Huntsville’s Throttle Fest 2023 is a small version of a music festival, but it’s more like a family reunion with live music. < Back Throttle Fest 2023: Southern Happenings Bud Gambrell Oct 24, 2023 Share Huntsville’s Throttle Fest 2023 is a small version of a music festival, but it’s more like a family reunion with live music. The announcement of Throttle Fest 2023 indicated the return of a huge music event that, since 2020, has brought joy to many people. Originally held at Sidetracks Music Hall in Huntsville, Ala., Throttle Fest is the brainchild of booking agent Shane Bickel. While Throttle Fest continued in 2021, the music event did not return in 2022 due to Sidetracks’ unfortunate closing. Luckily, opportunity struck this past summer when Bickel announced to adoring fans all across the South that Throttle Fest would be returning this October to Huntsville, now taking place at Rocket Republic . The lineup for Throttle Fest 2023 featured some of Southern rock's brightest rising stars —six bands originating from six different states. Hailing from Biloxi, Miss., newly formed hard rock band The Heavy Strides kicked off the event on Friday, Oct. 13, with their unique, signature sound known for marrying deep rhythmic grooves with searing guitars under the guidance of soulful lead vocals. The Heavy Strides promise an electric fusion of classic influences , including the likes of Led Zeppelin to Soundgarden, all wrapped up with a temporary edge. The Heavy Strides are Drew Fulton on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Josh Estes on bass, Cedric Feazell keepin' the beat on the drums, and Tyler Storms on loead guitar. Cedric Feazell of The Heavy Strides (credit: Bud Gambrell) Next up were The Josephines out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. These guys are always a crowd pleaser with their raw, rough-around-the-edges rock and roll that’s sure to have you dancing while you shed a tear or two. The Josephines—consisting of Brad Tabor (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin), Zach Lindsey (lead guitar, vocals), Alex Lindey (lead guitar, pedal steel, lap steel, vocals), and David Page (drums, percussion)—arrived with a different lineup this year, which included special guest guitarist Kyle Daniel. Kyle Daniel with The Josephines (credit: Bud Gambrell) Mixed Alternative Magazine was there and had a chance to talk to The Josephines’ lead singer Brad Tabor about how it feels to play Throttle Fest again. Says Brad, “It was awesome! We got to play with some new guys. We had a couple of players with us who don't normally go out with us, and they ripped it! And then, you know, the set sounded good to me, so people had fun and that's kind of the goal. I'm glad to be here for that reason. People got to enjoy themselves.” Brad Tabor of The Josephines (credit: Bud Gambrell) Closing out the first night was Them Dirty Roses from Gadsden, Alabama. This Southern rock band knows how to bend a string and break a heart Skynyrd-style. From the Alabama clay to Europe to festivals all across the United States, Them Dirty Roses are used to bringing the fireworks in their headlining abilities. The Throttle Fest crowd was treated to a bass solo from Ben Crain, a lead guitar solo from Andrew Davis, and a rousing drum solo from Frank Ford. Andrew Davis of Them Dirty Roses (credit: Bud Gambrell) After that set, Mixed Alternative pulled Them Dirty Roses lead singer James Ford aside to get his thoughts about Throttle Fest and being able to play in Huntsville again. “It does really feel good [to be back in Huntsville playing Throttle Fest],” Ford says, “because it [was] scary when Sidetracks went away. It was kind of like, ‘Damn, where are we gonna play now?’ We just didn't have a home in Huntsville anymore. And we've been doing it since 2018. So, I'm hoping this is the new place that's our new home in Huntsville. And I thought [the set] went great! … The crowd seemed to be into it.” Them Dirty Roses (credit: Bud Gambrell) Kicking the music off on Saturday, Oct. 14, was Southern soul/rock ‘n roll band One For The Road , who came straight out of “a small building back in the woods of Resaca,” in North Georgia. I have been hearing about this band from my good friend Todd Dean , an outstanding musician photographer who sat in with OFTR to sing Marshall Tucker’s “Can’t You See” . If you enjoy totally unadulterated Southern rock music , you have to look into this band. One For The Road features frontman and lead singer Zach Crumley, drummer Chris Webb, organ/piano player Joe Morgan, and bassist Jaithan Neal. Zach Crumley of One For The Road (credit: Bud Gambrell) Up next, and straight out of Little Rock, Ark., deFrance ’s rock ‘n roll style did a slammin’ job of setting the table for the classic rock sounds of Jive Mother Mary , from Burlington, N.C., who closed out the night. deFrance is cut straight from the roots of the best in Southern music , blending elements of true folk and country music with the classic songwriting styles of Tom Petty, Neil Young, and Ryan Adams into a fresh take on rock ‘n roll. I should also mention that deFrance travels in a church van. I think band leader Drew deFrance enjoys the reaction when the church bus pulls in to play at a rock club. Drew deFrance of deFrance (credit: Bud Gambrell) Jive Mother Mary, who headlined the second night, put on a damn good set, with several attendees mentioning that their Throttle Fest 2023 performance may have been the best JMM set they’ve seen. It comes down to this: Mason Keck and JMM never cease to amaze me at just how good of musicians they are. The word stunning comes to mind. When it was announced that they were coming back to Throttle Fest, I saw it as an opportunity to sit down and talk to Jive Mother Mary lead singer Mason Keck . In response to what Throttle Fest means to Keck as a performer, he says, “Man, Throttle Fest just kind of feels like a family reunion . Huntsville is a really cool little market for us. You know, we're from North Carolina originally and we kind of just had a core group of folks that really were supporting us strongly down in Huntsville. We played at Sidetracks a couple of times, then the first couple of Throttle Fests were there, and Huntsville was always a spot we could kind of count on as a good mood lifter, you know what I mean? The people that were going to be there were there to see [us] and that was an important part of it—always getting to see the folks that [come] out time and time again.” Jive Mother Mary (credit: Bud Gambrell) (In my best infomercial pitchman voice): But wait there’s more! Prior to Day 2 kicking off, Mixed Alternative also had the chance to talk to Throttle Fest organizer supreme , mastermind, genius, and promoter extraordinaire Shane Bickel . (If you can’t tell, we love Shane in Huntsville.) When asked what Throttle Fest means to him, Bickel replies, "It’s hardcore love for Southern rock music … just bringing a bunch of familiar faces together with some new faces and just creating a family atmosphere. All of the bands and the fans just get along so well. It's just, I don't know, something about it I like. It's a small version of a festival, but more like a family reunion with live music." In 2022, Throttle Fest didn’t happen due to the closing of Sidetracks Music Hall. This year, it was out of the blue when Bickel announced Throttle Fest 2023. We wanted to know what his plan was behind that, so we asked. "I miss y’all!" Bickel laughs. How else can we get everybody who used to support Sidetracks for most of the shows together? How can we get them all back in one room? Because so many people come from out of town, out of state. You have to put six of these bands together so you can get all different parts of the South to show up. And so far, we've done that: I think we had eight or nine different states show up [the first day]. So, it's pretty impressive that people still care about these bands and follow them . Most of these bands we won't be able to [accommodate] in a smaller setting or hopefully, they'll honor me with doing … Throttle Fest whenever we need to do it. " He continues, "It's like a family reunion, but these guys are going to move on to bigger and better stages. I mean, [we have to] enjoy it and embrace it while we can because a lot of these bands are going to be too big for us soon. [Everything has gone] really well. Everybody enjoys the new venue, so that is really comforting to hear positive feedback on that. So, all in all, [Throttle Fest 2023] has been a home run! " And I'd have to agree, especially when taking note of the festival's main theme, in addition to showcasing Southern music: family . Take it from someone who attended all three Throttle Fests: This is truly like a family reunion . There was also a phrase I heard repeated many times throughout the two-night event. I heard so many people tell someone else that they loved them, and in this day and age, where there is so much hate in the world, it was quite refreshing to see and hear. It is a shame that more people are not able to attend and share a loving, family-like experience one gets with Throttle Fest. For more information on Throttle Fest or any of the bands, follow their links and be sure to browse the gallery of images below! Throttle Fest Official Website The Josephines Official Website Them Dirty Roses Official Website Jive Mother Mary Official Website One For The Road Official Website The Heavy Strides Official Facebook deFrance Official 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 . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

They Deserve Some Damn Attention < Back Welcome to Flatch Keeley Brooks Oct 20, 2022 Share They Deserve Some Damn Attention With so many new sitcom titles dropping on TV and streaming platforms these days, it can be a challenge to try and catch them all. And while I do miss many new titles, I was lucky enough not to miss this one, and I’m glad I didn’t because it has become one of my new favorites, and I now find myself waiting for Thursdays just to watch the latest episode. Welcome to Flatch is a mockumentary sitcom directed by Paul Feig ( The Office , Freaks and Geeks ) and written and executive produced by Emmy Award-winner Jenny Bicks ( Sex in the City , Men in Trees ). It’s based on her British version of the show, The Country , and premiered on Fox in March 2022 . By May , it was renewed for a second season, which kicked off September 29 . When a documentary crew sets out to explore the lives, dreams, and concerns of residents in a small American town, it stumbles upon the tiny Midwestern town of Flatch, Ohio , where they discover many eccentric personalities and find more than worthy subjects in cousins and best friends Kelly Mallet and Lloyd “Shrub” Mallet , who aren’t at all shy about letting the crew in on their lives and local events. Each episode opens much like Letterkenny , with an introduction of the town and population: “ Recent studies show that Americans long for a simpler life in small towns. To explore these communities, Fox sent a documentary crew to spend time with the citizens of Flatch, Ohio—population 1,526. ” Then, we are introduced to a whole slew of characters to laugh at …or with ... either way. For starters, Stifler from American Pie , also known as Seann William Scott , plays the town minister, who is nothing like Stifler at all. He’s calm, soft-spoken, sincere, naïve … kind of a pushover, if you will, and he’s the one who attempts to guide Kelly and Shrub , who seem to refuse to grow up. And that’s funny. Courtesy of Fox It’s one thing to watch Seann William Scott as Stifler or even as E.L . in Road Trip , but it’s entirely different and funnier to watch him as this humble, pushover minister of a small town. Father Joe , as he’s known, moved to Flatch with his former girlfriend, Cheryl , who is an award-winning journalist and the editor of the local newspaper ... and quite quirky. Other Flatch residents include Kelly’s frenemy Nadine (Taylor Ortega, Succession ), who runs the Flatch Historical Society ; Mickey St. Jean (Justin Linville), who relentlessly attempts to become Shrub’s best friend; and no-nonsense favorite Mandy (Krystal Smith), a magnetic force of nature who lives life on her own terms. In the pilot, she asserts with force, “We are an upstandin’ town and we deserve some damn attention. We got two restaurants—one with menus, and last year somebody gave birth to twins, so now we got young people all over the place.” Then we meet Kelly and Shrub , who are a magnificent comedic duo to watch. Both are extremely talented, funny actors who play off of each other’s timing. Chelsea Holmes , often billed as just Holmes , is a hilariously talented American comedian, actor, and writer, and is also a stand-up comic and improvisational actor. She's definitely one to watch; I adore everything about her. Both she and Shrub are townies who spend their days hatching schemes. Courtesy of Fox And speaking of Shrub , played by the charming Sam Straley ( The Kids are Alright , The Dropout ), we learn from him and Kelly in the pilot just how he got his name. “So, his real name is Lloyd,” says Kelly. “Yeah, after my dad,” adds Shrub. “Yeah, his dad drank a lot of Busch beer, so they started calling him Bush …” and then Shrub chimes in, “Yeah, so they started calling me Shrub for, like, a little bush,” and after a brief pause where Kelly looks at Shrub as he’s looking off in the distance, he adds, “But, like, he left when I was a baby.” They both nod their heads and say, “Yeah,” and then Kelly adds, “But he probably still drinks beer.” Essentially, all Kelly and Shrub have are each other. Kelly’s father is around but has a new wife and baby daughter, so Kelly is virtually non-existent to him until he needs something. But Kelly doesn’t let this phase her trying efforts one bit. She defends him and tries to cozy up to him with no shame whatsoever. And the duo's interaction with the camera is priceless. Much like The Office … the looks, the expressions, the faces, the implications. In an interview with Cincinnati Magazine , Straley talks about the characters he and co-star Holmes play. “I’d say they’re kind of a classic duo, almost like husband and wife in a way. They’re partners for life, they’re best friends, and they want the best, but they also see what’s wrong in the other person and get so frustrated with each other sometimes, but we kind of always come together, because we’re each other’s support system.” He continued, “They’re in their early 20s … sort of at the point in their lives where they should have things together, and everyone around them is getting married and they’re still, I think, clinging on to moments in their lives that brought them acceptance. And they’re really excited about this new documentary crew and having ‘the movie people’ around and feeling seen.” When asked about his and Holmes’s individual characters, he added, “Shrub is, I’d say, more of the feminine to Kelly’s masculinity, which I think isn’t seen a lot on TV. Shrub is sort of the sensitive, artistic, detail-oriented control freak, and Kelly is the no-idea-is-a-bad-idea, throw-everything-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks one. And I think their dynamic is very much that they love each other but fight a lot. They cover each other’s gray spots in all the right ways, and they are desperately, desperately trying to find connection and a place where they fit. They’re absolute underdogs, and they’re always looking out for each other.” Underdogs, indeed. Each and every one of ‘em. AND Jaime Pressly ( My Name is Earl ) has joined season two as realtor and OG Flatch native, Barb Flatch . SHE is nothing short of hysterical and is the perfect addition to this little gem of a sitcom, which I hope has many more seasons to come. Courtesy of FOX So, I recommend adding some Flatch to your weekly musings. Yeah, there might be some cheesy jokes or moments that lag, but if you’re not wound too tight, you just might find yourself giggling at every little thing. Like we do at my house. Welcome to Flatch, everybody! Episodes drop Thursdays on Hulu and air the same night on Fox at 8 PM EST. 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

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. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_e70267d137634f19b3f2c0715311cfb6/720p/mp4/file.mp4 *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

Movie Recommendations of a Man of Extra-Large Talent < Back Peter Dinklage Keeley Brooks Nov 22, 2022 Share Movie Recommendations of a Man of Extra-Large Talent I’m not ashamed to say that most of my nights and weekends are spent watching movies and streaming series. And sometimes, because I’m a grown up, I play video games. From new titles and old titles to titles I come across by chance and those that come recommended, I love diving in deep to get lost. And what most of society labels as being “lazy” and “unmotivated” is something, for me, that is quite the opposite. In my world, things like this are exciting, enthralling, rewarding, and challenging because I thoroughly enjoy digging into and dissecting the cinematic arts. Why is that lazy or unmotivated? Consider all the aspects that go into one story: theme, characters, setting, plot, metaphors, foreshadowing, twists and turns, cinematography, special effects, costume designs, voice-overs, edits, music, actors, etc. All of these are what ignite my intellect. There’s nothing I love more (other than my lil family o’ dummies) than getting lost in a story and finding meaning in something I’m watching, and I love observing from different points of view: how real does what I’m watching seem? Is it truly believable, and why or why not? Does a story and its parts have what it takes not just to hold my attention but also to be so believable that I have to remind myself it’s just a movie? And, I won’t lie, I’m a bit of a snob in the sense that I do look for things missed in post-production and for continuity between cut frames in the same scene. I also love analyzing the work of art as a whole and discovering its effect on me. That , to me, is exciting, and I’d much rather spend my time doing that and being with my people rather than being out in the madness of the world. By no means am I a recluse; I just am who I am, and I won’t apologize for it. I also can’t hear those who call this content lover as “lazy” and “unmotivated” for engaging in what she loves, and that’s super-good news for those of you out there who are looking for recommendations on what to watch. That’s what I’m here for ... just ask my family and friends. I also enjoy following different actors through their careers. One I have loved and followed since 2005 is Peter Dinklage, whom you might best know as Tyrion Lannister from HBO’s Game of Thrones . He’s just awesome, with eyes full of meaning and emotion that speak to the hearts of viewers everywhere. He’s an intensely humble and marvelous actor to watch, and he brings such a captivating emotional depth and range to every title he’s in and character he plays that you just can’t help but love him, feel what his characters feel, and want to follow his career. I was first introduced to him in 2005 when a friend who shared my affinity for film introduced me to The Station Agent , which is an independent psychological comedy-drama by Tom McCarthy ( The Visitor , Win Win , Spotlight ) starring Dinklage, Bobby Cannavale, Patricia Clarkson, and Michelle Williams. It’s a sweet and quirky but also deeply heartfelt movie about an improbable group of lonely people in a small town who find their paths continuously crossing and are forced to befriend one another. It stars Peter Dinklage, Bobby Cannavale, Patricia Clarkson, and Michelle Williams and follows the life of train aficionado and downcast little person Finbar McBride (Dinklage), whose life takes an unexpected turn when his boss dies and leaves him a railroad depot in small-town New Jersey. Fin moves in to the depot and keeps to himself and his love and respect for trains, until his space is comically invaded by a very talkative and carefree food truck vendor, played by Bobby Cannavale. Then, an unhappy, reclusive artist/wife (Patricia Clarkson) shows up, and the trio’s unlikely interactions deepen as some eccentric conversations, relationships, and outcomes ensue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=031TV29V3e0 Dinklage’s performance will melt your heart, and the culmination of this movie will leave you with chills, forcing you to appreciate the good friends you have in your life and let them know you love them. I highly, highly, highly recommend this movie. One of his more recent works I recently saw is a 2018 independent flick called I Think We’re Alone Now , starring Dinklage, Elle Fanning, and Paul Giamatti, and directed by Reed Morano, who has directed and executive produced the pilot and some episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale and the movies Frozen River (2008) and Lemonade (2016). This movie is about two survivors who learn to co-exist and live together after a worldwide pandemic wipes out Earth’s population. Dinklage is on his own and has been for some time, going house to house in his city, clearing them of the dead and burying bodies, as well as “cleaning” houses for items he needs and can use to survive. One day, out of nowhere, a vehicle crashes into a nearby pole and inside he finds a girl (Elle Fanning) inside, bleeding and passed out with a head wound. Thinking he was the only survivor left in the world, he's hesitant of her but ultimately decides to help her and bandages her up. They then very cautiously begin to learn about one another, slowly building trust and a little openness into their individual worlds … right up until Paul Giamatti shows up and brings a twist that really amps things up, and Dinklage finds himself on a quest across the country alone to rescue the very person he helped then shunned after learning of her secret. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPrnb_BYsdA It’s not your typical post-apocalyptic film but it's a very good flick with some fantastic acting, a great storyline, and some very well-done directing and camera work. I Think We’re Alone Now is a slow-burn of intensity building up to a shocking revelation that’ll leave you thinking about post-apocalyptic depictions, scenarios, and expectations in an entirely new light, while revealing the beauty of trusting, letting go, and opening up your world to other people. I just as highly recommend this movie, too. Dinklage has a slew of good movies, including the Will Ferrell Christmas hit Elf . You can check out his full repertoire on IMDB.com . Enjoy, my fellow movie lovers! 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

Shawn Franklin redefines the music production landscape with his top-notch restorations and collaborations. < Back Shawn Franklin: Music Producer Extraordinaire Nicole Brice Oct 2, 2023 Share Shawn Franklin redefines the music production landscape with his top-notch restorations and collaborations. Often in music entertainment, we heavily focus on those in the foreground— the artists and musicians —but we don’t focus on the talent behind the scenes delicately tweaking and fine-tuning songs and albums, making sure everything is perfect. In the dynamic world of music production, some individuals stand out because of their sheer talent, versatility, and ability to add a distinct touch to all they lay their eyes, ears, and hands on. Shawn Franklin is one of those people who stand out in the music production crowd. With artistry that spans many mediums, Shawn has solidified his place among the production elite with various projects spanning well over a decade. With over 23 years of experience in sound engineering and performing with his band, The Scallions, Shawn’s true specialty is audio restoration and re-mastering new and classic material. Photo provided by artist Franklin has worked on music for Anthrax , Stone Deep , Public Enemy , Chuck D , Chuck Mosley , Daddy O , Dirty Rotten Imbeciles , Prophets of Rage , Renaldo & the Loaf , The Residents , The Mentors , and many others. What started as pure love and enthusiasm for the music that inspired him as a kid became an innate understanding of the intricacies of music, allowing him to turn a lifelong dream into a reality, and he currently shows no signs of slowing down. Shawn Franklin has an uncanny ability to focus on sounds to determine how and where they need to be tweaked for a crisp, clean restoration. Born and raised in a musically inclined family, Shawn developed an affinity for music at a young age, eventually learning to play the drums. “My brother is four years older than me … and he played guitar. I wanted to play the drums, and before I got a drum kit, I would play on coffee cans. I’d play with pencils as my sticks and then for cymbals, I’d have the coffee cans upside down for the tin part. I would fill the center part with pennies for the snare,” he recalls. A young Shawn Franklin - photo provided by artist His upbringing laid the foundation for his future success, as he immersed himself in a vast range of musical styles from metal to hip-hop and everywhere in between. After discovering Kiss’ album Hotter than Hell , Franklin’s passion for music grew exponentially, and during his teenage years, he was led to explore the makings of what goes into a spectacular recording. “My brother heard ‘Calling Dr. Love’ from Kiss on the radio in ’76 … I think I was four years old … and then I heard it and we both loved the song. We got the 45 and had no clue what they looked like or anything like that. Just hearing that song and loving that song and then discovering everything they did image-wise, … I mean, that was just like icing on the cake.” As Shawn’s music tastes began to expand, so did his record collection, and once he discovered the band The Residents , he was hooked. The Residents would play a huge part in Shawn’s life later, so this discovery was fortuitous. With many other bands and musicians influencing him, such as The Beach Boys , Jefferson Starship , and The Beatles , Franklin was eventually led into the world of hip-hop when he discovered breakdancing . Shawn Franklin getting an autograph from Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys - circa 1998 - photo provided by artist “It was the summer of 1984,” says Shawn, “my friend started [dancing] doing the worm one day, and I had no clue what it was. I rented Breakin’ and I thought the movie was horrible but cool because it got me into the music. It had this street element … this energy.” Franklin’s love for hip-hop would continue to grow, and over the years, he would go on to discover many influential artists from the time, such as Kurtis Blow , Boogie Down Productions , The Beastie Boys , Public Enemy , and KRS-One . “I heard ‘ South Bronx ’ by Boogie Down Productions in 1986 and I had never heard anything like it. The little horn stabs and everything just blew my mind.” Franklin’s career with music would soon take a dramatic turn—one that would start to shape his destiny. In 1990 , Shawn and his brother Mike began making music as The Scallions . Described as “ Avant-Garde Power Pop ” and influenced by San Francisco cult giants The Residents , Mike and Shawn started shaping their sound. Mike and Shawn Franklin aka The Scallions - photo provided by artist In 1999 , the band began shopping material around when they hooked up with Tom Timony , a former owner of The Residents label, Ralph Records . In the year 2000, they put out their first commercially released album, Mud Pie , and following its release the album was promoted with interviews, reviews, and radio play. In 2001 , Tom’s label closed and left Shawn and Mike looking for a new home for their music. It was around this time Franklin reached out to Chuck D from Public Enemy via e-mail after obtaining his e-mail address on an online message board. After e-mailing him, Shawn met him in person at a lecture held on the campus of Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn. where Chuck acknowledged he had received the copy of ' Gladys ' that Shawn had sent over. "He listened to the song and really liked it and that was it.” The Scallions In 2002 , the band signed with Chuck D’s label, SLAMjamz , and was asked to open for a few shows with Public Enemy in Massachusetts. “He told me, ‘You guys are different’, and that was that.” The year 2006 saw The Scallions release their album Agony Through Ceremony as part of a CD/DVD combo on Chuck D’s label. From there, Shawn Franklin and Chuck D would spark a professional friendship that led to various other projects outside of his band that continues to this day, with Franklin currently producing daily segments for Chuck D’s RAPstation radio network called “ This Day in Hip Hop History ”. Chuck D and Shawn Franklin - photo provided by artist One of the significant factors that sets Shawn Franklin apart is his remarkable versatility and after discovering he had a knack for restoring audio in a complex way , he began to experiment and push creative boundaries resulting in captivating and refreshing sounds. Of his early remastering days, Franklin says, “In the early 2000’s, I had been collecting bootlegs forever, and I was always zoning in on certain aspects of the recordings: ‘This one has got a lot of noise,’ and ‘This one could use a tweak here,’ and I remember thinking, ‘I wish I could clean this stuff up and restore these.’ The technology was not there yet, but I had a friend turn me on to some software that was incredible for the time. It was like a nuclear bomb went off over my head.” After discovering his secret weapon software, which he did not disclose the name of because it is his secret weapon, Shawn was able to start playing with audio. “I really started cutting my teeth, fixing these bootlegs,” Franklin said. “I really got into it … but I didn’t have any ambitions to be doing audio professionally.” Those first moments of tweaking audio for bootlegs began to set the stage for what was to come. “So, I became friends with Renaldo from Renaldo and the Loaf, and so, as the story progresses … around 2014, Brian, who is Renaldo, was taking a trip out to the United States where he had plans to stay at my house. There was this album, ‘Title in Limbo’ by The Residents, in collaboration with Renaldo and the Loaf. When the album was released on CD, some of the songs faded in, and it was horrible. Prior to Brian coming here, I was telling him about it, and he was like, ‘I have a mix down.’ He’s like, ‘Maybe you can fix it up and restore this album.’ So, I did and matched everything up EQ-wise and he flipped out over it.” That project then led to Shawn doing restoration professionally because the restored album was released worldwide. Title in Limbo by The Residents and Renaldo & The Loaf “Public Enemy is one of my favorite rap bands worldwide. Two friends and I, who coincidentally worked for Chuck, had this idea of making a comprehensive cohesive product of every single A side and B side from all their seven-inch, 12-inch, and CD singles. So, we did this whole thing and we presented it to the Public Enemy squad in 2014. Chuck, at this point, was like, ‘You know, you guys really should start a production team,’ and we were all like, ‘Hmmm … let’s do it. Let’s do this professionally.’” They decided to call their production team TDX , which stands for The Definitive Xperience. “We had all these plans of doing all kinds of reissues from bands,” says Franklin . From there, Shawn and his team embarked on a whirlwind career of numerous opportunities. Shawn Franklin’s reputation for excellence and his exceptional skills have attracted some of the most prominent names in the music industry and his collaborative works have earned him the trust and respect of many established artists such as thrash metal pioneers Anthrax . “I had the idea to reach out to Charlie from Anthrax since Public Enemy had collaborated with them,” Franklin explains. “I ended up sending Charlie [Benante] a tweet because I wasn’t friends with him. I told him, ‘Hey, listen. I’ve been a huge fan of Anthrax since ’86 and I did a really fat remaster of Spreading the Disease . I really want you to hear it and I work for Chuck D.’ He got back to me and said he would love to hear it, so I sent him what I did, and he loved it.” From there, Franklin spoke on the phone with Charlie , developing a professional friendship that led to numerous collaborations. Shawn Franklin with Charlie Benante from Anthrax - photo provided by artist “He said, ‘I’m going to send you some songs that I love and I’m not going to tell you what I don’t like about them audio-wise, and I want to see what you would do.’ I’m thinking, ‘Well, I’m just gonna trust my ears and see what I come up with.’ So, I did that and sent him samples of before and after. I didn’t hear anything for a while until one day, I was playing drums and my phone started blowing up. I look down at my phone to see Charlie messaging me and telling me that I ‘killed it.’” After successfully re-mastering those first few tracks, Shawn Franklin was sent more material that eventually led to him editing, assembling, and sequencing the Spreading the Disease 30th Anniversary album and the State of Euphoria deluxe album for Universal/Megaforce Records . Those projects then led to numerous other projects and collaborations with Anthrax and the professional relationship continues to this day. Remastered by Shawn Franklin Beyond his individual accomplishments, Shawn Franklin has had a transformative impact on the music production landscape by recognizing the importance of embracing technological advancements and utilizing innovative techniques to shape and enhance the soundscape of his creative projects. When asked about some of his other projects outside of Public Enemy and Anthrax, he said, “Working with Chuck Mosley from Faith No More, God rest his soul, was just incredible. I think that me being a fan of the music helps in my situation because knowing the catalog and the work makes it more personal.” He goes on to say, “It’s like saying, ‘Hey, this guy loves our stuff but can also deliver the goods audio-wise,’ you know?” In 2016 , Franklin was asked to master three songs for DJ Lord for the 2016 Make America Rage Again tour and says of the experience, “Chuck had an assistant named Kate. She came to me one day and said, ‘DJ Lord needs three songs mastered … instrumental versions.’ So, I didn’t even think anything of it and told them, ‘Let’s go!’” Credit: Green Left From there, Shawn went on to do the tracks with no problems and recalled the moment he got to experience his work firsthand live. “I’m at Mohegan Sun Arena watching the Prophets of Rage show and it’s going along, and ‘Bring the Noise’ starts when it dawns on me that this was what I had mastered for them. I look around the arena and it’s sold out. It’s packed. I’m watching people lose their minds to the music and I’m thinking, ‘I worked on this.’” As the music industry continues to evolve, Shawn Franklin remains relentless in his pursuit of excellence. While continuing to collaborate with renowned artists, Franklin strives to inspire others to follow their dreams and explore their creative potential. His journey from humble beginnings to working for Chuck D is a testament to his unwavering passion, exceptional talent, and commitment to musical quality. Through his versatility and groundbreaking production style, Franklin has redefined the music production landscape and left an indelible mark on the industry. As the music world eagerly awaits his next move, there is no doubt that Shawn Franklin’s influence will continue to shape the future of music production for years to come. To learn more about Shawn and his work, visit one of the sites below: Website: TDX: The Definitive Xperience (defexperience.com) The Scallions: The Scallions | blocGLOBAL Independent Record Label | Buy, download and listen to music online (blocsonic.com) Facebook (The Scallions): The Scallions (facebook.com) Rapstation Radio: Rapstation - Home 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

Presenting Rocket City Night of Rock ‘n Roll by Mike Slaten Productions < Back Off the Charts: Local Rock ‘n Roll Takes Over Mars Music Hall Bud Gambrell Apr 11, 2025 Share Presenting Rocket City Night of Rock ‘n Roll by Mike Slaten Productions Is it possible to go to a party and not realize it is a party until you get there? I would say that is a tremendous yes! That is precisely what happened this past Saturday Night. This story begins on March 10, 2025 . I was surfing social media, searching for funny memes, when I came across a friend of mine, Mike Slaten ’s page. He had just announced that his production company had assembled a local concert at Mars Music Hall , part of the Von Braun Center . If your first guess is that I reached out to inquire whether they needed a photographer, you would be spot on. You think you’re getting to know me a little, huh? We can now fast forward to April 5, 2025 . It’s the day of the concert, and like most other shows I photograph, I arrive early. It was almost straightaway that I noticed that the atmosphere was very comfortable. It had the feeling that everyone there was friends. That impression was accurate. I learned from chatting with the musicians that many of them have worked together before, which adds great chemistry to the evening! Some had not, but everyone was fast friends when showtime came around. Also, everyone’s friend Bill Neal was in attendance backstage. Bill and his son Tracer (that name is a secret identity) produce a podcast called Pickletato . They were present to broadcast live teasers for the concert throughout the afternoon. You will soon learn more about Pickletato . First, we'll have a chance to catch up with Bill a little later in this article, so stay tuned! Second, I'm excited to share that I'll join the podcast Pickletato for a recording next week! I can't wait to dive into some fun discussions and explore new topics together. Stay tuned for that also. I plan to write an entertaining article about them and share their goals on their podcast. I can't wait to dive into their story! Tonight’s concert is named Rocket City Night of Rock N’ Roll , presented by Mike Slaten Productions . The show would consist of four local bands . Opening the night would be The Shoals' own Blind the Sky . Second on the stage will be a Huntsville favorite, Angry Native . The third act will be Mike Slaten’s band Tres Locos . I know. I thought the same thing. Mike organized the show, and his band didn’t headline. More on that later. Our headliner is New Atomic . Get ready because this night is chock-full of talent! Before I dive in, I want to give a massive shoutout to all the fantastic members of the four bands for making me feel so welcome. You all are awesome! You are all exceptional musicians, and even more importantly, you are outstanding individuals! Entertainment Booking & Event Manager, Craig Maples , and Mike Slaten of Mike Slaten Productions co-organized the Rocket City Night of Rock' N 'Roll concert. I spoke with the VBC and Mike to learn about this show. VBC’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations , Samantha Nielsen , gave me the venue's perspective. SN : The VBC focuses on bringing national touring acts to Mars Music Hall ; however, when we have open weekend dates, we love taking those opportunities to support our community’s local artists! Mars is a fantastic venue that is plug-and-play with our audio and visual setup, so the local acts have a unique experience to not only perform on the same stage as some of their favorite touring bands, but they also receive the complete rock-star treatment with tour-quality lighting and sound, as well as utilizing the backstage area and dressing rooms. In my discussion with Mike Slaten , he informed me of how it came to be from his side. MS : Last month, the VBC hosted a local show called the Anti Valentine's Day show with five local bands . Basically, Craig and the guys at Mars and the VBC said they were tired of the venue sitting empty in between when big national touring acts are coming through. They wanted to try to get people into the venue. It's a great venue! It doesn't need to sit here, taking up space and trying to generate revenue. So, they held that concert, and I think 400 or 500 people showed up. It was an excellent turnout. Everybody involved, you know, benefited from it. Samantha with the VBC went on to tell me. SN : For us, these local shows are a win-win all around. They’re great for the artists, get people inside the venue on what would otherwise be off nights, and allow us to host amazing shows for the community that are often free and for all ages. OTC : Mike, where did it all begin for you? MS : I've been talking to many VBC guys for years. Whenever any big show comes through, I ask, “Hey, you need an opener?” The answer is usually "no." When I learned about last month’s local show, I got back in touch and said, I'd like to put on a show here. When the first show went well, they hit me up and said they had a date available. I tried to pick out some of the best bands. Of course, I didn't get all of them. Hopefully, tons of great bands are on the list for future shows. We put together what I think is a very unique, diverse show of great local rock bands. And then everybody just started promoting and sharing, and the response has been excellent so far. So we're hoping for a good turnout. To give you a little background, I have been working with the VBC for the last few years as one of their pool of event photographers. I talk to Samantha often as she handles our bookings. The entire VBC staff is fantastic to work with! Unsurprisingly, they are opening the doors to our city’s wonderfully talented musicians! OTC : Mike, how did you decide on which bands to have for tonight? MS : So, it's bands that we have played with before and are friends with. There are a lot of other bands that we're friends with and have played with, but these are some of the bands that were available on this particular date, and you know, bands that we've built a good friendship with. I thought these bands would help bring in a good crowd and put on a great show. These are bands that I think deserve to be on a big stage in front of a good crowd and get to have an opportunity like this. OTC : Have you played at Mars before? MS : Once, Tres Locos played here. I think it was 2021 . They were doing local bands only during the pandemic. It was tables six feet apart and all that kind of stuff. You know, trying to get some people in during that time, and of course, it was still in the pandemic, so few people showed up. OTC : So, you played here once. I would guess there were a lot of nerves playing this stage for the first time. Now, you're coming back for a second time. Do you feel more relaxed so you can get out there and kick it up a notch? MS : Yeah, I think so. I mean, for me personally, I think there's always a little bit of nerves, especially if you're on a bigger stage or you have a really big crowd. Years ago, I learned from teachers and other people with more experience that nervousness is good if it's a nervous energy . It's good to direct that positively instead of letting it debilitate you to the point where you can't get up, perform, sing, or whatever. So yeah, there's always a little bit of nerves, but really just excitement. OTC : I'm familiar with your band, Tres Locos. I have also seen Angry Native before. I know what to expect from those two bands. It's going to be good! Now, I'm not familiar with the other two. Please tell me what I can expect from those other two bands playing tonight. MS : Alright, so Blind the Sky is from the Shoals area. If you know anything about musicians, bands, and people from there, it seems there’s something in the water. Every musician or band we've played with is from that area; there is something different about them. They are a two-piece band. They don't have a live drummer. They have drums programmed into their pedal boards, and it's incredible! They're phenomenal musicians! They are two guys who sometimes sound like a five or six-piece band. They've got keyboards programmed in the pedals. The bass player will play something that sounds like he's playing the piano. Epic, epic music, great songwriting. That's about the best way I can describe them. Then, New Atomic . They're the headliner. I think they started in 2020 , if I'm not mistaken. They've built a pretty substantial following in Huntsville . They play Furniture Factory , The Lone Goose , and Back 40 . You know, a lot of those places draw a vast crowd . They're fun! They're younger guys, so they attract a younger crowd, a younger audience. They're mostly playing originals, but they play a lot of stuff from the '90s at many of their bar gigs around town. They play Jimmy Eat World , Incubus , and Foo Fighters . They're really good and really fun. They play with a lot of energy, and many people around here like them. OTC : So, if I'm getting this right, you picked the bands, but your band is not the headliner. MS : Correct. I picked New Atomic to headline because I feel like they have a bigger local draw. The band will bring the most significant portion of the crowd. I think they should. They should headline the show. OTC : So, you were playing the odds. MS : Yep! As I mentioned earlier, Bill Neal from the podcast Pickletato was in attendance. I first met Bill at The Alabama Smoke Show in 2024 . That show was also at Mars Music Hall and highlighted some excellent local bands. Bills’ podcast does a fantastic job of highlighting local bands on a personal level. The podcast has grown to include live performances of the bands during their interviews. We will cover this a lot closer in an upcoming article. Of course, since Bill was in attendance, I had to ask him for his input on the concert we were attending. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_Z1LMbh4NM The Pickletato Podcast OTC : Bill, tell me what brings Pickletato here tonight. BN : Mike Slaten invited me. The reason he invited me is that Mike and I are good friends, and he wanted to know if I could help him, you know, promote the event and be able to do the interviews like I did earlier. I'm just trying to get the word out as much as possible so we can do this in the future. I think the outcome of what happens tonight, although we have some possible lousy weather coming in, will probably not be as good as we thought it would be. Maybe, maybe not. I might be wrong, but I think this weather coming in might be an issue. But I think the outcome is going to lead him to being able to bring local musicians into these types of venues again. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Are you familiar with the four bands playing tonight? BN : The only one I’m unfamiliar with is Blind the Sky . I think they're out of Muscle Shoals . Mike introduced me to them. When he said they would be on, I listened to some of their songs because I hadn't heard them. I really like their stuff! Hopefully, I can get those guys on our podcast in the future. We're pretty booked up for a good three months, but we will try to get those guys on there in the future. I'm very familiar with Tres Locos and Angry Native . I’ve known Flip and those guys for quite a while now. New Atomic . I just had those guys on the podcast, which hasn’t been released yet. It should be out here in the next week or so. Great group of guys! Sitting in with those guys was like watching brothers talk to each other, and seeing that many people in a band love each other so much was cool! You know, some bands barely even look at each other. But you can tell that those guys are tight. I think one of the reasons is that, as they said in an interview, they didn't really want to do this to get big or anything. They just wanted to be with friends and have a good time! I think that it shows with their music when they're playing. OTC : What do you think we're in store for tonight? Do you think there should be more people here tonight? BN : Oh, absolutely! More people should be here. I mean, this place should be packed! I wish this whole thing were being recorded. It's hard for a two-person team to record something this big, but it would be nice to have something like this recorded so people can see the quality of musicians that these guys are and the show they will be missing. A lot of these guys have their original songs. In my opinion, it should be at the top of the charts. They have some really good original songs that you know they’ll be playing tonight, so everybody and their brother should be here! This article has so much visual content that I can show you. I can show you the concert flyers, the stage, and how good they looked on stage. I can even show you backstage, where most people rarely get to see. The one thing I can’t show you, and I’m not sure I can precisely describe to you, is the camaraderie . Backstage is not where I often hang out but tonight was one of those nights when I did. I have seen bands use different green rooms, but I have noticed that they stay separate. The bands at The Rocket City Night of Rock N’ Roll were a fun mix of different styles, making every performance a unique experience! There is one thing that I have always enjoyed about a band playing live. That one thing is being able to tell that they enjoy what they do. I love seeing musicians enjoy what they are doing. I observed so much of that at this show. That enjoyment was backstage as well as on stage. Well done, guys! Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! Where to find Bud: Website: https://bgambrellphotography.com Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tz https://www.facebook.com/bud.gambrell My new book: Bud Gambrell Photography by Bud Gambrell | Blurb Books Where to find Mike Slaten Productions and Tres Locos: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1a5sMDVmAr/ https://www.facebook.com/share/1MSQ3QuxVh/ Where to find Blind the Sky: Facebook: Facebook Website; Blind The Sky | Rock Band Muscle Shoals Where to find Angry Native: Facebook: Facebook Where to find New Atomic: Facebook: Facebook Where to find Pickletato: YouTube: Pickletato - YouTube Facebook: Facebook *All photos by Bud Gambrell Photography 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 Do you have something you'd like Bud to cover? Reach out to him at the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

They Deserve ALL the Damn Attention < Back Holmes Holmes Keeley Brooks Dec 12, 2022 Share They Deserve ALL the Damn Attention I watch a lot of content. A whole lot of content. Someone has to, right? Otherwise, how would you people know what good stuff and quality talent is out there, especially in these days of everything-overload? And I love comedy, whether it be stand-up, movies, sitcoms, friends making me laugh—it doesn’t matter. I just love to laugh, often at myself, and that’s precisely what drew me into to the authentically talented and very down-to-Earth, candid queer comedian, improviser, actor, and writer Holmes Holmes (sometimes billed as just Holmes ), the hysterically funny star (and I do mean STAR) of FOX’s new mockumentary sitcom Welcome to Flatch . When Holmes and I spoke, we bonded over toes … broken toes. No, really—I’m serious. We hopped on Zoom to rap about who they are underneath the comedy and talent, their thoughts and opinions on life as it is today, the projects they’re working on, and, of course, the show, but the first place we went was to swapping toe stories, because they were home nursing a broken pinky. “I broke it literally waking up out of my bed, and then I just walked into a weight that was in my room. I have these 10-pound weights that I try to keep … in my room because then when I pass them, I’ll do a rep, because that’s how my brain works, and I just ran into them with my pinky toe and, like, broke her,” Holmes says, right before asking me if I’d ever broken a toe, to which I was honest and said yes. Two of 'em. After hearing about how I embarrassingly broke one of my toes, Holmes started giggling and said I had to include our stories in the article, and because I admire and respect them so much, this Dude shall abide. “I broke it as a teenager at the beach," I started. "I had on this hot little bikini number, and I’d gotten up to try that Baywatch-style run into the water when my foot planted deep in the sand and got stuck, I tripped, and my body went one way and my toes--a particular toe--went the other." It was an epic embarrassment. We laughed and talked more toes before getting back to the interview. Holmes were born in Texas , then lived in Florida , mostly grew up in Omaha , then went back to Florida for college, then (as an adult) Chicago until the pandemic, then on to Kansas City to be with family, and now they’re out in Los Angeles for work. Photo provided by Holmes “[T]he pandemic was horrible and obviously I would never choose for it to happen, but something positive that came out of it was people realizing they can live in different places and still work remotely,” they said. “This industry is also so look-based and shallow, and I’m not like that … it’s not that I hate what I look like … but I like to think about it the least of everything about me. I’d rather spend time thinking about my actions or what I’m creating so I definitely think that living somewhere else will be helpful with that because … you hear so many look-based things when you’re in this city.” As star of the new FOX mockumentary sitcom Welcome to Flatch , which also airs on Hulu and stars Seann William Scott ( American Pie ) and Jaime Pressly ( My Name is Earl ), Holmes plays the lead role of Kelly Mallet . The show follows a documentary crew exploring the lives, dreams, and concerns of residents with eccentric personalities in the small (fictional) American town of Flatch, Ohio . The crew finds more-than-worthy subjects in cousins and best friends Kelly Mallet and Lloyd “Shrub” Mallet , played by the very talented and handsome Sam Straley ( The Dropout ). Ironically enough, Straley’s character’s last name on The Dropout was Holmes , so I find it magically fitting that his co-star in Flatch is literally named Holmes ; they were absolutely meant to be. Kelly and Shrub spend their days hatching schemes and being themselves, and that’s the best part of the show: watching their organic shenanigans unfold. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl8jKFZa-ps Season 1 Recap: Welcome to Flatch Don’t get me wrong—the entire show and its cast are hilariously funny and worth multiple watches, but there’s something special about the energy oscillating between Kelly and Shrub that just sucks you right in as a viewer. Flatch is Holmes’s first acting role , which is probably shocking to those who watch the show, because they operate with such a high level of comedic talent, you feel like you’re watching a veteran artist, minus the delightfully fresh and youthful appearance. Holmes isn’t just gifted in acting but also has some of the best, most organic improv skills on today’s scene. Not too much trips them up, short of a certain hot-tub scene with her co-stars Sam Straley and Jaime Pressly , and they’re constantly flowing within their own energy and being themselves. Watching them perform is like peering through a glass window into a family home full of hijinks. And love. They. Are. Genius. And everything coming out of their mouth is effortless—so effortless, in fact, it’s easy for a viewer to forget they’re watching a TV show. While Flatch itself is scripted, Holmes says they are allowed some room for improvisation but, honestly, everything Holmes does in the show makes it seem like all of their lines are improvised. That’s how much of a natural they are. And it doesn’t hurt that co-star Sam Straley (Shrub Mallet) is just as golden with comedic timing as Holmes is, so watching them together, feeding off of each other, is pure, unadulterated gut-bursting magic. Courtesy of Fox “I feel so grateful to work with Sam,” Holmes said, “because we both will let ourselves play, and we’re so tired at certain points and we get to places where we play, and I just wouldn’t want there to be anyone else to work with … yeah.” They continued, “It took us a second, [but] now we’re really close. He’s one of my best friends in the whole world. I love him so much. When we first met, I think there was a learning curve for both of us, because I came from improv and it was my second audition, and he came from the acting world very intensely, [and] he did have some improv experience, but all the actor stuff had just sort of really hammered a different style into him.” When asked what filming with Sam is like, they replied, “At first, I was adding lines left and right, and he was like, ‘Whoa,’ and I’d go, ‘Whoa,’ and I was like, ‘Why do you hate me? I’m funny!’ (laughs). But then, we’re both good communicators and we talked about it, and then what happened is that he’s made me a much better actor and he was already a good improviser, but I inspired him to remember he can play [around with improv because] Flatch isn’t like most shows. It’s a place where you can play. And now I really love him. He’s one of my best friends in the world.” Courtesy of Fox They didn’t stop there with their love for Sam: “He’s the best actor I know. He’s so talented. He can play Shrub so well, but it’s wild. When I do self-tapes with him, he can do anything … he can be scary, he can be a hot dick, and then he goes into Shrub, and it’s amazing.” Don’t let Holmes’s humility fool you, though; they are just as amazing to watch and equally as talented, especially for the kind of turn-around time on which the show operates. Holmes says they switch directors every couple of episodes and they film so fast (3-3.5 days/episode), they are constantly learning lines at all times, and that can get intense. But there is room for their improv. “We always get a script … and I’ll always give a take that is the script, but then I go back and add in some Holmes. If they say to take it back, I will, but sometimes they don’t say anything, so I keep doing it that way. Sam and I try to improvise and change it quite a bit.” There’s a fantastic scene in Episode 3 that showcases Holmes’s improv skills, and it’s so hysterically funny, one can’t help but develop an appreciation for their talent and how it carries the rest of the show. If you watch it, it’s the scene where Kelly is making a pitch to Barb (Jaime Pressly) to hire her as an assistant in Barb’s real estate business. Courtesy of Fox The show just aired its second season , which somehow was even funnier than the first, so I had to know how Holmes holds it together on set with Shrub when filming and if people are always breaking character and, respectively, losing their shit. “Well, we don’t hold it together great,” Holmes said through laughter. “I don’t make Sam break. I’ve probably only made him break twice, ever. [Episode 7] was the hardest in the whole entire time of working on the show not to break. When we were in the hot tub and stuff … I’m the worst at breaking of everyone. Sam does not break, really, whereas I really can’t struggle a lot. [In that scene], we were so tired at that point [during filming], and I could barely get through [one take in the hot tub]. I kept laughing because of Shrub’s persona with Barb. Every time I’d talk to him, he’s, like, kissing her ear or something and [that would make me break.]” Holmes went on to tell me a little about what they think is so cool about the show, aside from their co-workers. “I think one of the coolest parts of the entire experience is that all of the camera people are all women, so that is unheard of. It has to do with [Show Creator] Jenny Bicks and [Executive Producer] Paul [Feig] in a lot of ways. He really does care about having things be more equal in the industry than they are.” I have to say it was refreshing to hear that some out there in the industry are fighting for equal rights because they see the importance in it. Holmes landed their role on the show after being discovered on Twitter a few years back. They posted a video that Paul Feig ’s assistant saw and from that, Feig’s people reached out to a place where Holmes used to improv in Chicago and asked them to audition. It was only Holmes’s second audition ever. While we aren't certain which video the assistant saw, Holmes's Instagram page has a ton of reels that'll have you closing your eyes from laughing so hard. You're gonna want to bring a bucket of popcorn for your stay. “I was just doing improv every night and working a normal day job … at a gym selling memberships. I think it’s one of those things where it’s easy to get caught up in the life and find new things to get upset about, because that’s just how life works, but, I mean, I definitely really try to always remember how fortunate and lucky I am and how hard I worked to get to this place so I could be creative for my job,” they said. Something most may not know about Holmes is that they operate daily with both A.D.D. and Anxiety , and they’re very open about it, which is very courageous and inspiring, because more people out there who struggle should feel safe enough to voice their thoughts and feelings. It’s how we heal … one way, at least. “I think it makes me good at my job. I can hyper-focus, and now that I’ve learned about it, for me, moving outside and walking is helpful in controlling my A.D.D. It’s easier for me to think. I like to be moving. And now, because of my toe and not being able to walk, I’ve noticed a lot of my energy ruminating on negative thoughts. Now that I have this knowledge about [my issues], I’m able to realize I’m not in that bad of a place and this is only temporary.” Photo provided by Holmes Anxiety can make doing anything in life tough for anybody, even with basic functions like getting out of bed each morning or going out in public, let alone doing improv in front of a room full of people or playing a character on screen. I had to know how Holmes’s anxiety affected them in their career. “When I first started doing stand-up, because I was alone up there, I’d feel scared for a while [before I’d go on]. In the beginning of anything, I get nervous when I’d first start with art, but I don’t really have that now. I feel my anxiety is the worst within interpersonal relationships in my life. So, if I’m romantically interested in someone, or if I think a friend is mad at me, or I think I’ve disappointed someone close to me, that’s where my anxiety lies, whereas with performing in front of 300 people [who are] strangers, I kind of don’t feel scared. That’s where I love A.D.D.,” they said. “At first, having A.D.D. and Anxiety together was really hard, because they both fight each other. And because we live under capitalism, they cared about the A.D.D. first. So, when I was first getting mental health help, they addressed the A.D.D. and put me on medicine … that makes your heart rate high, and so I’m having these heart palpitations and panic attacks because they were trying to make me focus with the anxiety untreated.” When Holmes got to a stable place with their anxiety, they started looking at their A.D.D. from a different perspective, from someone who wasn’t trying to medicate them for it but instead was trying to teach them about it, and Holmes that really changed their life. “Now I’m able to understand my hyper-focus is a skill, and with A.D.D. specifically, I almost need the anxiety sometimes. I need the pressure to come alive. … For me, to write new material, I normally sign myself up for a bunch of shows or reach out to people, because then I know I have the show coming, so now I have to get it done, so I use A.D.D. and Anxiety together [now], where [before] it used to be a thing I felt so paralyzed by both that I couldn’t do anything.” Holmes has a solid network of support around them though, from friends, to family, to co-workers, to fellow comedians, and though Holmes loves acting, their heart lies deep in improvisation, and they credit long-form improv with saving their life. “Being able to be so free with my energy for years on stage in Chicago allowed me to release feelings through characters, and that saved me,” they said. “Laughter saves my life … and I feel ok right now, because I think I have such an amazing community [with comedians] and not just actors. I think if it was just actors all the time, it would feel harder, and it’s not their fault, because they’re getting self-taped in ways that describe them that aren’t true. I say no to a lot of self-tapes, because I’d rather spend time creating stuff, because it’s hard knowing you can create amazing and do amazing, but they see you in this box. That’s why I’m grateful to be a comedian, you know, because my comedian community doesn’t do that. It feels like we’re all making each other laugh and supporting each other.” Photo provided by Holmes Some of their favorite comedians and influences include Kate Berlant and John Early . Holmes recalls seeing their videos in college and remembering they were some of the first people they saw who made Holmes feel like they could make their weirdness mainstream. They’re also “super-inspired” by Issa Rae . “Not only is she so funny, but she’s groundbreaking,” Holmes said. “She changed TV for Black people completely. I look up to her both as a comedic influence and an icon.” Then there’s Maria Banford . “I look up to her because she talked about mental health so much in such a hilarious way, that I remember seeing when I was younger that meant the world to me. I really recommend her special on Netflix called The Special Special Special. She does it just for her parents. It’s just so weird and funny, and she’s so honest about it.” Michaela Coel also made a huge impression on Holmes . Coel made the show I May Destroy You on HBO . Holmes says she’s such an influence on them, because she takes time away from the public eye between projects and encourages others to make self-care a priority and do the same. “She has two shows: Chewing Gum and I May Destroy You, and both of them she took a break between and went offline, then came back with the best product ever and … she encouraged people not to be afraid to take time away. I just love her. I need to remember that because on purpose, this industry just wants to make money all the time, and every industry in America wants you to keep making money for them, so they don’t care about the quality of the art, and I just need to have people I can remember saying [that self-care is important].” Holmes also credits her friend Molly Kearney with being a favorite and an influence. You might best recognize Kearney as the newest cast member on Saturday Night Live and the first openly nonbinary cast member . Woohoo! And, like Holmes , she is brilliantly fun to watch. In discussing gender identity and commenting on seeing the world in terms of gray vs. black and white, and in terms of identifying as only male or female or this way or that, Holmes had this to say: “I feel like every day is a different energy I try to listen to, and it’s also a good reminder because before you have words for things, you can’t explain them, and that doesn’t mean they don’t exist, and so for me, as I get older, I want to be cautious and conscious about learning new stuff younger people are telling me about because I don’t want to be fighting change.” Photo provided by Holmes They continued, “I just feel so fortunate to be a comedian. Some days I feel funny, and some days I want to create other types of art, so I see myself as an artist more than a comedian but being a comedian does save my life because of the community. When I’m not in the mood to do stand-up, I’ll continue having it as part of my career, always, because of the community and because of getting to be around people multiple times a week, who are just the funniest people alive right now. I’m part of an alternative scene, so I do get to be around queer people [and] I get to be around people who aren’t just the nightmares in stand-up. I get to be around the boys in stand-up. … Life is just so dark in many ways, and I think getting to be around funny people is just so healing.” As far as what the role of Kelly Mallet means to them, Holmes paused then offered, “My siblings say that Kelly [has] always lived inside of me. I … had similarities to [her] in middle school, but [she] is a lot more confident than me, [but] it’s really nice to play her because she’s more masculine and more easily satisfied, and her resilience amazes me because she bounces back really fast.” Photo courtesy of Fox Holmes said playing Kelly is really fun and really freeing, but they noted there are differences. “… I think I knew who she was at [my] core, so that’s how I was able to play her for auditions and improvise with her … I wish more people were like her, honestly. She totally changed my life … and she’ll always be a part of me.” Holmes added they are truly grateful for FOX and Hulu and the show’s creators, as well as fellow mega co-stars Seann William Scott and Jaime Pressly , who’ve both given great industry advice when it was most needed. Photo courtesy of Fox Currently, the naturally gifted improv genius just wrapped up a benefit show in Kansas City with dear friend and improv collaborator Caleb Hearon to raise money for Kansas City residents who are unhoused. Holmes is also working on another KC-based project with Caleb , Jax Media , and Our Lady J , and they’re also working on an hour-long stand-up special for a tour. Wherever you can find Holmes online, on TV, in a club, or randomly doing humble, cool shit to help those in need, I strongly encourage you to sit still and engage in soaking up their talent and positive energy. It’s genuinely one of the funniest, most natural, and relatable experiences you’ll ever have. This comedic badass is one worth noting, following, madly supporting, and telling all your friends to watch. I know it sounds like I’m totally crushing on them and, I’ll be honest, I kind of am, but you will, too, as soon as you watch their stand-up, TikTok videos, Instagram videos, movie shorts, and, of course, Welcome to Flatch , then get sucked into what they’re doing simply because they’re just being who they are. And that, my friends, is genuine talent that is beyond refreshing. So, come with me and jump all up on their bandwagon. The party’s just getting started. For more information on Holmes: Website: www.holmeshome.me HOLMES All the info you could possibly want and need about Chicago-based comedian, actress, and writer Holmes Holmes. Instagram @_holmes_holmes TikTok @_holmes_holmes And if you haven’t seen Welcome to Flatch , you can catch that on FOX, Hulu, Spectrum TV, Vudu, Prime Video, or Apple TV. 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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‘Serenity’ possesses a surreal and atmospheric quality that takes you on a soothing journey. < Back Reviews on the Real: Serenity by Nicki Needham Nicole Brice May 12, 2025 Share ‘Serenity’ possesses a surreal and atmospheric quality that takes you on a soothing journey. Today, we’re exploring the latest release from Louisiana-based singer-songwriter Nicki Needham . She has become a prominent figure in the local music scene, thanks to her remarkable talent, unwavering drive, and exceptional work ethic. Nicki is frequently performing and has taken the stage at numerous music festivals throughout the state, including Festival Internationale and Fête du Void . Released May 8, 2025 Released on May 8, 2025 , ‘ Serenity ’ possesses a surreal and atmospheric quality that takes you on a soothing journey. I always listen to new songs with headphones to fully immerse myself in the rich textures and layers of the music, and this release was no different. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvgaZplXxJw The official music video for 'Serenity' by Nicki Needham. The opening of ' Serenity ' is hauntingly beautiful, filled with soul and depth. It leads into one of the most soothing and captivating voices I've ever heard, giving me chills from start to finish. Nicki’s voice reminds me of American singer-songwriter Anna Nalick , whose music was the soundtrack to my endless drives to and from Hammond during college. The mixing of this track is flawless, and the production quality is exceptional. Nicki’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone searching for themselves amidst the world's chaos. She encourages listeners to take time for self-reflection and to discover their own serenity. The spoken word segment at the end of the song is particularly noteworthy; I closed my eyes and felt myself slipping into a semi-meditative state. As ' Serenity ' concludes, it erupts into a powerful chorus filled with emotion. It truly is a rollercoaster of a song! The track ends on such a high note that it leaves you wanting more. No joke—go stream ‘ Serenity ’ now, and you can thank me later. Look for a full EP release from Nicki Needham in the fall of 2025, too. To learn more about Nicki Needham: YouTube: Nicki Needham - YouTube Website: www.nickineedhammusic.com Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Nicki Needham (@nickineedhammusic) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify: Nicki Needham | Spotify Apple Music: ‎Nicki Needham - Apple Music www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

From America's Got Talent to the Hit Show Reservation Dogs < Back When You Need a Party Thrown, Call Mike Bone Keeley Brooks Nov 17, 2022 Share From America's Got Talent to the Hit Show Reservation Dogs If you’ve been watching the hit sitcom Reservation Dogs on FX and Hulu, holla! Sorry. I mean if you’ve been watching the show, you should recognize this musical duo. Or, if you’re a loyal watcher of America’s Got Talent , chances are you recognize them from a stint on the show in 2013. Meet Mike Bone, Native American rapper brothers Lil Mike and Funny Bone, perhaps better known as Mose and Mekko from the show. Reservation Dogs is a breakthrough in indigenous representation on television, both in front of and behind the camera. The show has accomplished something few others have: it has successfully introduced a mainstream audience to a Native American culture without leaning on reductionist stereotypes. It’s is a teen comedy drama series that follows the exploits of four indigenous teenagers on a reservation in rural Oklahoma as they rob, steal, and save in order to get to California. The guys are the show’s version of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, rollin’ through on bicycles every now and then, offering the perfect hint of comedic rap gold in perfect timing when needed. But they’re not just rappers; they’re also songwriters, actors, motivational speakers with hearts of gold, and all-around awesomely cool, entertaining guys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imocDoeQtUo Mike Bone made their national appearance in 2013 on America’s Got Talent and were well-received. They’ve had a successful career of winning contests, being on live television in the U.S. and Canada, hosting parties, DJ’ing night clubs, and opening for big names like Jacob Latimore, Wine-O, Lil Troy, Billy Ray Cyrus, Bobby Valentino, and T-Bone, to name a few. They’ve even performed in penitentiaries. The guys were seeing a ton of success … right up until Covid slammed into the world and shut life down. But something positive came out of the halt for these two: a chance to audition for a new television show from hit filmmakers Taika Watiti and Sterlin Harjo. And the rest is history. I had the awesome opportunity to talk face to face (virtually) with Lil Mike and Funny Bone, and we had such a great time, it’s best you read their replies, mostly unedited, for yourselves. KB : So, guys, thank you both so much for doing this interview. You’re widely known as Lil Mike & Funny Bone, Mike Bone, or Mose and Mekko. But tell us what your actual names are. LM : Yeah, so both of our names are Jesus. But I’m oldest. FB : And we have a younger brother named Jesus as well. LM : (laughs) It’s what happens when Native Americans name children. Our father had the choice of naming us and he wasn’t, I guess, thinking straight when he thought it would be a good idea to name [us] all the same name. KB : Thus, the nicknames. LM : Our nicknames reflect who we are. I became little Mike because I love to dance and [always used to dance around] to Michael Jackson. FB : Well, you know, in the 90s, Bone Thugs [-N-Harmony] was big and doin’ their thang. We were trying to build our brand, and I needed a name when I joined [Mike] onstage at the age of 12. They just kind of took my characteristic, because my thing was going out on stage while [Mike] was switching out songs, and I would tell a joke or do something funny and make the crowd laugh, so we took that, added the bone—funny bone—and I created an acronym for it that stands for Fully United New Nourished Young Brotha of Noble Essense. Just means I’m new and nourished as a believer of God and I’m of nobility because [he’s my father]. KB : Let’s talk about your height. You’re 52” tall. On your website, you describe yourselves as, “shorter than everyone else but too tall to be midgets.” Do you guys ever experience size discrimination and if so, can you tell us how you dealt with it? FB : Once we went on tour with Extreme Midget Wrestling. Of course, now it’s known as Extreme Micro Wrestling because of, you know, cancel culture. But yeah, we were the halftime show. Everybody called us “fake midgets.” LM : You know, if you allow certain things to offend you, then you’re allowing those people that are trying to offend you to have power over your emotions. FB : You give away your energy. LM : And that’s something that we do different. It’s like yo, you can call us all kinds of stuff out the book, but you can’t offend me because I’m not easily offended, because I don’t accept what you have to say. FB : I think that’s just natural as indigenous people … you learn to grow up like that and then embrace and laugh at what people say about us. Like when [Howard] Stern was trying to clown around on us about girls and Mike just said to him, “Get me a chair. I’ll be alright.” LM : You shouldn’t let things get to you so easily and so fast because not everybody will have the right approach from their minds in certain areas, whether it be judging someone based off this or that], you shouldn’t be so judgmental because there’s always gonna be somebody … FB : … hate does not change your value, and that’s something we stand on and push really hard. Same with no smoking and no drinking. We sing about it in our songs. We go to schools and talk about it. KB : And do you experience any clap back on that platform? LM : We get laughed at like, “What’s wrong with y’all?” Ain’t nothing wrong with us. We like to have a clear mind in what we do. We don’t need a fake substance to find satisfaction. FB : We also abstain from sex. LM : We would rather know someone more emotionally than physically, and I’ve never wanted to be trapped by an addiction. FB : You gotta be careful with all that stuff, because there [are] consequences. LM : We lived in the city, goin’ to parties, seein’ all these different people doin’ all these kinds of stuff, and we’d be like, “Don’t do that.” It made us see we wanted the dancing and the loud music, not the drinking and the smoking. FB : We learn from others’ mistakes. That’s the main thing and that’s something we push: learn from others’ mistakes; you don’t gotta make them. LM : We’re from the hood, so we’re on alert [at parties and events] already. FB : How we do it without drugs & alcohol, this is just us. We love it. We’re just having a good time. We’re too short to get high. You just got to joke around and have fun with life. LM : We base our performances off the type of crowd and event. If it’s an indigenous event, we sing songs that relate to those issues, but if it’s something churchy, we change it up and do a little more faith-based performance. KB : Mike, I read on ChoctawNation.com that when you were 12, you tried out for a talent show with a performance of your poetry about a friend dying of gang violence … to a jazz beat. How’d the idea to use a jazz beat come to you? LM : I don’t remember if it was HBO or BET, but they’d have these poets go on T.V. and they would do their thing … say a poem or whatever, and it seemed to me like the ones with the music captured me more, so I said to myself okay, I’m gonna do a jazz beat to my poem in front of the school to encourage people not to get into gang violence and whatnot, and it just, I guess it captured people in a good way. Afterwards, a kid came up saying he liked my rap, I was like oh snack! I should try to rap! There’s probably a VHS recording out there somewhere at an Oklahoman Jefferson Middle School. Somebody has to have it. I made that mix off cassette tapes too. I’m dancing like Michael Jackson but in a transforming style on stage, so I’m having to change clothes on stage. So, I start out as Jackson 5 – bell bottoms, afro—then I spin around and rip my bottoms off and I’m doing older Michael Jackson, then I spin around again and rip the afro off and take my loud jacket off … “the hippie one” … and I’m dancing to “Beat It” and “Billie Jean,” and I take off the black jacket (laughs) and I take that off and I have the silver pads on (laughs), and I take another layer of pants off and I have silver pants on and I’m doing “Black or White” and just dancing and everyone’s like, “Yo! He just wardrobe changed four different times on stage!” KB : Nice! Let’s talk about the show for a moment. How’d you guys wind up on Reservation Dogs ? FB : Well, we were riding the America’s Got Talent wave, then Covid hit and we had to shut down touring. We were broke for the next two years creating merch online, trying to sell to our fanbase and make money to pay the bills, and it wasn’t enough. A manager came at us with an opportunity for acting, and it was local and paying so we went to audition. They wanted two eleven-year-old twins in the casting call and so, we kind of look like we’re eleven and … LM : (laughs) … we gave it a shot and they called back and said, “We could work with y’all.” FB : And we were like cool ! LM : Yeah, we did not think they were gonna pick us up because not only were we not eleven-year-old twins, but we also changed the script. There were cuss words and we took those out, and I think we even changed up the jokes. FB : Yeah, we changed the jokes too. LM : And they still loved it and were like, “Yooo! There’s something here.” FB : The cool part is while we were on set, the cast and crew were saying how good of a job we did and how much we stand out, and how much they could see a spinoff of us. KB : Who came up with the idea for y’all to ride around on bikes? FB : It was the writers. LM : The writers … I think because eleven-year-olds don’t own a car. FB : Originally when we read the script, we didn’t think about the characters being 11. We thought it was gonna be us. The script read that Mose and Mekko pull up on the scene on set, and we [were] thinking on we were gonna get to drive a car. LM : Yeah, we thought we was gonna get to roll up in some wheels. (laughs) FB : (laughs) So we got to the scene and they had the bikes, and that kind of threw us off. LM : Yeah, that threw us way off because man, it’s been years since we rode a bike. I fell two times. FB : (laughs) We hadn’t used those muscles in a while. [The bikes] were old school Schwinn [bikes] with no cushion. But it was a fun experience. Major actors were on there and we got to work with them, and that was really cool. KB : There are so many fantastic aspects to the show, from it being the first Native sitcom to its creators, Taika Watiti and Sterlin Harjo, on to the cast of teens and supporting roles—even this love for fried catfish. What’s the best part about the show to you guys? And speaking of catfish, is that true? Do Natives have a thing for catfish? LM : (smiles) I think it’s just Oklahomans in general … different [reservations]. FB : We love some grilled catfish with Cajun spices, not the fried stuff. LM : My favorite part about the show is the accents. Not every Native American has the same accent, and not every Native American looks the same. You have the light-skinned ones and the dark-skinned ones, the ones with facial hair and without, so it’s just cool they’re incorporating that [into the show]. FB : We even had a character in season 2 who was afro-indigenous, and a lot of people, I think, are gonna be surprised at next season because now they’re expanding outside of Oklahoma to California, and hopefully we’ll get to experience some Native Americans out there and they’ll jump between the two states to see what the Indian Mafia has done with Mose and Mekko vs. what the Reservation Dogs are doing in Cali. Cool thing is, we grew up in the city in public schools, homie. That’s why we don’t have a typical native accent. KB : You guys are Pawnee tribe members. The word skoden is used a lot in the show. What does it mean? FB : We are. Loud and proud. [Skoden] i s native slang for let’s go then . It’s something they say on Reservation Dogs and people are picking it up and running with it. We actually wrote a song about it—it’s a single. It’s streaming everywhere. It’s called “SKODEN.” KB : How do you guys get away with holding it together while filming? There’s so much that’s hilarious and enlightening but also heartbreaking. You never know what you’re going to get. LM : I caught myself crying this season and afterwards, there was a joke and I’m laughing through tears. FB : Something I like is that the show touches on deep issues Indigenous communities face and it relates to a lot of other cultures and communities, so it’s humanizing Indigenous communities. (Both guys acknowledged knowing words have power. Bone says, “That’s why we write the way we do. Every word has meaning.”) KB : Let’s talk about your music. You guys have a slew of songs out there on multiple albums, with each album featuring 20 songs or more. Where do you find so much inspiration? FB : I think growing up dealing with what we did has helped us. We’ve seen a lot and been in the middle of a lot, and me and Mike are the only ones sitting there praying over someone dying while everyone else is screaming and running. LM : You know, music can hurt or harm you, depending on the content, which is why we encourage people to listen to [positive music] … FB : … to plug similar artists like us. LM : If you really listen to our songs, you’ll notice the change between songs. We don’t sound the same on every song. FB : You guys support all these other artists that put 10 or so songs on their albums. We put 20 or more. We had to convince people to buy the albums, so we needed a lot of songs influenced by life circumstances. Other stuff just comes to us out the blue and it just piles up and next thing we know we got 20 songs and are like, “Whoa, we should probably release this.” LM : [Our song] “Wifey” is rapped in the style of Pretty Ricky (the reason a lot of 90s kids got pregnant), so we wrote a song in that style that talks about saving yourself for marriage. We made a song about celibacy to the beat of the song about sex. FB : Yeah, and “Pop Pop,” (famously featured in Reservation Dogs ). If you don’t know what you’re singing about, it sounds like we’re talking about shooting stuff, right? But if you listen deeply, that song is about shooting down evil spirits and negative energy, and that’s something we live by. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJpiGV2W8pk LM : We also have “316,” which is a song about missing someone you love and being up thinking about that person at 3:16 in the morning. But a lot of people think we’re talking about the Bible verse John 3:16. On one end, its about missing your relationship with God and on the other end, it’s about missing someone you love. FB : “Fists in the Air” is our song about raising awareness for the missing and murdered indigenous people. We wanted to use our platform to raise awareness and make an anthem for that. LM : It’s a west-coast feel with a bounce to it … a little west-coast gangsta rap. FB : “After Party” is a song dedicated to people who’ve passed on. We had lost so many people and we were like, “Yo, we should make a song that’s happy instead of something that draws you down.” You gotta remember a person in a good light and the time you had with them, and that they’re no longer in pain or dealing with the troubles of this world. They’re in the after world ... the after party. LM : The closest song I can think of that didn’t drag me down was “Crossroads” by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. In my opinion, there will be a big family reunion when it’s your time, and we all get to go and hang out and [reminisce]. It’s just our way of bringing light and joy back to peoples’ lives. FB : We’re believers, not traditional Christians. We believe in a lot of stuff—Christ, aliens, crystals, spirit guides and spiritual gifts, healers. We believe in the powers of the moon and the water and the fire. LM : Don’t let someone else’s actions push you away from Creator because of their evil intent. If you feel torn between the church and traditional ways, Creator gave us our traditional ways before someone gave us a book, you know? Smudging, medicines … the same way creator gave Moses knowledge, Creator came to us in different forms and gave us the knowledge we needed to care for this place. But we haven’t been taking care of it like we should. KB : Any albums in progress or upcoming releases? LM : Girrrrl! Reservation Dogs had us rap some songs we wrote way back in the day. So, like “Pop Pop” was 2005/6, then we have a song called “Problems” we wrote and rapped on the bikes [on the show] … and then I was like, “Yo! We should remake ‘Problems’ and remake ‘Pop Pop’ and put it on an album with better beats and better recording quality!” Because those two songs, when we recorded [them], were not recorded in a legit studio … FB : (laughs) It was, uh, at-home productions. LM : And so, I [said] yeah, we workin’ on that—bringin’ back some oldies—and then the “Problems” song isn’t as churchy and wild as it was, but it matches what we did on the show. We’re taking our time with it because we don’t want to … FB : … we don’t want to just throw something out there. LM : We critique ourselves to the max, and we don’t wanna just write any old thing and put it out there. FB : And plus, putting out music now is way different than it has been in the past because of [the internet]. You can put out singles now, and then put out the whole album, and that’s what we’re starting to do. LM : This high-speed generation has put out music too fast to where some of the songs people are listening to could’ve been done better. KB : Or it all just sounds the same. FB : Yeah, we don’t listen to mainstream music because of that. It’s either terrible, or it all sounds the same. LM : I feel like take time, listen to it. Don’t enjoy it just because you want it. Something we do different is we’ll record a song, let it sit for a day, then come back and listen as if it weren’t our song. That way I can be like I should sing it this way instead of that or we should change these lyrics. It is more expensive doing it that way, but at the end it’ll be so much more worth it. FB : Plus, the producers have ideas that [takes the song] to a whole other level. We want to work on some rock, and we wanna do a remix of “Rain Dance” ... do a rock-n-roll version. (“Rain Dance” was Mike Bone’s hit from America’s Got Talent . You can view it below, and you’re gonna want to, trust me. It’s a great song.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQKxgFbhpjo FB : We’ve recorded [the song] three different ways. I wrote it in high school – just me with a mixed-tape beat, and people loved that so much, we had to have our producer make an original beat and we added Mike, and America’s Got Talent picked us up with that. We released a dubstep remix, and that’s on the Rain Dance album, and we wanna work on a rap version … [and] we have a song out now about police brutality. It’s called “That’s Enough,” and it talks about all this mess police get away with, and then when they get caught, [all they get] is just paid leave. It endorses more of that kind of behavior. And we’re like, “That’s enough.” Enough of this, enough of that. We need consequences for these folks. FB : We’re also working on being in some different film projects. A movie. Next year we start filming for a movie called Brave , and I’m hoping it’s gonna be big because there’s a lot of big producers and actors on it. We aren’t the main characters, which is a good thing because we get to focus on our music and touring and stuff. KB : All of this is so fantastic. Do you have a message for readers and listeners out there? FB : (smiles) If you need a party thrown, call Mike Bone! (laughs) That’s our motto. And stay original. LM : (smiles) I would say that with everything that you do, treat each other sacred, because as a human species we only have each other to lean on, and causing other people trauma or pain in any form is only gonna hurt you in the long run, because it makes you look like the evil person and it leaves the legacy that you are the evil person. It all starts with you and your actions, so treat each other sacred. And there you have it, fellow entertainment lovers. A talented duo who are an open book with quite a message. You’ll definitely want to visit their website at www.MikeBoneMedia.com . Be sure to check out their AUDIO page for all their singles, albums, and mix tapes, and their VIDEOS page for all kinds of viewing content. After that, visit their STORE and buy some merch in support of these worthy independent artists just tryin’ to make it doin’ what they love. You can also find links to all of their social media directly on their home page. Listen and watch away, entertainment lovers. *photos provided by Mike Bone Media 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

Never give up on your dreams. < Back Rian's Den: A Night to Remember with Sleeping with Sirens Rian Nickels Oct 9, 2024 Share Never give up on your dreams. I typically write concert reviews, but let's be honest – almost everyone knows who Sleeping with Sirens is, and if you don't, all the info about the band members, their accomplishments, and their rise in their career can be found on their Wikipedia page. If you want to know what they sound like LIVE, I promise you that thousands of videos are available. I'm trying to say they are popular in the post-hardcore - emo - alternative scene. At this point, they've transcended generations, rising to fame with Millennials and Gen Z and resurfacing amongst younger folks from Gen Z and older folks from Gen Alpha due to apps like TikTok . So, What I'm here to tell you instead is the story of how Sleeping with Sirens impacted me to find and follow my dreams. It's just me! The year is 2012, and you're an angsty & edgy teenager still trying to become who you are, trying to find your musical taste, your place in the world, and the words for the thousands of intense feelings you have. In your coming-of-age journey, you're sitting in your high school cafeteria. Your friend starts talking about a beautiful man with the voice of an angel, Kellin Quinn – they see the look of confusion on your face and demand that you go home and search for Sleeping with Sirens on YouTube . Upon doing so, you come upon songs that will later be anthems of multiple generations, ' King for A Day ' featuring Pierce the Veil and ' If You Can't Hang '– your friend was right; he's beautiful, and he truly has what I would consider the voice of an angel. With his impressive vocal range, he can go from singing high-pitched notes and lovely harmonies to low screams that add more raw emotion to the songs. While you might have already been into bands like Mayday Parade and Hawthorne Heights , this day will shape your musical taste. It will be the first step to an over a decade-long journey. Credit: Rian Nickels The thing about Sleeping with Sirens is that the lyrics make you feel understood as a teenager and even as an adult. The songs put feelings into words that you didn't have yet. Tracks like " Tally Up, Settle the Score , " a song about being motivated to prove the people who doubted you wrong, encouraged you to push beyond your peers' hate and doubt. Songs like ' Who Are You Now ' ask the question of who you became after the world tried to change you. When you didn't have the words to describe the intense feelings of wanting to love and be loved, you had ' If I'm James Dean & You're Aubrey Hepburn .’ When you were left wondering how a parent could go without caring about you, you had ' A Trophy Father's Trophy Son .' You could scream the lyrics " Is this what you call a family ?" to the rooftops. If you had a partner who cheated on you, you had ' If You Can't Hang ' to sing along to. Sleeping with Sirens has a song for every hardship, every milestone, and every feeling you come across. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_9fb74e0ccb5c460e9f6def7c28bd190d/480p/mp4/file.mp4 The year is 2014; you're still just as ever, an angsty and emotional teen. You're going to Warped Tour with your friends to see bands like Attila , Mayday Parade , Breathe Carolina , and Sleeping with Sirens . If you were anything like me, you were a reserved and anxious teen who had never done anything significant. This was the most people you've ever been around and the most bands you'd ever seen on the same day. You notice that other people on Warped Tours are crowd-surfing, so think, "Oh, I could never do that." But when Sleeping with Sirens plays ' Do it Now Remember it Later ,' you think, "Well, why COULDN'T I?", so you find a trusting spot in the crowd and ride the wave of hands launching you forward at your chance to see the band up close if even only for a second. This is only the beginning of you coming out of your shell. It's the first time you genuinely feel accepted and realize other people are just like you. People with neon-colored hair, piercings, dark clothes, but most importantly, people who feel the way you have . A young me crowdsurfing at a Sleeping with Sirens show. In the years after the Warped Tour 2014 , Sleeping with Sirens continued to be there for us, motivate us forward, and ultimately explode in popularity. I didn't find my niche as a photographer until 2023. I had done small concerts before and knew I loved it, but I needed to be more dedicated. I didn't have the drive or the energy to accomplish it. But in 2023, I attended the So What Music Festival . On the first day, Sleeping with Sirens headlined the fest. Throughout the day, I saw various concert photographers running around taking photos, and I couldn't help but be jealous. I wanted to be them SO BAD. Just a pic of me from back in the day. When Sleeping with Sirens went on, they played such a fantastic performance that set in stone for me what I wanted to do with my life - Be a concert photographer. They cemented it even further by telling the crowd, "No dream is too big; you just have to push yourself in the right direction to get there," before telling us how they used to be a bunch of guys with a dream, too. I knew then that I would spend whatever time it took and do whatever it took to achieve my goals. The first step was making a goal. I looked at my partner during SWS and told them with my entire chest, "I promise you I will take their photos next year; I don't know how I'll do it, but I will." This feeling only solidified after seeing bands like Pierce the Veil and Neck Deep – all-time favorites of mine. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_416b479a053943d1a2037563467d3fb0/720p/mp4/file.mp4 Upon going home from the fest, I uploaded all the work I deemed worthy from previous music photo gigs to Instagram. By January 2024, my musician friends were starting to hit me up and ask me to photograph their performances. Even though I hadn't been taking photos for years. I pushed myself forward to doing it and, within a couple of months of feeling comfortable, found an alternative music publication based in my state! Mixed Alternative Magazine interviewed a local band I'd previously taken photos of. Reaching out, showing my portfolio, and trying to join the team would be good. Mixed Alt was thrilled about me wanting to join and drilled it into my head that I was talented in what I was doing. It felt good to be a part of something bigger than just myself. Throughout the year, I'd pick up all the gigs of my friends that I could. I grew my talent, got better equipment, and returned to my love of writing thanks to the woman behind all the magic at Mixed Alt Mag – Nicole Brice . When I saw that Sleeping with Sirens was coming to the House of Blues in New Orleans , I knew I would probably not get it, but I asked Nicole if we could try anyway. She allowed me to try, and we waited and waited and waited for what seemed like forever. Thirty hours before the show, I got an email saying I had been approved. I remember losing my mind. "OH, FUCK OH FUCK NO WAY NO WAY, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT OMG," I said. I couldn't believe I was accepted ! After over a year of sweat, tears, and dedication, I was meeting my massive goal of photographing one of my favorite bands. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_722c67b858d84024a6ae672ad46a756d/720p/mp4/file.mp4 When I found myself in the photo pit of The House of Blues, taking photos of them performing ' Do It Now Remember It Later ,' it brought me back to that 16-year-old girl who was trying to find her place in the world, crowd-surfing to that same song at Warped tour 12 years ago. It brought me back to the 27-year-old woman I had grown to become just a year before screaming the lyrics to her partner and starting a dream in that field. It reminded me of all the past friends, lovers, adults, and press managers who said I couldn't do it. It showed me that every single step I had taken since I was 16 years old brought me to this moment – standing directly in front of Kellin Quinn and his fellow bandmates, capturing the magic through my lens, from my own eyes—the adrenaline from being so close and feeling so proud of myself pumped through my veins. Credit: Rian Nickels I guess my purpose of this alternate article was to tell you – just like Sleeping with Sirens would – to never give up on your dreams. As sappy as it is, dreams can come true, and you can achieve anything if you truly set your heart and mind to it. *All photos courtesy of Rian Nickels - to see more, check out Rian's site below. rianmusicjpeg.myportfolio.com Rian Haynsworth 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 . 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A Nod to the 90's < Back Melodic and Atmospheric Hailing from Manchester: What Will Be Nicole Brice Mar 21, 2023 Share A Nod to the 90's When one thinks of the music of Manchester , many bands come to mind, such as The Stone Roses , Oasis , and The Smiths , or, if you like more of the punk vibe, then the Buzzcocks will come to mind. If there is one thing that is certain, though, no two bands from Manchester sound alike, and this next band definitely continues this tradition. Hailing from Manchester, UK is What Will Be . These guys came onto the music scene in 2019 and wrote and self-released their self-titled EP , which debuted in September 2022. Credit: Hannah Reeves Their new single ' Something More ' was released earlier this month and is currently available on all streaming platforms. The newest single is an enjoyable mix of melodic rock with an outstanding mix of larger-than-life guitars, sing-along melodies, and atmospheric synth chords and is a truly solid offering from this five-piece Alternative Rock band. What Will Be is Bram (guitar/vocals), Jonny (guitar), James (bass/vocals), JK (drums/vocals), and Chris (keyboard/piano). Upon discovering their music, because we dig it so much, we had a few questions for them, so let us share with you a little more on this pretty bad-ass band from the UK with an uncommonly catchy sound. Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : With a strong nod to 90’s alternative, who would you cite as your influences to make music? What Will Be : In terms of bands from the 90s, we’d say Incubus and Deftones would be two of our main influences. However, we’re also inspired by newer bands, such as Alter Bridge , City and Colour , and Alexisonfire . Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : Vocals – your vocals are very different, and I can hear a tinge of David Byron from Uriah Heep within them. Who are your vocal inspirations, and why? What Will Be : Vocal-wise, our main influences would be Brandon Boyd of Incubus and Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge . In terms of why it would come down to the bands you listen to most would be the inspiration, I think in terms of vocally, their range is like what I can do with my voice. While these bands might be heavier musically, their vocal stylings are what inspire us with the music we create, even if it’s not as ‘heavy.’ Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : What type of guitars are the band’s preferred ones to play and why? What Will Be : Bram uses Chapman and PRS guitars . Jonny uses Fender and Gibson guitars. Dual humbucker coil tapped, on occasion … hollow body and solid body guitars. We like guitars with a thicker, higher output sound. MaM: What pedals / gear was used in the recording of the newest material? The guitar sound is incendiary and distinctive. What Will Be: Live we use Mooer Shimverb Pro , Marshall modulation pedal , Maxon OD 808 and a Boss delay . Recording we use the above but Marshall/ Blackstar plugins. These give us our unique guitar tone, which seems to separate us from other bands in sound. Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : You have an interesting band name. Where did the inspiration behind the band name come from? What Will Be : We’re a little bit older in terms of life experience than most ‘new’ bands. Lots of different names were in consideration; however, as it's probably our last stab at ‘trying to make it,’ the name reflects a certain type of fate. We just uttered the famous line, ‘What will be, will be,’ and that’s how it came about. Credit: Hannah Reeves MaM : What led to the formation of the band? Give us a little more history on the beginnings. What Will Be : We’ve been in bands together for years from the ages of 16 onwards, then over the years bands come and go, but we all remained friends. A few years ago in James’s back garden, we jammed a few acoustic ideas Bram had, and things snowballed from there until 2019 when we added a different dynamic with Chris our keyboardist. Since then, we became an alternative unique five-piece band. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaLX9fpKZC0 Something More by What Will Be Experiencing What Will Be is a must for any music lover and appreciator. Be sure to visit their links below and explore all you can about these guys. Then, hit ‘em up with some love and support, no matter where in the world you are. To learn more about What Will Be: Instagram: What Will Be (@ whatwillbe.band ) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter: Profile / Twitter Facebook: What Will Be | Manchester ( facebook.com ) Spotify: What Will Be - Single by What Will Be | Spotify www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next

< 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 … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLGTQEHwOyU 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

Leave your inhibitions at the door < Back Asheville Keeps it Weird with the Return of ABSFest Tim W. Jackson May 8, 2023 Share Leave your inhibitions at the door To all of our alternatively weird and perfect friends here in the South, this one’s for you! Long an annual staple of the Asheville, North Carolina scene, the Asheville Burlesque and Sideshow Festival , also known as ABSFest, makes its glorious return after a brief hiatus. Festivalgoers are in for a wild ride over Memorial Day weekend as ABSFest rolls into town for its 14th year. Coming up May 25-27, 2023, ABSFest events will be hosted by Asheville Raven & Crone, The Grey Eagle, and The Orange Peel, and promises to bring together provocative performers from far and wide. It's a celebration of the strange, the unconventional, and the sometimes bizarre—but all in a super fun way with lots of love in the room. The event is the creation of Madame Onça, aka Lauren O'Leary, an entertainer, touring performer, author, artist, and—obviously—an event producer. credit: TheDancersEye.com ABSFest was a natural outgrowth of her life at the time as co-founder and director of the Future of Tradition Center for Folkloric Arts from 1999 to 2006 in Asheville. It was home to the fire, circus, and world dance arts, all of which were growing in popularity. Now living in Virginia, Onça is happy to bring the festival back after a COVID hiatus. “I was quite surprised to be—as everyone was—thrown from the organizational horse,” Onça says about having to cancel this and other festivals during the initial pandemic shutdown. “We haven't had it until this year because, from the point of view of long-term planning, there's a lot of people in the village artistically and administratively that make the festival happen.” Onça says it seemed they were maybe in stasis forever, just waiting for the right time to return. “This year, once everybody had made their decisions about how they were gonna handle their relationship with vaccinations and so forth and the venues went back to a more standard situation, we felt like we could plan. So, we're on.” To ease back into this first year, though, Onça says she’s made it an invitation-only festival rather than by application. “Usually we invite a few headliners, and then we invite artists to apply from all over the country. But because we knew we were coming out of a period of absolute uncertainty and into a period of still wild uncertainty, I was like, ‘Why don't we just work with folks who have done the festival with us before?’” Nonetheless, Onça and her crew have brought a world-class collection of performers for this first year back. Just a small selection includes “The Cocoa Barbie” May Hemmer (featured on cover image), “Queen of Subtle-Tease” Talloolah Love, death-defying jester Paolo Garbanzo, comedian and “professional pickpocket” Les S. Moore, belly dancer Sarah Joy, sideshow performer Opal Lechmanski, and Vaudevillian Carmel Clavin. death-defying jester Paolo Garbanzo (credit: Dave Parrish) sideshow performer Opal Lechmanski (credit: Isaac Harrell) Musical guests are friends of Mixed Alternative Magazine , Charming Disaster ! credit: Charming Disaster Charming Disaster will perform Friday, May 26 for the Speakeasy Séance, which ExploreAsheville.com says is, “like an acoustic rock opera with ghosts and pasties!” You certainly won't want to miss their performance ... or any of the performances, really. The event is all about pushing boundaries and celebrating the wonderfully weird, with workshops such as songwriting, burlesque, and making events welcome to marginalized performers who are also part of the festival. It also includes an array of vendors and a raffle, as the festival’s charity partner this year is Asheville’s feral kitten rescue, Sister Kitten. ABSfest is all about breaking down barriers and having a good time, but perhaps the most exciting thing about the event is the sense of community that it creates. This is a festival for people who might not fit into the mainstream. It's a place where you can be yourself, no matter how strange or unconventional that might be. “I’m so looking forward to being together with these wonderful people again, “Onça says, “and just feeling the energy and vibrancy of this event again.” So, if you're ready to explore the edgier side of life, if you're ready to push your boundaries and embrace the alternative, then ABSFest 2023 is the event for you. Just be prepared to leave your inhibitions at the door. Here’s a look at the array of events: World Spirit Tarot with Madame Onça Thursday, May 25, 2023 Asheville Raven & Crone 640 Merrimon Ave., Suite 207, Asheville NC 5 p.m. courtesy Madame Onça ABSFest Speakeasy Burlesque & Live Music Show Friday, May 26, 2023 Grey Eagle Music Hall 185 Clingman Ave, Asheville, NC 7 p.m. - VIP Doors Open 7:30 pm - General Admission Doors Open 8 p.m. - Burlesque Murder Mystery with all live music played by New York City’s goth folk duo Charming Disaster ABSFest Workshops Saturday, May 27, through the day The Orange Peel 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC ABSFest offers burlesque, circus, and business workshops. Train with artists from around the country in the ABSFest Sexy Seminary in stagecraft, circus arts, fire performance, burlesque, and more. Open to all levels. ABSFest’s Big Night – Saturday Spectacular Saturday, May 27, 2023 The Orange Peel 101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 7 p.m. - VIP Doors Open 7:30 p.m. - General Admission Doors Open 8 p.m. - Saturday Spectacular, hosted by Washington, DC’s sorceress of stand-up, Violet Gray For further information, visit www.ABSFest.com . Want your festival to be featured in this magazine? Email the editor at the_keeleybrooks@mixedaltmag.com . Tim Jackson is a seasoned journalist and author with a penchant for all things dark, macabre, and somewhat sinister. He lives in Tuscumbia, Ala., with his artist wife and their remote-chewing dog, Maple. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

Roger Ricks < Back Nothing But Heart and Soul Nicole Brice Dec 7, 2022 Share Roger Ricks If Bruce Springsteen and Dire Straits had a band baby, it would be Roger Ricks. No lie. Roger is a singer / songwriter based out of Zurich, Switzerland, but that’s not all he does. He also produces his own music and builds his own guitars, as well as markets himself AND giving the proceeds of his music sales back to charity. Wow, this man is incredible. I first stumbled upon Roger’s music via Instagram, which by the way, is an excellent way to discover new talent because of the visual aspect the medium allows. I often find myself scrolling through bands and artists and liking them, then following them, where I indulge in all they showcase on their profiles. The profiles then lead me to iTunes where I buy their music for my collection. With smooth, clear vocals and crisp, clean guitar work, Roger’s music inspires me. Truly, it does. Because I admire what Roger is doing so much, I decided to reach out to him to get to know a little more about what he makes him tick and guides his stance. With a new single releasing on December 9, 2022 via all streaming platforms, this is one artist you need to check out if you haven’t already. I threw Roger a few questions so I could learn more and was very delighted with his answers. Check it out and then go check out his music! MaM : Wow. I am very impressed with you. Your website is solid, too. Let me ask you, what led you to start producing your own music in lieu of having someone else do it? RR : I started recording my songs when I was about 12. At that time with two old tape recorders and much later with the computer. For me, music production is not a purely technical task, but part of the creative process of creating a song. Since I don't do music full-time and I also have a family, producing on my own allows me to work on my songs whenever I can and want to. Usually this is late at night when everyone else is already asleep and I can really dive into my creative flow. Roger's home studio setup MaM : So, you mentioned you have new music coming out. Tell us a little about the new single you are releasing. RR : The single is called "Lost,” and the lyrics were written by the wonderful Emme Pierre. Originally it was planned that she would sing the song and I would write the music but unfortunately, she lost her voice permanently before the recording due to health reasons, and we decided to record the song with my voice anyway. The song is about how people are willing to exploit others and take advantage for their own profit. This is a topic that always concerns me and is also a well-known phenomenon in show business. There is something energizing and intoxicating about striving for success, but you can also get lost in it and become too distracted from the essentials of life. MaM : Wow, what an amazing topic to tackle via songwriting. I can’t wait to listen to it. What music or things around you are inspiring you to create these days? RR : Musically, I am influenced by the older guitar gods like Slash, Eric Clapton, and Joe Perry. Of course, there are other virtuoso guitarists who can do technically amazing things with the guitar, too, but I'm more fascinated by catchy licks and melodic solos that you can also sing and that release emotions in me. Emotions of everyday life are also what inspire my music. My music is a diary of my feelings over the years. When something is bothering me, I process my thoughts into music and make them audible. Therefore, every song of mine in a way fits to a special event or a period of my life. MaM : I noticed on your website that you play a custom-built guitar. I want to know more about your custom guitars. Was it a particular sound you were looking for and that’s why you decided to build your own? Also, too, what type of guitar inspired the ones you build? RR : I am a typical Les Paul guitarist. I love the full sound. A few years ago, I was thinking about buying a flamed top Les Paul, but my budget didn't allow it. So, I had the crazy idea to build it myself. I always liked craftsmanship and so I watched YouTube videos of Luthiers for hours until I had the feeling that it could really work. I ordered the woods and parts and just started, and it grew from there. I had a lot of fun; it was like a meditation of sorts to grind the woods and in the end, I had a nice flamed top guitar resembling a Les Paul in my hands. Of course, it sounded a little different than if I had bought it but just different, not worse. This only further awakened my passion and since then the tones of my own guitars are an important part of my music. One of Roger's custom guitars MaM : I know that charity work is very near and dear to your heart. Can you tell us a little more about that and what you do? RR : Music has always been a very important part of my life. It has carried me through some really difficult times, and I don't know where I would be without the power of music. For me, music can build bridges, to connect people who otherwise would not communicate with each other and to make a positive difference in the world. I decided to set the goal of dedicating my music to a meaningful cause because 20 years ago, a school friend started an aid project in Ghana to help street children and to really make a difference through local education instead of just transferring money. Honestly, the money often doesn't get to where it's supposed to go or doesn't have a lasting effect, but through "Chance For Children" ( www.chance-for-children.org ), the children are given the opportunity to work out a long-term perspective for themselves. All my proceeds from my music goes 1:1 into this foundation. The idea is that people can donate money just by listening to music. You don't have to open your wallet, just spend a few minutes of your time listening to music to make a positive difference. This makes my music more meaningful and motivates me to put even more energy into it. I really hope that with time, more listeners will stream my music and I will be able to support more projects. For more information about Roger, visit his website at: Songwriter | Roger Ricks Music | Zürich On Social Media, he can be found at: Roger Ricks | Facebook Roger Ricks | Zürich | Facebook Roger Ricks (@roger_ricks_music) • Instagram photos and videos YouTube Roger Ricks - Topic - YouTube Spotify Roger Ricks | Spotify iTunes ‎Roger Ricks 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

< Back Dear God No!: What the Hell Did I Just Watch? Ezekiel Kincaid Share Sep 25, 2023 Dear God No! nails it and takes us back to the days of true grindhouse and 70’s exploitation. Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Kool-Aid pitchers full of fake blood Welcome back, boys and girls, to another column from your dear ole Uncle Zeke. This is the place where I subject myself to the absolute worst cinema has to offer, and this week’s review is no different. Today, I want to talk to you about a little action-horror gem from 2011 called Dear God No!. There are three things you need to know about Dear God No! First, it's one of those movies that is so bad, it’s good. Second, don’t expect an intricate plot or for things to make sense; they won’t. I review B movies, remember? And third, Dear God No! is a grindhouse/exploitation film extraordinaire . A few words of caution for sensitive viewers, though: While the violence is totally unrealistic, it is rather brutal and not for everyone . Expect some nudity and a few rape scenes–-one of which involves a pregnant lady. I’ll spare any details, but I digress. Let’s kick this off by talking about Dear God No ’s extremely complicated plot. Basically, what we have is a creature feature, biker gang, and mad scientist movie all rolled into one. A bigfoot-like creature is on the prowl, an unsuspecting biker gang pulls a home invasion on a psychotic, Nazi anthropologist and his family, then all hell breaks loose … and that’s it. That’s the plot in its entirety–-nothing tied together, just random shit going down. I hope you were able to keep up and all this complication isn’t going over your head. This fine piece of filmmaking was directed by James Bickert , whose name should be familiar to all you B-movie enthusiasts. He directed deep, philosophical masterpieces such as Frankenstein Created Bikers (2016) and Amazon Hot Box (2018). Oscar contenders they were not. Dear God No! stars Jett Bryant ( Frankenstein Created Bikers) as Jett, who plays the lead biker. You can tell a lot of effort went into coming up with the character's name. He actually looks a lot like me if I had a longer beard, so right off the bat, Dear God No! automatically gets an extra star for that. Director James Bickert stars in Dear God No! as well, playing the part of Jimbo, aka Rusty Stache, one of the gang members. Our mad Nazi scientist, Dr. Marco, is played by Paul McComiskey, who was also in … anyone want to guess? Yep, Frankenstein Created Bikers . The lead female roles are played by Madeline Brumby ( Frankenstein Created Bikers , where she plays the same character) as Edna Marco, daughter of the psychotic Dr. Marco, then there’s Olivia Croix ( Dear God No! is her only film) starring as the other daughter, Evelyn Marco. Finally, Rachelle Lynn ( The Taken ) plays Laura, our unfortunately assaulted pregnant victim. Let’s now proceed to my thoughts about this film, shall we? If you look up Dear God No! on IMDb, you’ll see that it is rated a whopping 3.9 out of 10 stars. If you read the reviews, you’ll find that they are somewhat divided. Many of the bad reviews chide this film for not being “true grindhouse,” whatever that means. Yet, after viewing this film, I have to sit and wonder, have these folks ever watched a real grindhouse movie at all? Dear God No! NAILS it when it comes to taking us back to the days of true grindhouse and 70’s exploitation movies: bad acting, stupid plot, terrible dialogue, jump cuts, monster suits, and awful special effects. Don’t go into this expecting Machete or Planet Terror . In Dear God No! , the blood is watered down so much that it looks like red Kool-Aid at times, and the blood flow from several of the victims leaks out nowhere near the wound. The film is also shot on 16mm film so all the effects are practical, meaning no CGI in this one, which is a huge plus in my book. What makes Dear God No! different from most of the throwback grindhouse films out there? Simple: It is pure, unadulterated ugliness . It is a bad seed, totally from another planet, and is in a league all by itself. Literally everything about this movie is brutal and mean-spirited and features no redeeming qualities in the characters of the biker gang. They aren’t heroes, and they aren’t villains. They are a category of vileness all to themselves. They are filthy-mouthed murderers and rapists, plain and simple. Don’t believe me? Wait until you see what they do to the pregnant lady. With all this being said, Dear God No! Is the closest thing out there in modern film that truly captures the grindhouse feel of the 1970s. If you’re a connoisseur of trashy B movies, this one is definitely for you. Dear God No! Is currently streaming on Tubi, Vudu, Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel, YouTube Premium, and Apple TV . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77goxvLwKVk 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

Alternative music has a unique blend of passion and rage. < Back The Revival of Alternative Rock in Louisiana: A New Wave of Sound in the Bayou State Nick Cline Apr 2, 2025 Share Alternative music has a unique blend of passion and rage. Alternative music , with its unique blend of passion and rage, is gaining momentum in Lafayette . The local scene, led by Gen Z , is a distinct expression of voices filled with angst, nihilism, and empowerment . This unique blend of fresh influences merging with the raw emotion of rock music— the towering amplifiers, deafening riffs, and screams of pain —is driving the culture and uniting the community in a way that is distinct to Lafayette . As culture evolves from one generation to the next, scenes and aligned communities emerge and fade away. Since the early 90s, alternative music has toggled between the background and the forefront , marked by the rise of grunge , shoegaze , and indie rock . It has been an ever-expanding community that has shaped pop culture landmarks not only in Louisiana but around the world. Despite its historical presence, alternative music was put on the back burner in the mid-to-late 2000s and almost completely faded away in the 2010s . During that decade, various scenes emerged in hip-hop , country , R&B , hardcore , and more, showcasing diverse musical avenues. As time progressed, alternative music evolved into something that felt more like a gimmick than a genuine movement. The raw passion and rage rooted in nihilism, angst, sadness, and self-discovery were overshadowed by homogenized sounds . The genre became a label, which diluted the cultural identity initially established by early alternative communities. Now, as the scene begins its next evolution, newer generations are rallying to rediscover alternative music . Inspired by the sounds of the past and the traumas stemming from our contemporary world, they navigate the complexities of identity as they grow. This is evident in the rise of alternative bands such as Phantum Sun , JAYD3D! , Goodbye Academy , Dairy Free , Kris Russ , Silvercapbaby , and many others. These bands are forging a path for the scene in Lafayette , offering a collective voice through their expressions and influences . I have a firsthand account of the culmination and rise of alternative music in Lafayette . I founded Eclipse Fest , a festival that aims to bring alternative music to the forefront of the local scene. Last year marked the inaugural edition of the festival, attracting 150 attendees who came to see a lineup of bands representing various musical styles. The festival marked a significant milestone in the resurgence of alternative music in Lafayette , serving as a platform for local bands to showcase their talent and for the community to come together in celebration of their shared love for the genre. This year’s Eclipse Fest built upon that milestone, fueled by the hard work that initially drew me into the scene, and it is cultivating a new space for alternative music. It has also demonstrated that alternative music has a rightful place in Lafayette , and this presence is growing daily with each effort put toward it. The resurgence of alternative communities began in mid-2024 and has intensified rapidly in recent months, primarily due to the support and enthusiasm of the local community. It is the passion and dedication of the audience that is driving the resurgence of alternative music in Lafayette. Musical shifts have emerged from a range of genres, including emo , indie , pop , and soul , as well as everything in between. The rise of the internet has empowered Gen Z and future generations to find their music. Unlike in the pre-streaming era, when music lovers relied on word of mouth, radio, and television , the internet now offers nearly unlimited access to a diverse range of musical styles. This access has opened new avenues for the alternative community to share and grow its purpose. Alternative music is a place for everyone, and that sense of community is a necessity that will carry Lafayette and Louisiana into an exciting future filled with talent, expression, and new musical avenues. Thank you for listening, Nick 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

Panic is a song full of twists and turns. < Back Reviews on the Real: Panic by XIII Minutes Nicole Brice Apr 10, 2026 Share Panic is a song full of twists and turns. Sometimes we hit a creative slump, but as luck would have it, a song can come along to pull us out of our funk and remind us why we started this journey in the first place. Enter the latest track from XIII Minutes called ‘ Panic ’. This band came onto my radar a few years ago, and since then, every single song they've released has been excellent. This band isn't new; since forming in 2015 , they have been steadily making progress, touring, and spreading their sound. Released April 10, 2026 For those not familiar, XIII Minutes is an alternative metal/metalcore band originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma , and in 2023 , they made a powerful comeback with Jerrod Cunningham joining as vocalist. If you haven't experienced Jerrod’s incredible vocal talents, you definitely should. Go now. This guy has a voice from heaven. No lie. The current line-up of XIII Minutes is: Jerrod Cunningham (Lead Vocals), John Watson (Lead Guitar, Back Up Vocals), and Jamie Kucinski (Drums). Released on April 10, 2026 , ‘ Panic ’ is the latest in a series of killer songs that XIII Minutes continues to produce. The song starts slowly but then gradually builds and intensifies. Boy, does it build. While ‘ Pitiful ’ remains my favorite XIII Minutes track to date, ‘ Panic ’ is a close second. The beat and haunting lyrics set the tone for a song full of twists and turns. As the guitar kicks in, the song grows more intense, leading to an explosive chorus: “ My head is caving in – overcome by the panic. ” Boom. And there it is. The song maintains a steady groove, features excellent breakdowns, and has just the right amount of heaviness. However, the real highlight of this song is the lyrics! Lyrically, XIII Minutes delivers solid material every time. Songs that make you think. Songs that make you feel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKrNrgf0UU0 Panic lyric video by XIII Minutes Go stream ‘ Panic ’ now! It’s out everywhere. Also, be sure to catch XIII Minutes live this spring and summer. They have quite a bit going on. To learn more about XIII Minutes: Wikipedia: XIII Minutes - Wikipedia Facebook: Facebook Instagram: XIII Minutes (@xiiiminutesband) • 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? mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

From the bayous of Louisiana to the amygdala and the amplifier – Joseph LeDoux rocks them all. < Back Neurons and Notes: The Musical Mind of Joseph LeDoux Nicole Brice Oct 2, 2025 Share From the bayous of Louisiana to the amygdala and the amplifier – Joseph LeDoux rocks them all. Joseph LeDoux is Professor Emeritus at New York University . He is also the author of the best-selling book “ The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life ”, as well as numerous other influential writings. With decades of research experience, LeDoux is regarded as one of the world’s leading experts on the mind and brain. Credit: Richard Barone In addition to his academic contributions, LeDoux is a prolific musician and recording artist. He has collaborated with artists such as Rosanne Cash and performed with his band, The Amygdaloids , alongside musicians like Rufus Wainwright , Lenny Kaye , and Steve Wynn of The Dream Syndicate . He has also written scores for programs and documentaries. What has this man not done? Although he is renowned worldwide as a neuroscientist, LeDoux is fundamentally a gifted musician hailing from Eunice, Louisiana . He is a humble, kind-spirited individual who radiates positivity, and we encourage you to check out his music. The Amygdaloids , his band, is somewhat reminiscent of Devo due to their intelligent subject matter and the fact that the band is comprised of scientists. Their songs are quirky, thoughtful, unique, and extraordinary . The band’s music has been playfully described as "heavy mental”, and coincidentally, that is the name of their first album, which features a blend of classic and experimental sounds, with tracks that evoke the sound of Tom Petty meets Elvis Costello . The standout guitar work, characterized by clean tones, is only one profound layer to The Amygdaloids' music . It can be mellow yet soulful , but then completely take a turn into something more rockin'. With lyrics that delve into the complexities of the mind, you find yourself thinking as well as listening. Credit: Joseph LeDoux The Amygdaloids’ second album, Theory of My Mind , leans toward a more upbeat and rock-oriented sound, with each song distinctly unique. The compositions are intricate, showcasing a tight-knit group of musicians. If I could create a genre for this band’s music, I would have to title it Brain Rock . One standout track for me on The Amygdaloids’ second album is ‘ Brainstorm ’, which begins with a beautifully fuzzy guitar that howls gently , highlighting the talent of a truly gifted guitarist. In addition to two full-length albums, the band has also released a few EPs along the way, too. So, how did I come to learn about Joseph LeDoux ? My journey into the realm of Joseph began with a delightful twist of fate, sparked by my friendship with fellow musician Paul Sanchez when he introduced us. After that introduction, I had the incredible opportunity to engage in an enjoyable conversation with Joseph, delving into the nuances of his music and more. We left no stone unturned. Read on below. MaM : You were born and raised in Eunice, Louisiana, but now reside in New York. How much do you miss things down here? When you come to visit, do you ever think you’ll stick around this time? What drew you to New York initially? JL : Well, I grew up in Eunice , and the year that I graduated from high school, a junior college version of LSU opened up in Eunice , and my parents wanted me to stay and go to the junior college because it would be cheaper, even though LSU wasn’t that much. I told them “No” and that I wanted to go to LSU , and so we went back and forth, and they finally said, “Well, if you promise to be a banker after studying business, then we’ll allow it. We’ll do it.” I attended LSU for four years, studying Business Administration , and subsequently earned a master's degree in marketing. During this process, I also took several psychology courses. It was the late 1960s to early 1970s, and it wasn’t very cool to be in Marketing. MaM : (laughter) Right? JL : So, I’m looking for something else to do, and I fell in love with Psychology . I took a course called Learning and Motivation , expecting it to be relevant – I was working on consumer protection for my thesis, and it turned out the class was taught by a researcher studying rat brains and memory at LSU . He was the professor, and that was his class. I had no idea you could study the brain, let alone rat brains. I worked in his lab for a little while, and I mainly observed what was going on. I didn’t really know how to do anything. I decided, though, that I wanted that to be my career. Study the brain. He said to me that I didn’t have a chance and asked how I was going to get into graduate school with no qualifications. (laughter) I said, “Well, I’m gonna give it a shot.” So, I wrote twelve or so applications, and Stony Brook University , located on Long Island in New York, accepted me because there was someone there who knew the professor who wrote the letter on my behalf, and thus I was given a chance. Four years later, I had a PhD in consciousness and was studying patients with epilepsy, and a book that had come out with my thesis work, so it was like I was on speed dial or something. (laughter) Credit: Joseph LeDoux MaM : So, you had no choice but to move up there? Destiny decided it for you. JL : I could have left and come back, but I really always had a fascination with New York City because of the Yankees . I was a big Yankees fan as a kid. I also loved all the noir movies I watched as a kid … 50s black-and-white films with murder and all kinds of things happening in New York . I just had a feeling I was meant to live there, and I ended up leaving Stony Brook and moving to Manhattan, where I worked at Cornell Medical School for over ten years. I then moved to New York University , where I have been ever since, and I have just retired, by the way. MaM : That’s amazing. What a life. What was it like growing up in Eunice in those days? With our magazine, we’ve done a few photo shoots out there just because of the architecture and small-town vibe. Did it still have that country-where-everybody-knows-everyone type of feel? JL : Exactly. It was a perfect place to grow up, and I really enjoyed it. Just this past weekend, I was in New Orleans for a conference and some other work, but I also arranged a lecture and performance for the people of Eunice . It was advertised in the Eunice news – a big picture of me playing my guitar on stage. We had a good audience – approximately 45 to 50 people attended. Many of them I went to school with and hadn’t seen in a long time. I just lost touch with the whole community, and so I decided if not now, then when. It was the most pleasant and loving audience I have ever spoken to or played music for. It was quite amazing. They loved it so much that they want it to become an annual event. I was deeply touched and felt like I was truly back in the small community where I grew up. Even though I don’t live there, I now feel I have a stronger connection to it than I thought I did. Credit: Joseph LeDoux MaM : That’s amazing. The vibe and sense of community are what I love so much. I love that town. I saw that you were a DJ in high school. I was a DJ in college. Wasn’t that the best experience being a DJ? JL : It was. The highlight of my DJ’ing occurred when the radio station would bring in acts to play in town at the National Guard armory. Every Saturday night, there’d be an event. They’d book Little Bob and The Lollipops all the time. They were the go-to band. I think Little Bob is still around, but one of the things I did was host Percy Sledge . When it was time for him to go out, he pulled a flask of whiskey out of his back pocket and gave it to me for a swig. That was a highlight of my life, man. Drinking with Percy Sledge. MaM : What a story. I love your music, and nothing is cooler than the fact that your band is a bunch of scientists. What is it about music that makes you passionate and makes you want to continue to pursue it, especially today? JL : So, I actually put music down when I started becoming a scientist and got married. There just wasn’t enough time for everything. In 2005 , our son died from a heroin overdose, and so that’s what brought me back to music because music is a great healer, and I started hanging out with a biologist at NYU , and we were playing songs that had some science-based themes. I then thought I could write a few songs, so we did, and we got a gig in Brooklyn . The newspaper wrote a comment about ‘heavy mental’ and used that to describe our music, so that became the title of our first album and the genre. I think we’re the only band with that particular genre, and if there’s ever an award at the Grammys in that category, we definitely got it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBW6ZfDAP6E The Amygdaloids first show in Brooklyn, New York 2006 MaM : That would actually be a clever name for a band. When you do sit down to write, what is the process like for coming up with a song? JL : I guess there are two ways you can do it. Pick up a guitar, start strumming, and hope something comes out. The other way is to start with an idea or theme. The thing with having a genre-specific catalog of music is that a lot of what I did was start with a particular theme about the mind. Anything you could think of with the mind. Many of our songs are love songs about mind, brain, and mental disorders, but you could pretty much say any song is about mind, brain, and mental disorders. It’s front and center to what we do. MaM : Now, I know we all listen to different types of music, and we all enjoy the catalogs of our favorite musicians, but do you have a favorite song of all time that you love? Or a favorite musician? JL : I think for me, it would be ‘ She Loves You ’ by The Beatles. MaM : Ok, that’s a great one. That’s a timeless song. JL : I remember when I first heard The Beatles , I was young and had a transistor radio and was taking a bath listening to the music. Just soaking it all in. I must have been 15-16 years old at the time, but on comes this song ‘ I Wanna Hold Your Hand ’, and nothing sounded like it before. That was something different. I think The Beatles are just amazing. I’m writing a memoir right now, and the title of it is ‘Just Like Starting Over’. John Lennon and Yoko felt that every time they were together, it was just like starting over. My memoir is about all of the ways I have started over in my life. Eunice to Baton Rouge to Stony Brook to science. Lots of starting over. As a young kid, I was more interested in Paul than John , but over time, I developed an attachment to John and his sincerity. He had a tough life, and he really turned it all into wonderful music. I mean, Paul did, too, but there was something edgy about John that I came to love. Also in this book, I sort of used the Billboard Top 100 for every year of my life, starting with when I was five years old, to trigger memories from that time. If I wanted to try to drag up memories from when I was ten, I would pull up the songs that really lit the lightbulb in my head, and just by playing those songs, it would trigger more memories. It was a good strategy. Credit: Joseph LeDoux MaM : So, when is this memoir coming out? I'll be sure to check it out. JL : It’s at the publisher now, so it’ll take at least a year to come out. MaM : Your last music release was in 2017, correct? Any new music coming? JL : I guess that was the last one because everything went digital. I make music at home, creating albums, but what I have been doing since 2017 is collecting songs with two themes. One is songs of love, and the other is songs of life. I envision this as a vinyl A-side with songs of love and a B-side with songs of life. Credit: Noah Hutton MaM : I love that. How do you rate today’s music, and are there any up-and-coming musicians you like currently? JL : I’m not too hip on really present music. I don’t resonate with it as much as the old stuff I like. I am definitely stuck on a bunch of 60s artists, but bands that I like are really not current. Son Volt is one, and I like a lot of Americana country rock. I love Wilco . He apparently has just released a three-record album. It’s all acoustic and mellow. Just very mild. It’s nice. MaM : I love singer-songwriter material. I love the vibe. JL: I’ve been writing this thing, and I don’t know what it’s going to be on, but it goes like this: "I grew up in French Louisiana, in the area known as Acadiana, where it’s hot and humid most of the year; you fix that up with boudin and beer. Penguin nuns made me a pet. First communion came, I began to sweat. Watching the father, son, and the ghost, I choked on the host, and that made me toast. I had a hankering for the music called pop. When The Beatles came their pop was rock with two guitars, bass, and the drums. We had our own rockin fun …” and on and on. (laughter) MaM : I love that!!! JL : It’s going to be a long Bob Dylan-type rant. MaM : That’s what is missing in music. We really don’t have too many Bob Dylan types these days, or if we do, they aren’t in the mainstream with poetic lyrics like that. They’re more obscure. For listeners who are discovering your music for the first time, how would you describe it, and what do you hope they’ll take away from it? JL : Well, they are mostly love songs about the mind and the brain, and one in particular, ‘ Map of Your Mind ’, everyone seems to like. They’re songs about connection. Take our conversation for example, I have to get into your mind, and you have to get into mine. So, the song is about the relationship between a man and woman, my wife and I in particular, and how you have to float into the other person’s mind because sometimes, if you’re having an argument, you have to understand the other person’s perspective. Still, sometimes the hormones and the argument override that and you have to come back to it the next day and apologize. It’s more about the good part of love. Sailing deep inside and trying to find the heat of the person’s heart, keeping yourself warm. Credit: Alexi Gambis MaM : If within the next five years you could accomplish anything musically, what would it be? JL : I’m good friends with Rosanne Cash , and she has sung back-up vocals on one of my albums, and she and her husband are an amazing power couple. If I could do something with them, that would be amazing. Neil Young , too. I have a house in upstate New York , and it’s ten minutes away from the original site of the Woodstock festival. They created a big outdoor venue there, and I just saw Neil there recently. Great show. Dylan plays there, too, sometimes. Bob or Neil . Either of those. As Joseph LeDoux continues his journey, one thing is certain: we can expect more music in the future. In the meantime, be sure to check out his other releases with his band, The Amygdaloids and stay tuned for his memoir dropping in 2026 . To learn more about Joseph LeDoux and The Amygdaloids: Website: Joseph E. Ledoux Band Website: The Band – The Amygdaloids | Neuroscience meets Rock & Roll YouTube: The Amygdaloids Channel - YouTube Spotify: The Amygdaloids | Spotify Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-amygdaloids/265644607 *Cover photo credit: Richard Barone, Tape Op Tape Op - Music Production Magazine, Recording, Audio, Technology www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Drop us a line at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Finally getting the treatment it deserves in a gorgeous new edition from Criterion Collection < Back Chilly Scenes of Winter: The Cult Classic Returns from Obscurity Shaun Corley Jul 27, 2023 Share Finally getting the treatment it deserves in a gorgeous new edition from Criterion Collection Chilly Scenes of Winter , directed by Joan Micklin Silver , is a romantic comedy—of sorts. On the surface, it has all the trappings of a rom-com: Man meets woman and quickly falls in love with her; the woman does not return the affections, leading the man to try and win her over. This plot has been done to death in movies, but Chilly Scenes of Winter elevates itself above the crowd by subverting tropes every step of the way. Hard to come by, the film has been released in a gorgeous new edition from the esteemed Criterion Collection. Chilly Scenes of Winter , based on the Ann Beattie novel of the same name, focuses on love, marriage, and 1970’s lifestyles. The film had a somewhat checkered production history. As recounted on one of the disc’s splendid special features, producers and actors Mark Metcalf ( National Lampoon’s Animal House ), Amy Robinson ( Julie & Julia ), and Griffin Dunne ( This Is Us ) purchased the film rights to the novel. Micklin, who had read the novel and heard the trio had procured the film rights, asked to direct, and they said yes. Released initially through United Artists in 1979 under the less-than-creative title Head Over Heels , the film was a commercial flop. Part of this can be attributed to United Artist’s indifference to the film, as well as meddling from studio executives. United Artists also were not sure how to market the film, running an ad campaign that portrayed it as a zany romance story—and it is anything but. However, in 1982, United Artists—through their new United Artists Classics line—decided to give Chilly Scenes of Winter another try. The film’s original producers, as well as Micklin, were given the chance to make the movie they wanted but were unable to in 1979, and all they had to do was cut the original ending. This new version of the movie was much more successful with critics and has become a cult film. Boutique label Twilight Time released a Blu-ray edition in 2017, which is now out of print; the film has never streamed on any major services either. Thankfully, the Criterion Collection has come to the rescue, saving Chilly Scenes of Winter from obscurity by giving it the loving treatment it deserves. On the back of the package, Criterion calls Chilly Scenes of Winter an “anti-romantic comedy,” and that is an apt description. Charles (John Heard, of Big and Home Alone ), is a civil servant living in Salt Lake City. He meets Laura (Mary Beth Hurt, of Lady in the Water ) while at work and becomes smitten with her, as she is temporarily separated from her husband. Over the next few weeks, Charles and Laura develop a relationship that comes to an end when Laura decides to return to her husband Ox, played by producer Mark Metcalf. Charles cannot accept the relationship is over, or that it was even much to start with, and becomes obsessed with her to a point modern audiences may find a little uneasy to accept. It is a testament to Heard’s acting that viewers can still find a shred of sympathy for Charles, even when he is clearly in the wrong. Part of Chilly Scenes of Winter ’s appeal is that practically everyone has been in a situation where they were in love with someone who did not reciprocate. Charles is in love with Laura; Laura, on the other hand, is still uncertain about her place in the world after leaving her husband. Laura is confused, as is Charles—he cannot see their relationship is doomed from the start. Mary Beth Hurt plays Laura perfectly and viewers can see, even in their most loving and passionate moments, a spark of uncertainty about her, as if she is not 100 percent into this relationship. The film’s original ending skewed this ambiguity, opting for something more palatable to mainstream audiences. When Chilly Scenes of Winter was re-released in 1982, the original ending was cut, giving the film a still somehow more satisfying conclusion. Criterion has included the original ending as part of its supplementary features, allowing viewers to make up their own minds on which one is better. Other supplements on the disc include new interviews with Chilly Scenes of Winter ’s production team, as well as a 2005 interview with Mecklin. The two features complement each other well and are a joy to watch, as the creative teams behind the movie share their tragedies and triumphs working on it. The film was clearly a labor of love on the part of everyone in front and behind the camera, and it shows both in the finished product and the disc’s supplemental features. Forty-four years after its first release, Chilly Scenes of Winter continues to resonate with audiences. Its themes are universal, and they continually topple tropes of the romantic comedy genre. Its DNA can be found in movies such as High Fidelity, Her , and many other subversive romantic comedies. Long hard to find, the Criterion Collection has brought it back into print in an amazing new edition, which you can find here . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6wjmt0vWsQ Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books, but they're far outnumbered by comic books and the smell of rich mahogany lingering in the air. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Voice of the Enemy is back with an EP full of head-nodding rhythms. < Back Reviews on the Real: Voice of the Enemy’s Mannequin of Misery: Volume 1 EP Nicole Brice Dec 14, 2024 Share Voice of the Enemy is back with an EP full of head-nodding rhythms. Groove metal is currently alive and well in south Louisiana. This latest release from Louisiana’s own Voice of the Enemy is full of rhythms that will have your head nodding non-stop. Released on December 14, 2024 , Mannequin of Misery: Volume 1 marks a striking return for a band that has been on hiatus for a few years. Released December 14, 2024 The first single, ‘ Combustion ,’ was released on November 29, 2024, and was an excellent teaser for this monstrous masterpiece of an EP that was forthcoming. With vocals reminiscent of Rob Halford , ‘ Combustion ’ is a song with so many layers and textures that you can’t help but be intrigued to hear more, and that’s exactly what it did for me leading up to the release of the full EP. Mannequin of Misery: Volume 1 opens with ‘ Redemption Song ’ – a track that starts with a groove in the melody from the get-go with a faint build to a thematic opening. The guitar in the beginning part is so clean. The production of this song is so clean. Holy crap. Head nodding right off the bat. After the killer opening track is ‘ Intentional ’ – a song that begins with a powerful scream that sets the tone for a fast-paced head-nodding extravaganza . Voice of the Enemy truly brings the “groove” to groove metal with this track. While the band bio describes their music as thrash , this EP proves they have evolved past that. Up next is ‘ Time in Hell ’, which is a bit of a departure from the deep grooves shown in the prior tracks. It begins with an instrumental opening that is so intense you are waiting in anticipation for what’s next. When the vocals start, it intensifies until the chorus hits you with a gut punch—an enjoyable track. Ending the EP is ‘ Execution ’ – a hard-hitting, thunderous, fast-paced ride of aggression. Reminds me of old Judas Priest . It's a fun song. While Volume 1 doesn’t shy away from the expected heavy metal influences—such as breakdowns, chugging guitar riffs, and fierce drumming—the infusion of some more progressive sounds truly sets the EP apart and shows that Voice of the Enemy is indeed back and ready to take on the scene. Stream Mannequin of Misery: Volume 1 now on your favorite streaming platform and be sure to catch Voice of the Enemy LIVE in January. Check their social media for more information and dates. For more info on Voice of the Enemy : Facebook Voice Of The Enemy | ReverbNation Voice Of The Enemy (@voiceoftheenemyband) • Instagram photos and videos Stream Voice Of The Enemy music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud YouTube www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Ozzy will forever live on in the hearts and minds of those he influenced and inspired. < Back Barking at the Muse: How Ozzy Osbourne Inspired My Musical Journey Nick Cline Jul 23, 2025 Share Ozzy will forever live on in the hearts and minds of those he influenced and inspired. Ozzy Osbourne—The Prince of Darkness. Whatever name you call him, one thing is for sure: he was a legend among the people. He was more than just a man; he created a legacy that resonates with us all. This is the beautiful sentiment that Ozzy has left behind. He was unapologetically human, a masterclass in staying true to oneself and demonstrating how passion, character, mistakes, triumphs, and humanity can lead to greatness. At one point, Ozzy was a lone outcast in the industrial plains of Birmingham, England . Little did he know that, almost 60 years later, he would have a career that would have a significant impact on the world. The fascinating aspect of Ozzy and his career is that it has transformed into a sort of mythos within the metal and rock world. While myths in literature typically surround figures like the Greek gods— Zeus , Poseidon , Hades —in the realm of rock and metal, we have Ozzy Osbourne : a creature of passion wrapped in the flesh of an ordinary man. From the dawn of Black Sabbath until his passing on July 22, 2025 , he was a figure with a profound humanity . To the everyday person, stories surrounding him ranged from Satanism and metal legends to reality TV and the creation of one of the most successful music festivals, Ozzfest . The list of his accomplishments could go on. It is truly astounding that one man could be part of so much creation and success throughout his life. I could delve into the history and retrospectives of Ozzy , but as I mentioned, his story has become intertwined with myths across the entertainment world. Few people have not heard his name. I believe the true monument to Ozzy Osbourne lies in the legacy that has touched the lives of countless people. My journey and connection to Black Sabbath and Ozzy began when I was very young. I was born in the early 2000s , and by then, Ozzy was already in his 60s , with his legacy at its peak. Yet his name had become a household symbol for me. My father, born in the early '70s , had a deep connection with Ozzy long before I was born. The Black Sabbath and Ozzy records that filled his music library were introduced to me from the moment I was in the womb to this very day. After 23 years, those songs still feel incredibly fresh. From the first time I heard ' War Pigs ' and ' Crazy Train ' to the day I learned of Ozzy's passing, his music has entranced me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVovq9TGBw0 Official video for 'Crazy Train' Listening to Ozzy's catalog has always made me feel understood and recognized for my humanity. I have had a profound connection to each note, each lyric, and every rhythm. This connection was the true magic of his music during my upbringing. I felt the raw power of his sound. Black Sabbath produced haunting and powerful anthems that spoke against war, bigotry, and everything in between, while also addressing how to find hope and meaning in the world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoT9Pcor8OA 'War Pigs' by Black Sabbath To me, Ozzy's solo career has always shone even brighter. Not only did he make one of the most remarkable comebacks in rock history, but he did so with flair. I am continually amazed by how Ozzy surrounded himself with true greatness. The legends of Black Sabbath were joined by exceptional talents such as Randy Rhoads , Jake E. Lee , Zakk Wylde , and many other amazing guitarists, drummers, and bassists. Randy Rhoads remains the only guitarist who could rival Eddie Van Halen . The visceral and beautiful melodies of Ozzy’s first two albums are masterpieces of songwriting. In true Ozzy fashion, he faced disaster and still persevered, releasing album after album that amazed audiences with each new hit. He brought us countless classics, from the '60s to the present. Zakk Wylde and Randy Rhoads were the reasons I picked up a guitar. Since childhood, I have been inspired and captivated by their talent. I have only scratched the surface of understanding what made them extraordinary. These two legends would likely have never crossed my path if not for the exquisite ears of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne —a true spectacle of taste and craftsmanship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CprfjfN5PRs Official video for 'No More Tears' Years have passed, yet I still find lessons in Ozzy's life, both in the real world and the music world. When I referred to him as a "creature of passion wrapped in the flesh of man," I meant that he embodied humanity in all its forms. He was messy, loved, passionate, and sometimes a disaster. This complexity is what made him so relatable to the masses. He continued to move forward, facing challenges from his youth until his death. Not a single day passed that Ozzy wasn’t unapologetically himself, and that has always inspired me. Like many, I believed he was immortal—capable of outlasting me and perhaps even the world. Sadly, Ozzy Osbourne , the Prince of Darkness , was outlived by the very entity he helped create. While he may not be immortal in a literal sense, he will forever live on in the hearts and minds of those he influenced and inspired. 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 . 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Johnny’s Got a Girlfriend combines a unique, catchy sound with just enough pop sensibility. < Back Reviews on the Real: Johnny’s Got a Girlfriend by Glitter Litter Nicole Brice Apr 17, 2025 Share Johnny’s Got a Girlfriend combines a unique, catchy sound with just enough pop sensibility. Glam rock meets punk rock in the latest track from Sweden’s own Glitter Litter . Released April 17, 2025 , ‘ Johnny’s Got a Girlfriend ’ is a solid release full of nostalgia. This song is definitely worth a listen because of its heavy guitars, distorted vocals, and throbbing basslines. Our very own Nick Cline wrote a review in 2024 about Glitter Litter , and since then, they have remained on our radar. Released April 17, 2025 ‘ Johnny’s Got a Girlfriend ’ has an '80s hair metal vibe. It combines a unique and catchy sound with just enough pop sensibility to avoid being overly pop . It makes perfect sense in my mind! The chorus is infectious and makes me want to nod in rhythm. How would I describe this song exactly? It’s pop-punk infused with '80s hair metal and a touch of glam rock . This could be a great party anthem—it's very upbeat! The single " Johnny’s Got a Girlfriend " is the first release from Glitter Litter’s upcoming new album , which will be released in two parts and eventually compiled into a full-length album. Glitter Litter is a solo project from Sweden featuring Andreas (ex- Sugar Shock ). It is inspired by glam, comics, bubblegum, and '80s happy metal. The project began two years ago, and three EPs have been released under the moniker. Andreas had this to say on the new song, “One day it struck me that two of my favorite songs (by Heart Throb Mob and The Ultras ) both began with the phrase: Johnny’s got/had a girlfriend . Then, naturally, I wanted to write a song with that title, too, as a tribute to those songs. Suddenly, I was struck with the ‘Johnny-syndrome’ and heard and saw Johnny’s everywhere! Thus, the single’s lyrics are also inspired by ‘ Out With the Boys ’ by White Lion (another Johnny song) and the movie, The Outsiders . Musically, I would describe it as bubblegrum glam/punk with touches of happy 80s metal. ” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH7BfJEMC2k Johnny's Got a Girlfriend by Glitter Litter Go add some new music to your playlists today and stream ‘ Johnny’s Got a Girlfriend .’ It’s worth it because it’s so good. Enjoy! To learn more about Glitter Litter: Website: Glitter Litter - bubblegum glam/punk 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

tmdistant takes us on an expedition through sound with his new track “grow into the blossoms”. < Back tmdistant: Music Beyond Boundaries Erica Machen Nov 30, 2023 Share tmdistant takes us on an expedition through sound with his new track “grow into the blossoms”. Combustive —that's the first word that comes to mind when contemplating the musical stylings of tmdistant . As a young twenty-something British black man, what you see isn't what you get … or what you expect. And that's precisely what he aims to deliver to his listeners: the unexpected. With his newest track, “ grow into the blossoms ”, tmdistant soars well past delivering the unexpected. In taking a first listen to "grow into the blossoms", I'd like to declare: Mission accomplished! This shoegaze track exudes not only alt-rock and electronica vibes but also manages to incorporate subtle R&B influences. For those unfamiliar with the genre of shoegaze, it's a fusion of obscured vocals, guitar distortion, effects, feedback, and overwhelming volume. The convergence of deeply emotional lyrics and vocals, coupled with genre-bending tones and stylings, beckons the listener to close their eyes and absorb the song's message. With lyrics like "Finally, I'll leave" and "Did I make a big difference", listeners quickly realize "grow into blossoms" isn't as sublime as assumed. This listen undoubtedly evokes curiosity and emotion throughout the journey. An artist recognized for seamlessly blending indie, pop, alternative, hyperpop, electronic, and rock, tmdistant has earned praise from outlets and tastemakers like AFROPUNK, Wonderland, EARMILK, and more. He has also received editorial support on various Spotify playlists, showcasing the expansiveness of his musical influence. Releasing today, November 30, 2023, tmdistant's newest single marks the beginning of a new era for him as he delves into the realms of shoegaze. After exploring the interview of the mind behind the music, you won't want to miss the fantastic aural experience that is "grow into blossoms." MaM : Thanks so much for talking with me today! Give us a brief intro and tell us how you came to be known as tmdistant. t : Hey, my name is tmdistant, I am an artist from Essex UK, but I originally grew up just outside of North West London. Growing up in London, a lot of people had code names. Mine was T for a long time. Then I added the M, because that’s also a part of my first name. It stands for “trust minimal”, which says a lot about me and my music. The distant came over time, because I started to realize that's who and what I am. MaM : Your music has been described as a unique blend of genres, including indie, pop, alternative, hyperpop, electronic, and rock. Can you take us back to the beginning of your journey and share what initially drew you to explore such a diverse range of sounds? t : When I first started releasing music in 2020, my manager created playlists to inspire my music. He would show me so much music that I’ve never heard of and so many different genres that I never listened to or even tried to learn from. So, that, in turn, made me think of music differently and start to try different things. Then, it made me take pieces from different genres and styles and mesh them together, therefore creating my own genre of music. I used melodies from slower folk music and R&B music, putting them on indie, indie-pop, folk, rock, indie-rock, alternative rock, hyperpop, and all sorts of shoegaze beats. MaM : "grow into the blossoms" is the first single from your upcoming EP, "vivid memories of dreams I've never had". It seems like a departure from your previous work, with a shift towards shoegaze and alternative music. What inspired this evolution in your sound, and how has the process been for you? t : ‘grow into the blossoms’ is the start of a new era for me, and it wasn’t even a move that I made purposely. I wanted to try something new and step into a new realm, and then that song came out amazing. So, I decided to make more music geared in that lane, and that’s when the EP was born. I’ve always loved alternative music, and I’ve been on it for a second. So, I thought … why not delve deeper, dig deeper, and go for something darker and more interesting for a black man like me, who also looks the way I do. I like shocking people. Being who I am, I get judged before they even see or know what I am about. So, I wanted to give people something they don’t think I can do. MaM : Your single "I don't need a therapist" spent an impressive nine months on the Apple Music playlist “Glitch”. Can you share some insights into how that track came together and on the significance of it finding a home in such a notable playlist for such an extended period? t : ‘I don’t need a therapist’ was such a different song for me at the time, and I loved it. That song made me go into the rock side of music more, and it is beautiful. The song connected with so many people, and the editors at Apple seemed to connect with it as well, so it stayed in their playlist, Glitch, for such a long period of time. It was a perfect fit. It was such a big moment for me to even be added there, because it was still so early in my career. I still think about it 'til this day. It was written in a difficult time in my life, where I needed to talk to someone about what I had going on, but I didn’t feel like I could talk to anyone. I just wrote all my thoughts into a song talking about how “I don’t need a therapist to save me, I'll put my heart in a song”. That’s how I coped with most of my problems, and people felt that too and related to that. MaM : You've gained support from various Spotify playlists, including “Our Generation”, “New Music Friday UK”, and “Alt. Pop”. How does it feel to receive such recognition, and do you think these placements have played a role in shaping your audience and musical direction? t : The recognition I have garnered over the last year has been so surreal, and I can’t even explain how much it has made me and the team feel appreciated for all the hard work we’ve been putting in, grinding to make things work, and they did very well, and they continue to. I wouldn’t say these placements changed anything for me other than realizing who my audience is. So, I have to keep that in mind, which is super important. It has let me and my team know what we’ve been doing is working. It gives us hope for the future and helps us plan ahead. MaM : It's fascinating that you're actively involved in the London club scene and perform live weekly. How does your interaction with a live audience influence your music, and what kind of energy or experience do you aim to create for your listeners during your performances? t : Performing is my second favorite part about being an artist, other than creating the music. I am trying to perform at every chance I can, whether it's weekly or monthly. This year, it was a couple of times. Sometimes when I’m making a song, I'll be thinking about how it will make people feel when I perform it or how well it will sound when I perform the song. So, I tailor it to fit that on some occasions. I want to make people feel something when they’re in the room with me. In life, we all are so desensitized to everything. When I am singing, I want people to feel more than they usually do in their day-to-day life. That’s the experience I tend to create in my performances. MaM : Planning a small tour in Ireland and London early next year and making it free to reach new potential fans is a bold and interesting move. Can you tell us more about your decision to take this approach and what you hope to achieve by connecting with your audience in this way? t : My manager had the brilliant idea to do this tour as a way of meeting new people and making new fans. So, it is perfect as I step into a new lane, creating a new fan base to add to the one I already have. As well, this being my first tour, we wanted to take advantage of gaining experience and venturing to places we haven't been before. MaM : Your upcoming music video for "grow into the blossoms" has us intrigued. Without giving away too much, can you share any insights into the creative process behind the video and how it complements the overall theme of the song and the EP? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvjYhlL1QjU t : This video was meant to be DIY and homegrown, just like the song. I shot and edited everything myself, just like the song. I mixed the song myself. So, I wanted to try and do everything else to the best of my ability. I shot it in an abandoned train station. The song needed a video that would match the vibe. The train station got the vibe perfectly because it gave me a sense of loneliness and solitude. MaM : What is next on the horizon for you? What should we look for soon? t : The next thing is to keep working on my craft and getting better in every aspect of the meaning: more shows, better music, improved performances, and a bigger presence on social media. I want to make friends with all of my fans and supporters. I want everyone to feel welcome when they come to my shows and listen to my music. I want my music to be a safe space for everyone that relates to it or finds comfort in the words and instruments. Don’t forget, “ grow into blossoms ” is out today. Go ahead and check it out in its entirety. We promise you won't be disappointed. Stay up to date on all things tmdistant by visiting any of his below-listed links. tmdistant | Spotify tmdistant | Instagram tmdistant | Facebook tmdistant | TikTok tmdistant | YouTube *all photos courtesy of tmdistant 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

A Nonconformist Sound < Back Unparalleled Talent and Personality: Subliminal Landmines Nicole Brice Feb 7, 2023 Share A Nonconformist Sound All musicians and bands draw inspiration from others, and often you will find hints of those influences scattered throughout their music. For Subliminal Landmines , though, their new sound hints at nonconformity and is one that is uniquely their own. If you like good, loud, punk rock, this band is for you. Taking a cue from Green Day , who are just one of their influences, these guys have solidified a solid line-up and continue to evolve as musicians and friends. Initially possessing a sound reminiscent of the Riddlin Kids , complete with catchy hooks and choruses, the sound of their new material takes on a harder edge with more of a skate/punk vibe . I was lucky enough to hear some of the new material, and I cannot wait until everyone else can check it out, too, because it is killer. Credit: Gary Governale Fronted by Grant Duhon on guitar with Chris Hayes on bass and Casey Bateman on drums, the men of Subliminal Landmines prove they are more than just another punk band. Each member brings an interesting dynamic and personality to the mix for a truly well-rounded listening experience best heard with the volume turned all the way up. The release of 2020’s Gibberish saw Subliminal Landmines forging their way into an over-saturated market during the height of COVID-19 but, truth be told, this album is distinct and unlike anything else out there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBTKzw76z6M Official video for 'Where's My Coke' by Subliminal Landmines If I had to pick one vocalist to compare Grant’s sound with, I just can’t. Truly. In fact, the writer in me wants to bring you these snazzy descriptive words for him, but they escape me. His voice is smooth and edgy and just what you’d expect to hear in a punk band, but yet, does not sound like anyone else. He possesses a style all his own. Credit: Gary Governale Chris has more of the classic punk vibe going for him, complete with a bad-ass wardrobe and an even more idiosyncratic personality. He exemplifies what it means to be punk rock and, in his other life, owns Leviathan Studios, a tattoo shop in Baton Rouge, La., where he has inked more people than I have purses and shoes. With a flair for art and individuality, Chris possesses a strong stage presence and an even larger-than-life persona. Credit: Gary Governale Casey rounds out the band on drums, and this dude hits those drums so hard, you feel their vibrations through your clothes clean into your soul. He’s really good and oozes talent, not to mention he is a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Props, my dude. Credit: Gary Governale I had the pleasure of hanging with these guys recently to talk about everything from music, influences, and sound to why Chris owns Twilight on DVD but refuses to watch it, and everywhere in between. A bad-ass, eccentric mix of classic punk rock is how I would describe Subliminal Landmines. Be sure to find their music and jam out as soon as you finish reading this article. You’ll thank me later. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, you guys formed in 2017, but you (looks at Chris) were NOT a part of that. Chris : Yes, formed in 2017, but the band has been around for a long time … We’re trying to push what we are doing now, and there have been several changes, but this is the core group now. MaM : Chris, I know you personally from working with you back in the day but give me a brief background on you for our readers. What’s your age? Chris : Do I have to give my real one? MaM : It would be nice, ideally. (laughs) Chris : I mean, I identify as, like 26, but … MaM : Well, you’re a couple years younger than me, and I’m 41, so … Chris : I’m, uh, 37. I’m a baby, remember? I’m a tattoo artist professionally, and I play bass in the band. Grant and I both sing. Hell, Casey sings now, too. It’s really a three-way entourage going on. MaM : Chris, who do you cite as your influence with your playing? Please don’t say Sid Vicious. (laughs) Chris : No, uh, singing-wise, yeah, we’re in the same range vocally. (laughs) It’s kind of a funny thing. A lot of the way I play, if you talk about it, like how I play bass … I started out getting into a lot of basslines from, like, Tool and then some more funky basslines like Gap Band and stuff like that, but that’s not how I play in this band. I bring more technical melodies to this band but more in that punk vein. I’d say as far as that vein of influences, it’d be more Hot Water Music, Alkaline Trio, and I don’t really know. MaM : Ok, let’s talk gear. What’s your favorite bass to play and what type of gear do you use? Chris : I’m a big fan of neck-through basses. That’s always been a thing for me. I always end up going back to an old 90s Peavey Unity neck-through body. I’ve had that since, like, the 6th grade, so over 20+ years. I’ve stripped it down, rebuilt it, and made it all my own. Most gear I try to customize it and make it my own. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Ok, so now, Grant, tell the readers a little about yourself. Grant : So, I’m Grant. I’m 27, and I’m unemployed. (laughs) Got fired on the 2nd day of this year, so I got to start my new year without a job. (laughs) MaM : Well, what were you doing before you got fired? Grant : I was managing a smoothie place in Carencro, La., and I had been working for them since college, but I did that for about four or five years, did the band, got married, and had two kids. I have a son who is two, and a daughter who is about to be one. MaM : So, you’re only 27? Chris : Oh yeah, I got a kid, too. MaM : I know you have a kid. (laughs) Chris : Well, I feel like an asshole if I don’t mention it since he mentioned his. (laughs) Grant : Yeah, so the world is kind of just open with opportunity right now, and I’m just trying to decide what I want to do. I kind of want to be more in the kitchen if I do something, like maybe be a chef or manage a kitchen or something like that. MaM : Go to school for that. Grant : Yeah, exactly. Culinary school. I just want to find something short term, though, to bridge the gap, but I’ve been playing guitar since I was eight years old. Self-taught, no lessons or anything. One of our main influences for me—and you can hear it in our music—is Green Day. Writing style, performance … [I] kind of just took some of that from them. ‘American Idiot’ is one of the first albums I heard by them when I was eight. MaM : Oh my gosh, that makes me feel old. Grant : I ended up, though, going back to listen to some of their older stuff, like ‘Dookie’ and ‘Nimrod’, but out of all of those that influenced me, it would be ‘Dookie,’ ‘Nimrod,’ and ‘Insomniac.’ Each of those albums has a distinct sound for the era they were in. I did listen to a lot of Hoobastank growing up, too, and my mom listened to a lot of Creed. MaM : Chris just made a funny face. Chris : I’m making all the freakin’ faces at Grant talking. Like, stop talking. (laughs) Grant : Just kind of saying what was around me as a child (looks at Chris ), but as I’ve gotten older, my choices have changed. MaM : Hey, we all went through a Creed phase. No judgement. (laughs) Don’t knock ‘em! Grant : I started writing my own songs at nine and even played in front of my 5th grade class with one of my friends, who played the drums. MaM : Wait, what did you guys play? Grant : So, we played some original songs I had written. Did that. As I turned 17, I was focused on college and didn’t play for a couple of years, but when I dropped out of college, I picked the guitar back up and then got the band started, which, 2017 is when the band really got started with me and my friend, Zack, who is now in the Marines, and I told him, ‘Dude, I really want to get a band going,’ and we walked around Lafayette and put up signs looking for a drummer and bassist and eventually, we found some people [and] time passed. [P]eople come and people go, and now we have the line-up we have currently. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : What type of guitar do you prefer playing? Grant : I have a guitar that was a Christmas present—my first guitar when I was eight. It’s a knock-off Fender guitar that you buy from Guitar Center for $199. It has the white pick guard with the tan to black(ish) fade like a lot of the original Fenders have, and it has stickers plastered all over it. Chris : Cherry sunburst? Grant : Yeah, whatever color you’re looking for. That’s the one I used to play with, and it still works to this day, but what I’m playing with right now is an Ibanez that I took apart and kind of pieced together and made my own. It’s dark blue … new knobs, new bridge, got some locking tuners put on it. I would say it’s a Frankenstein guitar, but it’s new besides the body, so it’s not a bunch of used parts. That’s what I play with. Amp-wise I have a 4 x 12 Orange Cab I play with, and I have the Orange Crush Pro head for it. I don’t really use any pedals; I use a distortion Senders pedal and a tuning pedal. Keep it simple. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, (looks at Casey), tell me a little more about you. Casey : So, I am Casey Bateman. I’m 32. Grew up in St. Amant. Started playing music around the house because of my dad. I got my own drum kit when I was 12, which is the one I’m playing on today. I started percussion in middle school [and] played in the marching band, but when I got out of high school, [I] went into the Marine Corps and played in the Marine Corps band—played in that for four years. That’s where I learned drum set, percussion, and random things. Chris : Scalping? Casey : Yeah, scalping, too. (laughs) Sure. MaM : Much respect for your service, thank you. Casey : After that, I was in a bunch of random bands—cover bands. I guess the biggest one I was in was in Denver. It was a reggae band, which is really cool, because it was the only band I was able to play shows with in other states. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : What would you say your musical influences are, as far as genre? Casey : Genre? Growing up I was into metal and rap. Eventually, I got my drum set and discovered Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance. I still love those bands, too. I was super into Travis Barker back in the day. MaM : (Us, too, Casey.) Too bad he had to marry a Kardashian, right?! Chris : They’ll be divorced soon. Only a matter of time. Casey : Like him, though, I try to be choppy, and I was inspired by that. I’m really into metal. Like the Acacia Strain and Hatebreed. I think I bring a Hatebreed-type of aggressiveness to my playing. Credit: Gary Governale Chris : I feel you bring a bit of the Creed and Hoobastank vibe into the band. Casey : (laughs) Yeah, I also play jazz drums. I play that around town and I’m actually in a jazz band called Florida Street Blowhards . They’re a bunch of old jazz heads and we just play some music every now and then, and I don’t exactly use those chops here with this band, but it’s fun. When I was in Denver, I actually played in the Denver Nuggets drumline for a while, and it was really fun. I did that for about three years and that inspired me to get back into music, [so] I started my music education degree, and I’m at LSU now, about to finish. I graduate this fall and will be finished by the end of the year. Chris : Wait, so Denver has a team called the Nuggets? Casey : Yeah, it used to be the Golden Nuggets. Not what you’re meaning. Chris : I mean, Colorado is, like, the top state for legalizing weed, so how appropriate they would name their team the Nuggets. (laughter) Casey : Their mascot was this, like, miner. Chris : Now it’s like a hippie? Looks like Jerry Garcia? (laughter) Casey : It’s quite convenient how that worked out. MaM : So, do you feel your fans have been receptive to your sound so far and with what you are trying to accomplish? Grant : I definitely feel that this past year they have been. The energy that Casey brings to the band is new, and then Chris and I are really finding our niche playing together. All three of us [are] synching up. The way crowds have reacted to us this past year has been way different than previous years. We’re more involved with them, but they’re more receptive with wanting to hear us play, and it’s a good feeling. Chris : You know what I just realized? Every single show we’ve had for the past year, like the past five or six shows, we’ve had the entire crowd go, ‘Uhhhh!’ (makes moaning noise). (laughs) MaM : Uh huh, and how did you manage that? Chris : We literally paused the song and hit the crowd with a, ‘Can I get a uhhhh?!’. (laughs) Grant : They usually all do it back. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : How would you describe your sound? I made a note about your music and that it sounds like Blink 182 with an edge. Would you agree with that? Chris : The last album we put out, I could agree with that, but with the new stuff we are doing, we’re moving away from that sound. MaM : So, what would you say you’re evolving towards with your current sound? Chris : I really couldn’t give you something to compare it to, off hand, but it’s just progressed more into an aggressive style. It’s got a heavier edge than before. We’re pushing faster, heavier, and more technical. MaM : So, you don’t want to be as poppy as before? Grant : We’re moving away from the pop punk. Chris : Yeah, we’re pushing away from the older music and moving towards the newer stuff we’re doing. MaM : If you could give me one band that your new stuff compares to, who would it be? Chris : It’s more in the vein of the skate/punk vibe or more traditional punk, like Pennywise . MaM : So, do you guys have any aspirations for the future? Do you want to do this full time, or do you want to keep it as more of a hobby? Chris : I’ve always looked at it as if you’re gonna play in a band, you need to approach it professionally, but we’re not making money at this. Any money earned is put back into the band. You know you can throw us some more risky questions, just saying. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Ok, so, what was this you said earlier about you being a movie buff who owns “Twilight” on DVD, yet you will NOT watch it? Why even spend the money? (laughs) Chris : ‘Cause it’s a movie and I collect movies, but people don’t buy DVDs anymore. Very few. They’re actually losing money on that. I’m buying it for the studios so they’ll keep making movies, but they just can’t keep making THAT movie. (laughs) MaM : Ok, well that leads me to … name one guilty pleasure band or artist that is in your music collection. Chris : Oingo Boingo. MaM : That’s not a terrible band. That’s actually a really good band. Chris : Oh, you mean that I don’t listen to? MaM : No, that you don’t want people to know you listen to. Like, if they saw it, you would be like, “That’s not mine. Someone put that there.” Chris : Honestly, I wouldn’t be ashamed of any of the music I listen to. I listen to weird shit. (laughs) I do have a lot of stuff that people would be surprised of, but nothing to be embarrassed of. I have shit like Patsy Cline and stuff. Grant : I kind of feel the same way, but I can’t pinpoint it to an exact artist. Chris : It’s easier for you because you own the newer Green Day albums. (laughs) Grant : I guess the later Green Day I can’t really get behind. (laughs) I do listen to it, though, but I don’t exactly enjoy it. (laughs) I guess, though, if I had to pinpoint an artist, then it would probably be NBA Youngboy. MaM : Can’t say I have any of that in my music collection. Grant : Like, I enjoy some of the stuff he has put out, but I can’t say that I listen to rap these days. MaM : Well, any closing words? Chris : You know how there is pull-apart monkey bread with the cinnamon on it? MaM : Yeah … Chris : Why don’t we just call it Simian rolls? (laughs) To check out all that is Subliminal Landmines , head on over to their various pages and listen NOW! New material coming soon, as they guys are currently mixing the new stuff. Stay tuned! Subliminal Landmines | Facebook Subliminal Landmines (@subliminallandmines) • Instagram photos and videos (195) Subliminal Landmines - YouTube Spotify – Subliminal Landmines Music | Subliminal Landmines (bandcamp.com) ‎Subliminal Landmines 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 Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next

XIII Minutes delves into the dynamics of power and influence on their latest offering. < Back Exploring XIII Minutes’ Bold New Track: ‘Cult Leader’ Nicole Brice Jun 26, 2024 Share XIII Minutes delves into the dynamics of power and influence on their latest offering. Sometimes, a song comes across my radar and instantly hooks me. “Cult Leader” by Tulsa-based XIII Minutes has done just that. Released June 23, 2024, and currently available via Bandcamp, “Cult Leader” is a gripping mix of hard-hitting lyrics and compelling instrumentation with a solid four minutes of sound to get your pulse and adrenaline pumping. The mix sounds great—the vocals have a pop-punk vibe, and the chorus is a powerful standout. XIII Minutes continues to push boundaries with a track that is both sonically aggressive and lyrically profound. The song is structured around dynamic shifts between explosive verses and a chorus that is both anthemic and chilling, with the soundscape being chaotic yet controlled. Overall, ‘Cult Leader’ is a solid and enjoyable track that cleverly weaves hints of early 2000s rock with the high energy of pop punk, creating a unique and intriguing sound that will surely get you going. Click to experience 'Cult Leader' for yourself! Written by Jamie Kucinski (drums), Thomas Wheat (guitars), Jerrod Cunningham (vocals), and Preston Bell (bass), ‘Cult Leader’ starts jamming as soon as the song begins and does not let up the entire time. This song has it all, and I highly recommend you listen to it today. To learn more about XIII Minutes: xiiiminutesofficial | Instagram, Facebook | 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

Iron Lung is a unique watch that sucks you in. < Back Film Review: Iron Lung Nick Cline Mar 12, 2026 Share Iron Lung is a unique watch that sucks you in. 2026 is looking to be a stellar year for horror fans. We are only three months in, and the realm of mainstream and indie horror is making a big name for itself. With that being said, the film Iron Lung has become a favorite so far this year. Iron Lung is a passion project from multifaceted YouTube personality Mark Fischbauch. He is better known by his YouTube handle, Markiplier . This was a film without any mainstream production company, distribution, or anything of the sort. It was self-funded, self-written, self-directed, and self-advised. It was a project fueled by passion, love for the work, and the artistic endeavor to push the story forward. Iron Lung 2026 The film is based on the 2022 game of the same name. The game explores a desolate moon where a prisoner, confined to a submarine, navigates a sea of blood as a “prison sentence”. The world and lore of the game came into pocket-sized fragments that would unearth the situation. The film takes the bare bones lore and elevates it into a 127-minute film. I describe Iron Lung as a Cosmic Horror project with a deep sense of dialogue, existential angst, and passion for the unfolding unknown. From start to finish, this is a film that brings the audience right into the situation. It starts with a recounting of the end of days. All life has been wiped out of existence by something called the silent rapture. The only things left are the remnants of mankind and the memories of times past. This bombshell of a monologue transitions to an opening shot of our main character, Simon . He is a prisoner locked away in a submarine that is being used to explore the sea of blood on an unknown moon. He is forced into a situation where he must explore the blood ocean in the hope of being set free from his prison sentence. This is the beginning of a continuous story, driven by a high-stakes series of events. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8E8Ryx49so Iron Lung Official Trailer As the film progresses, the intentions, ideals, horrors, and everything in between come to life. Over time, the stakes of the situation are felt in a slow but high-stakes chain of events. It starts off with Simon finding the bones of a giant alien-like creature, “something” bashing into his submarine, and the eventual dance of delusion and oxygen loss. The next stages of this review will be dancing the line between spoilers and non-spoilers. I want to offer a breakdown of the project's scope, ripping the magic out of its reveals before you even get to see it. I will try my best because this is a movie that deserves to be watched, not read. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaEtA56pd_w Iron Lung Final Trailer The story progresses till the point of “no return”. The conflict and climax merge into one center of action. It's an unusual way for a film to find its footing, but, overall, it is executed well. Simon finds himself in a pit of self-realization, existential angst, and anxiety of finding clarity and resolution in the situation. A creature stalks Simon as he slowly “loses” his mind. What is real? What is part of the radiated frenzy of reality? These are the two questions that haunt the narrative from the midpoint of the film until the rolling of the credits. This locking point in the film kickstarts some of the best visuals and creature design I've seen in a long time. It is baffling that this was a film made for only 3 million dollars, given its size and scope. I could go on and on about the direction this film takes, but that would reveal too much. This film deserves support and viewing. It is a passion project that would get any cosmic horror fan excited. The monsters, lore, existential dread, twists, twists of reality, visuals, sound design, and so much more make this a good watch for anyone who's a fan of cosmic horror, Markiplier , or story-driven horror. The only downside I could find is the slow-paced start, but that is something that usually comes with the film's style. Other than that, I had very few complaints as a viewer. It is a unique watch that sucks you into the world if you give it the chance. I couldn't recommend Iron Lung more. Do yourself a favor and give this a watch! Overall rating: 8.5/10 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

It's time for her to be heard! < Back Britney Spears: A Stifled Talent Nicole Brice Apr 25, 2024 Share It's time for her to be heard! Born and raised near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I’ve always felt a strange connection to the pop star known as Britney Spears . I always like to tell people my music tastes range from the music of Britney Spears to the metal masters of Slayer , which it actually does. Good music is good music, right? If it resonates with you, then that means something. I didn’t always like Britney's music, though. In the beginning, I thought it sounded too processed and fake. As the years passed, I would come to appreciate the music she was putting out and it became the soundtrack to the life I wanted. Also, too, I have always thought Britney’s public persona in the early years was my alter ego if I had the balls to truly be me. Instead, I am shy and timid, and I hide, but given the interviews and reports throughout the years on Ms. Spears, I feel she isn’t much different. She comes off as a very sweet and genuine human being who has been molded and shaped to fit the agenda of those who benefit from her talent. Initially when Britney came on the scene in 1999, I was envious and jealous of her beauty, career, and fame. After all, there was a girl the same age as me, from the same state as me, living out her dreams and I felt it just wasn’t fair, but who was I to be jealous of an individual with remarkable talent when I can’t carry a tune much less dance. Now, at 42 years old, I feel connected to the pop sensation more than ever due to us both being born in 1981, being mothers, and both having our families turn on us during times of need. I also feel, too, like me that Britney is gravely misunderstood. Beneath the sad eyes and erratic videos of her half naked dances, I see a woman confused on life, confused on her identity, and just plain confused about what she should do or where she should turn. She seems lost and hopeless but puts on a smile for her fans and does the only thing she has ever known to do, sell her body, in hopes that she is seen and heard . Britney’s talent goes far beyond her half-naked romps on the beach, though. She can sing and although her voice has been stifled all these years by those wanting her to portray a sexier image, proof of her true raw talent is on the track, “ Just Like Me ” from her album, “ Glory ”, released in 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffY6tMjo-pU “ Just Like Me ” starts with a simple acoustic guitar and only Britney's beautiful voice. The song then builds to a thunderous chorus and a hypnotizing electronic beat only to revert to the insatiable acoustic guitar sound. One of her most underrated songs in my opinion and proof that Britney’s voice is both soulful and full of heart. With reports saying she is on substances; I can see right through that. While I do not know the details of what is truly going on in her life, I do know she is throwing away amazing talent. If someone would just encourage her to write and record an album with an actual band playing music as the backing track instead of prefabricated mumbo jumbo made in the studio, I think everyone would see an entirely different side to Ms. Spears. Her voice is strong, and phenomenal. In fact, no one in the industry has ever sounded like her. I, for one, want her to use her voice to entertain the masses, but in a way she has never done before. No dance moves and no theatrical stage show. Just Britney on stage with her voice. Britney’s true voice, the one not sounding like a sex kitten, is bold and fierce and it needs to be seen and heard before it’s too late. “ Change Your Mind ” is another track that stands out amongst Ms. Spears’ catalog with its simple stripped-down intro that leads to a thundering bass and dance beat. Her strong vocals are heard in the first few bars of the track, and it is exquisite. In a world full of autotune, Britney does not really need it, yet the music industry has always forced it upon her. Why? Why not allow this beautiful human to just be who she is and showcase her unique voice? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS-COdwk0ow In fact, I feel her album, “ Glory ” is one of the most underrated albums ever. Almost every song is amazing, and her voice sounds so mature and womanly. It’s my go to album when I need to get into a certain headspace. Click the picture to experience "Glory" all over again. With all the negative press surrounding her lately, I think that starting today we should usher in a new era for Ms. Spears. Instead of speculating on her personal life and allowing others to trash her publicly, let us lift her up. In fact, I think we should initiate a “Free Britney’s voice” campaign. It’s 2024 and it’s time for Ms. Spears’ talent to make a comeback of unprecedented proportions. Let her music speak for her. Who’s with me? Society needs to stop beating people when they are down, and instead focus on the positive attributes these individuals possess. Spread love and kindness, I say! For me, I’d like to see less of a focus on individuals’ personal lives and more focus on talent. Let the music flourish. Music soothes the soul, after all, so who’s to say if Britney were pushed to record again with her rules and with her pure raw voice that we wouldn’t see something spectacular? Britney, if you end up reading this, you are amazing. Your talent is unparalleled, and you are an icon. Know that even though you may never meet any of us fans in person that we are all rooting for you and that we love you. You cannot be replaced. Love and light, Nicole www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Last 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. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEsY4M8mhd4 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

One documentary every dog lover should see < Back Review: Old Friends, A Dogumentary Shaun Corley Jun 27, 2023 Share One documentary every dog lover should see About a decade ago, in a moment of foolhardiness, I agreed to foster a senior dog with an eye towards adoption. Within days I realized I was in over my head, but I stuck it out. However, as the days turned into weeks, I came to the understanding I was not going to be able to keep her long term. I needed options. And that is when a friend told me to check out Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary in Mount Juliet, Tennessee. I did as they suggested, and I was kind of blown away by what I saw. It was a sanctuary. For senior dogs. I had never heard of such a thing before. I also noticed right away their social media game was on point, with not only regular updates but also cute little insights into the dogs themselves. Eventually, the senior dog I was fostering went back to her original human, and she lived out the rest of her life in comfort and peace. I was relieved at the outcome of the situation—and it created a permanent place in my heart for Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary. Now, this wonderful organization is at the heart of acclaimed documentary filmmaker Gorman Bechard’s new film Old Friends, A Dogumentary . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsesNZolS3A The film is the follow-up to Bechard’s 2020 effort Seniors, a dogumentary . Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary is the brainchild of Zina and Michael Goodin, who still oversee the Sanctuary to this day. After volunteering with various Golden Retriever rescues, the Goodins realized there was a desperate need for a place for senior dogs to land and spend their golden years. More often than not, senior dogs are overlooked in shelters and rescues in favor of younger dogs. As a result, many are euthanized when they still have so much love to give, and Old Friends is working to correct that. Old Friends has been in existence since 2010, and they received non-profit status two years later. As the organization has grown in size and scope, they have continually needed to upgrade their facilities, culminating in the opening of GrandPaw’s Gardens. To celebrate this milestone, Old Friends held a parade in Mount Juliet. Staff members and community volunteers came together to transport nearly 70 senior dogs a mile down the road, from their old facility to GrandPaw’s Gardens. It was a huge step forward for Old Friends, which has grown from a two-person operation into an internet sensation. Gorman Bechard’s excellent documentary recounts these events, using the parade to GrandPaw’s Gardens as a framing story. Bechard not only interviews Michael and Zina, but also many of the staff, veterinarians, and technicians. Talking with the Goodins and those who have worked under them, a viewer can see the passion all parties have for senior dog rescue. Michael and Zina Goodin, photo from The Tennessean Of course, Bechard also focuses on the dogs, too. Old Friends has a massive digital footprint, regularly sharing updates on Facebook , Instagram , and other social media platforms. Most of these updates are pictures of the senior dogs enjoying their new lives at the Sanctuary. But beyond just pictures, the social media team inserts cute and cool captions with the photos that allow you to get to know the dogs. Perhaps the best-known dog at the Sanctuary was Leo. Found in an alleyway behind a beauty salon in Nashville, Leo would become the face of Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary; when he passed, the Sanctuary received flowers from all over the world. Leo, photo from OFSDS Facebook Bechard also, at the documentary’s end, gives tributes to the dogs who passed during production. It’s a very sweet gesture. The documentary also discusses Old Friends’ social media team, a group central to the Sanctuary and their mission. The cute pictures of the dogs have helped increase awareness of the Sanctuary, which in turn leads to more donations which go to help their mission. The documentary reveals that a large part of their donations come from folks donating through social media, particularly birthday fundraisers. I did this once myself. Long-time Old Friends’ fans will love this documentary. Bechard takes viewers to the Sanctuary itself, showing the wonderful people who have dedicated their lives to helping senior dogs enjoy a better quality of life. Seeing them interact with the dogs is a joy to behold. Those new to the world of Old Friends are in for a treat as well. Old Friends, A Dogumentary is currently streaming on Tubi. (And a little birdie told us you can also find it on YouTube!) Shaun Corley is an East Coast pop culture enthusiast who loves to write about everything entertainment. A big, important Screen Rant writer, Shaun has many leather-bound books but they're far outnumbered by comic books and the smell of rich mahogany lingering in the air. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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Want to know who all helps us put this together? These peeps do! contributors c.g. smith Contributing Entertainment Writer C.G. Smith is a guy living in New Orleans, LA, with a lot of opinions and a deep love for music and film. He’s also a musician who's been in love with Rock ‘N Roll since he was very young, often standing on his tip-toes to put Rolling Stones records on his dad’s big JC Penney stereo, or playing tennis racquet guitar in the bay window to John Cougar’s Learn How to Play Guitar, which he eventually did do many years later. Then he wrote all the songs floating around in his head and recorded them. He's our man on the music & entertainment scene, and we have no doubt he'll keep you just as entertained as he does us. chris pryor Contributing Music Writer www.maineventrocks.com Meet Chris, everybody. He’s quite the rockstar and hails from a small town in Louisiana called Sarepta, which is way up in the northern part of the state. In addition to his mad trumpeting skills as a child, he’s also quite the singer and over the years has had the opportunities to share the stage with country music legends Doug Stone, Earl Thomas Conley, and John Michael Montgomery. He even auditioned for American Idol back in 2009 but it wasn’t meant to be. That didn’t deter him, though. He went on to become lead singer of the Lil Whiskey Band and in May 2022 formed his high-energy classic rock/country band Chris Pryor & the Main Event. His unique blend of rock and country music, coupled with his powerful vocals, has earned him a dedicated fan base. It has also earned him a spot in our sandbox as one of our music writers. chad besse Contributing Photographer cmdbphotography.myportfolio.com Chad is no stranger to creative outlets. After kicking around the local music scene in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the better part of a decade, he decided it was time to switch gears and try something new, so he started making some pretty sweet props for cosplayers, which he also sold at anime and comic conventions and still does today. After joining the 501st Legion and hangin’ around the convention scene for a few years, he decided to pick up photography as a way to help cosplayers document their creations, because he’s a big ole sweetheart. Photography also gave him another outlet to express his creativity, and his specialty morphed into travel and architecture photography. Now, he’s returning to the music scene to document all the action and to take his skill set to the next level with this new medium. He tells us he’s happy to be documenting the journey of so many other creative people as a part of Mixed Alt Mag, and we believe him! rian nickels Contributing Writer / Photographer / Show Coverage rianmusicjpeg.myportfolio.com Everyone say “hi” to Rian! Rian has been capturing moments as a photographer since 2012, but has known since 2008 that photography was her destiny, and we are so freakin excited to have her on the team because she is a multi-talented badass and mom. In 2018, Rian began doing photography for the local Hammond, Louisiana punk scene and realized she loved what she was doing, but soon discovered her true passion was in the editing of her photos. Not only is Rian a skilled photographer of music, skateboarding, and portraits, but she also does graphic design work, too. Rian aspires to design clothes and home décor in the future and own a storefront to go with it. With a love for all things creative, her hobbies include producing digital art, cozy gaming, crafting stickers, skateboarding, and planning live music events with her musician fiancé. Rian loves music and there is no limit to what she will listen to, but her favorites are pop punk, folk punk, post-hardcore, metalcore, indie, rap, house, and EDM. Rian’s favorite movies are Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, SLC Punk, and Girl Interrupted, but even better, her favorite TV show is Stranger Things. Rian’s dream bands that she would like to photograph include Neck Deep, Pierce the Veil, Mayday Parade, Twenty One Pilots, Mom Jeans, Roe Kapara, and Hot Mulligan. In the future, she hopes to shoot photos at alternative festivals, continue doing skateboard photography, and wants to take portraits of musicians for as many magazines as possible. jason beard Lead Videographer www.sixto6.com Jason is no stranger to being behind the lens and this beast of a Renaissance Man hails from Lafayette, LA where he is an established cinematographer, producer, photographer, sound designer, videographer and audio engineer. What does this man not do? As the owner of Sixto6 Productions, he is obsessed with ALL music...well...except for country and techno. Jason brings a wealth of knowledge and talent to the Mixed Alt Mag team and we are happy to have him. Nick Cline Contributing Writer / Music Reviews Meet Nick Cline. He is a man from 1200 miles away trying to contribute and make a name for himself. Born in West Virginia and a resident of Louisiana for 12 years, Nick has found his place in a scene that gives birth to a plethora of brilliant talent. He started playing music at a young age, and ever since, he has had dreams of becoming "something." A love of writing and music has led him to become a member of the Lafayette music scene through his band, Phantum Sun . Phantum Sun started in June of 2023 and has quickly evolved to a sound unique to themselves. His involvement has enabled him to contribute to various projects, including band collaborations and festival planning, within a remarkably short timeframe. On top of this, he just graduated from the University of Louisiana in Lafayette, where he earned a Mass Communications degree with a Journalism concentration and a Criminal Justice minor. Only the future will tell what is next for Nick and his endeavors in music and writing, so stay tuned! Justin Hammer Contributing Music Writer & Photographer www.justinhammerphotography.com Justin has been a part of the NOLA metal music scene for 15 years now as a photographer, and has met some great people and equally talented musicians along the way. Initially, he began shooting live shows through friends of his that were in bands, since he was never able to get the hang of playing music himself. Knowing that he wanted to contribute to the scene he loved so much led to him discovering he had a natural talent for photography. That snowballed into a new love for music and capturing the energy of live shows. Justin's main focus has always been helping to expose exceptional talent in the local scene and giving back to the bands via quality images they can use to promote themselves. After recently relocating to Lafayette, Louisiana, Justin wants to continue to foster the talent in this state and beyond via his stunning images, and we are beyond excited to have him on our team so that he can continue to do so. margo leblanc Contributing Writer / Promotions Team Margaret Taissa LeBlanc is a woman of many talents, some may say. Born & bred in South Louisiana, Margaret was always taught that she must earn things that she would like to have by working as hard as she can as much as possible. She owes all her accomplishments to her single mother & grandparents, who are responsible for helping her be the best she can be. Her love for music, photography, movies, and writing is palpable, and she aspires to become a passionate photographer and writer. She also has a gifted eye ( & ear ) for loud music. She adores horror movies, especially ones that feature dark comedy. Her favorites are Jennifer’s Body, The Crow, The Craft, & Carrie (1976), which she can watch over and over again. In music, her favorite genres & bands are Soul/Blues ( Otis Redding, Amy Winehouse, & Janis Joplin ), Alternative ( Alice in Chains, L7, The Smiths ), Indie ( The Black Keys, Cage The Elephant, Dexter and The Moonrocks ). Margaret dreams of one day interviewing more prominent bands & artists such as The Struts, Johnny Marr, & Jerry Cantrell. With her love for her craft and hard work, she is on the path to a successful future in the media industry. melissa "mo" thornton Contributing Writer Born in Redondo Beach, California, Mo Thornton aka “Melissa Ford Thornton” is Communications Director for the Princess Theatre Performing Arts Center in Decatur, AL. A budding ukulele player and off-key singer who uses a spoon rest as a microphone, Melissa is also a professional storyteller, writer, poet, and music lyricist. She is a Moth Story Slam winner, and her writing has been published by Silver Birch Press, Good Grit Magazine, Alabama the Beautiful Magazine and frequently airs on WLRH Public Radio. In addition to the Moth, Melissa has told true stories on big stages including Southern Fried Film Festival and Rocket City Reading Festival (Orion Amphitheater), Arc Stories (Birmingham, AL), Athens Storytelling Festival, Stories Under the Stars, Tin Can Stories, and Tenx9 Storytelling (Nashville,TN). In 2019, Melissa published her first collection of poetry and prose: “An Elegant Dispute of the Accidental.” She is a member of Alabama Writers Cooperative and Co-founder and Storyteller at Bramble Stories. When not writing, you can find her kayaking, paddleboarding, skydiving, or chilling out with her rescue cats (who enjoy an eclectic playlist almost as much as Melissa does). shaun corley Contributing Entertainment Writer We have some entertainment writing royalty here, ladies, gents, and non-binaries! We call this pop culture enthusiast and comic book nerd Shaun Corley. He comes to us from the East Coast and is a big, important Screen Rant writer with thousands of articles to his credit. He also has many leather-bound books and his apartment smells of rich mahogany. A first-generation college graduate, Shaun holds so many literary degrees, we’ve lost count, but he is adorned in accolades, and we love him. Some of his favorite writers are Haruki Murakami, Jonathan Lethem, NK Jemisin, and Stephen Graham Jones, and his favorite directors are David Cronenberg, David Lynch, Richard Linklater, and the Coen Bros. He’s also a fan of sweet tea and he loves chocolate. We don’t feed him after midnight, though. Ever. elise marie Contributing Photographer and Writer Elise Marie Hanks is an Acadia Parish native born and raised in Crowley, Louisiana, but now resides in Lafayette. Her interest in music and photography began at a very young age, inspired mainly by her late father and his collection of vintage cameras, which she often enjoyed tinkering with. Elise also cherished attending concerts with him during her childhood. She continues that tradition today by supporting local artists and connecting through live performances—often accompanied by her daughter, much like her father did with her. Elise's passion for writing took root while working on her high school newspaper, yearbook, and her college's online publication. Whether at work, with her family, or in creative and musical spaces, Elise is dedicated to growth, fostering connections, and making meaningful contributions to Mixed Alternative Magazine . charles sagona Contributing Writer Charles Sagona is a former radio industry professional, recording engineer, lifelong musician, and die-hard fan who’s lived more shows than most people have playlists. With countless concerts across multiple genres under his belt, he brings a sharp ear, an honest voice, and an undeniable passion for music to his writing — capturing the raw energy, chaos, and heart that make live music unforgettable. Charles believes there’s a soundtrack to everything in life, and he’s made it his mission to find the songs that tell the real story. noah hughey Contributing Writer https://noahmhughey.wixsite.com/noahhugheysite Noah Hughey is a writer and student journalist based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hughey is a lead opinions writer for the Niner Times, the student publication of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he writes about transit, culture and politics. When it comes to music, Hughey’s taste is eclectic in nature; raised on hip hop and pop, transferring to big band and jazz sounds, captured by the electric sounds of contemporary rock n’ roll and more, today blending this musical ballast to create his palette. This is the core of Hughey’s interest in music as a subject: sounds that convey the core of the counterculture, while blending unconventional elements that ground it in the daily lives of its producers and listeners. zach taylor Contributing Writer Amazon.com: Zach Taylor: books, biography, latest update Zach Taylor is an award-winning author and NASA engineering leader from North Alabama. By day, he manages manufacturing and fabrication operations supporting America's human spaceflight programs. By night, he writes character-driven fiction inspired by music, identity, and the pursuit of purpose. His debut novel, Rockstar: Echoes , is a 2026 National Indie Excellence Award Winner and 2026 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist . Set against the backdrop of the rock-and-roll industry, the novel explores grief, ambition, authenticity, and the true cost of being heard. A frequent guest on podcasts, radio programs, and literary panels, Zach enjoys discussing the intersection of music, storytelling, engineering, and creativity. He is currently writing the sequel, Rockstar: Mirrors , continuing the story of Kline Thomas, Rayne Harlow, and the world of Echoes. J Heist Contributing Writer Backstage 504 - YouTube J Heist is a musical madman. At an early age, he was utterly stunned when he saw Michael Jackson moonwalk. Ever since then, he knew the stage was where he belonged. Once he discovered grunge and metal music, the instruments he picked up and played were no longer relevant. A NOLA native who has a bit of traveling under his belt is expanding his repertoire into the promoting and media side of the industry. From writing music and lyrics, taking photos and videos, conducting musical interviews, and securing gigs for other musicians, his support for music and all those involved in it grows every second. The sky is the limit with this one; even the stars move out of his way as he travels through the universe to accomplish his goals. Anything to do with music, he's in it 1,000,000%. He has also recently launched a Podcast called Backstage 504, which is a retro, stripped-down, indie-focused podcast centered on one thing only: music. Be prepared for a journey with J Heist. Michelle Ramey Contributing Photographer https://chellrameyphotography.com/ Michelle Ramey is a Denham Springs-based photographer and Baton Rouge native with 18 years behind the camera and 8 years in business. She specializes in fine art and portrait photography, creating imagery that blends softness and depth. While fine art and portraiture are her foundation, her versatility allows her to move fluidly between events and creative projects without losing her signature style. For Michelle, photography isn’t just what she does ... it’s how she gives her emotion a voice. Photography has allowed her to build a meaningful career while staying present for her children. When she’s not shooting, she’s flipping furniture, loving on her cats, or hanging with her "little homies" (her kids). A lover of all types of music; grunge and metal carry a nostalgic pull for her ... raw, honest, and deeply familiar. Home

Southern-based Indie Magazine for Music & the Arts with a 90s flair. We bringin’ it back, yo! FAQS Answers to All Your Questions WELCOME! We are a collective of music and entertainment lovers who are passionate about sharing what we like. If you've stumbled upon our little family, then we're happy to have you. HOW DO I GET IN TOUCH WITH you? Just drop us a line via social media or email us! mixedalternativemag@gmail.com Mail how do you decide on what to cover? We comb the interwebs and local scenes for what catches our eyes and ears, and voila! As for anything not music, it's just what we like and think is cool. HOW DO I SUBMIT A PITCH? Got something you'd like to see in the mag? Email us! Mail

Do you want to know who brings you all the content? We do! contributors Nicole Brice Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, Digital Content Editor, Head Writer, Marketing Director, Brand Manager, Producer/Host Reviews on the Reel , Producer/Host Unscripted Verbiage, Video Editor the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com Amazon.com: Nicole Brice: books, biography, latest update Nicole Brice is a Veteran, former college radio DJ, published author, owner of MAM, and she’s a total music snob. She has been since age 7, when she became obsessed with music after hearing Depeche Mode for the first time. Located in Baton Rouge, La., she likes the obscure things that people haven’t heard, as well as the things that are LOUD. She likes to go against the grain and the norm, challenging mainstream ideals and beliefs. With a background in Marketing, Advertising, and Brand Management, she hopes to bring her vision of a free artistic space to life with MAM. Never being one to follow, she likes to research things on her own. With an extreme love for the aesthetic of music & art merged, she is obsessed with fashion – but not just any fashion; it must reflect her punk rock/grunge style and be different from the norm. Bright colors, bright patterns, and a mixture of many textures are what draw her in. Nicole’s also a hardcore wrestling fan and a former Divas Champion. Don’t believe it? She has the belt to prove it, and the smacketh is often laid down on those who make her angry with no mercy. She wants to draw attention to and put focus on those who create in hopes of banding together to spread a message of love and unity in a world so divided by hate. bud gambrell Lead Photographer - North Alabama Region / Music Writer Off the Charts www.bgambrellphotography.com Amazon.com: Bud Gambrell: books, biography, latest update Bud Gambrell is a published author and music photographer located in Hazel Green, Alabama, and we are beyond excited to have him on our team. Bud first discovered his love for live music in 1976 when he was captivated by the atmosphere at a KISS concert. Since then, he has attended many other shows featuring both local and national acts and has been producing content for concert reviews via Sound Check Entertainment, UnRated Magazine, Sonic Perspectives, and AL.com. Bud’s passion for photography began at a young age when he started out as an amateur shutterbug. Known for his stunning crispy images in and around North Alabama, Bud continues to photograph many notable acts and recently published his first book about the much-loved Side Tracks Music Hall, which was located in Huntsville, Alabama. The book is currently available on Amazon.com. tim jackson Entertainment Writer www.clippings.me/timwjackson Tim is a seasoned journalist and author with a penchant for all things dark, macabre, and somewhat sinister. But we promise he doesn't bite. He's a freelance communicator who likes to tell all kinds of stories with words, photos, and video, and he has extensive experience working in traditional media (newspapers, magazines, and book publishing). With an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Goucher College and a B.A in Communication from the University of Alabama, he loves storytelling by any method. A native of Russellville, Alabama, Tim currently lives in Tuscumbia with his wife, Taryn, who has an affinity for tarot cards, and their dog, Maple, who has an affinity for chewing remote controls. Don't let his clean looks fool you, though; he fits right in with our cool-kid shenanigans. jeff crespi Lead Photographer - New Jersey Region www.jeffcrespirocks.com Jeff Crespi is … well … he’s a riot; can you not tell? No way we were gonna pass on having him come play in our sandbox. Jeff is an award-winning professional concert photographer out of New Jersey covering hundreds of shows each year. He’s a former house photographer for the legendary Stone Pony and Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, NJ, and he is one of the house photographers at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville. He’s also the winner of the Asbury Music Award Top Music Photographer five years running. Expect some badassery from this one. gary governale Lead Photographer, Videographer BR & NOLA Regions / Music Writer www.governalephotovideo.com Gary has been working as a video professional since grunge kicked the door down on rock radio, then he picked up his Nikon just a few years later. A lifelong music enthusiast, Gary enjoys band photography and album art just as much as the music itself. He’s a big fan of any-and-all rock ‘n roll, including classic rock, punk, alternative, and hard rock, but he certainly enjoys some jazz and classical vibes when it’s time to relax. He has been serving as band photographer for Christian Rock group, Empowered, including directing, shooting, and editing one of their music videos. When not following the band around or toiling away at his regular video job, Gary spends his time lamenting the loss of the local record store-shopping experience. He is located in Baton Rouge, LA. ezekiel "zeke" kincaid Entertainment Writer Amazon.com: Ezekiel Kincaid: books, biography, latest update He looks scary, but we promise he’s not. He does write scary stuff though, and we can vouch for his filthy, incredible talent. Zeke is known by his fans as “The Paranormal Pastor” or “The Pastor of Horror” because, well, he’s a fantastic horror author with over 20 years in ministry. He’s also a paranormal investigator with some pretty incredible experiences, and because of all of that, he brings a unique and original touch to the dark fiction genre. His writings run the gamut of human existence, and he likes to write in various styles and voices to allow his tales the narration and visceral characters needed to make the words jump off the page. And jump, they do. Right in your face. The only other language he’s fluent in is sarcasm, which explains why he’s such a perfect fit with us. With three theological degrees, a romantic side, and an affinity for martial arts, he’ll fight anyone who says they don’t like Bruce Campbell. seth thomas Co-host Unscripted Verbiage http://therageonline.com/ https://www.listentotheplanet.com/loud-hour Seth Thomas is the host of the Louisiana LOUD Hour on Planet Radio 106.7, a popular Rock station based in Lafayette, Louisiana. Known for his deep passion for local music and energetic on-air presence, Seth curates a high-octane mix of Rock, Metal, Punk, and Independent, and Alternative music, delivering a raw and authentic listening experience. He has become a prominent voice in the local rock scene, engaging with fans through interactive segments and supporting local bands by giving them airplay and exposure. Seth’s dedication to the genre and his connection with the community have made the Louisiana LOUD Hour a must-listen for rock enthusiasts in the area. In addition to the LOUD Hour, Seth recently launched his own indie station called The Rage. The Rage is available in the Apple App store as well as on Google Play, so go download your new rock animal today! kimberly bryant Music, Comedy, and Entertainment Writer http://www.youtube.com/@popculturegreenroom Kimberly is an experienced entertainment writer and media personality, known for her insightful take on pop culture and the entertainment industry. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Broadcast and Journalism from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she began her career as a sports reporter for The Southeastern Channel. After relocating to San Diego, CA, for 12 years, Kimberly delved deeper into the entertainment world, following in her family's footsteps in film, television, and theater. As the co-host of The Pop Culture Green Room podcast and YouTube channel, she covers the latest in celebrity news, reality TV, and current events. Her sharp commentary and engaging style have also landed her appearances on TMZ , where she shares her expertise with a national audience. When she's not hosting or writing, Kimberly enjoys exploring new facets of the entertainment industry, connecting with her audience through various media platforms, diving into new trends, working out, staying healthy, and spending time with her dog Lucy. corey nichols Creative & Promotions Designer Corey Nichols is a multi-talented artist and business owner based in a small Louisiana town. His journey began with simply a pencil and a love for art and drawing. In 2016, Corey began his career in the tattoo industry, using his experience in drawing and illustration to develop a natural talent for tattooing. Learning from the popular tattoo artist, Micro, Corey honed his skills and acquired the iconic Burning Lotus tattoo shop. Known across Louisiana, Burning Lotus has earned the prestigious Best of 225 award for "Best Tattoo Shop" four years running, solidifying its reputation in the tattoo game. Motivated by a desire to expand his creative horizons, Corey recently embarked on a new journey—Painterly Portraits. What began as a few commissioned pieces for charity auctions quickly evolved into a potential business. Through Painterly Portraits, Corey channels his immense love for art, creating each portrait with deep passion and precision. His goal is to inspire others by sharing his work with the world and bringing his vision to life. View More

Jet Brings the Noise to Asbury Park < Back Rifting on the Shore: Jet at The Stone Pony Jeff Crespi Sep 24, 2026 Share Jet Brings the Noise to Asbury Park Jet , the legendary Australian rock band , made their return to New Jersey on September 22, 2026 —this time taking over the iconic Stone Pony in Asbury Park . The last time I caught Jet with my camera in Jersey was way back in 2010 at the Starland Ballroom , so seeing them hit the stage again felt like a blast from the past. Jet absolutely stormed through the Pony with all the energy you'd expect from 2000s garage rock royalty . They put on a fantastic show for a packed house of excited fans, and the crowd went wild when they played their hits like " Are You Gonna Be My Girl " and " Cold Hard Bitch ." Honestly, those songs still hit just as hard, and everyone sang along at the top of their lungs. To make the night even cooler, David Bryan from Bon Jovi was hanging out—he's kind of a regular at the Pony and sometimes jumps on stage. This night was extra special, though, because he joined Jet for a killer rendition of " Wanted Dead or Alive ." The entire place went crazy, belting out every word with them. Jet brought along The Retrograde , a rock 'n' roll band from Tallahassee, Florida , as their opener. The Retrograde totally won the crowd over and set the tone for an awesome night. All in all, it was an epic evening of rock 'n' roll at The Stone Pony . If you ever get the chance to see Jet live, don’t miss it. To learn more about Jet: JET To learn more about The Retrograde: The Retrograde | Rock Music All photos by Jeff Crespi www.jeffcrespirocks.com JEFFCRESPIROCKS See through a different lens! www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Jill Mulkey Art < Back Raw, Unapologetic Artistry Keeley Brooks Feb 13, 2023 Share Jill Mulkey Art During my years living in the heart of Baton Rouge , La., straight fumbling my life thing after college, I ran across some very talented artists of all kinds nurturing their individual crafts in a most pure, non-conformist way. It was awesome because back then, the city vibrated with electricity emanating from the super-cool types of art being created; the 2000s were quite a colorful time on the BR entertainment scene , if I do say so myself! Nowadays, the city isn't just vibrating; it seems to be exploding with all sorts of art, and now that I no longer live there, it's kind of up to chance when it comes to noticing more of its artists, whether it be through recommendation or random happenstance online. And that’s how Jill Mulkey filtered into my gaze: She randomly popped up in my social media feed one day, and her distinctive abstract style caught my eye … okay, it caught both of them. I zoomed in on several of her pictures and noticed some wonderful, subtle textures and shapes full of artistic nuance, and I was intrigued. Her art appealed to me because it said, in a sense, real talk. It screamed honest, real shit like I'm here and I'm colorful and I'm loud, but at the same time I'm also full of depth and exposure because I live, I breathe, I experience, and I create as a result--not for you, for me. There were no distractions. It wasn't all neat and tidy in a perfect, little, expected bow--no. It was loud and vivid and raw and messy in the best of possible ways. It was connectable ... proud ... unapologetically human, purely exposed artistry ... and that's what I loved about it: its humanity. I felt the emotion behind every piece I ogled and believe me; I spent way too many hours on both her social media sites clicking through images and getting lost in them. Mulkey is a mixed-media abstract artist, photographer, and fashionista out of Baton Rouge playing with different textures of shape and color to express herself, her messages, her feelings, and the world around her. In fact, her expressive patterns of repeating tiny squares and circles have become very popular in her shows and largely draw in the commission requests. Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Having always had the artistic talent deep within her, Jill spent her time after high school doing hair and nails by day and painting by night. The more she painted and showcased, the more attention she garnered for herself. Over the past decade, she has done and continues to do some really cool work, like reproducing different Rock album covers, for example. During a time when she was experimenting with multiple new techniques, she took some pictures of some famous people and portraits of rock stars and worked them through her own interpretations. Art by Jill Mulkey While her early paintings included a lot of portraits and closeups of faces and different city scenes, her style evolved and delved deeper into the abstract world. Some of her works incorporate printmaking techniques, like doing portraits by repeatedly stamping ink on the canvas in high and lesser concentrations to affect lines and shading, and she isn’t shy about collage work. Her images incorporate paint and print materials to illicit interpretations. One of her earlier works, a popular choice depicted below, “Pisces Girl" started out with a compilation that included a girl, a guitar, and a pear, but as the woman’s arm began to take shape, Mulkey's focus shifted from the objects to the woman. You can see how gently and effortlessly she and the guitar are beautifully entwined, both revealed with the implied sexiness of the distinct hourglass shape--the neck of the guitar ever so slightly separated from the woman's to partially hide her face just enough to illicit intrigue and admiration while conveying a union between worlds ... ah! What sweet, emotional depth it displays. It showcases beautifully sequenced artistic style. And, to tie in the title, Mulkey added water elements and a fishbowl to represent the zodiac. Art by Jill Mulkey Canvas isn’t her only medium, though. Early in her career, she used to paint on bottles and even tinkered with unconventional canvases, like paintings on doors and other found pieces. She also paints on … waaait for iiit … JEANS! I’m not kidding. And they look pretty badass, if I do say so myself. Her jeans became so eye-catching, that she now stages fashion shows in various locations. Jeans by Jill Mulkey Jeans by Jill Mulkey “I paint really fast,” Jill says. “I work really fast with my hands,” which explains how she’s able to generate so much in so little time. This challenge of mixing multi-media efforts into one cohesive piece for visual pleasure has been seemingly effortless for Jill, who is constantly scoping out new outlets. “I continue to paint and participate in many art shows all over Baton Rouge. … When I [began to focus] on my art career full time, I painted pretty much every day and sold a lot through social media, mostly on Facebook. I still have a large client base there,” she says. Mulkey has also been featured in several art galleries over the years, including Gallery N , owned by Mark Nikoff , and Williamson Howard Fine Art . It wasn’t long before she realized the gallery display opportunities held more than just a place to display; they became places to grow. “One of my proudest [shows] was in Downtown Baton Rouge at The Shaw Center in the LSU Art Museum,” she says. “I had an art and fashion show inside and a local DJ outside that I worked with on many shows. He was playing music and above him was a huge, white parachute floating in the air off the building on the 4th floor with images of my art, photography, and fashion flashing across this monstrous screen all night. It was so amazing. I haven’t seen anyone do anything like that since, but I’d love to make it happen again!” Over time, Mulkey has become an art dealer of sorts, curating shows at different galleries in and around the Baton Rouge area and promoting new, young talented artists, as well as making sales for herself and the new talent. In 2010 , she curated a show in Los Angeles at the Thompson Hotel on Wilshire Boulevard that amped up her abilities. “Somewhere in there, I began painting live—something I never thought I would do years before,” she gleans. “I became a regular in Battle of the Brushes, a monthly live art battle I did in New Orleans with Alex Harvie and TJ Black (and other chosen artists) on Magazine Street.” It seems more and more people these days find a deeper connection with live painting, and why wouldn’t they? It’s personal, exciting, and curious--utterly fascinating to watch, sober or not. There’s so much mystery around what is being created, that for just a tiny moment, we as viewers often forget there’s even someone there working their ass off to convey to you what they are seeing, hearing, and/or feeling in that specific moment. Then, when an image begins to emerge, a peek of the artist is seen just long enough for the question of why the artist is doing what he/she/they is/are doing to seep in, and once an artist's awareness of that happens, it oftentimes can create an intense palpable pressure. But Mulkey doesn’t seem to mind that one bit. She doesn't even notice, really, because she's a badass who paints right through it as though it doesn't even exist. For those of you wondering, this is what we call "the zone." Jill Mulkey “When I paint live, I sometimes start … by writing with paint in cursive across the entire canvas: first line forward, next line backwards, then forward again, and backwards every other line. I’ve become quite good at writing backwards because of this. It’s fun to see people react when they realize what I’m doing,” she explains. “It’s a great touch in the end, even though it’s just a technique for texture and getting an idea of where I’m to go with the painting. It makes for good live painting, too, because no one knows what the painting is going to be until the very end.” She adds, “People always comment on my process, saying they never know what’s going to happen next or what the painting is going to end up being. The funny thing is, I didn’t want to paint live in the beginning, so it worked out well!” Today Jill stays between Baton Rouge and Minnesota , where her other studio is. She’s currently working on collections and several commissioned pieces. Her zodiac collection , which instantly drew me in even deeper than I already was, involves characters with traits and symbols from each house of the zodiac . She tells me started years ago with “Pisces Girl” and has since completed the signs Taurus, Cancer, Libra, Virgo, and Sagittarius. As a Taurus, I personally connect to her representation of Taurean nature: still, yet loud, messy, confusing to some, and organically earthbound ... refusing to conform; I love it. Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Mulkey says she loves all the interesting aspects of each sign, and there’s so much to include in each piece that the process has been nothing short of enlightening and entertaining for her. Work on the zodiac series continues, although she’s had to put it on hold, “to complete various commission work, including this Boba Fett piece, which has compelled me to start a ‘Star Wars’ collection. Once I posted the finished Boba Fett piece [online], I got two commissions from it. I grew up on ‘Star Wars’ and love it, and I’ve always wanted to do some art based on the early movies, so that is in the works.” Art by Jill Mulkey Other commissions she’s been working on involve religious themes taken from a statue of Mary and the baby Jesus , as well as her popular bikes. Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey She also works on layering in lyrics and parts of songs into her art. “I’ll start with the very first songs I remember as a kid and make art out of them. There’s [sic] so many eras of music that I love. … [I] could have a different theme forever. … [E]veryone loves to see their favorite songs in art and connect [with them].” Speaking of music, Mulkey talks of switching between listening to metal, 90s or Pop music when she paints, depending on her mood, and when she isn't listening to music, she works with a podcast rolling--either true crime or haunted stories, or "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend," "Jeff Lewis Has Issues," or "Smartless," to be exact. When she isn't painting and is indulging in some well earned chill-out time, she's probably on Netflix, Hulu, or Tubi. "My latest guilty pleasure has been the Netflix series 'You.' ... [And] for some reason, I've been hooked on 80s cult movies lately ... and Conan O'Brien," she adds with a laugh. When asked what about this world inspires her most to paint and create, she says she wants to be able to see the things visualized in her mind emerge into tangible form. That's the magic. "I'm also very into pop culture, and that is very influential on things that I paint," she adds, noting that her absolute favorite mediums to work with are charcoal and acrylic, but she also loves spray paint and enjoys experimenting with all mediums. Mulkey currently is focused on completing her commissioned pieces, as well as her zodiac collection, and she says she's also looking forward to working with local Baton Rouge gallery owner Mark Nikoff , who is planning future art openings starting in March 2023 . It's no doubt her arsenal is full of an expansive variety of creations on a multitude of subjects with a myriad of focused perspectives and messages, but if you ask her what her favorite thing in the whole world to paint is, she'll smile and tell you it's her faces, which are nothing short of worthy of your admiration and exploration. So, just for you, art lovers, I leave you with a mini gallery of some faces and other selections from her digital portfolio I found interesting. Enjoy, my friends. Be sure to find, follow, and support Jill Mulkey Art online to stay plugged into her latest pieces, any current and upcoming shows, and updates to any of her unique collections. https://www.facebook.com/JILLMULKEYART https://www.instagram.com/jillmulkeyart/ *Images courtesy of Jill Mulkey Art Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey Art by Jill Mulkey 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

Our mission statement at Mixed Alt Mag and what we do. A BIT ABOUT US *NO ADS ... JUST PERSONALITY & ENTERTAINMENT* We are NOT your typical publication. Why? Because we have heart. Mixed Alternative Magazine is a passion project online publication created to provide you, the reader, with a wide range of high-quality, balanced articles and stories covering various genres of music and different facets of art and entertainment. Our focus is on providing a non-discriminatory platform for independent talent of all kinds to introduce themselves and showcase their mad skills to the world, without getting lost in corporate advertising. Our sights are on content, not sales. We pride ourselves on our humor, knowledge, experience, and love (ok, obsession) for all things entertainment and music, while adding our special editorial touch and our commitment to keeping it real. And we do just that by ditching the rules and regulations. We simply love what we do, and we figured you guys might too. And here at Mixed Alt Mag , we like to think of ourselves as the signal standing out from the noise of the rest of the media landscape. With so much mass-produced content out there, we want to be the ones who stand apart from the crap. By using a different approach and outlook, we will always strive to bring you the most entertaining, highest-quality content we can, and we proudly do so by rejecting the mainstream and forging our own way. We just do what we want. No hard news. No religion. No politics. No rules. No red tape. No censorship. Just sheer entertainment, passion, and personality.

A Night That Belonged to Every Generation < Back Where Nostalgia Meets a New Generation: Jimmy Eat World at Stone Pony Summer Stage Jeff Crespi Jun 28, 2026 Share A Night That Belonged to Every Generation Jimmy Eat World blasted through an unforgettable night of nostalgia, energy, and incredible music at the iconic Stone Pony Summer Stage on June 25, 2026 , as they celebrated the 25th Anniversary of Bleed American . From the moment the band took the stage, it was clear this tour wasn’t just about revisiting a classic album—it was about celebrating us fans who have stood by them for the past quarter century. Every detail, from the production to the carefully crafted setlist, was designed to transport the audience back to the moments and memories these songs have created throughout the years. The atmosphere was full of energy as thousands of fans packed the legendary outdoor venue, singing every lyric at the top of their lungs. The iconic Stone Pony Summer Stage once again proved why it remains one of the premier live music venues, providing the perfect backdrop for a night filled with timeless anthems and unforgettable performances. Personally, I couldn’t help but feel like I was 20 years younger as Jimmy Eat World launched into hit after hit. Songs that have become staples of alternative rock instantly brought back so many memories for me, and judging by the crowd’s reaction, I wasn’t the only one taking that trip down memory lane. Every chorus echoed across the venue as fans of all ages sang along, proving that great music truly transcends generations. One of the most impressive aspects of the evening was the diversity of the audience. Longtime fans, such as myself, who have followed the band since the early 2000s, stood side by side with younger concertgoers who have discovered Jimmy Eat World’s music more recently. It was a reminder of how their music continues to resonate with new generations while remaining just as meaningful to those who have been there since the beginning. Jimmy Eat World’s performance was nothing short of outstanding . Their musicianship was as sharp as ever, their sound was powerful and polished, and their passion for performing was evident throughout the night. After 25 years , they continue to prove why they remain one of alternative rock’s most respected and enduring bands. Their ability to recreate the emotion and energy of these beloved songs while keeping them fresh is a testament to their longevity and talent. Opening the evening were The Wonder Years and Girls Against Boys , who did an excellent job setting the tone for the night’s festivities. Both bands delivered energetic performances that kept the crowd engaged, making for a well-rounded lineup that complemented Jimmy Eat World’s headlining set perfectly. Overall, Jimmy Eat World’s Bleed American 25th Anniversary Tour stop at the Stone Pony Summer Stage was much more than a concert—it was a celebration of music, memories, and the enduring connection between a band and its fans. Whether you were reliving the soundtrack of your youth or experiencing these songs live for the very first time, it was an unforgettable evening that showcased exactly why Jimmy Eat World has stood the test of time. Here’s to another 25 years of incredible music. *All photos by Jeff Crespi (the man who always has a plan) 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 mixedalternativemag@gmail.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Their latest tour is proof that the Fray’s music still resonates. < Back How to Save a Summer: The Fray Return to Asbury Park Jeff Crespi Aug 21, 2026 Share Their latest tour is proof that the Fray’s music still resonates. The Fray rolled into Asbury Park for an unforgettable night at the legendary Stone Pony Summer Stage on August 19, 2026 . The place was packed —about 5,000 fans hanging out in the warm, muggy air, just steps from the ocean. There’s just something special about a summer concert at the Jersey Shore , and this one really hit the spot. The Fray , who’ve been rocking the charts since the early 2000s , put on a show that was all about connecting with the crowd as much as the music. Their stage presence was awesome—every move and every chat with the audience felt real and genuine. You could feel the energy as they played their biggest hits, and I found myself singing along with everyone else to the songs that have been part of our lives for years. Credit: Jeff Crespi Something that really stuck out was how mixed the crowd was. There were longtime fans who’ve been into The Fray since day one and younger people just now getting into their music. It was awesome to see parents and kids, friends of every age, all swaying and singing together—it just shows how much the band means to people. The whole night was a blast from start to finish. The Fray didn’t show up alone—they brought Dashboard Confessional and Colony House with them, and both bands got everyone pumped up for the main act. By the time The Fray hit the stage, the crowd was buzzing, and the good vibes kept going all night. It honestly felt like a big celebration of music, memories, and hanging out together—one of those nights you never want to end. Definitely one of the best shows of the summer. Dashboard Confessional Colony House To learn more about The Fray: Summer of Light | The Fray To learn more about Dashboard Confessional: Dashboard Confessional To learn more about Colony House: COLONY HOUSE *All photos by Jeff Crespi www.jeffcrespirocks.com JEFFCRESPIROCKS See through a different lens! www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Christina Binns < Back Flowers, Glitter, and Resin, Oh My! Nicole Brice Oct 29, 2022 Share Christina Binns You may not have heard of the name Christina Binns in the Art world YET , but you WILL . Putting her entire heart and soul into what she creates, this chicka knows how to merge the aesthetic of beauty and fragility into pieces worth having in your collection and showing off. I first met Christina , or Christi as I know her, when we had an honors English class together freshman year of high school. Christi had some wicked style, even back then, and I can remember her always having the latest and greatest fashions from the Delia*s catalog, which I always seemed to be lusting over. Lucky for me, though, Christi and I hit it off, become best friends, and then I had access to that same great fashion she paraded up and down the halls of our high school. With a knack for combining colors, textures, and styles, her fashion sense trickled over into her artwork, and throughout the years even though we may be miles apart, I have never forgotten how awesome this girlie is, and now, I would like to bring her art to you, the readers of Mixed Alternative Magazine . Art by Christina Binns Recently, Christina and I had a chance to chat, and I threw some questions her way, which she did not disappoint in answering. Get to know this incredible visualist and artist and then check out her work and buy something. You’ll want to buy everything because it is ALL phenomenal. In fact, in choosing the images for this piece, I had a hard time narrowing it down, so when you get to the bottom of this article, you MUST check out her work on social media. Christina Binns MaM : What age did you notice you had the art gene and a need to create? I remember you taking Art classes in high school, but never really asked you about your creations. Also, too, for the longest time, I had all the drawings you made me saved in a drawer at my mom’s house. It’s true. I wonder where those are now. Hrmm. CB : Well, I’ve been creating since before I can remember. I’ve always had a vivid imagination, still do. As a kid, I’d conjure up these elaborate stories & add my own illustrations. I was always doodling. I’m always in my “happy place” when I’m making things, always have been. Whether from my writing or my art, no matter the method, when I’m creating, that’s when I’m most fulfilled. So, to answer your question, the need to create has always been present. MaM : Thinking back, do you remember the first piece of art you ever created? CB : Oh man, the FIRST piece ever?! Where’s my memory when I really need it… well, since I can’t recall the 1st ever (that’d of been at a single-digit age), how about I go with a couple that really stuck with me through the years, both wooden creations. One was to be a box that opened & closed, the other a functioning mobile, with fully moveable parts. I’ll start with the box. Decided I was making a ladybug box, with wings on top that opened to reveal an itty-bitty cavity for tiny treasures & such. So, we all know ladybugs are round, right? Well, cue the naysayers – and I quote, “You can’t make a box round. That won’t work – it doesn’t even make sense!” Challenge accepted and annihilated – BOOM! You know I had to make the bug box & yes, she is filled with tiny what-nots & she’s perched on my shelf in my art room. For the mobile, I made a waving dude, whose arms, hands & head were moveable. Picture an upper body, shoulders/arms on up, cartoon-style, crazy wavin’… I think I gave him a bowtie too. Good times. No clue where he went, but I’m pretty sure I gave him to somebody, maybe my brother – who knows. Wherever he went, he sure was awesome. Both projects were just before I hit my 20’s. While they weren’t early in my art days, they both helped me to really hone in on that imagination of mine. Making these 2 things happen just as I had dreamt up, that only further solidified what I already assumed: If I can imagine it, I can probably make it happen, I can DEFINITELY try! Thinking you can do something is half the battle, so if you truly believe in you, then you’re already halfway there. Art by Christina Binns MaM : If you had to pick one piece as your favorite, what would it be? Give us the deets, sista. CB : My absolute favorites, as of now, would have to be a tie between 2 completely different pieces, both of which are displayed in my home. One is a giant pair of _x_ gallery-wrapped canvases that I painted, embellished with broken glass and added resin to. There’s just something about the soft, muted colors I used, mixed with the sheer size of them. I often stare at them with the same admiration as when I 1st made them & they’re a regular topic of conversation when someone visits. So delicate-looking thanks to the colors & design, yet slightly dangerous, courtesy of the jagged-edged, broken shards of glass poking out from the resin. My other fave is the 2nd cold porcelain sculpture that I ever made. Roughly 100 individually hand sculpted flowers & leaves flow over the edge of an 8x10 gesso panel. I left it unpainted simply because I love the way it looks. Truth be told, I really impressed myself with this piece. It encouraged me to take the plunge into the world of cold porcelain. I was in love… with hand sculpting! Art by Christina Binns Funny story, I stumbled across this medium by accident (or maybe fate, who knows) when making a magnolia flower piece for my sweet momma. I knew I wanted 3D flowers coming up from the canvas but was struggling with what to use to get that effect, that could still be painted. After doing a ton of research & speaking to some other sculptors in the clay world, I landed on cold porcelain, an air-dry clay that’s nearly translucent when completely dry. Picked up the supplies & made the most gorgeous piece with 3 life-size magnolias and several leaves, on canvas that I painted & added a few layers of resin to. I painted the canvas this ridiculously pretty blue, so after adding the resin, it looked as if the magnolias were floating on water. As they say, the rest is history! MaM : So, I know you have another gig to pay the bills, so where do you call home these days and what are you doing when you are not creating art? CB : Currently, I live in Cypress, TX, just outside of Houston. I’m an artist at heart, always, so I don’t really have set hours, since I wear a few other hats as well. I’ve been a licensed Realtor in Louisiana since 2007 (with Realty Executives South Louisiana Group) and in Texas since 2020 (with Fathom Realty). Additionally, I work remotely as a CRM (Client/Customer Relationship Manager) & Email Marketing Coordinator for a Washington state realty firm (since 2019). This side hustle allows me to work on my marketing skills, as well as my creative/content writing capabilities, which comes in quite handy for all those hats I wear. I also wrote a yet-to-be-published book that I plan to self-publish. One of these days I’ll jump off that fence & make it happen! Art by Christina Binns MaM : Give us some info about life over the years and your fave medium to use in creating pieces. It’s been forever since high school even though it seems like just yesterday. CB : I live in the burbs with my wife Sequence & our 2 dogs Cooper (pointer lab) & Cole (Pug). I moved here in 2019 after Sequence’s corporate ladder-climbing landed her in the Houston area. We also lived near Atlanta, GA for a few years, but most of my life was spent in Louisiana, split between Baton Rouge & Prairieville. I worked in retail management for many moons, primarily in shoe sales. When I was in Georgia, I worked in Recruiting for a minute, before eventually moving back to my home state. From there, I was office manager for the Louisiana brokerage I’m licensed with, for a few years, before making the Texas leap. Let’s see, some other facts about me… I’m a damn good cook, I’m a water baby through & through (stick me with my family, friends and all the pups, plop us near a lake/river/beach & let us be, lol). I love a good documentary & I’m still a cartoon fanatic, even at 40. Art by Christina Binns I like my music loud, a bass junkie, if you will. I’m eclectic when it comes to music, I like everything except country. Ok, ok, I do like some country, but that’s a limited category for me. Now, as far as what’s on the turntables, that’s likely to be drum ‘n bass or jungle, a little EDM, a lot of old school rock & rap and the occasional comic relief (listening to Richard Pryor on vinyl is a whole experience). Like I said, eclectic. Being a mixed media artist, I use so many different mediums, it’s hard to pick a favorite. I think my answer to that depends on the day. I can say that I can always get down with a paint session, no matter what’s going on. I’m a painter, sculptor, woodworker, mold-maker, card maker, sewist (seamstress, if you’re old school), wood burner, soap maker and resin artist, all wrapped into one. I’m no one-trick pony, that’s for sure! I enjoy trying new things all the time - I think it keeps me sharp, you know! Thinking outside the box, being open to trying new styles & mediums & being ok with something not turning out as planned… I do these things regularly. Some of the materials I like to incorporate into my artworks: paint, wood, dried flowers, resin, genuine crystals & stones, broken glass, alcohol inks, gold leaf, cold porcelain, silicone, cardstock, gold foil. Art by Christina Binns As far as canvases go, I like to use everything from gallery-wrapped canvases and wood panels, to old scratched up vinyl records. If I can repurpose something that would have otherwise been discarded, that’s a bonus. Giving new life to a would-be trash item, to me, that’s something special. All the vinyl I use are retirees from my personal record collection of over 1,000. I try to keep them in the rotation, pun intended, especially since I have them in such abundance. No matter the artwork I’m creating, if I can reuse something lying around for it, I take every opportunity to do so. On that note, any time I do a paint pour, I make multiple pieces from one single pour. That excess paint can be stretched far, helping me to be more time-efficient in my creative process by cranking out several pieces at once. The same goes with any resin projects. The more I can make with a single batch of product, the better! MaM : I’m sure there are other artists out there you admire. Please tell us who and why. CB : Hmmm… yet another toss-up for this one. It’d have to be between Daniel Popper & Gil Bruvel, both incredible artists, both with a focus on 3-dimensional art. Neither of them ceases to blow my mind with their creations. Daniel has these other-worldly sculptures of massive proportion, on display all over the world, in some of the most breath-taking places. Next time I’m in Mexico, I have GOT to remember to hit up his Tulum sculpture, “Ven a la Luz”. It’s a bucket list item, for sure. Then there’s Gil, who uses thousands of individual wood pieces to create these unbelievable faces, also on a larger scale. The skill & talent these guys possess is unreal. They’re both incredible at their craft. Art by Christina Binns To check out and purchase some of Christina’s amazing art, you can visit her on social media at: Christina Binns | Facebook Christina Binns (@b__christina) • 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? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Merging Styles < Back A Bright Visualist: Robin Masterman Nicole Brice Oct 4, 2022 Share Merging Styles Robin Masterman is a Louisiana-based visual artist whose style resonates in multiple categories from the finest of art to facets of everyday life and right on down to the circumstances existing all around us. Art by Robin Masterman Currently living in the city where he grew up, Prairieville , he spends his time focusing on making art that not only catches your attention but also makes you stop and think about things that probably never occurred to you. His pieces use bright, vibrant colors with an extensive range of creative depth that spans from on-the-surface interpretations to subjects that cannot be seen at first glance with the naked eye. Art by Robin Masterman Masterman comes by his artistic gene honestly. His father is a sculptor, and his grandmother was a painter. It was she who introduced him the medium as a child and always kept him painting, encouraging his abilities. Because of that, he pulls a lot of his inspiration from her, as well as from his mother and father, to create works so deeply personal one cannot help but feel the energy behind his intention. But family isn’t his only source of inspiration. Art by Robin Masterman “Emotions, thoughts, losses, wins—it all depends on the day. Now, graffiti? That’s a different story because of the adrenaline bursts of wondering whether the cops are going to bust ya when [you’re] putting up a piece,” Robin replies when asked what other sources light up his creative spark. While he is, no doubt, a man of multi-faceted talents, he makes sure each piece he does is unique to itself to ensure no two pieces are the same. And while he uses a host of many mediums, Robin prefers marker and spray paint over anything else but says he will do some acrylic, “on occasion.” Art by Robin Masterman Mirroring the styles of famed pioneer fashion artist Stephen Sprouse and Neo-expressionist icon Basquiat , Robin’s talent is one to remember strictly because of the impression it leaves. He started drawing at the age of nine. It wasn’t until the late 90’s, when he was working at tattoo shops, that he truly got into making art. It started with canvas art in 2002 and he says of the time with a laugh, “It was acrylic ninja masks and arrows; it was bad.” Art by Robin Masterman But Masterman evolved well past his artistic beginnings and, at one time, worked under numerous well-known street artists. Says Robin , “I learned spray paint and acrylics from other graffiti artists, which also led to a strange fascination with painting numbers at times.” When asked of a famous artist he would like to spend the day with, living or dead, he responded, “Renoir. For the experience, conversation, and models. I respect his way of self-preservation and profit, while still doing what you love.” The artist at work Jackson Pollock is another one of his inspirations, specifically “his work with Benton pre-drip craze … [it]was amazing!” says Masterman. As for where Robin sees himself in the future, “Just trying surrealism a bit, and maybe traveling. Who knows?” Robin’s work can be purchased directly from the man himself by either reaching out via social media or e-mailing RobinMastermanArt@gmail.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peterobinnola/ Art by Robin Masterman 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

P.A.C.A. < Back Punk Music Festival to Benefit Local Non-Profits that Work with At-Risk Youth and Children of Child Abuse/Neglect Nicole Brice Feb 25, 2023 Share P.A.C.A. P.A.C.A. or Punks Against Child Abuse was formed in a living room late one night in early January 2023 with the purpose being to showcase a music festival from September 15-17, 2023 in Catoosa, TN that includes other vendors to use the funds raised in supporting non-profits that work with children and youth that are impacted from abuse/neglect. The organizations chosen to be supported are a vital resource to the state of Tennessee, especially in rural counties like Jamestown, Cookeville and Crossville. The non-profits are CHANCE Girls Youth Home, UC Foster Closet and STARS Nashville. The UC Foster Closet works hard to support families by hosting and providing special events, establish community support through Foster Friendly Partners, and provide opportunities for fellowship with other foster/kinship families with “Connecting Families.” CHANCE provides a safe, highly structured, therapeutic environment where each youth knows their value, and with compassion and perseverance, relationships can be restored; providing an opportunity to change these kids lives to where they can discover their strengths and gain the confidence needed to lead healthy, harmonious, and productive lives when given a second chance. This facility serves youth, ages 12 – 18, and their families, primarily from the Upper Cumberland area of Tennessee. STARS Nashville helps all young people pursue their unlimited potential. STARS has served some of the most disenfranchised populations by providing school-based prevention and intervention services, as well as intensive outpatient treatment services for adolescents with substance use and co-occurring disorders. According to Kids Count 2020, Tennessee had over 67,000 cases of child abuse. CACTN also reported that in one year alone, over 4,000 cases of child abuse were reported in the state of Tennessee. According to Kids Count, youth in Tennessee experience two or more ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) and this is higher than the national average and one in ten are living in poverty. The plan is to bring in bands, craft and food vendors at Catoosa, TN for a two-and-a-half-day charity festival that will be an all-ages event where alcohol will not be served. There will be a wrestling match on site sponsored by the wrestling group in Crossville also. In addition to music and wrestling, there will be goat yoga and/or goat cuddling and a balloon vendor that offers face paint for the children. The current band list is comprised of different types of punk bands that include punk rock; hardcore punk; skate punk; folk punk and more. Most of the bands are from Tennessee but some are coming from Ohio, Oklahoma, Indiana, and even New York. There will be a wide variety of food offerings from coffee to pizza to Germanic/Hispanic food and day and weekend passes will be available for the event. More than forty bands, craft vendors and food vendors have signed on to participate thus far. Since this festival is at Catoosa, there will be 180 acres of land which will allow the patrons to camp on site if needed. PACA is currently seeking donations and sponsors for this incredible event and there are three levels of sponsorships available. For more information about sponsorships, contact Kassandra Morgan at 931-704-2919 or you can e-mail pacafestival@gmail.com . To learn more about the event, visit www.pacafestival.com or visit them on social media at: Punks Against Child Abuse | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook | 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 . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

Boiler Room are on a mission to make a significant impact in the world of metal. < Back Boiler Room’s Revival: A Resurgent Force in Metal Nicole Brice Mar 28, 2025 Share Boiler Room are on a mission to make a significant impact in the world of metal. I was a teenager in the late 90s / early 2000s , a time when nu metal , a subgenre of alternative metal , dominated the airwaves. Bands like Korn , Limp Bizkit , Slipknot , and Deftones were everywhere, and because of the mediums we had back then to bring us new music, only certain bands were filtered my way. Here I am in 2025, and I was recently introduced to Chris Lino , vocalist for the New York City-based nu metal band Boiler Room , thanks to my good friend and photographer , Jeff Crespi . Unbeknownst to me, Boiler Room had a very successful career for a while from 1996-2001 , sharing the stage with Type O Negative , King’s X , Clutch , Orgy , Life of Agony , and Static-X . Still, after changes at their label, they walked away from forging their legacy, so why are they back now, and what has been going on all these years? Credit: Jeff Crespi Gritty, raw guitar riffs and an aggressive yet melodic style, Boiler Room , were part of the broader DIY movement until they were discovered and signed. Chris Lino ’s vocals are thick, raspy, and full of soul. With a unique combination of sounds and clean screams, he can go from sweet to sour in only a few seconds. Truly, this man's voice is amazing. It’s remarkable how music machines work. Oodles and oodles of bands come out yearly, but it’s up to the geniuses who market these bands to make them stand out, so how and why did Boiler Room get lost amongst the shuffle? Credit: Jeff Crespi With their recent resurgence, Boiler Room is on a mission to make a significant impact in the music world. Their blend of rock and metalcore is a force to be reckoned with, and they're not holding back. They released the single, ‘ No Patience ,’ in 2024 , followed by ‘ Changes ’ in 2025 . The band's focus on live shows in the days ahead is a testament to their determination to share their music with audiences everywhere. Boiler Room’s past labels include Roadrunner and Tommy Boy Records , two significant players in the music industry. After years out of the spotlight, they are currently looking for a new home, a move that could potentially reshape their musical journey. Boiler Room’s current line-up is Chris Lino (vocals), Nick Seditious (guitar), Tommy Spano (drums), and Peter Rizzi (bass). A humble, charismatic, and talented human, I truly enjoyed my recent conversation with Chris Lino . We delved into the band's past, current journey, and future plans. Please take a moment to dive into our conversation below and then listen to their latest ‘ Changes ’, which is out now on all streaming platforms. The official music video for 'Changes' by Boiler Room - out NOW! MaM : Thank you for joining me today. I had to go down the Wikipedia rabbit hole to learn more about you guys, but you started as a thrash metal band in 1996, correct? Chris : Actually, we started in 1992 , and we were called Bible Black . In 1993 , we were selected to play the Foundations Forum alongside Accept , Kiss , I Mother Earth , Quicksand , and Rob Halford , who was working with his new band Fight at the time. We had a demo with the song ‘ Judgment Day ’ that passed the board with Concrete Marketing , so they voted us in, and we were selected for the show. I don’t know if they still host the Foundations Forum , but it used to feature signed bands, established bands with new material, bands that had just been signed , and then there was us – we were an unsigned band looking for a deal. We ended up playing, and it was awesome. Life of Agony was there, too. We knew them from Brooklyn . Rob Halford was actually at the side of the stage, and when we completed our set, his manager said, “Mr. Halford would like to meet you guys.” MaM : Wow, that’s awesome. Hell yeah. Chris : He was the nicest guy, and he gave us some simple yet great advice. “Just keep writing”, he says in his British accent to us, and he was thinking about managing us at that time. He was looking to start a label and had a management company. We ended up touring with Type O Negative and Life of Agony . We had Ken Kriete , their manager, who was helping to manage us at the time. That relationship fizzled out, and our original guitar player ended up leaving, so we put an ad out in The Village Voice – back in the day, that’s how it was done. MaM : Man, back in the day, that was the only way you could advertise for anything—no social media. Remember paper flyers for shows, too? Chris : Oh yeah. So, we ended up putting the ad out there, and we had to go through approximately 128 demo tapes . We were very popular in the tri-state area and on the verge of something significant. At the time, we were also in talks with some labels. We eventually went through all the demos until we came upon Rob Caggiano ’s demo, and it was different because he wasn’t just shredding on it and playing. He remade a Misfits ’ song, sang on it, and created a versatile demo that stood out. He could sing backing, but he never did in the band. Man, so he pulls up and right away, he just had this swag and this attitude out of the gate. (laughter) He showed up, though, and had all the right equipment and everything. We had asked him to learn four of our songs from our recently released indie album, and he nailed two of them. However, he didn’t put in the work for the other two. The drummer and bass player were kind of “eh” at first, but then I told him to show us a couple of his riffs and stuff he was working on. He busted out some riffs that just blew me away, and I was inspired immediately. I was like, “Do that again!” (laughter) That was one of our singles, too, ‘ Do It Again ’, no pun intended, but once he busted out this riff, I immediately started adding vocals to it, and that was it. He and I hit it off immediately, and we wrote all of what turned out to be the first Boiler Room record. We wrote about 80% of it. We had a creative connection. It was around this time that our music also began to be played on KROQ . MaM : KROQ was the place to be heard back in the day. Chris : Yeah, they had a metal show on Sunday , and we were one of the first unsigned metal bands to be played on it, and we had a couple of shows in the area. One was at Irving Plaza where we opened up for Machine Head , and then another time it was Orgy, and when we opened up for Orgy , it was insane. We have a video of it on our Facebook page . We just blew it up that night, and we had another manager give us his card while saying, “I’ve never had a local band blow my signed band away.” (laughter) After that, the phone calls started coming in, and we initially signed with Roadrunner . We went out to L.A. and recorded the whole album out there. ‘ Do It Again ’ ended up being released on MTV’s “ The Return of the Rock ” CD Volume 1, alongside many other heavy hitters. It was Kid Rock , Korn , P.O.D. , Papa Roach , Sevendust , us, and a plethora of other great bands . We were off to a good start, but we ultimately hit a brick wall with some of the politics in the music industry. It had nothing to do with us, but there was a change in leadership, and the original CEO who had signed us ended up leaving the label, and the new person showed no interest in us. They kept pushing our release date back, so we knew we needed to get off the label. We ended up getting off the label eventually and signed with Tommy Boy/Warner Bros . They were trying to get into the nu metal scene at the time because you had bands like Limp Bizkit blowing up. We were off to the races after that. Photo provided by band We went on tour with Disturbed and Kittie . Kittie was the headliner back then. So, Disturbed started taking off with their first album and ultimately left the tour. We decided we needed to get back on a tour with them, and we ended up touring the tri-state area with them. It was great. Then, we toured with Mudvayne to promote the release of their first album, and from there, we embarked on a club tour in Europe , which also went very well. Came back from Europe , and the label dropped us because we weren’t selling enough records in the States . They owed us for another album, though, so we settled that and then decided we needed to regroup. Rob , though, had already agreed to join Anthrax , so we knew that conversation was coming. Everyone just ended up going their separate ways until I hooked up with Mike Orlando from Adrenaline Mob . He suggested that we redo the Boiler Room record because he’s a producer and engineer and has a studio in Staten Island , and he thought we had a sort of legacy going with Boiler Room . I decided to select the choice songs that Rob Caggiano and I wrote, which I felt did not receive their fair share of recognition. So, we re-recorded them with new production, and we pumped them up. We did four songs from the Boiler Room record, and everything else is new material. One song, ‘Rectify,’ on which Ron Thal played an insane, ripping solo, but we had to edit it for radio, so we have two versions of that song. On tour with Disturbed - photo provided by band MaM : Who all did you bring into the mix for recording this go-round? Chris : So, Mike Orlando hooked me up with Peter , and we found Nick , the guitarist, and Tommy Spano on drums. That got the line-up back together, but I started recording the album before I met Pete . We had Jason Bittner from Shadows Fall and Overkill play the drums, and then Pete came in to record the bass. Mike Orlando did the guitars. Nick did a bunch of leads on it, but the album had already been recorded when we hooked up with them. We then released the single ‘ No Patience ’, which was initially titled ‘Patience’, as the song has nothing to do with actual patience. Additionally, Guns N' Roses already had a song called ‘ Patience ’, so we reworked it and released it as a single. We have a video on YouTube that is performing well, with over 400,000 views. The official video for 'No Patience' by Boiler Room MaM : Then you have ‘Changes’, so tell us a little more about that one. Chris : That I wrote with Mike Orlando . I didn’t get into that story, so after Boiler Room broke up, he tracked me down before he blew up. We hooked up and started writing, and did something called Out of Body , so ‘ Changes ’ was an Out of Body song. A lot of the songs, his songs, ended up on Adrenaline Mob's first album , which they changed the melodies and the lyrics, but ‘ Changes ’ was the song we wrote together, and he never used, so I was like, “Let’s re-record that one and put it on the new Boiler Room album.” Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Hell yeah, man, so you just decided to dive right back in to start releasing music. Was it because you missed it, or because you felt there was something there that you just needed to express? Chris : Both. Orlando is like, “Dude, when you gonna get back in the saddle again?”, and I’m like “Eh…” I told him I was thinking about doing something different, but he was like, “Nah, redo some of that older material. Redo the whole album.” I was like, yeah, I’ll redo some of the songs, but I’m not redoing the entire album. Like some of the songs that fell by the wayside, like ‘ No Patience ’, which we used to do at soundcheck when we were touring with Mudvayne , and they would stop in their tracks to listen. Imagine you’re touring with Mudvayne , and they stop to listen as you’re doing soundcheck, asking what the name of the song is and why the song isn’t in your set. That was the one song that I always wanted to redo because it never got a fair shot. Chris Lino of Boiler Room - photo provided by band MaM : So, tell us about the new album and when it will be released? Chris : It’s going to be nine songs with the edit of ‘Rectify’. We're looking at June for the release date. Pete and I also wrote a new song for the album called, 'Haunted'. We can't wait for everyone to hear it. MaM : Who were some influences that shaped your sound when you were first starting out? Did the idea for the band come about in high school, or how old were you when you first decided to start a band? Chris : I was in college when the band started. We had all the influences prevalent at the time, including Pantera , Black Sabbath , and Metallica . Then, Limp Bizkit and Korn were gaining immense popularity, which also influenced us. I don’t think there is any musician out there who a Black Sabbath riff hasn't influenced. MaM : In fact, down here in Louisiana, most bands are always influenced by Black Sabbath and Pantera. Pantera is a southern thing, though. You can’t live in the south and not like Pantera. Chris : We actually got to meet them when we were touring with Type O Negative because Phil is a fan of Carnivore and Peter Steele . After Type O Negative started taking off, Pantera jumped on a tour with them. We got to see them in Albany, New York , I think. Ken , Type O’s manager, was still managing us, and he invited us backstage to meet the guys. Phil was nowhere to be found, but Dime and Vinnie were awesome. They told me, though, that if I wanted to hang out with them, I needed to start drinking. (laughter) MaM : Oh yeah, gotta hang with them Pantera boys. Chis : You'd better start banging some shots out now. They were really cool. Rex was somewhat standoffish and asked us who we were, but overall, it was a great experience. I met Vinnie a second time years later because, after the lead singer of Drowning Pool passed away, I tried out to be their new singer. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : Wow! Did you? I had no idea. Chris : Yeah, they called me up after a year of mourning. Boiler Room was done. I was demoing with Mike Orlando , and I was shopping again. My old A&R guy, who had my demos, knew I was trying to secure another deal. However, he informed me that he had sent my demos to Paul Bassman , Drowning Pool’ s manager at the time, and that they were interested in meeting with me. They reviewed over 300 demos from around the world and narrowed it down to me and another guy. They sent me the album with no vocals so I could practice on it, and then they also sent two new songs . They asked me to write melodies and lyrics for the two new songs. I was in New York and did this, and it took me a couple of weeks. They ended up flying me down to Dallas, Texas , and the drummer was cool. Here I'm playing the entire Drowning Pool record, singing it, and it was surreal. It felt like Drowning Pool karaoke, but I had the actual band. (laughter) MaM: So, what ended up happening? Did you not take the gig because you would have to move? Chris : That was some of it, but they had another guy they were looking at, too. It just didn’t work out, but I was honored. They were very nice guys. So, after we did our jam and everything, they took me to the strip joint in Texas that Vinnie and Dime owned. They said they wanted to “send me off”, but they hadn’t let me know yet what their decision was. I walked in, though, and met Vinnie Paul again, and he goes, “You gonna be the next singer of Drowning Pool?”, and I go, “I hope so, we’re gonna see what happens.” The rest of the night, I was hanging out with Vinnie Paul , the guys from Damageplan , and the guys from Drowning Pool , and man, they were drinking like fish, man. I fell right into it, too. They go, “We hear you don’t really drink", and I go, “Ah, man…” (laughter) They end up passing me a bottle of Jack , and go, “Give me a five count.” MaM: Oh no … (laughter) They got me bombed, and the next thing I know, their manager goes, “You’ve got about four hours. We’re gonna drive you to the airport and drop you off.” They then let me know that they hadn’t made their decision yet, but they ended up going with the other guy. Paul Bassman tried to help me and Mike Orlando with Out of Body by getting us signed to Drowning Pool’s label , but that fell through, too. That was it for a bit, and I gave it a break until Mike Orlando tracked me down again. He kept pushing me to do something, and at the time, I was doing an acoustic thing that later evolved into a plugged-in thing. Still, the whole time, Mike is trying to push me to redo the first Boiler Room record, which led to the decision of doing the songs Rob and I wrote, but not the entire album. MaM : That’s actually a smart way to approach it. Chris : Yeah, so I had some new music I wanted to do as well, so I kind of just leaned on my strengths with what I do. I put the rapping thing away. My three most significant influences at the time were Chino from Deftones , Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots , and Phil from Pantera . I was becoming a hybrid of those influences. What I realized, though, is I needed to just “come with it” – that ballsy, raspy voice and forget about the rapping and the ominous whisper thing that Chino does. I veered away from that by just doing what I do best. Then, one night, I was watching a show with Steve Vai , and they asked him what he attributed his success to. He told them that you have to lean on your strengths. If you do something well, lean on it. …and here we are. MaM : Do you feel technology has helped or hurt the music industry? What’s your take on all the technological advancements in music? Chris : I’d have to say both. When we were growing up, you’d buy the whole album and listen to the entire CD . You’d open it up, look at the artwork, read the credits, and examine the pictures— it was a whole experience. You became a true fan. Some songs you liked. Some you didn’t, but at least you knew the entire album. Now, it’s like they’re promoting Attention Deficit Disorder . You download one or two songs. There’s no actual record sales anymore. It’s all based on streams , and that’s misleading because you don’t have real fans anymore. At that time, securing a record deal was highly challenging. You had to do it from the ground up – garage band style. Now, anyone can put up anything. It’s great because you can access the music more straightforwardly, but in a way, it’s not. MaM : What are the plans for the rest of 2025 and beyond for Boiler Room? Chris : Well, we’re gonna release the new album in June . My focus is this … I know everyone wants to focus on social media these days, but I’m grassroots, and the social media only goes so far … I’m all about getting people to shows . We’re looking to partner with a larger national act to secure a spot on some of these tours. I want to flood out the entire tri-state area, hit the East Coast or the South , such as Louisiana . If we could secure a good show with a national act, that would work. We’re in a rebuilding process right now, though. We’re trying to rebuild the foundation of our fanbase and replant the flag. Shows … quality shows. We’ll see where it goes. As Chris Lino and Boiler Room move forward in the modern music scene, they stand poised to bring their powerful music to a new generation. They stand out as a band that embodies grit and substance. Their music isn’t just something you hear; it’s something you feel. I look forward to watching their journey unfold. Boiler Room is a name to remember. They’re not just playing metal—they're living it. To learn more about Boiler Room: Facebook: Facebook Discogs: Boiler Room Discography: Vinyl, CDs, & More | Discogs Wikipedia: Boiler Room (band) - Wikipedia All Music: Boiler Room Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More... | AllMusic YouTube: BOILER ROOM - YouTube Instagram: (@boilerroom_band) • Instagram photos and videos *Some photos by Gessner Photography Eric (@ gessner.photography ) • Instagram photos and videos *Other photos by Jeff Crespi www.jeffcrespirocks.com JEFFCRESPIROCKS See through a different lens! www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Show up on May 30, 2026, in Henderson, Louisiana. < Back Let the Good Times Boil: Burning Crawfish Festival Returns This May Nicole Brice Apr 12, 2026 Share Show up on May 30, 2026, in Henderson, Louisiana. The Burning Crawfish Festival returns this year on Saturday, May 30, 2026 , in Henderson, LA , at Big Brown (1065 Nina Hwy) . Since it began in 2009 , founder M’Lyn Usie has continued to build on the festival's success by featuring a new lineup of talent each year. This year’s lineup of musicians is packed for the celebrations. Bands such as Nest, Slow the Knife, Cheater Pipe, Shivering Demons, Sunrise:Sunset, The Brown Stripes, Totem, Blood Show, and LA Phantoms will start playing at 1:00 p.m. There will be food, drinks, vendors, and more. The event is open to all ages and will also include a waterslide for kids. Additionally, there will be a clothing swap and a plant swap . The flyer for the 2026 Burning Crawfish Fest in Henderson, LA The idea for the festival began when founder M’Lyn Usie decided to use some of the skills she learned in college to promote music. She always wanted to put on a music festival, and in 2026 , here we are. With a background in the music business, the festival started as a gathering among friends and continues to grow. Usie has said of the festival’s origins, “ I went to Loyola University in New Orleans at the time, and in 2005, when Katrina hit, one of our favorite professors at Loyola, he and his wife, they actually bought the big brown house in Henderson, and it is right down the road from where I grew up. When we couldn’t go home to New Orleans, we spent a lot of time hanging out at Big Brown, and we had all these ideas. Dr. Jimbo would always ask me what I wanted to do with my music business degree, and I told him I’d love to put on a festival, and then it happened. It’s like the Burning Man but for crawfish country. ” Tickets for the 2026 Burning Crawfish Festival are $15 now via this presale link and will be $20 on the day of the festival. Show up, bring friends, and plan for a great day of music. There will also be a gigantic papier-mâché crawfish lit in the evening to bring it all together. The mascot of the Burning Crawfish Fest To learn more about the bands: Nest Facebook Slow the Knife Facebook Cheater Pipe Facebook Shivering Demons Facebook Sunrise:Sunset Facebook The Brown Stripes Facebook Totem Facebook Blood Show Facebook LA Phantoms Facebook Tickets can be purchased here: Burning Crawfish Fest 2026 | Event Details | Passage - Your event. Your fans. Your mobile box office. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com mixedalternativemag@gmail.com Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

Insightful, brilliant, and talented < Back Alfred Banks: A Blessing from the Crescent City Nicole Brice May 22, 2023 Share Insightful, brilliant, and talented Growing up, I loved the hip-hop showcased on programs like Yo! MTV Raps . The music had heart and a meaningful message. However, over the years, hip-hop has seemingly evolved away from impactful rhymes and verses towards themes focused on excess, elaborate stage shows, and corporate endorsements. As a result, I stopped paying attention and shifted my musical tastes elsewhere—until one artist emerged who could rhyme about anything and everything, with verses that had both meaning and heart. Alfred Banks ' body of work is so diverse that it will leave you amazed. He can take a blank piece of paper and create a rhyme about it right on the spot. Banks is a hip-hop musician based out of New Orleans, La. , and his latest release, ' Blessing ,' is a nod to the city that raised him. In the song, he says, “It’s a blessing coming from the Crescent” and for Alfred Banks, indeed it is. The man reps New Orleans wherever he goes, and we are lucky to be able to enjoy his talent. Banks got his start in the industry under the moniker Lyriqs Da Lyraciss at age 17 and has shared the stage with Rakim , Lupe Fiasco , Wu-Tang Clan , Tyga , Desiigner , and Kendrick Lamar , among others. He has performed at New Orleans-based events Voodoo Fest and Jazz Fest , and he even visited Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, Germany. Did I mention one of his songs was used for a Volkswagen commercial and that numerous songs of his are licensed to shows and movies? His knack for rhyming, his charisma, and his insightful lyrics are what got him noticed in the biz and, as we like to say, the rest is history. He has been steadily churning out music ever since, with many new ones this year, but he does not limit himself to solo material—no. This man is involved in so many projects, we lost count after a while. We did ask him about all those wonderful endeavors, though, and you can read more about them in this interview. Currently, Alfred is focused on promoting his newest album Nectarine Peels , which is part of his collaboration with Albert Allenback of Tank and the Bangas in a group called Saxkixave . These two are like the odd couple of hip-hop and their infectious videos are beyond hilarious and showcase Bank’s personality in a whole new light. In fact, the duo goes together like peanut butter and jelly and truly do complement one another. Albert makes these killer beats and Alfred comes up with the wittiest rhymes to go with them. Released May 18, 2023 In addition to Saxkixave , Alfred is continuing to perform shows like crazy, showcasing his solo material. Check out this convo we had with him recently, then go check out his catalog of material. You will fall in love with him as much as we have. MaM : When I first discovered your music, the thing that drew me in was your use of words. You can pretty much make a rhyme about anything. When did you realize you had this gift with words to take it to the next level professionally? AB : I remember when I was in sixth or seventh grade, I used to freestyle a lot. I lived in Tallulah, Louisiana for, like, three years and I would freestyle a lot with some of the kids around there. I would gravitate towards anybody who rapped—actually, I’ll go back a little further. Fifth or sixth grade was when I started noticing that I liked remixing songs in my own way. Me and my man Nigel would make comedic remixes for them. We would take any song that was hot at the time, which was 2000/2001 , and remix them about food. I started noticing I could do that off the top of my head. … Junior high was when I started to write raps, which were kinda cool. I was more into that battle type of energy. My sophomore year of high school was when I truly started writing, though. … I really started freestyle battle rapping and I noticed I could think of things on the spot. My whole thing was coming from New Orleans , you have to know how to rib and I got ribbed a lot … picked on a lot and my way to fight back was to just rap. I would just head to toe and people would die laughing. That’s kind of how I got my name. I started uploading music to MySpace and stuff. It started getting a little bit of traction and I did some shows around town. I started battling first. … I just started noticing that if I looked at someone, I could make a rap about it to whatever degree. I fell off it for some years, though, and focused on my songwriting and touring. Around 2019 , I did a tour with my man Mega Ran and he did this thing where he would ask people to hold stuff up in the air and he would freestyle about it on the spot and I [thought that was amazing and wondered if I could do that]. I started doing it with Saxkixave and it goes over well and keeps my freestyle sharp. People kind of know me as a freestyle guy now, so it’s kind of cool, then you meet someone like Ray Wimley , who is a freestyle savant, and he went viral because he freestyled with Common a few years back for Essence Fest . We actually did a freestyle battle at a Pelican’s game and that was me in front of thousands of folks having to put my freestyle skills to the test and, respectfully, I was the victor in that situation. … I don’t really write a lot, not as much as I’d like, but freestyling just kind of works. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Well, as far as your lyrics for your songs, what inspires your lyrics? 'Blessing,' of course, is based upon your love for New Orleans, but I was listening to your music and you’re all over the place with content and what you talk about. None of your songs are the same. AB : I know sometimes it makes it hard to be marketable when you do a lot of different things, but I just have a lot of different interests and I’m not always in the same space. To some degree, I guess I need to find a vein, but for the most part, I’m all over the place and I love that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIbOpf3wVp8 'Blessing' performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2023 MaM : Where did Underdog Central come from? AB : That’s my life mantra I live by. Underdog Central is the place where the overlooked go to hone their skills to come back and become admired. It’s my label name, too, and my social media handle. I made it my social media handle ‘cause Alfred Banks was taken, but because it’s my label, I wanted that name to be first before anything. I want people to know what my brand is. When I first came out, I was a little rough around the edges, a little unrefined, so I had to go back into my proverbial batcave and fix things. I came back out, though, and now am who I am. I feel like the people who are extremely talented tend to get overlooked and are always having to fight from behind from a deficit and always must prove who they are no matter if they are the most talented one in the room or not. You can’t take anything for granted and you must treat every moment as if it’s your last, so that’s what Underdog Central is about. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Are you born and raised in New Orleans? AB : Uptown, yeah, uptown New Orleans. Uptown kid for sure. MaM : Your brand of hip-hop is the type that is missing these days. It has those classic undertones and that hint of nostalgia. Your lyrics with 'Blessing' are so insightful and that song truly resonates with me. AB : Yeah, that’s a style of record I have never done before. One thing I have been noticing lately is I am the most off-brand New Orleans person you will ever meet. [I’m] born and raised in this bad boy, but when you look at my everything … I don’t even look like I’m from New Orleans. I don’t act like I’m from New Orleans…like some things I don’t even relate to, but I am definitely from here, but I never made a song I felt could resonate here. All the music I make is more for everyone. I also made it from the angle of where if someone from Detroit heard it, they could be like, ‘I feel this way about my city.’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KbtuRVxlQ4 'Blessing' on YouTube MaM : What struggles or roadblocks did you encounter when you first tried to break into the industry? AB : Just making hip-hop in New Orleans. There was a big scene from 2007-2015 where it was a community and there were shows happening and people would come out to the shows and we all tried to support each other and spread the word about each other’s stuff, then after that, there was a shift in the music. I can say to a degree that I’ve stayed contemporary with my style. It doesn’t sound like it’s from 1989 or anything, but the more lyric heavy and conceptual idea-driven music doesn’t have as big of a platform here as other stuff. The people in the scene here, though, started to get older and started [coming out less]. That and the fact that New Orleans is not a hip-hop city, and so it doesn’t matter how talented you are. It’s been like, ‘Where’s your bounce song?’ or ‘You got a dude playing trombone on it?’. It’s funny now, though, the response I’ve gotten for the song ' Blessing ' … thirteen years into my career, you would have thought it was the first song I ever made because everyone is like ‘Finally, you got a record we like.’ I’ve got albums that have charted across the U.S., but that record is doing pretty good in New Orleans, specifically. Pick your battles. My biggest thing was just trying to do my brand and my style of hip-hop and bust open these doors that are solely reserved for people who do Zydeco or brass band music—stuff people consider New Orleans but, to a fault, it’s so New Orleans that no one wants to hear anything else. But I always thought it was weird that these big platforms—these big festivals here—only portray a certain style of New Orleans; where’s the hip-hop? That’s always been the main issue with me. I want to be the guy that can go into a room filled with musicians who do not do hip-hop to any degree but do my thing and it resonate or translates with them. I’ve kind of become that guy, though. I’m the guy in a room full of brass bands and zydeco bands who is the hip-hop representation, which is a gift and a curse because I never get to perform for my people. I always get to perform for people who are being exposed to what I do for the first time, so it kind of creates this very uncomfortable energy, which can be a bit weird at times. I’m a part of this group called Glbl Wrmng and we’re doing this Wednesday at the Square thing, which I don’t know the last time they had a hip-hop group perform there, but … I have this never say die, blind optimistic view of life, though, so I just keep going for some strange reason. credit: Gary Governale MaM : No, but that’s a good thing! You’re not admitting defeat at all. You’re just like, “I don’t care what you’re gonna throw at me. I’m just gonna keep doing my thing until it resonates,” ya know? AB : …and the funny thing is it hasn’t stopped me. I’ve been able to tour all over the world. I guess it’s not that big of a deal, but for me it is. I’m doing it less about me and more about the next. I’m a young guy, but I’ve been out for a while, and so I just want to look out for the next guys coming up that feel like me because everybody is a street rapper, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I come from the hood, but I don’t see it from that angle. I was in a house and my mom kept me in the crib, and not everyone is from that cloth. There are people, though, that take those experiences and turn them into something else. Not what you would expect. I just try my best to be that alternative for people who love hip-hop, care about bars, care about lyricism and concepts, good beats, melodies, etc. MaM : … and you bring it all. You’ve got the whole package with it. AB : I appreciate that. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Glbl Wrmng — tell me more about this. AB : Word, so Glbl Wrmng is a collective about 35 people in the city from engineers to producers to singers to rappers, graphic artists, etc., and we just all [come together] … so Glbl Wrmng is like, ‘Nope! We can!’ So that’s what we’ve done and as a collective. We’ve performed at Buku Fest , we’ve opened for Tyler the Creator , and we’ve played Jazz Fest . We’re going to be playing Wednesday at the Square , and so we’re using this as a platform to get some of the guys in the group exposure with their first big stages to give them that experience and to be around people like Pell or Train or me to help usher in those guys to just make great music. I love being a part of Glbl Wrmng. It’s very interactive. It’s teaching me how to support people from a very active standpoint, and I truly mean it when I do it and vice versa. It’s allowing me to also get involved with other people’s careers to some degree, which is fire. MaM : Well, it’s a collective grouping of like-minded individuals all supporting each together, which is awesome. AB : Yeah. Glbl Wrmng put out an album during the pandemic and I’m on it. Saxkixave is on it. It’s called ‘ Glbl Wrmng Vol. 1 ’ and it’s a dope record. We’re working on Vol. 2 right now, but at the end of the day the one thing I have learned is that collaboration is very important, especially for me the past three years. Working with Soul Rebels , working with Brassaholics , working with Flow Tribe , working with Glbl Wrmng , working with Tank and the Bangas , and all these different people has been helping me elevate my platform and get in spaces where I probably wouldn’t be normally. I’m very grateful for that. Just working to get that buzz to where it needs to be and it’s been a trial at times, but I want to just keep rapping and keep working and the inevitable will happen at some point. credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, 2023 you’re gonna just do a lot of touring or are you working on any other new solo music? AB : … Instead of putting out new stuff to the same folks, I already have music that resonates, so from there I think I’m going to use videos and promos as a ploy to get people to check out the catalog I have and then go from there. I have a lot of music that hasn’t been unearthed just yet. I have a project called Mere-Exposure Effect , which I feel is one of my best projects writing-wise. It shows I could do radio records if I really wanted to. Mere-exposure effect is an idea that if you recognize it, you’ll like it, so the whole project sounds like radio records. If it sounds like something you already know, then you’ll like it by default. I have a project called ‘ Road to a Rolex ’—some of my hardest hitting beats. I’m rapping about getting money the entire project but from a couple different aspects. I have a project titled ‘ One Guy Standing by Himself. ’ That project debuted at number three on iTunes . It was one of my most successful projects to date. That’s a project I wrote to get myself out of the mind state of COVID . I wrote that project in like a week and it’s more introspective and a little lighter-hearted. I [also] have a project called The Beautiful and that’s my magnum opus and is my biggest project to date. That project is about my brother and his struggle with schizophrenia and his ultimate suicide. The day of his funeral, I had to leave in the middle of his service because I had a show to play that night, and so I wrote an album about the car ride from the funeral to the show, so in that album, I develop schizophrenia too; so, I sort of battle it throughout the album. That’s my biggest project to date and a lot of people don’t even know it exists. I’ve also got The Range 1 and 2 . I do a song with Wheatus and a bunch of people. It’s like five different genres in one project. credit: Gary Governale MaM : I am just blown away with all the projects you have. How do you even sleep? AB : Well, for me, I did go through a time where I was putting out a lot of music and it does seem like a lot, but it really isn’t. I’ve got songs that if someone goes back in like 15 years to discover them, they’ll be like, ‘That shit was fire!’. A catalog full of those records. Some may consider me a conscious rapper and I’m not conscious in the vein of social or political issues, but I rap about things from my point of view. MaM : Well, just life. I’ve listened to all your music, and you are all over the place. No song is alike. You have so many different styles and facets to your personality and what you do. You can go from a silly track to something super serious. AB : For sure. MaM : … which I feel is so endearing and is going to continue to resonate with people—even those who are just now discovering you for the first time. AB : Honestly man, that’s just how my brain works, cause we’re human. We all go all over place. There are some days where you are very happy and so you want to listen to a happy song and then there are days where you are not happy and you don’t want to even hear music, but if you do, you want to hear some sad stuff that is introspective. Some days you want to hear something lyrical. Some days you will want to hear something conceptually driven, but that’s just how I feel. Sometimes I don’t want to write a rap record, I want to write a dance record. I want to do some EDM . I want to do like a hyper-pop record. There are some days I want to do some industrial shit. credit: Gary Governale MaM : That’s what I’m talking about. That’s my kind of music. AB : Some days I wake up, I want to go work with Albert and do some jazz or acid hip-hop or some days I just want to rap my ass off to show people how good I am. That’s just where I’m at and the path I’m on and people seem to like it. MaM : I think it’s a great path and, in fact, I don’t think you should change a thing with what you are doing. I think it shows diversity and it does not keep you in a certain type of music or anything. You are unique and different and have your own brand that is going to resonate because it is so unique and different. AB : Thank you. I’ll tell you this with all the things that have gone against me, all I’ve ever had [were] my skills and [they have] gotten me further than anything else I’ve ever done. I think that is what is going to keep me busy and keep my lights on. I just care about music, and I care about being good. I do come from the competitive aspect where if you put me on stage with other rappers, I’m going to try and outperform. I want to be the best in every room I’m in and I don’t know too many who still care about that. credit: Gary Governale MaM : You are nothing but heart. AB : Thank you. I want people to go, ‘I want to be invested in his brand of great because that boy is good.’ At the end of the day, though, I’m an entertainer, so it’s not about me. It’s about you, the audience, and I like to keep those things in mind. MaM : What are your plans for the rest of 2023? I know we’re halfway in, but where do you see the rest of the year headed for you? AB : It’s weird, I’m at this weird transitional part of my career where the business infrastructure that has been supporting me is not there because we decided to do our own thing and go our separate ways, but I’m back solo. I’ve been adjusting to that. We do have some other things down the line, though. Pre-COVID, I was doing close to 100 shows a year and in June, I’m going to Ohio. I’ll do three shows out there, then I’m going to Colorado in July. Just trying to get back to the West Coast. To experience all that is Alfred Banks, hit one of the links below. You won’t regret it. Alfred Banks (@underdogcentral) • Instagram photos and videos Alfred Banks | Facebook Alfred Banks | Spotify ‎Alfred Banks on Apple Music Saxkixave | Facebook SaxKixAve (@saxkixave) • Instagram photos and videos @SaxKixAve | Linktree *Cover photo 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 Nicole Brice loves good music and loves discovering new music she has not heard yet. Do you have something you’d like her to hear? Hit her up at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Kyle Pfeiffer is a visionary creating a culture of acceptance for future generations of fans. < Back Blacklite District: Building a Digital Era Legacy Nicole Brice Sep 2, 2024 Share Kyle Pfeiffer is a visionary creating a culture of acceptance for future generations of fans. From the depths of personal tragedy to the triumphs of renewal, Blacklite District , aka Kyle Pfeiffer, is on a path to becoming the Trent Reznor of his generation with his one-man approach to making music. Since the early 2010s, Kyle has crafted a well-known brand with a loyal fanbase on social media and YouTube because of his impactful music videos referencing gaming culture, mainly Minecraft . Most known for the songs ‘ Cold as Ice ,’ ‘ Living in a Nightmare ,’ and ‘ Goodbye ,’ Blacklite District has had four Billboard Top 40 hits and is currently averaging over 242k monthly listeners on Spotify and over 65 million views on YouTube and has been granted a Grammy nomination in 2025 for Best Alternative Performance . For those who have never listened to Blacklite District’s music, it is a bit of hip-hop mixed with alt-rock and a little pop at times. It has a little something for every taste but remains dark and heavy at its core, just as Kyle Pfeiffer always intended. A visionary creating a culture of acceptance for future generations of fans , Kyle hopes his music will continue to be the soundtrack for kids who need uplifting positivity to feel like they matter and belong. Devoted to making his shows accessible for all, Pfeiffer has become known for offering earlier start times, and because of this, entire families sometimes travel many hours to catch a live performance. Set to embark on a new tour this fall, dubbed The Red Carpet Tour , in support of his latest album titled ‘ You Can Do Better ,’ we were able to catch up with Kyle Pfeiffer of Blacklite District recently as he gets ready to hit the road. Read on to learn more about this musical creative and the legacy he is creating. Kyle Pfeiffer of Blacklite District MaM : You have an impressive career, and I want to discuss your legacy so far. I read that you started in 2002. Is that correct? KP : 2011-12 was when I started getting attention, but 2002 or so was when I started jamming in my garage with friends. I was only 12 years old. I even started a band in 5th grade, too. All these years later, and here we are. MaM : So, what was the official year Blacklite District formed as a “band”? Take us through a bit of band history. KP : There’s been so much stuff over the years. It’s just been my project since the first day. It’s my brainchild. MaM : Like Trent Reznor with Nine Inch Nails ? KP : Exactly. I’ve had different members over the years, but then there have been shows where it has just been me on stage. My guitarist is Justin Sundlin . He’s been with me for almost three years now. My bass player is a guy named Clinton Cunanan . He’s also on my management team. Been working with him for a long time. We’re having fun. MaM : That’s awesome. So, do you have a drummer right now? KP : In an official sense, we don’t have a permanent member who is the drummer, but Chance Jones from No Resolve comes out and plays often for us. Blacklite District MaM : The new album was just released on May 3rd. How’s that going so far? KP : I love it. I’m happy with it. If the fan base likes it, then I’m good. The response we have been getting has been incredible. We’re about to release the second animated video, which we do these Minecraft videos , and it should be in the next couple of weeks. The momentum is just considerable, and streaming has doubled this week alone since the announcement of the new video. I think something has occurred with me as an artist, though I’m 34 now – I’ve been doing this consistently for the past decade or so, but something about this last project makes me feel so complete that I’m in a different headspace. It’s cool, though. The thing I love about music is that the journey can take you through many places, emotionally and even physically. It’s cool to see the growth and to feel that evolution through all of this. MaM : Yeah, just the creative journey. I’ve had a similar journey, so I get it. I’ve read that you’ve shifted genres a bit here and there. Have you noticed any differences in how your music was perceived when doing that? KP : You know, not really. It’s hard to say. I never came out and said I was changing my style to pop. When COVID happened, and the year before that, there was a slight switch in styles, but it was that it just didn’t have as heavy of guitars and was more beat-driven, but the melodies and vibes of the songs have always been dark. Even if there isn’t a guitar in the music, I still find heaviness. In 2021, I went to rehab and got into this new era of life where I wanted to return to my rock roots by having a full live band. Having some minor success with rock radio and then seeing these younger kids start blowing up with hip-hop and stuff made me have, I guess, like an identity crisis, and then all this hardcore stuff started happening to me personally, so coming out the other end was almost like I didn’t care anymore about being the next big thing. I decided I just wanted to make music that I’ve always loved, which has been rock music. That’s kind of where I’m at now. MaM : I’ve read that Ozzy Osbourne has been one of your biggest musical influences. I’m a huge Black Sabbath and Ozzy fan, but tell us more about that. KP : I actually have the tattoo right here, and the song ‘ No More Tears ’ just did it for me. MaM : Yes! I love that song! Even today, the beginning of ‘ No More Tears ’ gets me so pumped. I crank it up in the car. Do you think that song was the key factor in pursuing the type of music you play, or were there other things? KP : I always go back to the period when my mom passed away because it wasn’t just the music in the song but the message of no more tears and trying to move on. It was what I needed as a ten-year-old kid to feel strong. The second I heard it, I was hooked and asked my uncle to play the song again after it finished. That song made me know that any music I played had to be rock and roll because of how the music made me feel strong as a small kid going through so much. That’s the beauty of music. MaM : What do you think it is about music that makes you feel so passionate? KP : I always try to think about this, and it’s hard, but as a young kid who was afraid and shy growing up, it was a way I could say the things I wanted about people without actually saying it directly to them. If I wasn’t around and people wanted to know things about me, it’s all in the music. MaM : How are you approaching writing new songs these days? KP : It can be many ways. Sometimes, I’ll hum a tune and put it in my voice notes to save it. The title of this new album, ‘ You Can Do Better ,’ is a simple melody that popped into my head. My guitar player came up with some chords, and then eight months later, we started working on it after stumbling upon the voice notes. The ones that stick with me months later are the ones we tend to work on. That’s a good sign to me that something is there. Or, sometimes, we’ll write a song in ten minutes, and it’ll be great. It just all depends. MaM : Tell us a little about The Red Carpet Tour you have this fall. I heard that you’re doing some unique things for the fans. KP : We are! My audience includes many young YouTube kids who come out as families to see our shows, for which I am so grateful. These kids are so passionate about my music. It’s crazy that they are also discovering my music in different ways, like YouTube, but we’re doing these shows differently for this tour. We’re starting the shows at 6 p.m. to get the families out there. We’re making it more intimate for the fans. We’re also booking smaller venues, so it’s perfect. The Red Carpet Tour kicks off September 6, 2024 in Des Moines, IA. MaM : That’s incredible! That’s your audience, and you’re embracing it. I love it. Do you have a favorite song to perform these days? KP : Well, I have so many, and the cliché saying is they’re like my kids, and I love all of them, but ‘ Cold as Ice ’ is one of my most famous songs, and we’re looking to have it certified platinum because it has well over the number of streams. I look at that song as one that has changed my career. Another song of mine, ‘ The Struggle ,’ is my second most popular song and resonates well with fans. They’re also fun to play. Video for Cold As Ice by Blacklite District MaM : You know how to connect with your audience, which is excellent. Tell us about your best and worst performance so far. (laughter) KP : I love that. Well, there have been some bad ones over the years. I'm not going to lie about that, but one time … this was back when I was in my early 20s; we would play in this town called Deadwood . On the night of the show, it looked like it wouldn’t be a good show because we didn’t sell that many tickets, but about twenty minutes before we were set to go on, my bass player and I decided it was a good idea to start chugging beers and smoking a little. We got messed up in a short amount of time. So, we went to go back in, and the venue ended up being packed, and we did not have the experience to play drunk, and it just turned into a shitshow. (laughter) In terms of the best, it’s been these smaller shows I’ve been doing because of the audience's passion. I spent so many years playing where I was the opener, and no one would come to see us, so now, when I see a line of kids out the door to see us play, it’s remarkable. It’s like a dream come true. That vibe is what I’m so grateful for. Video for The Struggle by Blacklite District MaM : Over the years, have you ever received a good piece of advice from a fellow musician that you’ve carried with you? KP : You know, that’s a great question, and over the years, I’ve tried to sponge up anything I could. On my first tour, I opened for Saving Abel , and I remember being in awe of being on tour with bands I had heard on the radio. I remember the singer of Art of Dying telling me they could be opening for me a year from now, and I just thought that was the coolest thing ever. They ingrained in me that you never know whom you will encounter on the way up and how the roles may be changed or reversed quickly. MaM : Any plans or aspirations for collaborations in the future? KP : I always wanted to collaborate with Ozzy , but he’s not doing his best. I also want to collaborate with Jelly Roll , but it hasn’t happened yet. I would love to do something with Post Malone , too. I love how Post Malone is doing this sort of country thing, and even Jelly Roll has shifted to that, too. It’s almost as if hip-hop culture is shifting to more of a country culture right now. MaM : Outlaw country in a way. KP : This shift could lead to more guitar-driven stuff. It could be great for the rock stuff in the future. MaM : I agree. Last question for you. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? KP : That’s a great question. I have a decade’s worth of music now and several hits that the fans love online, so I am just focused on growing with these tours and doubling and tripling the ticket sales. I would like to see in the next five years that I can keep the momentum going, continue expanding on the fanbase, and build that real core audience that connects with me and the music, just as I’ve always done. I hope you and I can talk five years from now and be on different levels, just doing our thing, because I genuinely believe that the vibe and work you put out there is how you get there. Insightful, charismatic, and driven with many years of success and many more to come, Blacklite District hits the road on September 6 in Des Moines, IA, and wraps its tour on November 2 in Atlanta, GA. Be sure to catch a date if it comes near you. In the meantime, check out the latest, ' You Can Do Better ,' on all streaming platforms. To learn more about Blacklite District: www.blacklitedistrict.net Blacklite District Home page of Blacklite District, a rock artist from Black Hills, SD. Official Blacklite District website! The story of Kyle Pfeiffer, new music, photos, bio, and more. 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

Joe Burns has an innate ability to make you laugh out loud in this non-stop ride of hilarity. < Back The Book Nook: We'll Try and Get That on For You Nicole Brice Mar 8, 2025 Share Joe Burns has an innate ability to make you laugh out loud in this non-stop ride of hilarity. I just finished reading a phenomenal book , so I felt inclined to share my thoughts with all of you so that you, too, can enjoy this honest and heartfelt narrative of the glory days of radio. We'll Try and Get That on For You is the latest from author Joe Burns. Burns has published books on web design and other creative endeavors in the past, but this is his first book of this nature, which I call an autobiographical comedy fiction satire masterpiece . No seriously. This book is a " Sandlot " narrative with " Anchorman " antics. I could see it being made into a hilarious screenplay. Click to buy Reading this book was personal because Joe Burns was one of the many phenomenal professors who taught me when I attended Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana . Some of my fondest memories of college include his classes. He taught me so much, and now, after reading this book, I realize why he was so knowledgeable. If you talk with Joe in person, he is just a shy, goofy, and loveable human who is too smart for his own good. Did you know that he once took the Mensa test? More about that can be found in our interview with him on our website. As I write about him, it's difficult for me to type just his name without the "Dr." attached to it. Behind the scenes shot from our photoshoot with Joe Burns back in 2023. Trying on his guitar. Notice I'm sporting the KSLU shirt. Forever proud to have worked there. We'll Try and Get That on For You is a story told through the eyes of the 'intern,' aka Joe Burns . With tales of morning show DJs running for governor, procuring votes with promises of Taco Tuesday becoming mandatory, to vivid details of characters, this book is a riot of entertainment. It's funny, it's entertaining, and it never lets up . Radio contests and shenanigans abound, even going as far as stealing the thunder from another local station promoting a concert by the Beach Boys . With his innate storytelling ability, Joe Burns brings these events to life with such detail that you find yourself laughing out loud. The book is filled with unexpected humor, from an electrocution to a death threat, and even getting told off by multiple clowns. Yes, clowns . Reading Joe’s retelling of the events of 9/11 unfolding while he helped facilitate local coverage on my former college radio station, 90.9 FM KSLU , now known as 90.9 The Lion , felt personal because I was a student at Southeastern at the time. I will never forget how I stayed home from classes that day because I was just exhausted. I love that the university utilized his radio experience and expertise on this day because if you’ve ever heard him speak, he truly does have a gift for radio. When Joe gets to the part of the book about his later career outside of the station that shaped him, he recounts the ending of radio with personality and the beginning of formulaic conformity in radio. It’s a bittersweet ending as he sums it all up and updates the later years of the cast of characters once they had moved on from the beloved Z-107. There are many other surprises, so I will not spoil them for you, but do yourself a favor and immerse yourself in this vivid and entertaining narrative. It’s fun. Buy here: We'll Try and Get That on for You: My Life in Personality Radio: Burns, Joe: 9798892110600: Amazon.com : Books *Photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Rockstar Echoes leaves us asking who the Rockstar is. < Back The Book Nook: Rockstar Echoes by Zach Taylor Bud Gambrell May 21, 2026 Share Rockstar Echoes leaves us asking who the Rockstar is. What are the odds that in a town as small as New Market, AL , two authors would live close to each other? To narrow that down a bit more, what are the odds that those two authors each wrote a book about music? I have no idea what the odds are, and my new friend Zach Taylor is much more of an author than I am. I just used that reference to get this article started. I first met Zach at the Rocket City Reading Festival , held at the Orion Amphitheater this spring. We were both set up as vendors, trying to convince people to buy our books. I’ll let you in on a little secret. He did way better than I did. Credit: Facebook Once we met, it seemed a friendship was bound to happen. The conversation was easy. During that conversation, we agreed to trade books. I traded him a copy of Side Tracks Music Hall , and Zach traded me a copy of his new book, Rockstar Echoes . Rockstar Echoes by Zach Taylor I had seen Zach’s book advertised on Instagram and had also seen a copy for sale at his uncle Jeff’s mercantile shop. Sidenote: If you are in the New Market area, be sure to stop by Moonpie John’s Mercantile . It is a great little shop that serves an amazing sandwich! Back to the book. I saw it one day while getting a bite to eat. The title grabbed my attention, so I looked into it further. I received my copy from Zach and began reading it within days. It caught my attention because I love a good story, whether it's a book, movie, or TV series. Rockstar Echoes by Zach Taylor As I finished the book, I felt I needed to sit down with Zach and dig a little deeper into Rockstar Echoes . I wanted to ask questions about some of the characters, his thoughts while writing, and his general writing preferences. It just so happened that I had a local photo shoot, and Zach asked if he could tag along. I said yes, of course—the more the merrier. After the shoot, Zach and I found a shady spot, and here is the conversation we had. Credit: Facebook MaM : Zach, thanks for joining me. Let’s talk a little bit about your book. When did you first start writing? Zach Taylor : Well, I started writing in second grade, probably. Since teachers needed a day off, they would tell us to write a story, think it'd be a page or two, and then I'd always end up with like 10 pages. MaM : Is that when you first realized you wanted to write? ZT : Yeah, I like the idea of expressing myself through words. But I didn't decide to become a published author until my youngest son did. Then the ideas in this book were so striking to me, especially given a lot of what's considered successful at the time, shows like The Bear and Daisy Jones & The Six . I felt like I had a story that would cross that bridge, too. MaM : What was your process when you wrote Rockstar Echoes ? ZT : Well, I had the original idea for it, and I just sat down and started writing. I didn't know who the characters were. I didn't know who they would be or how many characters there would be. I just had the idea of a plot, and I just kind of made it up as I went. Credit: Facebook MaM : What do you think makes a good story? ZT : It certainly is one that conveys an idea with a lot of subtlety that you don't even realize that the book is telling you something about society, about yourself, about the people around you. I think that's what makes a great book: it entertains you, and then at the end of it, you realize it was actually telling you something. MaM : What is your favorite part of the writing process, and what is your least favorite part? ZT : The least favorite part probably has to be the editing, even though I don't really do the editing because you're turning over your work to somebody else. And editing is just not about grammar and structure. An editor is also going to be paring down your work a ton. They're going to be cutting what they think is fluff. And it's very stressful because you may make a reference to something, to a song, or maybe there's an inflection of your character that they make a very certain choice of words. It's stressful because when you get that finished work back, your ideas are often cut. Rockstar Echoes by Zach Taylor MaM : Did getting published change your process of writing? ZT : It absolutely did. I think we live in a merit-based society when it comes to work, and one of the ideas that I had, wrongly, I'll add, is that if you author a good book and you throw it into the world, it's going to get picked up. It might be slow, but eventually it's going to become successful, and that's not right. One of the things that I learned very quickly was that you don't just author a book, publish it, and throw it into the world. There are six months of work where you're trying to get advanced readers, you get beta readers, alpha readers, so much stuff that leads to that success. That's one of them for sure. MaM : Do you make plans to sit down and write, or do you just sit down and write as a thought comes to you? ZT : I try to do a little bit of both. I typically don't work on Fridays, so especially during the winter, I sit at home and write. But I certainly do think that I have to be in a writing mood to be creative because if I ever feel like it's a chore and I've got to work through a scene, then obviously that scene probably is not that important. Credit: Facebook MaM : We're going to dive into the book itself a little bit now. What was the hardest scene in the book for you to write? ZT : I think it has to be the scene where The Painted Queens are playing at Harvard & Stone , and Rayne has a meltdown on stage. She's just written this song about an experience she had a couple of days ago. And just like I think with me and my writing style, her best work is when she's maybe emotionally moved. So, she writes this great song. She's really excited about sharing it with the world. But as she starts singing it, she has a mental breakdown. And it was really hard for me because what she was experiencing was not something I'd ever experienced in my life. I'm not a woman. I've never dealt with a lot of these troubles. I've never been poor. I've never faced eviction. And so, it was really hard for me to convey those ideas, knowing I couldn't align with them. And I wanted to make sure I got that right. MaM : Each chapter begins with that date and time stamp. That alone had to take a lot of planning. Tell me about the process that you came up with for that part. ZT : Well, so you asked about my structure. This is where structure helps, right? So, I sat down and wrote this book without even thinking about the dates. I did think about the passage of time between the scenes. So, it was really, really hard to go back in retrospect and start adding these dates because there were some dates that might not align, that might have been on a holiday or something like that. But one of the fun things about those dates is that, typically, all the dates I use align with cultural events, and some are personal to me. But that was really, really hard to invent structure when you’re writing with no structure. Credit: Facebook MaM : Are any of the characters in the book based on real people, like Lloyd Brannon, for example? ZT : Absolutely. Pretty much every character in this book is based on a musician, an artist, a personal friend of mine, or an acquaintance. You know, we kind of talked about Lloyd Brannon and Aberdeen in general. I'm a huge Incubus fan, and I respect him so much. The characters in this book are nothing like the guys in Incubus. They're really not. There's no connection between personalities. But there's a lot of connection between Lloyd Brannon and Brandon Boyd , the late singer of Incubus . And then the bandmates themselves all share names with some of my favorite bands. MaM : Aberdeen loses its lead singer, Lloyd Brannon, and then they bring in Klein and Eddie. Mike Kilmore, the guitarist, didn't welcome them in. What were your thoughts or motivation behind that? ZT : Well, mostly it's because I wanted to make Kilmore the prototypical rock star, right? So, this is a guitarist. And probably like a lot of these guys, they're not the most famous person in the band. It's always the lead singer, even though they're super important. So, he's used to being second-tier. So, he was the prototypical, ‘Hey, I'm the next man up. I'm going to be the artist.’ And so, when they bring in an outsider who robs him of what he thinks is an opportunity. But he's also motivated, as you're going to learn through Echoes and into Mirrors , that he had other monetary reasons why, not necessarily that he hated Kline and Eddie. He did not want to be successful. He didn't want this album to be successful. He wanted it to fail, but you have to read the book to find out why. Rockstar Echoes by Zach Taylor MaM : My next question is kind of leading into the next book. It would appear that Rayne Harlow and Klein have a budding romance. Where is that romance going, and what part of that does Chrys play in it? ZT : I'm not going to spoil it, but we finally kind of get to learn who Chrys is at the end of Echoes inside the epilogue. And yes, Rayne was created as a love interest because she's actually not based on anybody. She’s inspired by famous female artists, specifically punk artists. But I found it far more interesting to deny that romance between the two of them in Echoes and into Mirrors and even in the final show, because I just, I thought it was so much more complicated to have two people that clearly want each other but can't because of their separate situations. And that friction, it jumps off the page. I'm not saying it's lazy to create love interests and see them come to fruition. I think we all want the happy story at the end, right? We all want to see the two be happy and get together. And maybe they will, maybe they won't. You're going to have to read to find out. MaM : Burning question, especially for me, once I finished the book, who is the rock star? Lloyd, Klein, Eddie, Kilmore, Raine? Who's the rock star? ZT : That's a great question. And the answer is none of them and all of them, right? We chose this title because it was ambiguous. And I've kind of said this before, but a lot of people are going to say, "That's such a lazy answer.” You read a book about rock stars and call it rock stars. But for me, the idea was that after they get done with this book and Mirrors and all the books going forward, what you're going to learn is that none of them are rock stars, but all of them are rock stars. Rockstar Echoes by Zach Taylor MaM : I've heard you mention a playlist for the book. Where can we find that playlist? ZT : Spotify – both books have one. MaM : It seems that the manager, Paul White, and Aisha Holt have a history. Are we going to find out more about that history between the two of them in Mirrors? ZT : Yeah, so Aiesha Holt was probably the last character created in Rockstar Echoes . And that was because I wrote this book, but I didn't really understand the industry. I love live music, I love rock'n'roll, and I wanted to write a book about the inside of that. But I wrote all of Echoes literally, realized I didn’t have a publicist or an A&R person. She was brought in by Paul White to address Aberdeen's waning popularity. And of course, you know, Lloyd Brannon dies, but she left Washington, DC, where she was working with politicians and running their campaigns. She took this job to do that. And one of the things that people read this book and go, a band like that wouldn't have such a small team. Well, they would when they're struggling the way that Aberdeen is. They've run out of money. They don't have this big team. So instead of having more people do fewer jobs, they have Paul and Aiesha who can pretty much do everything. And they're a two-man team, and they work really well together. Rockstar Echoes by Zach Taylor MaM : You know what else you're missing? The book. You don't have a photographer in that book. I noticed that. (laughs) ZT : Well, we're going to solve that. MaM : What character surprised you the most, either in their actions or their personality, after you developed them? ZT : I actually think it was Aiesha Holt because I created her for a need. And later on, and especially in Mirrors , she kept growing. Her influence kept growing. And a lot of that's because I created this really strong African American woman who's super successful. But as I developed her and wrote, she surprised me by taking the reins, because that's what a person like her would do, right? And she's really driving things behind the scenes. MaM : How did you do your research for the scenes? For example, there are scenes in the Whisky Go Go. ZT : Some of those scenes came from watching movies like The Doors that famously were, you know, there at Whisky Go Go . They were a house band for a long time. I did a lot of just pulling up on Google and looking at pictures of how the bar was laid out. A big thing was just watching, and I think The Dirt . Motley Crue played there, and there's a scene where it's in Whisky Go Go. Harvard & Stone was one I couldn't find much information on. I couldn't see the bands playing or how the stage was set up. Credit: Bud Gambrell MaM : Now, I noticed in the book as I read, there's a lot of song lyrics, not full songs, but partial songs. Are you an aspiring songwriter? ZT : I think so. I actually wrote a lot of these songs to completion and used Suno AI to finish them. And it's not the perfect way to do it, but you can get close. There's only so much you can do with creating those songs with AI. I can give it a style. I can kind of give it timing. I can lead the horse to water, but I can't make it drink most of the time. I found that I can actually write pretty good songs, and that kind of came out early. Now, the irony is that the songs that appear in Echoes and then Mirrors are some of the first songs I wrote, and the more I wrote songs, the better they got to the point where I wish I had used some of my later songs. MaM : If you could sit down right now and have a drink with one of the characters from the book, who would it be and why? ZT : Well, Ava would be a great one because I'm a glutton for punishment. I like having good sparring contests. Good mental logic sparring contests with friends and family. My wife hates that about me. Not all my friends have the same political or cultural ideals, or anything like that. But she's someone who could have a great stand-up fight with me. But other than that, I think Markus is a great one because he has so little page time, especially in Echoes , and he has more going forward. And you start learning a little bit about him. And he was a DJ, right? And so, it's really easy to stereotype, oh, he's the African American male that did the DJ thing and some of the rap parts. Then, the more you learn about him, the more you learn that, as time went on, as Aberdeen came out of Nu Metal, he went back to school, learned how to produce, and became a PhD in a couple of different things. He's super educated, super nice, just very mellow. I think he'd be an awesome guy to sit down and just talk about music with. Credit: Facebook MaM: How do you hope that your work, like Rockstar Echoes and Mirrors, will impact your readers? ZT : One of the main reasons that I wanted to feature grunge in particular was that we've not seen a lot of grunge in pop culture, right? So, we have Daisy Jones and the Six , which kind of covers the 70s . We've seen a lot of that 70s and 80s , and we obviously live in the modern era, but nobody has used grunge except the artists themselves. Kim Thayil had just had a book come out. Mark Lanegan has his own book. Scott Weiland's got his own book, but those are memoirs, those are autobiographies. We've not seen any fiction that features grunge . And so, I want readers to either revisit it if they lived through the grunge era or, for new readers, discover it. What we're finding is that, believe it or not, our main market is women ages 18 to 25 because the Painted Queens' characters align with them. MaM : What is the best advice that you have been given as a writer? ZT : Not to rush things and to know that this game is 95% rejection. I sat down and wrote a book, and then went, "Okay, what's the next step?" I didn't understand that you need years to write a book successfully if you want to be serious about it and go back through it over and over and over. Then the cover design and the interior design. Then once that's done, you're not ready to publish yet. You still need six months to get that feedback from your beta readers, alpha readers, and advanced readers. And so, build in whatever time you think you need to write and publish a book, you need to double that or triple that. Credit: Facebook MaM : Can you share any news about your upcoming projects for your future books? ZT : Yeah, I'm really excited about Mirrors in particular because we get to really start delving into a lot of these characters. So, right now, Rockstar Echoes is 80% Kline, 20% Rayne, and really nothing for anybody else. That was just how I developed as a writer. And then in Mirrors , we start getting far more characters. We actually get some new characters going into Mirrors . In particular, there will be Mary and Olivia. Mary is Clara's editor, and Olivia is her roommate who works for the legendary KROQ . She's the secretary at LA's KROQ . So, we get to learn about these new characters and their backstories, and see them in action. I'm really excited about expanding a lot of these characters. MaM : How can our readers discover more about you and your works? ZT : Well, the best thing to do is to follow us on social media. We use Instagram more than anything. I also do Facebook . Zach Taylor Books for Instagram and TikTok , Zach Taylor Author on Facebook . I'm always pleased when people reach out to me to ask questions or talk about it. One thing I didn't dig into deeply is Zach’s day job. Not only is he a gifted writer, but Zach is also an engineer with NASA , and I will leave those questions to you. Go find Zach on social media and ask him about the latest Artemis II launch he was involved in. Now’s your chance to ask a NASA engineer about man’s trip back to the moon. You don’t get that opportunity every day. Zach and I are teaming up on more projects in the future, so stay tuned! Where to find Zach Taylor: Facebook Instagram zach taylor, author (@zachtaylorbooks) | TikTok Amazon: Amazon.com : Rockstar: Echoes: 9798999679710: Taylor, Zach: Books https://www.facebook.com/messages/t/zachtaylorbooks/ Check out this podcast with Zach: Rockstar: Echoes - Author-Ized Access With Zach Taylor - Midnight Chapters With Danni | Podcast on Spotify 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 Bud's new book: My Time In The Pit: By Bud Gambrell: Gambrell, Bud: 9798274523677: Amazon.com : Books www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com mixedalternativemag@gmail.com Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Extraordinary < Back Funny, Filthy, and Full of Superpowers Keeley Brooks Feb 17, 2023 Share Extraordinary In an age of urgency and digital content overload, sifting through available titles on different platforms searching for something new to watch can be super frustrating and time consuming. Lucky for you, I’m a bit of a content hooker and am here to kind of help narrow down some of those titles for you by bringing you some of my personal recommendations. This past weekend, while taking a breather from binge-watching MTV’s “Teen Wolf,” I decided to jump over to Hulu and see what’s up with one of their new shows, a comedy series called “Extraordinary.” And I’m glad I did, because I spent the next few hours bingeing season one, giggling, laughing out loud, and falling in love with everything about it. “Extraordinary” is British superhero comedy about a hopeful but desperate girl in her mid-20s adrift in a big ol' confusing world. She’s skating on thin ice at her retail gig, is sexually frustrated, and is anxious about the fact she doesn’t have much to show for her young-adult life thus far. Oh, and it takes place in a world where everyone gets a superpower on their 18th birthday. Some people can walk through walls (or over them). Other people can fly. Some people wear eye patches because their superpower is getting other people to tell the truth. Others have super-human strength or the ability to shapeshift or move through objects or teleport. There’s even a character known as “the jizz guy” simply because he holds the power to make any living being—even a cat—have an orgasm if he touches them at all, in any way. I’d really love to be able to gift you the scene of the cat having an orgasm because it’s hilarious, but I couldn’t find it online. I can tell you it’s in the beginning of episode two, though! So, everyone gets a superpower on their 18th birthday, except for our main character Jen; she’s been waiting for six years to find out what hers is. Her life and what that’s like for her is our main storyline, and it’s quite an entertaining one. Jen lives with her BFF Carrie and Carrie’s boyfriend, Kash. Carrie can channel dead people, and Kash can turn back time at least a few minutes, but he uses it to do shit like rewind time to make sure Jen doesn’t see him in a costume that says “SUPER COCK” on it. He also prefers to create a group of vigilantes over getting an actual job. Jen also has a cat named Jizzlord, who is actually a dude unable to figure out how to control when and where he takes on cat form. He’s been stuck in cat form for three years and as a result has forgotten a lot about human life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdtyxmTRABs The show has some pretty big laughs, some moments that are tender and sweet, and it offers up a unique take on the whole superpower thing. Having a superpower isn’t as big a deal in this world, and that sets up an entirely different vibe than most superhero content we’ve seen. The gag is that most people use their powers for dull, often selfish reasons. With an entirely English cast, “Extraordinary” is created by Emma Moran and season one has eight 30-40-minute episodes you can get lost in for a little while. Enjoy, my friends. *Quick side note: I also recommend getting into the “Teen Wolf” series. I have a thing for werewolves, and this one is really great, especially once you get past some of the young-adult stuff, and it boasts a great storyline, some pretty awesome werewolves that are cleverly designed, a good bit of blood and gore, and some super-cool fight scenes. The wolf fights are a-plenty! Plus, Dylan O’Brien of the “Mazerunner” movies is hysterical and absolutely perfect as Scott’s best friend Stiles. He’s a bit different from the Stiles most of us were introduced to in the 80s movie “Teen Wolf,” though. I haven’t seen him surfing on the top of any vans through the middle of town ... yet. Here, he's very smart and funny, especially with piecing things together and helping his cop dad solve different crimes. He’s very analytical. O’Brien also is reminiscent of the very funny Jim Carrey. Not only does he favor him in appearance, but he also favors Carrey in his ability to make people laugh. He adds a touch of levity to every single scene. You can find all six seasons streaming on Hulu and on Paramount Plus. Then, when you finish that, go watch the new "Teen Wolf" movie that released recently; it's streaming on Paramount Plus. You’re welcome. 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

Chill Fest 2024 unquestionably lives up to its name and is an incredible opportunity to hear local music and support the community’s young musicians. < Back Chill Fest 2024 Music and Arts Festival Bud Gambrell Jan 25, 2024 Share Chill Fest 2024 unquestionably lives up to its name and is an incredible opportunity to hear local music and support the community’s young musicians. The inaugural Huntsville Winter music and arts festival known as Chill Fest 2024 happened on Saturday, January 13, in downtown Huntsville, Alabama. Presented by The Quantaphonics in partnership with Huntsville Music Scene, Downtown Huntsville, and The Camp at MidCity, the festival’s sole purpose is to help area families access quality music education by raising funds for the Huntsville City Schools band programs. Chill Fest Music and Arts Festival unquestionably lived up to its name and was successful in establishing itself as an incredible opportunity to support the community's young musicians and enjoy some fantastic music. Chill Fest was originally scheduled for early December, but it was postponed due to the threat of severe weather. When I learned about it, I remember wondering what an outdoor music event in January would be like in North Alabama, even though it’s in the South. Generally, mid-January is quite chilly and is sometimes susceptible to Winter storms of ice and snow. Luckily, any snow and ice held off until after the festival. When I arrived at the event location, it was 42 degrees, and by the time I left, the temperature had plummeted to near freezing. Chill Fest occurred at The Camp at MidCity , and I must say I was thoroughly impressed with the amount of effort that went into organizing this event. Apart from a spacious performance stage, there was also an artist market, food trucks, and games to keep the children entertained. To add to the excitement, local brewery Straight to Ale canned a special "Chill Out" beer exclusively for the event. Music entertainment was, of course, the main attraction of the day. All music was performed by talented local artists, such as Mae C. Jemison and Columbia High School Bands. The local bands that took the stage included Rocket Harmony, Huntsville Drumline, Wade Brown, You Gene Write, Element XI, Them Damn Dogs, Dave Anderson, Trevor Lee featuring DJ PrimeTime256, and event organizers The Quantaphonics. One would expect an event titled Chill Fest to be, well, chill, and this event didn’t disappoint. Despite the cold weather, it was clear that the organizers succeeded in creating a family-friendly environment. However, it was more than that: There was a palpable sense of camaraderie and fellowship that pervaded the entire event. It felt like everyone there was in a great mood, and I felt like I either knew or would soon get to know everyone in attendance. For those of you who are in or around Huntsville, I highly recommend keeping an eye out for the announcement of Chill Fest 2025. Put on some gloves and thick socks, and head over to enjoy this fantastic event. It can't get any better than this. You get to spend time outdoors, listening to great music and bonding with fellow attendees. And the best part is that the event supports music for children, so you get to have fun while contributing to a good cause. “I couldn’t have asked for a better inaugural festival,” said event organizer and lead singer of The Quantaphonics Leon Jordan. “The community showed up and showed out! We learned a great deal throughout the process of hosting a music/arts festival, and we plan on continuing our efforts for years to come. Chill Fest is here to stay to aid not only our Huntsville youth in music but also the small business owners and artists of Alabama.” For further information on Huntsville’s Winter music and arts festival, visit www.quantaphonicsband.com CHILL FEST — Quantaphonics *All photos by Bud Gambrell with Dragonfly Imagery www.dragonflyaerialimagery.com Dragonfly Aerial Imagery Dragonfly Aerial Imagery is a locally owned and operated photography business in North Alabama. Call or email us today for an appointment. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

Miles Nxbxdy pushes the boundaries of hip-hop by challenging expectations and broadening horizons. < Back Miles Nxbxdy: Revolutionizing Hip-Hop Nicole Brice Nov 13, 2023 Share Miles Nxbxdy pushes the boundaries of hip-hop by challenging expectations and broadening horizons. In the bustling world of hip-hop where trends come and go, there are a few artists who stand out with their unique style and unwavering authenticity. One such artist with introspective lyrics set to unconventional beats is delivering the goods by experimenting with the textures most often found in post-punk and industrial music. His name is Miles Nxbxdy. Hailing from New Jersey, born and raised in the heart of the urban landscape, Miles Nxbxdy’s career began in 2017 but did not start to take off until 2018. After meeting producer Jason Freeze in Asbury Park in 2018 at a show, the two began to embark on a working partnership that is still going strong to this day. Credit: YouTube From an early age, Miles was exposed to a rich musical tapestry, incorporating everything from gritty sounds to modern and experimental vibes. Miles weaves narratives with detail and emotional depth and is proving he is unafraid to tackle controversial topics and explore society’s underbelly. Plain and simple, Nxbxdy is an artist unafraid to speak the truth. He’s raw, he’s edgy, he’s honest … and he explores the darkness with carefully orchestrated songs that explore the full depth of human emotions. If I had to describe his music, I would have to categorize it as Art Rap. It does not sound like anything I have ever heard, and it is truly challenging expectations and broadening the horizons of hip-hop by bringing such a fresh perspective to the game. Credit: Jeff Crespi I reached out to Miles recently so I could learn more about his songwriting, his background, and future projects. I was able to chat not only with Miles but also with his producer and partner-in-crime, Jason Freeze, where we discussed the music we love, the music we hate, and the state of the industry in general, as well as what makes up the music of Miles Nxbxdy. With numerous collabs under his belt since 2018, including the likes of Desperry, Gnarly Nonsense of OFFTOPKILLS, and Drew the Recluse & h e a l (Craig Xen & Rico Nasty), Nxbxdy has shown he is unafraid to explore new horizons and the dark and intrapersonal side of rap, and it is refreshing. Take a moment to learn a little more about this artist who is pushing boundaries, then be sure to check out his discography. MaM : I’ve been diving into all your music, and you have released quite a bit since 2017. Tell us a little more about your various projects and what initially led you to making music? MN : It was about 2018 when I started taking music seriously. I have always had a background in it since I play four instruments, but in 2017 I released ‘Don’t 4get to Smile … Bitch’ and then in 2018 I released my album, ‘Free Bird for the Free World’ and that led into ‘Beautiful Scumbags’. When COVID-19 happened, I had to take a pause, but 2018 was when I truly started. I’m sort of a late bloomer. Released September 13, 2019 MaM : Writing lyrics just to have them—did you ever think you would do anything with them? MN : No, not really. … I didn’t take it seriously. When I released ‘Free Bird for the Free World’ was when I started taking it seriously because I was approached after the release by a couple of noteworthy people who liked my music, and their response was positive. I didn’t think it was that good, but when that happened, I thought, ‘Oh! I have talent!’ (laughter) JF : Miles and I have this conversation a lot and I think music is more of a necessity for both of us. It would be harder to stop making music than it is to just make it. Even on days off, when I tell myself I’m going to chill, I end up making a beat. MaM : I think all creative types are like that. We must be constantly creating. Do you have any other hobbies or interests outside of music? MN : I have too many interests and hobbies. (laughter) MN : I’m into anime, manga, comics, and fashion. The cost of fashion is a little much, but I’m big into movies, too. I’ll watch a French film, a Japanese one, a Kai film … it all just depends. Released October 19, 2018 MaM : My husband likes anime, too. Musically, what are your favorite genres and who would you say has been your biggest influence musically? MN : Man, oh, that is a hard question. Right now, I’m really into 2000’s alt-rock. I like post-punk. I like jazz and classical, too. The only thing I’m not really into is opera and modern country. I’d say everything is worth a listen, though. MaM : So, how would you describe the type of music you make? You have such a unique sound. What is your creative process like? Do you write to the beat or do the lyrics come first? MN : We’ve been working a lot the last few years. We have two full albums being mixed right now. Since ‘Beautiful Scumbags’ and ‘Free Bird [for the Free World]’, the music has become more electronic. JF : It has developed more since ‘Beautiful Scumbags’ for sure, and we both have become better at the craft. MN : I generally tell people I make post-rap, though, because it has so many layers. You know when The Clash made ‘London Calling’? That album is considered punk, but some consider it post-punk because of all the elements to it. My music now has so many elements from other forms and styles that I don’t want to call it rap or punk rap or experimental rap because it’s more specific than experimental rap but not as noisy as industrial rap. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : I’ll agree with post-rap. I think that’s an accurate way to describe it. With most rap, you can always find a tinge of influence to categorize it, but with you, I just can’t. MN : That was the goal. In 2017, I went into a deep music hole where I got big into Joy Division, Maggot Brain, Janis Joplin, Jane Doe … an amalgamation of all these eclectic artists, but I didn’t want to make their music. I wanted to take elements from all of that. Because my music is so unique, it makes it difficult to push it. JF : Miles will come in with an idea and it always ends up somewhere else. The beat usually comes first, but sometimes he’ll come in with lyric ideas as a starting point. MN : The rule we follow is, ‘Don’t overthink it.’ If we overthink it, it becomes not good every time. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : I can agree with that. Do you have plans to collaborate with any specific artists in the future, and if so, who? MN : It’s funny that you ask that. Right now, I’m working on two albums with these artists I am friends with. One is named Braciola and the other is named Gnarly Nonsense. They are both going to be on the upcoming albums. As far as famous artists are concerned, I would love to work with Big K.R.I.T. and Trent Reznor. Trent and Death Grips are the dream. They are both active still, so we’ll see what happens. MaM : Never say never! It could happen! I could see you guys opening for Nine Inch Nails. Let’s manifest that. (laughter) MN : That would be sick. I would also like to work with Tyler, the Creator. Most of the mainstream artists I have no interest in working with. MaM : What is one message you would like to convey with your music? MN : It’s okay to feel. A lot of my music is very emotional and dark. I scream for those who can’t. The whole idea behind Miles Nxbxdy is a play on a John Doe as anybody. I’m Miles Nxbxdy, so in that way, I’m a nobody, but I’ll be that somebody for you. My newer music that isn’t out yet is a long letter to my adolescent self and my childhood self. This is the music we could have used to work through emotions that we didn’t understand [growing up]. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : So, when can we expect the new music to drop? MN : That’s a good question. Everything you’ve heard so far is good, but it’s more of a 4 [on a scale of 1-10] and this new stuff is more like a 9. We found someone in Brooklyn to mix it all and Jason found someone to master it. The final vocal mixing was recently, and honestly, we’ve been sitting on this material for some time. JF : We’re aiming to have the music done by the end of the year, but then we must start the process of how it is going to be released. MN : Maybe mid to late January? I’m not sure. 2024 definitely. JF : We don’t want to just put it out there and have nothing happen. We want to find the best way to distribute it. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : What does the future hold, you think? Where do you see yourself in the next five years? MN : I’m gonna be big in Japan collecting all the Manga. (laughter) MN : I legitimately believe we’re going to be big in Europe. The landscape of music is very different. I feel they have a different appreciation for music than Americans. It’s more celebrated there and here it’s more monetized. I truly feel Europe will embrace what we are doing first. With a discography spanning from 2017-2021, including numerous releases and with two more currently on the way, Miles Nxbxdy is undoubtedly an artist worth watching in the contemporary hip-hop scene. With his unparalleled authenticity, he continues to push the boundaries of the genre and undoubtedly will inspire other artists to embrace their true selves and use music as a catalyst for change. To experience Miles Nxbxdy, hit one of the links below and be sure to give him a follow on social media. Soundcloud : Stream M I L E S NxBxDY music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud Apple Music : ‎Miles Nxbxdy - Apple Music Instagram : Miles Nxbxdy (@miles_nxbxdy) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify : Miles Nxbxdy | Spotify Amazon Music : Miles Nxbxdy on Amazon Music YouTube : Miles Nxbxdy - YouTube *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 Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link