’s my cheeky little way to ask you about your writing. SMBAB : There it is! (laughs) Julian : It’s different because there are lyrics that we will hold on to. If you come up with something that you really find to be a good lyric, you hold it. But then we’ll come up with instrumentals separately and pair them sometimes. Most of the time, because we are all heavy on improvisation, we’ll just be in the jam room together and come up with a riff. Usually, the riff comes first when we're playing together, we come up with a song, and the lyrics are usually added after. But like we said, sometimes those lyrics could have been saved from before. We are a musician’s band, so we love playing the instruments … totally playing chronologically like that—writing the riffs and the lyrics all in the same day. Credit: Facebook MaM : What are you currently working on? Jake : We just released our full-length album, ‘Art Class’, and we’re really happy with that. At the same time, we do have a few new songs we've been playing live and a few even newer ones we're trying to write at the same time. So, I think next for us, when it comes to the music, we're going to be releasing a single. It’s going to be called ‘Walk with Me’, and it’s a really, really high energy, exciting rock song. We’re told all the time that people have a lot of fun when we play that song. MaM : Very cool. Well, guys, congrats on the release of “Art Class”, and thank you guys for a dope interview! I appreciate your time! SMBAB : And thank you so much! *cover photo from Facebook For more on She Might Be a Beast, visit them online at www.SheMightBeABeast.com . Erica Machen is a beast when it comes to consuming, writing about, and reviewing music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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Exploring the stories and southern spirit that shaped Dash Rip Rock’s newest chapter. < Back Finding the Song in Everyone: Conversations with Dash Rip Rock Gary Governale Nov 15, 2025 Share Exploring the stories and southern spirit that shaped Dash Rip Rock’s newest chapter. Legendary Louisiana cowpunk band Dash Rip Rock is finishing up their set with a powerful cover of an old Minutemen song. Bassist Izzy Grisoli bounces and grooves to the beat, while drummer Wade Hymel pounds out the rhythm. Meanwhile, band founder and leader Bill Davis sits quietly in the corner, shredding on guitar like only he can. This isn’t the end of a beer-soaked set at an edge-of-town roadhouse; it’s actually Izzy’s living room in the Broadmoor area of New Orleans . It marks the last song of a more than two-hour rehearsal as Dash prepares to close out 2025 with a series of shows, culminating in the release of a brand-new album. Credit: Gary Governale It’s been a long and winding journey for Davis . He started the band in the mid-1980s while attending Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge , using it as a way to earn some extra money on the side. Let’s dive into who Dash Rip Rock is today and where they are headed. Bill : I love Punk Rock and New Wave, and there weren't that many punk rock and new wave bands in Baton Rouge . But the LSU fraternities were hiring punk and new wave to play their fraternity parties. So, I kind of just put the band together to make a little extra side money and then to write songs and start doing kind of a creative punk thing. The guys in the band were just sort of like newbie musicians, just like me, and we were mostly in school. We were at school at LSU , going to classes, and then we formed a band in the summertime, and it just took off. Yeah, we instantly started doing really well and drawing crowds, and then transferred over into New Orleans , and then it just took off from there. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Did you intend on going into “Cowpunk” necessarily, or was it more punk at first? Bill : It wasn't called “ Cowpunk ”, but you know, we were calling it “ Country Punk ”. There were bands like Rank and File , The Long Ryders , Jason and the Scorchers , The Beat Farmers …They all came through Baton Rouge . It was kind of a good stop off for touring bands. And so, you had a great college radio station there, KLSU , and so all these bands stopped in, and when they did, I instantly went out there and made buddies, made friends with them, got drunk with them, brought them to the house, and made a gumbo. We just befriended all these cool Cowpunk bands. But it wasn't really called “ Cowpunk ”; it was “ Country Punk .” MaM : But it stuck, and you obviously embraced it. Bill : Yeah, I mean, I've embraced it because it's fun. It's just a fun thing to say, like, “ Yacht Rock ”, you know? It's “ Cowpunk !" Like Mojo Nixon used to say, “There are more bands than fans in Cowpunk. Everybody loves playing Cowpunk, but nobody goes to see it!” You know, it's like empty audiences. (laughs) Izzy : And it's not really true. They do turn up. Bill : Like outlaw country , the cruise and the radio station have all sorts of lifted Cowpunk up recently, but it has been a rough slog. But it's been fun because Cowpunk is a blast. It's a blast to play. It's fast, and it’s country! Credit: Gary Governale In fact, the current lineup of Dash Rip Rock seems determined to stretch beyond Cowpunk . The band, at heart, has always embraced its Southern roots. Influenced by Georgia bands like R.E.M. and Guadalcanal Diary , Dash followed in their footsteps: finding inspiration in Southern Gothic literature, poetry, and atmosphere. Creating fresh new music isn’t always easy for long-established bands, but Davis has found the solution: creating the most collaborative and creative version of Dash Rip Rock yet. Releasing January 30, 2026 via Dial Back Sound Bill : I would say this band is beyond Cowpunk . I mean, we made a record called “ Cowpunk ” several years ago. But this band is something else, right? The record label has been sort of digging around for something else to call us, because as much as we love playing Punk Rock and Country, this is just a different band. It's something else. It's better, you know? A million times better. Really, you're not going to pigeonhole this band by saying we're Cowpunk, because we are. But we're looser and more fun… like the members in this band, Wade, Bill, and Izzy, we have something that extends past Cowpunk. Wade : Yeah, it is a melting pot. MaM : You have a lot of different influences that go into it and a lot of various kinds of vibes that I guess you bring to the band. Bill : Absolutely. I've had several people pass through the ranks of Dash Rip Rock , as you know. I had a lot of cool guys come through and play in the band, but this one has been the one that seems more creative, most creative, most outgoing, and ambitious. We try a lot of different stuff that the old guys would not have done. So, we're more experimental. The rehearsal we just had, you know, we were messing around and a lot of stuff came to be… I was saying, “No, that's too much, we can't do it!”. And they were like, "Let's try it… it’s practice!” And then all of a sudden, it happened, and it was just brilliant. So, it's good. Everybody's chipping in. Credit: Gary Governale Izzy : Yeah, it's supposed to be like rootsy, rock, and punk… let's try it. And Wade's like, “Jam! Let's try it!” And then it just comes together in this power trio kind of way where we can achieve these fucking prog rock feats. Bill : Wade brings Jam and Prog to the project, and then Izzy brings a lot of punk , and then me, whatever I've been doing my whole life, which is Country and Punk . Yeah, it just blends really well, and we enjo y playing together. It's always an adventure and really, really fun. Wade : It is. It is. We have a lot of natural chemistry , and we also practice a lot. We're pretty diligent about getting together regularly for rehearsal when we can. So, the combination of those two things makes it really potent. Izzy : But everybody listens really well to each other while we play. That's why we're so tight. We’re constantly listening to each other, looking at each other. I fit in pretty easily because everybody’s so focused on the song, and so am I. So, it just works. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : I think part of the magic of Dash was always a certain level of improvisation, too. I mean, there's a lot of that. Bill : A lot of that. Yeah. And that's the adventure part because it's fun. You know, we could play our songs backwards and forwards perfectly, but we enjoy getting there and just messing them up, you know? Taking the puzzle pieces and throwing them in the air, and then they all come back down differently. Taking all those ideas and influences, the band has poured plenty of energy and excitement into their upcoming new album, A Song in Everyone . Recorded in Water Valley, Mississippi , with Matt Patton of Drive-By Truckers , the new album features the expected rockin’ riffs and humor that make Dash a Southern institution. But the album also expands on and builds the trio’s efforts to broaden the sound, creating something fresh and interesting. Bill : Matt Patton , who's the bass player for Drive-By Truckers , bought the old Fat Possum studio. The minute he asked us to make this record, I was like, "Fat Possum, say no more!” Because I would love to cut anything up in that old studio. There’s a lot of great music that came out of there. You already picture how it's gonna sound. So, we jumped at the chance and we're basically on his record label. It's just a bunch of really cool rock songs, and we're very excited about it. These guys get to sing a couple, and it's a real team effort. It's an amazing record. MaM : Would you say that's the most team effort you've had as far as crafting an album? Bill : Yeah, I would say that. You know, in the history of Dash Rip Rock , it's always been sort of just me putting all the albums and records together. And it's better ever since Wade joined. He's been a good partner in recording and getting studio stuff done … just more imagination, you know. Dash used to be “just stick to your style, stick to your genre.” Now it’s “let's just go outer space with it”. And we do, and it's a freaking awesome one. It's great. Credit: Gary Governale MAM : How many songs are you going to have on it? Bill : Ten. MAM : All brand-new original music? Bill : We’re doing a cover of ' Mean Mister Mustard ' by the Beatles . And it's a New Orleans style Huey Smith intro, and Wade plays piano on it. So, it's a New Orleans, James Booker , Huey Smith , Fats Domino version of ' Mean Mister Mustard .' It's really awesome. And then the rest are just songs that we've all written and cowritten. Izzy : It was cool to get to play on the new record, you know. Since joining the band, I didn't know whether I'd get to play on the record. Bill told me that not all the bass players play on the record; sometimes they stay in Baton Rouge . Bill : I played bass on a lot of Dash records! I mean, we had interesting people working with us. We had Henry Barbe . His dad is Dave Barbe , and he recorded all the Drive-By Truckers . He teaches music at the University of Georgia, and he was in the band Sugar with Bob Mould from Hüsker Dü . So, Dave Barbe's son engineered our first session, and then Clay Jones came, and he worked with Modest Mouse and R.L. Burnside . He was a monster. And then Jim Diamond , mastered it. He worked on a bunch really cool garage music, like the White Stripes . Izzy : We trusted him (producer Matt Patton ) a lot on this record. We really trusted his say. Wade : He’s so warm and relatable. He jumps into the stream, and you can follow his vision. He's just very easy to work with. And so, we fell into a natural chemistry. Bill : Matt just feels it . It's not like he's even listening. He feels it. He's using some spiritual guidance to make things happen. And then he would pop in and make these suggestions that were out in left field, and we would go, “Really?” And then we'd do it and we'd go, "Fuck, yeah, that was great!” Izzy : Dudes got the coolest vibe and coolest accent, and he'd be like, “I don't know, man. That one, if you don't say something about Rush Limbaugh , you ain't got no hair on your nuts or something.” (laughter) Wade : Well, yeah, that's the other thing… Even with his criticism, he's very gentle. My favorite thing would be like, if I had an idea and I came in and tried to play something, he'd go, “It's too intelligent” . Which was his way of saying, “Take most of those notes out. You’ve got a good idea but simplify it.” Izzy : Yeah, and he hates pedals. Bill : Yeah, he has a lot of vintage gear, and everything goes direct. And you never use a guitar pedal. If I say anything else about the record, I want to say that. Wade : It gives the record a really classic, timeless sound . Bill : Well, they have an incredible way of engineering and producing things there, and it's almost like it's a secret. I can't even tell you what they do, but it's insane. And when they did it, I go, "Are you serious? Are you really gonna do that to the music?” And they're like, "Yeah, we do this on every record”. And they did it. Holy shit, that sounds awesome! I can't even tell you what they did. I mean, this would be a whole different interview about their production techniques, but it just made the record sound a million times better. Experiencing a live Dash Rip Rock show is always a whiskey-fueled celebration. The concert features classic hits from the band, such as ' DMZ ,' ' Bumf**Egypt ,' ' Shake That Girl ,' and ' Pack Your Bags ,' as well as memorable covers of Dead Kennedys and ZZ Top songs. Even now, the band continues to introduce fresh music into their setlist, including Bill's current favorite, ' Pain Pills Never Expire ,' which is playing on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country station. Like much of Dash's discography, the new songs are characterized by barroom swagger , Southern storytelling , and the band's signature humor . The new album from Dash Rip Rock, A Song in Everyone , was recorded at Dial Back Sound in Water Valley, Mississippi , and will be released January 30, 2026 , on the Dial Back Sound record label. Be sure to add it to your list of upcoming releases to check out. Track Listing: 1. Taking You On II 2. Dangerous Ways 3. 2 Much 2 Do 4. I Don’t Want to be a Whore 5. Shakin’ Out The Days 6. Pain Pills Never Expire 7. Mean Mr Mustard 8. Water Valley Throwdown 9. River 10. Hell & Back *All photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.dashriprock.net Dash Rip Rock Home page of Dash Rip Rock, a group from New Orleans, LA www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

‘Phoenix’ is a soothing journey through sound with raw emotion. < Back Reviews on the Real: Aaron J. Burke’s ‘Phoenix’ Burns Bright Nicole Brice Sep 6, 2024 Share ‘Phoenix’ is a soothing journey through sound with raw emotion. Aaron J. Burke is a singer and songwriter from Ireland. He has gone from recording demos in his room to having frequent airplay on radio stations across his home country and the world. Growing up on a steady diet of rock music, in his twenties, he moved into a more acoustic sound inspired by the rich singer/songwriter scene in Ireland. Aaron has been busy working on his first EP, backed up by the latest release, an acoustic song called ‘ Phoenix .’ ‘ Phoenix ’ is a hauntingly beautiful song reminiscent of tunes by XTC and R.E.M. Aaron’s voice has such raw emotion that it’s peaceful and soothing. Naturally, the day I listened to this track for the first time, it rained outside like crazy. Acoustic tunes suit my mood on rainy days, and Burke has captured the essence of renewal lyrically and musically with a deeply personal and universally relatable piece. Aaron J. Burke said of the lyrical inspiration for the song, “The song 'Phoenix' is over ten years old, so I don't recall the specific events that inspired the lyrics. However, it was written during a dark time for me. I wrote the song as a personal pep talk or motivational thing, but I also wanted it to be well-rounded so everyone could relate.” Credit: Aaron J. Burke The song's arrangement is atmospheric and dynamic, and the music truly resonates on multiple levels. It’s the kind of song that uplifts but also challenges you to reflect on your moments of struggle and triumph. With a new EP in the works, Aaron J. Burke is not rushing the creative process but instead is taking his time. “There is one track left to record for the EP, so I hope it will be released in October.” In the meantime, check out ‘ Phoenix ’ on all streaming services. To learn more about Aaron J. Burke: Facebook Instagram www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

‘My Therapy’ speaks from the heart, conveying the truth and emotion of how music serves as therapy and can heal. < Back Reviews on the Real: My Therapy by Aaron J Burke Nicole Brice May 5, 2025 Share ‘My Therapy’ speaks from the heart, conveying the truth and emotion of how music serves as therapy and can heal. Out today everywhere is the latest release from the talented Irish singer-songwriter Aaron J. Burke . Aaron is a gifted storyteller whose lyrics vividly capture the human experience and life in general. When he reached out to let me know he had another single dropping soon, I was thrilled and couldn't wait to hear it. I must say, wow, what a fantastic new release! I listened to it six times before starting to write this review. It’s excellent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDp-AcNvJFA The official video for 'My Therapy' by Aaron J. Burke Released May 5, 2025 I love Aaron’s songwriting because it is brutally honest. There’s no fluff or frills, and the lyrics truly resonate with me. I feel them in my soul. We have been reviewing Aaron’s music for about a year now, and no two songs sound alike; each one is thought-provoking. He typically leans towards a more acoustic sound, but in ‘ My Therapy ,’ he takes a heavier approach that I really enjoy. ‘ My Therapy ’ speaks from the heart, conveying the truth and emotion of how music serves as therapy and can heal. There are no truer words. Music is my therapy, too, so I can relate. Although this song marks a departure from the sound Aaron has become known for, the grunge feel in this track is undeniable. It’s as if Aaron has traded his acoustic guitar for an electric, grunge-infused style that sounds unlike anything I have ever heard. The song starts with a groove that immediately gets your head nodding. The guitar tone is deep, and everything about this song hits hard, so I encourage you to check out ‘ My Therapy ’ today on all your favorite streaming services. Other Reviews: Reviews on the Real: Run for Cover by Aaron J. Burke Reviews on the Real: Aaron J. Burke’s ‘Phoenix’ Burns Bright Reviews on the Real: Rise Not Fall by Aaron J. Burke Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Aaron J. Burke (@aaronjburkemuso) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify: Aaron J. Burke | Spotify Apple Music: ‎Aaron J. Burke - Apple Music www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Rothstein Beatz is one of the hottest producers on Clubhouse whose beats are dominating the music industry. < Back Rothstein Beatz: Worth the Gamble Erica Machen Nov 27, 2023 Share Rothstein Beatz is one of the hottest producers on Clubhouse whose beats are dominating the music industry. Meet Stanley Harris, the creative force behind the persona Rothstein Beatz. Originating from Las Vegas, Nevada, Rothstein is not just a seasoned producer; he's a multi-faceted artist , seamlessly blending his skills as a comedian, radio personality, and film score composer. His diverse musical palette, drawing inspiration from legends like Nottz, Kanye West, and DJ Premier, has established his presence in the hip-hop community. Today, he’s one of the hottest producers on the Clubhouse platform and his beats are dominating the music industry. As a voting member of the Recording Academy, Rothstein's influence extends beyond the studio. He is endowed with the keen ability to recognize and celebrate talent within the industry, a responsibility he embraces with unwavering passion. His musical prowess isn’t the only thing setting him apart: Rothstein has etched his name in the digital sphere, creating tidal waves on Clubhouse. There, he has created a space where industry professionals, hopefuls, and enthusiasts alike converge to discuss, learn, and connect with a community of over 32,000 members. The name "Rothstein Beatz" isn't just a pseudonym; it's a well-suited persona. The evolution of being called Roth to Rothstein Beatz is a testament to his journey as an artist. His story is one of growth in learning the ropes of the music industry through networking, studio sessions, and internships that resulted in collaborations with lauded artists like Papoose, Trev Rich, and Miesha from 702. Rothstein Beatz (courtesy of Rothstein Beatz) With his budding label, Casino Gang Records , Rothstein is not only sculpting his artistic identity but also paving the way for rising talents. Beyond his beats and melodies, his " Roth Talk Podcast " offers a glimpse into the industry's complexities, featuring insightful conversations with seasoned industry professionals that provide those with musical aspirations with encouragement. As we delve into our rap session, we unravel the layers of Rothstein Beatz's journey—one marked by innovation, collaboration, and motivation. MaM : What’s the story behind the name "Rothstein Beatz"? R : Las Vegas is my hometown. There was a movie that came out back in the day called Casino with Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro. His character’s name was Sam Rothstein. He wore suits and shades and smoked cigars. I won some money, bought a nice suit, and had my shades and cigar walking through the casino. One of my boys yelled, ‘Man, who you think you are? Sam Rothstein?’ My real name is Stan, so I said, ‘I'm Stan Rothstein.’ I was called Roth for a long time. I took it from Rothstein to Rothstein Beatz. MaM : Working with artists like Papoose and Trev Rich is impressive. What led to these opportunities, and can you share memorable experiences or challenges faced in collaboration? R : First and foremost, I'll say networking was the reason I was able to get those opportunities. Trev Rich is a Grammy-nominated songwriter and artist. I actually met him on Twitter. I reached out to him. We built a relationship online, and the next thing you know, he had one of my tracks on one of the tapes he [released]. Later, he used that tape to help find his career and get Grammy nominated. As for Papoose, I have to shout-out my fellow producer, J-Swift. He grew up with Papoose … kind of took him under his wing. He told me Papoose was looking for some beats, and I sent him some. I didn't hear anything for months. I was … in session with another artist [and] J Swift kept calling me. … He tells me [Papoose] loves this one beat, and he needs the music and my information that night. … That was the first time I worked with him, and something similar happened the second time. Now we have some things working in the future. MaM : You’ve gained recognition on Clubhouse as a producer. How did you first get involved with the platform, and what impact has that had on your career? R : First, I gotta shout-out my family, The Music Network and No Egos family. It’s just amazing how a bunch of strangers can … come together and become family. I also have to give love to my sister, T from Harlem. She told me about Clubhouse when it first started. At that time, it was invite-only, and it changed my life. I was able to speak to celebrities, label executives, and people you would just dream to have a conversation with. Through that, I was able to create my own space. … Now, we are at about 32,000 members. We’ve had legendary artists, comedians, civil rights people, and even presidential candidates. We’ve had all types of people in the music, film, fashion, and whatever industry you want. Just amazing professionals to connect with on a daily basis. It’s been an extreme blessing. I owe a lot of my music career going forward to Clubhouse. I’ve been able to work on movie soundtracks and had chances on video game soundtracks. MaM : Speaking of impressive guests, you have a podcast called “ Roth Talk Podcast .” What topics and guests have stood out the most during your podcasting journey? R : Podcasting started because of Clubhouse … [which] is kind of like doing a podcast. There, I have great team members who give me great advice. I’ve been able to have the legendary Bob Sumner, who’s the co-creator of Def Comedy Jam; platinum producers and engineers; and movie filmmakers. I’ve had a slew of industry professionals, including 20-30-plus-year professionals on my podcast. It’s more of an inspirational podcast, because you get to hear the stories of how people came up and how they got into what they got into. They always leave with some great advice for the listeners as well. MaM : Can you share defining moments that led you to pursue music production and a career in the music industry, considering your diverse influences, like Nottz? R : I’m blessed enough to be a good friend of Nottz. Being a fan of somebody and then becoming their friend is a cool experience. Defining career moments [are] between that and then-DJ Premiere, who’s a legendary producer, scratching my beat [and] cosigning me, and telling me he loves my production. When you have the chance to meet and talk to people you used to read about on album covers and used to jam and listen to their songs over, and over, and over again, it’s a surreal moment. It took me back to when I was a teenager. It was a nostalgic moment. I would say being able to meet some of my musical idols inspired me to know I’m on the right path. Not everybody’s going to be able to meet whoever they want to meet. I feel like it’s a divine energy. MaM : Earlier, you touched on the inspiration of the name "Rothstein Beatz" from the movie Casino . Now, your new label is called Casino Gang Records. Can I assume the link between the two? Could you tell me more about your vision for the label and what sets it apart in the music industry? R : I see you, you’re a smart young lady over here! Yes, that is correct. It’s tying the movie Casino and the casino game [together]. That was the motivation. The slogan for Casino Gang is, ‘Where winners win.’ We’re going to come together, and our goal is to win. Our goal is to be the best that we can be. I have some amazing artists on my roster (four R&B singers and one rapper). Megan B is an amazing vocalist and is a part of Pharrell’s choir, Voices of Fire. Check out her debut album called ‘ Mood .’ I produced the whole project. I also have my baby sister, Naomi World. She hasn’t yet released any music yet, but she has sung hooks on a lot of dope records. We have her ready to roll out music next year. I also have my guy Bran the Brain . I produced his debut single, ‘One’, with Botz and it’s out streaming now. Last, I [have] my rapper Bakeskeeza. He has some mix tapes, and we’re getting ready to release a project next year as well. The vision for the label is to release records representing the artist individually. We are making sure our sound is original, authentic, and it tells a story. We plan on 2024 being the year we submit for the Grammys. MaM : Being a voting member of the Recording Academy is a significant honor. How do you see your role in influencing the industry and recognizing talent within the Grammy process? R : I just voted with the last nominations for the first time. So, congrats to people who are now Grammy nominated. I feel great to have a voice and an opinion to vote. I love that everybody gets a chance to say who they think deserves record of the year or album of the year, and all of those great things. It’s another surreal moment … Watching the Grammys, [I] always wanted to go to, and now I have the opportunity this February ... I want to win, but I still feel like I won a Grammy [just] being a part of the recording academy. It’s a small group of individuals who decide career-changing awards. For me to even be able to log in on the Grammy website, see my name and information, and be a part of a chapter is a dream come true. Now that I understand the process and how it works, it gives me a better insight of having a chance to win. MaM : Looking ahead, what can readers look forward to next from Rothstein Beatz? What projects or endeavors are on the horizon? R : I’m going to tell you exclusively that I have my beat tape, ‘Almost Platinum’, coming out December 23rd! I am already a gold-selling producer, [and] I’m almost a platinum-selling producer. 2024 will be the year I can claim I have over a million streams I’ve produced. I do two beat tapes a year. I dropped one in March called ‘ The Cook Up 3’ , which is available on all streaming platforms. That’s kind of my thing … I like to let fans know I have a bunch of beats. The second order of business is that I will be on a reality show. I can’t say the name … yet because I am still planning to sign the contract. Be looking out for Rothstein on a reality show! That’s another hot-off-the-press exclusive for y’all. Just know, 2024 is looking real bright. Rothstein Beatz (courtesy of Rothstein Beatz) And there you have it! Rothstein Beatz is like playing the table with a royal flush in your hand. The big payout is in his links! Official Website | Rothstein Beatz Instagram @iamrothsteinbeatz YouTube @RothsteinBeatzYT X (formerly Twitter) @RothsteinBeatz *Roth Talk Podcast: YouTube @rothtalkpodcast Instagram @rothtalkpodcast *Papoose Songs: Album Title: "July" Song Title: " Don't Embarrass Ya Boss " Album Title: "December" Song Title: " 50% Human " Erica Machen is a beast when it comes to consuming, writing about, and reviewing music. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Main Attraction feels like a cinematic trip through nostalgia. < Back Reviews on the Real: Main Attraction by Glitter Litter Nicole Brice May 12, 2026 Share Main Attraction feels like a cinematic trip through nostalgia. Released on May 8, 2026 , ' Main Attraction ' by Glitter Litter is a nonstop rush of aggression, punk energy, pop sensibilities, and colorful lyricism that paints a vivid story from start to finish — something Glitter Litter consistently excels at. Every song they release is sharply produced and packed with unforgettable imagery, creating scenes that linger in your mind like memories you’ve lived yourself. Released May 8, 2026 We previously reviewed the song ' Johnny’s Got a Girlfriend ' and the album Shocks to Sleeping Beauties , so if you haven’t checked those out yet, now’s the perfect time. This time, Glitter Litter takes you on a ride through the eyes of a guy out on a date, making it clear that no one else can steal his attention. She’s the main attraction. The repeating echo of “you’re my main attraction” is instantly infectious, the kind of hook you catch yourself humming long after the song ends. It’s vibrant, nostalgic, and ridiculously fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEcZzs1u5xs 'Main Attraction' by Glitter Litter For those not familiar with Glitter Litter , it is a solo project from Sweden featuring Andreas (ex- Sugar Shock ). Inspired by glam, comic, bubblegum, and ‘80s happy metal, the project has had numerous releases since its inception, so be sure to check them all out. Main Attraction feels like a cinematic trip through neon-lit movie theaters, moonlit amusement parks, and reckless young romance. One of the strongest things about Glitter Litter’s music is how effortlessly the hooks stay with you long after the final note fades. Go stream it now. To learn more about Glitter Litter: Website: Glitter Litter - bubblegum glam/punk Spotify: Glitter Litter | Spotify Apple Music: ‎Glitter Litter - Apple Music YouTube: youtube.com Glitter Litter www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com mixedalternativemag@gmail.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Them Guys have a sound embodying Louisiana music's rich, genre-bending spirit. < Back Them Guys: A Deep Dive into Louisiana’s Musical Treasures Nicole Brice Oct 3, 2024 Share Them Guys have a sound embodying Louisiana music's rich, genre-bending spirit. Louisiana, synonymous with the vibrant sounds of jazz, blues, and zydeco, has long been a fertile ground for emerging musicians. One such gem in its musical tapestry currently is Them Guys , a band from Vacherie, Louisiana, that has carved out its niche in the Bayou State’s eclectic scene by consistently getting its brand out there with a busy schedule of non-stop shows all along the Gulf coast. Formed five years ago, Them Guys started when various members were growing tired of the cover band music scene. The desire to create an original and definitive sound led the lifelong friends to join forces, and that union has given birth to a band with a consistent vision of where they want to go and what they want to accomplish. Credit: Gary Governale With too many musical influences to count, the Them Guys sound combines each member’s distinct style for a well-rounded listening experience that defies categorization. They’re not nu-metal , but they sound like metal at times. They’re not just straight rock ; there’s some melodic thrash there, too. How do you categorize the sound of Them Guy’s music? You can’t. It’s just a combination of all things that makes their music enjoyable, and their sound embodies the rich, genre-bending spirit of Louisiana music. Them Guys is Chet Tabor on drums, John Waguespack on bass, Benjamin Kliebert on lead guitar, and Nick Oubre on lead vocals/rhythm guitar. In just five short years, these multi-talented and multi-faceted individuals have released three albums that showcase the band’s collaborative evolution from inception to now, culminating in the definitive Them Guys sound with the aid of friend and producer Ross Johnson. Ross is just as important to Them Guys as the members themselves because, without Ross, Them Guys' live show experiences would not be as phenomenal as they are currently. With Ross behind them, Them Guys not only have consistency with each performance in terms of sound, lights, mixing, etc., but they have a secret weapon for putting on the best performance imaginable no matter what venue they step into. Humble, focused, and determined, Mixed Alternative Magazine recently sat down and chatted at length with the men of Them Guys about their beginnings, visions for the future, and more. No topic was off-limits. Them Guys are a beacon of hope for the Louisiana music scene because of their dedication, enthusiasm, and readiness to help all succeed. They bring a product. Not just the music. Read on below. MaM : Thanks for meeting with us today. Let’s start with a bit of band history for those not familiar. Tell us about how Them Guys came together initially. Chet : In July 2019, we came together as Them Guys but weren’t named yet. We actually started as a Chevelle tribute band. John : Nick and I were in another band together but didn’t have a name yet. We were working with another guy, and things fell apart, so Nick was the one who suggested we start a Chevelle cover band. We only wanted to do it if Chet played drums, though. Chet was in, so we got together and jammed, and that was it. We became a Chevelle cover band. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Interesting. Why Chevelle? Nick : I don’t know. (laughs) Chet : He’s a big fan of Chevelle (points to Nick). They’re not my favorite, but I respect their music. The idea is that it’s not complicated to play, and you can quickly come up with ten or twelve hits to put on a setlist. Everyone knows the songs, too. It was also easy to intertwine some non-Chevelle covers because they fit the bill. We were 100% covers starting out. MaM : People always make fun of me because I’m not a fan of Chevelle, but their music doesn’t do anything for me. It just sounds basic. I respect them as musicians, but that’s about it. Chet : That was part of that mainstream sound at that time. One of the things we’re looking to do going forward is not necessarily to capitalize on any mainstream sound. Still, the music can be generic enough for the vast majority to enjoy. Take, for example, a band like Korn ; you must like Korn to listen to Korn. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Yeah, they have always had a distinct sound. Chet : I think Chevelle, Breaking Benjamin , and bands like that have cornered the market to attract the most listeners. They make great music with a significant following. We intertwine with so many bands and do it intentionally … She Might Be a Beast , Silverdose , Drab , This Beating Heart , Branded for Exile , and we play with these bands purposely. It’s all part of the elevation process. The better we do, the better those bands do. We feel like this Louisiana music scene is astronomically better than most, and that even includes the Gulf Coast. Many of these bands don’t get the acknowledgment they deserve either, but we will keep putting the work in and try to lift others in the process. John : There wasn't that camaraderie when I first started playing music. Some thought they were better than others. It was cutthroat. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Tell me a little about each of you. How did you get into music initially? Nick : I started as a drummer and was playing in three bands. One day, I decided I didn’t want to be a drummer anymore. We all grew up with each other, so that’s how we know each other. Chet : Yeah, Nick has the most unique story because he’s the best drummer in the band, by far. MaM : But he doesn’t want to play drums. John : My story intertwines with all of this. Chet : It’s been this exciting path because I came in with over 25 years of experience. Not necessarily playing live, but the experience. I’ve always been a drummer, though, and I can remember being on stage with John, and his voice went out, so I moved him out of the way to take over on vocals. I sang ‘ Simple Man’ by Lynyrd Skynyrd the first time I did it. Nick, though, by far is the most talented drummer in this band, but it doesn’t stop there … he plays guitar and bass and even sings. Nick Oubre by Gary Governale MaM : He’s a one-man band. Chet : Most of Them Guys' music is Nick’s guitar riffs. He writes 90% of the guitar riffs. Ben : … and I know I have a microphone in front of me all the time, but I can’t do public speaking. (laughter) John : I started playing in 2013 when I was taking guitar lessons. The guy I was taking lessons from needed a bass player and asked me if I wanted to. I was thinking, ‘Ain’t nobody wants to play bass.’ (laughter) John : He tells me that Chet has a bass at his house, and we’ll ride over to get it. He gave me four songs to learn, so I called him the next day and told him I had learned them. He didn’t believe me, so I went to his house to show him I had learned the songs. Once he realized I did know them, he gave me four more to learn. The next night, I learned those four songs, too. He then called Chet to tell him he had found a bass player. We went to Chet’s house, and he was on drums, but we ended up playing all eight songs, and then that was that. We ended up learning 40 songs in total. Ben : What band was that? John : Super Nutria was the name of the band. Chet : Funny story: I wasn’t even supposed to be in the band, but here I was, deciding on the bass player. (laughter) Nick : I was too young to play live yet. John : We did that for about three years, and then I quit the band. They played for a few more years, but then it died out. Chet : That was my decision. We were active and always playing shows, but it was time to move on. John : So, the guitar player from Super Nutria and I decided to continue playing music together under the name Soldiers of Ana – which is short for Louisiana, so technically, Soldiers of Louisiana. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : I love that name. That’s very clever. John : Nick has a tattoo of the band name on his leg actually. (Nick points to the tattoo on his leg) John : We ended up calling up Nick, who was going to play the drums, but we needed a singer. Nick said he would sing, but I only thought he played drums. So, we have this little, tiny amp, and I just plugged in the microphone straight into the amp with a background song playing on my phone. I had him sing to that to see if he could, and he did, and it was incredible. It was a Judas Priest song he sang. MaM : Which song? Nick : ‘ Painkiller ’ – it was when I still had my falsetto singing voice. John : He sings this song, and I’m just blown away. We started as a three-piece band and learned a 40-song set to only play one show together for his dad’s birthday. It just fell apart. After that band fell apart, we decided to start another band, and once again, it was covering songs. Slayer , Metallica , Black Sabbath , Chevelle , Pink Floyd … Ben : Yeah, it was a diverse list. John : It was a crazy list. Before we got active in the scene playing, I had some personal stuff come up, so that band ended. I ended up selling all my equipment after that. Nick was the one who bought a good bit of it, and then a co-worker of mine bought all my bass stuff. Ben : We grew up together and have been friends forever, with the music being secondary. Initially, I took on the role of lighting tech for the band. Eventually, the band had some issues arise, and we needed a guitar player. I’ve been playing guitar my whole life. I knew the music. I knew the guys. It was a perfect fit. We didn’t skip a beat, either. Benjamin Kliebert by Gary Governale MaM : Where did the name for the band come from? Ben : Well, it was either that or free beer. (laughter) Chet : We used a few names, but before transitioning to the original material, Brittany drew a picture of Louisiana with a voodoo doll … John : … and at the top it said Them Guys. Ben : Once we saw the image on the shirt, that was it. John : … and you can’t forget it. Like, we saw Them Guys the other night. MaM : It’s the perfect name. The logo, too, is impressive. Chet : That’s about to change, but we plan to rebrand or slightly revamp. That original logo with the state of Louisiana picture and then the voodoo doll is, by far, our most popular design to date. We haven’t sold that shirt in three years, either. John : Everyone still asks for it because they like having the Louisiana logo there. Chet Tabor by Gary Governale MaM : Let’s talk performances. Tell me about your best and worst shows so far. Ben : We haven’t played our best show yet. Chet : I can’t say that. We’ve had some good ones, though. In my opinion, the best show so far was Jeff’s benefit at the fairgrounds. There were 500-600 people there. There was even a rainstorm that came through. It looked like a Creed music video. (laughter) Chet : It was a rough show – a sea of heads. They loved it, though. John : This brutal thunderstorm started blowing all the lights down. It pushed Nick’s guitar off the stand, breaking the head. Everyone was getting soaking wet, but no one left. Everyone stayed and rocked out. Chet : That’s one of two. The second-best performance, though, was the Hometown Throwdown. Experience-wise, it was the show at Zina’s Place in Thibodaux . We rolled up four hours before showtime and thought it would be a challenging show. It turned out to be a packed house, and we were asked to play songs we had never played before, which we were cool with. There were 130-140 people, and it was just a great time all around . Now, the Hometown Throwdown was on a different level. It was one of the most professional productions, and we did everything ourselves, from the production to the lights. We had 590 tickets sold, but in a venue that houses 3,000 people. It could have been better, but the performance was insane. It was an experience. Ben : Everyone had a great time. John : We even catered food and drinks for the bands. Everyone was taken care of. Ben : Worst show? Chet : The worst show was at Southport Hall with 4 Mag Nitrous . It had a great line-up, but no one showed up. Ben : Like eight people showed up. Chet : Yeah, that was two years ago, and then coincidentally, the next night, we had a great show in Texas and ended up in a magazine and on the news because of the show. Friday night was a bad show. Saturday night, holy shit. John Waguespack by Gary Governale MaM : You all have different music influences. Who would you say helped to influence the Them Guys sound? Chet : We have three or four consistent across the board – Black Sabbath and Alice in Chains are a couple. I love Nonpoint . I also like Limp Bizkit and Godsmack , too. Sevendust , too. Nick and John’s G.O.A.T. is Black Sabbath. Ben’s is Megadeth . Ben : Yeah, definitely Megadeth. Chet : When you step back and truly listen to our music, you can hear the influences of Black Sabbath, Alice in Chains, and even some Godsmack in the beginning. There’s even a little Breaking Benjamin style there. We have established the Them Guys sound now and don’t focus on who we sound like. We had to find it, and now we have it. Our philosophy is to one-up ourselves and be better each time. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Man, ya’ll have the right formula. If you guys could share the stage with any band or musician in the future, who would it be? Ben: Megadeth (lots of discussion) John : They’re all dead. (laughter) Chet : Realistic level— Nonpoint . We’ve met the band and worked with them before. They are great to work with, and we would love to share the stage with them. They wore one of our shirts on stage at a show, too. It was one of the last shows on their tour. John : We threw a shirt at them. The drummer caught our shirt in his chest. He walked backstage after that, switched to our shirt, and played the rest of the show wearing it. Photo courtesy of Chet Tabor MaM : That’s so awesome. You can’t get better exposure than a t-shirt. It's the best branding ever. Where do you see the band headed in the next five years? Any new music? Chet: We believe the production quality is as important as the music, so we’re doing a big push on ‘ Delusions .’ Moving forward, we will continue to record with Ross so it can be the best product ever. We have about six or seven songs that are written. A couple are recorded. We have a Jelly Roll cover, too. I can’t wait to record it either because it’s perfect. John : It’s got our style. Our elements. Chet : The bigger picture is that we want to jam. It's as simple as that. We are also in this to elevate. We see the path forward and want to continue it. With a solid discography and an ever-growing fanbase, the future looks bright for Them Guys. They continue to play shows extensively, bringing their unique blend of rock music to new audiences. As they look forward to the next chapter, it’s clear that Them Guys are more than just a band – they’re torchbearers of Louisiana’s rich musical heritage, keeping its traditions alive while pushing the boundaries of what it means to make original rock music in the 21st century. To experience Them Guys' music for yourself, just hit one of the links below. themguysofficial.com THEM GUYS Official Band Page Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THEMGUYSOFFICIAL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/them_guysofficial/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThemGuysOfficial2019 Photos by: Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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‘Where Gods Fear to Speak’ delivers a powerful blend of melancholy and majesty. < Back Oceans of Slumber Unveils a Bold New Chapter in Progressive Metal Brent "Shaggy Chan" Taylor Jun 24, 2024 Share ‘Where Gods Fear to Speak’ delivers a powerful blend of melancholy and majesty. Houston, Texas' own Oceans of Slumber is a Five-Piece female-fronted metal act that will release its fifth studio album, " Where Gods Fear to Speak ," on September 13, 2024. Still, for now, they have delivered a powerful title track that hits like a lightning bolt straight to the eardrum and delivers a powerful blend of melancholy and majesty, redefining the progressive metal landscape. Click to pre-order the new album! “ Where Gods Fear to Speak " is a soulful blend of melodic vocals. As a diehard fan of modern metal, this song grabbed my attention as soon as I clicked the play button. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ-uFhTng5g The emotions felt through the music enhanced the song's impact and immediately launched me into a reflective and introspective state. The video reinforces the song's message of confronting fears and embracing vulnerability through visually striking imagery and symbolic representations. This was increasingly evident as frontwoman Cammie Gilbert-Beverly can be seen tied up and tangled in straps hanging from the ceiling, all while wearing an outfit that would make any individual feel vulnerable. The lyrics explore the internal battles faced throughout life, emphasizing the need to find strength within vulnerability. This theme resonates throughout the song, highlighting the complexity of human emotions and the journey towards self-acceptance. Buckle up because feelings of sadness, rage, and hope are all here, and you will undoubtedly feel it all like a punch in the gut! Get the latest news, releases, and more from Oceans of Slumber by checking out any of their social media pages listed below: Website : oceansofslumber.com Oceans of Slumber Home page of Oceans of Slumber, a metal group from Houston. Official website of Texas Progressive Metal band Oceans of Slumber. Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/oceansofslumber/ Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/oceansofslumber/?hl=en YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/user/oceansofslumber Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/2JSza6IRxLr1Ez3wqKd0SY?si=aWrsTRHCSCemMNRQaSk5tw Do you have something you think Shaggy would like? Hit him up at shaggy.mixedaltmag@gmail.com . www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Charles Brooks, D.M.A. < Back Big, Easy, Body-Melting Vibes Keeley Brooks Oct 3, 2022 Share Charles Brooks, D.M.A. As promised, each article I’ll direct your gaze towards an artist worth checking out, and then I’ll tell you all about why they’re worth it. Maybe they’re hip and chic, just like you. Maybe they’ve got some funky, groovy vibes that resonate so loudly, you simply can’t afford to pass on hearing more about him/her/them. Or, maybe they have a super-cool ability to melt your face off with one bitchin’ musical experience that’ll leave you reeling for days. For this first article, I do not disappoint. (And if I do, then by all means send me an email and let me know so we can rap about it.) I bring you more than just a musician. I bring you a unique body-melting experience that clings to you like static and leaves one hell of a lasting impression. My people, meet Dr. Charles Brooks, a multi-talented, classically trained professional jazz vibraphonist, percussionist, hand drummer, pianist, clinician, composer, and educator. Hold up. A what? A vibraphone? What the hell is that? Here’s the easy answer: think xylophone, only bigger, more octaves, and with pedals, like a piano. Remember NBC’s former tone that played on TV between your favorite primetime shows … ding dang dong … that’s a vibraphone. You with me? Cool. The vibraphone itself is a unique instrument for many reasons, one being because it’s not that widely known outside of the professional music community, and secondly because of its main special feature: a set of small, electrically operated fans that sit above the resonators and below the bars, or keys, of the instrument. This positioning allows for a smooth vibrato, or pulsating change of pitch, effect by rapidly closing and opening the resonators. Still with me? For those of you who are music lovers and not players, resonators are the tubes placed underneath the tone bars (i.e., keys) through which the vibrations travel. What makes Brooks’ sound equally unique, if not more, is his method of running the vibes through effects pedals, and that , my friends, is where this bitchin’ musical experience begins, if I do say so myself. “Running the vibes through these pedals provides added texture to its distinctive sound. [The pedals] roll out those rich vibraphone tones to listeners in waves with multi-dimensional effects that leave quite an impression. And that’s what I try to do when I play music—give listeners an unforgettable experience through a sound that imprints upon them in some way,” said Brooks. And imprint upon you, it will. Cases in point: check out the livestreams of his 2017 Pink Floyd tribute show ( https://www.periscope.tv/theCBDMA/1dRJZAYnrdaGB ) and his 2022 Black History Month Jimi Hendrix tribute show ( https://youtu.be/0R2OK689L2U ). Or, stroll on over to his YouTube channel and check out his smooth jazz vibes from this year’s W.C. Handy Festival ( https://youtu.be/_ibe3G-X8Uk ). But definitely after that, you’ll wanna peruse through any or all of his Friday Night Vibes shows, which feature both originals and covers. Selections of FNV shows are available on YouTube, and all FNV shows in their entirety are available for your pleasure at www.TheCharlesBrooks.com/friday-night-vibes . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0R2OK689L2U Credit: YouTube When COVID locked us all down with nothing to do but, I don’t know, be with ourselves without a social construct and learn to communicate and self-entertain, Brooks started live streaming a one-hour solo vibraphone concert (often with various hand drums and drum set) every Friday night “I knew people were going stir crazy being stuck at home—especially those who enjoy live music. When there is no live music and everything’s locked down, it leaves a gaping hole in people’s lives. So, I started doing FNV to help music lovers and listeners unwind and disconnect from their stress so they could feel somewhat reconnected to music … to themselves, in a sense,” said Brooks. You’ll definitely want to set yourself an atmosphere before settling into any of these concerts. Relax, get comfy, turn the lights down, grab a drink, get mellow, then get lost in the waves that come rolling out at you. Let the energy of sound and the magic of music take you wherever they go. Get lost, babies. That’s what it’s about. We have to have a way to check out of our physical reality from time to time—in healthy ways, of course—and what better way to do that than with music? Let its healing power flow all through your sexy little body and do what it’s meant to: create, inspire, and impress an experience upon your being. Credit: Rachel Neal After viewing one of his shows, you’ll understand what I mean by “experience.” Brooks is known for his personalized high-energy performances, not to mention his wildly innovative improv talents and the speed at which he is able to play. He uses four mallets and often moves so fast up and down the face of the vibes it’ll make your head spin. Like a record. Right ‘round, baby. Right ‘round. It is truly a spectacular, unforgettable experience. And Brooks doesn’t just stick to jazz tunes, no. He has an ever-expanding repertoire that includes rock, blues, soul, and funk genres, as well as his own original tunes. He currently has four albums out, and they’re all available on his website and most streaming platforms. For each album, he composed, performed, recorded, mixed, and mastered everything himself. His albums range from a meditative hand drum experience inspired by martial arts forms he has studied over the course of his life, to a meditation and relaxation album for stress relief, to albums with a mix of jazz, blues, funk, and soul. Each of his tunes reflect on a special person, time, or experience in his life. Credit: Rachel Neal Brooks isn’t just a musician though. He’s also a professional audio engineer and educator (with a doctorate from good ‘ole LSU (Geaux Tigers)) with over 30 years’ experience. And in 2021, after nearly 26 years in Baton Rouge as a music and audio educator, mentor, and performing musician within the Baton Rouge and South Louisiana community, he accepted a position as Assistant Professor of Audio Engineering at the University of North Alabama in their department of entertainment industry. Since settling up in the Shoals area, he has returned to his role of freelancing as a studio musician with numerous musical capabilities at the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Brooks can be heard playing the vibraphone on Southern Retro Soul artists Bonneville’s recent self-titled album, currently out now, and playing the steel drum on Nashville’s Outlaw Country recording artist Rickie Joe Wilson’s song “Reggae Redneck,” also recently released. So, what are you still doing reading this article? Go! Go listen! Go watch! Go experience! For further info on Dr. Brooks, his music, upcoming shows, and/or his audio program, visit www.TheCharlesBrooks.com , Facebook @TheCharlesBrooksMusic, Instagram @Cbreezington, and YouTube @MFCharlieB73. Credit: Rachel Neal *All photos by Rachel Neal Pictures* www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Coming Soon! < Back Off the Charts Bud Gambrell Mar 17, 2023 Share Coming Soon! Hello to all! I hope you are here and curious about what Off The Charts is. Well, I’m going to attempt to explain what our goals here are. I am glad you’re here! My name is Bud Gambrell and I live in North Alabama. I am a published writer in several magazines and I have written a book, too. I also am a photographer who shoots mainly concerts big and small. In this maiden voyage of Off The Charts , I will attempt to lay out what you can expect from this column. What you will read here will be about bands that you may never have heard of from Alabama and the surrounding areas. That’s the point of the title. Off The Charts. The title embodies my goal. The bands included here are not on the charts, yet. I will be attempting to expose lesser-known acts with the hopes of you discovering new music that you enjoy. The articles that will periodically be posted here may include a concert review with pictures. Pictures are my favorite! The articles may also include interviews with any artists who are willing to sit down and have a talk. I may even branch out and attempt to get news out about new releases including singles and albums. Yes, I’m old school. I still call them albums. Listening to a new streaming release will be a good way to discover exactly what you are looking for. When I was first approached about starting this column, the intent was to focus on Outlaw Country. I thought, what a great idea! Then, as I thought more about it, I felt that there is so much more good music out there that deserves exposure. The genres that you can expect to read about will include Outlaw Country as well as good old Rock ‘N Roll. You will read about Southern Rock which is one of my favorites, too. We may even dive into some Blues. The point is to expose those hard-working men and women out there hustling to keep us entertained. One thing that you will not see here is critique. I am not a critic, so I’ll spare you reading about me pretending to be. I’m not here to criticize any musician. I’m here to help expose them and the wonderful work that they do. I’m a music lover. I’m a live music lover. Anyway, it almost seems that you would have to dislike music a little bit to sit back and pick someone’s art apart. Or you feel like you’re better at it than they are. Right? Another thing that you will not see here is major national recording bands. I would have to come up with another name. Remember, we are Off The Charts here. We don’t want to write about those bands. What could I say that hasn’t already been said and that you’ve read elsewhere? So, this section will inform you of your role in this column. Send me an email and tell me the bands that you love that may be lesser known. Maybe your favorite local band is releasing a new album soon. Tell me about it, so I can tell others. Maybe you are a musician that wants to spread the word about yourself or your band. You know the next line. Send me an email. We may even arrange an interview. When you stop by, grab yourself a cold beer. Grab that glass of wine. Grab whatever you indulge in to medicate your mind. Hopefully, I will turn you on to some new tunes that you can kick back and listen to and enjoy. Come happy and leave happier. Besides, we are all friends here. See you next time! Bud To learn more about Bud: Website: Bud Gambrell Photography ( bgambrellphotography.com ) Facebook: Facebook Amazon: https://a.co/d/a6lGy0O www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Meet Mike Poole < Back Uno, Dos, Tres: The Man with the Plan in Three Bands Nicole Brice Oct 20, 2022 Share Meet Mike Poole Meet Mike Poole. Mike plays the drums, and he plays them loud! He is one busy man, and he not only holds down a normal 9-5 job, but he also finds time to play drums in not one, not two, but THREE bands that are heavily involved in the South Louisiana music scene. Seriously. How DOES he do it all? Recently, I reached out to Mike to speak with him about what drives him to perform and what interests him about being a musician. With a lengthy history in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, music scene, Mike isn’t just another drummer. His current projects are DeadCentered , Vatic Decryption , and Glacial Coffin , and all three bands have original music available you should check out, with even more on the way. A percussionist is a more fitting term for Mike because of the technical aspects he incorporates into his playing. LIKE WHAT? His ferocity on the kit is what sets him apart from all the others twirling the sticks out there. This man can play! credit: Gary Governale MaM : Obviously, you have someone or something that inspired you to pick up the sticks when you were younger. Who would you cite as your ultimate inspiration if you could only pick one? MP : Honestly, Phil Collins was my earliest influence. I've been a huge fan of his since middle school. I remember watching a live video of him playing the drums fill on ‘In the Air Tonight’ (yes, THAT drum fill) and that was the moment I knew I wanted to play the drums. MaM : I think everyone loves Phil Collins and you can't help but turn the radio up when the epic part of that song starts to come in. I can relate. You are currently involved in many projects ranging from Punk Rock to straight up Death Metal, but I'm sure you have an eclectic mix of music you listen to daily, as do I. What type of music inspires you to create? MP : I guess anything metal would be a given and obvious but oddly enough, a lot of my creativity and inspiration for wanting to create comes from a good bit of the pop music I listen to. Lady Gaga, to me, is one of the greatest artists of this day and age. Brian Fallon and any project he is a part of, too. And the Killers are one of my all-time favorite bands, too, so you have that. Their drummer, Ronny, is one of the greatest drummers I've ever had the privilege of seeing play live. His playing inspires me so much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcC1Ui_G_tQ MaM : I, too, am a huge Killers fan, and I feel they do not get enough recognition. What age were you when you first realized you had a heavy interest in music and what truly made you want to become an actual musician? MP : Well, I'll circle back to Phil Collins because I was heavily into his music in middle school, but it was probably around 8th grade when I decided I wanted to get a kit and start playing drums. Discovering heavy metal music really lit a fire under me, too, and it was somewhere between hearing the band Tourniquet, which is THE band that got me into metal, and hearing Metallica's ‘And Justice For All’ that turned my want to play drums into a NEED to play drums. credit: Gary Governale NB : Lars Ulrich is truly one of the greats, but I'm pretty sure he knows that. ::laughs:: Now, at the moment you’re involved in three music projects, right? Tell us a little more about those. MP : Well, currently, I am in three different bands, and I've been in all of them since 2017. I joined them all within a few months of each other. DeadCentered is a hardcore punk/thrash band. Glacial Coffin plays what I would call melodic Scandinavian death/black metal, and Vatic Decryption is a death metal band rooted in the second wave of death metal (90's Florida/New York death metal scene). All of my bands are currently active, and we have music available via all streaming outlets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZGkmQKOK50 NB : If you had to pick a favorite time of the year for playing music, what time would you pick? MP : Fall, hands-down! There is just something about the beautiful mild weather and the smell of bonfires and burning leaves in the air. It automatically puts me in a great mood. Plus, it's nice to not be sweating so much. And for us big guys, that is a very big deal. ::laughs:: For more info about all of Mike's current projects and to hear him in action, check out: DeadCentered | Facebook Vatic Decryption | Facebook Glacial Coffin | Facebook DeadCentered Official (@deadcentered_official) • Instagram photos and videos Vatic Decryption (@vaticdecryption) • Instagram photos and videos Glacial Coffin (@glacialcoffin) • Instagram photos and videos DeadCentered - YouTube Vatic Decryption Official - YouTube Glacial Coffin - YouTube credit: Gary Governale *All photos by Gary Governale* www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or Comments? Reach out to the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

You’ll hear punk energy and hooks you can’t ignore! < Back Reviews on the Real: DC’s Burden’s Landing Bring Dreamy, Layered Vibes With New Releases Nicole Brice Jul 1, 2026 Share You’ll hear punk energy and hooks you can’t ignore! Burden’s Landing , an alt-rock band out of DC, is back with two new singles this month, “ Blank Page ” and “ Hallucination ”. Both are solid tracks that deserve your listening attention now. No, seriously, they do. How have I just now discovered this band? They’re really awesome, and I can’t wait to catch them live one day, but for now, I’ll enjoy their music with my favorite pair of pink headphones firmly on my ears. Burden’s Landing only started up in 2023 , but they’ve already been making noise all over the DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania music scenes with their wild live shows and a sound that’s all over the map. You’ll hear punk energy, dreamy shoegaze, and hooks you can’t get out of your head. Credit: Burden's Landing The band first showed up in 2024 with their DIY EP, Could This Be a Portal? —a wild mix of grunge, shoegaze, indie rock, and punk that really set the tone for what they’re all about. That EP was big and ambitious, and since then, they’ve basically become a regular at clubs, DIY spots, and even record stores all over DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania —pretty much anywhere that’ll let them turn things up loud. Credit: Alec Pugliese Let’s dive into these new tracks, shall we? Blank Page ' Blank Page ' kicks off with a thick, pulsing bassline and dreamy shoegaze vibes, layered under smooth vocals that pretty much melt you right into the groove. Then the tempo shifts, the drums hit hard, and honestly, this track just has everything. It’s all heart, all soul, no gimmicks—just pure music. If you’re into big, rich sounds, this one’s definitely up your alley. Hallucination ' Hallucination ' jumps right in with a steady punk groove and super-thick guitar and bass sounds. The vocals totally nail the vibe, and the energy just keeps building—this song never really lets you catch your breath. If you’re into punk, seriously, give this one a listen. Burden’s Landing’s new EP is coming out later this week, so keep an eye out—but in the meantime, go stream all their stuff wherever you listen to music. You can thank us later. *cover photo courtesy of Burden's Landing To learn more about Burden's Landing: Instagram Burden's Landing (@burdenslanding.mp3) • Instagram photos and videos Bandcamp 4 Songs | Burden's Landing Spotify Burden's Landing | Spotify Apple Music ‎Burden's Landing - Apple Music www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Adventures of Pecos Hank < Back Dark, Moody, Mysterious, and Daring Keeley Brooks Feb 22, 2023 Share The Adventures of Pecos Hank Twenty years ago, when I was in my early stages as an entertainment writer in Baton Rouge, La., I was out covering some local bands when I discovered and fell right in love with a Texas-based opening act called Southern Backtones. I loved their vibe, their presence, their tone, and their music. Not only did the Backtones resonate with me, but they also resonated with everyone else in the room that night. So, I did what any self-respecting writer would do and walked right up to them the second they came off the stage. And I’m glad I did, because it landed me a friend for life in their lead singer, Hank Schyma. We bonded over our love for bands like Pulp, Radiohead, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and Portishead, and over our love for film—specifically the movie Clay Pigeons . (Shout out to my fishin’ buddy!) Schyma, now widely and most popularly known as Pecos Hank, is really one of the most unique individuals you’ll ever meet. He’s quite the popular singer, songwriter, musician, photographer, videographer, filmmaker, and snake charmer/wrangler on several scenes, but that’s not what makes him unique. It’s who he is at his core and his authentic perspectives, as well as his genuine kindness, that leave the lasting impression. His music deeply expresses a lot of who he is, which is a southern badass with a big ole heart. credit: Jay Dryden Oh, did I mention he’s also a professional tornado chaser? Because, for real, he is. He’s the kind of tornado chaser you might’ve seen in the 90s cult classic disaster hit Twister : in love and obsessed with tornadoes, daring to get up close and personal with them, and passionately unafraid yet deeply respecting of one of Mother Nature’s most powerful storms. When he isn’t Hank the musician or videographer or photographer, he’s Hank the tornado chaser and storm expert. Pecos Hank with a giant twister on his tail. Not only is Schyma talented at what he does, but he’s also very passionate about it. Dude spends half the year tracking storms and chasing one of Earth’s most stunningly terrifying energies, and he’s highly sought-after for his footage and live reports during tornado season by many news and weather outlets, including The Weather Channel. He also reports to the National Weather Service when other chasers don’t beat him to the punch. He has also served and continues to serve as a storm consultant on major motion pictures—most recently on Supercell , which is an upcoming disaster movie releasing March 17, 2023, starring Alec Baldwin, Skeet Ulrich, and the late Anne Heche. Not only was “a boatload” of Schyma’s tornado and lightning footage used in the movie, but also two of his tornado pictures were spliced together to create the image seen on the movie poster. The poster image originated from these two photos of Schyma's: credit: Hank Schyma Videos of his are littered throughout the trailer and movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Cs2DlZ15g Hank witnessed his first tornado in 2002 and captured the fastest tornado ever documented back in 2014, and on May 31, 2013, he was there in El Reno, Okla., to witness and capture the widest tornado ever recorded at 2.6 miles wide. photo credit: Hank Schyma On May 25, 2019, while chasing and documenting storms in Oklahoma, Hank discovered a specific type of transient luminous event (upper atmospheric lightning) called a GhOST, or Green emissions from excited Oxygen from Sprite Tops—in short, green upper atmospheric electrical discharges or green mini-auras. In the photo below, if you look just above the brightest part of the picture, you'll see a faint green hue that casts an afterflow across the sky; that's a GhOST. photo credit: Thomas Ashcraft “I video recorded some sprites over a storm … Later, when I reviewed the footage, I noticed a mysterious green afterglow above some of the larger sprites,” says Schyma. SPRITE stands for Stratospheric/mesospheric Perturbations Resulting from Intense Thunderstorm Electrification. They are large-scale electrical discharges occurring high above a thunderstorm cloud and are often reddish orange in color. Based on their shape, there are three types: jellyfish, column, and carrot SPRITEs. Hank tells me he then teamed up with photographer and SPRITE chaser, Paul M. Smith . “Yeah, this one I’m pretty proud of. [A] buddy and collaborator of mine, Paul Smith, and I discovered a faint green glow that occurs high above thunderstorms after powerful lightning strikes. Think of a random, brief aurora that lasts about one second,” explains Schyma. “We shared the footage with scientists and others on social media. Nobody had heard of it before. Many argued it might be a camera sensor artifact. Over the following weeks and months, Paul captured multiple other GhOSTs at high resolution, silencing the skepticism. This opened doors for us to directly chat with all the real scientist rock stars of meteorology.” The pair worked together to create this educational video explaining transient luminous events. Give it a watch and check out these atmospheric wonders for yourself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGPQ5kzJ9Tg So, yeah—see? He’s a general badass full of no fear and multi-leveled awesomeness. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, in the Pecos River Valley, Hank formed Southern Backtones in the late 90s with drummer Todd Sommer and guitarist John Griffin. As far as their sound goes, think American Southwestern dark, ethereal, gothic-y rock mixed with lonely echoes and moody twangs so delicious, they’ll leave your mouth watering … but not before they cast a spell on hidden parts of your soul and lull you in by the heart strings. They've often been described by media critics as, “Brit-influenced rock with roots firmly planted in Texas” and “moody voodoo rock that intertwines with Spaghetti Western and devil-may-care rock ‘n roll” ... windswept and gritty. In 1999, the Backtones headlined the Levi’s/Stage Stores promotional campaign with their hit song “ Fallen Angel ” from their first album, Los Tormentos De Amor , a self-described psychobilly surf punk album with cult Spaghetti Western twang. That resulted in the band touring through 80 towns across Texas in the first ever stretch Hummer, playing on top of it in retailer parking lots. Footage from those shows wound up as the basis for the Levi’s campaign and was even featured on MTV. Their second album, Unreleased Studio Tracks (2002), holds three surfy Tex-Mex cuts with vintage tones, and their third is self-titled Southern Backtones and released in 2006. It is pure dark indie rock with a heavy art movie soundtrack orchestration and was widely popular, hailed by Airplay Direct as "a beautifully dark cinematic embracement of Brit-pop and psychedelia in a philosophical search for more bohemian influences." IT IS SPECTACULAR. All of its songs longingly ache for a movie to come along and do dark justice in playing out their premise. They’re dark, bold, sexy, and mysterious. Tunes “Forever” and “Everything” were featured in the 2005 indie feature film Drop Dead Sexy with Jason Lee and Crispin Glover, and the music video for “Forever” saw regular rotation on MTV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSlcKZj3gCQ Personally, my favorite song from their self-titled album is “Glamorous.” Because I love it (and you) so much, click the image below to hear the siren song, but be careful: You will be compelled to listen to it twice, then you'll be compelled to listen to the entire album on repeat. I promise it's just as sexy and menacing and alluring as “Glamorous” is. (wink) Over the years, Southern Backtones evolved and now consists of Schyma, Sommers, and a pretty bitchin’ viola player named Jo Bird the Fiddle Witch , one of the founders of Two Star Symphony , Houston's best-known creators of contemporary classical music for more than a decade. Schyma says of her, “She is such a wicked force of nature, that our whole new sound has grown around her.” She is, indeed, ferocious with a fiddle. Hank recently took some very precious time of his to catch up with me and rap about old times, music, tornadoes, and snakes, as well as what the future holds next for Pecos Hank. MaM: Shit, man. It’s so good to be talking with you after all these years! Thanks for catching up with me. Let’s see, you’re a very unique artist full of many, many, many talents. You sing, you write, you play music, you make videos, you take pictures, you chase tornadoes—I don’t even know where to start with you, so I’ll start at the beginning! PH: Well golly gee, Keeley. Bless your heart. That’s might dern sweet of you. MaM: Ha! You were born and raised in Houston, but do you claim any other areas? PH: Mostly Houston, with a side of Dallas and Huntington Beach, California. MaM: When did you know you wanted to pursue music, and where did the inspiration come from? PH: At age 13, I knew rock and roll was my calling. The electric guitar was the Siren. MaM: Musically, your influences then and now … hit me. PH: The Doors, The Cult, and Danzig hogged my cassette player, until I discovered Elvis. From there, it was Robert Johnson, Chris Isaak, Dick Dale, Muddy Waters, Ennio Morricone, and The Reverend Horton Heat. After a decade of burning out rootsy 1-4-5s, I did a 180 [after] becomingly heavily inspired by Brit-pop. [That was] shortly after I met you [when] we connected admiring Pulp, BRMC, Radiohead, and Portishead over many, many cocktails. Great times! MaM: We did! Those indeed were some great times! So, what kind of success did you guys see over the years, and how has that success contributed to where you are today? PH: Success? Ha ha ha! Nobody down here wants to listen to all that shit fused together. So, we thrived in the small dives, making enough money to pay for gas and bar tabs. [Twenty years ago], thirty people packed in the [former] Red Star Bar in downtown Baton Rouge and it was a good night for us. We worked hard, though, and scored some decent CMJ radio airplay on the East and West Coasts. That helped us put cheese on our Whataburgers. MaM: What was the Backtones most popular album? PH: It was always the most recent one, 'La Vie En Noir.' (Click image to listen.) We were inspired to change themes and make something new rather than sound like a broken record. You get sick of your stuff when you play 75-100 shows a year. This disappointed a lot of old fans, but for everyone one we lost, we gained two—including you and (friend) Sam. MaM: I know for a fact (smile) that one of your favorite and most influential groups is the English rock band Pulp. This is Hardcore is one of my all-time favorite albums, and I have you to thank for that. Have you ever had a chance to meet or speak with Jarvis Cocker, and are you stoked about their comeback tour next year? (Click image to listen.) PH: That album was a game changer. I’ve never heard of Pulp ever playing in the [American] South. Nobody down here wants to hear that shit. (laughter) But I bet they could pack 40 people in the [former] Red Star Bar! MaM: Oh, no doubt! So, after Griffin left Southern Backtones, you spent some time in the acoustic performance area, often as one half of a duet with viola virtuoso Jo Bird of Two Star Symphony. Talk to us about the dynamic between you two and how you got together. PH: Jo was always the darkest, most beautiful artist in the Houston music scene. She sat in with all the best bands, while I gawked on the sidelines. For some reason, she still hangs out with me. MaM: Let’s talk about El Reno Blues , which was your first solo album with a new approach. Talk to us about what that approach was, how it was new for you, and how it was received. PH: In a three-piece band, when you lose a member to crack or a better gig, a big chunk of your sound is lost and replaced with another. When we lost Griffin (to a better gig) and replaced him with Jo, we weren’t the same. Package that up with a different brand, and voilà. … Todd (our drummer), being the badass he’s always been, is now also our bass player. We had our first gig as a trio with him on the upright bass last fall 2021. The show must go on. He does have a 9-5 gig and can’t always make the weekday gigs, but Jo can. So, she and I do a lot of duo gigs on the side. Over the years, some magic has emerged from that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR_F0e1UdZc MaM: Tell us what you’re up to today in a musical sense. Writing? Playing? Recording? Touring? Being a general badass, who’ll never forget his super-bitchin writer friend he met 20 years ago? (laughter) PH: We’re currently halfway through a new record. I suppose when that’s done, we’ll have the impulse to tour where we can. Is the Red Star still open? What about the Bayou? Or the Thirsty Tiger? MaM: (laughs) Well, I don’t think they’re open under those names anymore, but the amount of venues that’ve opened up in Baton Rouge is insane. You’d have no trouble booking there. Where are you currently playing, and what can you tell us about BowiElvis Fest? PH: Just the usual places in Galveston and Houston. Fifteen years ago, I started a festival here called BowiElvis Fest . David Bowie and Elvis have the same birthday, January 8, and every year we have a big party with lots of bands playing Elvis tunes, Bowie tunes, and our own tunes. Splice Records has taken control of it, and man, does it swing. MaM: Dude, that’s awesome. And it sounds like so much fun. So, when I met you, you were known as Hank Schyma, but your identity has evolved into Pecos Hank. How did you earn that nickname? PH: I adore and snuggle (and charm and wrangle) rattlesnakes and tornados. credit: Hank Schyma My bestie, Emilie, pasted my face over a cartoon of Pecos Bill (a fictional cowboy and folk hero in stories set during American westward expansion into SW Texas) . He had a rattlesnake for a lasso and was riding a tornado. It was meant to be. MaM: Let’s jump over to your filmmaker status. When did you notice an interest in filmmaking, and how did you cultivate that? PH: I’ve always loved tinkering with video and made a few low-budget thingies, but I don’t think I deserve that title until I’ve completed something more substantial. Texas Honky Tonk legend Johnny Falstaff and I have completed three scripts. The only thing we need now is 10 million dollars. MaM: Yeah, that’s all we need, too. (laughs) I understand that when you were fronting the Backtones, you also directed, produced, and starred in a full-length blood-thirsty indie film. Tell me more. PH: Johnny Falstaff and I spent five or six years making Honky Tonk Blood . It’s a murder thriller that slithered through the Houston music scene at the time. For many of the bands, clubs, dancers, and artists of that era, it's a deliciously crude little time capsule. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_WJM_thk80 MaM: You also did the same with several music videos. I’m all ears. PH: Yeah, [music videos] are only four or five minutes long and don’t take five or six years to make. The time and money spent on an MV that lives forever on the inter-thingie is much more bang for the buck compared to touring. MaM: Now, rap with me about this tornado-chasing business. What drew you to tornadoes, then to chasing them, then to chasing them professionally for multiple different outlets? PH: I was drawing and sketching tornadoes before I could spell it. It began as a dream, became reality, and then a career. Weird, huh? MaM: When did you first get into chasing, and what was your first chasing experience like? PH: I feel like I’ve always been chasing storms. Whether it was just running into the front yard to see the lightning or driving my first car out to the fields for a better view of the coming storms, it’s always been an obsession. In 1995, Hank joined KHOU-TV’s news team working as a camera operator, which gave him the opportunity to work under their head meteorologist, Dr Neil Frank. Schyma gained professional storm-chaser status in 2007, when he was appointed as KRIV’s exclusive in-house storm chaser. MaM: You started photographing and filming your chases and the emergence of these beasts in a most gorgeous light. How up close have you gotten? Any close calls? PH: As close as you can get without your eyes getting wet! (laughs) Sorry, that’s a line from Old Gregg . Please tell me you’ve seen the Mighty Boosh's Old Gregg . Technically, I’ve been inside several weaker tornadoes and had too many close calls with powerful ones. I’m trying to cut that out. MaM: Unfortunately, I have not seen that one, but it’s now on the list! Do you ever get scared while chasing? Has a ‘nado ever shifted suddenly and seemingly come straight at you? PH: The weekly commutes from Houston to [Oklahoma City] are way more terrifying than tornadoes. I’d guesstimate [that] every 25 times I piss my pants almost getting killed by a distracted driver on I-45, I piss my pants from one tornado not doing what it’s supposed to be doing. MaM: What’s the most frightening tornado-chasing experience you’ve had? PH: It’s hard to compare that time you almost died with that time you almost died. The most recent was in 2019, when I accidentally positioned in front of a rain wrapped around [a] ¾-mile-wide beast. You think to yourself [that] any second now you could be rolling or flying. MaM: Talk to me about these weather, science, and nature documentaries you’re creating, and what kind of twist should we expect? PH: I can’t tell you the twist, that would ruin it. (laughs) For those interested, you can visit his Pecos Hank Patreon page and subscribe to watch his weather, science, and nature videos. MaM: You also create zoology and geography videos as well. Do tell. PH: Whatever neat-o thing I stumble across, I hope to document well. Whether it’s auroras over Russia or whales in Tahiti, I love it all. MaM: How is a typical year split up for you between music and chasing? PH: I’m always torn between music, critters, and storms, but lately music and critters are only getting the leftovers. Half my year is dedicated to capturing severe weather. To all my loving fans around the world, keep your Covid away from me! (laughs) MaM: You print and sell your photos of your tornado-chasing experiences. Have you seen a big demand to snatch up your shots? PH: It can always be bigger. photo credit: Hank Schyma photo credit: Hank Schyma MaM: Tell us where all you chase, how you decide where and what to chase, and what happens after destruction settles? What do you and your team do? PH: Most of the time, I chase alone anywhere from North Dakota to South Texas, Thailand to Australia. For two weeks a year, I join Dr. Anton Seimon’s scientific field operations team hoping to gather data that helps us understand [more about] tornadoes. Anytime we see destruction where human life may be impacted, we try to assist any way we can. Sometimes it’s just letting victims use our phones, and other times we are driving them to hospitals. MaM: Will you ever stop playing music or chasing tornadoes? PH: Only if I’m physically incapable. MaM: What’s the harmony you’ve found between making music and chasing tornadoes? PH: I score all my nature videos with my own music. Who’da thunk you’d sell way more records chasing tornadoes than touring? MaM: What’s next on the Pecos Hank agenda? PH: It’s 6 a.m. Time to go to bed. MaM: Okay, okay, haha. Tell people how they can find and keep up with you? PH: Just google 'tornado.' And he’s not kidding. Pecos Hank is everywhere accompanying the word tornado . For more on this music, snake, and tornado-wrangling cowboy, and for more on Southern Backtones, you can find all your heart desires by stopping by any of the below-listed sites. www.PecosHank.com Youtube @PecosHank Instagram @PecosHank Facebook @PecosHankOfficial Twitter @PecosHank Youtube @SouthernBacktones Instagram @SouthernBacktones Facebook @SouthernBacktones www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Quicksand kicks off with an immediate jam, diving straight into a perfect balance of heaviness. < Back Reviews on the Real: Quicksand by Caustic Waves Nicole Brice Jun 6, 2025 Share Quicksand kicks off with an immediate jam, diving straight into a perfect balance of heaviness. Following the release of their debut six-track EP, Full Circle , in 2023 , Caustic Waves is launching the second chapter in 2025 with a new single titled ‘ Quicksand .’ This track serves as the lead single for the upcoming album, Echoes . We actually covered the release of Full Circle back in 2023. You can learn more about it here . Released June 6, 2025 Founded in 2022, Caustic Waves is the musical project of Neil Thomas , a one-man band based in Glasgow, Scotland . Drawing inspiration from his love for 90s and 00s alternative rock, metal, post-hardcore, and grunge , Neil is influenced by bands from that era, including Incubus , Far , Deftones , and Helmet . Neil's music seems to belong to a different time due to its strong 90s influences, but that's exactly my style, and I'm fully on board with it. Now, let’s dive into this new track. ‘ Quicksand ’ kicks off with an immediate jam, diving straight into the action without any build-up. The intense vocals kick in right away, delivering a solid and refreshing dose of 90s alternative rock , reimagined for the modern era. It strikes the perfect balance: not too heavy, but just heavy enough. If Helmet and Incubus were to merge , this is what it would remind me of. Overall, it's solid rock all the way through, and Neil’s vocals truly soar on this track . Photo provided by artist I cannot wait to hear the entire album when it drops in September , but for now, stream ‘ Quicksand ’ on your favorite streaming service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whvUfQZ069s Official lyric video for 'Quicksand' To learn more about Caustic Waves: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/causticwaves Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5YFSnuEccV4gdfzlxKkdu9 Bandcamp: https://causticwaves.bandcamp.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/causticwaves YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@causticwaves Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/causticwaves TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@causticwaves www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Shocks to Sleeping Beauties is a daring mix of electric energy and lyrical depth. < Back Glitter Litter Awakens Listeners with a Bold New Sonic Journey Nick Cline Jun 24, 2024 Share Shocks to Sleeping Beauties is a daring mix of electric energy and lyrical depth. Glitter Litter , a band that stands out with its distinctive fusion of glam rock and punk, immediately seized my attention with its new album, Shocks to Sleeping Beauties released on June 14, 2024. The album is a daring mix of electric energy and lyrical depth. The first listen was a nostalgic journey, evoking memorable tunes from the ‘90s and early 2000s TV and movie soundtracks. With its unique melodies and lyrics, each song left an indelible mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItfwwV8Mj2U Upon listening to the album, I discerned clear influences from iconic bands such as the New York Dolls , Blondie , and The Ramones , and subtle nods to a diverse range of bubblegum pop-rock bands from the 90s and early 2000s. These influences are skillfully woven together, creating a delightful blend of nostalgia and contemporary pop-rock. My favorite track from the latest album is ‘ I don't want to write songs about things I don't want to do. ’ This track has a perfect sense of melody that caught my ear when paying attention to the mix, the melody, and everything else intertwined. Like I said before, the songs were heavily influenced by '90s and early 2000s sitcoms, comedies, etc. This is, by far, the strongest suit when looking into the tracks. The way they are written is like a media time machine of nostalgia and killer tunes. It's straightforward punk rock with a bubblegum melody and glam rock vibe. These tracks would make a welcome addition to just about anybody's playlist, especially people who love glam rock and bubblegum pop-rock/punk. The album's mix is, for the most part, a well-crafted piece of work. The tones displayed exhibit a clear quality in the recording process. However, I couldn't help but notice the occasional underutilization of promising riffs, which, in my view, detracts from the overall creative process that is evident in all the tracks. Credit: Artist website I was pleased with everything I heard when I listened to the tracks, but I noticed the use of riffs, melodies, and other parts of the song that were only taken advantage of in pieces. I feel this took away some of the superb musicianship and production of the music. In my opinion, Glitter Litter should explore their more underrepresented talents that shine in only pieces of songs. They could push into a different territory of tonal quality when exploring more sounds. Nonetheless, Shocks to Sleeping Beauties was a pleasure to listen to. This album made me want to look more into their music to see what else I could find, thanks to the melody and production. I am more than eager to see what Glitter Litter has in store for the future of its music and brand. Put this band on your list of bands to check out NOW! To experience all things Glitter Litter, just hit one of the links below: Website : Glitter Litter - bubblegum glam/punk Linktree : Shocks to sleeping beauties by Glitter Litter ( songwhip.com ) Spotify: Shocks to sleeping beauties - EP by Glitter Litter | Spotify Apple Music : ‎Shocks To Sleeping Beauties - EP - Album by Glitter Litter - Apple Music Do you have a tune you think Nick would like? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Goodbye Academy is a collective of brilliant musicians dedicated to the true artistry of making great music. < Back Goodbye Academy: Bringing Pop-Grunge to the Masses Nicole Brice Oct 31, 2024 Share Goodbye Academy is a collective of brilliant musicians dedicated to the true artistry of making great music. As a teenager from 1994 to 2000, I know a lot about music from that period. Music back then had a certain artistry to it. It was inspiring instead of being spiteful. It was playful yet powerful, but all in all, it had heart. An emerging Louisiana talent named Goodbye Academy is bridging the gap between current music and the favorites of the past with their conceptual and innovative tracks that take risks regarding different sounds and textures. Credit: Gary Governale How would I describe Goodbye Academy ’s sound? It’s a unique blend of pop-grunge with a hint of punk, yet in the grand scheme of things, they are truly alternative. Their sound would have resonated well in the early to mid-90s, and with the younger generations embracing the 90s culture, they are set to leave a lasting impression on the music scene. Goodbye Academy , a Baton Rouge-based group, is a collective of brilliant musicians dedicated to the true artistry of making great music. Their technical proficiency is evident in every note, and their music is a testament to their passion and dedication. With well-thought-out song titles that showcase their personality, reminiscent of the comedic antics of They Might Be Giants , Goodbye Academy is ready to make a significant impact on the music industry. Originating in the Hammond, LA area, but now claiming Baton Rouge as their home base, Goodbye Academy is comprised of Kris Ballard (guitar/vocals), Jake Shaver (bass/vocals), and Chase Chabaud (drums/vocals). The vocal styling reminds me of Jeremy Palaszewski from No Motiv meets Mark Lanegan from Screaming Trees . Credit: Gary Governale Having recently released their self-titled debut album , Goodbye Academy has crafted an album with no filler tracks and nothing but killer . Each song is more unique than the last. The album opens with a well-known phrase from a famous British comedy troupe that I adore: “ And now for something completely different .” Note: When I sat down to interview the guys, this was one of my first questions, and then we went around the table quoting the favorite famous British comedy troupe in our best British accents. There are heavy basslines throughout, too, and I’m a sucker for a heavy bassline. Jake is the classic tale of the need for a bass player turning into a guitar player taking up bass, but he’s pretty good at it and carves out a prominent and dominant sound in Goodbye Academy ’s music. I love it when a bass player stands out, too, like Craig Setari from Sick of it All . I always know a song by Sick of It All when it first begins because of Craig ’s bass playing. I have a feeling that as Jake refines his bass skills, he, too, will be one of those exceptional bass players who will stand out amongst the rest. Jake and Kris met while attending college at Southeastern Louisiana University in 2017 and have been inseparable ever since. You could say it was a meeting with destiny, in a sense. Chase is a humble and talented percussionist who combines rhythm into the packaged Goodbye Academy sound. With clever marketing and original graphics drawn by Kris Ballard , Jake developed the band’s brand identity through a unified, visually stunning website with a cohesive theme of nostalgia . Read on below. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Tell us a little about how you came together. A little band origin, if you will. Kris : Well, Jake and I met in 2017 at Southeastern’s Welcome Week / Orientation, and we became best friends instantly. We were hanging out and living in an apartment for a bit. It was horrible. Jake : It was like a 1-bedroom apartment with four people living there. Kris : Yeah, but like 20 people were there every day. (laughter) Kris : God forbid that only four people are in the apartment. (laughter) Kris : I played guitar and dabbled in stuff, but we didn’t really do anything musically for a while. We were messing around with making a song called, ‘ Two Worlds ’, back then, and after a couple years of knowing each other, I ended up writing ‘ Drywall ’ after going through a pretty bad breakup in my room at like 3 o’clock in the morning, with a headset microphone. I put this headset microphone up to the guitar and was playing it. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Hey, whatever you have to do, right? (laughter) Kris : The first version was so bad, and I put it on YouTube . We then started talking about it, so I did a second version, and it was at that point we decided we should actually make music and be a band. Originally, we were going to be an acoustic duo called Up N' Atoms , and we were playing together, for how long? Jake : Two years Kris : We made a couple of EPs, and Jake ended up meeting Chase at his work. He was like, ‘I met this guy at work, and he’s a drummer. We should go play with him.’ I was so nervous, too, when I went to Chase ’s house that I didn’t talk for over two hours. (laughter) Credit: Gary Governale MaM : That’s a great introduction. I want to play music with you, but I’m not going to talk to you. (laughter) Kris : I was terrified. There were microphones in the room, and every time I would talk, my voice would reverberate. (laughter) MaM : So, you guys share vocal duties. Generally, when it comes to singing the song, how do you decide that? Kris : It’s generally who writes it. MaM : What is more important, in your opinion, lyrics or sound? Kris : We might all have a different opinion on this. Jake : When listening to music, I tend to listen compositionally forward more than lyrically, but when I write, it’s lyrically forward with the composition on the back end. Kris : We’ll often write lyrics before he gets any instrumentation done. Chase : I’m the biggest metal head, so for me, I find the screams are an instrument of sorts , and they’re very valuable to the music. In execution, though, it all must sound right, so I would have to say the sound of the song matters more than the lyrics. Kris : When I write music, all the songs I wrote lyrics for have meaning. They have to mean something personally to me. Obviously, if I don’t like the way something sounds, I just drop the song, in general. I hyper-analyze and dissect all the lyrics first, though. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : I do that with every song. I get it. How would you describe the Goodbye Academy sound for someone who has never heard your music? Chase : This is actually a great segway into that. I’ve gotten a comparison to a genre I was unfamiliar with, called Midwest emo , and Rian stamped us as the genesis of a new genre called Southeast emo . MaM : But I don’t think ya’ll are emo. Chase : Midwest emo carries a similar style, and there are some bands like Hot Mulligan and Mom Jeans that carry the Midwest emo moniker, but it’s funny that we have been dubbed that. I don’t know if I would necessarily embrace the emo narrative either, but I think we carry more pop-punk and grunge elements, but I don’t want to limit what we do either. There is more to explore. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : That’s what I love about your band, though, because you don’t sound like any other band around here. That’s also what I love about Jean Claude Seagal , too. Their sound is refreshing, and that gives you an advantage. Keep the formula. Chase : I see similarities between how we approach music and Weezer . MaM : Love Weezer! That’s a good comparison. See, I would say They Might Be Giants . Have you heard of them? Goodbye Academy : Yes! Chase : They famously wrote the theme song to The Daily Show . I also think we have a lot of influence from Blink 182 with the way I play drums. There is also contrast in our vocalists because of the two different styles they bring. Jake : Someone recently actually described us as sounding like Hüsker Dü . Credit: Gary Governale MaM : That’s an excellent comparison! What do you guys listen to daily? Jake : I grew up on classic rock. Aerosmith , Led Zeppelin , AC/DC , Pink Floyd , etc. I started branching off into punk , though, and then actually fell into emo and prog. I ran into My Chemical Romance and Coheed and Cambria . Those two influences made me want to scream in my music with introspective lyrics. Get the anger out that I don’t normally express. It helps. Kris : My dad loves 90s music and some early 2000s, too, but bands like Barenaked Ladies , Blink 182 , Papa Roach , Weezer … that whole sphere …all of that was what I grew up listening to and what pushed me. I even loved Simple Plan , too. Jake : Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco , too. Chase : I can’t end this interview without mentioning Meriwether . Meriwether and the bands of The Caterie were huge influences on me. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : What is your ultimate goal for this band? Kris : I guess it’s changed over time. The band has always been an outlet for me because I can write down what I want to say better in songs. MaM : That sounds like me when I write my books. Kris : Right? As we’ve come together and have played shows, I’ve decided I would like to do this as a career. I really want to pursue it. I want to go on tour. Jake : I just want to play power chords. (laughter) Kris : I just want to take this moment to apologize to every sound guy that has ever had to check us. (laughter) Kris : Because we take so long. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Where do you say your greatest strengths and weaknesses lie as musicians? Kris : Chase’s weakness is that he’s extremely talented and thinks he’s god-awful garbage. (laughter) MaM : You’ve gotta give yourself more credit. Kris : My biggest weakness is probably the fact that I’ve fooled them into thinking I can play guitar. (laughter) Kris : I will practice the same song repeatedly. I don’t know a lot of chords. I know some scales. I don’t know what key I am playing ever … and then repeat it. My strength, I guess, is that I enjoy writing melodies and lyrics … and it’s in a key, but I have no idea what it is. (laughter) Credit: Gary Governale MaM : My brother – the riff from Blink 182’s ‘ Damnit ’ – dude … over and over … (laughter) Jake : I think my strengths are probably my ear because that’s how I play mostly. I can read music, but it’s not a strength. You’re good to go with your ear as long as you're adaptable. My rhythm hand, too, is a strength. My biggest weakness … I could go into so much … (laughter) Jake : I could pick myself apart. I have to work with the ADHD struggle of not always being able to rely on your ability. Sometimes it’s trying to recreate something you did, but not being able to. I do tend to do that quite a bit. Kris : (to Chase) So, if your biggest weakness is that you hate yourself, what’s your biggest strength? (laughter) Chase : I can combine different genres and musicians with my playing. I turn it into my own unique thing. When this band was a duo, they were melodious folk, and I wanted to make it more rock and roll. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Final question: Where do you see yourself in the next five years, or where would you like to be? Kris : I would like to be in the Midwest … no … (laughter) Kris : As much as I like having a stable income and a place to work that is nice and cares about me, I would like to play in a band as a job. Whether or not that can happen is something that I have low expectations for. (laughter) MaM : No, you need to stay positive. Kris : Yes, we manifest. MaM : Exactly. Jake : Next year, I’m hoping we can play some festivals and see if we can cross state lines to expand our reach. As our kids get older, I feel it will get easier. Chase : I want to accomplish the same as these guys, but I want to get what we have now recorded. MaM : Capture the magic. Chase : We already have the second album, and it's pretty much done. I know we’re approaching it fast, but I want to return to the studio with Nick . Nick Maggio is a phenomenal person. MaM : Yes, he is amazing! Kris : Even beyond his talent, he’s just incredible. MaM : He’s just a good person. Kris : He understands the sound and vibe we want. He connects with the music, too. Chase : I want to get in with Nick before anything is lost or goes further down the line. That’s one of my primary drives. I’ve wanted to be in a band my entire life making music, but I don’t want to sit on what we have. Let’s get this out and on record. More than just a band, Goodbye Academy is a group of best friends united by their love for music and their desire to share their art with the world. Their friendship and camaraderie are palpable in their music, making them more than just a band-they are a community of like-minded individuals looking to bring their art to the masses. Stay tuned for great things from these guys. To learn more about Goodbye Academy : www.goodbyeacademy.com *All photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next

RobenX is promising a legacy of influence that transcends music alone. < Back On the Rise: RobenX Nicole Brice May 8, 2024 Share RobenX is promising a legacy of influence that transcends music alone. Who is RobenX ? He is a fearless artist, a beacon of authenticity. His life is a testament to the triumph of the human spirit, drawing inspiration from the depths of human existence here in the School of Earth. With a profound narrative of resilience, talent, and empowerment, Roben is not just a musician but also an author, model, anti-bullying advocate, and advocate for albinism . His journey took him to Geneva, Switzerland, in 2018, where he spoke and performed at the United Nations during their Human Rights Day Celebration , a testament to his unwavering spirit. Credit: Andrew of Ejji Studios RobenX, originally Robdarius Brown, hails from Memphis, Tennessee, a city steeped in the rich musical traditions of blues, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll. His early life was marked by significant challenges, but it was through these trials that he discovered his refuge in music. It became his voice, escape, and a way to share his experiences with the world. RobenX's music is a unique fusion of genuine expression and profound emotional depth. It resonates with the vocal stylings of two hip-hop legends, Onyx and Eminem . If these two had a musical lovechild, it would be RobenX. His music is a return to intelligent hip-hop, reaching into the depths of your soul with its raw emotion. The energy he infuses into every song is palpable, radiating from every note and lyric, creating a powerful connection with his listeners. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2siUBr5-ho His newest single – “ Blood on the Leaves ,” – was released on April 3, 2024, and is a journey from the depths of pain and existence. It’s dark. It’s gritty. It’s honest. It is exactly what we need in music because it is authentic. On my favorite track, - “ Dial Tone ,”- released in 2022, Roben changes things up and sings a little more while going through the real emotions associated with disassociating from someone. The words are intense and full of pain, culminating in the chorus with the words, “This shouldn’t be the price of love.” So true, my friend, so true. Another favorite song of mine, “ Devoid ,” was released on the Mental Interlude EP in 2020 and is pure poetic genius because I’m sure many can identify with Roben's feelings of just being over everything in a moment of frustration and anger. However, what truly sets RobenX apart in the hip-hop community is his unwavering commitment to advocacy. Through his lyrics and public presence, he not only raises awareness about albinism but also challenges the stereotypes and misconceptions that surround individuals with this condition. His advocacy is a beacon of light, illuminating the path toward a more inclusive and understanding society. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_357554171ccd4987857a8a68c089271b/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 Mixed Alternative Magazine recently had the opportunity to catch up with the extraordinary RobenX, and we enjoyed chatting about anything and everything. With so much depth to Roben’s character, we had a good bit of ground to cover, so take a moment to read more of our conversation below to learn about the phenomenal artist, RobenX. Credit: Andrew of Ejji Studios MaM : You’ve released a ton of music since 2012. What was the first song that you ever wrote? How did it feel to bring your musical vision to life via song? RobenX : I was a freestyler when I first started, and I was doing that when I recorded my first song, “They Love Me,” which is still out there, probably buried on my YouTube , but the first song I wrote was a song called “Just Maybe,” but I never released it. That was the first time I had decided to hone my craft. Writing was such a weird concept to me regarding writing music. I used to write stories all the time, but I had never written a song. I had to catch all the words flying by me with all these fleeting emotions, but once I started crafting a song, I realized how much more potent it could be and how much control I had over what I could say. MaM : How old were you when you wrote that? RobenX : I was 13 or 14. Credit: Daneel Ferreira MaM : Who would you say has influenced you the most when making music? I noticed you have quite a bit of diversity in your music. RobenX : I’m just going to rattle off a bunch of names because there are so many, but they are near and dear to what I do: Korn, Three Days Grace, Tupac, Tech N9ne, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, System of a Down, Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Thousand Foot Krutch, Mindless Self Indulgence, The Temptations, Kendrick Lamar, and Eminem. I almost forgot Michael Jackson and David Ruffin, too. MaM : There is such diversity. What mission statement would you like to convey to people discovering your music for the first time? RobenX : I want people to take my stories and use them to help themselves. I want to use my pain to heal the pain. I experienced a lot of different scenarios and got to experience things I probably shouldn’t have at a young age. Still, I want to testify that your past helps define you, but don’t let it limit you. The world is yours to do what you want, so use my words to appeal to you. Use my stories and find yourself in the music. Take my words and apply them to you. Credit: Andrew of Ejji Studios MaM : How do you approach the songwriting process? Take us through that. RobenX : It’s different every time because I’ve written some songs in five minutes. Some songs, though, can take months. Sometimes, I have an idea that I’ll record or write stuff down, but sometimes, the concept is there, but I just haven’t found the right instrumental. It all must align with the universe. I try not to do things the universe doesn’t need, so if the idea doesn’t speak to me, I usually discard it or set it aside until it’s time. Usually, I’ll hear a track and listen to what it is trying to get me to say, and I listen to the universe and the higher-ups who give me the stories I need. For example, a lot of what is going to be on “Shoulda Died” is just internal and reliving some of the past trauma that I experienced as a teenager and as a young adult. Credit: Andrew of Ejji Studios MaM : I like to call those universal happenings when you listen to the divine guidance given. So, the next question I have for you is funny but one that will get you thinking. You’re headed to live on a deserted island and can only bring CDs by five artists. What are you bringing? RobenX : Believe it or not, my list would be small. Ok, Smino’s “ Noir ,” Tupac’s “ All Eyez on Me ,” Kendrick Lamar’s “ Good Kid ,” Three Days Grace’s self-titled album , System of a Down’s “ Hypnotize ” or “ Toxicity ”. (laughter) Man…I can’t forget about Michael Jackson’s “ Thriller ”, too. That’s hard. (laughter) MaM : I love that. You are such an inspirational individual. So, what are you working on currently? You released a new single in April but must have something else in the pipeline. RobenX : I am working on a new project, and I’ll go ahead and give you the title; it’s called “Shoulda Died.” We’re also working on a coloring book inspired by my book, “ The Colors of Olleh ,” a children’s book, and Teiyonna Douglas is the illustrator of that book. She created all the pictures. She also did the cover art for several of my releases, including “ The Mental Interlude ” EP and for a mixtape I have on YouTube called Moldy . Her artwork is on that cover, too, and she’s been helping me a lot. She is creating the coloring book all by herself, though, and I give suggestions here and there, but I will also be releasing some songs from “ The Mental Interlude ” EP in their live versions. Credit: Daneel Ferreira MaM : Wow! So much is going on! So, when do you anticipate some of that dropping? RobenX : If I can, I want to have something out by June, but my goal is June or July. MaM : Let’s discuss your book, “ The Colors of Olleh ”. What was the process like putting all of that together? RobenX : The inception of “ The Colors of Olleh ” was simple. I wanted to write a book and tell a story about a child with Albinism but not have Albinism be the main focal point. I just wanted a character who had Albinism. He sees colors and lives in a world of black and white. I called Teiyonna immediately to pitch the idea to her, and she loved the concept. However, she thought about making each page monochrome to show that Olleh can see color when others cannot. The idea started snowballing to where colors were representing differences. When people don’t see people for who they truly are, they are living in black & white. To see the beauty of difference is to see in color. If you say you don’t see color, you live blind. It’s all subjective. Richard Hervey is the producer. He goes by the name of Enigma, but he has helped on numerous tracks of mine, and he was the one who helped turn the entire concept into a book. He took Teiyonna’s ideas and made them bigger, and then “ The Colors of Olleh ” was born, and Olleh’s name is just “hello” backward. Olleh is a traveler, though he could be anyone, and he meets a young lady in the story named Vye, who ends up being the leader of the story. Her character is to show people that they can step up and not wait for a change, but they can be the change. Olleh goes to this town to tell people that he can see color, and they can see color if they accept him. At first, people are hesitant, but then Vye decides she’s curious, so she accepts Olleh, and when she does, it’s easier for others to do so. It shows leadership. Step up and be the change. Small note: Vye’s name is taken from the color violet. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_19a08ae5304c461a84a2e6e4f0334441/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 MaM : You’ve done so much, a true Renaissance man, but I read you’ve also worked with the United Nations on some things. Tell us a little more about that. RobenX : I was doing some Albinism awareness and anti-bullying work and was asked to be part of a video educating people on Albinism. However, I didn’t think too much about it afterward. Years passed after I had done the video, and I didn’t hear from them. They didn’t have my e-mail, so they tried to reach out to me via my social media, but the messages went to my spam box for some reason. One day, I checked my spam folder, and there were many messages. I would have missed the opportunity if I had just waited a day later to read the messages. I was flown to Geneva, Switzerland, and I got to meet the High Commissioner of the United Nations, and it was insane. I was 18 or 19, and coming from Memphis, with growing up how I did, flying to a different country was wild. For reference, my grandmother has never left Memphis. My mom was the first in her family to graduate from college. This was a huge deal. Once I got there, I was allowed to speak about Albinism and human rights and what we could do to make a difference in other countries. See, in other countries, people with my condition are considered spiritual or magical and are often killed because of this. Their body parts are then used in rituals and incantations, but if the poachers don’t get them, then they are dying from skin cancer because of overexposure to the sun, and they don’t have access to proper healthcare for their conditions. I wanted to use my voice to see what we could do to help them. I was made a Human Rights Champion and allowed to meet other leaders from all walks of life. It was amazing. Very powerful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgktjQA3abc MaM : Where do you see yourself headed in the future? RobenX : I want to do so much, and I know I can’t save the world in a day, but the goal is to reach as many people through as many mediums as possible. I want to flood the market correctly with the right things. No matter where you turn, things aren’t full of love labor. I want to create mediums that speak to people, help people grow, and give people power. I believe we are on that journey, too, and I hope that in the next five years, we can reach people with positivity through all mediums. RobenX exemplifies the powerful intersection of art and advocacy with each new track, performance, and interview. His journey underscores the potential for music to entertain, enlighten, and provoke change. As his message spreads further, he promises a legacy of influence and change that transcends music alone. To check out Roben’s work catalog, hit the link below and be sure to follow him on social media. *cover photo by Andrew of Ejji Studios *videos provided by Extreme Dreams USA www.teamrobenx.com HOME | TeamRobenX www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next

A Hypnotic Pulse < Back New Orleans Band Deep Sleep Atlantic Announce Debut Single C.G. Smith Mar 22, 2023 Share A Hypnotic Pulse New Orleans’ Deep Sleep Atlantic announces the release of their debut single "Bipolar Tendencies" which drops March 31st, 2023 . Deep Sleep Atlantic consists of lead vocalist and guitarist/producer Travis Marc , and backing vocalist and drummer/producer Daniel Perez , both based in New Orleans . The single was mixed by Jetta In The Ghost Tree producer - Taylor Tatsch and mastered by Deep Blue Something's Todd Pipes . Photo provided by band The new and darkly energetic single ' Bipolar Tendencies ' by Deep Sleep Atlantic creeps into your ears with a hypnotic pulse that suddenly explodes into a chorus that encapsulates your entire being and gets your head nodding. The song is a powerful first step for this New Orleans-based band. "We're thrilled to finally share our debut single ‘Bipolar Tendencies’ with the world," say the band. "It's a song that we've poured our hearts and souls into, and we can't wait for fans to hear it and experience it with us." Travis played all the instruments and produced the song himself, but shortly after meeting Daniel , they decided to form the band. The duo is excited to start performing the new material for live audiences starting in April of 2023. “The song was written in a house in the Treme neighborhood after assisting at a session at Esplanade Studios,” says Travis. “The lyric that says, ‘I’ve had interviews cut’ is totally true. In my last band, a radio DJ in London stopped the interview because she said I was painting the music industry in a negative light while explaining some shortcomings that musicians often face.” The lyrics in the second verse reads: “… I’ve had interviews cut The couple times I almost made it They say I’m too negative To call it like it is but Coating it with sugar Only clogs up the arteries.” The production is top notch, and the single is catchy. This is absolutely a band to keep your eyes and ears on in 2023. ' Bipolar Tendencies ' releases worldwide on March 31st and is the last track the band recorded but the first single from their upcoming album Prelude . The band will be releasing a video for the single on April 7th, as well as hosting an intimate single release party at Henry Turner Jr’s Listening Room in Baton Rouge on April 8th, 2023. Stay up to date on their website at www.DeepSleepAtlantic.com , where you can join their mailing list and follow them on social media @deepsleepatlantic. To learn more about DSA: SoundCloud - Hear the world’s sounds Deep Sleep Atlantic | Facebook @deepsleepatlantic • Instagram photos and videos DeepSleepAtlantic (@DeepSleepATLC) / Twitter Deep Sleep Atlantic - YouTube www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next