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Lower Decks is arguably the best show of Star Trek’s modern era and is a love letter to the franchise that reminds fans not to take it too seriously. < Back Star Trek Lower Decks: Bingeworthy Shaun Corley Oct 10, 2023 Share Lower Decks is arguably the best show of Star Trek’s modern era and is a love letter to the franchise that reminds fans not to take it too seriously. Star Trek returned to television in 2017 with the premiere of Star Trek: Discovery . Despite a shaky beginning, Discovery became a hit, inspiring an entirely new line of Trek shows, including Picard, Strange New Worlds, and the late lamented Prodigy . Each of these programs has their own distinct vibe: Picard is a character-study, Prodigy was made for children, and Strange New Worlds is a modern riff on the classic Star Trek formula. These three shows have helped bring Star Trek into the modern era and introduce a new generation of fans to the final frontier. And then there is Star Trek: Lower Decks . Lower Decks is unlike any other Star Trek show yet. True, it is not Trek’s first foray into animation—seven years after the original show premiered, Star Trek: The Animated Series debuted. Airing on Saturday mornings, the show continued the adventures of Captain James Kirk, Mister Spock, and the crew of the Enterprise. The show, more sophisticated than other cartoons of the era, introduced a number of cool concepts and characters to the mythos. Unfortunately, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry later declared the show out of canon, although this has not stopped later writers from “backdooring” certain aspects of the show back into continuity. While The Animated Series’ canonicity is debatable, Star Trek: Lower Decks is not. It is firmly a part of the Star Trek mythos and is a love letter to Star Trek as well. Created by Mike McMahan, whose other credits include Rick and Morty and Solar Opposites , Lower Decks rewards long-time fans for their deep knowledge of the franchise. Any given episode is loaded with references to other Star Trek shows and movies. Some of them are quite subtle, other are “blink and you miss it.” The animation style is similar to the other shows McMahan has worked on. This initially led to skepticism among fans: How exactly do you reconcile the Star Trek universe with what are decidedly raunchy cartoons? The answer is: It works beautifully. Beginning a few years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis , Lower Decks follows the adventures of four (later five) lowly ensigns aboard the USS Cerritos , a California-class starship specializing in “second contacts.” The Cerritos is not a glamorous Galaxy-class ship like the Enterprise, nor is it a warship like the Defiant. Instead, it is just another ship in the fleet. While this may not sound like it would make for compelling viewing, Star Trek: Lower Decks is arguably the best show of Trek’s modern era. credit: Paramount+ Lower Decks’ five main characters—the humans Boimler, Mariner, and Rutherford, the Orion Tendi, and the Vulcan T’Lynn—navigate the ups and downs of starship life in the late 24th century. Boimler (voiced by Jack Quaid, of The Boys ) is an eager beaver, a student of Starfleet history who desires a command of his own one day. His best friend on the Cerritos is Beckett Mariner (voiced by Tawny Newsome, of Space Force ), the daughter of the ship’s captain with a long history of insubordination. Sam Rutherford (Eugene Cordero, of Loki ), stationed in Engineering, adores his job, as does his best friend Tendi (Noël Wells, of The Incredible Jessica James ), who works in the sickbay. They were joined in season four by T’Lynn (Gabrielle Ruiz, of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend ), who first appeared in the show’s second season. Lower Decks also shines a light on the Cerritos’ senior officers as well; among them are Chief of Engineering Billups, voiced by comedian Paul Scheer, and the arrogant but ultimately competent Commander Ransom, voiced by Jerry O’Connell ( The Donor Party ). Chief Billups and Commander Ransom (credit: Paramount+) Despite its toilet-bowl humor, and its TV-MA rating, Lower Decks is surprisingly wholesome. The constant barrage of in-jokes and references are never meant in a mean-spirited way; instead, they pay homage to Star Trek’s rich 57-year legacy. Lower Decks has given shout-outs to every corner of the Star Trek franchise, with some cuts so deep they can go over viewers’ heads. Lower Decks also subverts franchise tropes, and no character better exemplifies this than Tendi. Hailing from the planet Orion, Tendi is an eager, cheerful medical officer—a stark contrast to what fans had seen of Orion before. Prior to Lower Decks , the Orions were best known for the green slave girls, supposedly so desirable that no man could resist them. Star Trek: Enterprise tried to rectify this by revealing that Orion women secrete pheromones that control men. However, the execution of this left something to be desired. On the other hand, Lower Decks has flipped the script on every bit of this: Tendi is not a sensual slave girl nor are other Orion women. The “pheromones controlling the men” have been retooled as well, making Orion a matrilineal society. credit: Paramount+ That’s just one example of the genius of Star Trek: Lower Decks . Despite initial misgivings, fans by and far have embraced the series. The characters are exceptionally well-written, with superb performances by the voice cast. Lower Decks has also made significant strides in representation: the aforementioned Billlups is coded for asexuality and the show has featured crew members wearing the hijab and the Sikh dastar. Lower Decks is a love letter to the Star Trek franchise that reminds fans not to take it too seriously. Lower Decks is currently streaming on (with a subscription) Paramount+ and Prime Video, or you can rent Seasons 1-4 on Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. 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 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

Who is Fish? < Back Messing Up Quests and Putting Things to the Test Nicole Brice Feb 15, 2023 Share Who is Fish? One day as I was doing my daily scroll on social media, I came across a YouTube video a friend had shared, and it was titled Stuck Inside a Video Game . I was like, “Hmmm, what could this be?” as I pressed play, not sure of what I was about to watch. For the next five minutes and 42 seconds , I was snickering like a goober while watching this cinematic masterpiece in all its humorous glory. The creator of the video I had just watched was a guy named Fish . After that moment, I shared the video because it was awesome and because most can relate to anything pertaining to video games. Little did I know that a few months later, while looking for talent to scout and write about, I would happen upon the Instagram page of the same artist/musician responsible for the epic YouTube video I had seen and gobbled up like a goober. For those who have not seen the jewel that is Stuck Inside a Video Game , it is a clever song and music video of a guy on a couch playing The Legend of Zelda , showing different scenarios and scenes of the main character being sucked into the actual game, complete with witty commentary, sexy women back-up dancers/singers, and much hilarity. In fact, before you finish this article, you must watch it. Stuck Inside a Video Game by Fish So, who is the guy behind this glorious gem? Well, folks, his name is Sam Fishman , a.k.a. Fish . I bet you’re probably asking, “ Who is Fish? ” So please, allow me. Not only is Fish a producer, a drummer, a video game enthusiast, and a kick-ass human , BUT he is also extremely witty, very intelligent, and super talented. When he’s not making amazingly awesome YouTube videos with clever concepts, he spends his time spinning the sticks as the drummer of the New York-based Americana/Folk rock band, Driftwood … truly an entertaining man. Keep reading to learn more! credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia MaM : Good Morning! Thank you for speaking with me today. So, let’s preface this by saying how wonderful it is to be speaking with the creator of “Stuck Inside a Video Game.” I saw it a few months back and instantly fell in love with it. Fish : You saw that? (laughs) That’s fortuitous. MaM : Yes, I saw it before I knew who you were and instantly thought, “This dude is awesome!”. Fish : Oh wow! (laughs) Yeah, that’s so funny. The universe is pointing in the right direction. MaM : So, not only are you making incredibly creative videos, but you are also the drummer in the band Driftwood, correct? Tell us a little more about that. Fish : So, I had been living in Brooklyn for about seven months when the pandemic hit and then, at that point, I said, ‘Alright, I’m gonna move out of the city.’ So, I left Brooklyn , moved back home with my folks for a little bit to figure out what the next move was, and then I felt like moving to Ithaca, N.Y. I felt like that was the best move for me. I have some familiarity with New York State, so I said, ‘Let me try Ithaca out,’ and I moved there. The first year that I’m there, it’s like [the] pandemic. Everything was closed. Nothing was happening. I started getting situated and reaching out to people, and through a mutual friend, I connected with Joey Arcuri . Joey is the bass player for Driftwood , and we connected, and so I said, ‘Joey, we should jam sometime,’ and we both know Chris . Chris is our mutual friend, and Joey said, ‘Yeah, that’d be great, man. Let’s keep in touch.’ A couple months go by, and I reach back out to Joey, and he gets back to me the next day and tells me their drummer had just left and then asked me if I’d like to audition for the band. The timing worked out, and because Joey and I had that mutual friend, we made the connection, and there ya go. MaM : Wow, that is incredible! You obviously have a background in music, so at what age did you start playing drums, and who are your musical influences and inspirations? Fish : I started playing drums in 3rd grade. MaM : Wow, 3rd grade? Just the fact that you can even remember back that far is awesome. I don’t even remember what I was doing at that age. Fish : Yeah, I had begged my parents for, like, two years to get me a drum set, and then they did. As far as influences, I have so many drummers I am into. That’s a really good question. It kind of taps into, like, there is stuff you can enjoy and then there are things you can kind of listen to cerebrally to get that music, and it makes sense in your brain; but, then there is music that hits your body and makes you feel things, and I guess for me, there are times when I love listening to hard rock and metal, and that sort of hits more intellectual [sic] for me because I’m understanding it in a way, but when I want to feel stuff, I really love listening to music with a groove and a laid-back vibe. For example, I’ve been listening to Madison Cunningham lately. It’s more Americana vibes. Very singer/songwriter … female vocals, relaxing … not gonna put me on edge. MaM : Do you prefer more singer/songwriter type of music? What’s your favorite type of music? Fish : Oh man, it’s very seasonal for me. I couldn’t tell you what my favorite is. For instance, I’m into these well-crafted songs kind of things and lush orchestrations, really just in the groove, in the pocket, but there may come a time in the summer where all I want to listen to is some heavy stuff. For instance, what’s the band from Chicago? I’m blanking out. The guy who does the “Oo-wa-ah-ah-ah!”? MaM : Disturbed? (laughs) Fish : (laughs) Yeah, Disturbed . I’ll maybe put on a little Disturbed . MaM : Get down with the sickness! (laughs) Fish : Yep yep! (laughs) … and I love Britney Spears ! I was listening to [her] the other day. MaM : Me too!!! One of my guilty pleasures! Fish : Yeah, Britney Spears , so good. credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia MaM : So, tell us a little more about this video. I need to know all the details, because that thing is badass! Fish : (laughs) Yeah, that is so insane! There are a lot of layers to that video. On the surface, it’s this really wacky, like, surreal video. I mean, I’m stuck in a video game. I’m stuck in ‘ The Legend of Zelda .’ It’s actually a reflective piece, and for a while, in my, like, late-20s or, well, even when I was, like, 31 [or] 32—which, I’m 36 now, or, rather, I’ll be 36 this coming Sunday. Even into my early 30s, I found myself playing games a little too much, and I wasn’t really living. The music video was a big, cathartic release for me. I wrote this rap song about being stuck in a game, and I wrote it the way I knew how, and then I said, Screw it! I’m gonna go all in. I’m gonna fly out to Los Angeles. I’m gonna get this thing legit.’ I found a video crew, Blurred Pictures , Rosco – he’s this great director out there. His mind moves a mile a minute, and we just got a team and I said, ‘I’m gonna produce this thing,’ and we really did it. I wanted to share my experiences in a way other people would relate. I feel like there’s a lot of guys out there that are stuck in this video game world, and they don’t even realize it. The video is a fun way to show the lines can be blurred if you play too many games. Is your life the game? Is the game your life? That whole back-and-forth dilemma. MaM : I can totally relate to that because my husband is a gamer, but he never let it consume him 100%. Now, my best friend, her boyfriend is so consumed by video games that he completely ignores her, and she is a total babe! I can definitely identify with your video. Fish : See? That’s what I mean. It’s relatable! Another part of it was that the women in the video are from ‘ The Legend of Zelda ,’ too … the three goddesses of the Tri Force … but they also take on a different meaning because they’re very sexy in the video, and because of that, if you’re attracted to women, women could become a distraction if you’re a little too focused on the game. You must find that balance. This is not my life’s purpose. My life has a greater purpose. The takeaway from this video is battling your shortcomings, getting out of your comfort zone, [and] really trying to better yourself. MaM : What is your favorite video game? Fish : Zelda … but then, which Zelda , right? I have some games that are definitely in the top 10, but simply because of the symbolism in the hero’s journey, Zelda is probably going to take the cake. I’m going to have to go with ‘ Ocarina of Time ’ as the best or as my favorite, with my second favorite Zelda game being ‘ Link’s Awakening .’ MaM : That’s awesome. I wanted to ask you, prior to Driftwood, were you playing in any other bands? Give us a brief history of your music career. Fish : So, if you thought the video was crazy, this is even crazier. Before I got into Driftwood , I was touring around the country and even got to go to Japan with my former band. I was playing with this group called Madison Rising , a political band, and it was a great opportunity for me to travel, and I learned a lot. I ended up leaving the band, though, to focus on other endeavors. The takeaway from that is that I learned a lot about the music industry, and I got to open up for Lynyrd Skynyrd , Aerosmith , and Weezer . We had a good run. I started with them in 2011 and left in 2018 . [I] spent seven years with them and learned some incredible things. Great learning experience. MaM : Steppingstones, though, to get to where you are today. Fish : Absolutely. Had I not experienced those situations with that band, then I would not have learned about what it means to be a professional musician. MaM : I want to learn more about these videos on Instagram and more about your production work. You have such an interesting story to tell. Fish : Appreciate that. The production stuff you mentioned is kind of inspired by art. Like, here’s a drumming solo; here’s me drumming to this; [and] here’s my friend doing a piano piece. I’m starting to sort of play in both worlds. The music video, for instance, plays on some surrealism there. I have a video I will be posting soon of me just roaming around a recording studio while my friend, Andrew Klein , makes scary sounds on metallic percussion instruments. MaM : (laughs) That’s so awesome! credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia Fish : There is one where I am going to be dancing behind the drummer, Andrew Klein , while he plays drums. (laughs) I want it to be fun. Trying to just do some silly stuff that is different. Trying to lighten up this whole ‘I’m a serious artist’ business. That’s where I’m at. I love being in the production role. I like seeing visions of mine come to life. I have good organizational skills, and being a good producer, to me, is having good organizational skills. MaM : Do you own your own studio? I’m curious as to where you are recording. Fish : I’ve been investing in myself, and I like going to different studios, as opposed to trying to set up my own studio. I’m not into that. Maybe if I had a ton of money, I could make my own studio. There is something about working in someone else’s space that forces me to be more creative … working within the limitations … let’s adapt. For example, Wilburland Recording Studio is a place I go back to quite a bit. It’s a place where the latest Instagram clip was filmed. It’s a great open space, and I like working with Will a lot, and it’s close to where I live. I like trying different things. I don’t want to get locked into the same pattern. I have another bit coming up that I recorded. Mikaela Davis is a prominent harp player in New York state, and I’m bringing her to Wilburland , and she’s going to perform the great fairy fountain music from ‘The Legend of Zelda.’ MaM : Love it! If you lived here in Louisiana, we’d be hanging out! Fish : I feel that, too, just based upon our conversation. You’re just good energy. MaM : I’m such a nerd. I read and I meditate, and I like science. Are you currently based in New York, still? Fish : I live in Ithaca, New York. MaM : You know, every time I hear the name Ithaca, I think of the movie, “Road Trip!” Fish : Yes! (laughs) You are so on point! Yes! MaM : That’s what I instantly think of with Ithaca. So, with your extensive background in the industry, I just must ask you what you think the music industry is lacking these days? Fish : That’s a great question. To me, what’s lacking is education, and what I mean by that is that the local artists, they don’t fully understand what it means to run your band as a business. Any local artists who are complaining, and I get this in Ithaca through friends, like they are really making forward progress and are passionate about what they’re doing, but they don’t understand that if your band is going to progress, then there needs to be an awareness that if your band is not run like a business, then don’t have any expectations of moving forward. If you want to move forward, you must do all the work on the business side to help you establish a plan. credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia MaM : I completely can identify with that because you are building your band as a brand. You must brand yourself to stand out so that people take notice. What are you working on currently? Fish : One of the upcoming things is a screenplay for a movie. I just finished the first draft. It’s called ‘ Cicada Madness .’ It’s based on an audio project that is already completed, and I just decided to take it to the next level, but I’m certain I will be doing a crowdsourcing fund for the movie, because I want to have a big budget. When you think of the film, though, it’s a B-movie … sorority girls, cicadas flying around just exploding… (laughs) . MaM : So, is it like Hitchcock’s The Birds but with cicadas? Fish : Yeah, but funny. Not meant to scare you. Just total fun. Driftwood is currently recording an album, and we plan to release it in the fall. This is their most mature album to date. It’s going to defy expectations and has a lot of variety. Those are the main things. I have a video that is supposed to be finished by the end of February where I teamed up with a community music school to put on a performance of Claude Bolling’s ‘Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano ,’ and it brings me back to my roots of reading music and performing. I imagine I’ll be posting some clips from it in early March. I love doing different things where maybe you’ll get Jazz & Classical one day and then you’ll get crazy silly skit the next day. I have a lot of different things I want to do. credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia MaM : Ok, so big question. Who is Fish? Fish : Well, right now he’s the drummer of Driftwood the band; he does session work; and he produces and collaborates. But, yeah, Fish is ever evolving. That is the safe answer. Fish wants to inspire others. Fish wants to collaborate. That’s the key word. Fish is someone who wants to work with a lot of different people. Fish is a leader. Fish wants to bring out the best in other creative people. I love going to a keyboard player that I see potential in or that I think is phenomenal and I’ll say, ‘Hey, man! Let me get your number. We’re gonna work together.’ I just get right down to it. If I want to work with someone, I let them know. Fish really wants to bring out a vision and be part of a team. To learn more about Fish, check out all his links below and enjoy! Website: Who Is Fish? - Sam Fishman | Drummer, Composer, Creator Instagram: Who Is Fish? (@whoisfishig) • Instagram photos and videos YouTube: Who Is Fish? - YouTube Facebook: Who Is Fish? | Facebook 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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Last Legs' new single “Tara” is rooted in the real experience of American youth with stories of love, loss, and desperation that pull at your heartstrings. < Back Last Legs: New Wave Americana for a New Era Nicole Brice Jan 5, 2024 Share Last Legs' new single “Tara” is rooted in the real experience of American youth with stories of love, loss, and desperation that pull at your heartstrings. In an era marked by fleeting trends and a fast-paced musical landscape, new tunes are constantly being released, leading to an oversaturated market full of creatives wanting to showcase their craft. But I have discovered a band I feel will emerge as an up-and-coming force in the indie music scene due to their talent, drive, and emotionally charged lyrics full of imagery and soundscapes. Hailing from the Garden State of New Jersey, this vibrant five-piece rock band’s sound hints at New Wave and Americana while exploring themes from the 70s and 80s amongst a backdrop of folky, narrative-based lyrics rooted in realism. Their stories of love, loss, and desperation pull at your heartstrings and their poignant lyrics are known to bring on the tears. So, who is this band? They go by the name Last Legs. Formed in 2019, Last Legs is comprised of a lifelong group of seasoned musicians with an extensive history of over 20+ years rooted in the local Asbury Park music scene. Last Legs emerged from the ashes of notable indie bands Lowlight and Roadside Graves when various members wanted to create more material, but under a new moniker. Derril Sellers plays guitar while his wife Dana handles the keyboards and contributes vocals. Colin Ryan is the man with the plan on drums and percussion, Rey Rivera plays the bass and does all the MPC drum programming, and John Gleason is the lyricist and lead vocals bringing it all together. The band recently released a cover of REM’s “ Nightswimming ”, which is quite remarkable. The Last Legs version is rearranged, reinterpreted, and sounds nothing like the original. The band has orchestrated a beautiful take on a classic song, one worth noting. Fresh off recording their four-song demo EP, the band released their new song “Tara”, which is out today, and it is the first original song by Last Legs to be released on all streaming services. It’s also the perfect introduction to the band’s music. If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing them perform live, you’ve probably heard vocalist John Gleason explain, “These are songs of love, loss, and desperation, and every word is true.” Click the picture to experience "Tara" “Tara” contains lyrics that set the template for much of Last Legs’ music by telling a story that is rooted in the real experience of American youth : “When I was young, I ran away”. The song is visceral and specific, allowing listeners to feel the desperation of a life out of your control and going all wrong. The need to escape is real and earned when you hear the chorus: “You can take me anywhere, as long as it’s away from here”. Musically, “Tara” is a two-parter. Synth-driven the whole way through, the band is surprisingly intricate and fluent. The personal and detailed lyrics lead you to expect a country-folk arrangement, but the 80’s influence here is undeniable. This is New-Wave Americana. The first half is catchy, syncopated, and almost danceable. At the bridge, the band opens into a rolling, expansive vamp as John drives home the helplessness of childhood and the end of naivety . “Tara” is that time in our lives when we lose the sensitive, vibrant life force of childhood and become grey, unfeeling adults. “You can watch the way I crumble; watch the way I disappear”. Indeed. Credit: Jeff Crespi Last Legs is currently working on a full-length album to be released later in 2024, so stay tuned. Mixed Alternative was able to sit down and chat with the entire gang recently to discuss what makes their interpretation of “Nightswimming” so amazing, what their future holds, and more. Check out our conversation below, and then check out their new single, “Tara”. We think you’ll love these guys as much as we do. MaM: Thank you for speaking with us today. Let’s dive right in. Where did the band name come from? Colin : A huge Google doc. It was back and forth for months. We all liked the name Last Jumps that John came up with. John was going to say it one day and flubbed and said Last Legs instead. Everyone liked the name, so it stuck. John : We also like the meaning behind it because it stands for the last leg of the journey as well. It could be positive or negative. Dana : Our music explores the themes and topics of death, grief, etc. and I think it suits the music, too. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Your cover of “Nightswimming” is incredible because it sounds nothing like the original song. Had I not known that it was by R.E.M., I would have thought it was a new track. How did your cover of it come about? John : It was my selection because we went back and forth with many songs and I’ll be honest, I’m not an R.E.M. fan, but “Nightswimming” is the one R.E.M. song that hits me in the ways the music of Tom Waits and Leonard Cohen does. I thought that the song was so perfect and beautiful and there is no way we should cover it and try to sound exactly like them. I don’t feel that is an interesting way to do a cover song anyway unless you are playing it at a bar where people want to hear the song sound exactly like the original. The thought was that we wanted to mess it up by changing the lyrics, the tempo, and the style, and I think we achieved what we set out to do. And the fact that you like it is great. The main thing we did with “Nightswimming” was we took the bridge and made the whole song out of that bridge because we loved the chord progressions there. Dana : Yeah, we swapped the music from the bridge of the original song with the music of the main hook—the piano part—and that just seemed to work. I think as artists we are willing to experiment and drop any kind of bias of how things should be. I do think that it’s cool how we got it to tether back to the original song by flipping the bridge and the verse. Derril : The reason we did that, to begin with, is because our record label, Mint 400, does a compilation of songs from a certain decade every year and every band on the label chooses a song for the compilation. The decade this time was the 90s, so this was our choice. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : As I was listening to the demo you sent me, I was thrown into 80’s nostalgia overload and wanted to ask you about the creative process of writing music. How do you approach that? Dana : Some songs start with a kernel of an idea from a particular band member, but then some happen because John will start singing something and then we’ll build the song around that, but a lot of the songs do come together in a rehearsal or a setting where we are all together. During the pandemic, we got good at working together remotely and that got us accustomed to playing together even when we weren’t. We still send each other phone demos, too, where I’ll come up with something on the piano and then I’ll send it out. I think something we want to try with the upcoming record is to change the process because I think the process will dictate what the song ends up being. The process gives you an environment to work in so you can do different things. John : We have a song on the demo called “I’ve Been Loved” that we went through almost ten different versions before we ended up on the one that is on the demo, and each one was good, but it was just not hitting perfectly right until we got to the final version. Some songs kind of just come together and some are more involved in the process to get to the result. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Currently, who is inspiring you musically and why? Derril : I’ve been going through a musical and fashion renaissance, and I’ve been copying off Warren Ellis. I’m trying to grow into him these days and I’ve been following him a good bit. Dana : Since I play keys, I like the work of Brian Eno. The 80’s vibe you hear is because of me. I use a lot of 80’s keyboards and I have a Roland Juno 60—an original one—that I’ve played for many years. It just sounds great, but I recently stopped gigging with it because it just seems abusive to the instrument. I love music from that decade…all the post-punk stuff. We’ve been listening to the new Andre 3000 flute album, too, and it’s amazing. Sounds and texture are what I gravitate towards. Colin : John and I just went to see Mary Lattimore recently at a church in Philadelphia. John is a fan, but I had never heard of her before. I’ve been listening to a good bit of her stuff trying to get caught up on it all because it’s really good. John : She’s a harpist and she uses a loop pedal and it’s magical. If you like ambient music, you’ll love it. It’s melodic ambient music. For me, lately, it’s been singer/songwriter Damien Jurado. I’ve been listening to him since the mid-90s because he continues to put out compelling challenging and beautiful records. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : What are your plans for the future of the band? Last Legs : More people crying at shows. (laughter) Dana : We love traveling and we would love to be the opening act for artists we admire to connect with an audience and fans. We love creating music and our goal is to release our record in 2024 either with a label or independently. We now have this democratization of the music industry where anyone can reach their fan base if they do a certain thing in a certain way. Hopefully what we are doing will be infectious and other people will pick up on it. That’s our goal and we look forward to the rest of 2024. Be sure to follow Last Legs on social media and check out their tunes. All that tugging at your heart strings will be worth it! Instagram : Last Legs (@lastlegsmusic) • Instagram photos and videos YouTube : LAST LEGS "Nightswimming" (R.E.M. Cover) - YouTube Apple Music : ‎Last Legs - Apple Music *cover photo 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

Everything Streaming in November < Back So Much to Watch, So Little Time Keeley Brooks Nov 4, 2022 Share Everything Streaming in November We’ve entered November, and so comes the holiday season of 2022. That means a lot of new content will be dropping, and lucky for you I’m a heavy consumer who loves to share it all with you guys. Here are new titles dropping on your favorite streaming platforms this month. NETFLIX After coming out swinging for the fences in October with Ryan Murphy’s Dahmer and The Watcher , which, if I do say so myself, really fizzled out with a very mediocre ending, Netflix is following up with a true-crime-a-palooza beginning Nov. 2 . Here's what's in store. Killer Sally – The true story of former professional bodybuilder Sally McNeil who, along with family and friends, charts her rocky marriage and its bloody end in a Valentine’s Day murder. Streaming Nov. 2 Enola Holmes 2 – You either love it or hate it, but regardless, Enola is back with her quirky girl boss personality. Here she takes on her first case with help from her hot brother, Sherlock, played by Henry Cavill, and I assume you need no reminder of who he is. *And speaking of Henry Cavill, this little birdie knows he will NOT be continuing on in his role as The Witcher , presumably because he is returning to his Superman role. The hunky Liam Hemsworth will be taking his place, so don’t be too sad about it. Helena Bonham Carter also returns as the Holmes’s mother. Streaming Nov. 4 Orgasm Inc.: The Story of OneTaste – OneTaste sprung from San Francisco’s tech bubble as a sexual wellness company hailed by top health & wellness outlets as a path to fulfillment. They gained global notoriety through the teaching of a practice called “orgasmic meditation.” This investigative doc employs access to 15 years of never-before-seen footage and interviews with former members who have shocking allegations to pull back the curtain on the organization and its controversial, enigmatic leader. Streaming Nov. 5 State of Alabama vs. Brittany Smith – The harrowing story of a woman trying to use Alabama’s Stand Your Ground law after killing a man she says brutally attacked her. Streaming Nov. 10 Falling for Christmas – A young, newly engaged heiress has a skiing accident in the days before Christmas. After she’s diagnosed with amnesia, she finds herself in the care of the handsome cabin owner and his daughter. I’m sure what ensues will be nothing short of a big, fat shocker. Streaming Nov. 10 Pepsi, Where’s My Jet? – This doc tells the story of Pepsi’s ambitious campaign, a multimillion-dollar fighter jet, and a teenage boy who just wanted his plane back, so he decided to take on one of the largest corporations in America. This one’s gonna be a ride! Streaming Nov. 17 I Am Vanessa Guillen – Guillen was 20 years old when she was found murdered at a U.S. Army base. Rather than submit to silence, her family fought for justice and change. Streaming Nov. 17 Slumberland – Starring everyone’s favorite Horse Lord, Jason Momoa stars as a giant eccentric outlaw who helps a young girl who discovered a secret map to the dream world of Slumberland. They traverse dreams and flee nightmares in hopes she will be able to see her late father again, with the help of Momoa. Streaming Nov. 18 Wednesday - Netflix's Addams' Family series is all about the teen years of one of the O.G. goth girls. Having been booted from Nancy Reagan High School for defending her brother's honor by way of flesh-eating fish, Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) is now going to the school where her macabre and loving parents first met. But at Nevermore Academy, there's a mystery lurking underneath its floorboards, and I'm sure Wednesday will find it. Streaming Nov. 23 APPLETV Causeway - Starring Jennifer Lawrence as Lynsey, a U.S. soldier who experiences a traumatic brain injury during her tour in Afghanistan that forces her to return home. She struggles to reclaim her daily life at home in New Orleans with her mother as she waits for her eventual redeployment. Also stars Samira Wiley ( The Handmaid's Tale ) and Brian Tyree Henry ( Atlanta ). Streaming Nov. 4 Mosquito Coast , Season 2 - Based on the more nuanced 80s novel by Paul Theroux, Justin Theroux ( Wanderlust ) is back as a brilliant inventor and stubborn idealist who uproots his family for a dangerous quest through Mexico to flee the U.S. government and find safety. Streaming Nov. 4 Mythic Quest , Season 3 - If you're a Sunny in Philadelphia fan or a gamer, you should be watching this series. Starring Rob McElhenney, F. Murray Abraham, and Charlotte Nicdao, this hilarious workplace sitcom about video game development will keep you highly entertained. Streaming Nov. 11 Spirited - A musical version of Charles Dickens' story of a miserly misanthrope who is taken on a magical journey. Stars Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds. Streaming Nov. 11 Echo 3 - When scientist Amer Chesborough goes missing along the Colombia-Venezuela border, her brother and her husband struggle to find her against the backdrop of a secret war. Starring Luke Evans. Streaming Nov. 23 HULU God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty – A Miami pool boy finds himself trapped in a seven-year affair with a charming older woman … and her husband, the Evangelical Trump stalwart Jerry Falwell Jr., as he becomes increasingly entangled with the Falwell’s seemingly perfect lives. Currently streaming Fleishman is in Trouble – Starring Claire Danes, Jesse Eisenberg, Lizzy Caplan, and Adam Brody, this one is based on a novel by the same name from author Taffy Brodesser-Akner. This limited series is about a divorced doctor and father who’d just started dipping his toes into the dating pool when his ex-wife mysteriously disappears. Streaming Nov. 17 Welcome to Chippendales – This true-crime series tells the real-life story of Chippendales founder Somen “Steve” Banejee (Kumail Nanjiani), an Indian immigrant who turned a failing Los Angeles bar into a global phenomenon … but as you all know with Chippendales, there’s more to see than meets the eye. Streaming November 22 Planet Sex – A six-episode docuseries that explores how sexuality differs from community to community and looks at what is studied at a scientific sex research lab. Cara Delevigne hosts. Streaming Nov. 29 PRIME My Policeman – An Amazon Prime Video Original, this romantic-drama tells the story of a forbidden romance and the changing social conventions surrounding it over the course of several decades. Starring Harry Styles, Linus Roache ( Mandy ), Emma Corrin ( The Crown ), Gina McKee ( Black Narcissus, The Rook ), David Dawson ( The Last Kingdom ), and Rupert Everett ( My Best Friend’s Wedding ). Streaming Nov. 4 The English – This six-episode-series is a Western-drama is about Pawnee scout Eli Whipp, played by Chaske Spencer ( Banshee, The Twilight Saga film series ), who is released from long-term army service in 1890 Oklahoma and hell-bent on returning north to his ancestral homelands in Nebraska to stake a legal land claim. Also stars Emily Blunt, Tom Hughes (The Laureate) and Ciarán Hinds ( Zack Snyder’s Justice League ). Streaming Nov. 11 The People We Hate at the Wedding – Another Amazon Prime Original movie, this raunchy new comedy is about dysfunctional siblings Kristen Bell and Ben Platt ( Pitch Perfect ) and their ever-optimistic mom, played by Allison Janney, as they receive a surprise invite to their estranged British half-sister’s wedding. Good for a watch with your own relative at Thanksgiving! Streaming Nov. 18 **Sidenote: If you haven’t seen LOU on Netflix, you absolutely should hop on over there and watch Allison Janney kick some serious ass and go toe-to-toe with her son, played by Logan Marshall Green. It’s really good. PEACOCK A Friend of the Family – This released back in early October, but IT’S SO UNBELIEVABLE (and still going), I just can’t pass on mentioning it again. It’s truly the most incredible true-crime story I’ve ever heard or seen. I usually have a lot to say during series I’m watching. With this one, literally the only three things my Dummy (husband) and I have said while watching it are, “HOLY SHIT,” “Oh my God,” and “I cannot believe this actually happened. WhAT the f***?!” I’m not kidding. This true-crime drama miniseries is based on true events and follows Robert Berchtold, a close friend of the Broberg family, who kidnaps young Jan Broberg twice over a period of two years, and the shit he tells her about why is absolutely astounding … and she believed it for years. Further making this so shocking is the fact that local, state, and national law enforcement pretty much cleared the way of any culpability for him to do it. There’s so much more to the story, but I won’t divulge it all here. I want you to go watch it for yourself. Then I want you to let me know how you reacted while watching it. Currently streaming The Independent – This political thriller stars Brian Cox ( Succession ), Jodie Turner-Smith ( White Noise ), John Cena, and Ann Dowd ( The Handmaid’s Tale )—to name a few. In the final weeks of the most consequential presidential election in history, and America is poised to elect either its first female president or its first viable independent candidate. An idealistic young journalist teams up with her idol, legendary journalist Nick Booker, to uncover a conspiracy that places the fate of the election, and the country, in their hands. Streaming exclusively on Peacock Nov. 2 The Calling, Season 1 – A Peacock Original, here’s a psychological crime thriller about NYPD detective Avraham Avraham, whose belief in mankind is his superpower when it comes to uncovering the truth. He’s guided by his sense of spirituality and religious principles, until a seemingly routine investigation turns everything upside down and leaves Avraham questioning his own humanity. Streaming Nov. 10 Leopard Skin, Season 1 – A criminal gang fleeing a botched jewelry heist is forced to hide out in a beachside estate where two women live in seclusion. Their world soon turns into a hothouse filled with secrets, betrayal, and desire. Stars Carla Gugino, Ana de la Reguera ( Goliath ), Philip Winchester ( Strike Back ), Gaite Jansen ( Peaky Blinders ), Margot Bingham ( The Walking Dead ), Gentry White ( Kingdom, Jett ), and Amelia Eve ( The Haunting of Bly Manor ). Streaming Nov. 17 Nope – I LOVED this film. I also will never again look at clouds the same way. This Jordan Peele flick offers a new take on the classic abduction story. Stars Academy Award Winner Daniel Kaluuya ( Get Out, Us ), Keke Palmer ( i), and Academy Award Nominee Steven Yuen ( The Walking Dead ). Nope makes its Peacock debut on Nov. 18. Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin – Everyone’s favorite acapella fool Adam Devine is back doin’ his thang, only this time he’s in Berlin. Having moved to Germany to revive his music career, Bumper is surprised when one of his tunes hits it big in Berlin. Also stars Jameela Jamil ( The Good Place ) and Sarah Hyland ( Modern Family ). Streaming exclusively on Peacock Nov. 23 PARAMOUNT+ Yellowstone , Season 5 - The Duttons are back, and this time John (Kevin Costner) is gonna get a taste of what we all already know: politics complicate your life. And, yes, Rip will no doubt be there. Binge seasons 1-4 now to catch up! Streaming Nov. 13 Transformers: EarthSpark – This heartwarming animated series introduces the first generation of Terrans-Transformers born on Earth. With the help of their human caretakers, these Terrans are redefining the meaning of the world family. Streaming Nov. 11 Tulsa King – A gritty new drama series from Yellowstone ’s Taylor Sheridon! After 25 years in prison, New York mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi is sent away to Tulsa, OK, to set up new territory for his mob family. However, upon arrival in town, the once-great mobster realizes his skills might be a bit rusty. Starring Sylvester Stallone. Streaming Nov. 13 HBO & HBO MAX * Film fanatics will be ecstatic to learn that HBO Max will now carry all eight films in the Harry Potter franchise, as well as the entirety of the Star Trek movie series, in case you were curious. Titans , Season 4 – In untypical fashion, the series is under a new airing strategy, dropping two episodes tonight in premiere, then four more episodes over the next four weeks. After that, it’s a who-knows-how-long mid-season break. Per Collider , this season suggests something dark is coming. After saving Gotham, the Titans hit the road to head back to San Francisco but after a stop in Metropolis, they find themselves in the crosshairs of a supernatural cult with powers unlike anything they’ve faced before. Looks like the main villain this season will be Sebastian Blood, aka Brother Blood, played by The Originals star Joseph Morgan. Streaming Nov. 3 Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty – This chilling three-part docuseries chronicles the legacy of the Murdaugh family, whose century long power influence over the legal system in South Carolina’s low country unravels amid acdcusations of fraud, deception, and murder. Intense and full of twists, it questions the unchecked power of privilege—and the trail of death and destruction left in one family’s wake. Season 3 streaming Nov. 3 Don’t Worry Darling – A psychological thriller film directed by Olivia Wilde. Set in the 1950s California desert, a housewife starts to suspect her husband (Harry Styles) and the idyllic community she lives in have a sinister secret. Don’t Worry Darling has become infamous for the off-screen drama between Wilde and Shia LaBeouf that dominated the media months before its release. Streaming Nov. 7 Say Hey, Willie Mays! – Follow Mays’ life both on and off the field over five decades as he navigated the American sports landscape and the country’s ever-evolving cultural backdrop, all while helping to define what it means to be one of America’s first Black sports superstars. Streaming Nov. 8 The Big Brunch, Season 1 – Everyone’s favorite Schitt’s Creek actor Dan Levy is back with a cooking competition show he created to celebrate inspiring, undiscovered culinary voices from every corner of the country. This eight-episode cooking series gives ten talented chefs the opportunity to share their stories and business dreams while vying for a life-altering $300,000 cash prize. Streaming Nov. 10 A Christmas Story Christmas – Annnd everyone’s favorite Christmas kid is back, only now he’s all grown up and returning to his hometown with his own kids to say goodbye to his father. Get your box of snot rags ready; this one’s poised to be more of a tearjerker than a comedy—though that’s not to say there won’t be any. Streaming Nov. 17 Santa Camp – Watch real-life Santas go to school in this Max Original documentary film. Every summer, a horde of professional Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and elves descend on a campsite in the New Hampshire woods to learn the tricks of their trade. But this year will be different. The organizers of the 100-strong New England Santa Society have decided to tackle the lack of diversity in the Santa industry. They enlist a Black Santa named Chris, a Santa with a disability named Finn, and a transgender Santa named Levi. Streaming Nov. 17 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - Streaming Nov. 19 Shaq – This documentary showcases the life of the L.A. Lakers champion from sports phenom to cultural figure. Streaming Nov. 23 Love, Lizzo – Personally, I can’t wait for this! I adore Lizzo. And what a message I’m certain she’ll be spreading. In this intimate documentary, the multi-platinum artist gets candid about body positivity, self-love, and recognizing Black women for their contributions. Streaming Nov. 24 My So-Called High School Rank – This documentary goes deep into the lives of high school students in three radically disparate communities as they navigate the pressures around college while staging a musical, until seismic events upend their dreams and expectations. Streaming Nov. 29 Other titles dropping this month on HBO/HBOMax – Chris Redd: Why Am I Like This? , Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines (Season 7), Sesame Street (Season 53), My Sesame Street Friends (Season 3), Batwheels (Season 1C), Craig of the Creek (Season 4D), We’re Here (Season 3), Holiday Harmony, A Christmas Mystery, King Tweety, Master of Light, Lil Rel Howery: I Said It: Y’all Thinking It DISNEY PLUS Willow - The fantasy epic every 80s kid loved is back with a sequel series featuring original cast member Warwick Davis as the titular dward sorcerer. So much is planned to happen, and the effects look pretty cool. It'll absolutely be worth watching. Streaming Nov. 24 Disenchanted - Disney would have us believe some spells take 15 years or more to kick in with how long they've made us wait for this one. Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, and Idina Menzel are back as Giselle, Robert Philip, Prince Edwards, and Nancy Tremaine are back in this sequel to 2007's movie of the same name that ponders what happens after your favorite Disney princesses and princes get their "happily ever after" moment. Drama and chaos will ensue! Streaming Nov. 24 Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday - The Guardians are back, at least for the holidays. Gamora is still MIA and Star-Lord is deep in his feels. Mantis and Drax are coming to the rescue, though: they plan to go to Peter's home planet Earth and find him the ultimate holiday gift. Hilariously, their choice is actor Kevin Bacon, played by none other than Kevin Bacon. With a runtime of just under an hour, this'll be a great holiday watch with your bigs and littles. Streaming Nov. 25 www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? 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Top 5 Nostalgia Picks for November 2024 < Back Way Back When: Nostalgia Picks for Your Playlist November Nicole Brice Nov 2, 2024 Share Top 5 Nostalgia Picks for November 2024 This month’s tracks have no themes. There is no rhyme or reason to these tunes. I simply hit “shuffle” on my iPod and typed up these tracks for you! 1. The Specials – Little Bitch I became obsessed with this band in high school when I discovered them. This song and ‘ Concrete Jungle ’ will forever be my favorites. This is just a fun song to listen to. 1979 2. Joy Division – Heart and Soul It’s Joy Division ! ‘Nuff said! 1980 3. The Animals – House of the Rising Sun I have been obsessed with this song since I was a child. It has this eerie and creepy feeling to it. 1964 4. Bratmobile – I’m in the Band It's one of THE songs that defined my early 20s. Bratmobile is one of those bands that do not get the recognition or credit they deserve. 2002 5. The Strokes – Hard to Explain College – this song reminds me of college. One of those early 2000s gems. 2001 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 Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

‘Faded Love’ is a hypnotic and soulful song full of strength. < Back Reviews on the Real: Mi’Kael Chalyce’s ‘Faded Love’ is an anthem for anyone who has experienced heartbreak Nicole Brice Dec 14, 2024 Share ‘Faded Love’ is a hypnotic and soulful song full of strength. Every once and a while, an artist will release a song that is so potent and so powerful it knocks me on my butt. Enter the latest from Nashville musician Mi’Kael Chalyce . Released December 14, 2024 ‘ Faded Love ’ begins with a captivating melody, the soulful vocals setting the stage for a powerful narrative. As the lead vocals take over, you find yourself immersed in a deeply emotional journey, a journey of love lost and the path to healing. Mi’Kael's songwriting skillfully captures the raw emotions of a breakup and the struggle to move on. If you've ever felt the sting of heartbreak, this song will resonate with you. ‘ Faded Love ’ is a beautiful exploration of the complexities of heartbreak and lost love. "When I found out I was pregnant with my youngest daughter it was in the midst of attempting to end an emotionally abusive relationship that had recently become physical. I found the strength to leave her biological father before she entered this world, but I’ve never looked back. Now two years later I am trying to decide how to pick up the pieces of my life when I’ve essentially blocked all the pain out of my mind trying to focus on my present happiness. All that is left now are echoes of a faded love hence the song’s name, Faded Love." You start feeling every note sung as Chalyce’s vocals become more potent. It’s true that as Mi’Kael sings, “ How can I pick up the pieces when I’ve blocked it out of my mind? ” you start to reflect on and feel the pain in her words. Credit: Photo provided by artist The song's production is minimalist yet impactful, with subtle instrumentation that allows the emotional weight of the lyrics to shine through. ' Faded Love ' was recorded at Grinding ENT Studios in Ellenwood, GA a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and was a collaboration between Mi'Kael Chalyce, Dorrell Smith , and Beats by Dre . The layered harmonies and gentle melodies create a dreamy ambiance, which contrasts nicely with the bittersweet nature of the song’s theme. Mi’Kael Chalyce is one of the many underground treasures in the music industry currently, and her songwriting speaks volumes. In March 2024 , we sat down with Mi’Kael for an in-depth interview , during which she shared her inspirations, her creative process, and more, and we have been a fan ever since. Overall, ‘ Faded Love ’ is a deeply emotional and compelling piece showcasing Mi’Kael Chalyce’s vocalist and songwriter talent. "This will be my first and only release this year and it wasn’t easy deciding on one that was special enough to share. This song feels ideal because ending the relationship the song discusses was a catalyst for The Reinvention — album coming in 2025." I cannot wait to hear more from this talented songstress in the future—Stream ‘Faded Love’ now on your favorite streaming platform. For more information on Mi'Kael Chalyce: www.mikaelchalyce.com Mi'Kael Chalyce Home page of Mi'Kael Chalyce, a R&B/Soul artist from Atlanta, GA. Mi’Kael Chalyce’s songwriting conveys trauma, mental health, and emotional evolution. Her goal is to create music that targets real-life relationship constructs, and those unspoken paradoxe 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

Who On Earth is blending a classic rock vibe with modern twists and turns. < Back Who On Earth: Bringing the Thunder Back to Modern Hard Rock Nicole Brice Jun 13, 2025 Share Who On Earth is blending a classic rock vibe with modern twists and turns. Who On Earth? My sentiments exactly when I first discovered this band – a badass group that carries the torch for those who came before, that’s who. Blending a classic rock vibe with modern twists and turns, Who On Earth features epic solos and some of the cleanest-sounding guitars I've ever heard, not to mention those heavy basslines I love. This band is poised to dominate in the coming days with their hard rock and heavy metal straight from New Jersey . So, who is Who On Earth? Photo provided by band The lineup includes Coosh (vocals), Pete Rizzi (bass), Johnny James Barone (guitar), Jimmy Kocha (guitar), and Howie Fallon (drums). With a larger-than-life stage presence and a bellowing voice full of range, Coosh embodies the quintessential badass frontman. There is so much soul in every note he sings, and Who On Earth is actively bringing rock back. As I dove into their discography, I found that not a single song is lacking. Every track is fantastic and feels like a rocket waiting to launch . Yes, it's that good. Credit: Jeff Crespi Since 2022 , Who On Earth has released numerous songs , the latest being ' Yesterday's Future ' on April 29, 2025 . With a visually stunning lyric video to accompany it, ' Yesterday's Future ' is a thought-provoking piece of music with a powerful message, and I urge you to check it out after reading this article. Who On Earth’s music transcends typical compositions; it narrates stories. These poignant tales require your attention to the lyrics, which create vivid images of landscapes and scenarios, some rooted in folklore and others not. Official music video for 'Yesterday's Future' by Who On Earth This busy band is ready to perform and expand its empire, and if you love classic Iron Maiden with heartfelt storytelling , this band is for you. If you're into crushing guitar riffs and head-nodding grooves , you'll also love them. They even have an amazing cover of Toto's 'Hold the Line' that showcases their love for the greats of yesteryear. Full of personality and charisma with a message, Who On Earth is prepared to dominate a new era of rock with their desire, drive, and ambition to propel the band forward. Read on to learn more. MaM : First question – who designs your album and single covers? They are phenomenal! Pete : So, we’re big on artwork because we grew up looking at the art on the album covers, and because of all the songs put out every day, you want to stand out, and we want those strong covers that have meaning to them. For example, Smoke & Mirrors , Blame , and some of the singles on Blame , we had Ken Adams , who does all of Lamb of God ’s artwork; he did the artwork for that. We love Ken and love working with him. Smoke & Mirrors is all Ken , and it’s always Coosh and I getting on the phone with him discussing a new concept, and he’s just like ‘Oh, I love it!’, so we have an excellent synergistic working relationship with Ken. A lot of the others are AI-generated , where I’ve done a few, and my son is a graphic design artist, and he does a bunch, too. He’ll take an image based on a concept, and he’ll tweak it and get it how he wants, so it’s been a combination of things. Artwork by Ken Adams MaM : So, next question – the logo. Who designed it? It’s powerful and stands out. Coosh : He put out a contest on the internet or something. I’m not sure of all the details. Pete : So, there was a contest, and I can’t remember the website, but me and Coosh started the band, and we didn’t even have a guitarist yet or anything, but we did a logo, and made it on one of these online logo makers, but somehow, they made it a competition. People could put in their suggestions for us. We could put ‘these are the colors we want’, ‘it’s heavy metal and rock’, ya know, and we got back some crazy suggestions. (laughter) Pete : Some people didn’t realize we were a band and thought we were a lawn company or something. (laughter) This one guy was from Indonesia , and that logo you see was his creation. We didn’t even have the album yet, but we had the logo. That was it! We were so psyched. That’s been the logo ever since. The official logo for Who On Earth MaM : So, I went down the rabbit hole and checked out your entire discography. Man, not a single bad song. Not a one. You could put all your songs on a playlist and not have to skip a single one. No lie. Pete and Coosh : Thank you. MaM : Seriously, though, you are so tight as a band, and you can tell you are seasoned musicians, and that you are on a mission to bring this type of music back to the forefront. Your sound is what is missing today in music, which leads me to ask: what inspires your creativity, and what do you each bring to the mix with that? Pete : Well, for one, we would never put something on that we didn’t love, and so how we approach each song is that they have to be different from each other, so most of the music comes from me. I’ll write it, put it together, pre-produce it, and then it goes to Coosh . He’s the melody guy. We both work on lyrics. We’re very focused on lyrics. What we’re saying, how we’re saying it … we want to say it … but we don’t want to give it all away. We want it to remain open to interpretation. We want to tell a story and stimulate you to think about what the song and lyrics mean to you, but it starts with the music, and the music has to have groove. Credit: Jeff Crespi Sometimes, I’ll have a melody idea, but Coosh usually takes my melody and makes it ten times better, or eliminates it, and comes up with his own. He gets a feel from the music and a working title, and that’s how it starts. It’s got to have groove and melody, though. If there’s no melody, there’s no groove, and there’s no dynamic. That’s what we try to create. MaM : Coosh, what inspires your lyrics with these songs? Coosh : So, like Pete says, he’s the one who creates the music, but before he hands it off to me, he has the essence of the song planned out. He’ll go, ‘I hear a couple fighting with this,’ or something to that nature, and he gets this moment with the music where he relays the information to me, and I want to be able to put out his feelings, too, so I take that initial form and then go from there. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Now, Coosh, let’s talk about your voice. The range, soul, and depth! Is there anything you do to keep your voice in shape? Coosh : I didn’t use to do anything, but now I do these scales and humming. I’m no spring chicken anymore, so I have to do maintenance these days. A lot of the songs are hard for me to sing, so sometimes, I prefer doing a cover because it’s easier for me to sing than anything we’ve done in the studio. (laughter) Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Yeah, man, when I first heard a few songs, I thought it had a very Bruce Dickinson vibe from Iron Maiden , and just the vocal range, I’m like ‘Dude!’ You have got some pipes on you. You don’t sound like anybody out there right now. So, a new EP came out in March, and now a new single, ‘ Yesterday’s Future ’, was released in April. However, I noticed that you have been steadily releasing singles as a lead-up to the EP, but you are still releasing singles after it. How did the EP come together, and what made you decide to release it instead of just the singles? Pete : In the old days, you’d put out an album, and then bands would just put out more albums every year or every few years, and we could do that. We have the five original songs on the EP, but then we also have five in our back pocket. We did five, but we have ten. We didn’t want to release the whole album because if you do, you might get a review or something, and then people move on to the next thing. The best method we’ve found is to spoon-feed it out. Give as many songs as a highlight, a video, and their artwork. It’s like a slow release of all your music. Additionally, you have to play the Spotify game, and Spotify is particularly friendly to bands like us who are doing that. We’re finding it’s also more content for us, social media-wise, and so we can remain relevant all year long. We’re staying ahead of the game. We have those five more songs, so they’ll be more content, more artwork, and pretty soon we’ll be working on new material that you’ll see sometime next year, so it’s just constant content from Who On Earth . Whereas I waited 13 years for a new Tool album. (laughter) Photo provided by band MaM : Have you found that all your numbers reflect one thing, but then people are just not coming to the shows? Pete : Yeah, oh yeah. Coosh and I have seen it. Yeah, we have great numbers, but to get people to get off their ass and come out, yeah. They’ll see the tribute bands, the cover bands, who cost more to see, and we’re only charging $10 to get in. We’re not making any money on this. (laughter) And it used to be, again, when we were younger, you would go out to hang out, and there would be bands playing, and it was part of your life. Now, it’s hard. People will stay in because of rain, and we had venues close because of COVID , so if you’re a bar band or a tribute band, you’re killing it. MaM : Same here Pete : If you’re an original band or even a line-up of three or four original bands, it’s tough. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : We’re finding the same here, too. So, I wanted to talk about this ‘ Hold the Line ’ cover. I’m a HUGE fan of Toto, especially this song, and ‘ Africa ’ is my jam. If I’m in the supermarket, and it comes on, I will stop what I am doing, and it’s my moment. (laughter) MaM : So, this cover … doesn’t even sound anything like the original song at all. It’s reimagined. Take me through how you decided to go with this song. Coosh : We had a handful of songs we were looking at, and how do you pick the perfect cover song to do? We’re going back and forth, throwing around ideas, and ‘ Hold the Line ’ came into play. I was around the house, staying at Pete’s house, and all of a sudden, I started singing this thing, and the part where he goes ‘TiiiiIIMMEE’, I was like, ‘That’s IT!!’ Look no further! (laughter) Pete : (sings) Love isn’t always on ‘TIME!’ (laughter) Pete : I was like, ‘That’s it!’, and I was hooked. You know what’s great about that song is it’s popular, but it’s not like ‘ Stairway to Heaven ’, and we wanted to remake it, not cover it. His distinct voice, tuning it down, double bass drums, changing some lines, taking out the keyboards, and adding a different guitar. I wanted to do it because of his vocals. When we jammed it, I knew that was the one. The inflection that he used, and the balls that he sang it with. Cause it’s a yacht rock song classic, and I hate yacht rock. (laughter) Official Music video for 'Hold the Line' MaM : Same – not a fan of yacht rock, but I do love me some Toto . Pete : I do like some Christopher Cross songs, too, but that’s what my parents listened to. (laughter) MaM : Right! Pete : Holy crap! Coosh , we did a yacht rock classic before the yacht rock tribute stuff started blowing up! (laughter) Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Do you have a favorite song to perform, and if so, which one? Coosh : Just because it’s the most emotional, I’ll have to go with ‘ Watch the Fires Burn ’. I guess you could say it’s our environmental song , but it’s a heartfelt message of having the passion as a society to take care of the planet. All of us. Pete did this when he was like 18 or 19 years old, and it’s excellent, and I didn’t know what to do with it when he first handed it to me, but it has this great dynamic and has so much emotion. Pete : Yeah, that song I wrote when I was in my very early 20s, and it was called ‘Matter of Life and Death’ , and I wrote it about abortion. That’s a topic; at the time, and it was from the perspective of the unborn child. Like, ‘Hey, what about me?’ I didn’t want to go there with it in this day and age, so I was thinking, what’s a great and important topic? I’m sitting here watching the Amazon burning , and I’m like, ah, watch the fires burn. Not so much about hey, stop burning our trees, but we’re all just sitting back here watching this. Somebody has got to do something about it, and nobody is doing anything about it. To Coosh’s point, you can take that and broaden it to a lot of topics. It’s just about sitting back and watching things go to waste. But the song itself, its ups and downs … it’s a six-minute song, and some songs need to be six minutes. As long as you’re doing something different in it, and then, man, it’s heavy … it’s got groove. It’s got funk. MaM : Yes, lots of tempo changes. Pete : Tempo changes, which our producer always makes fun of me for, but I love tempo changes. MaM : I do, too. It keeps the song interesting. Pete : Playing it live is really fun. MaM : Which song do you feel is the crowd favorite and gets people most engaged? Pete : I’m gonna say ‘ Black Swan ’. MaM : I made a note on my notes about that song, actually. Pete : Coosh may disagree, but he does a great job of coaching the crowd to sing along, and it’s got this chorus that allows everyone to get involved. MaM : So, Coosh, your vocals, let me ask you … you have range like I haven’t heard in a long time, so obviously you’ve been doing this a while. When did you first discover you had a gift for singing with such a powerful voice to do rock music? Coosh : I’m not a rock music guy, so that’s the crazy part. When I was in my early 20s, we would all do the karaoke thing, but I would stick to songs like ‘ Suspicious Minds ’, and it was all a great time. Everyone enjoyed it, but I ended up buying a karaoke company, singing, and becoming a host, until one day, a buddy came in. He mentioned he had lost the lead singer of his band, and I went up and sang ‘ Drops of Jupiter ’ for him by Train , and that was it. I was in. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : What would you like to see in the next five years as far as your music and audience? Pete : I’d love to see it all continue to grow. We understand we need to keep working hard. I like what we’re doing, too, but I want it all to gather momentum, and I want to keep playing shows. Maybe even go on a small tour , even if it’s regional. Want to get out there live. There is nothing like the impression you leave on someone after they see you perform live. Coosh : I’d love to figure out how to get the exposure we need and get people to listen to the song more than once. Most of the time, you have to listen to a song twice and be attentive to it. We’re not a regular band. Most of our songs tell stories because they’re relatable. We have inspiration. We have devastation. We have messages about life. We have stories that people need to hear. As Who On Earth continues to grow their brand and presence, they are sure to inspire and leave a lasting impression on music fans for generations to come. Check out their music on your favorite streaming service, and if you live nearby, be sure to catch a live show. You won’t regret it—these guys deliver a powerful sound! *cover photo provided by band *other photos by Jeff Crespi www.jeffcrespirocks.com JEFFCRESPIROCKS See through a different lens! To learn more about Who On Earth: www.whoonearththeband.com Who on Earth Official Website The official website and store for the band Who On Earth. 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

Eldergrey's debut plunges into the abyss with pounding riffs and haunting melodies. < Back Unearthing Depths: A Review of Eldergrey’s New EP ‘Well of Souls’ Nick Cline Jul 9, 2024 Share Eldergrey's debut plunges into the abyss with pounding riffs and haunting melodies. Based in the United Kingdom, the doom metal band Eldergrey has officially released their debut EP, ‘ Well of Souls ,’ which does not disappoint. It is an electrifying fusion of various metal influences, a unique blend that promises to fill the gaps left by modern metal. Eldergrey formed in late 2023 when the creative minds of seasoned musicians Ian Field-Richards and Clive Withers joined forces. The creative sparks between the two led to the recording of ‘ Burden ’ by Outrun the Day , another project, in the summer of 2023, but it did not end there. While initially conceived as part of the next Outrun the Day album, it quickly became evident that the new material was slower, darker, and heavier, necessitating a distinct musical identity. Credit: Photo provided by band The recording process was a crucible that forged an intense synergy between Ian Field-Richards and Clive Withers' creative minds. Drawing inspiration from bands such as Crowbar and Conan , they have carved out a unique sonic space with profound lyrical content. Released July 5, 2024 ‘ Well of Souls ’ starts with the track ' Superlithic ', a song full of so much sludge from start to finish that it’ll make you think you’ve landed in the mud pits of Louisiana. ' Southern Star ' rounds out the EP with raw aggression and crunching guitars. From start to finish, this EP was an electric experience filled with pounding riffs, walls of fuzz, and screaming solos. It was just so good. I really enjoyed listening to it. The best part was the absolute crushing riffs and walls of fuzz that wrap around you like a blanket of chainsaws—almost like a cocoon of sound. It is reminiscent of metal greats such as Pantera , Black Sabbath , and Mayhem . I enjoyed how such a range of influences were integrated into the music. These musicians are damn talented. ' Empire ', by far, is my favorite track on the EP, but listen to it and decide for yourself. All of the tracks are bangers. I can't wait for the full-length to be released in the fall. The only downside of the album I could find is that some of the mix is off-balance. The guitar and drums overpower the bass and vocals in certain pieces of the songs. I think the bass and vocals should be raised, just a tad more. This would allow the mix to be evenly balanced musically and vocally. Tonality would be helped because it would create a fatter sound to cover all foundations of the track. At the same time, the vocals would allow itself to hover over the pounding tones of the music. The foundations laid by Eldergrey's debut EP will undoubtedly open the door to many inspirations and concepts for future exploration. This band is one to be watched, so take note. I anticipate hearing more from Eldergrey and commend the band on a solid first effort. ‘ Well of Souls ’ is available to stream now, so be sure to add it to your list of new music to check out. This EP is a journey worth taking. To learn more about Eldergrey : Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theeldergrey YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Eldergrey Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theeldergrey/ Linktree: Eldergrey | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree *cover photo provided by band 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

Zizzi’s music is an innovative approach to storytelling with a nod to the classic rock masters before them < Back Zizzi: A Rock ‘N Roll Force to Be Reckoned With Nicole Brice Aug 23, 2023 Share Zizzi’s music is an innovative approach to storytelling with a nod to the classic rock masters before them In a world filled with countless musical acts, it takes something truly special to stand out amongst the crowd. Enter Zizzi, a band from New Iberia, Louisiana. Fresh off their killer performance at Rad Fest 2023, the band has just released a new single called, “South Carolina Woman”, and it’s bluesy, fierce, and just plain rocks. Formed in 2019 with five guys who hardly knew each other and had never really pursued music, Zizzi is emerging as a force to be reckoned with because of their innovative approach to storytelling. Credit: Gary Governale - Zizzi at Radfest 2023 in Lafayette, LA August 19, 2023 The band is currently comprised of some exceptionally talented musicians: Evan Zizzi on lead vocals; Austin Stoltz on drums; Devin Boutte on lead guitar; Gray Walker on bass, vocals, and rhythm guitar; and Andre Broussard on bass and rhythm guitar. If Led Zeppelin, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Alice in Chains had a band baby, it would be Zizzi. Heavily influenced by the classics but providing a well-rounded retro sound, these guys are on to something and are on the rise, so take note. Drawing inspiration from Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin and sounding like Andrew Wood from Mother Love Bone, Evan’s vocal delivery allows the listener to feel the trials and tribulations that come through in the music and brings a soulful melodic voice to the band’s dynamic sound. Drummer Austin Stoltz provides the driving beats that underpin Zizzi’s catchy tunes, while Gray Walker and Andre Broussard add depth and groove to the band’s compositions. Devin Boutte’s ethereal guitar playing brings it all together. Credit: Gary Governale The band’s trademark sound can be described as a fusion of alternative rock, blues, and classic rock with their music exploring themes of love, self-discovery, and the human experience. Offering a fresh take on alternative rock, their music is quickly garnering recognition locally, and they are undoubtedly a band to watch out for in the coming years. We were able to chat with vocalist Evan Zizzi recently to throw him a few questions, so check out a little Q & A below and then go check out their new single and much more! Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Any other notable shows besides Rad Fest that you guys have played? EZ : Every show is memorable and always allows us to see where improvements can be made. If we had to pick, it would either be when we won Battle of the Bands at Fred’s in Tigerland in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in Spring 202,2 or our recent show at Rock ‘N Bowl in Lafayette, Louisiana. Both crowds were electric, and we fed off the people. We tend to downplay our abilities and criticize our performance like we are Simon Cowell on American Idol, but we’ve packed out some nice venues, which always makes us feel like we are doing something right. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : How did you hear about Rad Fest? EZ : We were a late addition to Rad Fest but were stoked to be invited to play at the festival. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : What influences your lyrics, daily happenings or abstract ideas? EZ : You know … lyrics are strange. Sometimes we have an idea of what the motif of the song is originally meant to be, and we stick to it and develop it. Other times we start with an idea, and it turns into an entirely different musical piece once our process is complete. Ultimately, we want our lyrics to allow each individual listener to feel a certain way and to develop their own meaning. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Where do you see the band headed in the future? EZ : We have done covers for so many years but recently the gears have shifted to focusing on our own music. Being with a group of guys like Zizzi has been a gift. We would advise everyone who is hesitant to form a group, is filled with self-doubt about their abilities, or has stage fright to just say, “F**k it!” and take the jump. Life is scary and short, so why not go make a fool out of yourself and play shows for $20 in someone’s backyard and make some of the best friends you’ve ever had? There’s something magical about the days when we were ignorant idiots just trying to be rock stars, begging for someone to give us a chance. We have been blessed and somehow the stars aligned for us to do what we do. It would be a crime and an injustice to everyone who’s helped us out or supported us along the way to not see this storybook adventure to its final chapter when we finally get the girl and barely make it home before our parents get back from their trip. Credit: Gary Governale As they continue to refine their craft and break new ground, there is no doubt that Zizzi’s influence will continue to grow, shaping the future of the music industry. Be sure to check out one of their links below and show them some love on social media. Facebook : Facebook Instagram : Zizzi (@zizziband) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify : Zizzi | Spotify *Cover photo - Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Nicole Brice just loves music. It doesn’t matter the type. Do you have something you think she should hear? Hit her up at mixedalternativemag@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

‘Road Dog’ is a toe-tapping, finger-snapping, and hand-clapping tune full of rhythm. < Back Reviews on the Real: ‘Road Dog’ by Jared Daws is a Gritty Anthem for the Highway Wanderer Nicole Brice Mar 21, 2025 Share ‘Road Dog’ is a toe-tapping, finger-snapping, and hand-clapping tune full of rhythm. Southern-based artist Jared Daws has released a new track titled ‘ Road Dog .’ This spirited song, which debuted on March 14, 2025 , is filled with rhythm that makes you want to tap your toes, snap your fingers, and clap your hands. The track begins with a hauntingly beautiful instrumental guitar melody and evolves into a strong rhythm once the lyrics come in. Jared's vocal delivery gives me chills due to the power of his voice. As the song progresses, a noticeable groove develops, and Jared's vocals become increasingly soulful and poignant. Once the tempo picks up, it doesn't slow down. I found myself nodding my head the entire time I listened to this song. As the tune begins to fade, the pace slows down, with Jared delivering the final words: "I'm a road dog." Produced by Pat Lyons of Colter Wall 's band and featuring Greggory Garner of Sam Barber 's band on bass and Matty Myers of Sierra Ferrell 's band on drums, ' Road Dog ' celebrates the open road's enduring charm and a traveling musician's life. Rooted in classic country music, it captures the essence of a nomadic lifestyle that resonates with many of us, both musically and lyrically. This is a solid tune you must hear, and I am absolutely in love with it. Released March 14, 2025 - click to listen Don't miss out on the experience of ' Road Dog .' Stream it today and discover why I'm so enamored with this track. I guarantee you'll love it as much as I do. The official music video is also out today via YouTube . Check it out! Official video for 'Road Dog' by Jared Daws To learn more about Jared Daws: Jared Daws | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree 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

Journey into cosmic malevolence with JAELYN's latest single < Back Reviews on the Real: JAELYN Nick Cline Jun 6, 2024 Share Journey into cosmic malevolence with JAELYN's latest single JAELYN is the Philadelphia-based creative endeavor of vocalist Jaelyn Robinson. It focuses on thoughts of the universe, undertones of mental health, the intrigues and meanings of life, and the battles between light and dark. The rest of the band includes Stephen Skilton on guitar, Mattie Boyd on bass, Frank Bianco on drums, and Chris on guitar. The new single, Mire Mite (The Twins) , explores multiple themes and inspirations from art, music, philosophy, and more and is a very enjoyable listen. Released May 31, 2024 Mire Mite (The Twins) takes you on a journey throughout the cosmos, with lyricism that roots you in the emotional tales within the universe of the evil Seven Sisters. In this track, it delves into the relationship between the deadliest members, Mire and his sister Mite. The battle between light and dark is the centerpiece of this mystical and gut-wrenching journey through space, inviting the audience to connect with the story's emotional depth. The mixing of this track is a unique blend of genres, offering a taste of what it is trying to convey. The melodic tones stack on top of the pounding rhythm section, creating a mystical bond between prog-metal, metalcore, and almost operatic versions of pop-punk vocal tones. This fusion of styles is a testament to the creative process of JAELYN , and it's sure to pique the interest of any music enthusiast. The mix is heavily centered on ensuring the lyrics and music are a conjoined being, adding a layer of tension and depth to the song. The verses and chorus share an overbearing tension between the music and the song's story. They convey the ever-present battle between light and dark in the universe and everyday life. The mix for this track is very well put together for both the music and the story's tone within the song. But the music takes up a lot of the space in the track. The vocals take a back seat in the song compared to the music. The mix clashes at times, but the overall sound is excellent. The message is there, but the reliability of the vocals could be felt a lot more if the vocals were pushed a couple of decibels in the mixing and production stage of the song. Other than that, it is a very well-executed track. Mire Mite (The Twins) sets an extravagant tone that excites the audience for future projects connected to the tale this track has started unfolding. The battles and unraveling of the cosmos within its stories will keep just about anybody intrigued until the release of another single and the entire LP. To check out Mire Mite (The Twins) , just hit one of the links below! JAELYN | Sodeh ‎ Mire Mite (The Twins) - Single - Album by JAELYN - Apple Music Mire Mite (The Twins) - song and lyrics by JAELYN | Spotify 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

Got Nostalgia? < Back Way Back When: January Picks Nicole Brice Jan 6, 2025 Share Got Nostalgia? Yeah, we made it to 2025, and I know most of us are dragging ass trying to get back in the swing of things, myself included. Need some music motivation? I’ve got you. 1. 1000 Homo DJs - Supernaut When Al Jourgensen was asked to contribute a song to the Nativity in Black: A Tribute to Black Sabbath album, he chose to cover ‘ Supernaut .’ The first version recorded featured Trent Reznor on vocals, but when Trent’s label caught wind of his contribution to the song, the vocals were changed out with Al doing them instead. I prefer the Trent version, but that’s just me. Great cover, though. 1990 2. Scarling - City Noise Are there any Jack Off Jill fans? Scarling is one of those hidden gems that, unless you know … then yeah … you just don’t know. Formed by vocalist Jessicka Addams and guitarist Christian Hejnal , Scarling is a noise pop / shoegaze band formed in Los Angeles in 2001. ‘ City Noise ’ is one of those tracks you can’t fully appreciate by listening to only once. No, you must repeat this song to enjoy it truly. Turn it up loud! 2005 3. Mammoth WVH - Think It Over I am obsessed with Wolfgang Van Halen . Obsessed. His talent is extraordinary. I love this song so much! 2021 4. The Go Go's - Our Lips are Sealed Everything about this song is perfect. Great lyrics. Catchy hooks. …and…the backstory behind this song is cool. Do a Google search . You’ll be amazed. 1981 5. New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle One of the most beautiful tunes New Order has ever crafted. 1986 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 Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

< Back What the Hell Did I Just Watch: Nekrotronic Ezekiel Kincaid Share Jul 10, 2023 Nekrotronic is a fantastic sci-fi/horror mashup that fans of B movies will love I know, you’ve probably never read a movie review in your life that starts out like this, but I’m drawn to demonic movies. I can’t help it. Welcome to my world, folks. It’s a grand universe where things are always colliding in a weird way. So, yes, I’m drawn to demonic movies like flies are drawn to shit. Wait, that might not be the best analogy because the movie I’m talking about is anything but a big heaping pile of dung—although it does have to do with poop, sort of. You’ll see. The installment for this round of What the Hell Did I Just Watch is Nekrotronic (2018), and it’s a fun one. Directed by Kiah Roache-Turner ( Wyrmwood , 2014), this Australian-based movie explores the demonic, demon possession, and the danger of our dumb-ass society constantly staring at their phones. It stars Ben O’Toole ( Hacksaw Ridge, Bloody Hell ) and Monica Bellucci ( The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions ). They’re probably the only ones in this movie you’ve ever heard of, as the rest of the cast is made up of low-budget heroes. Onto the plot! The story follows Howard North (O’Toole) and his sidekick/work bestie Rang (Epine Bob Savea, of Hibiscus & Ruthless ). The two work for a sewage maintenance company where, while on the job, North finds out his true calling in life: to become a demon killer. Yep, amidst his daily shit-slinging adventures, a demon outbreak happens, and Howard North finds out why he was put on this planet. IMDB still During the encounter, North and Rang are rescued by a father/daughter(s) team called necromancers, or in layman's terms, demon ass kickers. North finds out he’s the chosen one and joins the team. Sounds like your typical demon apocalypse movie, right? Wrong! There’s more to the story so try to keep up, will ya? To prevent this movie from being another run-of-the-mill possession movie that falls into the B-movie abyss, we have a little twist. The demon possession takes place through the internet—more specifically, a phone app. Yeah, you heard me right. Our villainess, CEO of the evil company trying to possess people, is Finnegan (Bellucci), and she is the one leading things. Her company has developed these internet box things, which have been installed all across the city and are used in conjunction with the app to possess people. IMDB still I’m not going to spoil how the demons possess people, nor will I disclose how they even discover such a thing is possible, but I will encourage you to be ready. It’s not believable … well, I mean it could be for some people, like children, but I digress. In typical B-movie fashion, some stuff takes place without zero explanation that leaves you with some WTF moments, all of which I love! There’s even an exploding goat! The movie has some great, gooey gross-out scenes and some decent gore, the interaction of the characters is great, and the movie is full of awkward and sarcastic humor that I found hilarious. Overall, Nekrotronic is a fantastic sci-fi/horror mashup fans of B movies will love. Rating: Zeke gives it 4.5 out of 5 exploding goats. Places to watch: Amazon Prime 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

Echoes captures the energy of its influences while firmly standing in the present. < Back Reviews on the Real: Echoes by Caustic Waves Nicole Brice Oct 31, 2025 Share Echoes captures the energy of its influences while firmly standing in the present. Released on October 10, 2025 , Echoes is the first full-length album from Scotland's Caustic Waves . Before this, the band released the Full Circle EP in 2023 and several singles. This new album marks a significant turn for Caustic Waves , and I’m excited to see what 2026 has in store. While I refer to it as a "band," Caustic Waves is actually a one-man project helmed by the prolific musician Neil Thomas . The production and mixing on the album were done by Lewis Johns , a UK producer known for his work with Rolo Tommasi , Employed To Serve , Earthtone9 and loads of other great UK bands. Across its dynamic range—spanning intricate, polyrhythmic passages to soaring anthemic hooks— Echoes captures the energy of its influences while firmly standing in the present. It is a testament to Neil Thomas’ ability to balance intensity, melody, and emotion, resulting in a record that is both personal and powerful. Released October 10, 2025 Leading up to this release, we reviewed the singles ‘ Escape Your Fate ,’ ‘ Compromised ,’ ‘ Playing with Fire ,’ and ‘ Quicksand ’ in our online publication, so be sure to check out our thoughts on those tracks. For now, let’s dive into Echoes . Echoes consists of 11 songs and runs about 45 minutes , and is a very diverse offering of solid alternative rock. Each song is so unique and full of so many layers. If you have the time, just hit play and enjoy! We’ll break down each track for you. Echoes (Title Track) This song serves as a very strong opening to the album. It kicks off with an immediate, heavy bassline that seamlessly transitions into Neil’s vocals. The chorus is powerful and energetic, making it a solid rock track that really resonates. Artificial Lies This song has a thunderous opening with the bass and drums that will definitely get your head nodding. The energy continues to build until Neil sings, "Biting my tongue as you turn and walk away." This song reminds me of early Incubus, and I think it’s a great track. Escape Your Fate Read the review here . Quicksand Read the review here . Spotlights This song has a softer opening than the other songs, with a nice 90s-inspired alternative edge. It’s got this engaging groove that draws you in. You’ll enjoy this one. Playing with Fire Read the review here . Insignificance Man, I really really dig this track. It’s so different with a great chorus. I’m struggling to describe it for you all. Here’s the best description: Do you like 90s rock? This song is for you. Blessing in Disguise This song is an upbeat track full of great messages. Listen closely. Compromised Read the review here . Shadow of the Son This is the one song on this album that truly stands out, just because it's so different from the others. It’s got a great beat and is a fun song. Neon Claws This is the last song on Echoes and begins with a pop punk sort of riff, and then just starts jamming. Solid tune. Echoes is a heartfelt and well-crafted album that honors the past while establishing its own identity. This solid and engaging album is filled with nostalgia, channeling the sound and spirit of late 90s and early 2000s alternative rock and grunge, all while adding a fresh, modern edge. Go stream it today! To learn more about Caustic Waves: Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Instagram Bandcamp: Music | Caustic Waves YouTube: CAUSTIC WAVES - YouTube Spotify: Caustic Waves | Spotify Apple Music: ‎Caustic Waves - 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? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Get ready to rock around Downtown Lafayette on August 19, 2023 < Back RAD Fest: A Lafayette Festival for Those Who Rock Nicole Brice Jul 11, 2023 Share Get ready to rock around Downtown Lafayette on August 19, 2023 What is RAD Fest? I bet that’s the question creeping into your brain right about now, so allow me to shine a little light on that. RAD Fest is the brainchild of Grant Duhon, lead vox for the rockin’ Lafayette-based punk band Subliminal Landmines . It’s a hard rock festival that got its start in 2022 and is forging ahead this year with bands set to take the stage from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Parc International in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, on August 19, 2023. Featuring talent from in and around the area, RAD Fest is a showcase for those making buzz on the local scene, allowing them to bring their mad talents to larger crowds in a festival atmosphere. Festival organizer and founder Grant Duhon says of the festival’s origins, “I love spreading music and I love sharing music, and I feel one of the reasons I was put on this earth was to spread peace, love, happiness, and inspiration through music. I wanted to create a festival that shared the local music, not just Lafayette musicians, and obviously it all started in Lafayette, but we have some bands from other areas in Louisiana as well.” He continues, “Ventruss is from Baton Rouge and Zizzi is from New Iberia. I just want to spread the sound and the music from this area in a festival-style environment. At first, it was going to be called Punk in the Park, but I found out that name is already taken. Also, too, the festival doesn’t just cover punk music; it covers all rock music. So, that’s where Rock Around Downtown (RAD Fest) came from.” This year’s line-up includes the heavy hitters: Zizzi, Chump, Ventruss, Disjunct, Mayrunner, Life On Mars, Subliminal Landmines, Night Revival, Stella Vir, Endure the Affliction, and VOID. With such a stellar line-up, the festival looks to provide a memorable day of entertainment, fun, and awesome tunage, not to mention the food they have lined up for the festival just makes our mouths water thinking about it. Food vendors include Twerk City Tacos, Saucay’BawBQ, and The Munchie Wagon. T-shirts and merchandise will be available for purchase, and if you have last year’s t-shirt and you wear it, you can gain admission to the festival for FREE this year. The plan is to continue this tradition going forward, too. This is an all ages event, so bring the family, and pre-sell tickets are still available for purchase, so check out their social media for more details on RAD Fest 2023! Facebook Rock Around Downtown Fest (@rad_fest) | 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 . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

Live on Long Island is electrifying from start to finish, immersing you in Bad Mary’s vibrant live sound. < Back Music Reviews by Nick: Live on Long Island by Bad Mary Nick Cline Jul 17, 2025 Share Live on Long Island is electrifying from start to finish, immersing you in Bad Mary’s vibrant live sound. Bad Mary is a glam-punk quartet based in New York , known for their electrifying and raw sound. The power emanating from their amps and vocals is both impressive and unforgettable. With a mission to infuse high energy into their live performances, which they consider the core of their sound and presence, they were inspired to create a live album. This decision led to their latest release, Live on Long Island . Released July 15, 2025 Live on Long Island is electrifying from start to finish, immersing you in their vibrant live sound. You can feel the energy, emotion, and raw power of their music and personality with each passing second. The beautiful chaos that punk bands bring to their sonic landscapes, both live and in the studio, is captured excellently in this album. Credit: Kyoko Obayashi Creating a truly captivating experience, from live recording to streaming, can be daunting—a challenge many bands, regardless of popularity, struggle with. However, the fascinating aspect of Bad Mary is that this live album flows seamlessly, resembling a true live performance. There’s no unnecessary banter or forced energy; instead, it features a continuous energy that feels authentic. My favorite aspect of this album is its seamless flow within each track, which is particularly significant to me. 'Marz Attaqx' from Live in Long Island by Bad Mary I could go on about the raw energy the album exudes, but I think it’s better to elaborate on my thoughts. The album opens with ' Soapbox .' The first sound you hear is the feedback from the guitars, a perfect method for building suspense without uttering a single word. This technique, often used in punk, hard rock, and other high-energy genres, creates dissonance and anticipation in a live setting. The feedback transitions into the band crashing into the song, delivering an immediate burst of raw power and energy. The faint whispers of the crowd are woven into the recording, becoming part of the song’s identity, felt but somewhat lost amidst the wailing guitars, pounding rhythms, and screeching vocals. This blend is both beautiful and chaotic. As the album progresses, each track twists and turns, with the energy building and breathing like a living entity. This dynamic is the highlight for me when listening to the album. 'The Itch' from Live in Long Island by Bad Mary The live mixing is superb , featuring numerous intense moments that enhance the overall sound without detracting from it. The clarity of the music, vocals, and banter is impressive; the album knows precisely what it wants to be. Credit: Eric Sandstrom Photography What I admire most about the band and the album is the flow and presence that captures the punk energy and vibe of New York. Bad Mary is reminiscent of iconic bands of the past, and their ability to control the landscapes of their live shows translates exceptionally well to recording and streaming. I highly recommend this album to anyone looking to add high-energy glam-punk to their playlist. The album is a cohesive entity—a living, breathing force. Go stream it now. To learn more about Bad Mary: Website: Bad Mary | The Official site of Bad Mary Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Bad Mary - NY Glam Punk (@badmaryband) • Instagram photos and videos YouTube: Bad Mary - YouTube Spotify: Bad Mary | Spotify Apple Music: ‎Bad Mary - Apple Music 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

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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Musical Gumbo Master Continues with Spring Forward Tour and a New Album < Back Off the Charts: Otis Walker Bud Gambrell Mar 25, 2025 Share Musical Gumbo Master Continues with Spring Forward Tour and a New Album The making of this article goes back a few months. I first spoke with Otis Walker in November 2024. Otis had a new album release coming up, and my plans were to be there. Well, as sometimes happens, life steps in and changes your plans. Our original interview was set to be at the album release party on November 29, 2024, the day after Thanksgiving. The morning of the party, I woke up with a flare-up of vertigo . There go those plans. Fast-forward to March 17, 2025, where I received a message from Otis, “I would like to personally invite you to our show this Saturday night.” I had been attempting to fill up my schedule for the spring and summer, but it so happens that my Saturday night was open. So, my reply was, “I am going to see about taking you up on this invite. Thank you!” Saturday Night’s show was to be held at Tangled Strings Studio in Huntsville . I was familiar with the venue by name only. I have seen the shop, but since they specialize in custom guitars , I have never stopped by. Lo and behold, it is a concert venue, too! I am unsure of how I missed out on that news. This is a very special place for live music. It is not too large or too small. It is just right for a songwriter/storyteller-type event. I tell you all that to set the table, as they say, so you can get a better visual for the space. Saturday March 22, 2025 As I walked into Tangled Strings Studio , the first person I met was Lisa Chang . She was up front selling tickets. Lisa is also a local musician with a fantastic voice. Otis and Lisa did a vocal duo during Otis’ set. I had never seen either of them perform, so I was mind-blown! Credit: Bud Gambrell The second person I ran into was Otis himself. Sometimes, it’s odd how these things work out. Otis and I began conversing as if we’d known each other for a while. We had just met for the first time. It’s always a bit of a concern with me that an interview will be stale due to no chemistry within the interview. That was not to be a worry tonight. Credit: Bud Gambrell We quickly realized common ground while talking about the band and stage set-up for the night. Otis added Kim Coffey to the percussion to add that extra beat. At almost the same time, we said, “similar to The Allman Brothers ” dual drummers. Otis told me that they are his favorite band. Mine too! Kim’s husband Donnie Cox is also in the band playing lead guitar. The pair also play in another band I worked with a few months ago. The band is rounded out by Richard Best on drums and Otis’ son Eli Brown on bass . Many moons ago, I worked with Richard , so the band was no stranger to me. Local songwriter Brett Carlisle opened the show. You will meet Brett and read more about him in an upcoming Off the Charts article. Our second band of the night was The Silver Silos , led by Taylor Burton . The Silver Silos are Taylor on guitar , Jacob Greene on bass , and his brother Brad Greene on saxophone and lap steel . Taylor is a friend of mine, and it is always a pleasure to have a conversation with him and hear his songs. The following is part of our conversation. For time and space purposes, I cannot include the entire conversation. Our conversation seemed very open-ended and long-winded. OTC : Otis, it is great to see you! It's nice to meet you finally! OW : Thanks for having me, man! OTC : We were first supposed to meet in November at the album release party. I'm sorry I couldn’t make it. So, tell me how the new album is doing. OW : It's our first time ever doing an album, so, you know, I have no metrics to measure against another album, but the first release did all right. The second single has had over forty streams in less than a month on Spotify . So, I mean, I think that's pretty remarkable. Hardly any of the streams are from my hometown, which is funny. We got lucky to get on a playlist and move forward. This is funny because the album's name is ' Forward ', so that's what we're doing. We're just trying to keep one foot in front of the other. OTC : Where can we find this new album? OW : You can go on the website at otiswalkerband.com . We've got the full album up for sale there. We're releasing one single every six weeks out to the wild. If you want the entire album, you can go to the website and you can purchase it there. Click picture to purchase OTC : Where did you find inspiration to write this new album's songs? OW : Well, you know you're going to find that you came to the right show tonight because we're doing the storytellers type show. I will tell you different stories about the different songs tonight. But, you know, I get a lot of different inspirations. Sometimes, it's a personal experience. Sometimes, I hear a lyric from another song that sends me in another direction. And you know, I feel like I'm an old bird now. I’m in my late 40s now. When I first started songwriting, it all had to be about something I felt. And now, I like to stew on it and get a story. So, in my older years, it's more story based. OTC : We will stop talking about how old we are at this point in the interview. (laughter) OTC : Did you write the songs on the new album, or did you have any interesting collaborations? OW : Out of the ten songs, one song was co-written by a buddy from college. The other nine songs were 100% mine, and then as far as the way that we did in the studio, you know, we all sat down at Clear Wave Studio and came up with how we wanted to produce the songs. They were all 100% mine, minus ' Southern Twist '. OTC : Do you have any future plans for any collaborations? OW : I've talked with a few guys. Taylor Burton and me, who we're playing the show with tonight. We've talked about that. We're gonna get together. I have also talked to Brett Carlisle , who's opening up tonight. He is a young songwriter, and we're also looking at it. My life hero is Barry Billings ; he's a great songwriter. Hopefully, we'll get to sit down and write a song together one day. OTC : As spring and summer are here, you've got new show dates. Do you have any particular dates or venues that you're looking forward to playing? OW : Well, tonight is! Here in Huntsville is our ticketed advance show. We're playing many shows where I’m solo and with the whole band. I love coming out and playing at a Tangled String Studio show where we get to have such an intimate chance to be with the audience because you're four feet from the first row. I love that! Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Do you have any goals for 2025? OW : Man, I would love to get to the part where we become a regional act . That is my goal! My dream is to be able to start playing some festivals and take out on the road what we're doing here in Huntsville and take it out to the people not here. The Huntsville music scene is intense. We could take it out to the rest of the southeast. OTC : What got you into music? OW : Well, I'm going to tell that story tonight. When I was growing up, we had a Ford Falcon , and it had a tape deck in it, and in that tape deck, there was a Roger Miller tape. I heard a song from Roger Miller and all those stories he tells. Man, it just lit a fire under me. Now, the other side of it is that my uncle, Bo Jack Killingsworth , is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame , and so growing up with him, I got to see people and be around people that not everyone would get to be around and experience. My uncle is my hero. Roger Miller lit the flame, and going to see Uncle Bo at a show. I thought he walked on water. OTC : So, Roger Miller lit the flame, and Uncle Bo fanned that flame? OW : He sure did! OTC : Are there any past or present instructors that you look up to, and what qualities do they have that you admire? OW : I went to college and got a degree. But while in college, I got to play with the Iguana Party , which had Barry Billings , Danny Kirsch , and Joey Flippen . Those three men were my age now, and I was in college. They taught me everything I know about music. From how to roll up a cord to knowing the right song to play at the right time and how to play with dynamics. I mean, all those boys are my heroes. No guitar player can outdo Barry Billings . I'm sorry. I know some great players are around, but Barry hung the moon! OTC : What's the best piece of advice another musician ever gave you? OW : (laughs) That's a great question! I think that I was told once that I can't play everything in the first song. I get very emotional. One of my band mentors told me I had to leave something for the third set. When I first got up there, I just started trying to play everything simultaneously. OTC : What is it about music that makes you so emotional and feel passionate? OW : Man, you hear that bass drum, and then you hear that snare, and that's my heartbeat! And then my emotions kick in as soon as I hear the drums, and the passion comes out! Because I get to do something that is very much, honestly, my drug! I mean. I love music! It's not about money. It's not about fame. It is as if there's none of that. I'm still playing music in my basement on a Saturday night because I cannot live without getting the music out of me! The recommendation from this music lover to the music lover reading this is to get to an Otis Walker show if you are in the North Alabama area. Otis Walker 's music, a unique blend of styles, is something you won't want to miss. You will want to grab the LP or CD from the merch table while you are there, too. I know you will want to hear the songs repeatedly because the album is good but hearing them live is even better! For those not in the North Alabama area, let’s all hope that Otis Walker becomes a regional touring band so you will also get the chance to experience him live. One way that you can help make that happen is to support local original music in your scene wherever you may be. Show up for shows and let these musicians know you appreciate what they are doing. Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com Website: https://bgambrellphotography.com Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tzk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell My new book: Bud Gambrell Photography by Bud Gambrell | Blurb Books Where to find Otis Walker: Website: https://otiswalkerband.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OtisWalkerBand Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Otis Walker Band (@otiswalkerband) • Instagram photos and videos Soundcloud: Stream The Otis Walker Band music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud ‎ Apple Music: Otis Walker Band - Apple Music Where to find Tangled Strings Studio: Website: Tangled String Studios Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Tangled String Studios (@tangledstringstudios) • Instagram photos and videos *all photos by Bud Gambrell www.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 Got something for Bud to check out? Reach him at the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

It's all green to me! < Back Way Back When: March Playlist Picks 2025 Nicole Brice Mar 3, 2025 Share It's all green to me! March automatically makes me think of the color green—green for St. Patrick’s Day, green for positivity in the spring, just green. Let’s see if I can keep a clever theme for these song suggestions. 1. Green Day - 2000 Light Years Away Green Day certainly has come a long way from their earlier music, but to me, their earlier music is the best because it’s less polished and more authentic. This is one of those tunes that always transports me back to the early '90s. 1991 2. Hum - Green to Me Hum is one of those hidden 90s gems when it comes to bands. They toured with prominent bands back in the day, which is how I discovered them. To say this band and song are underrated would be an understatement. 1998 3. Gorillaz - O Green World Gorillaz burst onto the music scene in 1998 via Damon Albarn of Blur fame and Jamie Hewlett . A virtual band, Gorillaz is best known for its cartoon videos with characters. ‘ O Green World ’ is one of those album tracks that is a little more obscure but so fantastic because of its intricate sounds. Check it out! 2005 4. Incubus - A Certain Shade of Green Incubus ’ first album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E. , sounds nothing like their albums that came after. ‘ A Certain Shade of Green ’ is one of those high-energy Incubus songs that just reels you in. 1997 5. Master P - Pass Me Da Green Just a fun song. “Pass me da green, I need some weed with my Hennessy.” 1997 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 Questions or comments? Reach out to us 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

The Gosh Darn Dangs bring the Hammond community together with their soulful tunes. < Back Southern Happenings: Meet The Gosh Darn Dangs Rian Nickels Jun 7, 2024 Share The Gosh Darn Dangs bring the Hammond community together with their soulful tunes. Take a stroll with me as I look back on my magical evening of May 10th, 2024, when I had the pleasure of experiencing The Gosh Darn Dangs , a beloved local band from Louisiana, busking on the vibrant streets of Downtown Hammond. I want to take a moment to introduce the (at the time members) of the band: Leading the way was Mike, the band's founder and charismatic lead vocalist, who occasionally added a soulful touch with his harmonica. Lexy added a unique charm to the group, whose enchanting harp melodies and vocals provided a delicate and captivating layer to their sound. Keeping the rhythm steady and dynamic was Tim, the talented drummer whose beats infused the performance with energy and drive. Rounding out the ensemble was Jake, the bassist whose deep grooves and harmonious vocals added depth and richness to the band's musical tapestry. Completing the lineup was Kris, the skilled guitarist whose riffs and vocals added a powerful and harmonious vibe to their performance. Credit: Rian Nickels The adventure began at PJ's Coffee , located at the bustling corner of West Thomas Street and North Magnolia Street. Here, the band gathered for some last-minute instrument tuning and practice. Watching them prepare for their performance felt like a rare privilege, a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their world of music. With instruments finely tuned and spirits high, we set off down West Thomas Street, searching for the perfect spot to share their music. The lively atmosphere of downtown Hammond, with its charming streets and buzzing nightlife, provided the ideal backdrop. The anticipation grew with every step as the band and their followers sought the perfect place to set up and play. Credit: Rian Nickels When they reached their first stop, the sidewalk outside the beloved local bar Benny's Place , they had to change their plans out of charming respect for the skillful jazz players performing across the street at Mariner's Inn . Undeterred, they continued their stroll through the brightly lit streets until we arrived at the heart of Hammond's latest addition, Railroad Park . The city center was the perfect place to begin truly. Equipped with a well-lit stage, bench seating, and ample room for people to gather, it offered an ideal setting for the performance. Here, the band launched into their melancholic tunes, including " Going 100mph in a 30mph Zone ," a poignant song about the trials and tribulations of youth and the journey toward adulthood. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, but after a complete set, they only got a few passersby, so they returned to Hammond's busy sidewalks! Credit: Rian Nickels As we walked from the Railroad Park to our next destination, The Gosh Darn Dangs did a cover of “ Scott Pilgrim vs. My GPA ” by Midwest Emo band Mom Jeans . The harmonies bounced and echoed off the tall downtown buildings until they landed across from a locally cherished bar, The Red White and Brew . The calming riffs and strums drew the attention of the bar patrons, even from across the busy street. After incredibly relatable songs like “ I’m Not Gonna Die Today ,” the band started to build an audience of late-night strollers and bargoers. Credit: Rian Nickels As each song ended, the intimate audience cheered. When asked about the origins of the song “ I’m Not Gonna Die Today ”, lead vocalist Mike Spoon said, “ Writing this song was a turning point for me. Getting it out in music form helped me understand myself better and set me on the path to having a better attitude about things. It's a journey I am still taking. So, in a way, this isn't a sad song. It's kind of like the dark cloud just under the silver lining. We all must go through it in our way. ” Credit: Rian Nickels The contrast between live music in a dedicated venue and busking on the streets is profound, rooted in the unique connection fostered between musicians and their audience. While a venue encapsulates sound within walls and confines emotions to a designated space, the experience of street performances allows emotions to ripple through the open air, touching everyone in its path. That night, The Gosh Darn Dangs’ music brought a piece of the community of Downtown Hammond together to enjoy a night of soulful tunes, and it reminded me that our time on Earth is limited, so we need to experience all there is out there just once. To learn more about the The Gosh Darn Dangs , just hit one of the links below. Facebook The Gosh Darn Dangs (@thegoshdarndangs) • Instagram photos and videos *cover photo by Rian Nickels rianmusicjpeg.myportfolio.com Rian Haynsworth www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Rian Nickels is a total music junkie. Do you have a show you’d like her to review? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

Let's get this party started < Back Select New Titles Streaming in June Keeley Brooks Jun 2, 2023 Share Let's get this party started Summer has unofficially arrived and with it comes a decent selection of new titles to stream on some of your favorite platforms, which seem to be heavy this month on foreign titles. For time's sake, I've taken a select handful of debuts airing all month long and written a little something-something about each one. From new stand-up comedy specials to a new Schwarzenegger documentary to the final season of The Righteous Gemstones and on to a new season of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia --not to mention Idris Elba in a new no-snakes-on-this-plane hijacking movie and Tom Holland in a new creepy series, we're sure you'll find something to entertain your fancy. Enjoy, my friends. NETFLIX LEGO Ninjago: Dragons , Season 1 – So far, the U.S. is the only country confirmed to receive the latest installment of the LEGO Ninjago franchise. If this is your jam, catch it Thursday, June 1. Apparently, everything’s still awesome in LEGO world. Manifest , Season 4 Part 2 – The long-awaited final part of the final season of this supernatural drama thriller is finally here. It guarantees to put an end to all of your curiosity and answer all of your questions. If you don’t watch the series, it follows the story of the passengers and crew onboard Montego Air Flight 828, which mysteriously disappears. When it finally does reappear and land, passengers and crew realize they’ve missed out on five years and are now faced with a whole new reality of themselves and their world. While it may have started off with lower ratings, the series has jumped in popularity ever since Netflix picked it up to complete the series with a gripping storyline and cast performance. Streaming June 2. Arnold (A Complete Miniseries ) – Who doesn’t love Schwarzenegger, honestly? Whether he’s Conan the Barbarian, Hercules, or a big, bad cyborg carrying guns and roses, he’s always a badass. And he’s funny. In this three-part original documentary, we’ll see Arnold in his most candid, no-filter self as he takes us on the journey that is his life, starting with his origins as a bodybuilder in Austria to fulfilling the ultimate American dream—including that of governor of California. Dive into this intimate look at the former Mr. Universe and one of the most celebrated actors on the planet. It’ll feature never-before-seen stories, footage, and interviews of the man and his family, friends, colleagues, co-stars, and rivals. Drops June 7. Never Have I Ever , Season 4 – Mindy Kaling’s ( The Office ) hit teen comedy series is back to wrap things up and come to an end. Said to be inspired by Kaling’s childhood experiences, the coming-of-age comedy follows an Indian-American high school student who navigates love, friendship, and family while dealing with the trauma of her father’s sudden death. This final chapter will explore Devi’s experience as a high-school senior graduating and move on the next phase of her life, which includes a romance with a new character. Airs June 8. Human Resources , Season 2 – Featuring an all-star comedic cast that includes Aidy Bryant ( SNL ), Randall Park ( Young Rock ), Keke Palmer ( Nope ), Maya Rudolph ( Loot ), and Nick Kroll ( History of the World, Part II ), this Big Mouth spin-off series is coming to an end with its second season. It’s essentially a workplace comedy revolving around the monsters from the parent show ( Big Mouth ) and their daily lives. Hormone Monsters, Depression Kitties, the Shame Wizard, Lovebugs, Logic Rock, and other similar creatures are assigned to humans as representative of their feelings to help them get through difficult stages and aspects of life. Season 2 takes a closer look at how these creatures juggle their responsibilities of handling their human “clients” while also navigating their own feelings. Season 2 will feature special guest starts Florence Pugh ( Midsommar ), Miley Cyrus, Eugene Levy ( Schitt’s Creek ), and Sam Richardson ( After Party ). Streaming June 9. Extraction 2 – Chris Hemsworth ( Thor ) is back as Tyler Rake, a former Australian special forces operator who is now a black-ops mercenary. In the first movie, he was hired to rescue the abducted son of a crime lord and risked his life to ensure the boy’s safety. Actually, it appeared as though he gave his life to save the kid … BUT, as any good action hero does, Rake lived to fight another day. Now he’s back to take on another high-stakes rescue. Airs June 16. Black Mirror , Season 6 – I’ve yet to watch this series, but I continue to hear some great things about it, so it’s on my list. Season 6 looks like it just might outdo its previous seasons, but I say that based on the star-studded cast line-up and darker plotlines that have been revealed. The British sci-fi anthology series is back after a four-year hiatus with a new set of stories said to be more dystopian and way more disturbing (word!). If you’re unfamiliar, these stories are set in a futuristic world revolving (mostly) around technology and its damaging effects. Streaming June 15. Run Rabbit Run – As a fertility doctor, Sarah (Sarah Snook of Succession ) has a firm understanding of the cycle of life. However, when she is forced to make sense of the increasingly strange behavior of her young daughter, Sarah must challenge her own beliefs and confront a ghost from her past in this horror mystery also starring Elisabeth Moss ( The Handmaid’s Tale ) and Damon Herriman ( Justified ). Arrives June 28. The Witcher , Season 3 Vol. 1 – Well, Henry Cavill ( Superman ) fans, this is your last chance to see the actor as Geralt one last time before he’s replaced next season by Liam Hemsworth ( The Hunger Games ). Season 3 will be released in two parts, with Hemsworth headlining the second installment. The fantasy drama series is based on the book series by Andrzej Sapkowski and is set in a fictional land called the Continent. It follows Geralt of Rivia, a mutant monster hunter who navigates a world where humans are more evil than beasts as he journeys towards his destiny. Season 3’s plot focuses on Geralt (Cavill) taking Ciri of Cintra into hiding, determined to protect his newly reunited family against those threaten to destroy it. Volume 1 drops on June 29 with Volume 2 airing in July. Also streaming this month: Amy Schumer: Emergency Contact stand-up special; Take Care of Maya , a documentary about Maya Kowalksi, who was admitted to a kid’s hospital after discovering she had a rare illness; 85 South: Ghetto Legends stand-up comedy special; The Perfect Find , a rom-com starring Gabrielle Union and Keith Powers; Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators ; and so much more, especially in the foreign vein. HULU Searching for Soul Food – Follow rock star celebrity chef Alisa Reynolds on her trek around the world in search of culture, community, and soul food. Premieres June 2. Cruel Summer , Season 2 – From executive producer Jessica Biel ( The Sinner ), Season 2 of the hit Freeform show is back to follow three timelines of a sordid love triangle throughout the 2000s. Drops June 6. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia , Season 16 – “There is a spider … spider … spider / Deep in my soul … soul … soul” – Sorry, I couldn’t resist. If you’re lost, go back and watch Season 9, Episode 3 and enjoy Charlie Day’s beautiful little ditty to the public at the end of the episode; it’s my theme song, most days. Ha! The gang is back for an unprecedented 16th season of shenanigans and zero tolerance, making this hit FX show the longest-running American sitcom ever . Hell yeah! Airs June 8. The Bear – Starring the endearingly adorable Jeremy Allen White ( Shameless ), Ebon Moss-Bachrach ( The Punisher TV series), Molly Ringwald ( Riverdale ), Oliver Platt ( Chicago Med ), and Joel McHale ( Community ), Hulu’s hit series is back for round two as the sandwich shop crew are faced with the reality of opening a new restaurant and this season really ups the ante. Instead of eight episodes, there will be 10, and a new chef is joining the kitchen! Get ready to watch Bob Odenkirk ( Better Call Saul ) serve up the beef, sans his criminal defense attorney shenanigans. Streaming June 22. PEACOCK Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge – An NBC game show that pits two contestants against one another as they attempt to use pop culture themes and personal stories to transform an ordinary car into a fully spectacular one using their wild imaginations. The winner takes home a hefty sum of $25,000. Available June 1. Based on a True Story – Kaley Cuoco ( The Big Bang Theory ) and Chris Messina ( The Mindy Project ) star as a young couple who are struggling financially and looking for a means to find stability in their marriage life. Ava (Cuoco) is pregnant, making them even more desperate for money, so they seize an ideal opportunity when a ruthless serial killer known as Westside Ripper begins terrorizing their town. Ava, an avid crime-podcast enthusiast, launches her own podcast with her partner in order to solve the mystery and become financially comfortable. Will their plan to capitalize on the chance be successful, or will it force them into a corner where they have no choice but to use unconventional means to continue their podcast? And in case you're wondering, no, this is not based on a true story. Streaming June 8. LA Fire and Rescue – An NBC documentary series highlighting the true everyday heroes of the Los Angeles Fire Department, who is in charge of protecting the lives of millions of people in 59 cities throughout Los Angeles. Their stories will be narrated with gripping drama as well as unanticipated situations, including life and death crises, giving us a closer look at what they actually do in their professions. Airs on June 22. PARAMOUNT PLUS Love Allways – Pansexuals out there, this one’s for you. Developed by AwesomenessTV, this new pan dating competition show takes the notion that people can (and are) attracted to multiple genders and centers on one hopeful single looking to find her match but with a few added twists: Not only will the other contestants end up romancing each other on set but they’re also being coached by “relationship gurus” looking to prove they’re the best at helping others find and hold on to romance. Debuts June 2. Joe Pickett , Season 2 – I found this little gem about seven months ago and I’m glad I did. It may move a little slow, but it’s worth a watch. Game warden Joe Pickett (Michael Dorman of For All Mankind ) and his family navigate the shifting sociopolitical climate of a rural town on the verge of economic collapse. When a murder victim winds up on Joe’s doorstep, the Picketts find themselves embroiled in a much larger conspiracy than they could’ve ever imagined. Dorman brings a sincerely humble quality to his character, and you’ll fall in love with him and his genuity. Premieres June 4. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Season 2 – Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount of Hell on Wheels ) and the crew of the USS Enterprise return for the long-awaited second season as they explore new worlds and carry out gorgeously harrowing missions throughout the galaxy during the decade before Star Trek: The Original Series , seven years before Captain Kirk and Spock first meet. If you haven’t watched season one, I highly recommend doing so. The acting is high quality, the stories are fully engaging, and the special effects are spectacular. The series also stars Rebecca Romijn ( X-Men ) and Ethan Peck ( Star Trek: Discovery ), among many other memorable characters. Streaming June 15. APPLE TV+ The Crowded Room – If, like me, you’re a huge Tom Holland ( Spider-Man ) fan, GET EXCITED. Homeboy is starring in a new limited series that puts him in a role unlike anything he has previously seen. The story begins in 1979 when a man named Danny Sullivan (Holland) finds himself in the midst of a murder and is quickly arrested by the police so they can investigate his involvement. When Detective Rya Goodwin (Amanda Seyfried of The Dropout ) tries to find the true perpetrator of the crime through Danny and what he does and does not know, she learns about his highly unusual past, which puts her in an even more difficult situation as she feels Danny might be the true culprit. *Side note: If you haven’t seen Holland in the epic saga Cherry , which is also an Apple TV+ production, turn off your phone, lock your door, and clear out four hours for one of the best true-story adaptations of the 21st century. The Crowded Room premieres June 9. Hijack – Starring the yummy Idris Elba ( Luther ), this high-octane thriller full of tension follows the journey of a hijacked plane as it makes its way to London over a seven-hour flight and as authorities on the ground scramble for answers on what to do. Elba is Sam Nelson, an accomplished negotiator in the business world who needs to step up and use all his guile to try and save everyone onboard the plane. But, his high-risk strategy just might be his undoing. The film features no snakes on the plane, but it does feature heart-pounding excitement. Streaming June 28. Platonic – Although this series dropped last week, it’s worth mentioning for June titles because, well, it’s f**king hilarious. Rose Byrne ( Bridesmaids ) and Seth Rogen ( Pineapple Express ) star as platonic best friends who’ve been adrift for years due to Sylvia’s (Byrne) remarks that Will (Rogen) shouldn’t marry his wife. As it turns out, she was right, because now Will finds himself going through a divorce. The two friends reconnect and pick up right where they left off with their shenanigans and undeniable comedic chemistry. If you watched them in Neighbors , you’ll love them even more here. The two feed off one another in the most hilarious ways possible and by the end of the first episode, you’ll be feeling all nostalgic about your own besties from the past. New episodes drop on Wednesdays. Now streaming. MAX The Idol – This story about a pop star, played by Lily-Rose Depp ( The King ), has mixed reviews and is surrounded by—allegedly—a lot of talk about scandals outside of production. Nevertheless, Jocelyn (Depp) is a pop idol who has recently lost her mother and is beginning to unravel. To make matters worse, she’s being used by everyone around her like a cash cow and is the target of predatory men eager to take advantage of her vulnerability. After her mother’s death, Jocelyn goes all-in on a drug spiral and suffers some mental health issues that nearly ruin her career, and things get worse when a self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult enters into a complicated relationship with the pop princess. This one is full of darkness, sex, sexiness, and madness. Also stars The Weeknd ( Black Panther ). Streaming June 4. American Pain – A new documentary that traces the story of the largest prescription drug trafficking case in American history. It revolves around identical twin brothers Chris and Jeff George, who trafficked more than $500 million in opioid pills in the U.S. from their clinics, called American Pain, in Florida. Their business drew patients from around the country for brief appointments to see a physician and get an opioid script. Through compilations of hundreds of hours of FBI wiretap recordings, undercover videos, and jailhouse interviews with the twins, this doc showcases the rise and fall of the Georges’ empire and the approximately 3,000 patients who died after visiting their clinics. Airs June 8. John Early: Now More Than Ever – If you haven’t seen this dude in anything, you should find some of his work and watch it. He’s very funny and is finally releasing his first HBO comedy special. In it, Early ( Search Party ) brings his unique blend of cutting commentary, pop star swagger, and all-around loveable hilarity to Roulette Intermedium in Brooklyn, New York. In the style of a gritty 70s rockumentary, Early performs stand-up and explosive song covers from Britney Spears to Neil Young, intercut with Spinal Tap-esque backstage sketches. And if you’re a millennial and have no idea who Spinal Tap is, I suggest you find the mockumentary This is Spinal Tap —especially if you’re a music junkie—and turn the volume up to 11. That will be funny once you watch it. I promise. Early’s stand-up special drops on June 17. The Righteous Gemstones , Season 3 – The world-famous televangelist family with a long tradition of deviance, greed, and charitable work (and grown-ass sibling shenanigans) returns for their long-awaited third and final season. Don’t miss the antics of Danny McBride ( Eastbound and Down ), Adam Devine ( Workaholics ), Edi Patterson ( Violent Night ), and John Goodman ( The Conners ) as they work to secure all the dividends extravagant megachurch worship has brought them. Streaming June 18. The Stroll – I read about this, and it made me mad, to be honest. This documentary focuses on the history of New York’s Meatpacking District told from the point of view of transgender sex workers of color who lived and worked there. It upset me reading about the violence and policing transgender people faced (and still face everywhere), because there’s absolutely no need for it. We are all human beings; why does anyone give a shit what one person’s sexual preference or identity is? That is no one’s business but the person who is living it, and we should all stop judging one another and begin supporting individuality, even if you don’t agree with it. The doc also focuses on the trans women who congregated in the area called “The Stroll” and forged a deep camaraderie to protect each other from harassment and violence. Here, trans Director Kristen Lovell reunites her sisters to tell this essential NY story from the point of view of the trans sex workers who lived it. Drops on Max June 21. Warrior – If you haven’t been watching this series, you should—especially if you love martial arts. Warrior takes viewers on an intense journey through the Tong Wars in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the late 19thcentury. Inspired by the writing of martial arts icon Bruce Lee, the show’s third season delves into the aftermath of the race riots that shook Chinatown in the previous season. Premieres June 29. DISNEY PLUS Pride from Above – To kick off Pride Month, Disney has added a brand-new collection featuring films and shows that include LGBT+ storylines, creators, and characters. Airs June 2. First Alaskans – Indigenous Alaskans live on ancient lands but face a new climate of challenges. Streaming June 7. Flamin’ Hot – Richard Montanez, the son of a Mexican immigrant, was a janitor at Frito Lay when he came up with the idea for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. His creation was inspired by the flavors of his community and revitalizes Frito-Lay and disrupts the food industry. Premieres June 9. Secret Invasion – Nick Fury learns of a secret invasion of Earth by a faction of shapeshifting Skrulls. Fury (Samuel L. Jackson of Pulp Fiction ) joins his allies and together they race against time to thwart an imminent Skrull invasion and save humanity. Also stars Emilia Clarke ( Game of Thrones ), Cobie Smulders ( Avengers ), Kingsley Ben-Adir ( High Fidelity , 2020), Ben Mendelsohn ( The Outsider ), Olivia Coleman ( The Crown ), and Martin Freeman ( The Hobbit ). Drops June 21. Other titles streaming this month on Disney Plus: Hailey’s on It! – June 9, Raven’s Home – June 14 , Pretty Freekin Scary – June 16 , World’s Best – June 23 , and Week-End Family – June 28. PRIME VIDEO Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets – This limited docuseries exposes the truth beneath the wholese Americana surface of reality TV’s “favorite” mega-family, The Duggars, and the radical organization behind them: The Institute in Basic Life Principles. As details of the family and their scandals unfold, we realize they’re part of an insidious, much larger threat already in motion, with democracy itself in peril. Streaming June 2. My Fault – A romantic thriller posing the question what would you do if you found love in an unexpected place, fused with intense passion for someone forbidden? This film is based on the book “Culpa Mia,” which is part of the “Culpables” trilogy written by Mercedes Ron. Airs June 8. The Lake , Season 2 – The sun-kissed Canadian lakeside comedy is back for its second season and stars Julia Stiles ( The Bourne Identity ), Lauren Holly ( Dumb & Dumber ), Terry Chin ( Jessica Jones ) and Jordan Gavaris ( Orphan Black ). The Lake tells the story of Justin (Gavaris), who has just broken up with his longtime partner and is returning to his family cottage in Canada to connect with his teenage daughter whom he gave up for adoption when she was just a baby. He soon finds out his father left their cottage to his stepsister (Stiles). What’s a little summer getaway without a little chaos? Premieres June 9. Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan , Season 4 – Author Tom Clancy’s CIA analyst Jack Ryan (John Krasinski of A Quiet Place ) is back for his final season of dangerous gambits with a new breed of terrorism that threatens destruction on a global scale. Debuts June 30. 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

A Classic Sound and Vibe < Back They Bring the Party: Von Mons Nicole Brice Mar 21, 2023 Share A Classic Sound and Vibe Sometimes, my music tastes can be a bit different than the norm, and I like to reminisce on the good ole days with some nostalgic sounding rock ‘n’ roll, so it’s quite fitting that I would stumble upon this next band, which I’ll now introduce to you. Von Mons are a four-piece band hailing from New Jersey , whose sound exemplifies what a party in the 60s should sound like . The guitars have a surf vibe to them, and the vocals are distorted just enough to sound like an old-school 45 that has been played one too many times. For a truly throwback listening experience, Von Mons music is best enjoyed loud, and if you happen to be near a beach, even better! Pull out that beach blanket, put the boombox down, and crank it up! Photo provided by band I genuinely wish I could pinpoint their sound and compare it, but I just can’t. Sure, there are hints here and there of Tom Petty , The Cramps , The Kinks , The Troggs , and even a little Herman’s Hermits , but when you really try to categorize or even compare them, you just can’t. These guys are unique and refreshing. Their sound is one that is missing these days amongst the clutter that has become rock music. One could even say their music would be the perfect soundtrack to a Quentin Tarantino movie. In the end, though, they are truly just a funky mash-up of underground pop. So, who, exactly, are Von Mons ? credit: Jeff Crespi Well, in a nutshell, they are Cory Williams (vocals, guitar), Tyler Kolling (drums, vocals), Brian Manser (lead guitar), and Casey Estelle (bass, vocals). Releases include Von Mons (2017) and Von Mons 2 (2020). All music can be found via the various streaming platforms and on YouTube . These guys are so much fun, they’ll make your head spin. I reached out to the band recently to gain a little more insight into what makes them so distinctive and was able to connect with Tyler Kolling , the drummer. Here’s what he had to say. MaM : What year did the band form and what inspired the formation? Give me a little band history if you don’t mind. TK : The band originally formed back in 2012. Sleepy (Cory) and I (Ty) were working at a bar in Asbury Park . We had a lot in common and bonded over our similar interests in music. We would always talk about playing together. We both didn’t really know what we were doing—still don’t, really—but [we] both had an interest in writing and performing music. Sleepy knew another dude named Sean that was really good at playing guitar. I guess you could say this was the first line up of the band: Sleepy on keys and rhythm guitar, me on drums, and Sean on lead. All of us singing. We played like that for a while, mainly in Sean ’s garage or at Ty ’s mom’s house. After a bit, we started taking it more seriously. We added Casey on bass and started playing gigs. Those early days were pretty wild and sloppy. Still are but just differently. Over the years we have had a couple line-up changes. Ty took a break for a bit and Sean moved to Atlanta . Shawna Grabowski from Late Waves filled in on drums for a bit. She rips. Corey Frank filled in on lead guitar for a bit—also a ripper. Ty came back and we added Brian on guitar full time. That’s really where we are at now. Cory “Sleepy” Williams on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ty Kolling on drums and backing vocals, Casey Estelle on bass and backing vocals, and Brian Manser on lead guitar. credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : How would you describe your music influences for your sound? TK : All of us grew up in the area surrounding Asbury Park . There was this radio station 1410AM Golden Oldies that played all the platters that mattered from back in the day … all the blasts from the past. We all grew up listening to that station, so it would be impossible to deny that as an influence. Other influences are stuff that our parents and siblings played when we were growing up—everything from Elvis and Buddy Holly to the Grateful Dead to Crass and the Ramones . Also, growing up near the beach for sure adds a bit of a surfy vibe to anything we do. Obviously, the garage rock groups of the 60s are a huge influence as well. If you listen to the garage/punk compilations of ‘ Nuggets ,’ ‘ Pebbles ,’ or ‘ Back from the Grave ,’ you will hear a lot of stuff we rip off. MaM : Any new music being recorded currently? When can we expect a new album? TK : We recently just finished our latest record called “ Shakin’ with VON MONS .” We recorded it in Brian ’s basement with Brian at the controls and the kids running around. It’s going to be released within the next couple of months. We are just working out a record release party and some last-minute art stuff. Follow our Instagram @vonmons for more info . We are really proud of this record. As we have said before, we are still on this adventure of figuring out how to make music. We feel like we are really starting to crack the code with this one. It’s a lot of fun. Not to say that the first two records weren’t, [but] we are just figuring out and refining our voice a bit more. Fourth record will follow shortly after this one. Recording for that starts soon. credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Take us through the creative process. How do you come up with songs? TK : We usually write music by bringing an idea to band practice. That idea could be as simple as a song title or a progression or a little lick of a song, OR that idea could be a fully realized song. That idea could be somewhere in between those examples. Whatevers. Anyways, the idea gets brought to the group and we all flesh it out and put our input into it. Then we learn it and mess it up when we play it out live. It’s a blast. We all submit ideas, but I would say the majority of them come from Sleepy . He’s a hit-making machine. MaM : What music or things around you are inspiring you to create these days? TK : Anything and everything. We hear, see, feel, or experience something and try to boil it down to a simple 2:30-long bopper. Hope our fun comes through to the listener. That’s our biggest challenge when recording—capturing our fun feeling. We really want the listener to experience that above all. credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Have there been any notable shows you have played and why? TK : Oh man. There’s been a bunch of great shows over the years. We love playing local gigs with friend bands. There’s also been some “bigger” gigs with touring bands that have been memorable and a lot of fun. Out of town shows with Todd-O-Phonic are always a blast. We are really just grateful that people wanna hear what we make. We have a lot of fun playing. Without people coming out to see our shows, that wouldn’t be possible. The best shows are really the ones where the crowd is engaged and there is that give and take between us and the crowd. We really dig it. We are just really appreciative for those early gigs, cuz [sic] we stunk, but people kept coming out and having a good time. That meant we kept getting more shows. We got better. Not much better, but hey, we couldn’t get much worse! credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Love your “fuzz” sound with the guitar! What brand of instrument is used? Also, too, what pedals do you use to achieve your sound? TK : Sleepy plays a Fender Mustang with some simple Overdrive pedals and lets it rip. Brian is getting this custom handmade guitar made by his brother-in-law and Petillo guitars ; it’s a total frankenfreak of everything awesome. His pedals are always moving around and switching in and out. He usually centers them around a simple Overdrive pedal as well, though … cranks it and lets it rip. credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : With all you currently have going on, what are your aspirations for the future? TK : We always joke around that being a true garage rock act means that we play music for a while, make a bunch of recordings, and then disappear, only to have our music rediscovered 40 or 50 years later and re-released, prompting us to go on tour in our mid-sixties and totally blow minds. More realistically though? We will just continue to have fun and make music we think is cool. Hopefully the crowds dig it and nice people like you keep taking interest in us. To experience all this is Von Mons, hit one of the links below! VON MONS (@vonmons) • Instagram photos and videos Stream Von Mons music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud Von Mons | Facebook Von Mons Von Mons | Spotify ‎Von Mons on Apple Music Von Mons on TIDAL VON MONS - Lyrics, Playlists & Videos | Shazam Von Mons - YouTube Thank you to Jeff Crespi for the photos! 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 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Got something you’d like us to listen to? Hit us up! Send an email to the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Cecily’s music is insightful and pleasing to the ear, a breath of fresh air with the motivation to spread her positivity through her art. < Back Cecily: Soulful Music With Ambient Affirmations Erica Machen Nov 9, 2023 Share Cecily’s music is insightful and pleasing to the ear, a breath of fresh air with the motivation to spread her positivity through her art. If you’ve ever needed the perfect soundtrack to accompany the moments your eyes are gently closed and all you see is the warm glow of your eyelids as the sunlit breeze kisses your face, look no further than the melodic musings of vocalist and songwriter Cecily. With a family who infused influences from artists such as John Coltrane, Motown, Smokey Robinson, and R&B from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, her vocal artistry brings prismatic color and warmth to the soul as the purity of her message washes over the listener and leaves an indelible mark. Cecily’s soprano octaves provide a surprising duality with her ethereal yet earthy delivery, and, as we chatted for our interview, her soothing personality left me just as spellbound as her music did. Originating from Washington, D.C., with a background in Political Science and Black Studies, Cecily's journey as an artist began as a powerful call to bring purpose and empowerment to her community . After ten years of nurturing her musical talents as a passionate hobby, she took the leap to turn her passion into a full-fledged career. Supported by an exceptional team of hand-picked musicians, dedicated management, and her husband, Cecily has achieved numerous accolades and awards , solidifying her presence as a force to be reckoned with in music world. Just as her newest release “I Am Love” delivers a simple and positive message coinciding with depth and dimension , the same can be said for Cecily herself. It came as no surprise to discover her passion for healing, meditation, and affirmations, as all of those things are revealed within her music. Cecily is simply a breath of fresh air with the motivation to spread her positivity through her art. Prepare yourself to feel connectivity as you read along with our chat. MaM : Cecily, for those just discovering your music, could you describe your unique sound and the musical influences that have shaped your style? C : I describe my music as soul music with a lot of influences of jazz, 90’s R&B, with a little bit of folk mixed in as well. I like to work with live instrumentation and real musicians in a space creating together, because I think that's how you capture the best energy. In terms of who people liken my music to, I really love 1970’s soul and R&B. Generally, you'll find a lot of sounds from that era in my music. I've had comparisons to Minnie Riperton, for example, in terms of my vocal stylings and some of my arrangement choices. People have also compared me to Amel Larrieux, who is more of a 90’s or early 2000’s R&B singer. Some of my favorite current artists who I think my music kind of likens to are Cleo Sol and Lianne La Haves , who are both from the UK. Photo provided by artist. MaM : Your parents' record collection had a significant impact on your music. Can you share how their love for artists like Miles Davis and Smokey Robinson influenced your artistic journey? C : I actually inherited my parents’ record collection. My dad passed away a couple years ago. My mom said she didn't listen to records anymore, so I could have them. Now I have a pretty large record collection. Thanks to them for that. What's interesting is that my parents are nine years apart in age, and that gave them different tastes in music. When [my mom] was a little girl, Motown was huge, and she loved Motown. Smokey Robinson is her forever crush. I grew up on a lot of Motown. My dad, he really loved jazz. He kind of came of age during the Bebop era. He loved Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane and Ahmad Jamal … A lot of jazz artists from the 50s and 60s. So, I have disparate influences. I had Motown with its classic soul sound, but also formulaic. You can kind of hear that in the way they approached things, and it works. Then, if you go to Miles Davis or John Coltrane, they were experimenting. There was thought and intention, but I definitely don't think a formula was the approach to things. It was very different kinds of things to grow up listening to. What my parents had in common is they both loved 70’s soul music. I also grew up listening to Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Gil Scott-Heron, and those type of things. All stuck with me. I'm also the youngest of four, and all of my siblings are much older than me. They had their own music tastes. I grew up listening to hip hop and R&B of the 80ss and 90s. My brother listens to house music. I was introduced to a lot of different kinds of black musical forms, and it was a great way to grow up. MaM : Your debut album "Songs of Love and Freedom" received critical acclaim and won a Wammie Award . How does this album reflect your musical vision, and what was it like to receive such recognition for your work? Photo provided by artist. C : That album was a big turning point for me creatively, professionally, and spiritually, because I put out an EP prior. That [EP] was my first project. I still like it, but it was me figuring out what I wanted to do and working with people that were recommended to me by my managers at the time. I didn't always feel seen in that process. I felt like we made the music, but I wasn't necessarily sure if it was me. When I came back around to do the process again, I was doing it all on my own in choosing all of my co writers, letting it happen organically, finding different producers, choosing my band members, and doing a lot of sonic research. It really taught me a lot about myself and was an empowering journey. I still feel really good about that album. So, it's one of my things I am most proud of. MaM : This brings me right to “Awakening Pt. 1”. It, too, was well-received and earned you several nominations and awards. Can you tell us more about the themes and inspiration behind this project? C : That project was inspired by some books that I read leading up to when I got married. We all think we know so much about love, but maybe I should actually study it like people do everything else. So, I just picked up this one book, just off chance in a bookstore, called ‘How To Love’ by a Buddhist master who passed away last year, named Thich Naht Hanh. I just read this book back to front a few times, and it was really impactful for me. The next book I read was called ‘The Mastery of Love’ by Don Miguel Ruiz. It had so many lessons and was a good way to reflect on life and what I've been taught about love. It was good to reflect on places in my thinking that needed to be revised on what love is and what love can be. Later, when reading ‘All About Love’ by Bell Hooks, I decided I want to create a project pulling from these concepts and ideas. That was kind of the inspiration for both ‘The Awakening Pt. 1’ and ‘The Awakening Pt. 2.’ MaM : You're not only a talented artist but also a healer who offers meditations, workshops, and sound healing sessions. Tell us more about how these practices are connected to your mission as an artist and a healer? C : In 2020, when things were locked down, I couldn't connect with people in terms of live performances. I also I felt like I couldn't create music in the way I was used to in being separated from my usual writing partners and bandmates. It started out when I had written some affirmations for myself in a time that was very fear-inducing. I called them ‘Affirmations for a Pandemic’. I decided, these are good, let me share these with people. So, my husband recorded me with video and audio. I put it on YouTube, Instagram, and this meditation app called Insight Timer. I was surprised by the reaction. People were saying, ‘Wow, this is so helpful. Thank you so much for this.’ Insight Timer chose the recording of it for their editorial pick and put it on the main page. I got a lot of engagement there and realized life is telling me this is something I need to dig into a little bit more. So, I started doing guided meditations live on Instagram. I love writing, I love words, I like using my voice. I started doing these guided meditations as another way to use my voice and my words. MaM : Your new single "I am Love" is generating attention. How has this song been received, and what message or emotions do you hope it conveys to your audience? C : I'm really happy with people’s response to the single. I love this song. I sometimes tend to be a little wordy and overly complicated in my writing. With this song, I wanted to write something that was simple. It definitely has depth to it. It started off as a poem, so it still has its poetic aspects. I wanted to write something that made you feel at peace and happy—just something that feels like a nice like warm summer day. You know, like where you're with someone you love or just yourself out in nature, eating good food. That was the energy of the song. … The message was really simple. As I said, affirmations are a big part of my life. I wanted to write a song that was an affirmation. The album ‘The Awakening Pt. 2’ is all about exploring unconditional love. Specifically, the kind written about in Bell Hook's book, ‘All About Love’. I had a poem where I had written, ‘I am love,’ and I thought, ‘This could be a song.’ I thought [it] would be a good way to bring forth my message of the power of love, acceptance, affirmations, and also Bell Hook's idea about simple living. She says living simply makes loving simple. I thought that was really beautiful. I'm kind of combining the two concepts of exploring the simplest pleasures in life with knowing that I am love. It’s about the belief in God, the source, the universe, or just this idea we all are connected to a genuine love, a deep, complete, and divine love. Stating plainly, ‘I am love’ can be very powerful. Even though it's a simple song and I wanted it to have … a singalong part or even something you can even two-step to; I also wanted to have some depth in there that people feel. I think the song has the combination of both. I love it for that reason. MaM : Are there any new announcements, news, or projects on the horizon that you'd like to share with your fans and our readers? C : ‘I Am Love’ is out now! There's a music video for it dropping very soon, and there will be some new merchandise soon to accompany the new release. The second single is coming out in January, and the new album is coming out in March. And there you have it—your breath of fresh air for the day! In a world filled with hyperbole and scattered focuses, Cecily recenters us with the ambient peace she exudes. Take a moment and explore her prismatic vocals by visiting the below-listed links. Cecily | Official Website Cecily | YouTube 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

Separatr’s music delves into the depths of human emotions, providing an introspective and relatable experience with poetic lyrics. < Back Separatr: Making Innovative Noise Pop Waves from Asbury Park Nicole Brice Feb 20, 2024 Share Separatr’s music delves into the depths of human emotions, providing an introspective and relatable experience with poetic lyrics. Have you ever had a band instantly resonate with your energy on many levels? For me, it does happen every so often, but the music must have the right combination of noise, groove, rhythm, and melody. Having recently learned of a noise pop duo out of New Jersey called Separatr from one of my favorite humans, Jeff Crespi, I decided to check out the band’s body of work. One listen to their EP “ Queen Ace ” on iTunes was all it took. I was hooked. Not only is the music tightly produced, but the artwork for the EP cover fits the mood and vibe of the tunes perfectly and the vocals are insanely good. Electronic music has always been a favorite of mine because of how it has revolutionized the industry with its distinctive style. Its rhythmic beats, synthesized melodies, and intricate production techniques make it a genre that continues to evolve and push the boundaries of musical creativity. With raw unfiltered energy, Separatr ’s music delves into the depths of human emotions, providing an introspective and relatable experience with poetic lyrics. From the pulsating synths on ' Obvious ' to the sonic rhythms on ' First In Line ', the Queen Ace EP explores a bevy of themes such as self-discovery, inner struggles, and societal observations. Credit: Jeff Crespi The embodiment of perseverance, drive, and dedication, Separatr is made up of vocalist Stephanie and her producer husband, Joe , who are currently embarking on a new direction with their music careers having recently relocated from Bellingham, Washington in 2023 to Asbury Park, New Jersey . Because of the intense scene the area has to offer, the duo chose New Jersey to continue their creative endeavors and they currently have many projects in the works. Mixed Alternative Magazine had the opportunity to chat with this up-and-coming duo recently to discuss their cross-country move, influences, and aspirations for the future, so take a moment to learn a little more about Separatr . MaM : You guys are from Bellingham, Washington, and are currently residing in Asbury Park, New Jersey. What was it like completely transplanting your life to move to a new area? How difficult was it to initially break into the scene in Asbury Park to start booking shows? Joe : It’s been great actually. The scene here is so supportive and welcoming. We’ve only been in Asbury since June 2023, but many people have heard our story and think it’s really cool. It’s actually how we’ve gotten a few shows. It’s really refreshing. MaM : What initially got you both into music to where you wanted to make your own? Stephanie : We both always have been into the idea of playing and performing. I’ve always been a singer. Growing up, people would tell me I had a good voice, and I tried to learn guitar, too, but I was just never truly into it, but I can play a little. I’ve always been a singer and a songwriter, though, but it was always in the back of my mind that I would do something with it. When Joe and I met, it started becoming more serious. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Tell us a little more about how the name of the band came about. I read that you took inspiration from a Radiohead song for the name. Joe : I liked the word graphically with how it looks, and it also is a little inside joke, too, since Radiohead is named after a Talking Heads ' song. So, it’s kind of like Talking Heads , Radiohead , and then Separatr . MaM : It’s a very unique name and it sets you apart. Now, as far as influences go with you guys, I made some notes. I wrote down if the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s met 12 Rounds and Kite Base and had a baby, then that would be Separatr. Who do you cite as your ultimate influence, though? Joe : I think that’s the first time I’ve heard someone else mention 12 Rounds . Atticus Ross – anything he does with Trent is amazing, but he’s pretty much part of Nine Inch Nails now, and it’s weird to think of them as a duo, but anything those two do is a huge influence on my production style. Stephanie : For sure, one of the first bands that we talked about when we first met was the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s . They were a big one for both of us. Joe : Yeah, I gave you a leaked copy of " It’s Blitz! ” before it came out. Stephanie : I had gotten into them with “ Show Your Bones ” and I love “ Fever to Tell ”. Certainly, Karen O is an influence on our music in a big way, and her range, too. You hear that with my singing, too, the way she’s not afraid to go crazy with her singing and then be delicate. Vocally, The Kills are an influence, too, with them being a duo. No Doubt and Garbage were huge for me growing up also. Gwen Stefani is a big one as well. Credit: Photo provided by band MaM : How would you describe the type of music you make for those not familiar? Joe : I like the term noise pop and anything that incorporates pop … alt-pop or dark pop . I think it really sets us apart from just being a rock band. Even locally, we try to make sure we play shows with other pop acts. We can get pretty loud and rocking, though, so for me, it’s more like a study in dynamics bringing in the loud/quiet/loud structure. MaM : Take us through the creative process. How do you come up with new concepts for songs? Joe : It’s always changing. Usually, I’m doing the production side by developing the sound. Stephanie writes the lyrics. We then come together to record vocals, but it’s ever-changing. MaM : As far as collaborations go, are there any musicians you want to work with in the future? Joe : I want to do a song with Blaise . Stephanie : He’s a local singer up here. We just performed a show that was a winter prom theme here in Asbury and it was our first time playing a show with him. He’s just a character and really talented. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : I haven’t heard of him but am going to look him up when we get off this call. If you had the opportunity to open for any major acts, are there any that you would just jump at the chance? Joe : Oh wow, that’s a great question. My mind goes to Sleigh Bells , but then that would be too similar to what we are doing. I’d open for Nine Inch Nails . Definitely. Stephanie : Yeah, totally, but there are so many that would be amazing. Joe : Or maybe even some big pop star, so we could have one foot in the pop world. MaM : If you weren’t doing music currently, what would you be doing? Joe : If I wasn’t doing music, if that somehow was not in my DNA, then I think I would be doing something with broadcasting. Looking back now, I wish I had gone to school for broadcasting. What I love about this band is making the content, doing live-streaming, video production, all of that. Stephanie : It’s an interesting time to be in music because there is so much more accessibility to produce your own music. That also means that it’s harder to make headway because there is so much going on. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Do you have a favorite song to perform? Joe : It changes so much. I would have to say, ' Deadstock '. Stephanie : I agree with that as well. Often, it’s whatever the newest song is. “ Deadstock ” has been really fun to perform live because it’s a bit different for us. At the prom show we played recently, everyone did a cover, and we did, “Take My Breath Away”. It was a lot of fun. Joe : I put some big heavy fuzz guitars over the chorus for ' Take My Breath Away' , which gave it a different sound. MaM: I would love to hear your rendition of that. Such a great song. Do you plan on releasing a cover of that? Stephanie : I think we will. We had several people coming up to us after telling us we should, so hopefully soon. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : What does the future hold for Separatr? Stephanie : We’re excited about some upcoming shows we have planned, and we should have some more music coming out this year at a more rapid rate. Joe : We’ve been doing this for a long time, but Separatr still feels like a new thing and we’re still learning and growing our community, so much more to come. Separatr is not just another band in the music industry; they are a breath of fresh air and a beacon of innovation. As they continue to evolve as a band, they are destined to leave a huge mark on the industry, so stay tuned and be sure to check out all their current music on your favorite streaming platforms. Bio Link: separatr Bandzoogle: Separatr ( bandzoogle.com ) 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 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . A huge thank you to Jeff Crespi for all of the amazing photos. Visit www.jeffcrespirocks.com to view more. Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The BIG Reveal are Off the Charts < Back Unveiling The BIG Reveal: Alabama’s Rising Alternative Rock Band Bud Gambrell Apr 7, 2025 Share The BIG Reveal are Off the Charts 395 ! Three hundred ninety-five miles. That amounts to a car ride lasting around six hours. You are likely asking yourself why this is relevant. Well, I will tell you. I was contacted on Tuesday of last week by my editor and publisher, Nicole , regarding a band she wanted me to research called The BIG Reveal . Just a quick sidenote: Nicole is the one who makes it possible for me to write these articles. She has been so very supportive of me since we first met. If you get the chance, stop by the contact page and show her some love. Let her know you appreciate what she does. Now, back to business. I reached out to the band she suggested, The BIG Reveal , and was able to interact with their manager, Chad Parker , to get things rolling. We had a nice conversation, and he provided me with some background information. It was enough information for me to dig in and learn what I could before I interviewed them. One thing to note about The BIG Reveal is that this is a young band , which I truly enjoy learning more about the up-and-coming talent out there. They are the future of music , so we need to delve deeply into the music they are creating. The music industry has become a shell of its former self, and with so many avenues to discover music, when you think about it, there really isn’t one good avenue. It’s all so cluttered, and amongst the clutter stands The BIG Reveal . Photo provided by band The number 395 I mentioned above represents the number of miles it would have taken me to get in my car and drive to Grand Bay, Alabama , where The BIG Reveal originates. Since that was not possible on short notice, I relied on the interwebs to assist me. We live in the glorious days of technology. We have YouTube , which hosts a plethora of videos. (Mark one off the bucket list. I got to use plethora in a sentence.) YouTube is great because you can see the video of a band, not just an audio recording . We also have social media pages at our disposal. Like many bands, The BIG Reveal has music available on their website , which is a feature that a good number of bands these days don’t even have. Can you believe that? When you can visit one spot to see it all, it makes things easier when researching a band. Once I did my homework, it was time to call the band and have a conversation. Dive in below to learn more about The BIG Reveal . OTC : Hello guys! Thanks for taking my call. Introduce me to the band. Gavin Parker : I'm Gavin . I play guitar and sing. Blake Hall : I'm Blake . I play drums. Luke Puckett : I'm Luke . I play bass and sing harmonies. OTC : How long have you guys been together? Gavin : We've been together for about a year, but Luke just came in a couple of months ago to play bass for us. OTC : How did you guys meet? Gavin : I started the band with a couple of friends from school, and we were having fun. We got pretty good, but then it started getting serious. So, they backed out because they had other commitments at school, such as sports. Then Blake , the drummer , ended up living like five minutes away from me. Someone gave me their number, and I contacted them. After we met, he started playing drums for me, and then we met Luke online a couple of months ago. Click to visit The Big Reveal's website OTC : Can you tell me about your musical background and how you got started? Gavin : My entire family plays music. I grew up around it and just listened to the ' 90s pop-rock stuff. It has been my favorite since I was a little kid. Blake : I started playing drums about two years ago. I have always liked music a lot and always loved the drums! Luke : No one in my family is musical whatsoever. I decided I really wanted to about four years ago. I've always been classically trained on the piano . That started when I was about six or seven years old. I took lessons, and then I self-taught myself the bass about four years ago. OTC : Did the bass clef from your piano lessons carry over to the bass guitar? Luke : Yes, sir, it did. It helped me learn bass guitar quickly. OTC : While I was talking to your manager, he mentioned the Arts Block Party at UAB . Tell me about that. Gavin : Yeah, that was back in September 2024 . We entered a competition they had. It was like 150 something submissions . People got to vote on four bands that they wanted to play at the Block Party . Our fans showed up to vote for us! So, we ended up playing there! Jemison Hall at UAB was really cool! Photo provided by band OTC : So, the competition with The Arts Block was going to be in Birmingham , and you guys are in South Alabama. Your fans must have really stepped up for that. Gavin : Yeah, so that's when our TikTok page was starting to get a lot of traction. We made a couple of videos, and they all went and voted for us. OTC : Tell me a little bit about your fan base. They seem to be loyal. Gavin : Our TikTok site started picking up around June 2024 . We currently have approximately 37,000 on there. The local fan base is pretty devoted! They come to a lot of our shows! Our fan base is pretty cool for voting for us in multiple competitions that we've won. OTC : You also won a radio competition for WCPR . Tell me about that competition. Gavin : That was a competition to play at the Biloxi Crawfish Festival . 97.9 , CPR Rocks was running an ad explaining where you could submit your band’s music, and then people could vote for you to play. So, again, the same people, the same thing. People voted for us to win. I guess they like us! We will be opening for Puddle of Mudd , Hinder , Cowboy Mouth , and Marcy Playground at the Crawfish Music Festival on April 26th . Click to go to 97.9 WCPR's website OTC : You have a new album coming out. I'm assuming it's your first time in the studio. Could you describe the process of recording the new album? Gavin : We tracked everything at our home studio. One of the bands that we met in Birmingham at the Arts Block Party connected us with their mixing engineer in Knoxville . So, we tracked everything at home, and then we sent it to him, and he makes it sound good. OTC : Can you share with me a memorable experience while recording the new album? Gavin : I'm trying to get everything right and not being too much of a perfectionist. Just getting it how we want it because it's going to be there forever. It’s our first album, so we’re trying to make it as good as possible. Upcoming shows for The BIG Reveal OTC : Did you learn anything about yourself through your music during that recording process? Gavin : The thing I learned is that I'm more of a perfectionist than I thought I was. It took a while for me to accept some stuff. Blake : I learned that recording is a lot harder than it seems. I prefer the live shows to the recordings. It's just a long process. OTC : How would you describe the music that you created for the new album? Gavin : I'll say that it's real close to ’ 90s alternative rock , pop rock , post-grunge stuff. One of my favorite bands is Sister Hazel . You can hear their influence on this album. The ’90s pop-rock stuff is really what this album is influenced by. OTC : Blake, what would you say your influences are? Blake : My influences are bands like Foo Fighters , Nirvana and Led Zeppelin . They have influenced the way I play. OTC : What about you, Luke? Luke : Nirvana for me as well, and The Beatles . And then there were a lot of the 90s bands, like Green Day . However, I also really enjoy alternative rock , such as Goo Goo Dolls and The Killers . OTC : What are your long-term goals for the band, and what are you most excited about for the future of your music? Gavin : I think the goal has always been to do it until we can't anymore. Just keep doing it, having fun, and getting a larger and larger fan base. Luke : I think for me, it's definitely that I want a tour. I would love to go on a tour. The BIG Reveal album release show coming on April 11, 2025 OTC : What role does your social media play in the way you're focusing your career? Gavin : Our social media got us some attention from a couple of major independent labels that we are keeping in contact with. It has really helped us out a lot. TikTok has been strong for us. We are able to record live videos of what we are doing. It’s a way to put yourself out there and let people know what you are doing. OTC : What's the most unusual fan interaction that you've had so far? Gavin : We had this guy at our very first show. He had a little too much to drink, and he ended up coming up and almost getting up on stage. He was pointing the finger at me and singing the wrong words. But he was having fun. Blake : They always want me to sign broken drumsticks. I hit hard during shows! OTC : You are a new band. Do you have a favorite venue that you’ve played at so far? Gavin : Bozos in Pascagoula. We're having our album release party there. People always show up there, and we always have a great time. We played at The Soul Kitchen in Mobile for 92.1 the ZEW 's Christmas show, which was pretty cool. OTC : I have one more question. I'm going to ask all three of you with this one to see what y'all come up with. If your band had a superpower, what would it be and why? Gavin : I would fly so that I could fly around. Fly around the shows and I could surf on my guitar—air surf, you know, with a wireless setup. OTC : Like the Silver Surfer ? Gavin : Yeah, that would be pretty cool. OTC : What about you, Luke? Luke : My mind is a little bit more practical. Just to be able to play everything and not mess up, and just be impervious to making mistakes. OTC : Blake, what do you got? If your band had a superpower, what would it be and why? Blake : Probably not to run out of energy. Three-hour shows can really take a toll on you! OTC : Any final thoughts for your fans, old and new? Gavin : Our debut album is set to release on April 11th on Spotify , TikTok , and across all our social media platforms. At an early stage in their musical journey, this group of young men already has a loyal following. The one thing missing from their fan base is you. Get on board! One thing I haven’t mentioned before is the band's age. I wanted this article to be based on their music, rather than having any preconceived notions about their youth. Gavin is only 16. Luke is 18 and Blake is 17. This is a promising young band, and they are only going to get better. Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com Website: https://bgambrellphotography.com Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell My new book Bud Gambrell Photography by Bud Gambrell | Blurb Books Where to find The Big Reveal: Website: The BIG Reveal Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557900071233 ‎ Apple Music: The BIG Reveal - Apple Music Spotify: The BIG Reveal | Spotify TikTok www.tiktok.com/@_thebigreveal *photos provided by the band www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Got something for Bud to check out? Reach him at the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Solid Alternative Rock < Back A Melodic Rock Offering: Caustic Waves Nicole Brice Feb 27, 2023 Share Solid Alternative Rock Hello guys and gals, I have some new music for your ears and, of course, I must share. I recently stumbled upon a musician out of Glasgow, Scotland , by the name of Neil Thomas . By day, he’s a full-time software engineer, and by night, he’s a producer with a lifelong passion for music that has culminated in his latest project, Caustic Waves . Although it is a new project, Neil has been in the business over 20 years. He started out in the mid-2000’s as the guitarist for the metal band Keitel and then switched to bass and backing vocals as part of the power-pop band The Chinaskis . Photo provided by artist With Caustic Waves , Neil combines elements from both bands into a melodic and solid rock offering with a tinge of a pop-rock vibe reminiscent of 90’s alt bands such as Trapt. Launched in March 2022 , Caustic Waves came onto the scene with the debut single ' Regenerate ,' which was the first in a series of single releases throughout 2022. Neil has continued to stay busy since then writing and recording new material. On Friday, March 3, 2023 , a new six-track EP titled Full Circle drops via all streaming platforms and as a limited-edition CD as well. Be sure to check out his new release once it drops and pay attention to the standout tracks ' Barriers ' and ' Idiocracy '. Full Circle releases March 3, 2023 via all streaming platforms We recently threw some questions Neil’s way so you could get a better feel for this up-and-coming artist and his work. MaM : If you could cite your favorite band as far as influence, who would it be? NT : Picking one is tough, but I'm going to go with Helmet. Their 90s output is absolutely essential for alternative/post-hardcore fans, and, in particular, their album 'Aftertaste' is a big influence on my sound. For me, it has the perfect blend of heavy guitars with strong vocal melodies. That's my aim with Caustic Waves—loud rhythm guitars underneath melodic vocals and layers of harmonies. The original Helmet drummer, John Stanier, is a huge influence, too. He has such a unique and identifiable groove, and my approach to drums is very much based on his style. MaM : We are huge Helmet fans here, too, so good pick. As far as vocal influences, who is your favorite front man? NT : Jonah Matranga (Far/Onelinedrawing etc) is a big influence on my vocal approach, and he's an absolute legend. In terms of a favourite front man, it's hard to look past Maynard James Keenan from Tool/A Perfect Circle. He is such an enigma on stage, and his voice is incredible. Photo provided by artist MaM : Good picks, again. You have excellent taste in music, and we approve. What type of guitar do you play and why? NT : I play a Schecter C-1 Diamond Series, which I've had since 2005. I bought that guitar when I played with my first band, Keitel. My approach to playing guitar hasn't really changed since then, which is why there's a strong late-90s/early-00s influence to the sound of Caustic Waves. I keep meaning to treat myself to a new guitar, but I still love to play my Schecter, and it suits my sound well. MaM : Ok, let’s talk gear. How do you achieve your sound and what pedals / gear was used in the recording of the new material? NT : Although I have a reasonable collection of pedals that I used for demos, the guitar tones on the EP were all achieved with the amp sim plugin, BIAS FX. Amp sim technology has progressed a lot since I started using Amplitube back in 2010, and it wasn't too hard to dial in the tones I was looking for. It was also somewhat out of necessity. I recorded the guitars at nighttime in my home studio when my kids were asleep downstairs. The drums are virtual too, using GetGood Drums - Modern and Massive. MaM : Give our readers a little more background about you and where you live. NT : I'm from Glasgow in Scotland. I was born and raised here. There's a brilliant music scene in Glasgow [and] Scotland, and I've been going to gigs since I was 15. Another one of my main influences are Biffy Clyro, who come from a town not too far from Glasgow. I first saw them play in a small pub in 1998, and now they're one of the biggest rock bands in the UK. Photo provided by artist MaM : Who all is involved in Caustic Waves? Just you? NT : It's just me! I'm a one-man band! For now, it's just a studio project, although I do miss playing live so I'm open to the idea of putting together a live band at some point in the future.I did have some guests on the EP: My brother-in-law Adrian McGurn (from the Irish traditional folk band Solás ) sang some harmonies on the ending section of ' Idiocracy .’ That part of the song is about the importance of education and investing in the next generation , so it felt appropriate, as Adrian is a teacher. He lived with us at the start of lockdown when schools were closed, and he home-schooled my two boys for a few months. It was during that time that I started recording the EP, and that's when we recorded his vocal tracks. There's also a cameo from my two boys, Jamie and Charlie , who helped me with some backing "woahs" in the middle section of ' Evolution '. To check out all that is Caustic Waves , hit the links below and be sure to check out Full Circle dropping on March 3, 2023! 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 Twitter: https://twitter.com/causticwaves TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@causticwaves *All photos provided by the artist 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

Best Heard Loud < Back Punk Rock with Ferocity: DeadCentered and USER UNAUTHORIZED Nicole Brice Jan 26, 2023 Share Best Heard Loud When one thinks of punk music, the stereotypical image of spikey hair, leather jackets, and studded bracelets and belts comes to mind, but punk music can take on many forms and a uniform is NOT required. Punk Rock is order. Everything else is just chaos. Straight out of Baton Rouge, La., DeadCentered is an aggressive hardcore punk band with a little rock and roll and some thrash thrown in. Although their sound can seem a little unhinged at times, their vibe is truly unique and different. Each member of the band gives their all during a performance, and you can see the love for the music and the craft shine through each time, especially with the banter in between songs. Like a well-oiled machine, the band is comprised of Joshua Michael Selser on guitar / vocals, Justin Tatman on bass, and Mike Poole on drums. With the classic three-piece band, these guys have solidified their sound. With many line-up changes over the years, their current offering is one to take notice of because the sound is so tight. With three EP’s under their belt, their latest one released in 2021 is titled “Strongholds, Sheep, and Scapegoats", and the band continues to forge ahead with writing and recording new material for future releases. Selser first picked up the guitar at 13 years old and shortly after, he taught himself bass, too. Multi-talented and multi-faceted, he lends his talent to other bands besides DeadCentered like T. Mason & the Bricklayers. Drawing inspiration from a family of musicians, and from some of his favorites such as Tom Waits, Dave Mustaine, Minor Threat, and Black Sabbath, Joshua’s talent radiates with charisma. Maintaining a busy schedule of playing music and overseeing many other projects not related to music, Josh’s passion for life and art shows in all he does. credit: Gary Governale Mike Poole is a busy man playing drums in three bands locally, but that doesn’t stop him from loving every minute of it. Citing Phil Collins as his main inspiration to play, Mike’s skills are top notch and his ferocity on the kit sets him apart from many others. credit: Gary Governale Justin Tatman is no stranger to the local music scene either, with many years of experience under his belt from playing in bands like Left with Everyday, Ghosts in Low Lights, and Minus One. In September 2022, Justin joined DeadCentered and has been jamming with them ever since. Justin’s main drive to playing music is, “being able to communicate emotionally through sound. Through sound, I’m able to express myself by being REALLY loud and grabbing the listener’s attention.” He goes on to say, “the most amazing thing to me about music is you don’t even need words to communicate feelings. You can just let the music take you there.” Although not a technical player, Justin always puts his entire heart into his playing and looks forward to the future with DeadCentered. L to R: Mike Poole, Justin Tatman, and Joshua Michael Selser Recently, the band teamed up with USER UNAUTHORIZED from Austin, Texas to play a show in the parking lot of Safe Voyage Tattoo in Denham Springs, LA. It was the perfect setting to hang out and listen to some good music, plus nothing is more punk rock than playing a show in a non-traditional setting and venue. The thing that first struck me as unique with USER UNAUTHORIZED was the female bass player. To be honest, any band that has a female on bass has my seal of approval right away. She was tiny, but her playing was fierce. I later found out that she not only plays bass, but guitar, too. Their set opened with a punch right to the gut and had me hooked instantly. The aggressive guitar and drums with Sage’s vocals set the tone for a raw in-your-face sound. Formed in 2019, USER UNAUTHORIZED plays hardcore punk, and they play it loud. With an impressive discography under their belt thus far, you must check out their music. USER UNAUTHORIZED is Sage (vocals/bass), Johnny Cash (guitar), Rooster (drums), and Isabella (bass/guitar). DeadCentered played last and opened with “To Live” and then pounded through a savage set ending with “Joyless Life of Discontent.” These guys truly love what they do, and it shows. Joshua’s playing is always on point, and his musicianship is top notch. Check out this video from the show: Be sure to check out the social media for both DeadCentered and USER UNAUTHORIZED and stream their music. You won’t regret it. Links are below. USER UNAUTHORIZED: 𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐑 𝐔𝐍𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐃 (@userunauthorized) • Instagram photos and videos Music | User Unauthorized (bandcamp.com) 𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐑.𝐔𝐍𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐙𝐄𝐃 | Austin TX | Facebook USER UNAUTHORIZED (@UUnauthorized) / Twitter ‎User Unauthorized on Apple Music Spotify – User Unauthorized DeadCentered: DeadCentered | Facebook DeadCentered Official (@deadcentered_official) • Instagram photos and videos Strongholds, Sheep and Scapegoats | DeadCentered (bandcamp.com) Stream DeadCentered music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud ‎DeadCentered on Apple Music DeadCentered (@dead_centered) / Twitter 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

‘Pitiful’ sets a new direction for the music of XIII Minutes. < Back Reviews on the Real: XIII Minutes ‘Pitiful’ is a Hard-Hitting Reflection on Overcoming Adversity Nicole Brice Oct 30, 2024 Share ‘Pitiful’ sets a new direction for the music of XIII Minutes. Releasing November 1, 2024 , ' Pitiful ' by XIII Minutes is a powerful anthem and is THE perfect song to set a new direction for the band’s music. It's a sound that's hard to compare, and it's a sound that I can't wait to hear more of. We’ll see more of this band in the press in 2025. Just watch. 'Pitiful' releases everywhere November 1, 2024 ' Pitiful ' kicks off with a distant chorus of voices, setting the stage for a unique sound that will pique your curiosity. The song then builds to a thematic climax in the introduction, jamming right out the gate. Melodic lyrics start taking hold when your head nods as the pre-chorus starts in. Crunching guitars, precision drumming that will leave you in awe, and a solid chorus make this song one that you’ll be listening to on repeat in no time. “‘Pitiful’ tackles the topic of addiction (of any form) and shows it for what it is – a trap. There’s something very human about the desire to escape from life’s pain. It’s a relatable feeling, but our goal is to inspire listeners to engage in life in a much deeper and raw way. There is hope in the journey, and we can only begin to understand that hope when we tackle our pain head-on and sober.” I previously reviewed ‘ Cult Leader ,’ which has an entirely different sound than ‘ Pitiful .’ The production on ‘ Pitiful ’ is tight, and the entire song ends with you still wanting more. While the song's brevity leaves you craving more, it also adds to its charm, and is a testament to its quality. “We understand that not everything can be wrapped up in a 3–4-minute song, but despite tackling darker subject matter, we always want to sprinkle seeds of hope in our songs.” XIII Minutes has been around for a while, consistently delivering high-quality melodic rock throughout the years. However, they didn’t come onto my radar until earlier this year. Since then, they've quickly become one of my new favorite bands, especially after their previous release, Cult Leader . ‘ Pitiful ’ is a perfectly orchestrated song with textures, rhythm, and soaring vocals. The song will stick with you long after it has finished and resonate with anyone who likes a solid, melodic rock song. “One can never discount what an amazing producer can do to bring ideas to life and help a band funnel them in creating a focused output. In the writing of ‘ Pitiful ,’ we worked with producer extraordinaire Kevin Gates at Reach Audio , who, among others, has produced music by Afroman . Kevin brought out the best in us, and I think this song reflects just how amazing he is.” I’ve listened to ‘ Pitiful ’ five times, and it gets even better each time. If you truly want to enjoy It, might I suggest an excellent pair of headphones? They will make your listening experience much better. Stream ‘ Pitiful ’ everywhere on November 1st . For more information on XIII Minutes : Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org XIII Minutes - Wikipedia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xiiiminutesofficial/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/170qLAyfpGyLLTCu1QcDhL Rottweiler Records: www.rottweilerrecords.com XIII Minutes | Rottweiler Records Bandcamp: thirteenminutes.bandcamp.com XIII Minutes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xiiiminutesband/ Reverb Nation: YouTube: www.youtube.com XIII Minutes Band After a few years of silence, XIII Minutes is back — reforged as their strongest, hardest-hitting iteration yet. The hard rock band made a name for themselves with their album Obsessed, released in 2019 via Rottweiler Records. The album spawned the track “Who Told You,” which topped Christian rock charts. But life seasons changed, and the band went dark. Until now. “I think the focus on the culture and collective goals is what sets this era apart,” reflects Jamie Kucinski, band founder and drummer. “Through every step and experience, clarity has presented itself. Even during the hiatus, I began to better understand what I wanted to accomplish.” That steady focusing in led Kucinski to recruiting a new lineup in 2023, a lineup united under the common purpose of the band’s culture: a culture defined by hope, community and fun. 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 mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Pacifico < Back The Importance of Self Care Keeley Brooks Nov 4, 2022 Share Pacifico Sometimes there are bands, and sometimes there’s a band with an artist who just makes you smile simply because he’s so authentic. Ladies, gents, and non-binary peoples, meet Matthew Schwartz—a man of many, many talents. I really don’t know where to begin with this guy. On top of being super humble and very kind, Schwartz is a man of many talents. He’s a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, podcast host, and, if I do say so myself, quite the poet. He is the band Pacifico, out of Atlanta, Georgia. If the name sounds somewhat familiar to you, it kind of should. Pacifico formed in 1999 and made some pretty big career marks through the mid-2000s by being lucky enough to have their songs featured in movies ( Wish for Christmas ), on TV shows ( Now What? , Sausage Factory ), in video games (“Rock Band Download”), and on the radio. After seeing some success full of label showcases, touring, and, as Matthew puts it, “a failed attempt to move to California,” the band needed a break and amicably parted ways. That’s when Pacifico the group became Pacifico the one-man band. Mostly. Matthew enjoys collaborating with other musicians on his albums. “I LOVE to collaborate with people. I think it only helps to make the music better,” says Schwartz. “For the new album, I collaborated with Shane Tutmarc of Dolour, Peter Randall—bass player for Adele, Matt Bowers of House Of Fools, Ben Herrington of Minos The Saint, Matt Tuttle of Codeseven, and the famous producer Aaron Sprinkle.” I was lucky enough to get to rap with Matthew about Pacifico and his upcoming album, "Self Care". KB : So, Matthew, was this your dream as a kid, or did it just sort of develop? MS : Like most kids my dreams changed often. First, I wanted to be in the army, or a police officer, then it was a baseball player. It wasn’t until I was about 14 that I realized I had musical talent and wanted to be a musician. There have been many times in my adult life, though, that I have also considered being a teacher, a comedian, or a writer. (In a round-about way, Matthew, you are, Dude. You are.) KB : You’re a multi-instrumentalist. Tell us what instruments you play and what the first one was you learned to play, then what followed. MS : My first instrument was piano. I used to make up songs and then my parents got me lessons. Trumpet was my second instrument. I played in symphonic and marching band. Then I learned the guitar and never looked back. From there it just grew. I can play a little bit of almost every instrument, but I’m not really great at any of them. KB : I’ve heard your music. With all due respect, that’s a lie. (laughs) So how’d the name Pacifico originate, anyway? MS : Joel (friend and former drummer) and I were driving around in his truck trying to think of a cool band name that would represent the music we were creating. We thought about how Radiohead took their name from a Talking Heads’ song and so thought about one of our favorite bands, Starflyer 59. Couldn’t think of a name that related to them that we liked but their drummer had just put out an album by his side project, The Lassie Foundation, called Pacifico. We liked that it meant peaceful and we liked that it made us think of the West Coast and the Pacific, so we took it. We later found out they were inspired by the beer, which we incidentally have been sponsored by before too. KB : That’s amazing. I understand you have three albums out (“Thin Skin and an Open Heart”, “Without Heroes”, “Everest”) with a fourth on the way. Tell us about these and where you drew your inspiration. MS : [My fourth album] "Self Care" is due out February 10th, 2023. Each album has been a snapshot of where I was and [is] focused around a central theme. “Thin Skin and an Open Heart” was recorded in CA with one of my heroes, Jason Martin of Starflyer 59. The songs were mostly written around different issues my friends were going through at the time, with some of my life and experiences thrown in. “Without Heroes” is the first Pacifico album I produced and its songs were all centered around the heroes I had in my life, as well as the lack of heroes I was seeing in our world. “Everest” was my attempt to challenge myself and our listeners by creating more complex lyrics and music that was wrapped in confectious melodies in hopes people wouldn’t notice. The new album "Self Care" deals with different ways to look at mental health and self-care from self-motivation, to encouraging others, drawing healthy boundaries, and more. KB : As an author who openly writes about my own mental health struggles, you don’t know how happy that makes me to hear. Speaking of the upcoming album, aptly titled "Self Care," you went through some shit with this one. I know your soul is in it. Tell us how this album came to be, "and why it's called "Self Care." MS : It started from an apparent failed attempt to quit music. I was looking through old demos and realizing I had several really great songs and ideas that needed to be finished and released. I came into the beginning of this process thinking this might be my last album. Right before I started this project I had moved back to Georgia and in the process realized I had some trauma I needed to work through, then my eldest brother passed, and we had a pandemic. I decided I needed help, I got a therapist and I guess a lot of my work ended up in this album. When looking through the themes on the album, I thought no other name would aptly sum up what [it’s] about, self-care. KB : There’s currently a new single out now called “Don’t Play Dead.” Tell me about that. MS : When compiling the songs for "Self Care," I was going through all my demos and ideas. I came across this chord structure that I liked but previously couldn't create anything with. For some reason, after several tries with no luck, I was finally inspired. At that time, my wife was overcome with anxiety and depression, so much so that she felt defeated and had become immobile. I wanted nothing more than to give her comfort and take away her pain. Writing this song was the least I could do. Just like that, the words and melody came to me and the song basically wrote itself. KB : What's your intention with "Self Care?" What do you want people to know? MS : I don’t know if there is an intention per se, but I do want people to know that they matter, and that they are not alone. We all have something going on. Give yourself love and grace, and then extend that same love and grace to others. KB : It’s heavily apparent your music is not just music. This is you, your thoughts, your feelings, your energy, your emotions. And as listeners, I think people can’t help but feel your emotion and intention behind each song. Even in the way you play your instruments. How has that carried you along the way through any difficult or trying times? I’m sure it has been very cathartic and healing. MS : You are correct. My music is very much a part of me and the relationship I have had with music and the music business has been nothing less than challenging. It's always very cathartic and healing to finish a song and/or recording but releasing the music is much more complex. When I finally release a song or an album it's like putting your child in a beauty contest. I know I think it's beautiful and without flaws, but it's no longer up to me. It's hard to just let them go and see if people connect and what they think. At that point they are no longer my songs, they are everyone's. The way they come to me, I wonder if they ever were mine to begin with. No matter what, I almost always get some sort of postpartum depression. KB : I can relate to that for sure. Have you had any major epiphanies that’ve come to you while writing or recording? MS : Trust your gut, follow your heart, run ideas by people you trust, be open to criticism, never settle for less than you want, and always be open to experimentation and improvising. KB : I understand you also host a podcast called Moontraveling. What’s that about? MS : I was lucky enough to become friends with one of my heroes and mentors, [producer] Aaron Sprinkle. It was started as a platform for him to tell stories and talk about all the amazing albums he’s done and although we do talk about those things, it really has become a podcast about music, and life. We talk about anything that affects us both: deconstruction, love, life, our interests, music, friendships, and more. KB : Any current shows right now? If not, when will you be back on stage? MS : I just lost my booking agent (if anyone is a booking agent please let me know!). I would love to be on the road! I also don’t currently have a band [to go out and play shows with], so if you are in the Atlanta area and like my music, hit me up. Otherwise, I am working on some sort of album release party in February, and I will be playing some online shows here and there. [People can] follow me on social [media] or sign my mailing list so [they] don’t miss any announcements. So, my dear readers, now you can go like and follow and sign up for Matthew’s/Pacifico’s mailing list. You can find him at www.PacificoRock.com and https://linktr.ee/pacificorock will take you guys to everything. Pacifico (@pacificorock) • Instagram photos and videos Profile / Twitter Facebook YouTube Pacifico | Spotify Stream Pacificorock music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud ‎4.11.15 - Single by Pacifico on Apple Music *Photo cred: Mike Dunn, provided by Matthew Schwartz * 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

“Sulking in Love” features powerful ballads as gateways to the darkness that lurks beneath personal distress. < Back Shawn Williams: Sulking in Love Ryne Hancock Sep 27, 2023 Share “Sulking in Love” features powerful ballads as gateways to the darkness that lurks beneath personal distress. New Orleans native and singer/songwriter Shawn Williams loves the nighttime. “The nighttime is when we are mostly alone by ourselves, stuck with whatever’s going on, whether it’s sadness or happiness,” she once wrote on her website when describing the inspiration behind most of her songs. For 13 years, Williams worked as a radio personality and program director at various stations in Atlanta, New York, and New Orleans before she decided to strike out on her own in 2017. As a hauntingly soulful singer/songwriter with a throaty rasp and sardonic lyrics , Shawn brought forth her brand of Americana, which, according to her, is a mixture of alt-rock, country, and serial killer blues , with her first album “Shadow.” Her next album, “Motel Livin,’” which garnered favorable reviews from local music outlets like OffBeat Magazine , released in 2018. Since breaking out on the New Orleans music scene six years ago, Williams has been a mainstay on the popular local WHIV-FM country music show “NOLA Country Radio.” She has also been featured in the aforementioned OffBeat Magazine , Ireland’s Lonesome Highway , and Europe’s Country People Magazine and was nominated for three “Best of the Beat” awards last year. credit: Christopher Bryson Recently, Williams released her third album in four years and fifth album overall with “Sulking in Love,” which was produced with assistance from Mark Howard, who was at the helm on albums such as the Neville Brothers’ “Yellow Moon” and Peter Gabriel’s “Us.” “Sulking in Love” is layered and textured in sound and is like a cross between Lucinda Williams and PJ Harvey but reads more like the tale of a woman ready to move on from a relationship than anything else, hence the title of the album. “Sulking in Love” showcases “cut-throat guitar melodies fused with pure muscle jazz” as Williams’ powerful ballads build on danger, tension, and the Crescent City after dark. Her powerhouse vocals matched with her Cajun folk twang creates a sultry atmosphere for listeners to experience. “Sulking in Love” is full of surprise moments like, for example, the big solo on “Givin’ Up,” which features the guitar framed by what sounds like a vintage Mellotron, which is pretty cool. A few weeks ago, Shawn took time from her busy tour schedule to talk with me about her music, the Americana scene in the Crescent City, and the trials and tribulations of being a working musician in New Orleans. MaM : You worked as a radio programmer before hitting it on the road as a singer/songwriter. With the way radio is set up now, most notably in the country genre, what positives or negatives have you seen in terms of radio play for americana/country? Shawn : I've been writing songs since I was 10 and playing guitar since I was 14. In any genre, it's hard for artists to get mainstream/commercial radio airplay unless you're backed by the big labels and big money. What's great about New Orleans is that people support their local, independent radio stations, like WTUL, WWOZ, and WHIV because they play local artists … artists like Lucinda Williams or Ryan Adams who don't get mainstream support but are still big. MaM : Two years before the pandemic, you had two albums out. After we all went on lockdown, you then released your third album, "The Fear of Living, The Fear of Loving." Would you say the pandemic was the fuel behind your creative input now that you have released three albums in four years? Shawn : That third overall album was fueled by a breakup, drinking (because what else was there to do at that time?), dark times, and by the song "Change . " I first wrote "Change" and I was like, “What the hell? What else am I going to do? Let me record a whole album on my phone," which I never wanted to do because of the quality, but I went for it for fun. I wrote all of the songs within a week , played all of the instruments—some of which I've never played before—and made my album how I wanted it to sound in every aspect. I actually had a Kickstarter going at the end of 2019 to record a third album in a real studio, but when the shutdown happened, that idea got nixed. When things picked back up, I started recording the fourth overall album in 2021 and released it in the summer of 2022, and then a few months later I started recording my fifth overall album and released it a few months later. MaM : In the short time I've followed your career, you've been traveling over to Pensacola, Fla., mostly to do shows. Is it due to the pay for gigs there as opposed to gigs here in New Orleans, or the Americana scene here in the city? credit: Jessica Moody Shawn : It's due to pay and the change of the music scene in New Orleans since the shutdown; although, leading up to it, the [NOLA] scene was already beginning to derail. All the clubs on Frenchmen Street other than Checkpoint Charlie (which rarely has music anymore), unfortunately want the same sound, the same five cover songs, and that's just not me. They rip off musicians. I don't want to have my players put up with working their butts off for no money and no respect. Now I'm just playing select venues and shows, places in the city that I want to play and that respect the music and the musicians, and spending the rest of my time on the road. MaM : On your album you have a song called "Society." From what I've gathered , you've never been big on political songs. What inspired you to write that one? Shawn : Yeah, I don't think I really have any politically driven songs, other than a few lines in some songs. Last summer, I was living in my RV on a farm and staying in Pensacola for the summer while touring and doing some shows on the coast and up north. Prices doubled in places to rent in New Orleans, and I couldn't afford anything. I was pissed that I couldn't go back to the place that I was born because of gentrification and the mayor killing our city and culture. And that's how the song began, as you can tell in the first couple of lines. It also touches on the city’s crime, but how crime begins at the top and with our leaders. I also have some lines in there about the pumps, Sewerage and Water Board, and the 5G towers all around the French Quarter. MaM : One of the members of the famous Neville family, Omari, is featured on "Sulking in Love." What was it like working with New Orleans music royalty? Shawn : It was killer!!! And I've never felt so fortunate to get to work with some badasses. It was my first time meeting Omari Neville , who plays on percussion and drums on this album, Daryl Johnson, who’s worked with The Neville Brothers, Emmylou Harris , and the Meters, who plays bass and percussion plus provides backing vocals, as well as Michael Chaves, who is on the guitar, keyboards, harmonica, and tambourine. L to R: Michael Chavez, Mark Howard, Shawn Williams, Daryl Johnson, Omari Neville (from artist website) It was important to have some New Orleans musicians on the album because the city is important to me and [is] a part of my sound and myself. They were all fun and easy to work with … [we] definitely vibed quickly. I’m thankful to have Omari as part of my band and live shows now! MaM : What do you expect your listeners to get out of this new album? Also , are there any upcoming shows in New Orleans on the horizon? Shawn : Like I hope for with all of my albums, I hope they get rawness, vulnerability, and are able to connect with the album. Plus, appreciation to the guys and how incredible they did on the album! On October 1, we'll be playing at Toulouse Theatre with our friends Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue opening up! "Sulking in Love" is currently available on most streaming outlets. For more on Shawn Williams, her music, and her tour schedule , visit her online at www.ShawnWilliamsMusic.com or at any of the below-listed links! Facebook: @ShawnWilliamsMusic Bandcamp: shawnwilliamsmusic.bandcamp.com *cover image by Shannon Moon 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

If you want a good song to get the mood going at your next party, ‘Let the Moonshine’ is it! < Back Reviews on the Real: Let the Moonshine by Chris Pryor featuring Amber Lynn Nicole Brice Dec 21, 2025 Share If you want a good song to get the mood going at your next party, ‘Let the Moonshine’ is it! Those who know me know I am not a fan of country music unless it’s only stuff like some Hank Williams . Still, in the past few years, I’ve begun to embrace some of the newer country music I’ve been hearing, like the latest from Louisiana’s own Chris Pryor featuring Amber Lynn . Released on November 21, 2025 , ‘ Let the Moonshine ’ is a high-energy four-minute ride that never lets up. This song starts so strong right out of the gate, and never, I mean, never lets up. If you want a good song to get the mood going at your next party, ‘ Let the Moonshine ’ is it. Released November 21, 2025 “‘Let the Moonshine’ isn’t just a song; it embodies every time I heard 'no,' every setback I turned into motivation, and every late night spent pursuing something meaningful. It’s about resilience, redemption, and the enduring fire within us,” Pryor explains. Written by Kenneth Kleinpeter and produced by Chris Pryor , ' Let the Moonshine ' was recorded at Brignac Lane Studio in St. Amant, LA , and mastered by Robert Smith at Audiosmith Studio in Baton Rouge . The track features a steady groove with irresistible guitar melodies that grab hold of you and don’t let go. Once the guitar fuzz kicks in, you know you’re in for a treat. The strong sing-along chorus concludes with the memorable lines, “Let the Moonshine.” This latest release continues the momentum from Chris Pryor’s previous release, ‘ Just Take a Look at Me ,’ in 2024. It’s fun, it’s danceable, and it’s just a good time. 'Let the Moonshine' lyric video 'Let the Moonshine' is available now on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music , and all major digital platforms. To learn more: YouTube: Chris Pryor - YouTube Facebook: Facebook Instagram: The Main Event (@maineventrocks) • Instagram photos and videos 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

Bangin' Out the Hits < Back Tank and the Bangas C.G. Smith Jan 5, 2023 Share Bangin' Out the Hits In the fall of 2015, my wife and I had been living in New Orleans for nearly six months. A co-worker had been talking up this band to me for a while, so we made the trek across town to The Maple Leaf bar on Oak St. to catch the show. The band was New Orleans’ own Tank and the Bangas. Their high-energy, infectious performance and wonderfully arranged music changed our idea of what a local band could be. From that point on we were fans and made it out to every Tank and the Bangas performance we could. These days the ticket prices are a little more expensive than in those earlier days, the stages are usually much bigger, and their music has evolved a bit from those early club performances, but the group is still just as grounded as they ever have been. credit: Jacob Walker I had the good fortune to be able to sit down with the group at the Uptown New Orleans restaurant Molly’s Rise and Shine after business hours and talk about their beginnings, their evolution over the years, and what the future holds for the now twice Grammy-nominated band. MaM : First off, I want to thank y’all so much for being here. I also wanted to thank Lauren and Mason of Molly’s Rise and Shine for letting us use this unique space. We are very grateful. Is this the first time you’ve been here? Tank : Yes. Norman : Yeah, I’ve never been here before. MaM : The chicken biscuit is fire. Tank : That’s good to know. (playfully) What? You think we just like chicken or something? Albert : What about the vegan options? Tank : What? You think we’re vegan or somethin’? Norman : The chickens were vegan. They only fed them grain. [laughter] MaM : Your hard work has led to so much success. It really shows – how much you all enjoy performing for an audience. How did y’all deal with the pandemic? Not being able to tour, did it help or hurt the band? I know "Friend Goals" came out of it, but overall, with the pandemic, how did it affect you? Tank : I think both, right? The only hurting I would say is because it’s hard to get back into the specific rhythm of touring. The world still is a bit scared, so the numbers aren’t exactly the same as they were pre-Covid. I would say that is the only hurting, but the helping, I mean, we got "Friend Goals." It’s such a good little EP. We had fun making it. Before that we were on tour so much. It was a nice little break at the perfect time. We needed it. We was [sic] like, ‘Oh my gosh, people cook regular food and sleep up in their regular beds, and go for regular walks?’ Norman : After being off schedule for like weeks, and weeks, and weeks, it was like every day at eleven o’clock, ‘What y’all doin’? Y’all still up?’ Yeah, we wide awake, doin’ nothin’. Tank : I watched Paternity Court a lot. I ate a lot of crawfish. Norman : I really got to sit with myself. I was like, ‘Wow, this is how I am? Okay, gotta change some stuff.’ Some of it’s cool, but I got to know me a little bit during Covid. Albert : Oh yeah. Tank : Yeah, we all had those little moments. You know I was cool while we was [sic] on break, then the next shit came around and I was like, ‘Wait a minute, what’s goin’ on with the schedule? Wait a minute now, wait a minute! What you mean we are cancelling again?' ‘Cause you know, of course, we had to survive. We thought of creative ways to do it. We had a lot of little shows with virtual performances, which is cool and lame all at the same time. (imitates interacting with a virtual crowd) ‘Throw your hands up!’ Albert : Only the ends of songs are lame because you finish with a big finish and there’s just crickets. Tank : And there’s nothin’. Just a bunch of hearts and thumbs up and, ‘Love you guys!’ Norman : But we appreciated such silent love! Albert : You just hear hard breathing like ‘Dancing with the Stars’ contestants. Tank : (imitates hard breathing at the end of a performance) ‘Thank y’all, thank y’all!!’ Norman : It means y’all were sittin’ there watchin’ this happen, so it was definitely appreciated for real. The band used to have the occasional parties in the backyard of Tank’s Auntie Tee Tee’s house in the Lower 9th Ward back before their breakthrough with NPR’s Tiny D esk concert. MaM : The backyard parties at the Yum Yum were so much fun. My wife and I went to at least two or three of them. Any plans to do anything like that in the future, or is that just off the table now? credit: Shambala Festival 2022 Tank : Oh, no. We definitely want to do that in the future. We miss it. Every time we go in the backyard, we’re like, ‘We gotta get one of these goin’ again.’ We just never know when Auntie’s gonna feel like doing it, honestly! We all have to be in the mood at the same time, so that lets you know how beautiful – how everything had to be lined up so perfectly and feel like doing one. It takes a lot of work. Albert : Big, big picture though, Norm and Ta talk a lot about, ‘What if we did a festival? What if there was [some]thing that was a hub, a Bangaville thing? The idea of community … especially performance community is always going around. Norman : Bangafest. Tank : Bangafest sounds dope. MaM : I’d go! Tank : I know you would! Norman : We don’t even have to travel for that! MaM : From Tank’s run with SNO, to those early open mics, to playing major festivals on the biggest stages in the world, can you tell us about some of your best and not so great moments? Tank : Whoa, mmm. Let me see ... best definitely was um, .... all the time! We have a good time! The best memorable moments: Coachella, Jimmy Fallon, The Apollo, Glastonbury was beautiful. Norman : Yo, I got a bad one. We were in Germany, and we didn’t have our luggage ... Josh : We didn’t have our clothes! Norman : We had to perform in our pajamas. Tank : We was [sic] in a barn. Norman : The gear was all wrong. I had a Motif instead of a Cronos. Oh man, that was a day. Tank : Yeah, that was a crazy one. Norman : We were still in another country playing music, doing something we love. [Tank talking about the mural where we did the photo shoot:] Tank : That [mural] was painted by an artist, not just done online? MaM : Yeah, hand painted for the restaurant by an artist named Ken Cox. Albert : The process of breakfast on acid. Tank : That’s some crazy color right there. Albert : The cost of your eggs. MaM : Your version of “What the World Needs Now,” I was blown away by it when it first came out and I just heard it again on shuffle the other day. How did that track come about? Any stories from that recording? Tank : It was supposed to be bigger, something different than it was. Josh : It was on some heal-the-world, Quincy Jones-type stuff. It was a lot of fun to be able to call friends, people we cared about, and family members as well to help us create that entire New Orleans ordeal. It was such a great thing to be a part of and find all those voices in the right spots. Norman : It came out beautiful. Josh : And we had to do it in like one day or something! Albert : We had people come in on schedules, that had to come in for 45 minutes. Oh, we gotta stop and do this trumpet part! Okay, get outta’ here, come on! Thank you, man! Alright, see ya!” Josh : David Shaw came in so late at night. Tank : I love David on that. I just wish we would have [sic] got him recorded singing on it. I loved him on it. I loved everybody on it. Especially since we were just getting people that we wouldn’t even normally day to day work with, but we knew in the community. I loved what everybody added to it. It was perfect. Josh’s nephew, my niece--we were crying when Sunny was doing her poem and the children was [sic] singing. I think that was the last time we was [sic] all together. It was just so special. It really was what the world needs now. MaM : For the time we were all in, it was perfect. Tank : I know. It really felt awesome. Josh : That was a fire question. No one ever asks that. MaM : You’ve already worked on projects with some amazing artists. Who are some of your dream collaborators, past or present? Tank : Present – we’ve done with Layla, that was a dream for sure. Alex Isley is a dream, and Robert Glasper ... people that we just put out there that we can’t believe that we was [sic] able to make music with later on. Josh : That Blue Note whole thing was fire. Tank : Blue Note was amazing. Josh : That’s a whole list of people that was special. Tank : Juno is a future collaborator for sure. Kendrick Lamar and Stevie Wonder. credit: Jacob Walker Norman : Amahd Jamal, I’m waiting on that. Albert : Can we go to the past? Do they have to be living? Roy Hargrove, you know he passed, but man, that’s music that I grew up with and really stuff that shaped me and made me seek out sounds like this band. Norman : Same, yo. You talkin’ ‘bout ‘Like Water for Chocolate,' that’s Roy. That’s a Common album that D’Angelo, Roy, Questlove, all of them did, RH Factor. All that shit. Albert : The ‘Straight Ahead’ album. His Cuban album? He’s so good. Josh : All right – Kirk Franklin. Take that. I wanna work with him. Norman : Listen, I really want to work with Warryn Campbell. If you [sic] out there, [if] you hear this, somebody send it to him. If you know him, if he’s your cousin, tell him Tank and the Bangas want to work with him. I ain’t jokin’. Tank : For some reason I don’t feel like that’s very far away, even though we don’t know him. I feel like it’s a degree of separation. MaM : I know faith and family are important to you. With all the touring and recording y’all have been doing, how hard is it for you to find time away from the band for family, etc.? Is it easier to get that time now that you’ve had some success? Norman : I try to take some intentional time to focus on the family. MaM : Wasn’t it in your rider that you had Sundays off so you could play at church? Norman : That was back when I was playing at church more, but that isn’t really my focus anymore. Kids though? Got ballet comin’ up, art class comin’ up, we skatin’ … tryin’ to keep them out the Matrix, man. I’m tryin’ to give some real people time, you know what I mean? I didn’t get a lot of people-time growin’ up, so I figured out a lot on my own. I don’t want them to have to do that. Aside from that, God is everything; church ain’t. credit: Jacob Walker MaM : What are some of your favorite things about being a ‘Banga’? Josh : Easy. The best part about it is it’s me. I don’t have to be nothin’ else or put on to be nothin’ because it’s literally … me. Just like she don’t [sic] really gotta do nothin’ [sic] to be Tank, that’s just who she is as a person. I really like watching how other people interpret what a Banga is to them. I really enjoy that part, but I don’t know; I just be myself. Being a Banga is just kinda who we are as us. Albert : I think the best part of being a Banga is getting to make and participate in making, for me, the music you dreamed of making as a child. Josh : Big facts. Norman : I realized over the years [that] we are therapists, we are healers. We bring in vibrations, which water responds to, and 75% of that is standing in the audience. When we was [sic] first starting, people would come to the shows over and over and I was like, ‘What the hell? What is wrong with these people? We just seen you last week! This is the same show, goofy; what you doin’?’ Tank : It is not the same show though, never! Josh : It’s not the same show though. MaM : My wife and I were one of those crazy people at every show we could get to, especially that 2015 - 2018 time period. We were obsessed. “Themeparks” was one of our wedding songs. Tank : That’s sweet! Norman : Didn’t we write that on Golden Drive in Chalmette? Tank : I think so. Norman : We wrote that in my living room! Tank : I had a relationship, and I just wanted to talk about all of the good parts of it, and the fun parts of it, you know? That’s what it was for. Some people really are just muses. MaM : Josh, as musical director, what has changed as far as how you’re presenting those older songs these days? Josh : Boredom. It’s ten years of playing a certain song and you want to try it different. She (Tank) really gets creative at moments, and she can get bored too, so two people who can get very whimsical and creative and want to change things on the fly. credit: Jacob Walker Norman : At the last minute. Josh : I just said on the fly! Tank : Aren’t you in my brain? Aren’t you in my spirit? Josh : Even in those times it’s a lot of fun. I think a lot of times we’re really just trying out different things because we get to. We can. We have the capability. The truth is, the more we push ourselves to do more stuff, the better we get at it. Norman : We’re free. The reality is the melodies fall out the sky sometimes; we just catch ‘em. We sat in rehearsals, and we had to take a little break and wrote like 3 songs in 6 minutes the other day. Stuff just happens. We stay open. Tank : Growth is real. Ain’t [sic] nobody in this band in their fresh beginning 20’s anymore. We don’t even jump up and down as much as we used to. [laughter] MaM : I remember a show y’all did at the Ogden when you broke it all down. I heard your songs presented in a whole different light. Tank : We love to calm it down. People don’t think that we know how to calm it down because we’re such a big sound, but it’s our most favorite thing to do—at least it’s definitely mine. You hear the lyrics, you hear the music, the intention. It’s quiet, it’s soft, it’s beautiful, it’s heard, it’s felt. I love those type of shows. That’s how we started out. That’s why Tiny Desk was really nothing for us. I was nervous, but as far as calming it down, it’s nothing for us. Norman : I didn’t know nothing [sic] about it (Tiny Desk). All I saw was T-Pain do it with a keyboard player. I thought, ‘Oh, it’s gonna be easy.’ I didn’t grow up listening to NPR. I was like, ‘Cool, it’s an open mic; that’s how we started.’ MaM : Josh, as musical director, how do you decide – do you just naturally stretch your legs on a song, or do you say here, we’re gonna arrange it this way? Josh : A little bit of both. Sometimes we stretch out naturally, sometimes I say let’s try this. We’ll try stuff in rehearsal to see if it sticks. If it don’t [sic], we’ll leave it alone, if it do [sic], we’ll push it.” MaM : You ever just throw shit at them live? Josh : Yep, yeah, they good [sic] enough to handle that. They superbad. The fun part is, if we fall on our face, we’re good enough to carry ourselves so nobody even knows it happened. We’re creating a chord progression as we go sometimes. We’re having fun. Tank : Their ears are so crazy. Sometimes they even hear what I don’t hear. Josh : I think that part makes it very easy for us to be able to ‘float.’ Norman : Growing up in church too, you know, anybody [can] get up and sing in any key, talking about praise and testimony ceremony ... Josh : Most of the time, it’s the wrong key! Norman : ... If you doing [sic] it right and they change key and you don’t follow them, then it’s your fault. If they start in the right key, you learn to move with them, you learn to just flow. Yeah, church got me ready for it.” MaM : Do you guys approach performances today any differently than you did in those early days? credit: Ruthie Herman, WOUB Albert : Carefully. From behind. [laughter] Norman : Prayerfully. We always pray; we always rehearse. Tank : It feels more intentional now, to me, if anything. More mature. You want to get it right, you know? It just feels a little more intentional, but I still have my moments of freedom that I do love. You know, Josh tries to reel it in a lot, which is a good and a bad thing to me. You know, like, let me be who I am, [and he’ll be] like, ‘Don’t stay there too long!’ I’m like, ‘Shut up!’ [laughter] The band recently performed its very first residency at the famous Blue Note venue in New York City in November of 2022. MaM : How was Blue Note? Josh : It was amazing. Norman : It was an honor to be in that room. The artists that we had come and join us—Keyon Harrold, Isaiah Sharkey … Norah Jones. Josh : Man, the type of people that came through, not even just the artists. Norman : Yeah, the people that came through just to kick it with us, the stage was so dope. Josh : Yeah, all of that was just wild. Norman : Y’all thought enough about us to come through; thank you. MaM : I have to ask this question, Tank, since my dad is such a huge Norah Jones fan: How did you become friends with Norah? Tank : It’s so crazy. All of it was kind of magical, even things I didn’t even know until a couple of years ago … how things was [sic] working out for us to meet. Jelly (singer Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph) was doing a session with her husband, and she invited him to the show (at One-Eyed Jacks). I don’t know if she knew that Norah was his wife or not. They ended up going to the show, Norah was pregnant, and she was hearing me do all these little crazy voices. Someone told me that she was in the house. Then she text [sic] me one morning when I was at Waffle House and she wanted me to do a video with her, a really silly song. Of course, I said yes. I didn’t know what it was about. It was a silly song. It was really silly about men who don’t think that women take a shit. L to R: C.G. Smith with Albert, Tank, Josh, and Norman MaM : I still remember how cool it was when she came out during your second performance of your Alice in Wonderland at the Music Box here in town. Tank : Mmmmmm, the purple piano. It was really special. Anybody that was a part of those shows just knows it was so special. It takes a lot to do a Music Box. Hats off to the people who do it and run it. It’s hard to explain, too, when people ask what it is. Josh : Shout out to Danny Elfman, because he sure helped with the ideas in that space too, like the orchestra. MaM : It’s just such a cool space. Tank : Yeah, it’s crazy. Hard to explain. You be [sic] like, ‘It’s a musical space where they use pieces, materials of old houses and they make instruments. You can’t explain it. You have to go there; it’s an experience. MaM : So, the hardest question for artists to answer, how do you describe the Tank-and-the-Bangas sound? Tank : (repeats) You have to go there; it’s an experience. Norman : (repeating an answer Albert came up with before) It’s genre-fluid. Josh : It’s a struggle to explain it to ourselves, but according to the Grammys, it’s one of those ‘progressive R&B albums.’ [laughter] Tank : That’s funny! They did the best they could to categorize us. I think just the fact that you’re Black, they already want to put R&B on you. They like [sic], ‘Well, it ain’t [sic] just that, so let’s go ahead and put it in progressive.’ I don’t mind, especially with this album. It’s where it needs to be at [sic] with this album, that’s cool. I love it, I’m happy to be nominated. Josh : I mean, [for] some artists it’s easy and [for other] artists it’s very, very hard to do. Tank : You can describe the song which is at hand, but to put them all in a thing? To literally say that the same band that made ‘Outside’ made ‘Heavy,’ or the same band that made ‘Heavy’ made ‘Brady’s,’ or the same band that made ‘Brady’s’ made ‘Eggs Over Easy,’ or ‘Eggs Over Easy’ - that’s the same band that made ‘Easy Goes It,’ or ‘Anxiety.’ ‘Mr. Lion’? That same girl, she did ‘Dope Girl Magic.’ So, it’s really hard. It’s whatever we was [sic] feeling at the time. Josh : This entire same band has done a lot of these songs with an orchestra, so maybe they’re a classical band. Tank : It’s all over the place. MaM : I always loved “Drummers." That’s a different kind of song. Tank : We love that one. That one never got recorded and it has so much more to it, too. It’s really cool. MaM : Were there any moments where you were working on, writing a song, and just astonished yourselves, like, “This is gonna be good!?” Josh : ‘Ants.’ Tank : ‘Stolen Fruit.’ Norman : ‘Rhythm of Life.’ Albert : ‘Stolen Fruit,’ and ‘Black Folk.’ Tank : Yeah, anybody comin’ in the studio, you need to hear this! This is so special. Albert : So much so, that it slowed down progress. Like any new visitor, after we had gotten like a rough for ‘Stolen Fruit,’ anybody came in, Tank would be like, ‘Turn down the lights.’ Tank : Turn down the lights, light a candle, and play this for them. Norman : (imitating Tank) ‘Shhhh. (dramatic pause) Play that one.’ Albert : It was like a whole afternoon of that, it was great. Then we did ‘Black Folk' and [it] was, like, a live take. A bunch of us were playing in the room, and the take you hear from Tank, that’s just her on a 58 (Shure 58 live microphone). Everybody was playing in the same room. We tried to do the vocals in isolation, tried to do other takes, but it just didn’t have that … it didn’t have that thing. Man, that was a magical moment. I remember when we were playing that and I was like, ‘This is great!’ Norman : We should do an unplanned live album. Just press record and start playing. Albert : Directly to vinyl. You can do that. You can press it directly to vinyl. Tank : I’ve done that. I did that with ‘Eggs Over Easy.’ It was a freestyle. MaM : So, we are an entertainment magazine. What are some shows y’all are watching lately? Tank : I feel like we’re never watching the same thing. We talk about it more when we’re on the road, ‘What are you watchin’ right now?’ Albert knows that I have to eat and watch somethin’ from Netflix. Norman : I know how to make this cool: Say one show you think the other person is watching right now. Tank : (to Norman) Oh lord, a documentary? A Christmas show? Norman : I’m watchin’ the Nature Channel. Josh : (to Tank) Wednesday ? Albert : (to Josh) Anime, or, I don’t know, big, high-budget crime, like action-y? Josh : You know what? You’re kind of in the space, ‘cause I saw something like that. Knives Out on Netflix; the [sequel just] came out. Tank : (to Albert) You watchin’ some type of cartoon in the morning with your girlfriend. Albert : I’ve been watching season 6 of Rick and Morty and it’s stellar. It’s a return to form. It’s some of the best stuff they’ve had going on over the past few seasons. Highly recommended. Josh : (to Tank) Just say Wednesday already and get it over with. Tank : We ain’t done with Wednesday , so no. Norman : 432 playlist on Spotify. 432 hertz. Yo, why when I play it on the speaker, I can actually feel the highs, the lows, and the mids. It’s in your chakras. It’s like we really do resonate at that frequency or somethin’ because you can feel it through the speakers. I don’t get it. Tank : 432 Hertz? That’s the playlist? Norman : Do that, then type playlist. They got a bunch of different genres. Get ya [sic] chakras right. Josh : I be [sic] watchin’ Forged in Fire . I had to think about what I’ve been watching. I be [sic] watchin’ people making beaucoup swords and all that stuff. Norman : Then they try to see which one’s stronger. Josh : Then they be [sic] choppin’ beaucoup stuff with it. Man, these cats are wild. MaM : They make a Hattori Hanzo blade? Josh : They probably have done one at this point, but they be [sic] doin’ all kinds of fantasy weapons as well. Norman : Based on historic, like the way they would build them at this time or that time in history. MaM : What are some creature comforts on tour, anything that connects you with back home? Albert : A nice bowl of ramen. Norman : Coffee and good greenery, I’m good to go. Facetime with the baby. Tank : My phone so I can watch TV. Albert : An eye mask. Tank : Headphones. Gotta have them headphones. Gotta zone inside them headphones. credit: Jacob Walker Norman : Drum machine, that MPC one. Josh : I’ve been without my phone on a whole tour before. I lost my phone, like, the top of the tour, and I didn’t have my phone for, like, six weeks. It was weird as hell. Norman : That’s gotta feel good! You ever leave your phone at home and be way across town and be like, ‘Oh well.’ That shit feels so good. Josh : I was on the other side of the world. It was not the same. Tank : First of all, I would never do it because where the hell ... how am I gonna get home? I need that GPS. Momma gonna call me, you know what I’m sayin’? Now you need to stay in touch, AND I gotta listen to the regular radio? Oh no, I need to plug in, so I got my own radio. Norman : Turn that radio off and listen to the radio in your head. Tank : That’s too much [sic] thoughts! Josh : Being over there, there was no radio, and there was barely television. I wanna play drums. I hope they don’t have a bad drum set with some bad cymbals. That is a real horrible thing. Tank : That was not a good answer though; he’s talkin’ about something that you don’t feel at home with(out). You hit drums every day. Josh : I’m telling you, no, no, no, on TOUR. Tank : Josh needs some wings with barbeque sauce. Josh : No, listen, wait ... Norman : You gotta hear this man out about them [sic] drums. Because if those drums ain’t [sic] Yamaha special just like Josh needs ... [laughter] Tank : We about to get a DIVA! Josh : Look at this, you see this? (shows me the palms of his hands) This happened to my hands years ago, playing the wrong kit with the wrong sticks. My entire hand turned purple, and I couldn’t close it. So, I was playing drums like this, (Josh shows me half-open hands, as if he is delicately holding sticks with his fingers) but my hands were really like ... Norman : I wish y’all could see through this mic. [laughter] Josh : (wrapping up his defense of saying drums are a comfort on tour) A good drum set, an amazing drum set, and amazing cymbals, and amazing sticks. I can make tour with that and good vibes. Tank and the rest of the group continue having fun teasing Josh. Albert begins calling out to Tavia, "Ta! Ta!" to have her stop the insanity. Albert : (to me, as the hilarity wanes, feeling sympathy for me having to try and make sense of all the talking over each other) You just write this out, right? You transcribe this, right? A lot of it will be just asterisks - inaudible, asterisks - inaudible. MaM : Ok, Tavia says ten minutes left. I gotta get to the Grammy nod. Grammy nod number two. I’m sure that first one was an incredible experience. Tank, are you as nervous? Will you have a speech ready this time if you win? Tank : I think we could write a speech. I’m not as nervous this time. Norman : You gonna write it? I’m gonna wing it. Albert : The best things in life are wung [sic]. Tank : Then it goes, (imitates the music cue to get off stage) [to] get us off that stage. Albert : There’s four of us! That’s bullshit! We EACH get the allotted time! Josh : It’s the allotted time times four. Tank : Yeah, you use your privilege, see how far that gets you! Norman : They will never call us back! Tank : Albert said, ‘Excuse me, white man speaking! That’s not fair.’ Albert : Hey, if La La Land can take an Oscar, we can do this. Josh : Boy, you stupid! Tank : It’s exciting, definitely less nervous-y. It’s more exciting for sure, because [the] first time is very cool, but this time, it’s for the work, so that just feels just really dope. Josh : The entire body of work. [The first Grammy nomination] was us being really good coming out to them. That’s awesome, but this one is very awesome because it’s for everything that we’ve put in. Norman : Real talk, real talk. Tank : I would really like to win it. credit: Jamelle Tate, courtesy of the artist Josh : Not just one song, not one video; it’s the entire thing. Norman : The first one, all the other artists had radio hits. We didn’t have any hits on the radio, and they still had to say our name. Y’all had to put songs on the radio to win. Tank : You know how you say, ‘Since you guys made it,’ ‘Since your big success,’ ‘Since your breakout,’ you know how you keep saying that? We don’t feel that way. Y’all don’t feel that way, right (Tank asks the Bangas)? Like we’re some breakout stars, like we’re up there? Norman and Josh : No! Albert : Oh God, no. Josh : I feel like we’re new to somebody every day. I feel like because we’re new to at least one new person every day, that’s eventually gonna happen. MaM : So since she got y’all on the clock, is Tavia the special sauce for this whole thing? Josh : Facts. Albert : Oh yeah. Josh : She’s working right now. If you look right there, you can see her answering emails as we speak. Norman : We wouldn’t have gotten Tiny Desk without Ta, ‘Think Tank’ would have never happened without Ta, ‘RandoMe’ would have never happened without Ta ... Coachella, none of that. Tank : (looks to Tavia) Ta, I’ve been doing this. Norman : Shit, you was [sic] on the sofa. She picked you up off the sofa. Tank : Who was on the sofa? Norman : Tank Ball. That’s why I say you better understand! Tank : Boy, I’ve been doing this … My friend know [sic] she met me while I was on my journey. Norman : Ta said, ‘Come on, get in the studio, girl; you want to do a CD, come on.’ Tavia : I nurtured her journey. I think both Tank and I may have tapped into something that was deeper for both of us that we didn’t know was there. Granted, I met her doing poetry, which is what she wanted to do. She wanted to travel with her poetry book. She did not want to do a poetry show unless she had an album. Gus Bennett was put in my ear and he said, ‘I’m only telling you that I did a spot with Raj Smoove.’ I don’t know why Gus thought that I was the person. Tank : I don’t know why anybody thought you was [sic] the person to tell! Tavia : I know! Tank : No, I mean in my own self. Norman : Because you was [sic]! Tavia : One of Tank’s mentors pulled me to the side, spoke to me, and said I should really pursue this. They saw something in us that we didn’t see ourselves. We both just went full-fledged into it. When I met Tank, she had just quit her job and I was working two jobs and going to school. I thought I was really gonna be in an office job at the USDA or something. Other people were trying to get Tank to do things, but they were trying to get her to do what they wanted her to do, and not what she wanted to do. I was like, 'Let’s do what you doin’. I’m down for the poetry, like, let’s make this poetry album.' Everybody else was tryin’ to get her to do jazz songs and stuff, but she wasn’t feelin’ that.” credit: Erika Goldring/Getty Images [laughter] MaM : Y’all been together what, a decade now? Tank : Over a decade. Tavia : Twelve years with Tank and the Bangas, 13 years of friendship between me and Tank. MaM : So much great music. What’s the future hold? Josh : I don’t know – more stuff. Whole [sic] lot more stuff. Tank : We would love to get our book together. Norman : It’s comin’. Tank : We want to create an affirmation book for adults like us, and kids, and teenagers, because we have a lot of quotes that we live by and that we share with each other. We would love to do that. We would love to get more into big soundtracks for great movies; we’ve been offered those opportunities before. The world actually believes that we put on one of the best shows in America, [so to] have that stage and those things offered to us to make it what it’s supposed to be. Be more disciplined, more consistent. Just falling in love every day with what we doing. It’s not always easy, especially for myself. Definitely this year I’m going to make some resolutions, which I haven’t done in a while, honestly. Norman : Will you make a resolution? Whoop whoop! Tank : I feel made fun of. I thought this was a safe space. Norman : First of all, it’s a safe space. That was Kirk Franklin. I don’t know if you don’t know.” [laughter] Tank : Tavia, I’m not feeling safe. Let’s go. Norman : You need to self-care more. Your pants say self-care. If you want some self-care pants, they on TankAndTheBangas.com . Tank : Oh my lord. Norman : ... and they on Tank right now! Albert : More good music, Tank and the Bangas 2022 and beyond – for the kids! Whoooo!” For more on information on the outstanding talent that is Tank and the Bangas, their albums, their shows, and all, well, all things bangin', visit them online at https://www.TankandtheBangas.com . *Cover photo from taken from artist website. 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? E-mail us mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Charming Disaster Conjures New Album < Back A Musical Cabinet of Macabre Curiosities Tim W. Jackson Feb 24, 2023 Share Charming Disaster Conjures New Album The song titles let you know this album ain’t from Taylor Swift or Harry Styles: “Mold and the Metals,” “Grimoire,” Manta Rays,” “Bat Song,” and “Disembodied Head,” for example. These tracks plus five more come from the fifth album by Brooklyn-based indie goth-folk duo Charming Disaster . They’re unusual, spooky, wickedly talented, and completely unafraid to delve deep into the underworld in exploration of all things lurking in the dark. Their new album Super Natural History releases on CD, as a 12-inch colored vinyl LP, and on all digital platforms on March 3, 2023, and is self-described as, “a musical cabinet of curiosities … [uniting] the worlds of magic and science with songs that explore subjects like witchcraft, monsters, and the underworld, alongside bats, plants, poisons, and parasites.” In short, it presents alternate ways of seeing the world and considering its mysteries. I can’t recall whether I stumbled across the Charming Disaster video for their song “Blacksnake” or if someone who knew my penchant for all things dark, macabre, and somewhat sinister sent it to me, but I do remember immediately loving it. That was about a year ago, and I quickly discovered that the duo had just released an album called Our Lady of Radium . Then, I watched the video for “Radium Girls ,” which again, was superb, and off I went down the Charming Disaster rabbit hole. A year later, and with the duo on the verge of birthing a new album, I was eager to hear the new music and pass along my thoughts to you, the beloved readers of Mixed Alternative. But first, a wee bit of background on this wonderfully weird pairing that is Ellia Bisker (ukulele and vocals) and Jeff Morris (guitar and vocals). With song topics dabbling in the mythical and macabre, nature and science, Charming Disaster blends those motifs in an amalgamation of folk, cabaret, and even musical theater to produce eclectic songs rooted in their own particular interests. credit: Shervin Lainez Some of the songs on Super Natural History were first recorded as early as 2021. Four tracks were recorded that year at Figure 8 in Brooklyn, NY, engineered by Hillary Johnson with bassist Bob Smith and drummer Rob Garcia joining Bisker and Morris. Five songs were recorded more recently at Tonal Park in Takoma Park, MD, with Don Godwin contributing bass, drums, and horns as well as engineering and mixing. The final track was a home recording, so, even their recording methods are eclectic! As you dig into the album, a familiar theme of the paranormal pops up in the lead track, “Monsters”: Can’t help what we hunger for With appetites of carnivores Teeth and talons, horns and fur We are grotesque and powerful This song is a wonderful opener to the album and sets the stage for the odd journey that lies ahead as the listener proceeds to hear a collection of songs far from the overproduced pop or country tunes that rule the radio. In fact, you won’t hear “Monsters” or any of the other nine songs on this album on mainstream radio, and that’s probably a good sign. In fact, we think that's definitely a good sign. Bisker and Morris say they find their inspiration “in the gothic humor of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton, the murder ballads of the American Folk tradition, and the dramatic flair of the cabaret.” I can attest those influences hold true on this new album. In a departure for the duo, the ninth track, “Manta Rays,” is a spoken collection of information about, well, manta rays. Factual and fun, weird and wonderful, it feels like it could have roots in Pee Wee’s Playhouse . Another song that is somewhat a departure from the usual for Charming Disaster is “Bat Song,” which is a slower, beautiful melody with stripped-down instrumentation and higher-octave vocals. After some initial indecision, I finally concluded that “Disembodied Head” is my favorite song on the album. Bisker and Morris mentioned it has the vibe of something from Mark Mothersbaugh and Devo, but I’m hearing a bit of B-52s or even Southern Culture on the Skids in this tune that is the definition of an earworm. You might be tempted to think Charming Disaster is some sort of novelty act, and in some ways, I suppose that’s true. But their song “Monsters,” for instance, is a long way from “The Monster Mash” or any of those one-hit, quirky novelty tunes. (Looking at you Rick Dees and “Disco Duck.” ) With subject matter that almost always strays from the mainstream, Charming Disaster uses makeup, fashion, and theatrical techniques in its live shows to create a certain vibe that has been developed over the past decade. Seeing them adds to your overall narrative regarding what Charming Disaster is all about. But as this album proves, the music stands on its own as an enjoyable listen, even without the optics. credit: Krys Fox Ultimately, Bisker and Morris are talented storytellers, and they prove that you can have interesting songs about topics other than love and lust, yearning and loss. They also have a knack for making the macabre fun. Super Natural History is certainly worth checking out, which we urge you to do. And looking into my crystal ball, I predict you’ll find yourself listening to their previous four albums as well. I spent some time talking with this dynamic duo to uncover who they are as individuals underneath all the chills, thrills, and frills. So, let’s get personal. Enjoy the conversation, music lovers. *cover photo credit: Krys Fox 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

< Back What the Hell Did I Just Watch: The Howling: New Moon Rising Ezekiel Kincaid Share Jul 26, 2023 A werewolf movie so bad, you have to see it to believe it Gather ‘round, aspiring movie directors and scriptwriters! It’s time for you to take notes on how to successfully kill a franchise in this edition of What the Hell Did I Just Watch . I want y’all to get acquainted with The Howling: New Moon Rising , also released as Howling: New Moon Rising and Howling VII: Mystery Woman . Never heard of it? Good! Let me remedy that for you. For some unknown reason, my high school self bought this movie years ago on VHS. I was going through my collection the other day when I saw it and said, “Hmm, I don’t remember ever watching this one.” So, I popped it into the VCR and hit “Play” … then the suppressed memories came flooding back. Twenty minutes in, I remembered why I’d suppressed them in the first place. Now, I might be wrong, but I have a conspiracy theory as to why this movie sucks so badly. I think there was a challenge made, or a wager, where someone said, “Hey, I bet no one out there can make The Howling sequels even worse.” Directors Clive Turner and Roger Nall heard about the challenge and said, “Here, hold our beers.” Don’t believe me? Well, that’s my theory and I’m sticking to it. I just don’t think it is possible to make a movie this bad unless there is some intentionality behind it. Surely these filmmakers couldn’t have been taking this movie seriously, could they? Or maybe they were … and that thought is scarier than anything in this low budget sewerfest. Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way first. The film is the seventh in the series and is a direct-to-video movie made in 1995—four years after the previous entry, The Howling VI: The Freaks . Turner and Nall should have ended the torture and stopped there, but they couldn’t leave well enough alone. Neither had ever directed a movie before, and they both made their debut with The Howling VII: New Moon Rising . The plot is simple: A lone, red-haired drifter from Australia strolls in and settles in a small town. When he does, strange murders begin to happen, all of which trace back to him. Our lone cowboy, Ted Smith, is played by none other than Clive Turner himself, who also stars in The Howling V: The Rebirth . Clive Turner as Ted Smith All the other (and I use the term loosely) actors in this movie go by their real-life first names, and the only recognizable face is Mary Lou ( Elizabeth Shé ), who was the main character in The Howling V and The Howling VI . Elizabeth Shé as Mary Lou She has some scenes in The Howling: New Moon Rising that end up linking all three sequels together. And that is the only redeemable thing in this movie. To start off, there’s lots of line dancing. Most of the movie is set in a country western bar. All the people in this town do all day is drink beer and line dance. At first, I thought, “Okay, cool, a line-dancing scene,” thinking it was just one. Yet there continues to be scene after scene after scene of pointless line dancing that adds nothing to the story. I think ole Turner and Nall were just proud of everyone’s skill and wanted to show it off a hundred times. That’s the only thing that makes sense in my mind as to why there is so much of it in the movie. And gore? Those visceral kills we all love to see in werewolf movies? There are none. None! You never get to see the werewolf kill anyone. You see TWO dead bodies the entire movie, and it's after the fact. Even then, all the dead bodies have on them are a few gashes. You never get the satisfaction of seeing a bloody kill, dismemberment, decapitation, or disembowelment. The only cool scenes are the flashbacks from the previous installments. Now, let’s talk werewolf transformations . Maybe they were saving the big payoff for this? That’s what I was hoping anyway. If that’s what you’re hoping, too, prepare to be disappointed. The transformation scene is a huge letdown. All we see are some cheap camera tricks on whatever camcorder they filmed the movie and then boom, a person dressed in a rubber werewolf mask shows up on screen. You’re in luck here, because in place of a movie trailer, all that seem to exist online are various scenes from the film, and it just so happens the werewolf transformation is one of them. So, for your viewing pleasure … Jump back to 2021 for a second. Did you happen to see Werewolves Within —the who-done-it werewolf movie? If not, you can find it on Apple TV, Vudu, Roku, Prime Video, Hulu, and Max. The Howling: New Moon Rising tries to do some clever plot twists to keep you guessing who the real werewolf is, like Werewolves Within did, but it fails miserably. It is so outlandish, stupid, and confusing at times, and weird plot shit just keeps coming out of left field. I wish I could say, “Great writing job, fellas!” but I can’t. Should you watch this movie? Yes, you should. Why? Because it is THAT BAD and you have to see it to believe it. Besides, if I had to sit through it, so should you. Misery loves company. The Howling: New Moon Rising got a whopping 1.8/10 stars on IMDb. Me? I give this movie one 1 of 5 drunken line dancers. You can find The Howling: New Moon Rising streaming on Amazon Prime, Screambox, Freevee, and Tubi. You’re welcome. 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

A southern comic who isn't afraid to flaunt his pride on and off stage < Back Comedian Junior Cook: Uncensored, Unapologetic, and Gay, Gay, Gay Keeley Brooks Jun 8, 2023 Share A southern comic who isn't afraid to flaunt his pride on and off stage If there's anything I love more than watching movies and series, it's having a good laugh at some quality stand-up comedy. And right now, more than ever, this entire world is in need of good, hearty laughs from quality comedians who are proud to be authentic. There's nothing better than coming home after a long day and stumbling across some good standup by accident, and that's how I found unapologetic Alabama-based comedian Junior Cook. A loud and proud gay comedian tearin' it up across the South, Cook is full of life and personality with tons of material, but perhaps the best thing about him is the fact he has no shame when it comes to being himself, and that, my friends, is beyond refreshing in a world of likeness and conformity. He's kind and humble, and he isn't afraid to tackle sensitive subjects with charm and ease, which he embodies effortlessly. He's mindful of presenting jokes wrapped in such sweet southern swagger, you can't help but feel like you're sitting on your porch hanging out with Junior over a tall glass of sweet tea. I reached out to Junior to have a chat, and I'm glad I did. He is one funny dude doing exactly what he's meant to be doing, and if he keeps plugging away like he is, he's got one bright future ahead of him. In fact, when I did reach out to him, he had just been selected as the chosen performer for Season 13 of Kenan Presents: The Live Performance Showcase at Shenanigans Comedy Theatre in Huntsville, Alabama. The show was hosted by Alton Walker, the creator of The NextIN Line Network, and featured special guest Lamar Pullom, a radio personality known as "The Ant-Man of Comedy" on 105.1 The Block. courtesy of Junior Cook social media I couldn't wait to dig in and learn more about Cook and his life, so check out our conversation below, then be sure to follow him on social media so you can catch him performing live and laugh until your face hurts. MaM : Junior, thank you so much for hanging out with us. It's a pleasure to feature you in our Comedic Relief section. Tell us where you're from and where you're currently located. JC : Thank you for having me! I grew up in a very small town in Alabama called Haleyville, but I currently live in Birmingham, Alabama. MaM : What were you like as a child? Were you the one always entertaining everybody else with laughs? JC : As a child I was cautious, shy, and curious. I knew who I was at a very young age, but I also knew the world was not ready for me. (laughs) MaM : Has comedy always been a part of your life? JC : Comedy has always been a part of my life, yes-especially through TV sitcoms and variety shows. I was always looking for the weird and the funny. MaM : When were you first introduced to comedy? JC : My first introduction to stand-up comedy was watching Whoopi Goldberg's HBO comedy special as a child. I was with my family at the beach. I was burnt from too much sun, so I stayed inside and was just taken aback by her characters and skits. She was amazing ... still is! That is probably the reason why I am so excited to see female comedians. MaM : Whoopi is hysterical. I remember her specials as a child, too. I thought she was the funniest woman I'd ever seen at the time. So daring and bold. When did you know you wanted to be a comedian? JC : I have always enjoyed making people laugh. My mother tried to get me to pursue stand-up comedy right out of high school but, yet again, I knew the world was not ready for me. Also, I saw making money and exploring who I was and meeting others just like me as being more important at the time. One day at work, I had a client tell me that I should try out for one of the comedy clubs' open mic nights. I knew there was more to it than just getting out there and running your mouth, so I looked into the open mic and saw that they offered many writing classes. After I finished the classes and did my first stand-up gig, I was hooked. MaM : What does comedy mean to you/do for you and your life? JC : Comedy means everything to me. Working with words and improv has helped me expand as a person, and comedy also gives me the pleasure of making people happy and lifting their spirits, [even if it is for] just one evening. MaM : Tell us about the first time you were on stage doing standup. What was that like for you? courtesy of Junior Cook JC : The first time I was ever on a stage in front of people probably was the scariest time I've ever felt. It felt like [I was about to] bungee jump off a 10-story building with no safety net. Yet, even with what little laughs I got, I was happy and [it] helped me discover that [standup] was for me. MaM : Ha, I've bungeed before and it's terrifying ... until you actually jump! So, I understand your fear and how it compelled you to move forward. That's really cool. Who are some of your comedic influences? JC : My comedy influences have always been women in comedy. Even today, it's the women who make me laugh [the most]. Watching The Golden Girls with my grandmother on the weekends was the highlight of my week growing up. A lot of the jokes went straight over my head becuase I was so young, but watching my grandmother laugh so hard made me laugh even harder. Sitcoms, The Carol Burnett Show, and female stand-up comedians like Joan Rivers have made a huge impact on my life. MaM : Who was the first comedian you ever saw live? JC : I think the first comedian I ever saw live was Lisa Lampanelli. She was crude, rude, and everything good! She told it like it was but in a really funny way. She will always be in my top ten list of comedians I love. MaM : Who's your current favorite comedian? JC : My current favorite comedian has to be Wanda Sykes, hands down. She works so hard, but she makes it look effortless. I admire that about her. MaM : Dude, huge congratulations on the Live Performance Showcase ! That's so awesome! You must have been elated from the time you got the news clean through after you finished your set. Tell us how all of that came about, then what the experience was like for you. JC : I was chosen to be part of Demi TV's Demi Gods of Comedy. I was so excited that I was going to be filmed and placed on their network. I was chosen by a large group of people that work at Demi TV. The experience has been very positive. Getting noticed in this industry can be hard, and it's so rewarding to know that someone sees you and sees the potential you have. MaM : Who were some of the other performers at the showcase? JC : Some of the other comedians that were featured on this special were Scott Eason and my good friend Kimberly Wilson. I consider her my comedy wife. Ha ha. MaM : Tell us about your comedy style in your own words. JC : My comedy style is a mixture of dark comedy, everyday situations, and things that we all have to deal with. And most importantly, my comedy style is about me: uncensored, unapologetic, and gay, gay, gay, which is something I could not have done when I was younger. [Now, I'm able to] be my authentic self on stage. Living in the South, I do get some uncomfortable mixed feelings from people, but that is just who I am - a southern man who happens to be gay. MaM : Well, we happen to love your gayness and we're proud to flaunt you! So, what can people expect from a Junior Cook show? JC : People can always expect me to be me unapologetically, physically, and sometimes unexpectedly. MaM : Are you currently touring? Where do you perform? JC : I'm a performer all around the Southeast and at any comedy festival around the country. I'm hoping to get beyond that soon. MaM : What does the future hold for you? JC : I don't think we ever really know what the future holds for us, but I see myself expanding more with comedy wherever it takes me. MaM : If you could share the stage with any comedian, who would it be and why? JC : If I could share the stage with any comedian, it would have to be Wanda Sykes, Ellen DeGeneres, or any female comedian today. They just make me laugh so hard. I don't think that women really get thir praise for being the best at comedy. MaM : Junior, thanks so much for taking some time and allowing us to get to know you. It's been a pleasure. But before I let you go, since we are an entertainment magazine, inquiring minds want to know what are you currently watching? JC : I am currently watching old sitcoms, believe it or not (laughs). Even though I've seen so many of them so many times, I still find little hidden gems tucked away that I never noticed, and that gives me such joy. And there you have it, folks. Be sure and follow Junior Cook on Facebook and Instagram @JrCookComedy to stay up to date on his latest shows and appearances. This is one hilariously authentic, proud gay man spreading the love one laugh at a time. To learn more about Junior Cook: Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/jrcookcomedy Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/jrcookcomedy/ 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 Bud Gambrell Photography ( bgambrellphotography.com ) Facebook To purchase my book, "Side Tracks Music Hall": https://a.co/d/a6lGy0O Questions or comments? E-mail me at the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Ripe with fuzz, psychedelia, and haunting rhythms < Back Of The Roses: Austin's Moody & Mysterious Indie Art Rock/Pop Band Nicole Brice May 1, 2023 Share Ripe with fuzz, psychedelia, and haunting rhythms Of The Roses is an Austin, Texas-based indie art rock/pop band led by singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Serenity Autumn Hernandez Bogert and Josh Delarosa. The band also features Will Lord on bass and Alexander "Wilhelm Scream" on drums. These guys are making serious waves on the music scene in Austin and should be put on your list of bands to devote some listening time to. Prior to the band formation, Hernandez Bogert and Delarosa led other music projects that saw them in the studio with Austin superstar Jackie Venson and performing as an Official SXSW Showcasing Artist opening for Priests and D.C.-based label sister Polygon Records in 2019. Paths soon collided and Hernandez Bogert and Delarosa met in 2020 and began writing songs together, where they enlisted the help of Lord and Wilhelm Scream to record and perform live, thus rounding out their unique sound. The band released their debut EP "Mirror's Always Round" in 2022, which is a soundscape of textures and melody. Ripe with fuzz, psychedelia, and haunting rhythms, the band's engaging sound is defined by Hernandez Bogert's soaring vocals, Delarosa's intricate guitar playing, and the tight rhythm section of Lord and Wilhelm Scream. Vibrant and diverse, this band continues to evolve and grow with their mix of indie rock, art rock, and pop. credit: Greg Taylor/Taylored Eye My favorite tracks from the “Mirror’s Always Round” EP are “Falling Through” and “Friends”, but the entire album is solid. “Falling Through” is a powerful and emotional song about the feeling of being lost and alone. The song’s lyrics are raw and honest, and the vocals echo with shadow and beauty. The music has a driving beat and atmospheric guitars with the song building to a powerful climax, leaving the listener feeling both exhilarated and powerful. “Falling Through” is a song sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost and alone, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an intelligent listen. “Friends” is a catchy, danceable track with a dark, twisted edge. The song’s lyrics explore the themes of control and paranoia, and the music reflects this with its distorted guitars. The song starts with a slow, atmospheric intro that builds tension. The drums and guitars wade their way in, and the song picks up pace. The vocals are clear and powerful, and the lyrics are delivered with conviction. The song’s chorus is catchy and memorable, and the bridge is a nice change of pace. “Friends” ends with a powerful outro that leaves you wanting more. It’s a well-crafted and enjoyable song worthy of getting stuck in your head. The band also has made a video for “Friends” that is available to watch on YouTube. It is visually stunning and full of emotionally resonant exploration. You can check it out below. The other tracks are “Gone”, which has a cool and funky vibe; “I Hope You Love Me More”, which has a 60’s psychedelic tone to it; and “Fear”, which starts out with crunching guitars and leads to a pleasant cornucopia of sound. With Hernandez Bogert and Delarosa being the primary songwriters, the band's lyrics are often personal and introspective, but they also deal with broader themes of love, loss, and identity. Of The Roses is a band that is not afraid to be vulnerable, and their music reflects that. The band has been praised for their live shows, which are known for their energy and enthusiasm, and they are currently working on releasing their next single, which is expected in the summer of 2023. In addition to this, they also have recorded a Christmas song that is certain to pique your interest. More details about that are in the interview, though. Of The Roses is definitely a band to watch, and their music is sure to continue to resonate with fans of indie rock and art rock. They’ll impress you with their music, energy, and their infectious live shows. credit: Greg Taylor/Taylored Eye Because they are one of my new favorite bands, I just had to speak with them to learn more about what makes them tick, and I was able to connect with Serenity Autumn and Josh. Both are witty, intelligent, and just downright fun. I feel that within the next five years Of The Roses will become a household name, so be sure to check out their music, then go download their latest EP. credit: Greg Taylor/Taylored Eye MaM : Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I am so impressed with your music. I feel like the biggest fan girl, so I made several notes that I would like to share with you before we kick this off. Your sound is hypnotizing and catchy with an incredible guitar tone and I feel your vocals complement each other amazingly. Also, too, I totally dig your lyrics. Who is the primary songwriter in the band? JD : Whoever is singing on the track usually is the person that wrote the song. With “Falling Through”, we both kind of sing and we wrote that song together. Usually, the music comes together first and the lyrics second. We collaborate in that regard, but Serenity writes a good bit of the lyrics and if I write them, then I bring them right back to Serenity to see if they are grammatically correct and make sense. SA : Right. Well, I study journalism, and I’m an editor, too, so that’s why he brings it to me. MaM : What inspires your lyrics? Everyday life, or do you see something and think it would make a great inspiration for a song lyric? SA : Everyday life. It’s a lot of different things. Josh has some good stories in terms of the song “Fear”, actually. JD : For me, songs just come to me, and it’ll be like if I’m driving a long trip or if I’m falling asleep or if I’m in bed, I’ll just hear it in my head and will get up to record it. “Fear” came to me when I was taking a hot shower one day. I just had this melody in my head and I thought, “This sounds cool,” so it’s sort of like the music just comes to me. Along with the music, you kind of hear a few lyrics in there, but sometimes the lyrics don’t make sense. It’s just words that go along with that melody, so you must sit down and actually write. The funny thing is that when I write, I don’t intend it being autobiographical, but sometimes it just comes out that way. It just subtly happens. credit: Greg Taylor/Taylored Eye SA : Yeah, you’re tapping into something that you don’t realize you’re tapping into. MaM : They do say that life experiences make the best inspiration. JD : Absolutely. There is a lot going on in the world, of course, and I think it makes for inspiring music in terms of painting a picture with the music. I think it’s having a conversation, too. SA : Some of our songs are love and romance based. I also write from a politically conscious perspective, I guess, kind of like Talking Heads. I like interesting characters. The song “Friends” is like a character to me. I also have Type I Diabetes, too, and I’ve been through a lot with that. That’s probably its own interview, though. Image taken from artist social media MaM : I was reading about that and actually have a question about it because I read that the band kind of formed around your last hospital stay in 2016. SA : Sort of. I may have written it that way. Kinda. (laughs) MaM : Would you mind elaborating on that? How did the band initially form? SA : Sure. Personally, that’s just how I came into making music in general—because of my hospital stay—but me and Josh met playing in a cabaret band, so it was really that meeting that pushed us together to start writing music. MaM : Well, you two complement each other. You couldn’t have picked a better band mate or songwriting partner. Really, the dynamic you two have is incredible, especially with the latest EP. Don’t change a thing. So, are you both living in Austin now? I saw that your band is based there. Image taken from artist social media SA : Yeah, we live, work, and play in Austin. MaM : So, one thing I like to ask artists and musicians is what they are currently listening to that is helping to inspire them to create. What is on your playlist? SA : Because I am a music journalist as well and work at a record store, I kind of have to listen to everything all the time and I really like that. MaM : Well, that’s a good thing. Best job ever! SA : I am in complete bliss, most of the time, but I have been listening to a lot of Lana Del Ray. I have been listening to a ton of her music recently. My favorite artist, though, is St. Vincent. MaM : What about you Josh? JD : Lately, there have been a few bands. Since I’ve never gone through an 80’s phase, I’ve been listening to a lot of electronic 80’s stuff. MaM : Nice. Some of my fave music. JD : Yeah, some of the bands are ones that Serenity turned me onto. Elvis Costello and Franz Ferdinand are a couple. Serenity really was the one to get me into Franz Ferdinand and I think they are just brilliant. Someone else that I have gotten into recently, too, is Taylor Swift. (laughs) SA : Wait, what? (laughs) MaM : I feel like an arrow has been put right through my heart. (laughter) JD : Listen, give me a chance. (laughs) MaM : Serenity seems just as shocked. JD : Let me say it’s the melodies, for me. I would never buy a record, but I can appreciate the music and the songwriting, and for me— MaM : Ok, I’ll let you slide with that. (laughs) JD : Thank you. (laughs ) I won’t go spend over $1,000 on nosebleed tickets or anything, but I will say that, for me, it’s just something that is selling and that people like, but the biggest thing for me, as a songwriter, [are] the melodies and the poppy tone that reels me in. I like good pop songs. Like a three-minute song that is very catchy is great to me. MaM : I guess you could say you admire her songwriting capabilities and her ability to bring it all together, which I can dig. So, that leads me to your band name. How did you come up with the name? Image taken from artist social media SA : Josh? JD : No, you can go. (laughs) SA : Josh doesn’t like to tell, so I guess I will. (laughs) I would like to say it was not Josh’s idea because it does seem narcissistic at first, but — JD : Yeah, it was not my idea, but Serenity, tell how it came about. SA : So, Josh’s last name is Delarosa, which in Spanish translates to “of the rose.” MaM : Ah, I see what you did there. SA : Yeah, we had a brief romantic relationship, but our closeness has lasted longer than the relationship, and we’re still really close, but it was my idea because I thought it sounded pretty. MaM : Well, it fits! It’s a bad-ass name. SA : Thank you. MaM : Another question for Josh: I’ve read that you’ve had some of your music featured on local and national radio. Can you tell us a little more about that? JD : Yes, I’ve been blessed to have had experience in bands that had music on college radio and just radio in general. Yeah, it’s sort of … (laughs) … yeah, I’ve been on the radio … I don’t even know what to say … MaM : Well, you’ve been in some other bands, so tell us a little more about that. JD : Well, they were sort of in the same vein. This is my first band that I’ve actually had a hand in. I’ve been in other bands where I was a songwriter, but I was always on the side. I didn’t want to be in the front. This is our first where it is OUR band. In the past, I’ve always been in the same wheelhouse, if you will. MaM : So, you guys released your latest EP in 2022, but are y’all currently recording or writing new material? I know Serenity mentioned releasing a new single. What’s in the queue? SA : So, I am getting ready to graduate college, so everything is moving at a glacial pace. (laughs) We have a song ready to go, but we just need to start the process of getting it posted. I can send you a copy so you can include it in the article. We also have a Christmas song we recorded that I think you would really like, but that’s not coming out until Christmas. It’s a goth version of the of the song “Snow Miser” from The Year Without a Santa Claus . credit: Greg Taylor/Taylored Eye MaM : That’s awesome!! SA : It’s one of my favorite Christmas songs, so I told Josh, “Do the Smiths thing you do so well” and then we put a Johnny Marr-sounding guitar riff on it and a dance floor beat, and it’s hilarious in my opinion, but it’s also really sad when you listen to the lyrics in that context. (laughs) MaM : I can’t wait to check it out. I bet it’s epic. I have one last question for you guys. What are the future aspirations for the band? Do you want to make a career out of this or just do this as a side thing? SA : Well, I know that personally, I want me and Josh … well, we have explicitly spoken about doing this full time. That is the goal. Doing this as a job would be the best thing to happen to us. We look forward to it. - To experience all that is Of The Roses, head on over to all of their pages, put in some headphones, and enjoy! Home (oftherosesband.com) Of The Roses | Facebook Of The Roses (@oftherosesband) • Instagram photos and videos Mirror's Always Round EP | Of The Roses (bandcamp.com) Of The Roses - YouTube Of The Roses | Spotify ‎Of The Roses on 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? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Creation, Passion, and Collaboration are forming a New Era in Louisiana Music < Back Bayou Harmony: The Rise of Louisiana’s Collaborative Alternative Music Scene Nick Cline May 31, 2025 Share Creation, Passion, and Collaboration are forming a New Era in Louisiana Music Let’s face it, the music scene in general has been very strange and bizarre for quite a while, and although I wasn’t even born yet, the '90s truly are the period of music I most identify with. Alternative music in the ‘90s was so raw, artistic, and full of creativity. You had average-looking folks up there performing, and it wasn’t polished at all. It was authentic and real. The alternative music scene in Louisiana these days exemplifies perseverance in the face of judgment, it truly does. When I first started Phantum Sun , I found there was no true alternative music scene for the type of music I wanted to play, so I set out on a quest of sorts to try and build the scene I wanted. Think like a Monty Python quest, but no one has lost a leg or arm yet. Building a genre and its accompanying community is never an easy task, but despite the hardships and challenges, Louisiana is experiencing a surge of artistic creation currently, and I am happy to be a part of it. It’s starting to feel like a family. Recently, the alternative scene here in Louisiana reached a pivotal moment. The artists have all collectively decided they are ready to make a significant impact both in Louisiana and nationwide. Bands are forming a community that pours every ounce of passion and creativity into their work, and the community is evident both on social media and at local shows. The rules set by traditional norms no longer confine this emerging community. Instead, they are forging their own path—one that is filled with possibilities, inclusivity, and opportunities for progress, and it’s awesome. The recognition of this new community I’m referencing began with the ideas established at Eclipse Fest 2025 . Eclipse Fest is a festival I started last year, and this year, the camaraderie and community came together in an even bigger way. The line-up was killer with bands that included Phantum Sun , HolleeStar , Pink Tooth/JAYD3D! , Jean Claude Seagal , Grey Areas , Kris Russ , Double Knockout , Goodbye Academy , She Might Be a Beast , WE ARE THE VIRUS , and Voice of the Enemy . Many of the bands mentioned above are dedicated to creating a new era of Louisiana music, just as I am. Every day, they lay the groundwork for events and collaborations, encouraging more bands to join this mission. I see them all working together, and this collective is expanding with each passing moment. As announcements are made, the collaborations between these groups grow stronger, with each band carving out its own identity while embracing a wide range of genres. This stands in stark contrast to the existing scene I walked into, which was characterized by gatekeeping and ego clashes, which are now behind us, because we stand for unity through music and only want to uplift others. We are on the verge of a new era defined by inclusion, passion, and artistic expression with music, I believe. Things have been stale for far too long. The alternative scene here, which has never been a staple of the state, has recently ignited into a wildfire that is slowly spreading across Louisiana , and we need to embrace that and build it. The state of mind in alternative music has always been unpredictable yet beautiful, welcoming anyone willing to collaborate and accept good people, regardless of their genre. This community we are building truly makes me proud. The electric energy, work ethic, and creativity of this burgeoning scene are genuinely remarkable. Louisiana—and indeed the entire country—may not be prepared for this powerful wave of artistic expression, but I know that we are all ready to take it to the next level by bridging the gap through various other successful scenes, such as the one in Asbury Park, New Jersey , which is where I plan to move soon . As the days continue to go by, let’s return to our roots of just good music, no matter the genre. Life is too short. Listen to good music. Thank you for reading my thoughts. -Nick- *cover photo by Elise Hanks Photography by Elise Marie 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

Strumming Through Struggles to Stardom < Back Off the Charts: Brandon Elder Bud Gambrell Jul 11, 2024 Share Strumming Through Struggles to Stardom Welcome back to Off the Charts . I’m so glad you’re here! I have not had an article out in a couple of weeks because I took some time to rest and clear my mind. For the most part, I took June off from writing and photography. Everyone needs a break, even me! When I began this column, I jotted down some names of people or bands I would like to introduce you to. The name Brandon Elder was on that list! I was first introduced to Brandon’s music in March of 2024 when I had an assignment to shoot the Conference USA basketball Championship. The Von Braun Center hosted three nights of local entertainment as part of the celebration, and Brandon happened to be playing the Friday Night show. I had heard the name Brandon Elder while researching my book on Side Tracks Music Hall . Of course, now I wish I had seen him perform at Side Tracks . After hearing him for the first time in March, though, I became a quick fan. I didn’t get a chance to meet Brandon face-to-face at the concert in March, but we did chat via messenger on Facebook, where I messaged him a couple of the pictures I took that night. For this interview, I met Brandon at Big Spring International Park in downtown Huntsville . We sat and talked about him and his musical journey. I now know him better, and soon, I think you will, too! My first question, of course, was to dig deeper into who Brandon Elder is, so read on below. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : For those who may not be familiar with you, tell me a little bit about Brandon Elder. BE : I’m 29 years old and from Union Grove, Alabama. I started playing music about 7-8 years ago and just started writing and working on songs, and it just went from there. Then, I just started making a career out of it. I love playing music! I love all my fans and am excited for the Alabama Smoke Show coming up here on July 26th . OTC : I saw that you were a contestant on American Idol . Tell me a little about that experience. BE : So, American Idol was cool! It was my first time on an airplane in LA, so all the firsts were fun! The TV part was a little weird, but I had a good time with it. You know, I’ll go back tomorrow! American Idol was awesome! OTC : I watched the video of your audition in 2018. You played an original song called Gone. At the end of the song, the judges compliment you pretty much. What did that feel like? BE : It was excellent! It was nice for multiple reasons. It was the second song I've ever written. I had been playing guitar for maybe a year, so it was nice to get those compliments early on in my career, especially those they gave me about my songwriting. I think that's one of the reasons why I will probably continue to write as much as I do. Getting compliments from people like that makes you want to work even harder for it. OTC : One of the judges was Alabama native Lionel Ritchie . When he compliments you, this has to build your confidence slightly. Tell me how that felt. BE : For sure! And it's incredibly cool coming from him since he is from Alabama. I also cover about three or four of his songs in my set. I've always been a big fan of Lionel . So, it was cool! It was nice to get their compliments and be in the same room with them for a little while. OTC : There are several ways that you perform your songs. It can be a solo acoustic, or it could be a full band. What is your favorite way to present your original songs? BE : I mean, I like playing with the band. I like it with the acoustic guitar, and I do a lot of shows with my fiddle player. Most of the time, my favorite way to perform my original songs would probably be like me, with another guitar player being more acoustic. I would say it's probably my favorite because most of the stuff I write is not party songs. It's hard for me to write those, which I have some, but it's hard to write the drink-a-beer song or the party songs. A lot of times, when I'm writing, it's a little deeper. It’s deeper than just the beer song or the whiskey song. But most of the time, it's just me and an acoustic guitar—either me and a guitar player or a fiddle player. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Being a songwriter, where are you hoping your songwriting takes you? What's your next step? BE : The next step is to continue putting pen to pad. I would say keep doing what I'm doing and see where it goes. You know, doors open, and you hop through when they open and see where it goes. That's all you can do. OTC : Tonight, as a songwriter, you sit down to write a song with anybody you could pick; who would you write that song with and why? BE : Oh boy! That’s a tough one! Chris Stapleton would be up there for sure. Drake White , an Alabama boy. Jamey Johnson , another Alabama player. I guess the reason I think I gravitate most to those guys is because a lot of the stuff that they write is about a little bit of everything. But most of the things they write are not just about the party stuff. It's more about real-life things, and it just seems more heartfelt. So, I feel like all three guys aren't trying to write for the radio. They write what they want, and if people like it, cool. And if they don't cool. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : You’re a local musician, and you’ve gotten to play onstage at the VBC Mars Music Hall . How does it feel to be playing on the big stage? BE : Yeah, it's always fun to get on big stages like Mars because of multiple reasons. It's just a change of scene for one. And then, often, when you're opening for more significant acts, your set is condensed. Some people may think that's a bad thing, but I look at it like, OK, I have 45 minutes to give it the best I've got. You know, I get to get up and sing my songs for 45 minutes and maybe sprinkle a cover or two in there, but I'm not just singing other people's songs all night. So it's nice! It allows you to showcase what it is, who you are, and what you want to do as an artist. It also gives you a chance to let the people in the crowd get to know who you are, not just as an artist but also as a person. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : On July 26th, you once again get to get up onstage at Mars Music Hall . This will be a part of a local showcase. Are you looking forward to that? How do you feel about that show? BE : Yeah, it's going to be great! I know everybody on the ticket so that it will be great fun! All of us are never together at the same time, so it's going to be fun to get up there and have a good time with all the guys who are trying to do the same thing I'm trying to do and make a show out of it and get some people there and have some fun. OTC : There will be a lot of local talent on that stage. Does that give you some extra motivation to get up there and show out and do your best? BE : Absolutely! I guess it gives me some extra motivation, but at the same time, I give my best all the time. I don't want to say it will be just another night. It's not going to be just another night, but at the same time, I give it my best, no matter if I'm playing at Mars Music Hall or Moe’s. I will go up there and do my thing anyway, no matter what. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Is there anything you want to say to a prospective new fan reading this right now? BE : With me, you get what you get. I hope that everybody likes what they hear. Ultimately, I'm not trying to change for anybody, and I hope to see you at the show I am putting on soon. OTC : Where can we find your music? BE : You can find it on Spotify and Apple Music . I think it's on like 50-something streaming platforms. It's in the works to get in the studio in the next month or so and start putting out some of the stuff I've been working on to the public. We will try to get in there and get some new music out for people because I haven't put anything out in a little while, but just because I haven't put anything out doesn't mean I haven't been working. We will try to get some new stuff out for the fans and see where that goes, though. Credit: Bud Gambrell I enjoyed talking with Brandon . We could have sat there and talked for who knows how long. But we had to go. Brandon had a rehearsal for an upcoming gig, and I had to get home and start writing this article for you. If you are in Huntsville, I highly recommend attending the Alabama Smoke Show on Friday, July 26th, at Mars Music Hall . Brandon will perform his songs along with several other local bands. It will not be a night to be missed! Click the picture to learn more! I hope you enjoyed this latest article for Off the Charts . I have a couple more interviews in the works, so be on the lookout for those. For now, please email me and let me know your thoughts. Feel free to tell me what you liked or disliked. Tell me about any bands you know and love and think others will. Until next time, Keep your diamond in the groove! Where to find Bud: Email: the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com 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. Amazon : https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tz Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell To learn more about Brandon Elder: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/brandoneldermusic/?hl=en Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/brandoneldermusic/ Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xiJP2U4qbFDWoD9ebOpZA Apple Music : https://music.apple.com/us/artist/brandon-elder/1004631456 YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/c/BrandonElderMusic *cover photo by Bud Gambrell Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Tunes to expand your sonic palette. < Back Nick’s Corner: Playlist Picks for November 2024 Nick Cline Nov 22, 2024 Share Tunes to expand your sonic palette. It’s that time again! It’s time for another entry on Nick's Corner. This time around I’ll be supplying you with some new recommendations that will expand your sonic palette just in time for the Thanksgiving season. We’ll be digging into the standard routine of local picks that deserve way more attention, and some legacy/national picks that deserve way more attention as well. 1 Amigo by The Glorious Sons Click to listen Deets about the track : First up on the chopping block is ' Amigo ' by The Glorious Sons . This track, with its almost seven-minute length, is a masterpiece of harmonies and storytelling. It's a tale of finding yourself, loneliness, death, and accepting that sometimes the world in front of us is not for us. The song opens with a beautiful piano melody, leading into the reminiscent lyrics of friendship/younger years. The story carries on into the territory of remembering someone that was not made for the time they were forced into, but in the end, fell victim to the society that gave up on so many before him. The mixing of this song is something to adore alone, but the lyrical prowess packaged with the beautiful harmonies is what truly makes it a masterpiece. This is a great introduction to the beautiful harmonies and storytelling of The Glorious Sons' music. They have easily become my favorite band from Canada, and this song is the perfect addition to anyone's playlist if they are looking for a powerful ballad that tackles themes of self-realization, isolation, and everything in between. 2 I'll See You All in Hell or New Orleans by Dax Riggs Click to listen Deets about the track : This next one is a little bit of an in-between pick. The reason for this is that Dax Riggs , a local legend and national talent, is an artist who deserves more attention. He's known for his unique blend of blues, rock, and folk, and his solo catalog is a treasure trove of musical gems. One such gem is ' I’ll See You All in Hell or New Orleans '. This track offers a lyrical and musical sensation that is beautiful just as much as it is haunting. The slow blues oriented music offers a sense of solace and familiarity to the music found in the swamps of Louisiana. The “droning” of the lyrics is like a ghost whispering in your ear. The music tackles this theme very well because the mixing of the two has offered a back and forth sort of wailing and theme of abandonment, retribution, and haunting sorrow. This is just one of the many Dax Riggs songs that I feel deserve way more attention. Do yourself a favor and deep dive this local legend because you will not be disappointed. 3 Down to Me by Double Knockout Click to listen Deets about the track : ' Down to Me ' by Double Knockout . This track brings back a tone that's been missing for a while. It has a sense of scope, yet it also offers a nostalgic feel that's reminiscent of the late 2000’s/early 2010’s. The melodies, lyrics, and rhythms are a burst of adrenaline. From the first note, you're ready to get up and dance. This energy is sustained throughout the entire song, a feat that few bands can achieve. At the end of the day, this song leaves me eager for more. It's a must-have for your favorite local band playlists because Double Knockout never disappoints, and trust me, they have more in store that might just surpass this one. I can't wait to hear what they'll bring next. 4 Second Guess by Genuine Mustard Click to listen Deets about the track : The fourth entry for this addition to Nick’s Corner is, ' Second Guess ' by Genuine Mustard . The song is featured on their self-titled EP from 2020. It offers your daily dose of folk rock with the sensibilities of indie rock and pop. It offers a “calm” introduction to Genuine Mustard as the lyrics, melodies, and music give you a rough guess on what can be offered by the band. Check out more of this band both live and in-studio because, trust me, you will not be disappointed. If you are a fan of The Backseat Lovers , Tell Me I’m Pretty era Cage The Elephant , and other indie classics, then you will find a new favorite in Genuine Mustard. Keep a close eye on this band, and hurry yourself to add Second Guess to your daily playlist. 5 Evil Eye by Fu Manchu Click to listen Deets about the track : This final track is for the lovers of fuzzed out high octane rock/grunge. This classic from Fu Manchu is ' Evil Eye .' It's a song that's not just music, but a surge of energy that sounds like a car wreck in your eardrums. From the lyrics to the music, it's a track that's bound to get you up and moving. Personally, this track and this band in general are not just influences, but the very foundation of my writing and style in my own band, Phantum Sun. This is a great addition for anyone looking to wake up with the energy to knock a wall down headfirst. 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

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. 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

Thrice Sovereign < Back Ripe with Nostalgic Talent Keeley Brooks Jan 30, 2023 Share Thrice Sovereign The Muscle Shoals area of Alabama is ripe with all kinds of indie talent just waiting to showcase themselves. Recently while online perusing artists in the area to write about, someone first suggested a local duo called Thrice Sovereign. So, I cruised on over to their website for some exploration and found some lyrically expressive tunes full of emotion with some creative, catchy compositions. Thrice Sovereign is an up-and-coming pop-rock duo out of Florence and is the brainchild of self-taught multi-instrumentalist Kristen Borden Talcott and singer/songwriter Amanda Lee Borden Talcott. Well, I say duo, but I stand corrected: Technically there are four members, according to Kristen and Amanda, but I’ll get to that a little later. “Kristen and I met through a mutual friend as an intent for friendship. Love had a different plan. We started dating seven years ago and have been married for five years,” Amanda gushed. Initially the Talcott’s were focused on having a taco truck, but that soon changed when they uncovered their deepest creative desires and hidden talents neither really knew existed on the level they did. “Kristen gave me a safe place to share my painful writings,” says Amanda. “I heard in her so much music wanting to come out, so we wrote a few songs, then a few more, and shared them with friends and family, who all wanted more. We decided [to] record [those songs] a bit nicer and make them easy for people to find. Through a string of necessity, creativity, and hope, Thrice Sovereign was born.” For Kristen—born and raised in Florence—music has always been a backdrop for her life, ever since her Pepaw taught her to play the guitar as a child. After years of playing softball and a bout in the MMA world, she had a lot of damage to her hand. When an injury left it broken, Kristen put music aside for a while … until, as Amanda puts it, “we started to goof off together, [with] her strumming random things and trying to re-teach herself [to play] Skynyrd’s ‘Sweet Home Alabama.’ [As she did that], I’d hum, sing, and make random sounds and parodies about what was going on right then. [Now], she plays anything put in front of her.” Kristen plays by ear and, other than small moments on that tiny guitar from Pepaw, is completely self-taught. And this brings me to the third member of Thrice Sovereign: Blue. Blue is Kristen’s baby and first love … her first acoustic guitar. Image provided by Thrice Sovereign “I got Blue, if I remember correctly, for Christmas when I was 11. I specifically asked for a blue guitar, and she’s been with me ever since. She’s got some chunks missing and some bangs here and there, but Blue plays a sound like no other. I’ve had several people want to buy her from me, but I could never imagine her in someone else’s hands,” says Kristen. “Blue is fully an extension of my wife,” adds Amanda. The first moment Kristen took her off the wall and played her for me, I could see a new part of the woman I loved shining though. Blue resonates a special sound behind her string vibrations that harmonies beautifully with Kristen’s and my voice in a way that seems like a third human singing.” Amanda was born in the land of grunge and coffee, Washington state. After spending most of her life traveling around the U.S., she now calls Florence home. She’s always loved to write and soon discovered she was spinning raw emotions into lyrics full of pain, lessons, and growth. She is also self-taught and is continuously writing lyrics and music in addition to creating graphics. “I have always loved to mimic sounds and feel what it’s like to make them. In my youth, music was an escape—a safe place where I felt seen. I didn’t think I could be a part of that world, so I’d sing in the crowds to myself or those I trusted. For both of us, our talents have grown immensely in the past three years. I am grateful to have talents I can use to help others feel seen, just like music did for me.” Thrice Sovereign recently released their title single from their debut album “Waiting to Thunder,” which is a groovy song composed in a popular style that draws on heavy guitar riffs and the fat distorted sounds of hard rock, while the lyrics and theme of the song are relatable to many because they’re about things we all experience as human beings, as artists, and as experiencers in this realm. It is written by Amanda Lee Borden Talcott, composed by Kristen Borden Talcott, then the instruments were digitally recreated for release due to COVID needs. It is also their first music video, which brings me to “the fourth band member,” as they put it: techmaster Josh Brown. “After asking local businesses if we could shoot a music video [at their venue], Arx Mortis said, ‘Yes!’ With the help of our then-new friend Josh, the music video was born,” they say. “We see it as a musical/visual interpretation of the desire to do something that one is passionate about, believing there are reasons to wait, and knowing (eventually) that now is the time to do what you love.” credit: Amanda Chapman As for how the name Thrice Sovereign wove itself into the mix, Amanda best explains it. “The name … happened while I was doodling random words that I felt were relevant to both of us. The number three has always been a massive … sign in my life? Tip of the iceberg [is] I am one of three daughters, my mother is one of three daughters, I have given birth to three daughters, and my birthday is [in the third month of the year]—a fact I didn’t know until my 33rd birthday. During that year, our littles were ages five, nine, and 13, and they were born in 2005, 2009, and 2013. [Also at the that time, it would be] five, nine, and 13 years before our littles would be adults. The many plays on the two words that represent the art we make are endless. Sovereign’s many meanings give hope in my heart that all can see we are each ‘supreme leaders’ of our own worlds. Each can be monarchs in their own rite and live in all capacities of that word as well.” In addition to their musicianship, the Talcotts are also the founders of TechTonic Crucible Records LLC, as well as the benefit music festival MighTyekiM, which raises money for those in need. Last year was the first for the festival, which is named in honor of Mighty Mike, who passed away from Ewing’s Sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in early 2022. “MighTyekiM is the benefit music festival we … started as a way for musicians and artists of all levels and all kinds to come share their art with anyone who wants to listen,” said Amanda. “[It’s] a place where people can come experience free music, art, pizza donated by Dominos, beverages donated by Buffalo Rock, and so much more.” Thrice Sovereign accepted donations to raise funds … to help Mike’s family purchase a headstone for him. They note their initial intent was to raise the donated money for Mighty Mike before he passed so he could do something he found blissful but, unfortunately, they didn’t make it in time for that to happen. “We did, [however,] host a beautiful and memorable event in his honor. We had over 21 artists performing over two days at Wilson Park in downtown Florence [last June]. With a silent auction table and a kids’ fun area, it was a family-fun time, and we have secret plans in the works for the next one! We were so blessed to have so many local and corporate businesses and individuals donate their time and talents to help us make [that] amazing weekend happen.” This year’s MighTyekiM Festival will benefit a little girl, who also has Ewing’s Sarcoma. Currently there’s no word yet on where the festival will happen, but rest assured, we’ll keep you updated. TechTonic Crucible Records LLC is the newest addition to Sovereign’s distractions from what they call “the inevitable end.” The label developed out of the realization that most record labels are not what people believe they are. “We decided to find a way to help artists, and others, to have someone who taught themselves to do the things that are key from recording, distribution, website creation, and persona development to graphic design, songwriting, backing musicians, etc. So that and more is what we are offering—a place to learn how to maintain the world we help them create.” credit: Amanda Chapman Thrice Sovereign’s first album, “Waiting to Thunder,” will be out by summer 2023. Amanda notes it’s a concept album with some comforting songs that can work their way into becoming ear worms. Others, she says, are filled with lyrics of emotive imagery dramatically laid amongst the captivating instrumentals driven by the soul of Kristen. “Our first album is a nod to nostalgia in ways too many have forgotten they loved, with modern depth and truths weaved through descriptive metaphors and stories based in emotion and experience.” For more information on Thrice Sovereign and their music and shows, the MighTyekiM Festival, and TechTonic Crucible Records, hop on over to http://ThriceSovereign.com and check ‘em out. They’re music and personalities are totally worth it! 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

Still kicking ass and taking names < Back Sick of It All: Pioneers of the Hardcore Punk Scene Nicole Brice May 15, 2023 Share Still kicking ass and taking names For our first band to be featured in our G.O.A.T. section (greatest of all time), I don’t even know where to begin. This band has influenced me so much, I don’t even know what to say. Pioneers of the hardcore punk scene, the men of Sick of It All paved the way for many bands that came after them, and through the years when I’ve needed some inspiration to be tough and get myself into a certain headspace, their music has been my soundtrack. I was in the Louisiana Army National Guard from 2001-2009, and each summer we would travel to various locations around my state and beyond for our annual training—AT, as we called it. I still remember being on a bus or in the back of an LMTV with all my fellow troops as we embarked on the journey to our summer destinations—my earphones firmly in place and my turquoise iPod mini blaring the sweet tunage of Sick of It All . Their music has always inspired me with potent lyrics, thundering bass, crunching guitar, and crisp vocals. If there is one thing I can say about this band, it’s that even though they started out with a likeness reminiscent of other hardcore bands of the day, they have managed to evolve and refine their sound, making it one all their own. Anytime I hear a song by them, I instantly know it is them because of the distinct bass and the remarkable vocal stylings of the man himself, Mr. Lou Koller . Throw in an iconic logo of a dragon that was even used by another well-known music group and you have the unparalleled styling that can only be known as Sick of It All . Credit: Ken Salerno - The band in the early years For those not familiar with the band, allow me. Sick of It All was formed in 1986 with brothers Lou and Pete Koller . The Koller brothers grew up in Queens , N.Y., in a middle-class family where they would often hop on subway trains to the various indie record shops nearby and indulge themselves in all the iconic metal, punk, and hardcore albums they could devour. Their love of music turned into forming the band, with the Koller brothers being the solidifying force to bring it all together. After a couple of line-up changes through the years, the band has remained true to its roots and is currently comprised of Lou Koller on vocals, Pete Koller on guitar, Craig Setari on bass, and Armand Majidi on the kit. credit: Jeff Crespi - Armand Majidi Known for their high-energy shows, the band has never allowed themselves to be pigeonholed into one specific genre and has often played shows and toured with bands outside of the hardcore scene. When one thinks of a hardcore punk band, they think of the tough guys … the guys you don’t want to mess with— the real OGs . While the guys in Sick of it All are no strangers to kicking someone’s ass, they truly are just a nice bunch of guys who enjoy making music they love. credit: Jeff Crespi - Pete Koller With 11 albums to their credit and a book released in 2020 called “ The Blood and the Sweat: The Story of Sick of It All’s Koller Brothers ”, these guys show no sign of slowing down and are currently all over with Lou and Pete even recently being tour guides at the newly opened Punk Rock Museum in Las Vegas . With such an iconic sound, the music of Sick of it All proves that time is no test for such an influential band, and they continue to bring their music to new crowds of fans all over the world. Publisher: Post Hill Press (August 4, 2020) Currently taking a break from their highly successful 2023 tour with Life of Agony, which is set to resume in the U.S. in August, I was able to speak with the vox of this incomparable band, Lou Koller , to discuss everything from what the future holds to what they think of the crowds at their shows in the current day. MaM : Thank you so much for talking with me today. You have no idea what this means to me. I was so nervous about calling you that I told my friend I was about to throw up. (laughs) LK : No problem. No problem at all. MaM : Love your music and I feel like I’ve been listening to you forever. My favorite albums are Death to Tyrants , Call to Arms , and Yours Truly , but I have so many favorite songs of yours that if I were to list them, we would be here forever. (laughs) So, your last album was released in 2018 and I know you guys have been playing shows like crazy, but are there any plans for new music coming out? LK : Well, during the pandemic, we were writing mostly—well, my brother, Pete , he ended up writing over 27 songs , but we’ve been trying to convince the other members of the band we should get together and work on them and record, but we just never could get it together. It all happened when unemployment ran out and we all got jobs and that was a factor that delayed it. Also, too, our drummer Armand seems to be on vacation every other week. (laughs) Once the pandemic ended, we all felt it was time to get back on the road, but we still have these songs, so it’s on the way. After we get back from Europe and the other leg of the Life of Agony tour , we will have the fall to get together and we plan to meet two weeks every month to write, so we’ll see how that goes. We’re working on it. It’s on its way. credit: Jeff Crespi - Lou Koller MaM : So, as far as the writing and recording process, do you feel technology has changed how you approach that? LK : It does because of necessity. Again, with the pandemic, we didn’t really get together to write. … Pete would write, but he lives in Florida , so he wrote down there. Armand lives in upstate New York, Craig bounces from Queens to upstate New York , and I live in New Jersey now. It used to be we had our own rehearsal studio in Brooklyn , and we would all just meet there three times a week and jam and have fun, but you know when Pete moved to Florida, it all became corresponding through emails and stuff like that. I think the technology helps in a way, but it’s also kind of a pain in the ass for me. I like getting together at the studio, not just for the writing but for the camaraderie. MaM : Right, the vibe. LK : Yeah, exactly. It works, but there’s some aspects of it that we need to learn just to keep up with the times, and some of it makes it convenient or easier in some ways, but I think because of the way we all grew up, you feel like something is missing. I still have a hard time discovering new music through a digital platform. Some of the suggestions through Spotify I don’t get. I could sit there and listen to old metal and hardcore and punk, and suddenly, they’ll say, ‘Suggested for you is the new Justin Bieber album.’ Why? Why would you suggest that for me? I have nothing to do with that. Nothing I listen to is remotely close to that. (laughs) credit: Jeff Crespi - Lou Koller MaM : I agree. I use digital platforms, too, but I miss the old ways of discovering new music. I used to just go to the music store and wander around looking for any cover art that spoke to me. Often, I would purchase albums based solely on cover art, and then I would go home to listen to see whether I dug the music or not. So, who would you say has influenced you the most when it comes to your vocal styling? LK : It’s a combination. When I first started, I really didn’t know how to do anything, but I wanted to sound as hard and as rough as the singer, John Brandon , from Negative Approach and also Chris , the singer of Crumbsuckers because he also sounded like John Brandon . But now, for the last 10 years or so, I still try to emulate that, but I try to have a bit more range. One of my favorites is Lemmy from Motorhead because he had such a rough voice, but he had this melody, too. He could hit the notes but was just a great vocalist. I know a lot of people think that’s crazy, but I just love that he had such a rough sound. Chuck from Hot Water Music , too, has such a rough voice, but it’s also so melodic. He just does it great. He’s another one I would like to sing like. credit: Jeff Crespi - Lou Koller MaM : But your voice is so amazing! How do you keep it in shape for singing the type of music you guys play? LK : I’ve been to some professional coaches; Melissa Cross is probably the most famous one. When I went to her, she told me, ‘Sing how you sing,’ but [then she said], ‘I could give you a couple of pointers, but you do what you do very well.’ The way I sing, it’s more using the muscles around my vocal cords and all that, so like any muscle, when we’re not on tour, I really should be going to the studio twice a week to keep it in shape, but it’s not fun going to the studio by yourself screaming to your phone going through the PA. So, I got lazy, and usually before a tour, I’m like, ‘Ah man, I’ve gotta go in,’ and my voice usually sounds like garbage for a week and then it kicks in. credit: Jeff Crespi - Lou and Pete Koller MaM : So, let me ask, you guys are definitely the voice of a generation and I credit you with being very instrumental in launching that second wave of punk rock and hardcore. I consider the first wave to be late 70s/early 80s and then we had a reemergence of it in the late 90s/early 2000s, so with the crowds, especially since you just came off tour, have you noticed any differences or changes in the scene or just any differences in how people treat each other at shows in general? LK : It’s weird … Our tours in the 90s, we would take the upcoming hardcore bands like Strife and Snapcase and we would take the upcoming West Coast bands (what they called hardcore but we would call punk, like AFI and Good Riddance ) and … combine those bands into tours and we loved it. Now, it’s so separated; you can’t take a more melodic punk band out with a newer heavier hardcore band because a Terror crowd would not appreciate a Good Riddance and a Good Riddance crowd might not appreciate when a band like Incendiary plays. They would be like, ‘That’s way too heavy,’ but I think 1999 was the peak for that. We did a tour, and it’s one of our favorite tours we ever did, but it was us, AFI , Hot Water Music , and Indecision , and it was so good that almost every night every band had such a great reaction, and I think one of the proudest moments for us was on that tour in L.A. seeing kids with Blink 182 shirts going absolutely wild to Indecision , who were the forerunners of what bands like Knocked Loose are doing now, and to see kids going absolutely crazy to something that’s totally opposite to what they usually listen to and then do the same thing for Hot Water Music and AFI and then with us, that was great. Nowadays, like I said, when you try to mix it up, it doesn’t work as well. credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : I grew up in the late 90s/early 2000s and so I remember when there was no separation. It was all together. If you liked hardcore, you liked punk. If you liked punk, you liked pop-punk and so on. I feel like back then there was more cohesiveness and now, like you said, it’s more divided. LK : I think on a smaller scale, it might be coming back. Luckily, I have a friend who used to work for us. He’s about 10 years younger than me, and he’s always sending me texts with, ‘Hey, check this band out,’ and he’ll send me music like Drain or Incendiary . … Not really new, but to me they’re new … like super heavy, and then he’ll be like, ‘Check out this band from England , The Chisel .’ And they became one of my new favorites. They’re a good combination of old skool, just English hardcore punk … leading towards Oi music , but I would love to see them with any hardcore band because it’s such a good mix. On the smaller scale with smaller tours, you can still see that good mix. MaM : Did you notice any regional differences on this latest tour with how the crowds received your music? LK : The Life of Agony tour was good for us because they took us to parts where we have never played. They took us to Michigan and usually we only play in Detroit when we go there, but this time they took us to Flint, Mich. , and we played in front of, which seemed to us, like a totally new crowd. There were guys there that were 50 years old going, ‘I’ve never heard of you guys. I’ve never seen you.’ That’s insane! … But they loved it, and they bought merch and records, so it was great. It surprised the hell out of us. (laughs) It’s also that Life of Agony has that bigger metal following and they were embraced by the whole world for decades, and those people don’t see a mixed tour very often. Life of Agony could have taken a younger, more prominent act as their opener, but they wanted to thank us for influencing them when they were younger. And when they went to Europe , they took Prong and Madball with them, which I think is a great thing. They wanted to repay bands like us and to mix the bill, which I thought was good. credit: Jeff Crespi - Lou Koller MaM : So, as far as the current crowds, do you feel the younger generations are embracing your music more or do you find that it’s the older crowd, like me, who are loving your shows these days? LK : It’s weird for us because being around so long, we used to get a good mix … we had our fans from the beginning, and we had younger kids coming. Now, it’s like the 16-to-25-year-olds who have their own stuff. We’ve had experiences where we’ve taken a younger band out that was heavily influenced by us and they’re the hot hardcore band. And they’ll be on stage, and they’ll say, ‘You know, we wouldn’t be a band if it wasn’t for Sick of it All ,’ and when they finish their set, their fans will just leave. They don’t care. They don’t stick around. It’s strange. Now, what I’ve seen, like in Europe , … it has been constant … where you have the older fans and generations still coming. But in the U.S., if we play an all-ages show, it’s usually our older fans who bring their kids and make them watch us, so sometimes it works. (laughs) credit: Jeff Crespi - Pete Koller MaM : Let me ask you as far as continuing to make music, how long do you plan on continuing? Do you just want to do it until you can’t anymore? LK : Yeah, that’s why I’m itching to make a new record. I’m very nervous when we do it, and I love the songs in demo mode, but I’m always worried no one is going to like it and then once the finished product comes out, I go, ‘Oh, I was scared for no reason.’ We always say we’re going to do it until it’s not fun anymore, but we’re always having fun, which is good. What’s good for us is that we all love playing live. It’s just a fact that we’ve always presented a very high-energy live show. If I ever physically can’t do it, I don’t want to just be standing around. (laughs) Zack from Rage Against the Machine tore his Achilles tendon and he had to do the tour sitting down. You could see in his face that he hated it. Same thing with Barney from Napalm Death . We did a run with Municipal Waste and Napalm Death and Barney had hurt his ankle. We all said he should go to a doctor, and he didn’t want to go. It turned out his ankle was broken. He didn’t know it and kept standing on it and destroyed [it]. He’s still having problems to this day. He had to finish that tour with us in a chair. Then, last year, he was doing a U.S. run and, sure enough, same ankle, completely destroyed. He had to finish the tour sitting in a chair and now, who knows if he’s gonna ever be able to stand on that damn ankle again. I don’t know if I could just sit there in a chair for the fans. It’s not Sick of it All if I’m sitting in a freakin chair, you know. credit: Jeff Crespi - Craig Setari MaM : Yeah, no kidding. It ruins the whole live experience. So, do you have any crazy stories from over the years with being on the road that you could share? LK : I mean, there’s so many. You know with the book they did about me and my brother, ‘ The Blood and the Sweat: The Story of Sick of it All’s Koller Brothers ,’ there’s a story in there that everyone asks us if it’s true. The story about when we were playing in Pennsylvania at a club called The Sonic Temple and after the show, we were packing up the van when these kids came up to us and said, ‘Yo, there’s a guy over there and he’s got a gun and he says he has a head in a bag,’ and, sure enough, he had something stuck in his waist, and we could see it wasn’t a gun, and he comes over and he’s talking all crazy saying he's going to kill everybody and we’re all, ‘Yeah yeah yeah,’ and he opens up the bag and there was a head. … It could have been a mannequin head, I don’t know, and we all hop in the van and as we’re driving away from the parking lot, all of a sudden there’s, like, 15 cop cars and we’re just like, ‘What just happened?’ MaM : (laughs) Wow. I wonder if he decapitated someone. (laughs) LK : Well, we don’t know. (laughs) We’ve always tried to look it up online and we can’t find anything, but it was awesome. MaM : So, one question that I am dying to know the answer to involves your logo. It is iconic and is immediately associated with you guys, but how did the Sick of it All dragon come about? LK : The very first idea for it was when we saw it on a flash sheet by the famous tattoo artist Greg Irons . He had a similar version of it. It was when one of our friends was joining the Marines , and he was, like, 17 or 18, and we all decided to get a tattoo together because we had this crew who always hung out together. I think it was Pete who redesigned the dragon for us, and it just happened to be in the photo of our first seven inch. It was a photo of my tattoo of it and then it just got associated with us from then on, then it became very iconic. The iconic Sick of It All dragon It’s funny, too, because decades later, we had a good friend who worked in the record industry and she was working in the hip-hop world and she’s walking through the office one day and she sees a co-worker with a big poster behind his desk and it had a picture of the earth burning with the Sick of it All dragon and she goes, ‘Is that a new Sick of it All record?’ And he goes, ‘Sick of it All? No, this is the new Mobb Deep album cover,’ and she goes, ‘You better check where that logo is from.’ It was very funny. MaM : Wow. LK : They said they got it from a tattoo parlor, which maybe they could have because they’re from Queens and we’re from Queens, but most likely… they would go hang out with this Queens group called The Beatnuts , who were hip-hop DJ guys … and on their apartment door was a bunch of stickers and one of the stickers right in the center was a Sick of it All sticker with the dragon. So, you know they saw that dragon with our name on it and used it. We made a deal with them, though: They were not allowed to use it on their album covers because it was associated with Sick of it All. We actually have a fan who owns two or three pizza places in Berlin, Germany , and on his pizza boxes, he has the Sick of it All dragon, but he asked us if it was ok to do it and we said sure. Now, though, on his pizza box, he still has the dragon, but he puts our Instagram handle with it, too. MaM : Approaching a tour these days vs approaching a tour then—is there anything you do differently when preparing for a tour? LK : For me, personally, I must get my voice in shape. It’s not like it used to be where we would jump in the van and hang out and yell and scream all day, then get on stage and play. I have to rest my voice and I have to work into it. As far as the whole band, it’s kind of gone back to the beginning where, especially in the U.S., where touring in vans again, Armand will plot the tour out with our booking agent and the rest of us will do other aspects for the tour, like I do all the social media for the tour, and then we all have to deal with the merchandise again. MaM : So, you guys have your hands in everything when preparing for a tour. LK : Well, we have to. Personally, I am the lazy one in the band. I liked it in the mid-90s to the late-2000s when we had people doing everything for us. It was great. Back then, we could call up our manager and be like, ‘I have this idea,’ and he would be like, ‘Alright, give me two days,’ and then he would either get it done or he would say it can’t be done. MaM : As a veteran musician, what is one piece of advice you could give the up-and-coming musicians who want to be seen and heard so they can establish a legacy like you? LK : The best advice I could give is play what you love. I mean, it’s fine to emulate your heroes, but eventually you’re gonna find your own sound, but make sure you love it. Also, too, and I know this is going to sound weird, but what stops a lot of other bands is a lot of infighting about money and we, Sick of It All from day one, have always divided everything equally. Everybody inputs as much as you can, but for the first two albums, it was 90% me and Pete writing everything and Armand contributed, too, but at the time Armand was in two other bands, but by ‘ Scratch the Surface ,’ when Craig had joined the band, it was all four of us working together and Armand writing and he and I splitting the lyrical writing; then, the music was split between Armand, Pete, and Craig. Now, it’s good, because I think that everybody contributes to everything. Especially like with the last album, Pete would come in with songs and have 90% of the lyrics written for each song. Craig and I would then sit down and change some of the lines or redo them or Armand would re-write with me or Craig , and it’s so much more of a unit. Love what you do and, I know it sucks, but I didn’t join a band to fill out paperwork. Learn the business so you don’t get f**ked over. MaM : Last question: What’s on the agenda for Sick of it All for the remainder of 2023? LK : We’re trying to keep busy. We’re writing and we have the Life of Agony tour coming back up in August again. We’re going back to Europe in June and July , and I’m going to be a tour guide at The Punk Rock Museum , which Pete just did it, too, but we have quite a bit coming up. Stay tuned. Be sure to catch Sick of it All live before their tour wraps up on August 27, 2023, in their hometown of Queens, N.Y. To learn more about Sick of It All: Sick Of It All – NYHC Sick Of It All | Facebook Sick Of It All (@SOIANYC) / Twitter Sick Of It All - YouTube SICK OF IT ALL (@sickofitallnyc) on Instagram Sick Of It All | Spotify Sick of It All Tickets, 2023 Concert Tour Dates | Ticketmaster *Cover photo courtesy of 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 Nicole Brice is a lifelong lover of punk and hardcore. She may look like a wuss, but we assure you she has military training, is a badass with an M-16A2 rifle, and her music collection is stocked with all the heavy hitters you can handle. Reach her at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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90’s alt rock with dark and dreamy layered vocals < Back Mindy Scurto and Captive Frame: Reigniting Shoegaze Nicole Brice Jul 31, 2023 Share 90’s alt rock with dark and dreamy layered vocals I recently came across the music of an indie band called Captive Frame. With numerous releases on their Bandcamp page, I was drawn to their sound because it reminds me so much of one of my favorite shoegaze bands, Scarling . When most think of shoegaze, they instantly think of bands such as My Bloody Valentine , Cocteau Twins , or The Jesus and Mary Chain : distorted guitars, feedback, and dreamy layered vocals encasing you in soothing waves of sound. With an insanely creative cover of Nirvana’s “ Something in the Way ,” Captive Frame has found a way to showcase the perfect mix of distortion and feedback making the well-known tune feel reinvented. Other tunes such as “Walking Away” and “Seven Mondays” take the listener through an atmospheric journey of texture and sound. With so many songs to experience on their Bandcamp page, you truly need to experience their music for yourself to understand the beauty of Mindy Scurto’s voice. It’s soft, it’s haunting, it’s seductive. Captive Frame is the brainchild of multi-talented female vocalist, Mindy Scurto, who is currently based out of Florida, and her husband, Joe, who plays lead guitar. Originally from Maine, Mindy is a graphic designer by day and a talented musician by night. Coming from a metal scene in New England, Scurto founded her own graphic design company called MK Studios, where she has taken on numerous projects for her band as well as others to give them the identity they all visually need. In addition to graphic design, Mindy also paints and loves to engross herself in fine art. With a history of over ten years in the business, Scurto formerly managed a music shop in her home state where she worked exclusively with Autistic children teaching them music and integration. I recently had the opportunity to chat with Mindy at length about her music, her life, and her passion to create as well as the current state of her band. Take a moment to learn a little more about this creative woman who knows how to captivate with not only her voice but also with her outgoing personality. MaM : Tell us a little more about the band beginnings. MS : Captive Frame started a long time ago back when I was living in New Hampshire. We had a band before that was called Zounderkite and then another one called Cactus Hag. We toured all over with Cactus Hag and had a lot of fun, but my health got really bad and we ended up moving around New England a good bit. After I was misdiagnosed with diabetes, they essentially told me I was going to die, and at that point I decided we needed to get the hell out of New England because I had developed neuropathy. I couldn’t play anything, and I couldn’t do my art. In the middle of the pandemic, we decided to move to Florida in the southwestern part of the state, and that is where we currently are now. Photo provided by band MaM : So, what year was it that you could say that Captive Frame really got started working on material? Was it 2012? MS : No, it was more like 2014. I remember I was still working at the music store, and I found DKFM, which is a shoegaze radio station, and I was just blown away. That kind of gave me the idea for the band and then Joe, my husband, who is a huge Siouxsie and the Banshees fan, heard this line in the song “Unrest” where she says something about a captive frame, and that really resonated with him. It symbolizes being stuck and the line really stayed with us. When we moved to Florida, we got with a producer and we had this plan and then ended up knocking out an album in a year. It just poured right out of us. MaM : What is going on currently with the band? Any new material coming? MS : We have the live line-up finally and we’ve only practiced twice, but the guys we have are really serious about the music, which is great. We’re not used to people taking the music seriously because we’ve been in some bad situations with band tyrants, and it just really messes up everyone’s time. The chemistry of this group is so right, and we are a super tight family. Currently practicing and working on songs. Cover art for Captive Frame's upcoming self-titled release MaM : Who makes up the current line-up of Captive Frame? MS : I sing and then my husband, Joe, is the lead guitarist. Eric is the rhythm guitar player and then we have Richard on bass and Ghimel on drums. Photo provided by band MaM : I truly love your sound and it reminds me of the band Scarling. Have you ever heard of them? It was a side project of Jessicka from Jack Off Jill. MS : Oh, no shit! That’s so funny. My old roommate from college was a Jack Off Jill maniac. That’s a great compliment. Thank you. MaM : What would you say the future holds for Captive Frame? MS : It would be really cool if we could get signed and we would love to travel, so we will see. To hear Captive Frame’s music, hit one of the links below and be sure to follow them on social media, too. They are working on so many things, so stay tuned! Bandcamp: Music | Captive Frame (bandcamp.com) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/captiveframe/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captive_frame/?hl=en 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

Brothers is a Compelling Story about Rock Royalty < Back Book Review: Brothers by Alex Van Halen Nick Cline Oct 25, 2024 Share Brothers is a Compelling Story about Rock Royalty Brothers is the newly released memoir by Alex Van Halen . Most of you would know Alex from his hand in creating the legendary Van Halen . He is hands down one of the most underrated and perfectly rated drummers of the 80s (or maybe all-time). There is so much depth to the story and creation of the legendary brotherly duo Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen . This is more than an excellent book for Eddie and Van Halen fans. It is also a great book for anyone wanting to glimpse the wild animal in the music business, the struggle and achievements of an immigrant family, and a story of a bond that defined music history. Released October 22, 2024 The story starts with a beautiful introduction that tells the overall sentiment and dedication of the book. Eddie Van Halen died four years ago this year, and the effects of his legacy will never know its bounds. Alex understands that the world sees his brother as a mythical creature and lives with the guilt of his younger brother's death. He introduces the book, claiming that he failed as an older brother because he was meant to die first. He makes light in his darkness by admitting that Ed, like always, was quick to burst in front of the line. The book, which delves into themes of family, music, and the human experience, is a compelling read for anyone interested in these topics. This sentiment is the first insight into the humanity of the two brothers. It's a reminder that artists, including the Van Halen brothers, start as everyday people. They fight tooth and nail to become the people we idolize in music. Their journey from nothing to everything they ever wanted is a testament to the transformative power of music. But it also shows the struggle of losing purpose in the world that initially gave them their purpose, a feeling many of us can relate to. Every word in the book will give you a new outlook on how everything can change in your life. It can all change in an instant. It makes you understand that no one is ready for their dreams and changed lives even though people have prepared and worked for it their whole lives. Living your dream, your truth, is much different than the constant days of preparation, dreaming, working, and killing yourself for the life you crave. But the Van Halen brothers' story is a testament to the fact that it's all worth it in the end, inspiring you to keep pushing forward. The Van Halen brothers' story is a testament to the transformative power of music. Alex vividly recounts their unconventional upbringing, a journey that took two outcast kids from Amsterdam to the United States in pursuit of a life they could only dream of. The beauty and darkness of the music industry are palpable in every chapter, as you witness the hardships and sacrifices required to become a musical icon. It's a journey that turns you from an unknown into a revered entity, a transformation that is both fascinating and inspiring. This is more of a tale of triumph and legacy than a run-of-the-mill memoir. It captures the bond that Alex and Eddie had, described as a bond very few people experience in this life and any other. The Van Halen legacy is not just a legacy of virtuoso musicians, but it is a legacy of sentiment, hard work, brotherly bond, family, strife, and everything in between. 'Brothers' captures all of that because Alex is unapologetically himself throughout the whole work, which grips the reader from the first line till the end of the last page. Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen were everyday people with dreams. They found their dream. They fought for it, and they got everything they wanted. This is a book I highly recommend reading for fans of Van Halen , anyone in the music industry, striving artists of any class and caliber, and anyone who's dealt with the challenges of feeling like an outcast. The Van Halen brothers' story is a powerful reminder that even when you feel like you don't belong, you can still achieve your dreams. It's a story of triumph over adversity, and it's a must-read for anyone who's faced the ups and downs of life. To buy a copy for yourself: Amazon: https://a.co/d/hPnmIHd 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

The Bellas are pure 80’s glam metal, capturing the essence of rebellion and discontent with a raw sound amplifying the voices of the unheard. < Back The Bellas: Re-envisioning the Power of Female Punk Rock Nicole Brice Nov 29, 2023 Share The Bellas are pure 80’s glam metal, capturing the essence of rebellion and discontent with a raw sound amplifying the voices of the unheard. In a genre often associated with male masculinity, what comes to mind when you think of females in the punk-rock scene? Energy, rebellion, and unfiltered expression? If you said yes to any of the above terms, then you are on the right track. Having recently discovered The Bellas, the newest all-female punk band from the underground scene in New Jersey, I began thinking about how the music scene desperately needs bands like this to redefine the state of the industry overall. The Bellas are unapologetically taking on traditional feminine characteristics by challenging stereotypes and celebrating the strength and power of femininity with their music, strong style, and charismatic live shows. So, who are they? The Bellas consist of teen drummer Giul, guitarist Izzy, lead singer Abby, and bassist Charlotte. Giul and Izzy are sisters to each other and cousins to Abby. Their previous bassist, Lindsay, was also their cousin, so upon formation, they were a band of cousins. When Lindsay left for the military, The Bellas eventually found Charlotte and the rest is history. Credit: Jeff Crespi The girls burst onto the scene in 2019 and have been chugging along ever since. With a couple of singles under their belt, “Teenage Dropout” and “Cherry Lips”, The Bellas are drawing inspiration from bands such as The Runaways and The Donnas. Their infectious sound blends ferocity with teenage angst and melodic hooks. Abby’s vocals are so on point that you’ll be singing and bopping along in no time. The Bellas’ music captures the essence of rebellion and discontent with a raw sound that amplifies the voices of the unheard by challenging the status quo and I know we’ll be hearing more from them in the future. I recently reached out to the band to see if I could learn a little more, and I was able to chat with their drummer, Giul, who is an absolute doll. Take a moment to read a little more about The Bellas below, then go check out their tunes. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Guil, thanks so much for talking with us today! Tell us, what year did The Bellas come together? Giul : Our band officially formed and played our first show together in 2019 at my high school’s Battle of the Bands, but it’s something we’ve wanted to do since we were little. As kids, there was rarely a time at a family gathering when you wouldn’t see the four of us [cousins, prior to Charlotte,] planning out our lives as rock stars or imagining we were in a band together, long before any of us even began playing our instruments. Years later, as a freshman, I saw flyers in my school’s halls for a battle of the bands coming up and instantly thought of the girls. I sent them a picture of one and jokingly suggested that we “get the band back together”—to which they all actually agreed. By this point, though Izzy and I were already taking lessons and had experience playing our instruments, the four of us never formally played together. Against all odds, we got a few songs together and played just a couple of weeks later. Though it originally began as a fun one-time thing, we knew we had to continue together after the energy we felt when we performed. The rest is history! Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Who are your biggest influences musically and stylistically? Giul : Many of the artists that we’re influenced by have impacted us both musically and stylistically. Our influences include—but are by no means limited to—RATT, KISS, Mötley Crüe, Kix, and Poison, just to name a few. Their approaches to music and attitude when performing are part of what drew us to them in the first place and [are what] continue to inspire us. Not only do these bands have great music, but they also put on amazing, larger-than-life live shows—something we strive towards for our own band. We absolutely love the cement pirate style, the tall boots, the over-the-top showmanship, and all that good stuff. When the band first started out, we were also influenced by artists like the Ramones, The Donnas, and Joan Jett, which inspired our name and logo. MaM : Is there one show you have played thus far that was notable? If so, where, and why? Giul : The show that immediately comes to mind is our most recent gig at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. We played our fair share of both small and large venues, but this was easily our biggest one thus far. With so many iconic acts that have performed there through the years, this one easily stood out to us! Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : If you could share the stage with any musician or band in the future, who would it be and why? Giul : The classic lineups of KISS and RATT. They’re absolute legends in rock and metal. MaM : How do you feel about the current landscape of indie music, and how do The Bellas stand out? Giul : I’d say [the landscape is cluttered], especially with the vastness of music available on the Internet nowadays. Because of this, we make sure to stand out by putting on a good live show in a way that emphasizes entertainment and fun instead of a broader message. We prioritize style and stage presence just as much as musicianship; we want our show to be exciting in every sense of the word, and we plan to deliver in every way possible. If we can provide an escape for someone in the crowd and help them forget about whatever might be weighing them down and just have a good time, we’ve done our job. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : I see you’ve released two singles so far. Any plans to record an EP in the future? What are you guys currently working on and how do you approach the creative process? Giul : Yes, we are looking to release an EP soon! We currently have a few things in the works. In general, we’ve been starting to move towards playing original music almost entirely. I think that’s ultimately where we wanted to go with the band, so we’ve been trying to write and release more of our own content. We’ve most recently been recording a brand-new song and are in the process of adding the finishing touches! As for the creative process, we usually start with the music and then the lyrics come after. Since we are somewhat new to the songwriting process, we’re still trying to see what works. Most of the time Izzy or I have an idea and develop it independently before coming together, but we also want to try working more collaboratively in the early stages as well. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM: How would you describe your sound? Giul : Our sound is pure glam metal straight from the 1980s Sunset Strip and beyond—no filler, just loud, unapologetic rock n’ roll. MaM : Do you find it’s more difficult to get your music heard these days or do you feel technology has made it easier for you to showcase your product? Giul : It’s both easier and more difficult in different ways. Things like social media and publishing sites have made it incredibly simple to release our music and promote ourselves; if people want to hear our recorded music, it’s available right at their fingertips. On the other hand, there is so much music out there on the internet that it’s easy to get lost in the sea of other artists and songs. At the end of the day, nothing beats playing live shows for us. Not only have we met some amazing people this way, but we also put on an energetic show that you can’t fully experience by just looking at a screen. Our performance is integral to who we are as a band. The way we dress, and our stage presence is very important, just like the music is (and of course, we enjoy it!). It’s always a good time for us and we want to bring that energy to the people who come to see us as well. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : What are your ultimate goals and aspirations for the future? Giul : Keeping the ‘80s glam metal experience alive—the sound, look, and attitude. We want to go as far as we can with the band and see where it takes us. We are super passionate about performing and have a lot of fun doing it, so regardless of whether it leads to bigger opportunities or not we don’t plan on giving it up anytime soon! As the Bellas continue to refine their sound and produce new music for the masses, they are sure to emerge as a powerful force in the punk rock scene, serving as a reminder that with an unyielding spirit and a refusal to conform, anything is possible. Instagram : The Bellas (@thebellasband) | Instagram profile YouTube : The Bellas - YouTube Facebook : Facebook Spotify : The Bellas | Spotify Apple Music : ‎The Bellas - Apple Music *cover photo courtesy of 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 Nicole Brice loves music and will fight anyone who doesn’t like The Bellas. Got something you think she’d like to hear? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Anna Byars is an inspiration for future generations of female musicians < Back Anna Byars: A True Musical Luminary Nicole Brice Aug 25, 2023 Share Anna Byars is an inspiration for future generations of female musicians You may have seen her around town since she has been a fixture on the local music scene in Baton Rouge for many years starting in the early 2000s, and you may know her as the guitarist and background vocalist for Polly Pry , but who is Anna Byars , truly? Credit: Gary Governale Byars is kind and genuine in addition to being extremely witty, funny, and charming ; she is bursting with personality . Anna holds her own as an extraordinarily gifted musician and guitarist captivating audiences with her soulful melodies and masterful skills, but she does not limit herself to just one instrument: She also played drums in a band called The Rakers . “I like to say I’m a drummer as a second language because the guitar is my first language,” Byars says. With a unique blend of talent, passion, and authenticity, she has carved her path through the bustling music scene in South Louisiana , leaving a lasting impression and continuing to forge ahead. Credit: Gary Governale Anna Byars was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana , in a musically inclined family and started honing her craft at a very young age. Both of her parents are professional musicians and play piano. Gravitating towards the guitar, she picked up a random one under her mom’s piano one day and that was all it took. At 10 years old, Anna officially started strumming and loved it because of the emotional depth and versatility it offers. After proving to her mother that she indeed had plans to stick with it, she began to take professional classical guitar lessons at age 12. With a knack for sight-reading music, Anna built the foundation for her guitar knowledge. Growing up in a house where her mother taught piano lessons, Byars started writing songs and singing and says of the time, “It was the 90s, you know, and we were all dreaming of making it big. I kept playing and performing wherever I could, and then in college I knew I wanted to get a band together.” During her teenage years, her passion for music fully ignited, and after meeting her bass player for her first band just after she turned 19, Byars met her drummer, too, and all the pieces fell into place. This ultimately led to the formation of The Anna Byars Band . Drawing inspiration early on from the music that inspired her as a child, such as the Indigo Girls and Green Day , and consisting of all original music, the band flourished for a few years before calling it quits. After college in 2005 is when Anna met Kristen Foster , and they instantly hit it off. “We fell in love as friends, just super hard,” says Byars, and with Foster’s ukulele in hand, the two embarked on a career together. “She played me one of the songs she had written called ‘The Atlantic Ocean’ and it was just so damn good that I forced her to start a band with me.” The rest is history. Credit: Gary Governale Calling themselves The Casuals at first, Byars and Foster put out a couple of EPs together after recording in a makeshift studio and practice space located behind the now-defunct legendary music venue in Baton Rouge known as The Caterie . After seeing modest success with their initial run of EPs, the women decided to team up with Foster’s father , renowned music producer Fred Foster , who is best known for producing classic recordings for Roy Orbison and for helping found Orbison’s label, Monument Records . He also helped launch the careers of Dolly Parton , Tony Joe White , and Kris Kristofferson in addition to co-writing the classic song made famous by Janis Joplin , ' Me and Bobby McGee '. “Yeah, every time I tell people [that], I’m like, ‘It’s okay if you don’t believe me because I barely do,” says Anna. “We threw ourselves into it until he liked what he heard and invited us up.” Anna and Kristen then went up to Nashville to record and in 2012 , the album Two Warm Minutes was released. Released August 17, 2012 After its initial release, Anna and Kristen saw modest success with the record, but they felt it did not truly capture their essence, so they took to the road to play live shows and build their following. At 29 years old, Anna embarked on her first tour with Polly Pry , which saw them adding a double bass player to make their duo a trio. “And after that, I just really knew in my soul that I just did not want to do the singer/songwriter thing, even if it was as a duo,” so Anna switched gears and stopped playing acoustic guitar and switched over to electric. “When you play acoustic guitar, and you’re female, you get pigeonholed.” By meticulously studying the techniques of her idols and incorporating her own artistic sensibilities, Byars managed to create a sound that is entirely her own—a sound that resonates with listeners on a profound level. The year 2016 brought about Polly Pry contributing to a compilation of Aerosmith cover songs called Deuces are Wild: A Tribute to Aerosmith , which is currently available for listening to on Apple Music. Since then, the ladies have continued to play shows here and there while working on their follow-up album, Hola Perfecto . The release date for their sophomore effort is to be determined, so stay tuned. When Anna is not devoting her time to Polly Pry , she plays guitar in her other project, Sunrise People , which, according to Byars , “sounds like a band that would play CBGBs in the 70s.” On her involvement with Sunrise People , Anna goes on to say, “I really love playing guitar in that band because I get to take all my years of everything and just fly, you know? It’s just right.” Byars possesses an uncanny ability to create a profound connection with her audience through her music. Listeners feel the raw emotions she channels through her guitar playing, carrying them on a hypnotic journey. Her ability to convey a range of emotions that encompasses joy, sorrow, nostalgia, and everything in between creates an intimate bond that transcends typical boundaries. Credit: Gary Governale Beyond being gifted with extraordinary talent, Anna is constantly seeking growth and evolution. She embraces any opportunity to experiment with new sounds, techniques, and genres and has been steadily writing songs. “My body and brain just started writing songs about six months ago and I’m in an infant stage of trying to get 12 solid songs. I want to be a little bit of Juliana Hatfield mixed with a little Radiohead,” she says. “I want to do another band. I’m playing with names, but I am really excited about the stuff that I have been writing.” With a promising future ahead of her and so many projects in the works, Anna comments on her work ethic: “I have always dug my heels right in whether it’s right or wrong,” and continuing to dig her heels in is just what she has been doing. In addition to music, she stays busy by making comedic shorts on TikTok as well. “I have sort of a hobby in comedy. I like to put on wigs and make up funny characters and put out snappy videos.” When asked whether she has considered stand-up comedy as a possible career move, Byars elaborates, “You know, I did stand-up one time and I’ve lived my life on stage, or so it seems, but doing stand-up was one of the most terrifying experiences and I’m not scared of performing. I really want to press myself to do that, but doing stand-up does require rigor and focus. Everything must flow and work. Kristen has been inspiring my world with her stand-up career, so you never know!” When Byars isn’t focused on music, she prefers to play pinball and has even created her own Ladies’ Pinball Club at local hangout BR.cade , which is located on Government Street in Baton Rouge . Credit: Gary Governale “I like to say it’s a ladies’ pinball club but that guys are welcome, too. My motto is ‘no pressure, we’ll always be there.’ I just started playing pinball one day and noticed that it’s all dudes [and] no girls. They would stand to the side, and I think that’s because pinball doesn’t look like it’s as much fun as it really is. You gotta put your hands on the machine. It’s a physical thing. It’s an arcade game, but it’s not a video game.” To get her club started, Anna says she would purposely leave extra credits and games on the machines so she could approach people to play games with her. This proved to be successful, and an official Pinball Club was formed in late 2022/early 2023. “It’s my one-year anniversary of playing, but the club has been around for about 4-6 months,” she says. Anna modestly acknowledges her mad pinball skills, but I got to witness them firsthand and she’s pretty damn good. “Yeah, I’ve gone to a couple of tournaments, and for a little while, I was the number seven female player in Mississippi. In Louisiana, I’ve placed last, and I believe they call it The Plunger Award when you place last.” On whether she has plans to continue playing in the future, she says, “It’s such a new thing, though, and I love it and am just trying to get better at it.” Credit: Gary Governale So, in conclusion, who is Anna Byars , really? She’s a true musical luminary and her boundless creativity and commitment to her art ensure that her journey as a musician will remain one that captivates and inspires for years to come. Through her unique style and collaborative spirit, she has successfully set herself apart on the local scene. As she continues to evolve and explore new frontiers, she will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the music world, inspiring future generations of female musicians to follow in her footsteps. To check out Anna’s projects and music, hit one of the links below and be sure to catch her in action with Sunrise People on September 1, 2023 at Midcity Ballroom in Baton Rouge with William Edward Thompson and The Rakers . To learn more about Anna Byars: Polly Pry Apple Music : ‎Polly Pry on Apple Music Polly Pry Facebook : Facebook Sunrise People : Facebook *All photos shot on location at BR Cade 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 . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link