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A Soundtrack for Navigating Hell < Back When Metal and Rock Collide: 4 Mag Nitrous Nicole Brice Mar 21, 2023 Share A Soundtrack for Navigating Hell Louisiana metal has a distinctive presence in the South—one which is loud, savage, heavy, and full of sludge. Better than a morning cup of coffee, the music of 4Mag Nitrous not only hits you with a distinct sound that knocks you on your ass, but their stage presence is larger than life, too. If you need a soundtrack for navigating the hell that is Baton Rouge traffic, the music of 4Mag is it. Their latest offering, “Electric Conception,” was released in 2021 and is THE perfect music for cruising the road at a snail’s pace in and around the city, and on into outlying areas down I-10 and I-12. You must listen to it on full blast, though, with the windows down. I insist. Pioneers in defining a sound and scene beginning all the way in the 90s with other projects that each member was involved in, such as Leak, Blower Mower, Slaves of Freedom, Mutehound, and Routine Fiend, the men of 4Mag Nitrous have been a constant fixture on the southern metal scene in one way or another and are establishing themselves as the OGs of untamed southern metal. credit: Gary Governale Aggressive, loud-crunching guitars, brutally heavy riffs, and striking melodic vocals round out this band, and if Pantera, Slayer, and Motorhead had a band baby, it would be 4Mag Nitrous. Formed in January 2000, the band was on a mission to play the truest form of southern metal, and they have succeeded. Nitrous has gained much recognition by extensive playing and are currently played on 175 radio stations and heard worldwide via XM/Sirius satellite radio. These guys have solidified their place amongst the metal elite, and it’s time for the rest of the world to take notice. credit: Gary Governale 4Mag Nitrous's music has also been featured on the Discovery Channel's series Monster Garage , along with the compilation CD and DVD for both seasons. They have also licensed songs for the A&E series Dog the Bounty Hunter , and in 2010 signed on with Lionsgate Films to license music in six upcoming films. Having performed on nationally syndicated music television shows like Louisiana Jukebox and SXSW Music Showcase , these guys continue to make an imprint all over the southern region of the U.S. In 2005, 4Mag Nitrous charted at #17 on the CMJ charts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zl9XzJoCsQ The band is comprised of Joel Cangiolosi (vocals, guitar), Ben Michon (guitar), Josh Klipstein (drums), and Kib (bass). credit: Gary Governale We recently caught up with the guys to ask them a few questions about the upcoming album they are recording, amongst other things we were just dying to know more about. So, grab a Snickers and kick back as we introduce you to a little bit more about what makes these guys tick; afterwards, go download their entire catalogue. I promise, you will thank me. MaM : I know you guys are currently writing and recording new material. What is the direction of the new album, and what music are you currently listening to that is influencing the writing and creative process? Kib : We write what we have fun playing and music we like to hear that we’re NOT hearing. There’s some of our songs we all agree are more fun to play, so, of course, the new stuff naturally follows that direction. We tend to like to play heads down & haulin’ ass! We like our songs and shows to have a lot of energy and to have music that, when you’re driving, you subconsciously push that gas pedal all the way to the floor! I would never want anything to be heavy just for the sake of being heavy. It needs to have feeling. Joel : I’ve been currently listening to a death pop duo called VOWWS, Monster Magnet, and Ice Cube. All over the place, I know. (laughs) I try to stay away from the same genre of music that we play while in the writing process. Ben : Lately I’ve been listening to Eminem’s last two albums quite a bit, as well as ‘Sometimes’ by City and Color, ‘Still Standing’ by Goodie Mob, and ‘Déjà Vu’ by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young. The new songs we are writing have more of a thrash element to them than our last effort, in my opinion. Klip : As far as I know, the new album's direction is faster and more aggressive. I actively am trying not to listen to too much music while we write this one, although it seems to be more old-school thrash when I do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwfWWRIeNEk MaM : Joel, give us a brief background history on past music endeavors. You have always been a fixture on the local music scene for as long as I can remember, and I’m getting old, so that has been a long time. Also, who are your vocal influences? Your vocals are insanely melodic for being metal. Joel : My musical journey started with a band called Big Daddy while I was in high school. Then in college, I had an original band called Sement. Then I moved on to a cover band called Bone China. Then we formed 4Mag and I played until 2004 when I moved out of state. Next was Lagerhead, Blower Motor, and finally back in 4Mag in 2017. It’s interesting that you asked me about my vocal influences. I was really hoping to just play rhythm guitar, but Kib talked me into getting on the microphone. I’ve always just thought of myself as just a guitar player, so honestly, there’s not just one singer that I have been influenced by. But don’t get me wrong—there are plenty that I enjoy hearing. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Ben, you, too, have been on the scene for a very long time. Give us a brief background history on past music endeavors. Also, your guitar tone is insane! Who are your guitar influences? What equipment do you currently use, and what is your favorite type or types of guitars to use and why? Ben : I started playing guitar when I was a freshman in high school at 13 or 14, I think. My grandmother bought me a $50 acoustic she found in the classified ads because I had been wanting a guitar. I have had quite a few music endeavors over the years, probably too many to list briefly. The most notable, I guess, would be Slaves of Freedom, Mute Hound, Big Frank, Routine Fiend, Glitchell, and Chemical City Rebels. I am still currently in Big Frank and Chemical City Rebels. credit: Gary Governale My guitar influences include Kirk Windstein, Scott Gorham, Brian Robertson, David Gilmore, Warren Haynes, Jerry Cantrell, Matt Pike, Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher, John Baizley, Pete Adams, Chris Wollard, and Chuck Ragan, to name a few. I currently play primarily on a Bogner Uberschall amplifier through an Orange 4x12 cab loaded with Celestion vintage 30 speakers. I run several different effects, primarily a Crybaby 535Q, Earthquaker Avalance Run, Electro Harmonix Micro Pog, and a Boss RC-1 looper. I really don’t have a favorite type of guitar. Now that I think about it, though, I guess Gibson guitars would be my favorite, because all the guitars that I own are either Gibson’s or shaped like guitars Gibson offers. My favorite one is an early 70's Yamaha SA-50 that’s shaped like a Gibson ES335 that I bought at a pawn shop for $200 years ago. credit: Gary Governale MaM : How did the 4Mag sound come about initially? When did you realize, “This is it,” this is OUR sound? Details. Kib : The main thing we go for as far as our sound is thick tones with a bottom end that growls. Each of us like so many different styles of music. When we write, each of us [is] sprinkling their own style into the pot and mix[ing] it all up. But the most important part of it is letting the song dictate the direction. We’ll try different versions of parts when we get to it, but most of the time, the parts will write themselves. You have to stand back, see how the parts are speaking to each other, and not just force something because you like it (because you wrote it). We know when something is good because we seem to all react to it with excitement at the same time. And when all four of us are smiling after we come up with something, we know it’s a keeper! credit: Gary Governale Joel : Well, our sound is still evolving. Now that we have Josh and Ben in the band, it has opened our scope of musical exploration. Both guys are very familiar with writing, so we’ve been working on our sound now that we have all the key members in place. As far as our early quest for a sound, I remember Kib saying he wanted a rumbling type of sound mixed with big rigs, cool cars, my painting endeavors, and our way of life down here. We mixed a concoction of our own style. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Klip, we must know more about your mad drumming skills. Give us some more deets. Klip : I have always been a "metal" drummer in our neck of the woods in Ascension Parish. [I] started off playing percussion in [sixth] grade. By the time high school hit, I had started on a drum kit and played with some friends. I have played music with Joel for roughly 25 years and Ben roughly 20. Ben and I are currently in another band called Big Frank. I play drums and am one of three vocals for the outfit. Although we are on a hiatus for the moment, my third band is Wicked River Rising. My drumming influences range from Dave Lombardo to Dave Weckl. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Kib, you are a beast on the bass! Obviously, someone had to influence your playing style, so who would that be and why? Kib : I was put in piano lessons at [four years old] and until I was 12, I played bass instruments in band in middle school, but when I was 14, I got a bass and started a punk band the same week. I loved The Ramones, The Dead Milkmen, and early 80’s thrash. I never played guitar; it was always the bass. From playing piano, I immediately understood the job of the instrument and made playing with my fingers easier. For me, writing songs on bass helps with coming up with solid, catchy riffs. credit: Gary Governale MaM : Guys, name one band you would like to share the stage with but haven’t yet, and why. Ben : High on Fire because I think our style and theirs would work well together, and I love their music. Klip : I don't necessarily have one band I would like to share the stage with but would like to play a large festival. It has always been a bucket-list item. Joel : Currently, probably Gojira but my inner child would say Metallica or Pantera (original lineup). All these bands rip, and it would be a great opportunity for our band to jump on a tour with them. credit: Gary Governale MaM : With all you have going on, what are your future plans? Kib : Hoping for new opportunities to share the stage with bands we love and new friends as we keep chuggin’!! NEVER STOPPING!! Ben : Finish writing the new record, release it, and play as much and as far out as we can. Klip : I want to keep writing albums and playing them live. Joel : Keep writing and booking gigs. Concentrate on our music and not some hokey gimmick(s) that I see a lot of bands doing. Keep pounding on doors and knocking down walls! _ If you want some good ole southern metal that fuses rock and everything in between, you’re gonna want to check these guys out. Their discography is impressive as a mofo. Also, too, to learn more about this intense band with the untamed sound, be sure to check out their social media links and website. Discography: 4Mag (Self-Titled) – 2005 Monster Garage (Comp CD – Season 1) – 2004 Monster Garage (Comp CD – Season 2) – 2005 High-Road EP – 2019 Electric Conception – 2021 4MAG NITROUS | New Orleans LA | Facebook 4Mag Nitrous Official (@4magnitrous) • Instagram photos and videos 4Mag Nitrous - YouTube ‎4mag Nitrous on Apple Music 4Mag Nitrous | Spotify www.4magnitrous.com 4MAG NITROUS The Official 4MAG NITROUS website. Electric Conception | 4Mag Nitrous (bandcamp.com) *Cover photo courtesy of 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

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Looking for something to do? Look no further! southern happenings Apr 12, 2026 Let the Good Times Boil: Burning Crawfish Festival Returns This May Show up on May 30, 2026, in Henderson, Louisiana. Read More Aug 13, 2024 Southern Happenings: Rad Fest 2024 Louisiana's Radfest is back for its third installment in September. Read More Jun 7, 2024 Southern Happenings: Meet The Gosh Darn Dangs The Gosh Darn Dangs bring the Hammond community together with their soulful tunes. Read More Apr 24, 2024 Southern Happenings: Kriss Russ, JAYD3D!, and Coma Nights at the Howlin Wolf New Orleans, LA April 20, 2024 Read More Mar 29, 2024 Eclipse Fest: A Convergence of Creativity Eclipse Fest will take place on June 15, 2024, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Read More Jan 30, 2024 Eric Johanson: A Distinctive Blues Musician with an Intoxicating Sound NOLA blues musician Eric Johanson takes his distinctive, intoxicating sound on the road, kicking off his “Don’t Hold Back” tour in North Alabama. Read More Jan 25, 2024 Chill Fest 2024 Music and Arts Festival 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. Read More Oct 27, 2023 Originally Huntsville: Monthly Music Event Originally Huntsville celebrates live music by showcasing local North Alabama talent in a monthly music concert series with a benevolent cause. Read More Oct 24, 2023 Throttle Fest 2023: Southern Happenings Huntsville’s Throttle Fest 2023 is a small version of a music festival, but it’s more like a family reunion with live music. Read More Jul 11, 2023 RAD Fest: A Lafayette Festival for Those Who Rock Get ready to rock around Downtown Lafayette on August 19, 2023 Read More May 18, 2023 Festival of Litha Returns to Downtown Florence in June Coming together to celebrate the summer solstice Read More May 8, 2023 Asheville Keeps it Weird with the Return of ABSFest Leave your inhibitions at the door Read More Feb 25, 2023 Punk Music Festival to Benefit Local Non-Profits that Work with At-Risk Youth and Children of Child Abuse/Neglect P.A.C.A. Read More

Highlighting THE films for you to watch on the weekends! Feast Upon This Jul 22, 2024 Top 5 Movies That Rock There is always time to catch a classic movie. Read More Nov 13, 2023 Reasons to See Napoleon: Feast Upon This If you're on the fence about it, check out these top 5 reasons to see "Napoleon". Read More Oct 22, 2023 20+ Halloween Films to Watch This Season: Feast Upon This With Halloween 2023 right around the corner, Mixed Alternative got together to recommend some of our favorite Halloween movies! Read More Oct 18, 2023 28 Days Later: Feast Upon This 28 Days Later is one of the best zombie movies ever made, having popularized the fast zombie craze of modern-day cinema and terrified moviegoers around the world with its horrific scenario. Read More Oct 13, 2023 Strays: Feast Upon This Strays is a sweet, hysterical, raunchy comedy featuring potty-mouthed dogs in one of the best animal movies ever made. Read More Sep 28, 2023 Clay Pigeons: Feast Upon This Clay Pigeons is a cult-classic dark comedy about small-town appearances, serial killers, and sexual betrayal that is just as funny as it is grim. Read More

A look at life through the lens of Louisiana-based photographer Rian Nickels. Rian's Den Jul 11, 2025 Awake and Alive: How Mod Sun Shifted My Outlook Just Look Up and Let Go Read More Jun 17, 2025 Her Riot Ignites Mid City: A Fierce Celebration of Women in Music Her Riot! proved that when you give women the stage, they tear down walls. Read More Apr 11, 2025 Rian's Den: From Vision to Reality The Journey of Making Dreams Come True Read More Mar 3, 2025 Death and Glory Tour: Palaye Royale & Johnnie Guilbert at The Joy Theater in New Orleans The Death and Glory Tour was a testament to music's power to unite us. Read More Oct 9, 2024 Rian's Den: A Night to Remember with Sleeping with Sirens Never give up on your dreams. Read More

A focus on musicians and artists from the Alabama area. Off the Charts Apr 30, 2025 Off the Charts: Brett Carlisle Brett Carlisle is an award-winning songwriter paving his way with family, faith, and a new record. Read More Apr 18, 2025 The Alabama Heathens: Southern Grit Meets Raw Rock Energy The Alabama Heathens are off the charts! Read More Apr 11, 2025 Off the Charts: Local Rock ‘n Roll Takes Over Mars Music Hall Presenting Rocket City Night of Rock ‘n Roll by Mike Slaten Productions Read More Apr 7, 2025 Unveiling The BIG Reveal: Alabama’s Rising Alternative Rock Band The BIG Reveal are Off the Charts Read More Mar 25, 2025 Off the Charts: Otis Walker Musical Gumbo Master Continues with Spring Forward Tour and a New Album Read More Oct 21, 2024 Off The Charts: How Today’s Youth Are Reviving Rock Music Huntsville’s International Musical Youth Movement Invades the Camp Read More Sep 10, 2024 Off the Charts: Keyton Keyton's music is delivering emotional songwriting with energetic delivery as he prepares to embark on a mini tour. Read More Aug 1, 2024 Off The Charts: Alabama Smoke Show Alabama Smoke Show proves that the future of music in Huntsville is bright! Read More Jul 11, 2024 Off the Charts: Brandon Elder Strumming Through Struggles to Stardom Read More May 22, 2024 Off the Charts: Jimmy Speed Jimmy Speed's music is a unique blend of fast, hard, and heavy rock. Read More May 13, 2024 Off the Charts: Jim Parker’s Songwriter Series The Jim Parker Songwriter Series is a monthly event at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Read More May 1, 2024 Off The Charts: Grits & Greens Grits & Greens are on a mission to spread their signature sound in support of their new album. Read More Mar 17, 2023 Off the Charts Coming Soon! Read More

Indie authors and writers you should check out NOW! The Book Nook Mar 12, 2025 Book Review: Playboys, Celebrities, and Me by Dianne Dorman It’s intriguing, it’s glamorous, and it’s full of nostalgia. Read More Mar 8, 2025 The Book Nook: We'll Try and Get That on For You Joe Burns has an innate ability to make you laugh out loud in this non-stop ride of hilarity. Read More Oct 25, 2024 Book Review: Brothers by Alex Van Halen Brothers is a Compelling Story about Rock Royalty Read More Mar 25, 2024 Everything’s Poetic: David Donihue The Enigma of Depression Through a Rose-colored Lens Read More Dec 13, 2023 Blood Machines: Book Review “Blood Machines is a highly creative vampire novel that subverts tropes and cliches, using the creatures to explore the concept of a surveillance state. Read More Nov 14, 2023 Lowdown Road: Book Review Scott Von Doviak's newest book Lowdown Road mixes hick cinema, blaxploitation, and 70's cinematic archetypes into one hell of a crime-thrilling story. Read More Sep 20, 2023 Sidetracks Music Hall by Bud Gambrell: Book Review Bud Gambrell has compiled a journey through music in “Sidetracks Music Hall”—a memoir rich with local history Read More Jan 9, 2023 Tyler Harrison An Undercover Talent on the Rise Read More Dec 5, 2022 Ezekiel Kincaid The Pastor of Horror Read More

This is THE space where we discuss the observations of something strange and unusual that we just watched with humor and personality. What the hell did I just watch? Jan 25, 2024 Masked Mutilator Masked Mutilator combines horror and wrestling, making for the ultimate B-movie experience. Read More Nov 28, 2023 Death Toilet: What the Hell Did I Just Watch? Death Toilet is a fun concept but is ultimately just a horrendous amalgamation of cheap cinematic techniques and really bad storytelling. Read More Sep 25, 2023 Dear God No!: What the Hell Did I Just Watch? Dear God No! nails it and takes us back to the days of true grindhouse and 70’s exploitation. Read More Aug 28, 2023 Nude Nuns with Big Guns: What the Hell Did I Just Watch? Nude Nuns with Big Guns accurately captures the grindhouse feel but is riddled with lazy filmmaking Read More Aug 14, 2023 What the Hell Did I Just Watch: Sharktopus vs Whalewolf Sharktopus vs Whalewolf has its moments but is ultimately a flop Read More Aug 2, 2023 What the Hell Did I Just Watch: Alien Shark An entertaining movie with poor effects and multiple random plots Read More Jul 26, 2023 What the Hell Did I Just Watch: The Howling: New Moon Rising A werewolf movie so bad, you have to see it to believe it Read More Jul 10, 2023 What the Hell Did I Just Watch: Nekrotronic Nekrotronic is a fantastic sci-fi/horror mashup that fans of B movies will love Read More Mar 17, 2023 What the Hell Did I Just Watch: The Suckling Review This B-horror movie is so bad, it's B-movie gold Read More

Your one stop for all the happenings in comedy! Comedic Relief Jan 28, 2025 Don’t Freak Out! It’s Just Jeff Vance, Everybody! How a local Louisiana comedian found his craft in laughter to help overcome anxiety. Read More Jun 8, 2023 Comedian Junior Cook: Uncensored, Unapologetic, and Gay, Gay, Gay A southern comic who isn't afraid to flaunt his pride on and off stage Read More Feb 15, 2023 Messing Up Quests and Putting Things to the Test Who is Fish? Read More Dec 12, 2022 Holmes Holmes They Deserve ALL the Damn Attention Read More

The Greatest of All Time - The GOAT - vets of the biz still rockin' it! The G.O.A.T. Nov 15, 2025 Finding the Song in Everyone: Conversations with Dash Rip Rock Exploring the stories and southern spirit that shaped Dash Rip Rock’s newest chapter. Read More Jul 10, 2025 Self-Made Genius: Tracing the Musical Legacy of Matt Mahaffey Matt Mahaffey is Just Being HimsElf Read More Apr 27, 2025 Acid Bath’s Triumphant Return: A Night 28 Years in the Making The Sludge Metal Legends Reunite for a Long-Awaited and Historic Performance. Read More Mar 28, 2025 Boiler Room’s Revival: A Resurgent Force in Metal Boiler Room are on a mission to make a significant impact in the world of metal. Read More Sep 2, 2024 Blacklite District: Building a Digital Era Legacy Kyle Pfeiffer is a visionary creating a culture of acceptance for future generations of fans. Read More May 15, 2023 Sick of It All: Pioneers of the Hardcore Punk Scene Still kicking ass and taking names Read More

Stuff you should be streaming on your nearest streaming service. Stream This Dec 6, 2023 December 2023: What to Stream New titles streaming in December boast Reacher Season 2, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Marvel’s What If … ? Read More Oct 3, 2023 New Titles Streaming in October October brings long-awaited titles Loki (Season 2) and The Fall of the House of Usher plus a Milli Vanilli documentary. Read More Sep 11, 2023 Streaming in September Here are some of the hottest titles streaming on your favorite platforms this month! Read More Aug 29, 2023 Historical Fiction and Fantasy Series to Binge During this content drought, get lost in these epic historical fiction and fantasy series! Read More Aug 1, 2023 Hottest Titles Streaming August 2023 New and returning content to keep you busy and out of the heat Read More Jul 4, 2023 What's On Netflix: July 2023 A list of Netflix original content to watch, stream, and binge in July Read More Jun 15, 2023 Cherry & The Crowded Room: Tom Holland in Two Roles You Must See Holland ditches his superhero cape for dark, gritty psychological dramas Read More Jun 12, 2023 The Righteous Gemstones Returns for Season 3 The absurdist megachurch comedy is back with more shenanigans Read More Jun 2, 2023 Select New Titles Streaming in June Let's get this party started Read More Apr 27, 2023 New Arrivals on Your Favorite Platforms What's streaming in May Read More Apr 26, 2023 Belles, Balls, and British Accents: Bridgerton Spinoff Arrives in May Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story Read More Apr 18, 2023 Hills, Hollers, and Hoodlums: Raylan Givens Returns in Justified Sequel City Primeval: High noon approaches Read More Mar 16, 2023 The Last Kingdom Finally Gets a Sequel Seven Kings Must Die Read More Mar 3, 2023 A Whole New Crop of Shows What's Hot and Streaming in March Read More Feb 17, 2023 Funny, Filthy, and Full of Superpowers Extraordinary Read More Feb 2, 2023 Binge with Your Box o' Chocolates New Titles Streaming in February Read More Jan 6, 2023 January Streams New Titles Dropping This Month Read More Nov 23, 2022 Holiday Binge Select Series to Check Out with Your Time Off Read More Nov 4, 2022 So Much to Watch, So Little Time Everything Streaming in November Read More Oct 27, 2022 What to Watch This Weekend (10.28.22) New Arrivals on Netflix, Hulu, Prime, AppleTV, and HBOMax Read More

Movies you just have to, oh my gosh, see. The Film Spot Mar 12, 2026 Film Review: Iron Lung Iron Lung is a unique watch that sucks you in. Read More Dec 11, 2023 Godzilla: Minus One: Film Review Godzilla: Minus One deftly balances social commentary with eye-popping monster action amid personal trauma, drama, and guilt. Read More Dec 8, 2023 Movies Streaming in December 2023 Newest movies to hit streaming platforms this month range from Killers of the Flower Moon to Rebel Moon – Part 1: A Child of Fire. Read More Nov 20, 2023 Blow Up My Life: Film Review Blow Up My Life is a cinematic unicorn in the thriller-comedy genre with undeniable humor and thrills with a capital T. Read More Oct 31, 2023 The Philosophy of John Kramer and the Saw Franchise, Part 4: Film Analysis Cutting straight into the bone of the Saw franchise, John Kramer confesses his own despair and exposes himself as a radical nihilist. Read More Oct 25, 2023 The Philosophy of John Kramer and the Saw Franchise, Part 3: Film Analysis Cutting deeper beneath the surface to explore how the "Saw" franchise's John Kramer (Jigsaw) fits into the paradigm of passive nihilism. Read More Oct 23, 2023 The Philosophy of John Kramer and the Saw Franchise, Part 2: Film Analysis Cutting beneath the surface to explore the Saw franchise's inconsistencies in John Kramer’s convoluted morality, his supposed purpose, and the theme of pawn sacrifice. Read More Oct 19, 2023 The Philosophy of John Kramer and the Saw Franchise, Part 1: Film Analysis The philosophy of the Saw franchise and its iconic serial killer mastermind John Kramer cuts deep beneath the surface into the realm of Nietzschean nihilism. Read More Oct 16, 2023 Unwelcome: Film Review Unwelcome is Gremlins meets Straw Dogs and is rooted in tradition and mythology, infusing a creature feature with searing psychological horror. Read More Oct 4, 2023 New Movies Streaming in October October ushers in the streaming premieres of Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, Strays, and Haunted Mansion Read More Aug 16, 2023 Asteroid City: Film Review Asteroid City is a fun science fiction story with dark and melancholic overtones Read More Aug 9, 2023 Sisu: Film Review Sisu is an enjoyable homage to Rambo but with much more badassery Read More Aug 7, 2023 Barbie: Film Review Barbie sees success with its all-star cast and its underlying message for women everywhere Read More Jul 27, 2023 Chilly Scenes of Winter: The Cult Classic Returns from Obscurity Finally getting the treatment it deserves in a gorgeous new edition from Criterion Collection Read More Jul 25, 2023 Film Review: Oppenheimer Oppenheimer shines as Christopher Nolan’s best, most hypnotic film to date Read More Jul 12, 2023 Film Review: The Flood A moderately entertaining creature feature with storms, flood waters, and hangry alligators Read More Jun 27, 2023 Review: Old Friends, A Dogumentary One documentary every dog lover should see Read More May 24, 2023 Adam Driver Fights Off Dinosaurs in All His Action-Hero, Gun-Slinging, Life-Saving Glory A look at the recent sci-fi flick "65" Read More Apr 25, 2023 Evil Dead Rise is Balls-to-the-Wall Blood, Guts, and Terror Buckle up for the most horrific installment of the Evil Dead universe Read More Apr 21, 2023 Infinity Pool Unnervingly Taps into Fear of Humanity and Poses Serious Question Would you commit a crime if you knew you could get off scot-free? Read More

Recaps of all your fave live events! Weekend Rock Apr 4, 2026 Pop Evil Delivers Old and New at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park on April 2 It was a set of perfectly balanced fresh material. Read More Feb 4, 2025 Weekend Rock: Smile Empty Soul at the Freetown Boom Boom Room in Lafayette, Louisiana It was a night of unfiltered rock music to remember. Read More Oct 16, 2024 Weekend Rock: The Used Ignites House of Blues with an Explosive Night of Nostalgia and New Energy A Night of Raw Emotion and Fan Favorites Read More Oct 8, 2024 Collision of Sound: Sleeping with Sirens, Teenage Joans, and Holding Absence Ignite the Stage with Powerful Performances It was a night of dynamic performances and captivating energy. Read More Sep 6, 2024 Weekend Rock: Open Up The PIT The PIT is Louisiana’s Bold New Stage for Live Music Read More May 10, 2024 Judas Priest: Probst Arena at Von Braun Center Judas Priest roll into Huntsville, AL with the Invincible Shield Tour. Read More Apr 30, 2024 Weekend Rock: Branded for Exile Branded for Exile ignited the night with their authentic sound at Cajun Daiquiris in St. Amant, Louisiana on April 26, 2024. Read More Jan 17, 2024 Saxkixave: Igniting the Stage with Electrifying Hip-Hop and Jazz Fusion Baton Rouge, Louisiana January 13, 2024 Read More

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.six-to-6.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. 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

< Back Nude Nuns with Big Guns: What the Hell Did I Just Watch? Ezekiel Kincaid Share Aug 28, 2023 Nude Nuns with Big Guns accurately captures the grindhouse feel but is riddled with lazy filmmaking Rating: 2.5 out of 5 naked nuns covered in cocaine You know, there is a reason we call this column “What the Hell Did I Just Watch?” … and that was exactly my sentiment after viewing this particular film suggested by a reader: Nude Nuns with Big Guns. Yes, I'm serious. The title alone makes you wonder what you are getting yourself into by watching the film, but what does Nude Nuns with Big Guns offer, and does it live up to its name? In short, the answers to those questions are excess and absolutely. Allow me to explain. Nude Nuns with Big Guns (2010) promotes itself as a post-grindhouse exploitation movie, and it is exactly that. The film has a Robert Rodriguez/Quentin Tarantino feel to it, complete with the over-the-top antics of one of Tarintino’s spaghetti-style westerns, and its plot is pretty basic for a revenge/exploitation movie: A mentally abused nun is taken captive, made a prostitute, and then left for dead. Finding new life, our vigilante nun receives a call from God to create a Holy War to take out all the nasty drug dealers and sinners—and good for her, because when I say the bad guys in this film are literally the scum of the earth, I truly mean it. You’ll have no qualms about seeing these dirtbags get what’s coming to them. Asun Ortega as Sister Sarah (credit: IMDb) Nude Nuns with Big Guns is directed by Joseph Guzman ( Run! Bitch Run!, Back Alley Butcher ) and has quite an interesting cast of characters. First, there is our vigilante nun, Sister Sarah, played by Asun Ortega ( Diamond Dawgs ). Second, there's our sleazy, heartless antagonist, Chavo (David Castro, of The Lincoln Lawyer ); I also have to mention Father Carlito (Perry D’Marco, of Interceptor Force ), who is one of the numerous corrupt clergy in the film. And last but not least, we have everyone’s favorite henchman, Kick-Stand (Xango Henry, of How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse ). Now, let’s talk about the film itself. I want to start off by saying, if you are offended by nudity then skip this film because there is a ton of it in there. Second, if you are triggered by rape, skip this film . And the henchman Kick-Stand? You know how some gangs have the dude who always roughs people up? That’s Kick-Stand. Except he doesn’t rough women up; he rapes them. And I’ll just let you put the pieces together as to why they call him Kick-Stand. Finally, if watching a movie that portrays clergy in a bad light gets to you, skip this movie . The priests and nuns in Nude Nuns with Big Guns are as corrupt as they come. In fact, the sex, nudity, and rape in Nude Nuns with Big Guns is so overdone, it gets old and boring fast. There was one point in the middle of the movie where I zoned out and started doing other things because every time I looked up, it was like, “Gee, nudity again. Gee, sex again. Oh look, another rape scene. What a shocker.” Worried I had missed something, I went back and rewatched the movie; lo and behold, guess what? Nope, I didn’t miss a damn thing important to the plotline. You might be sitting there thinking, “Well, Zeke, are there any good parts in Nude Nuns with Big Guns ”? And the answer is yes, there are: the first twenty minutes and the last twenty minutes—both of which I really enjoyed. There are a couple of good scenes scattered throughout the middle of the movie, but for the most part, the center portion of Nude Nuns with Big Guns drags along with way too much sex, nudity, and rape as tools to carry its story--it does not work. However, there are some truly hilarious interactions between characters, and we get some of those great, over-the-top scenes of violence we’ve all come to love thanks to grindhouse movies. Director Joseph Guzman does a solid job with accurately capturing the grindhouse feel, as some of the kills in the movie are top notch. credit: IMDb The actors also did a great job at portraying their characters, and, oddly enough for a low budget film, taking their roles super seriously. That being said, those pluses still weren’t enough to carry Nude Nuns with Big Guns into B-movie greatness. I had such high hopes for Nude Nuns with Big Guns --I mean, who wouldn’t with a title like that! But at the end of the day, with the overkill of sex, nudity, and rape, it comes off as lazy filmmaking . All in all, Zeke gives this post-grindhouse film 2.5 out of 5 naked nuns covered in cocaine . You can find Nude Nuns with Big Guns streaming on Tubi for free, and to rent on Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, Apple TV, and Google Play. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubtt1RDk_M0 Ezekiel Kincaid lives for horror and loves to watch it, write about, and talk about it, whether that be in his own horror novels or in reviews. His experience as a pastor and paranormal investigator brings everything he writes to life. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

A New York Musician taking the World by Storm < Back Cyberattack Rearranges the Electronic Music Scene Nicole Brice May 8, 2023 Share A New York Musician taking the World by Storm Cyberattack is a talented and innovative New York-based musician who is quickly making a name for himself in the electronic music scene. With music that is glitchy and emotionally complex, Cyberattack is the performance name of NYC-based guitarist/songwriter/singer/YouTuber Ivan Anderson. With the use of bright vivid imagery, he makes these incredible music videos that reel you right in, showcasing an imaginary landscape of nostalgia and charm. His latest video, out today May 8, 2023, is for his rendition of the Tom Petty classic “Listen to Her Heart”. Cyberattack has continued to churn out quality content since launching his YouTube channel in 2017 and he shows no sign of slowing down. The new music video for “Listen to Her Heart” is made to look like Ivan has been absorbed into an old-school graphing calculator, with a lot of painstakingly designed lo-fi special effects that must be seen to be believed. The song itself is lovingly hostile to the original Tom Petty source material. The basic idea behind Ivan’s very glitchy treatment of it is that sometimes when you listen to your heart, the message is mystifying and bizarre. The song and the video end up devolving into noisy, nonverbal chaos like a brute-force introduction to the Cyberattack aesthetic and approach to music: glitched out, unapologetic, and, underneath it all, extremely romantic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EINdLqmcYH0 His previous music video " Fantasy Killer " won Best Music Video in the Bowery Film Festival and was a finalist in the New York Cinematography Awards, New York Movie Awards, Jersey Shore Film Festival, and the Artists Forum of the Moving Image. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q145O-EkxSM In addition to Cyberattack, Ivan Anderson has performed, co-written, appeared on records, made videos, or otherwise collaborated with Tim Lefevbre (bassist for David Bowie, Tedeschi Trucks Band, etc.), Rhett Shull, Emily Hopkins, Knobs, Fusilier, SWEET FIX, Mobile Steam Unit, and preston.outatime (aka Preston Parris). Ivan Anderson is a busy dude. Released in 2020, his full-length debut Cyberattack album “Hard Feelings” was produced by Geoff Stanfield (Portugal.The Man, Sun Kil Moon) and is currently available on all streaming platforms. We took a moment to chat with Ivan about his creativity and flair for all things visual. in addition to discussing music in general. Are you looking for an amazing new artist to discover? Look no further. Here’s what Anderson had to say. MaM : Hey Ivan! It is Ivan, right? Not Evan? For some reason, I want to pronounce your name like Ivan Drago from Rocky IV . It was what automatically popped into my brain. (laughs) IA : I love Rocky IV and the character Ivan Drago, so I can tell this conversation is off to a great start. It is pronounced Ivan, though. MaM : Give us a brief background about yourself. I read somewhere that you are from Englewood, NJ. Tell us a little more about that. IA : So, I’m not actually from Englewood, but I am from a town very close to there called Leonia. It’s only a mile or so away from Englewood. Leonia is a very small town. I feel like I grew up in the suburbs of New York, but on the New Jersey side. Those who grew up in New York would have some different feelings about whether that counts or not. I’ve been making music professionally for as long as I can remember. I graduated from college in 2009, and at that time, I was in a band called Sweet Fix and we were a New York band. I had formed the band in college, but after graduation I was just trying to make that band happen, but I still had a day job, too. And, along the way I ended up interning for a music studio and I started doing a bit of session guitar playing, too, along with collaborating with other people, and so I was starting to round out my resume as a professional musician. In 2015, my band broke up, and I was a little freaked out because I had big dreams for that band, so when [we] broke up, I was like, ‘What now”? I was still trying to do the “guitar player for hire” stuff, too, around this time, so I decided to just start my own project—my own band—which I ended up naming Cyberattack. I do have collaborators for the records and other people I use for them, but they’re all hired guys. Cyberattack is truly an Ivan Anderson solo project. Photo from artist social media MaM : Tell us a little more about your YouTube channel. I see you have over 15.7k subscribers. IA : I started the YouTube channel around 2016, along with securing the name for Instagram, etc. I started out by putting some music videos on there that I did. ‘Fantasy Killer’ was one of those early videos. I was still figuring out the look and vibe I wanted, though … like the visual kind of energy of what Cyberattack would be. I love all those weird old video games and the whole retro thing. It’s just insane with all the colors, so I wanted to emulate that. I was sort of figuring out what I wanted as I made the videos and a collaborator friend of mine, John, helped me achieve that. Also, too, during lockdown for COVID, nothing was going on, so I decided to start adding videos to my channel about the guitar pedals I had. I just made a demo video about some of the equipment I had lying around. Those started to catch on better than my music videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PmHWap1T-E MaM : Your music videos are works of art, man. I’m not going to lie. I went down a rabbit hole on your YouTube channel checking everything out. The videos remind me of playing my old Sega Master System back in the day at my parents’ house. See, I was never the Nintendo chick. My dad got us the Sega because he said it had better graphics. IA : There was like a team identity to all of that. I feel like it was rare for any adult to have any knowledge of anything video game related. That’s awesome that your dad picked the Sega because of better graphics. photo from video for Fantasy Killer MaM : With you being multi-talented, what is your preferred instrument to play? IA : I’m the best at guitar. That’s my high card. MaM : I saw you playing an SG—is that your preferred type? IA : I do like Gibson SG’s, although I feel like there’s just something about my SG. The instrument means a lot to me and is my main recording guitar. I think all SG’s look cool because of the devil horns on them. They’re not trying too hard to be evil looking but have this kind of low-key evil vibe look. I just love the way my SG sounds, though. I really like how it sounds recorded. It just has a basic good tone where when you hear it, you’re like, ‘Yeah, I’ll go with that.’ MaM : Do you own any other guitars? IA : Oh, I have a few. I have a Fender Strat, which I find has a much more specific sound to it, but it’s a sound I like. I also have a custom guitar that was built for me by a guy out in Orangeburg, New York. It’s pretty cool. The shape and design are a little more in your face. It’s got curves and points. It’s definitely a little more out there. It was built by a guy named Alex Glasser with Iron Horse Instruments. The idea was to design Ivan’s dream guitar. It was made after I recorded the first Cyberattack album. It’s become my main guitar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOVGkkxFkws MaM : So, as far as musical influences go, who do you cite in driving you to create? IA : I only vaguely remember this, but my dad used to play the music of Jimi Hendrix all the time. He was a big Jimi Hendrix fan. I connected with his music right away and he just seemed like he was the coolest guy ever. It definitely had a huge impact on me as a kid. His guitar was cool. His approach to music was cool. I just knew that I liked it. As the years went by, though, I started to learn more about music, and I started branching out with what I was listening to. As a teenager was when I started trying to write lyrics and sing. I sort of took on a new approach to caring about music, too, and just sound. MaM : That’s awesome. So, as far as your favorite type of music is concerned, do you have one? What do you listen to in the car when you’re driving around? Do you even need a car to live in New York? IA : I actually do have a car. For gigs and stuff, it comes in handy. I grew up in the suburbs and used to love to drive and it was a huge part of life. Driving in Manhattan is the worst driving experience ever. There are stop lights everywhere and all you do is stop and go constantly … oh, and parallel parking is everywhere. As far as my music taste goes, it’s geared more towards classic rock. You can’t go wrong with the early Van Halen albums featuring David Lee Roth. I love early Metallica. I like a lot of guitar players and classic rock stuff. I’ve liked the same types of music since I was 14 years old, and it has never changed. I feel like that’s how my identity was formed. Photo from artist social media MaM : Tell us a little more about your new music video for “Listen to Her Heart”. IA : Well, that’s the fanciest video we have done yet, and I felt we had to build up to that with the previous videos. I like my videos to capture you for three or four minutes while watching them, but how do you go about that really? I don’t have a lot of money to get these crane shots over a bridge or anything like that, but my buddy John went to film school and he’s the guy who can set up the lights how they need to be and knows all the technical stuff. We usually just rent a studio that has a green screen and then go from there. Photo from the new video for Listen to Her Heart MaM : What made you decide to cover Tom Petty? IA : I picked it mainly just because I like the music of Tom Petty. ‘Free Falling’ was everywhere when I was a kid. You could not go anywhere without hearing that song, including the mall. I was always drawn to what he did vocally, though. I just like the way he sings. He is an incredible lyricist. Photo from the new video for Listen to Her Heart MaM : When you are writing your own song lyrics, where do you draw inspiration from? IA : Lyrics, for me, are by far the hardest thing. I can come up with ideas and melody, but the process of writing lyrics takes a bit. There’s, like, a million voice memos on my phone of me just singing little melodies that I think are good. I put enormous pressure on myself to have the lyrics be what I think are good enough, which makes it that much harder. MaM : So, what’s going on with the new music? Have you even started the writing process? IA : I’m gonna start recording the next Cyberattack album at the end of this year, but before I do, I want to finish making music videos for every song on the first album. And there’s only two left. One is the Tom Petty cover. After that, I will be officially done with the first album cycle, and I can start the recording process for the second album, so stay tuned! - Want to stimulate your eyeballs? Head on over to Ivan’s Cyberattack YouTube channel to experience his creativity in all its colorful glory. Also, be sure to like and follow him on social media to stay up to date on albums and releases. Be sure to check out his brand spanking new video for "Listen to Her Heart" - out NOW ! cyberattack (@cyberattack_world) • Instagram photos and videos Cyberattack - YouTube Cyberattack | Spotify Hard Feelings | Cyberattack (bandcamp.com) Cyberattack | Facebook Cyberattack | creating glitchy music and videos | Patreon www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nicole Brice is a huge nerd. She loves listening to new music and checking out cool stuff. Want her to check out your creations? Email her at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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

Baton Rouge, Louisiana January 13, 2024 < Back Saxkixave: Igniting the Stage with Electrifying Hip-Hop and Jazz Fusion Nicole Brice Jan 17, 2024 Share Baton Rouge, Louisiana January 13, 2024 On Saturday, January 13, 2024, New Orleans natives Saxkixave energized Chelsea’s LIVE in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with their awe-inspiring musical prowess. Saxkixave set the stage ablaze with their harmonious blend of talent, innovation, and comedic antics as the opening act for award-winning American rapper, Juvenile . This was the band’s first time playing together in Baton Rouge under the moniker Saxkixave and they killed it. Credit: Gary Governale Saxkixave is comprised of multi-award-winning rapper Alfred Banks and multi-instrumentalist Albert Allenback of the Grammy-nominated group Tank and the Bangas . The two came together musically a few years back after the suggestion of friends and have not looked back since. Both Alfred and Albert—the two Al’s—have infectious personalities that reel you into the magic they create when together, and if you’ve been following them on Instagram and TikTok, then you’ve surely seen their hilarious comedy bits and unique freestyle cover songs, including background music from Super Mario Brothers and beyond. With two albums under their belt, the duo is currently on tour promoting their newest release, Nectarine Peels , so be sure to check out their social media to stay up to date on all the upcoming shows and tour dates. Chelsea’s LIVE has been a fixture on the local Baton Rouge scene for many years, with their original location being just past the north gates of Louisiana State University. For the past two years, though, Chelsea’s LIVE has occupied a new space where they have hosted many notable statewide and national acts, as well as music genre theme nights. The venue was the perfect backdrop for Saxkixave’s debut performance in Baton Rouge. Credit: Gary Governale From the very first note, the musicians displayed unmatched virtuosity, opening with the track ' Humblebrag ' off their Nectarine Peels album. It was the perfect song to set the tone of the band’s set for those unfamiliar with their music. Without missing a beat, Saxkixave continued to captivate the audience with other notable titles such as ' Away from You (Too) ', ' Kaleidoscope ', ' Hashbrowns ', and their rendition of the Britney Spears classic ' Oops! ... I Did It Again '. They also performed their new single ' Done With The ' for the first time. https://video.wixstatic.com/video/999a0f_1f8d54137b774b0db6d8f5e3212ee523/1080p/mp4/file.mp4 There were many stand-out moments throughout the evening, one being when Alfred and Albert started bantering about the fact their names are both Al, which was a segue into their captivating and crowd-pleasing rendition of the Paul Simon classic ' You Can Call Me Al '. Another notable moment was when Alfred asked the audience to hold up random items so he could freestyle rap about the objects each audience member held up—an instant crowd-pleaser. Credit: Gary Governale Saxkixave’s performance at Chelsea’s LIVE was not just a concert but a sonic experience. As the final notes reverberated and the band rounded out their one-hour set, they closed with the humorous song ' Cheeks ', which is about a cell phone, but the lyrics would lead you to believe otherwise. When the crowd erupted in positive cheers and applause as the band finished, it was clear Saxkixave had successfully won over a new group of fans with their unparalleled talent. Credit: Gary Governale The duo’s electrifying fusion of sounds, masterful musicianship, and mesmerizing improvisations created a night of musical magic that will undoubtedly be etched in the memories of those lucky enough to experience it for many years to come. To learn more about Saxkixave, visit them online at www.Saxkixave.com . *cover photo courtesy of 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 is obsessed with music. Plain and simple. Do you have a show you think she should check out? Email us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Branded for Exile ignited the night with their authentic sound at Cajun Daiquiris in St. Amant, Louisiana on April 26, 2024. < Back Weekend Rock: Branded for Exile Nicole Brice Apr 30, 2024 Share Branded for Exile ignited the night with their authentic sound at Cajun Daiquiris in St. Amant, Louisiana on April 26, 2024. Explosive – that’s the only word I can think of to describe the dynamic set from Branded for Exile on Friday, April 26th at Cajun Daiquiris in St. Amant, Louisiana where the guys played to a packed house. With an exceptional set in celebration of their debut release, Born in the Flames , which was released in late 2023, the band blew through their eight-song set like a bunch of seasoned veterans on a mission to give the best show ever. With support from two other incredibly talented local bands, Drab and This Beating Heart , Branded for Exile took to the stage with pure energy, tight musicianship, and one mission – to blow the roof off Cajun Daiquiris by playing loud and authentic Louisiana metal. Credit: Gary Governale As Branded for Exile started into the first few notes of their set, vocalist Shannon Guillot said in his flawless half-scream, “We are Branded for Exile! Here we go, motherfuckers!” as they launched into the heavy and monstrous beginning of their song ' Silver Tongue '. This is one of my favorites off their debut release, ' Born in the Flames ', and it does not let up the entire song. The rest of the set was just as eruptive as the beginning, and to be honest, I was super excited to hear my favorite song, ' Branded for Exile ' live. Shannon’s lyrics on this track resonate with me on so many levels, and if you haven’t heard it, then you MUST ! I insist! Go now! When Shannon starts singing the part of the chorus that goes, " I'm alive, I am free, don't need you condemning me. I'm just playing the cards I've been handed. I'm awake, I am strong, I will never walk alone. I'm just living a life being branded...Branded for Exile! " - that is it for me. The power in those potent lyrics are enough to get anyone thinking in a more positive way, and to be honest, all of the lyrics on this album are like that. The words are carefully orchestrated with so much meaning that one can't help but be inspired. Credit: Gary Governale Cajun Daiquiris was the perfect setting for this night of music, too, because I forgot how much I love smaller venues with an intimate feel. There was no hate on this night either. Nothing but unity through music where I heard several people say, "Damn, these guys are good!" Credit: Gary Governale Other notable moments – Drab ’s flawless cover of Motorhead ’s ' The Ace of Spades '. This was my first time seeing Drab live, and they are gifted musicians. I really enjoyed their set. I had never heard of This Beating Heart before this show, and I truly enjoyed their cover of Sevendust ’s “ Black ”, too. As Branded for Exile rounded out the night with their potent last song, ' Born in the Flames ', they solidified themselves as a real up-and-coming force in the genre of metal. Mark my words, you’ll be hearing more about these boys real soon from other people besides me. To experience Branded for Exile's "Born in the Flames" for yourself, just hit the link below: brandedforexile.bandcamp.com Born In The Flames, by Branded For Exile 8 track album *All photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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* Mixed Alternative Magazine is an 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.

The PIT is Louisiana’s Bold New Stage for Live Music < Back Weekend Rock: Open Up The PIT Justin Hammer Sep 6, 2024 Share The PIT is Louisiana’s Bold New Stage for Live Music When people think of the metal scene in Louisiana, they mostly think of New Orleans or maybe Baton Rouge. However, the scene in Lafayette, La, is nothing to sleep on. The Lafayette scene is one of the fastest growing in the state, and this past weekend, that scene grew that much more with the opening of a brand-new ALL-AGES venue called THE PIT by EPIC! Credit: Justin Hammer Opened by Blake Benoit, singer and guitarist for Necromire , with help from Louisiana LOUD concert promoter and owner Seth Thomas, it is a new level for the alternative and metal music community in Lafayette for many reasons. First, it boasts a prime location for hosting. Located right off I-10’s exit 100, it makes finding, getting to, and getting out of as easy as possible. Alongside that, ample parking with a huge open parking lot could easily accommodate larger vehicles, such as buses or RVs, that may be stopping on a tour or traveling from neighboring cities. Just as vital as the location is the fact it will be an ALL-AGES venue, allowing parents to bring their kids and younger fans to be part of the local scene, helping breed a whole new generation of metal and alternative music lovers in the state. Credit: Justin Hammer Traveling inside the venue, you enter the first part of EPIC, a children’s gym complete with rock walls, foam pits, and trampolines. However, if you travel to your left after walking in, you will see a set of black double doors. The magic happens through those doors. Walking in, you will have a table to your right to pay for your admission. Just past that table, also to your right, is a fully stocked bar with a variety of drink options, alcoholic and non-alcoholic alike. Just inside the door to your left will be an entire section of tables set up for bands to sell their merch and interact with their fans. Straight ahead you will see the stage, centered on the other side of a massive, wide-open floor with a very high, open ceiling. Their grand opening show was on August 30, 2024 and featured a power-packed lineup of Louisiana metal with Holeopener , Necromire , Muscle , Swampgrave , and the Louisiana metal bimbos themselves, BRAT . These bands brought the house down and made for one of the best local shows I’ve seen in Lafayette! BRAT courtesy of Justin Hammer Be sure to turn out for the next scheduled show at the PIT on Friday, October 4, 2024 . The line-up features local acts Dogma, Life on Mars , Glacial Coffin , and Phallic Laceration . Doors open at 7 p.m., and the Show starts at 8 p.m.! Make it a point to check out this brand-new venue at any of their upcoming shows, which can all be found on their social media accounts: Facebook : The Pit at Epic Instagram : @epic.thepit For booking information be sure to contact Seth Thomas with Louisiana LOUD . Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/louisianaloud/ Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/louisianaloud/ *All photos by Justin Hammer www.justinhammerphotography.com Shop Photography Art | Justin Hammer Photography Shop art is a collection of art that is currently available for purchase at Justin Hammer Photography. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

New & Noteworthy Titles on AppleTV, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, and Prime < Back What to Watch This Weekend (10.14.22) Keeley Brooks Oct 14, 2022 Share New & Noteworthy Titles on AppleTV, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, and Prime Tuesdays and Fridays are my favorite days of the week for one reason: new movies/streaming releases. As a heavy consumer of a wide variety of content across multiple platforms, I figured I’d hip you guys to what’s out there in case you’re looking for something to get into this weekend. First up is AppleTV. While there are a ton of great series on this platform to get into, here are a select few currently airing and that just finished airing. The rest of the titles you can peruse through yourself! Shantaram – Starring our favorite son of anarchy Charlie Hunnam, whom I had the pleasure of sitting down with in 2009 at a quiet table on Third St. in Baton Rouge, this series is about a heroin addict (Hunnam) incarcerated for a robbery who escapes and reinvents himself as a doctor in the slums of Bombay. While there, his ties to the criminal underworld lead him to Afghanistan, where he partners with a mob boss locked in a battle with Russian criminals. The first three episodes dropped today, Oct. 14. See: The Final Chapter – If you missed my article about it, this is in its final season and stars Jason Momoa, Alfre Woodard, and Christian Camargo. Set in a very distant, brutal, primitive future after the fall of humankind, everyone is now blind. Except for a very select few. Tie in a ruthless queen hellbent on wiping out the sighted and anyone who harbors or supports them, some badass violent blind fighting, and a good dose of family drama, and you’ve got quite the entertaining winner. Black Bird – Having aired this past summer, this limited series stars Taron Egerton ( Kingsman movies) and, quite a talent to keep an eye on, Paul Walter Hauser ( The Kingdom Netflix series, Richard Jewell ). Based on the 2010 autobiographical book In with the Devil: a Fallen Hero, a Serial Killer, and a Dangerous Bargain for Redemption by James Keene and Hillel Levin, Black Bird is a crime drama miniseries that recounts convict Jimmy Keene’s (Egerton) real life experiences of going undercover in a prison for the criminally insane to illicit a confession from serial killer Larry Hall (Hauser). It’s full of tension, creepiness, and is an incredible true story. Physical – A brilliant, half-hour dark comedy starring Rose Byrne ( Bridesmaids ) and Rory Scovel ( Those Who Can’t ), the show follows Sheila Rubin (Byrne), a submissive, quietly tortured housewife supporting her man’s controversial bid for state assembly in 1980s San Diego. However, behind closed doors, we are introduced to the real Sheila, her darkly funny take on life, and her world of complex personal demons relating to her self-image. Until she finds aerobics. Two seasons are currently available with season three arriving 2023. Also check out The Morning Show , Loot , Ted Lasso , Mythic Quest , Servant , For All Mankind , Foundation , and Invasion , to name a few. Next, we have Netflix! Below I’ll give ya some new releases, then I’ll give ya some titles worth checking out if you’re looking to go down the rabbit hole. Don’t forget to peruse the documentaries and movie titles. The Watcher – A limited series, this title is one of the most anticipated of the week because it’s based on a true story. Starring Bobby Cannavale, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Coolidge, Terry Kinney, and Michael Mouri, the series follows a couple moving into their dream home. They soon discover not all is as it seems when they find a haunting figure watching them. Releases Friday, October 14. The Sinner – Having originally aired on USA Network, this fantastic crime series stars Bill Pullman, Jessica Biel, Adam LeFevre, and many others. It’s a police procedural anthology series following Detective Harry Ambrose (Pullman) as he investigates a chilling new homicide each season. Season Four dropped October 13, 2022. Peaky Blinders – One of my personal favorites, this gritty British crime drama series is by far one of Netflix’s best. Set in Birmingham, England, it follows the exploits of the Peaky Blinders crime gang, which actually existed, in the direct aftermath of the First World War. Stars Cillian Murphy ( 28 Days Later ), the late Helen McCrory, Finn Cole ( Animal Kingdom ), Paddy Constantine ( House of Dragons ), Anya Taylor-Joy ( Split ), Adrian Brody, and Tom Hardy. Absolutely fantastic. I highly recommend getting sucked into this. It’s final season just aired this past summer, so you have plenty of seasons to keep you busy. The Last Kingdom – Also from my list o’ recommendations is this beaut of a Viking drama, WHICH I LOVE. A historical fiction series, Kingdom is based on Bernard Cornwell’s The Saxon Stories series of novels. Set in 1866, it follows a kid born Saxon but raised by Vikings as he seeks to claim his ancestral birthright at the same time that Alfred the Great is defending his kingdom from Norse invaders. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll love, you’ll cheer. You can’t go wrong. Other titles to check out: Riverdale , The Witcher , Stranger Things, Cobra Kai , Kingdom , Orange is the New Black, Atypical , Glow , Ozark , Mindhunter , You Now let’s hop on over to Paramount+ . They are winning in the sci-fi series category in my book. At my house, my husband and I have what we call Sci-Fi Thursdays during active seasons of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds , Star Trek: Discovery , and Picard . These shows are just spectacular, and the special effects are breath-taking. The platform is also home to hits like 1883 , EVIL , The Good Fight , Beavis and Butthead , and Mayor of Kingstown , to name a few. Recent releases include Monster High: The Movie and Significant Other , a psychological thriller full of chills. Peacock! Whoo! Buckle up, buttercups. This platform has surprised me the most by coming out with some heavy contenders. Here’s a titles I highly recommend watching. The Resort – An anniversary trip puts a marriage to the test when a couple finds themselves embroiled in one of the Yucatan’s most bizarre unsolved mysteries in this multi-generational love story disguised as a fast-paced mystery about the disappointment of time. Stars Nick Offerman, Skylar Gisondo ( Righteous Gemstones ), William Jackson Harper ( The Good Place ), and Cristin Milioti ( How I Met Your Mother ). Rutherford Falls – Starring Ed Helms and Jana Schmieding ( Reservation Dogs ), this comedy is about two lifelong besties who find themselves at a crossroads when their sleepy little town gets an unexpected wakeup call. It’s funny, it’s endearing, and it features a cast of some really funny actors. Even some faces you might recognize if you’ve been watching Reservation Dogs on Hulu. Vampire Academy – Who doesn’t love vampires? This series follows six young adult paranormal romance novels by American author Richelle Mead. Lead character Rose Hathaway is half human-half vampire and is guardian of a race of peaceful mortal vampires living discreetly within our world. The story follows her into a special boarding school—a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Season One is out now. Dr Death – Whoah. This one is shocking! The podcast by the same name is even more cringeworthy. This series is based on the terrifying true story of Dr. Christopher Duntsch, a rising star in the Dallas neurosurgical medical community, who also liked to maim and kill his patients in surgery. It also focuses on the failures of the Texas system designed to protect the most defenseless among us. A definite must-see feature. *A Friend of the Family – Holy. Shit. I’m not kidding. Very few titles in the past 20 years have rendered me speechless, and when I did speak during this one, the only thing my husband and I could say to each other was, “Holy shit!” This one is without a doubt THE most shocking true-crime story I’ve ever heard. It’s not just terrifying and involving a sick perv—no. This story is horrifying because it’s diabolical to the depths of an entirely new level. Based on the harrowing true story of the Broberg family, this nine-episode true crime series focuses on daughter Jan, who was kidnapped by an obsessed family friend multiple times over a number of years. That’s not what’s so diabolical though; the story the kidnapper/family friend tells young Jan—and genuinely has her believing, playing off of her trust in him—is just astounding. His acting along in all of this to manipulate her is what is so horrific, not to mention the careless mistakes made by both Mexican and American authorities, who pretty much propelled his desire and allowed his crimes to continue. There’s so much more but I’ll just leave that right there. Starring Colin Hanks, Anna Paquin, and Jake Lacy, you can check out the first five episodes streaming now on Peacock. New episodes drop on Thursdays. And finally, we move on over to Amazon Prime … While there aren’t many current new release series titles right now, there’s still plenty of awesome series to dive into. The Rings of Power – I feel like this one needs no explanation, but on the off-chance you are unfamiliar, here’s the rundown: Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings books and appendices, this one is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings , bringing to life the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-Earth’s history. The acting is superb, the effects are magical, and the story is all consuming. A definite must-watch for any sci-fi/fantasy fiction fan. Season One is currently airing now with new episodes dropping on Fridays. Outer Range – Again with the sci-fi! Except this is also a neo-Western starring Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Tom Pelphrey ( Ozark , Banshee ), Noah Reid ( Schitt’s Creek ), and Lili Taylor. The Abbott family are coping with the disappearance of their daughter-in-law when their neighbors make a play for their ranch. Tensions rise and then explode when a mysterious black void arrives on the edge of one of the Abbott’s pastures and changes everything. Season One just ended and it should return next year with a hard-hitting season two. The Boys – This one’s tough, guys. If you’re easily offended by everything, maybe skip this one. But if you’re like me and open to consume, buckle up because this one’s gonna push your limits. Based on the comic book of the same name, this series follows a group of superheroes who go rogue and start abusing their powers. Pitting the powerless against the powerful, the Boys head out on a heroic quest to expose the truth about the conglomerate that manages the superheroes and covers up their secrets. Starring Anthony Starr ( Banshee ), Karl Urban ( Pathfinder , LOTR ), Jack Quaid, Jensen Acles ( Supernatural ) and more. Other titles to stream: The Night Sky , Undone , Wheel of Time , Reacher , The Wilds , Sneaky Pete , The Terminal List , The Outlaws , Flack These titles are enough to keep you busy, at least until next week when I bring you more releases! Enjoy, my friends. 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

Eclipse Fest will take place on June 15, 2024, in Lafayette, Louisiana. < Back Eclipse Fest: A Convergence of Creativity Nicole Brice Mar 29, 2024 Share Eclipse Fest will take place on June 15, 2024, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Attention music lovers, a new festival is coming to Lafayette, Louisiana this summer and promises to offer a fun-filled day of music and art. Going by the name of Eclipse Fest , the event is the brainchild of local musician, Nick Cline of the Louisiana-based band Phantum Sun , and will feature nine bands from the city and surrounding areas. This one-day event will be held on June 15, 2024, at Feed & Seed located at 106 N. Grant St. Doors will open at 1:30 pm and the first band will take the stage at 3:00 pm with the intended wrap-up time for all acts to be around Midnight. This is an all-ages event, so be sure to bring the family. There will be a $15 cover charge at the door. Eclipse Fest will take place on June 15, 2024 at Feed & Seed in Lafayette, Louisiana Festival founder Nick Cline said of the event, “I wanted to put something together that would offer a vast range of musical styles so everyone could have something to enjoy.” There will be food vendors on site, to be announced later, as well as art vendors, too. Bands include (click on each pic to learn more about each band) : The Posts Phantum Sun Left On Red We All Perish Mayrunner Sick at Heart Chasing The Hourglass Blood Show We Are The Virus To learn more about the event and to stay up to date on all information associated with it, visit the festival’s Facebook page at the link below. We look forward to seeing everyone out there! Eclipse Fest 2024 | Facebook 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

New Releases on Your Favorite Platforms < Back What to Watch This Weekend (10.21.22) Keeley Brooks Oct 21, 2022 Share New Releases on Your Favorite Platforms This week has been abundant with exciting new streaming content! If you’re looking for something to get into over the next few days, I’ve got you covered on what's out there so you don’t have to go scrolling through each platform to find out. AMAZON PRIME May I Help You – An ongoing South Korean television series directed by Shim Soo-yeon and starring Lee Hye-ri and Lee Jun-young. Torn Hearts – In this flick, a country music duo seek out the private mansion of their idol, played by Katey Sagal, and end up in a twisted series of horrors that force them to confront the limits they’d go for their dreams. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQdyAC9F4-A The Peripheral – Starring Chloe Grace Moretz and Jack Reynor, this sci-fi thriller is set in the future when technology has subtly altered society. A woman discovers a secret connection to an alternate reality, as well as a dark future of her own. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRdkRQzcrrc Hush, Hush – Based on a series of four novels by Becca Fitzpatrick that follow teenager Nora Grey as she falls in love with the fallen angel Patch and discovers her own angelic heritage. It’s hailed as the angelic imitation of Twilight. AppleTV Raymond & Ray – Starring Ethan Hawke and Ewan McGregor as half-brothers who reunite when their estranged father dies—and discover that his final wish was for them to dig his grave. Together they process who they’ve become as men, both because of their and in spite of him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fzW5DpoApg Acapulco , Season 2 – In 1984, Maximo Gallardo’s dream comes true when he gets the job of a lifetime at Acapulco’s hottest resort, Las Colinas; however, he soon realizes that working there is far more complicated than he ever imagined. Ghost Writer , Season 3 – Geared towards kids and teens, this series sees four kids team up to solve an exciting mystery surrounding a neighborhood bookstore ghost who is haunting the place and soon starts releasing fictional characters into the real world. HULU Handmaid’s Tale, Season 5 – This one probably needs no introduction, but I’m gonna go ahead and give you one anyway. Based on the best-selling novel by Margaret Atwood, this series is set in Gilead (Gil-E-ad), a totalitarian society in what used to be part of the United States. Gilead is ruled by a fundamentalist regime that treats women as property of the state, and of men, and is faced with environmental disasters and a plummeting birth rate. In a desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world, the few remaining fertile women are forced into sexual servitude. One of these women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss), is determined to survive this terrifying new reality, find the daughter that was taken from her, and lead a revolution to get all the women in servitude out, then take down the government regime. She. Is. Badass. Also stars Joseph Fiennes, Bradley Whitford, Samira Wiley, Max Minghella, and Ann Dowd. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEP5V1qDzQY Rosaline – A comedic retelling of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, told from the point of view of Romeo’s jilted ex, Rosaline—the woman Romeo first claims to love before he falls for Juliet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVMc3rUXW-A Tell Me Lies – Based off a novel of the same name by Carola Lovering and loosely based on her own past toxic relationship, this series is about a couple who quickly fall into an addictive entanglement that will permanently alter their lives and the lives of everyone around them as their tumultuous and intoxicating relationship unfolds over eight years. NETFLIX The School for Good and Evil – Netflix’s big new movie for the week and one of its biggest family movies of the year. The School for Good and Evil is a fantasy adaptation telling the story of Sophie and Agatha, both kidnapped into a school that trains people to be heroes or villains. The Stranger – A Netflix original movie, this Australian crime thriller film is written and directed by Thomas M. Wright ( Everest ) and starring Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris. Mark, an undercover cop, forms an intense, intimate relationship with Henry, a murder suspect, in an attempt to earn his trust and get a confession, risking both of their lives in the process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umIeYcQLABg 28 Days Haunted – A reality show marking Netflix’s arrival in the ghost hunting arena, this series follows three teams of fairly well-known paranormal investigators, including Shane Pittman and Sean Austin, over the course of 28 days to some of the most haunted locations in America for an experiment based on the theories of late paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Now, if you don’t know who the Warrens are, please allow me to introduce you. Demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren are the most famous husband and wife paranormal team to date. They’ve investigated such cases as the Amityville haunting, Annabelle the cursed doll, and the Enfield Poltergeist case. They devoted decades of their lives to exploring, authenticating, and documenting some of the most famous paranormal incidents ever reported, right up until Ed’s passing in 2006. Lorraine remained a prominent member of the paranormal community until she passed in 2018. If any of the teams stay the duration of four weeks at handpicked locations in Colorado, Connecticut, and North Carolina, they’ll gain acclaim and recognition for being a part of what Netflix is calling, “the most important advancement in paranormal research in the last several decades.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nxuEsx99-k Descendant – Netflix’s latest documentary about the legacy of an illegal slave ship. Descendants of the enslaved Africans on an illegal ship that arrived in Alabama in 1860 seek justice and healing when the craft’s remains are discovered. Barbarians , Season 2 – Based on a true story, this historical war drama follows three people’s fates when they are interwoven in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 A.D., during which Germanic warriors halt the spread of the Roman Empire. It’s brutal. It’s bloody. And it is most badass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZZHvYYSCFw From Scratch , Season 1 – An American student, played by Zoe Saldana, studying in Italy meets and falls in love with a Sicilian chef. High: Confessions of an Ibiza Drug Mule – In 2013, Michaella McCollum, from Northern Ireland, and Melissa Reid, from Scotland, were caught at the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Peru tyring to smuggle 1.5 million pounds of cocaine into Spain. The pair were sentenced to almost seven years in one of the most notorious prisons in the world. The series provides a first-hand account from Michaella, a former club hostess in the Spanish nightlife, as she traces her journey from arriving in the foreign country for her first holiday to her downward spiral into the illicit world of drugs and excess. ONI: Thunder God’s Tale , Season 1 – In a world filled with oddball gods and monsters, Onari is determined to follow in their footsteps, but her unique powers are yet to be revealed. Pokemon: Ultimate Journeys: The Series , Season 1 PARAMOUNT+ Monster High the movie – This title actually released Oct. 6. and is one all ages will enjoy … if musicals are your thing. Based on the popular animated franchise Monster High , this live-action musical follows three students at Monster High who bond over having famous monster and creature parents. A diabolical plan hatches and the three teens must rely on each other to save the day. Torn Hearts – In this flick, a country music duo seek out the private mansion of their idol, played by Katey Sagal, and end up in a twisted series of horrors that force them to confront the limits they’d go for their dreams. Blacklight – Liam Neeson is Travis Block, a shadowy government agent who specializes in removing operatives whose covers have been exposed. He uncovers a deadly conspiracy within his own ranks that reaches the highest echelons of power. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_N9pU4FMOs PEACOCK One of Us Is Lying , Season 2 – Based on Karen M. McManus’s New York Times best-selling novel of the same name, this mystery surrounds five students at Bayview High as they walk into detention and only four walk out alive, leaving one dead just as he was about to reveal life-changing secrets about the others in a gossip app. Each of the students had the opportunity and individual motives to murder their classmate, but all claim to be innocent as the case revolves around which one of them is lying. The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks Documentary - A feature documentary that delves deep into civil rights icon Rosa Parks’ historic work and her role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Through interviews with those who knew her, powerful archival footage and her own words, the film tells the story of Parks’ extensive organizing, radical politics, and lifelong dedication to activism. 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

What's Hot and Streaming in March < Back A Whole New Crop of Shows Keeley Brooks Mar 3, 2023 Share What's Hot and Streaming in March Ahh, Spring doth approacheth, my friends, and with it comes an entirely new crop of titles to explore, and take it from me, March has A TON in store—so much, in fact, I couldn’t even list it all here for you. What I did do, though, is take some sweet time to compile the hottest titles worth exploring. Here’s what’s dropping over the next few weeks. Succession, Season 4 – The Roy Family drama finally returns for its fourth and final season, which will deal with the conflict of the sale of media conglomerate Waystar Royco and the effects it has on the Roy family and their personal relationships. And don’t forget that huge decision Shiv's husband Tom (Matthew Macfayden) faces: Will he side with his powerful father-in-law Logan in the battle for company control, or will he side with his wife, who is against selling the company? The power struggle between the Roy siblings has shaped their industry since the beginning and has left fans dying to know what will unfold and how it will all play out. Premieres March 26 on HBO and HBO Max. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWlURhM5P5Q Perry Mason, Season 2 – After a three-year hiatus, Matthew Rhys ( The Americans ) is back in rare form as famous hard-drinking private detective turned crusading lawyer Perry Mason. Now under new management, we see the show moving fully into the law world. In this gritty origin story set in Depression-era Los Angeles, he’s both ornery and horny as ever as he works to find justice in a world where corruption has taken over. Premieres March 6 at 9 p.m. on HBO and HBO Max. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkM_TNfB-gA Daisy Jones and the Six – Adapted from author Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel into a limited series, the story focuses on a successful rock band in the 1970s falling apart because of rocky relationships between some of its members—but no, it is not a biopic of Fleetwood Mac. Daisy Jones and the Six follows the band’s epic rise and fall, then picks up decades later when the Six finally reveal the truth about what really happened. Premieres March 3 on Prime Video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSrcNCGMrLc Chris Rock: Selective Outrage – In the platform’s first ever live-streamed event, Chris Rock takes the stage in this new stand-up special , sans any bitch slaps from Will Smith. Netflix will offer pre- and post-shows, featuring Ronnie Chieng, Leslie Jones, Deon Cole, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, JB Smoove, and Arsenio Hall. Airs March 4 at 10 p.m. on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eve1ozpvaxQ Mae Martin: SAP – Also releasing a new stand-up special this month is Comedian Mae Martin, whom you might recognize from HBO’s The Flight Attendant or the Netflix series Feel Good . Premieres on Netflix March 28. School Spirits – This supernatural teen drama centers on main character Maddie, who finds herself dead and stuck in an afterlife limbo where she’s trapped in her high school. While no one else seems to be able to see her, she discovers a group of other teen ghosts also trapped at the school and they soon form a support group of sorts. As Maddie tries to solve her own murder, she must try to figure out a way beyond the limbo. Streaming March 9 on Paramount Plus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB2w3OuaP64 Murder Mystery 2 – Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston reunite as an ordinary couple who find themselves caught up in a thrilling investigation is this rom-com sequel to 2019’s Murder Mystery. They’re now both private detectives launching their own agency, who soon find themselves as the center of an international investigation when a friend is abducted. Streaming March 31 on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM2F56uK0fs MH370: The Plane That Disappeared – Back in 2014, a plane with 239 people on board vanished into thin air from all radar. This docuseries delves deep into one of our greatest modern mysteries: Flight MH370. Lands on Netflix March 8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDg0m2Q3H8c Rabbit Hole – A new spy series is here, if that’s your thing. Kiefer Sutherland is James Weir, a private espionage operative who finds himself in the midst of a battle over the preservation of democracy in a world at odds with misinformation, behavioral manipulation, the surveillance state, and the interests that control these extraordinary powers. Sneaks into Paramount Plus March 26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpwkzIlt2Mg The Big Door Prize – A small town is forever changed in this comedy when a mysterious machine appears, promising to reveal everyone’s true potential. Soon, residents start changing jobs, rethinking relationships, and questioning long-held beliefs. Stars Chris O’Dowd ( Bridesmaids ). Premieres March 29 on Apple TV Plus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vf_YenkXi8 YOU, Season 4 - Part 2 – Part 1 of Season 4 aired a few weeks ago, then left us hanging after five episodes. I gotta say, this mid-way break in our shows is bullshit! There. I said it. The first half of Season 1 saw the murderous tables turned on Joe as he was taunted by a mysterious murderer offing people in a certain wealthy social circle. The “Eat the Rich” killer turned out to be charming author and aspiring politician Rhys Montrose (Ed Speleers, Outlander ), and now Joe has to figure out how to escape being framed for Rhys’s misdeeds while at the same time protecting his love interest, Kate. Part Two airs March 9 on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvwvHrtL1xY Waco: American Apocalypse – This immersive three-part docuseries is the definitive account of what happened in Waco, Texas, in 1993 when cult leader David Koresh faced off against the federal government in a 51-day siege that began with the biggest gunfight on American soil since the Civil War. The fiery inferno that ensued was aired live on national television to a nation of shocked, horrified viewers. Streaming March 22 on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scZ2x7R_XXc Money Shot: The Pornhub Story – In the hopes of presenting a substantial dive into both the good and bad of the porn site, this film features interviews with performers, past employees, activists, and more. Pornhub is the internet’s most famous adult entertainment platform, because it fundamentally changed how porn is made and distributed. But for every bit of success they saw, there were also scandals. Many, many, many scandals. Airs March 15 on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTAay-4QUuY Luther: The Fallen Sun – A continuation of the British television series Luther , this film stars Idris Elba in a crime thriller that sees disgraced police detective John Luther sitting behind bars for using illegal means to catch criminals. Haunted by his failure to capture the cyber psychopath who now taunts him, Lutherbreaks out of prison to hunt down the sadistic serial killer terrorizing London. Premieres March 10 on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGK5qtXuc1Q Shadow and Bone, Season 2 – After two years, the fantasy series based on Leigh Bardugo’s books is finally returning to the Grishaverse. In Season 1, sinister forces plotted against a young soldier after she revealed a magical power that may unite her world. Of course, they bolt. Season 2 finds Alina and best friend Mal still on the run from the Darkling, General Kirigan. As the Sun Summoner, Alina can eliminate the Shadow Fold, the dangerous expanse of darkness that divides their kingdom, but Kirigan has gained more power and is a bigger threat than ever. In order to beat him, Alina and Mal travel to new lands in search of new allies. Premieres March 16 on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dOmcdz-PN0 History of the World, Part II – Mel Brooks reportedly never actually intended to make a sequel to the 1981 smash hit History of the World, Part I . The title itself was meant to be a joke, yet here we are 40 years later on the cusp of a sequel. Brooks gave Nick Kroll his blessing to continue the film that spoofs different events from history, and you will see Brooks acting and credited as a writer. This sensational cast features Seth Rogen, Taika Waitit, Josh Gad, Ike Barinholtz, Wanda Sykes, Danny DeVito, Quinta Brunson, David Duchovny, Sarah Silverman, Johnny Knoxville, and Sam Richardson, to name a few. The four-night anthology event series is set to explore satirical versions of an array of historical figures, like Noah of the Ark, Sigmund Freud, and William Shakespeare. Premieres March 6 on Hulu, with two new episodes premiering every following day until the finale on March 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jok7jfOUUxI UnPrisoned – This half-hour dramedy is a dysfunctional family sitcom focusing on the struggles that former prison inmates have when the time comes for them to readjust to modern society and reconnect with their friends and families. Kerry Washington ( Scandal ) plays Paige, a single mother and therapist who undergoes a dramatic life change when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo, Gone in Sixty Seconds ), is released from prison. Now living with his daughter and grandson, he must find a way to reforge the bonds he once had with those he loves. Season 1 drops March 10 on Hulu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPMCB5dMoOE Boston Strangler – Led by Oscar-nominated Kiera Knightley ( The Imitation Game ), this true-crime thriller follows a reporter for the Record-American newspaper, who becomes the first journalist to connect the Boston Strangler murders. As the mysterious serial killer continues his spree, journalist Loretta McLaughlin (Knightley) and her colleague and friend Jean Cole (Carrie Coon, The Sinner ) find themselves hindered by the rampant sexism of the Sixties. Nevertheless, they bravely pursue the story at great personal risk to uncover the truth. Arrives on Hulu March 17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_yfmHCkSB0 Great Expectations – This Tom Hardy-produced series of the Charles Dickens’ classic novel is once again adapted for the screen, this time by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight. The coming-of-age tale focuses on Pip, a poor orphan who years for a better life. He is chosen to visit wealthy, eccentric spinster Miss Havisham (Olivia Colman, The Crown ), then meets and falls for her beautiful but cold adopted daughter Estella. Wanting to become a gentleman to win her over, Pip is thrilled when he receives funding from a mysterious benefactor, but his fortune is short-lived when the truth about his inheritance is revealed. Episodes one and two air March 26 on Hulu, with a new episode premiering every following Sunday until April 23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN6hchvzwjA Yellowjackets, Season 2 -This addictive blend of mystery box thriller, survival drama, and coming-of-age tale returns and has a new cast member in tow: everyone's favorite hobbit Elijah Wood. The first season saw an endless spiral of theories about what really happened in the 90’s timeline when the high school girls’ soccer team crashes and is left stranded in the wilderness. Ritualistic cannibals, anyone? The present-day timeline is a consuming exploration of the survivors’ psyches, and you can absolutely expect dynamic performances from Melanie Lynskey ( The Last of Us ), Christina Ricci ( Wednesday ), and Juliette Lewis ( Natural Born Killers ). Premieres Friday, March 24 on Showtime. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISp3YkIpFCk Extrapolations – In the near future, the effects of climate change have become embedded into people’s everyday lives. Eight interwoven stories explore the intimate, life-changing choices that must be made when the planet is changing faster than the population. Stars Meryl Streep, Sienna Miller, Kit Harington, Diane Lane, Edward Norton, Tobey Maguire, and Forest Whitaker, among other A-listers. Drops March 17 on Apple TV Plus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QP-xrG0kZk Ted Lasso, Season 3 – Get ready for all the feels this season as Jason Sudeikis returns as head coach of British soccer team AFC Richmond. Despite their advancement to the Premier League at the end of season two, all is not well. Coach is still battling anxiety on the field, and everything everywhere is still going wrong. Nate turned traitor to side with Rupert Mannion, and the flames of the weird love triangle with Roy, Keeley, and Jamie are still burning bright. Season 3 is rumored to be the final season of the series (though spinoffs seem possible), so have your Kleenex ready to wipe away your tears and snot through all the laughs. Returns March 15 on Apple TV Plus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR9yjn7Lkdg Lucky Hank – Man, Better Call Saul left a gaping hole in our hearts when it ended last year, but there’s hope Bob Odenkirk’s new dramedy will be a worthy consolation. Based on Richard Russo’s novel “Straight Man,” the story centers around grumpy and “difficult” William Henry “Hank” Devereaux Jr., chairman of the English department at the fictional Railton College, as he navigates a mid-life crisis. He consistently finds himself involved in irritating situations, from an encounter with an aggressive goose to a public call-out for belittling students. Oh, and his wife is ready to move on, with or without him. Premieres March 19 on AMC and AMC+. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY4jhr4_PF0 The Mandalorian - The long-awaited thrid season brings more space adventures for Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his adorable sidekick Grogu. Now free from Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito), Djarin is returning to Mandalore to seek forgiveness for breaking his people's core tenants by removing his helmet. Meanwhile, Grogu's Jedi training is on hold, and a bigger threat looms as Bo-Katan Kryze (Katee Sackhoff) lusts after that Darksaber. Now streaming Wednesdays on Disney Plus. Tetris – While video game shows and movies ( The Last of Us, Uncharted ) have been direct adaptations, Tetrisis more about how the iconic and obsessively popular game was made. Taron Egerton ( Black Bird ) stars as game publisher Henk Rogers, who risked it all to sign a deal for Tetris. Egerton has spoken publicly on how the film will have a tone similar to that of The Social Network , and the film promises to be so full of nostalgia and drama it could turn out to be the best movie you didn’t know you needed to see. Premieres March 31 on Apple TV Plus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BLM1naCfME 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

Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story < Back Belles, Balls, and British Accents: Bridgerton Spinoff Arrives in May Keeley Brooks Apr 26, 2023 Share Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story If you’re a big Bridgerton fan, you’re gonna want to go ahead and clear a day next weekend to binge-watch its prequel series, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story . The six-episode limited series drops next Thursday on Netflix. While the show itself is based on Julia Quinn’s series of eight novels , each of which focuses on a different Bridgerton sibling’s quest to find love, the prequel is masterminded by Shonda Rhimes via her production company Shondaland. Centering on Queen Charlotte’s rise to prominence and power, it will tell her backstory and introduce us to her younger days while also chronicling her love story with and betrothal to King George. The show will also focus on the great societal shift that occurred as a result of their marriage, as well as on the early lives of Lady Danbury and Bridgerton matriarch Violet. India Amarteifio ( The Tunnel TV series) will play a young Queen Charlotte while Golda Rosheuvel returns as the Queen Charlotte we met in Bridgerton . courtesy of Netflix In an interview with RadioTimes , Rosheuvel says that in spite of the title, Queen Charlotte isn’t just about the young Charlotte, the young King George, or the queen in her middle years. “Lady Danbury and Violet and the whole matriarchy are there, too, both young and as they are in Bridgerton . It’s about how these women came to be – how a woman of colour [sic], in Danbury’s case, got into the court and then all of the emotional love, the relationships between the women and how they were built up. But throughout, it’s all kept under the umbrella of Bridgerton .” Roshuevel goes on to describe the inner workings that enable the older Queen Charlotte and her 17-year-old persona to exist in the same universe as “a behind-the-scenes Bridgerton ” and says the two series overlap in flashforward and flashback: “… so where in Bridgerton I might have been at the Presentation Ball and then leave the room, in Queen Charlotte I walk straight into a scene that’s in the spinoff.” To ring in the New Year, Netflix released an image from the show featuring Arsema Thomas ( Redeeming Love ) as a young Agatha Danbury. courtesy of Netflix In February, they released an image of a young King George, played by Corey Mylchreest ( The Sandman ). courtesy of Netflix In a TUDUM exclusive first look online, we get to see the cute but awkward first time they meet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUONzsAzv1I For Valentine’s Day, Netflix teased us with a literal peek at the new series and released its premiere date. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DUXYyTkerU While the Bridgerton storylines are all works of fiction, Queen Charlotte is actually based on a real individual (she wasn’t a figure in the novels but was added to the TV production). In a 2021 interview with Variety , show creator Shonda Rhimes commented on her fascination with the monarch. “I’m very obsessed with Queen Charlotte, and I always call her the Beyoncé of the show,” she told the magazine. Sophia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz was born a German noble and became queen consort to George III upon their marriage in 1761. She married him in a whirlwind love story. King George announced his plans to marry Charlotte, a princess at the time, without ever meeting her. According to the royal family's website , the couple tied the knot a whopping six hours after meeting each other for the first time when Charlotte arrived in Britain that September. Definitely love at first sight. The couple had—hold your breath—15 children (14 of which were born at Buckingham Palace) and were happily married the first 25 years of their marriage. It’s a miracle she survived so many births, given the time period. While in the series the monarch mostly fills her time indulging her proclivity for society gossip, in real life Queen Charlotte was also an amateur botanist and a passionate patron of music, especially the works of German composers like Handel and Mozart, who, at age 8, was invited to play at court. As portrayed in Bridgerton , King George III suffered several bouts of mental illness, which were reportedly kept a secret from the Queen. Eventually his illness became a permanent condition and made it impossible for his wife to be around him. As his condition deteriorated in the late 18th century, Queen Charlotte found refuge in a country estate she purchased near Windsor Castle called Frogmore House. A few years later, in 1801, she commissioned an addition to the grounds: Frogmore Cottage . King George III died of mania in 1811, and after serving on the throne for 57 years, Queen Charlotte died in 1818 at the age of 74. Their granddaughter Victoria, daughter of their third son Edward, would later become queen in 1837. The Frogmore properties are now most famously associated with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who hosted their wedding reception at Frogmore House and later called Frogmore Cottage home for a brief period before permanently breaking away from their working royal roles in early 2020. Currently, Princess Eugenie lives there with her husband Jack Brooksbank and their son August. For readers who might be wondering, there will be a book tie-in. Rhimes will co-author a book with Bridgerton author Julia Quinn about the queen’s rise to power , and that book, published by Avon Books, is set to be released the same day the show premieres. “Taking Bridgerton from book to screen was fascinating for me to watch, and it's such an exciting challenge for me to take it in the other direction, this time crafting Shonda's brilliant vision into a novel," Quinn said in a statement. "I'm especially thrilled to have the opportunity to write about Queen Charlotte, who was not in the original novels. Her character —and Golda Rosheuvel's brilliant portrayal of her— was a tour de force, and I think readers will love getting a chance to know her more deeply." Rhimes’ prequel series looks to continue the refreshingly un-stuffy tone that made the original show such a hit, though whether it will return to the steamy, raunchfest of Season 1 remains to be seen—though, something tells me we can expect plenty of passion. Beyond Queen Charlotte , Netflix has confirmed that Bridgerton will be back for at least two more seasons . The upcoming Season 3 is set to disrupt the book order and adapt Julia Quinn’s fourth book in the series, “Romancing Mister Bridgerton”. It’s expected to arrive either later this year or early next year. If you want more of the inside scoop on what’s to come, you’ll have to wait and get it from Lady Whistledown. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story premieres May 4 on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLtnNw0KT78 Keeley Brooks is an entertainment writer who hibernates in NW Alabama and is a voracious consumer of film and streaming content, much to the chagrin of her family. 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

October brings long-awaited titles Loki (Season 2) and The Fall of the House of Usher plus a Milli Vanilli documentary. < Back New Titles Streaming in October Keeley Brooks Oct 3, 2023 Share October brings long-awaited titles Loki (Season 2) and The Fall of the House of Usher plus a Milli Vanilli documentary. October excites me for many reasons but mostly because with it comes Halloween, which is finally right around the corner. It’s the time of year when the leaves start fallin’ and the weather starts coolin’ off, and yards are decorated with fun and excitement. It's also the time of year cable channels start streaming classic horror movies like Halloween , Friday the 13th, Scream, and A Nightmare on Elm Street, in addition to a host of other titles. There's even a Friday the 13th in store this month, adding that touch of extra spookiness. You guys will have plenty of new streaming titles on October’s menu of releases to keep you in the mood of the season, especially now that the writers’ strike has finally come to a close. (Hallelujah!) But there’s much more than horror releases to look forward to on your favorite platforms. As Fall rolls in, so, too, do Loki (Season 2 ), The Fall of the House of Usher , Our Flag Means Death (Season 2), and a Milli Vanilli documentary that I know all Gen Xers can’t wait to see. Ba ba-ba-ba baby. So let’s get with it! Here’s what’s new and streaming in October. APPLE TV+ Lessons in Chemistry (Oct. 13) -- Brie Larson ( Avengers: Endgame ) fights against the patriarchal powers that be in this new series based on the 2022 Bonnie Garmus novel of the same name. Larson stars as Elizabeth Zott, an aspiring scientist who gets canned from her laboratory job but refuses to go down without a fight. After accepting a role as a cooking show host, she uses the platform to educate and rally her core demographic: belittled housewives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1PuK8mxASE The Pigeon Tunnel (Oct. 20) -- Fans of documentary filmmaking should know the name Errol Morris, who is one of the greatest documentarians of his era. Morris has made his name with some of the best documentaries in history, including The Fog of War and The Thin Blue Line . His latest work is coming to Apple TV+ as he tells the story of the life of John le Carre, an author who wrote some of the best spy novels in history, including those about the famed spy George Smiley ("Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy"). Le Carre died in 2020 and this was his final interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gWnuhjwNrw The Enfield Poltergeist (Oct. 27) -- Another chilling docuseries for Halloween? Yes, thank you. If you've ever seen The Conjuring 2 , you may already be familiar with this case, although Director James Wan chose to explore the haunting through a slightly more fictionalized lens. The Enfield Poltergeist is a limited series presenting actual audio recordings captured during the investigation of the English residence. Don't worry if it makes you quiver and cower--I promise we'll all be doing the same! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncN8o_LfRlY DISNEY+ Loki, Season 2 (Oct. 5) -- The new season of Loki picks up in the aftermath of the shocking Season 1 finale when Loki (Tom Hiddleston, of Thor ) finds himself in a battle for the soul of the Time Variance Authority. Along with Mobius (Owen Wilson, of Meet the Parents ), Hunter B-15, and a team of new and returning characters, Loki navigates an ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous multiverse in search of Sylvie (Sophia Di Martino, of Peacock TV series), Judge Renslayer (Gugu Mbatha-Raw, of The Morning Show ), Miss Minutes (Tara Strong, of Young Love TV series), and the truth of what it means to possess free will and glorious purpose. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dug56u8NN7g Goosebumps (Oct. 13) -- R.L. Stine ’s classic tale comes to life in a 10-part series starring Justin Long ( Barbarian ), Rachael Harris ( Lucifer ), and Rob Huebel ( The Goldbergs ). Unlike the anthology formatted series from the 90s, this version of " Goosebumps" will combine several terrifying tales from Stine’s book series to tell one consistent narrative. A group of five high schoolers embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle, while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past. Also streaming on Hulu. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIiUwbBxZo8 HULU Nada (Oct. 11) -- In 2002, 30 would-be contestants gathered to film what they were told was an ambitious new reality show that would change their lives. The problem: The show didn’t exist! So, what happened? What’s the story, morning glory? This docuseries attempts to get to the bottom of all that. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iyOASBwWak Goosebumps (Oct. 13) -- R.L. Stine ’s classic tale comes to life in a 10-part series starring Justin Long ( Barbarian ), Rachael Harris ( Lucifer ), and Rob Huebel ( The Goldbergs ). Unlike the anthology formatted series from the 90s, this version of " Goosebumps" will combine several terrifying tales from Stine’s book series to tell one consistent narrative. A group of five high schoolers embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle, while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIiUwbBxZo8 Shoresy , Season 2 (Oct. 27) -- The Letterkenny spinoff returns with Season 2, so fans will once again get to see the titular hockey goon Shoresy (Jared Keeso, of Letterkenny ) get into all sorts of comedic trouble as he continues his journey to become the greatest hockey player of all time. The complete second season will be available to stream starting October 27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgJ4LMqrYGU MAX (formerly HBO Max) The Ringleader: The Case of the Bling Ring (Oct. 1) -- In 2008 and 2009, a crime ring of suburban teens stole over three million dollars’ worth of jewelry, designer clothing, and cash from the homes of Parish Hilton, Orlando Bloom, Lindsay Lohan, and dozens more celebrities. Now, the so-called “ringleader” and mastermind behind the robberies, Rachel Lee, opens up for the first time about her role in the crime spree and outlines the culture of celebrity worship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLSBJLnTOTM Our Flag Means Death , Season 2 (Oct. 5) -- Set in the early 18th century during the Golden Age of Piracy, Our Flag Means Death follows the misadventures of gentleman-turned-pirate Stede Bonnet (Rhys Darby, of Flight of the Conchords ) and his crew aboard the Revenge as they try to make a name for themselves as pirates. When they cross paths with the famed captain Blackbeard (Taika Waititi, of What We Do in the Shadows ), Stede and Blackbeard develop then proclaim their feelings for each other, only to part ways after Stede returned home to see his family. In Season 2, Stede pines for his lost love while Blackbeard is full of angst, wreaking havoc and spilling blood all over the Caribbean. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0fVBD2ltBw Doom Patrol , Season 4 Part 2 (Oct. 12) -- In the final run for the popular series revolving around members left terribly disfigured but full of superhuman abilities after a tragic accident, Doom Patrol returns with the second part of its fourth and final season. The story will pick up where it left off in Part 1 with the team in Orqwith, where the force called Immortus is capable of stripping them of their longevity. How will this play out? You’ll have to watch and see! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAL2c0eYYsE The Gilded Age , Season 2 (Oct. 29) -- A period of immense economic change and great conflict between the old ways and new systems, The Gilded Age saw huge fortunes made then lost. In Season 1, an aspiring writer seeking a fresh start becomes inadvertently enmeshed in a social war between one of her aunts, a scion of old money, and her stupendously rich neighbors, a ruthless railroad tycoon and his ambitious wife. On the brink of the modern age, Season 2 will feature a war between the wealthy women of New York society. Nothing like a good catfight full of stubbornness and snobbery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp0zWfSmn-8 NETFLIX Beckham (Oct. 4) -- David Beckham isn't just one of the most recognizable soccer players in history, he’s also a global icon who shaped the pop-culture landscape of an entire decade. This docuseries looks beyond the headlines and the iconic sporting moments as it explores the man behind it all, with insight from Becks himself as well as his closest friends and family. Beckham chronicles a meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global football stardom. This glitzy bio-doc will be a must-watch for Man Utd fans, and anybody who took a photo of Beckham to the barbers as a kid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUVNbJMWi_c Lupin , Season 3 (Oct. 5) -- France’s most-wanted gentleman thief is back, and this time he’s returning to Paris. The last time we saw Assane Diop (Omar Sy, of The Intouchables ), he was on the run from the police after being framed for murder by Hubert Pellegrinr (Hervé Pierre, of Paris, je t’aime ), a wealthy entrepreneur responsible for Assane’s father being falsely imprisoned. Now most wanted in France, the suave thief decides to live off radar for a bit in hopes that his disappearance will keep his son safe, but first the conman is planning his most audacious heist yet. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpLyzU0tk80 The Fall of the House of Usher (Oct. 12) -- Mike Flanagan ( The Haunting of Hill House ) is back with another classic horror literature adaptation, this time from the OG literary master, Edgar Allen Poe. Inspired by Poe’s short story "The Fall of the House of Usher", Flanagan’s adaptation is an eight-part miniseries focusing on two siblings, Roderick (Bruce Greenwood, of The Resident ) and Madeline (Mary McDonnell, of Battlestar Galactica ), who have built a pharmaceutical empire. However, when the heirs to the Usher dynasty begin mysteriously dying one by one, the company’s corrupt foundations are exposed. The Fall of the House of Usher will be Flanagan’s last gothic-horror drama for the streaming giant, ending his fruitful partnership with Netflix on a high note. Also stars Carla Gugino ( The Haunting of Hill House ), Henry Thomas ( E.T. the Extraterrestrial ), Mark Hamill ( Star Wars ), Annabeth Gish ( Sons of Anarchy ), and Zach Gilford ( Friday Night Lights ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvuAWVzP6wI Bodies (Oct. 19) -- When a dead body appears on the streets of London, it seems like business as usual for the detective working the case. But this same victim has actually appeared across three other points in time: 1890, during the Victorian era; 1941, during the height of World War II; and 30 years into the future in 2053. As the crime is further investigated in each period, a sinister conspiracy that could threaten the entire United Kingdom begins to unravel. This unique sci-fi series blends murder mystery, police procedural and period drama into an intriguing mix you won’t want to miss. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrJUDWRDTos The Devil on Trial (Oct. 17) -- A haunting true crime documentary, The Devil on Trial explores the true story behind The Conjuring 3 and chronicles the only example in the history of the U.S. legal system of demonic possession officially being used as defense in a murder trial. In 1981, Arne Cheyenne Johnson claimed that he killed his landlord, Alan Bono, while under the influence of demonic forces. This unbelievable claim drew the interest of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and was the inspiration for the most recent Conjuring movie. This Netflix doc explores the events leading up to the murder, the trial, and its aftermath and includes firsthand accounts from various people closest to the case, including Johnson himself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckEsFXCB33A PARAMOUNT+ Painkiller: The Tylenol Murders (Oct. 10) -- This groundbreaking documentary uses hours of exclusive archival footage in a five-part docuseries that will transport viewers back four decades to the moments after a twisted killer laced Tylenol pills with cyanide and killed seven people in the Chicago area. True story. While no perpetrators were found at the time, a man named James William Lewis was suspected of extorting a million bucks from Johnson & Johnson to stop the cyanide murders. The Tylenol Murders is narrated by Laurence Fishburne ( The Matrix, John Wick ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjJHp47zMEE Frasier (Oct. 12) -- A revival of the beloved spinoff of Cheers, Frasier returns with Kelsey Grammar as the eponymous psychiatrist back in Boston, looking to reconnect with his son Freddy (Jack Cutmore-Scott, of Tenet ). Most of the original cast are nowhere to be seen, so don’t get your hopes up on returning familiarity if you’re an old fan of the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oz--6tGukuw Crush (Oct. 17) -- The team behind the award-winning documentary 11 Minutes , which told the story of the mass shooting as Las Vegas’ Route 91 Harvest music festival, have set up another docuseries, Crush . The docuseries will explore the Halloween tragedy in Seoul, South Korea, on October 29, 2022, that left 159 dead and hundreds injured. The multi-part series will be an immersive moment-by-moment dive into how the tragedy unfolded and the forces that make crowds panic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps8Xl_hVwqA Milli Vanilli (Oct. 24) -- I don’t know about you, but this Gen Xer is stoked about this new feature-length documentary detailing the story behind one of the greatest and most ill-fated chart-topping duo of the late 80s and early 90s, Milli Vanilli. In case you don’t know their story, after a rocky upbringing in Germany, Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan joined forces to become one of the biggest pop groups in the world, scoring three Billboard Hot 100 number one songs, “Blame It on the Rain”, “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You”, and “Baby Don’t Forget My Number” in 1989. They won the Best New Artist Grammy in 1990 before it was revealed that they didn’t actually sing on any of their hits. Now, the duo’s lone surviving member, Fabrice Morvan, tells their true story. Pilatus sadly died of an alcohol and prescription drug overdose in 1998. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ygUUbEaUZU PEACOCK John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams (Oct. 13) -- Explore true tales of terror that took place in American suburbs with the horror legend himself, John Carpenter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9cRV4_Qgew Wolf Like Me , Season 2 (Oct. 19) -- If you haven’t watched the first season of Wolf Like Me and have an interest in werewolf-centric series, you're gonna want to hop on this comedy train. Widower Gary (Josh Gad, of Ghostbusters: Afterlife ) lives in suburban South Australia with his kid, with whom he struggles to connect. After getting into a car accident with a woman named Mary (Isla Fisher, of Wedding Crashers ) and Mary helps Gary’s kid through a panic attack, the two decide to go on a date, which gets weird and doesn’t end well. Mary has a big hairy secret, and Season 1’s finale left us all wondering the same thing: Is she giving birth to a wolf pup or a human baby? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zauOAVsKfLI PRIME VIDEO Upload , Season 3 (Oct. 20) -- After his untimely death, a man is able to choose his own afterlife by having his consciousness uploaded into a virtual world. When party boy Nathan (Robbie Amell, of The Witcher ) gets uploaded to a virtual resort, he meets the down-to-earth Nora (Andy Allo, Chicago Fire ), who starts as his customer service "angel," but becomes so much more as she helps him along the way. The longer Nathan is there, the more he begins to question whether his death was truly an accident. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dr2pEYI_R4 Bosch: Legacy , Season 2 (Oct. 20) -- A spinoff of Prime Video’s hit crime drama series Bosch , Bosch: Legacy finds Harry (Titus Welliver, of Sons of Anarchy ), retired homicide detective turned private investigator, embarking on the next chapter of his career, where he must learn to work with a former enemy. Streaming on Prime Video and Freevee. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Wsp-o_o_6E Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with a voracious appetite for entertainment consumption and an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches, even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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Amanda Chapman, Photographer & Special Effects Artist < Back The Most Creative Eye in North Alabama Keeley Brooks Nov 14, 2022 Share Amanda Chapman, Photographer & Special Effects Artist Here at Mixed Alternative, we think all artists are pretty awesome, especially the self-taught ones. Kind of like this creative gem of a photographer and special effects make-up artist in Tuscumbia, Alabama. Amanda Chapman is completely self-taught in her craft, and her work is utterly breathtaking. Her photography has been featured on Shutterbug, and her special effects make-up has been featured on Yahoo! , Buzzfeed, marie claire, POPSUGAR, and Alabama.com . Yes, she’s THAT good. And she has a kind, creative, super-fun personality to match. Amanda’s love for photography developed in 2006 after her husband gave her her first camera for Christmas. After reading the manual and teaching herself about the art of photography, she started taking pictures of her daughter and soon learned she loved portrait photography. By March 2007, Chapman opened her photography business and hasn’t looked back. Later that year, she started shooting weddings and expanded her repertoire. What makes her photos so unique is that she doesn’t just shoot an image; she creates a work of art in and around her subjects that leaves people so happy, they often can’t find the words to express it. That was the case with a local author, who wished to remain anonymous, who hired Amanda to shoot the cover of her book. “I get really nervous taking pictures,” the author said. “Amanda’s personality put me at complete ease, and she was so creative in her vision that it was the best photo shoot I’ve ever had, and I left elated. When I got the pictures back, they were gorgeous. My publisher and I loved them and had a hard time choosing 'the one'.” By 2012, Amanda’s journey expanded to include special effects makeup and photography. “I grew up in a haunted house, and I honestly don’t remember a time where I didn’t love Halloween and all the spooky things. I always love watching scary movies and dressing up, even when it wasn’t Halloween,” says Chapman. Inspired by well-known YouTube make-up artist Kandee Johnson after she saw Johnson do an Edward Scissorhands makeup, Amanda picked up some tips from her and decided to give her hand a try at her own Edward Scissorhands makeup. “I felt such a deep connection to this character that I wanted to walk a day in his shoes, so to speak. I’ve always loved that movie.” (And I can say to all you Scissorhands fans to stay tuned for a very special Edward transformation coming very soon!) The application process takes many hours, she says, and if she’s making prosthetics, that usually takes two to three days, depending on what she’s making. Creating these types of characters led her to embark on learning to make prosthetics and test other materials for the effects process. When she creates prosthetics, she first does a clay sculpt on a face cast. Next, she creates a plaster mold and pours latex into the mold. After it sets, she removes the latex prosthetic and paints it, then applies it. In addition to Edward, Amanda has recreated other popular characters like Beetlejuice, Michael Meyers, E.T., The Maitlands ( Beetlejuice ), Pennywise, Jigsaw, Mrs. Bates, Vecna (from Stranger Things ), Large Marge (from PeeWee’s Big Adventure ), and Jason Voorhees, to name a few. “My favorite characters to recreate are, of course, Edward Scissorhands, the Bride of Frankenstein, Frankenstein’s Monster, and Creature from the Black Lagoon, just for a few,” says Chapman. “I’m a huge [Johnny] Depp / [Tim] Burton fan, so many of their collaborations are favorites of mine to recreate.” She also enjoys doing zombie makeups and even went to The Walking Dead conventions in Nashville and Atlanta in 2016. Her makeup was so good that it caught the attention of other fx artists in Atlanta, and she even got to meet Dead stars Andrew Lincoln, Glenn Rhee, and Norman Reedus--something Amanda says she'll never forget. Her favorite part of the transformation process, she says, is the moment when she first sees the character coming together, which often reminds her to trust the process … and herself. As she creates her characters, Amanda then designs an entire set in which to photograph them. “I love creating sets and choosing lighting to complement each character. It helps being my own photographer to capture each portrait in a certain artistic light,” she says. Ever since 2017, Amanda has done a “31 Days of Halloween” project where she creates characters and sets and posts photos of a different character over the entire month of October. This year she featured Billy Butcherson from Hocus Pocus , Large Marge, and Jason Voorhees, among many others. Amanda says she enjoys the whimsical makeups, especially if they’re Tim-Burton inspired. “It all starts with being inspired by a new character to create. Then my brain is consumed with every single detail to make it happen. If it's a recreation of a character, then I obsess over getting everything as close to the original as possible. I consider the backdrop and lighting to help highlight the makeup as well.” Recently, Chapman entered the 2022 Faces of Horror contest—the first of its kind. She received a ton of votes and is so talented, she made it all the way to the semi-finals and came in 2nd. “I believe this was the first year for this contest to be held, and I was fortunate enough to advance as far as I did,” Amanda says. And she’ll tell you it was, “100% because of all the amazing votes from family, friends, and online followers,” for whom she says she is very, very grateful, but it was also because of her talent and ability to creatively capture each character and their emotion in the way she envisioned and intended. Chapman says for many past characters she’s created prosthetics and masks that she would love to introduce on TikTok and YouTube, and she even has “many more characters” up her sleeve for 2023. When asked what’s next for her, Amanda responded, “I have plans to start a series of original characters, and I have always flirted with the idea of doing fx-themed horror photo shoots for my clients who are brave enough, haha.” She’s got one person right here who’s not only brave enough but also happily willing and ready any time she wants! Whether you’re looking for portraits, wedding photos, couple pics, a bitchin band photo for your album or book cover, a fun themed shoot—it doesn’t matter. You’re gonna want to call Amanda. She is, hands down, one of the best photographers we’ve ever come across. We know you’ll love her as much as we do. To view Amanda’s work and book her for any of her mad skills, you can find her online at www.AmandaChapman.net and on Facebook @AmandaDChapman. *photos provided by Amanda Chapman 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

Gino V’s unique ability to infuse his compositions with emotion, technical proficiency, and soul will shape and inspire generations of musicians to come. < Back Gino V.: Redefining the Music Scene with Rhythm and Soul Nicole Brice Oct 20, 2023 Share Gino V’s unique ability to infuse his compositions with emotion, technical proficiency, and soul will shape and inspire generations of musicians to come. In South Louisiana, we have a rich musical landscape with bands playing many genres of music. From rock to zydeco to metal and everywhere in between, the market is saturated with talented individuals all looking to showcase their craft to the masses, and in the ever-evolving landscape of music, there are those rare individuals who possess the talent and vision to create something truly unique. When I first stumbled upon the Gino Vallecillo (aka Gino V.), I was blown away because it was unlike anything I’d ever previously heard, and it did not fall into one category. It’s a little bit of pop with a little bit of soul and a little bit of rhythm & blues. To be frank, it’s just good. Credit: Gary Governale Hailing from the town of Delcambre and stabilizing himself as a fixture on the local music scene in Lafayette, Louisiana, Gino V. has made a name for himself with various projects, including being a touring musician and playing in such bands as Sailor Mouth, Random Animals, HoleOpener, and The Band Forgiven. Gino’s diverse range of projects shows he is a man on a mission to be heard and seen. Multi-talented, Gino plays drums and sings, which is no small feat. With unparalleled skills and an ability to seamlessly blend various genres, Gino possesses an innate musicality—one that is sure to leave an indelible mark on the industry. Born and raised in a musically inclined family, Vallecillo was exposed to a diverse range of music from a young age where he absorbed the various musical styles, forming the foundation of his artistic journey that shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Having just released two new singles independently under his solo brand with the tunes “Shine” and “Back Home”, we were able to steal a few moments of Gino’s time to chat with him recently where we spoke about the state of the music industry as well as upcoming projects in the queue and what the future holds. Take a moment to read a little more about Gino V. and then be sure to check out his music on all streaming platforms. MaM : Thank you for speaking with us this morning. We did a little research on you, and it is insane how many projects you have been involved with over the years. Tell us a little background and history on you. GV : Well, my full name is Gino Vallecillo, but I shortened it to Gino V. because I’m Hispanic but grew up in Cajun Country. Since people have slaughtered my name my entire life, I figured it was easier for people to remember it this way. They can’t mess up Gino. I’m from Delcambre, which is south of Lafayette – about 35 minutes. I started playing drums around 12 years old but didn’t start playing on a kit until I was 14. I’ve been singing as long as I can remember, too, and I grew up in a very musical household where no one else played instruments, but everyone loved music. My dad is from Honduras, so I was exposed to salsa, mambo, and bachata dance styles early on—a lot of Afro-Cuban stuff. He was also into disco and soul music, so I absorbed that influence as well. My mom was more into rock from the 50s and 60s and also into 90s country, so I have those influences, too. Now, my brothers were the ones who liked hip-hop and R&B, so that kind of changed me. As a youth, it helped me to create the gumbo, if you will, of influences that got me here. Initially, when I first started, I was gigging in hardcore and metal bands from the time I was 14 and 15 years old, and that went all through college. In 2015, I decided to move on from the group I had been playing with for the past six years so I could start doing my own thing. I started trying to fill the pool with my singing again because I had taken a hiatus from it to focus on playing drums. I had been gigging in Lafayette in the heavy scene for a while but then decided to jump over to do more soul, blues, and R&B, which in Lafayette, oddly enough, is divided. You do have a few of us that do kind of catch every genre, but there’s so much out here including zydeco, which is huge. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Obviously. GV : You can go out and see many genres in Lafayette, though, but I started taking the jump to do something different. Then in 2017, I started a band that I had initially hoped would be a dirty blues band, but it wound up taking shape to be more R&B-esque with a little rock influence. We were called Sailor Mouth. For about four years, I was in Sailor Mouth, and then in 2021, I was allowed to go on the road with a national recording act for about seven months. I got to experience the world and travel the country, and it lit a fire under me. Being out there inspired me, and I came across many musicians who had given their lives to other artists with nothing that was truly theirs. People don’t realize it, but the music industry is extremely hard. It’s one of the toughest industries to be a part of because it takes so long to establish yourself. There’s no security either. The best way to establish that security for yourself, though, is to have your own thing to fall back on no matter what. MaM : So true … go on. GV : After coming home from that road gig, I didn’t have my own thing anymore, so with the help of one of my best friends, we were able to write “Shine”. He has been super influential in my taking this next step. For the past year, I have written a ton of music and am sitting on close to 20 songs. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Oh wow, that’s a lot. GV : “Shine” is the first release and I have some more music I want to release. My goal is to just continue to build my discography and try to elevate my brand. I have a lot of cool things coming up. MaM : Do you find it’s more difficult to get your music heard these days or do you feel technology has made it easier? GV : To be honest, I feel it’s a little bit of both. I use Distrokid and with that, there’s a lot of content put out because anyone can use it. I do think that because everyone is using streaming services our attention spans are not what they used to be, and for me as an artist, I don’t think I’ll be putting out a full record anytime soon. It would take so much of my time because I would obsess about every single detail including tracking and flow. I feel like singles are the way to go for me to establish my discography. I do like where technology is these days, but I think we’re on a different playing field than where it used to be with music. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : I can agree especially with the whole attention span thing. I couldn’t tell you the last time I listened to an entire album. I keep my music collection on shuffle, so it’s ever-changing. It’s crazy to think how far the industry has come and to think about how much things have changed. Of all these bands you have played in, are any of them still active? GV : Well, with Sailor Mouth, we are on a hiatus. A member moved and one had a baby and then I went on the road. Our guitarist is the guitarist for Wayne Toups right now, so he’s got that gig. Life just happened. I do still play for a very small circle of people currently. I still play for Ray Boudreaux. He’s a singer from Carencro and was on The Voice back in 2013. I also play for a soul singer out of Port Barre named Sarah Russo, who is incredible. I have a few projects. This is what I do full time and it’s what I want to do. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : So, mad respect for the fact that you play drums and sing. I’m not gonna lie: It looks difficult. How do you stay coordinated? How did you hone that skill to where you are just rockin’ the hell out of it? GV : Well, I think that it kind of started when I was younger. I was actually rapping and drumming when I was 14. I kind of dipped my toes into the water just to see if I was capable. Getting into the heavy scene, I found other drummers doing it in rock and metal bands. I got into Atreyu big time and Brandon Saller was a kick-ass drummer who sang. Underoath, Aaron Gillespie, another band with one who plays drums and sings. I was always inspired by it and wanted to do it. In 2016, I found Anderson .Paak and was very inspired by him, and I think that was one of the things in 2016 that gave me a kick in the ass when I saw him live because I knew I could do it. I wasn’t where I needed to be because I needed the mic time, but I knew it could be done. You’re not gonna get good at it unless you’re doing it constantly, so I’m always singing. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : That leads me to your new song, “Shine”—how did the lyrics come about for it? The entire vibe is so strong. GV : So, I had just come off the road and was trying to establish what I was going to do next. Josh, my homeboy, sent me the basic riff while I was on the road, and I had started messing with it. When I found the time to sit down, the song just poured out of me. The melody hit first and then the words came. The song “Shine” in general, I believe, is my outward expression of gratitude for the love I received from my partner. I went through some dark times in 2020 and I would have never gotten through them without my partner in my corner. So, the song is essentially that, but I think it’s up to interpretation, you know? It could be whatever that light in your life is, whatever that thing is that you can cling to that kind of pulls you out of the darkness when it doesn’t really feel like that’s possible. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq7mIvKU-Gs MaM : I can definitely resonate with that. You said for the rest of the year you plan to release singles, but what are your goals for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024 and beyond? GV : I want to continue to release music and I would love to do more on the local festival circuit. I’m going for Festival International next year here in Lafayette. I’d also like to do more road gigs … maybe travel through the Bay St. Louis area, maybe Mississippi, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, and then go through Texas. The biggest thing for me right now is elevation. I want to take what I’ve been doing and do it on a new level. As Gino Vallecillo’s musical journey continues to evolve, his future projects will undoubtedly push the boundaries of contemporary music even further. His unique ability to infuse his compositions with emotion, technical proficiency, and soul will shape and inspire generations of musicians to come. To check out the music of Gino V., just hit one of the links below! DistroKid : Shine by Gino V. - DistroKid Linktree : ginovmusic | Instagram, Facebook | 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 Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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

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

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

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

Louisiana's Radfest is back for its third installment in September. < Back Southern Happenings: Rad Fest 2024 Nicole Brice Aug 13, 2024 Share Louisiana's Radfest is back for its third installment in September. Lafayette’s Radfest returns in September for the third year and promises to be better than ever with a stellar line-up and a new two-day format. The festival begins on September 20, 2024, at Feed N Seed in Lafayette , at 106 N. Grant Street, where four bands will take the stage for the night starting at 7:00 p.m. The second day of the festival will be on September 21, 2024 at Parc International in downtown Lafayette, and the music will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Held in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun Country, Rad Fest was created in 2022 by Grant Duhon, lead vox for the Lafayette-based punk band Subliminal Landmines . It features talent from in and around the area and is a showcase for those making buzz on the local scene, allowing them to bring their mad talents to larger crowds in a festival atmosphere. The line-up for the first day includes: Garguts (7-7:30) Genre : Sludge Metal/ Death ‘n’ Roll She Might Be A Beast (7:45-8:15) Genre : Neo-Grunge From Misery to Malice (8:30-9) Genre : Death Metal / Deathcore S wamp Stank (9:15-10) Genre : Metal The line-up for the second day includes: Subliminal Landmines (2:30-3) Genre : Punk Dogma (3:15-3:45) Genre : Metal Sick at Heart (4-4:30) Genre : Alternative / Hard Rock Apex Fallen (4:45-5:15) Genre : Metal Life On Mars (5:30-6) Genre : Metalcore First Street Hooligans (6:15-6:45) Genre : Rock Ultrasound (7-7:30) Genre : Metal We All Perish (7:45-8:15) Genre : Alternative/Metal/Rock Inner Anguish (8:30-9) Genre : Hard Rock Endure the Affliction (9:15-10) Genre : Metal Pre-sell tickets are still available, so check out social media for more details. Facebook Rock Around Downtown Fest (@rad_fest) | Instagram www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

New Arrivals on Netflix, Hulu, Prime, AppleTV, and HBOMax < Back What to Watch This Weekend (10.28.22) Keeley Brooks Oct 27, 2022 Share New Arrivals on Netflix, Hulu, Prime, AppleTV, and HBOMax Whoo! It has been a busy week! Halloween doth approacheth, my friends, and as far as I’m concerned, the holiday started Monday ... meaning that once I post this pretty little article, it’s nothing but movies and streaming all kinds of creepy content for this nerd. It makes me giggle to flinch in fear, and when you’re with laughin' with your BFF, that’s a good time. As suspected, there’s no shortage of content to stream this week up through Halloween, so buckle up and settle in with your candy buckets, my friends; it’s gonna be a long one. NETFLIX Fortune Feimster: Good Fortune – If you ever watched The Mindy Project or Office Christmas Party , chances are you know who Fortune is—if not by name, at least by face. Homegirl is one hilarious writer, actor, and stand-up comedian. Proving you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, she returns to Netflix with her second comedy special, after Sweet & Salty , which if you haven’t seen and you're lookin' to laugh, you totally should. This time she’s rapping about a marriage proposal gone wrong, recess in the 80s, butch women, and one mind-blowing butt massage. Now streaming Fugitive: The Curious Case of Carlos Ghosn – The story of Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, from his rise as a business mogul to his fall as an international fugitive. Now streaming The Good Nurse – Starring Eddie Redmayne, Jessica Chastain, Kim Dickens ( The Walking Dead ), and Noah Emmerich ( The Americans ), this drama is based on the 2013 true-crime book of the same name by Charles Graeber about serial killer Charles Cullen, and the nurse who helped bring him down. Mostly. Now streaming Earthstorm – Season 1 is full of storm chasers, survivors, and first responders recounting their harrowing experiences with volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes. My fascination with this part of nature begins and ends right on my couch. Been through enough hurricanes, I’ll pass on ridin' out the others if I can help it. Now streaming Wendell & Wild – Favorite comedy duo Keegan Michael Key and Jordan Peele are back in this stop-motion horror comedy as Wendell & Wild, two devious demon brothers who face their nun arch enemy (Angela Bassett), notorious for expelling demons. Also features characters by Ving Rhames, and James Hong. Out Friday, Oct. 28 * Other newly released titles : Family Reunion Part 5, Romantic Killer, Daniel Spellbound, Dubai Bling Series. * Coming October 28 : All Quiet on the Western Front, The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself, Big Mouth Season 6, Drink Masters, I Am A Stalker, If Only, My Encounter with Evil, Wild is the Wind *Coming October 29 : Deadwind Season 3 HULU American Horror Story – Season 11 dropped weeks ago, but that’s not going to stop me from telling you to watch it. Whereas last season was a more of a double feature with “Red Tide” and “Death Valley,” season 11 is one story taking place in two different timelines, with a whole new cast of characters. Joe Mantello ( The Watcher ), Zachary Quinto ( NOS4A2 ), Billie Lourd ( Booksmart ), and Patti Lupone ( Penny Dreadful ) lead a cast that find themselves in NYC in the 1980s, and there’s a serial killer running around targeting gay men. AHS promises, “the deadliest year” and “a season like no other.” You be the judge. New episodes streaming Thursdays on FX on Hulu The Patient – If you haven’t been watching this all along, you should've. Steve Carrell heartfully stars as a psychotherapist kidnapped by a patient (Brendan Gleeson, Ex Machina ), who also happens to be a serial killer. Then, he's held prisoner, chained to a bed in his client's living room. WATCH. THIS. SERIES. Now streaming PRIME Downton Abbey: A New Era – The Crawley family goes on a grand journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the dowager countess’s newly inherited villa. Starring Allen Leech, Elizabeth McGovern, Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter, and Michelle Dockery. Available Friday, October 28 APPLE TV The only new title dropping this weekend on Apple TV is Louis Armstrong’s Black and Blues , a documentary offering an intimate and revealing look at the world-changing musician, presented through a lens of archival footage and never-before-heard home recordings and personal conversations. What a wonderful world indeed, Mr. Armstrong. Streaming Friday, October 28 HBOMax Mixed with the one new series dropping this weekend are a couple you might’ve missed that are Halloween-atmosphere appropriate and absolutely worth a watch. Just remember: thou shalt not judge a series ‘til thou sees it! Barbarian – The smash hit horror movie is finally streaming. A young woman (Georgina Campbell, Suspicion ) arrives at her rental home late at night and finds a lot more to fear than just an unexpected house guest (Bill Skarsgård, It: Chapter Two ). Also stars the endearingly funny Justin Long. Now streaming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fkbig10TD8 The White Lotus – Season 2 is back with a brand new star-studded cast. F. Murray Abraham ( Mythic Quest ), Connie Britton ( Friday Night Lights ), Steve Zahn (who needs no intro), and Jennifer Coolidge (same, but most famously Legally Blonde ) lead a cast of characters at an exclusive Sicilian resort and, similar to the first season, follows the exploits of guests and employees over the span of a week. Streaming Sunday, October 30 Tokyo Vice – Ansel Elgort ( Baby Driver ) is Jake Adelstein, an American-turned-Japanese journalist who plugs into the Tokyo Vice police squad and descends into the neon underbelly of Tokyo. This one sucked me in. Also stars Ken Watanabe ( The Last Samurai ) and Rachel Keller ( Legion ). Season 1 now streaming Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin – Starring a bunch of grown-up former Nickelodeon stars (hey, it’s rated MA and I said grown up ), this slasher teen/young adult series follows a desperate group of high schoolers being tormented by an unknown assailant. It’s pretty good. Even my husband watched it. But he’s a nerd like me, and we’ll watch just about anything. And that’s all the more reason you should just take my word that it’s worth a watch over this Halloween weekend. I bet you'll get sucked in just like we did! Season 1 now streaming Also released this week: A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting and The Lost Kitchen, Season 3 Go watch and devour the sweets, my sweets! Stay tuned for tomorrow's top 10 horror movie releases this Halloween week/end! 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

Teen Idle’s music is a rich tapestry with heart and soul. < Back Woven with Feeling: The Artistry of Teen Idle Nicole Brice Oct 9, 2025 Share Teen Idle’s music is a rich tapestry with heart and soul. Sara Abdelbarry is an exceptionally gifted musician hailing from the vibrant shores of Asbury Park, New Jersey , who goes by the name of Teen Idle when she’s creating music. I had the pleasure of meeting her through my good friend Jeff Crespi recently, and her passion for music immediately struck me. Since her debut release in 2020 , she has taken the local music scene by storm, unveiling an array of captivating singles and EPs that showcase her extraordinary talent. Sara is a true force to be reckoned with because she not only makes music, but she also does all the production herself, too. Credit: Jeff Crespi With an angelic voice that resonates with profound depth and emotion , Sara has a remarkable ability to draw you in with every note she sings. I find myself completely entranced by her music; it’s beautiful, haunting, creative, and simply amazing. One of my personal favorites is ‘ Burning ,’ released in 2022. The guitar sound at the start is incredible. I love this song so much! It feels like a mix of Juliana Hatfield and Tanya Donelly , with a hint of PJ Harvey —a true alternative dream. In 2022, Abdelbarry was asked to contribute to a Jersey Shore compilation , where she put her own enchanting spin on The Beach Boys’ classic ‘ Don't Worry Baby .’ Additionally, she has taken iconic tracks such as ‘ Be My Baby ’ by The Ronettes and ‘ Bad Romance ’ by Lady Gaga and infused them with her distinctive style, breathing new life into these beloved songs. Sara’s music is a rich tapestry woven with heart and soul , and every time I listen, I experience a chill coursing through me. Her sound embodies a genre I like to call Alternative Americana Rock Pop —if that doesn’t yet exist, I’m more than happy to claim it as our own! Credit: Jeff Crespi In addition to being profoundly gifted, Sara Abdelbarry is a radiant spirit , overflowing with creativity and passion that shines through in her music. We warmly invite you to dive into her entire catalog and experience the artistry she offers. Discover more about the inspiring Sara Abdelbarry and her captivating project, Teen Idle , below. MaM : I was reading how you play numerous instruments, so with Teen Idle, are you a one-woman show? Is that all you? SA : Essentially, the band really started as basically my solo project in college. I started around 2018 . It was just my outlet for writing music, and I didn’t want to put it all under my own name because there’s a specific connotation that comes with using your own name, and it can cause assumptions about where you’re from culturally, just based upon a name. The general assumption usually is that this person isn’t a singer-songwriter, and so that was the last thing I wanted for this project. I’m making everything from acoustic rock songs to really big ballads. The moniker Teen Idle was something I had had in my back pocket since high school. I had seen the name somewhere, and I told myself that when I have a band, this would be the name. I do all the writing and production, and it is basically a solo project in that sense. However, in a live setting, I have a full five-piece band. I play rhythm guitar , and then we have a synth player , drums , bass , and then a lead guitarist . It’s cool because all of these songs I write in my bedroom, and I make these productions. Credit: Jeff Crespi My first EP was recorded in a local studio. Still, the first stuff I was recording, and really the point of making the name Teen Idle of the project, was just for me to get things out there, so I ended up posting a bunch of music to Bandcamp , and it was more like a solo project. Still, I had always intended to have a full band when playing shows. I was living in New York at the time, attending college in New York City , and when I moved back home after college, I realized that all my friends from high school were living in different places. So, I told myself that I wanted to be part of the music scene in Asbury Park . I had been a part of it growing up because I had taken music lessons in Asbury , so it was sort of my introduction to the scene because I was taught by people who fronted bands in Asbury , and it always inspired me. I told myself, ‘That’s what I need to do when I am older,’ and I guess after I had moved back home after graduating college, it was sort of like a daunting feat to find a way to become part of this music scene. I ended up investing all of my energy into it, but due to COVID, I didn’t play my first show as Teen Idle until 2021 . Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : I want to say your voice is extraordinary, and as I was prepping for this interview, I was listening to your Beach Boys cover, and I absolutely love The Beach Boys. When did you discover you had a natural gift for singing, and how old were you when you really started to get into music? SA : You know, it’s interesting, because I’ve just been obsessed with music in every way, shape, and form since I was about six years old. I remember in second grade, when I was living in New York , I would go over to my neighbor’s house after school. We would sit down and watch MTV music videos, and his mom would make us frozen mac and cheese. It’s just such a core memory. I would watch these people, such as Gwen Stefani , Jennifer Lopez , and Avril Lavigne , and I started to develop an obsession with pop stars and their music. I think I bought my first CD shortly after, in second grade , and I would listen to music every day on the bus. I was always singing, yeah. I think I was nine when I picked up a guitar, and I was into the Jonas Brothers , and they were a big enough inspiration to me to pick up a guitar. I was always singing along to their music, accompanying everything I saw on the Disney Channel , and I've just realized I have a passion for singing. Credit: Jeff Crespi Vocals have been a real journey for me, though, honestly, and sometimes I think people think it’s easy for me. I’ll watch old videos of myself performing at The Stone Pony with the music school I was a part of. In high school and middle school, I was a shy child, but I was clearly passionate about singing and performing. Listening to how different my vocals sounded at that age compared to now, it’s almost as if I’ve developed this lower register, and I guess life happens, but it wears your voice down. It’s interesting to hear how much higher my voice was, but from when I started playing shows with Teen Idle to now, I have become more aware of how I am using my voice by watching older videos. It’s been a journey of learning how to use it correctly. MaM : On your song, ‘ Burning ’, you have this incredible guitar tone at the beginning of the song, and I wanted to see if you used any special pedals or anything to get that sound? It hooked me. SA : Oh wow, I’m trying to think, honestly. I haven’t listened to the recorded version in a while. MaM : It really caught my attention, and I tend to zone in on stuff like that. I’m a massive sucker for a heavy bassline, too. SA : I produced and recorded the song by myself and was experimenting with different sound effects and pedals. I honestly think it emerged from some weird audio mishap, and I just kept it. MaM : We call those "happy accidents". So, you also covered ‘ Be My Baby ’ by The Ronettes! Let’s talk about that. That’s always been one of my favorite songs. What an incredible rendition of a classic song. I love that you’re bringing these older songs into a newer generation, but with a different spin. You’ve got The Beach Boys cover and this one. What made you want to cover those songs, and do you have plans to cover any other classic songs? SA : There’s a local record label called Shore Points Records , and seasonally, they’ll put out different compilation albums, so the Beach Boys cover was actually part of this compilation called Local Summer . Just a bunch of Asbury artists covering songs that reminded them of summer, and I agonized over which song to pick. After I looked through my music library, I felt that I really knew this song well, and it’s such a vibe, and I’m constantly bobbing my head to it. I got into the studio with my drummer, James , at this place called Lakehouse , which is, coincidentally, where my drummer and I met when we were kids. Still, James is a talented producer and engineer, too, so just the two of us in the studio made that cover. He did the drums , and I played everything else on it basically. Additionally, he’s a heavy-hitting drummer , which inspired me to create a more rock-oriented version. I then decided to write a guitar riff over it that differs from the original. I think that song is so brilliant, and the chorus is fantastic. Now, ‘ Be My Baby ’, that was for a different compilation. I put together a compilation of all female artists and asked them to contribute a song. The funds went to a charity that fights against the trafficking of women. I just wanted to cover a really powerful female artist. MaM : Which leads me to ‘ Bad Romance ’ by Lady Gaga. How did that one come about? SA : That was another one that we did for a Shore Points compilation, and this one was all women-focused, highlighting different artists in the area. I got to do that one with Cory Blair ; she is just a phenomenal musician and one of my favorite songwriters. The concept was to pick a song from a powerful female artist you like, similar to the other one, but we toyed around with different stuff. We eventually landed on doing a Lady Gaga song, and we had to figure out which song was a doable song to do to make it our own and different. I’ve been obsessed with ‘ Bad Romance ’ since literally the day it came out. We wanted to honor her music and completely reimagine it. We took apart the entire song – rewrote the chords, redid everything. We wanted to slow it down, too, but when we did, it was eight minutes long, so we had to take out huge chunks. We then had the idea to do a sort of country version, because I haven’t seen that done yet for a Lady Gaga song. I had this clear vision in my mind, and then we just set it up. It was a grueling process, but we learned a lot. We basically wrote a new song using the lyrics and structure. MaM : What is your favorite genre to listen to, and do you have a specific top band? SA : I love so many different things. I think it would be impossible for me to say. I listen to a variety of genres, including classical, jazz , Middle Eastern funk , 90s grunge , and indie rock , but it depends on my mood—different bands suit different situations and moods. If I want a hype playlist, I’ll listen to those early 2000s pop songs. I’m open to everything. As far as bands, the reason I started writing music, I would have to say, is because of Fleetwood Mac . I remember discovering them as a teenager, and shortly after, I wrote my first song. I love Nine Inch Nails and St. Vincent . Her guitar playing and how she conducts herself in her career are amazing. I have so many. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : How do you approach writing a new song? Do you come up with a lyric or melody first? SA : I have definitely written stuff that is more on the intentional side, so I have to sit down and do it actively, but usually the way I work is I’ll make a demo , and if it’s not for an intentional compilation, then a song will usually start with a feeling . Maybe I was inspired by something that happened in my life. Perhaps I’m feeling really happy and uplifting . I’ll either be noodling around with the acoustic guitar or playing the piano, but sometimes, through noodling, I’ll discover a riff. I record everything I think is a good idea in my voice memos, so I have a million voice memos of stuff with me noodling with stuff that could become a song later. If I’m sitting down to write something, though, if I’m feeling a certain way, it’s usually me noodling around on the acoustic or humming a melody with words that don’t make sense to sort of get the syllables of what I want the song to sound like. When I’m actually writing lyrics, I’ll try to write something that follows those syllables and the rhyming scheme, but that actually makes sense. I’ll then make a full demo of everything, even if I’m going to be recording with someone else. Production and songwriting are really linked for me. Credit: Jeff Crespi MaM : What’s been the most challenging part of navigating today’s independent music scene? SA : Good question. It’s much different now than it was in 2015 , and I think the toughest thing is trying to figure out how to get people to listen to the music —trying to figure out how to do things organically and DIY with no budget, too. So, yeah, doing things on a budget and t rying to fight against the social media algorithms for exposure , and the trends, too. Trying to figure out how to break out of that mold and do something that’s really individual and goes against the grain. Walking that line, knowing what is going to get you exposure. As Teen Idle continues to establish a distinctive place in the indie music scene, fans won't have to wait long for the next release. A new single titled 'Vampires' will be available on October 24 , followed by a full-length album scheduled for release in spring 2026 . Teen Idle is only just beginning, so be sure to stay tuned for more updates. *Cover photos by Cory Blair and edited by Sara Abdelbarry To learn more about Teen Idle: www.teenidle.net Teen Idle Home page of Teen Idle, an indie group from Asbury Park, NJ. Teen Idle is the musical moniker of New Jersey songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Sara Abdelbarry. All live photos by the man with the plan, 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 at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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What's streaming in May < Back New Arrivals on Your Favorite Platforms Keeley Brooks Apr 27, 2023 Share What's streaming in May Ah, May—my favorite month, and not just because it’s my birthday. May means gearing up for the summer and with that comes a whole barrage of fresh new shows to stream. And there are plenty, including a new Michael J. Fox movie, Sly Stallone documentary, a new Schwarzenegger movie, some true crime, some comedy, and more reality shows. Here’s a look at the new content dropping on some of your favorite platforms this month. HBO & HBO Max Love & Death – This new series released April 27, but it’s worth mentioning in May. Here’s why you’re gonna want to watch it, especially if you’re true-crime story obsessed. Starring Elizabeth Olsen ( WandaVision ), the show centers on small-town Texas housewife Candy Montgomery (Olsen), who murdered her friend Betty Gore (Lily Rabe, American Horror Story ). Candy was having an affair with Betty’s husband Alan, played by Jesse Plemons ( Game Night ), and shortly after they called off their relationship, Betty was found dead. The series is written by David E. Kelley, the big brain behind Big Little Lies and The Undoing . Now streaming on HBO and HBO Max https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z778sJGKB3E White House Plumbers – Justin Theroux ( Mosquito Coast ), Domhnall Gleeson ( The Patient ), Kiernan Shipka ( Mad Men ), Lena Headey ( Game of Thrones ), and Woody Harrelson ( Zombieland ) star in this new five-part drama exploring how President Nixon’s own political saboteurs, Watergate masterminds E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy, inadvertently toppled the presidency. If you watched the Starz series Gaslit , you saw Julia Roberts slowly driven insane and drugged by Hunt and Liddy (and her husband) in her portrayal of Martha Mitchell, the outspoken wife of then-attorney general John Mitchell. She was the first person to signal Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate break-in. White House Plumbers premieres May 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuKM2sTTmHg The Other Two , Season 3 – If you haven’t seen the first two seasons of this show, you absolutely should make the time to do so before rolling into the new season. This underrated comedy dives into what celebrity status can do to a family, following two older siblings of a Justin Bieber-type pop star and their Ellen Degeneres-esque mom (Molly Shannon). The story is created, written, and produced by former SNL co-head writers Chris Kelly ad Sarah Schneider. When 14-year-old ChaseDreams retires from pop stardom, the family’s situation becomes even more complicated as the 53-year-old matriarch gains fame with her own talk show, which leaves the two non-famous siblings feeling humiliated once again. It’s pretty funny and definitely worth a watch. Stars Ken Marino ( Party Down ), Wanda Sykes ( The Upshaws ), Brandon Scott Jones ( Ghosts ), Alison Rich ( The Goldbergs ), and Richard Kind ( The Watcher ). Streaming May 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n86Kx2Sy4w Angel City – This three-part documentary series goes behind the scenes and onto the pitch of the groundbreaking L.A.-based professional women’s soccer team, Angel City Football Club. It tells their origin story and showcases the passion and grit needed to build a franchise from scratch and blaze a bold trail in the world of professional sports. Arrives May 16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHols4w7QLw Love to Love You, Donna Summer – This portrait of the disco queen uses archival footage to give us a peek behind her mask. It follows Summer’s life and career. Debuts May 20 AMAZON PRIME Primo – From Freevee and Mike Shur, executive producer of Parks & Recreation and The Good Place , this new series follows a San Antonio teenager balancing college aspirations, societal expectations, and a hectic home life anchored by his single mother and five uncles. Releases May 19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yog0GPrc9A Jimmy O. Yang: Guess How Much – Most nerds, like me, know him as Jian Yang from the hit HBO series Silicon Valley , a shady Chinese app developer with a the driest, most hilarious sense of humor. But he has a real name and he’s also one damn funny stand-up comedian. He’s back with his second Amazon comedy special, so if you haven’t seen his first, Jimmy O. Yang: Good Deal , now’s a good time; you can find it on Prime Video. Debuts May 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkmtWiqAF3k *Other comedy specials premiering this month: Tommy Little: Pretty Fly for a Dickhead (May 5) and Zarna Garg: One in a Billion (May 16) HULU A Small Light –A National Geographic limited series, it tells the inspiring, real-life story of Miep Gies, who played a critical role in hiding Anne Frank and her family during the Nazi occupation in Amsterdan. Streaming May 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsuk8ThvnpM Class of ’09 –This suspense thriller follows a class of FBI agents set in three distinct points in time who grapple with immense changes as the U.S. criminal justice system is altered by artificial intelligence. The limited series spans multiple decades and is told across interweaving timelines as it examines the nature of justice, humanity, and the choice people make that ultimately define their lives and legacy. It stars Tayo, one of the most unorthodox agents to ever join the bureau, and Poet, one of the most successful undercover agents of all time. It also stars Kate Mara ( Fantastic Four ), Brian Tyree Henry ( Atlanta ), Brian J. Smith ( Treadstone ), and Jon Jon Briones ( Ratched ). Premieres May 10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh3JIflUYjk The Locksmith – An expert locksmith is released from prison and pulled back into a world of crooked cops and small-town gangsters, despite the future he hoped to build with his ex-girlfriend, a detective, and their daughter. Starring Ving Rhames ( Mission Impossible franchise), Kate Bosworth ( Barbarian ), Ryan Phillippe ( Crash ), and Tom Wright ( Daisy Jones & the Six ). Drops May 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYsCP6iiw7g White Men Can’t Jump – Hulu attempts to bring back the comedy film classic that originally starred Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes. If you haven’t seen the original, the story follows two ballers, who are total opposites and seemingly miles apart, as they find they have more in common than they ever thought possible. I’ve given you both trailers because I love you. Premieres May 19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHRvNAENaxk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7o0Zreoj1U The Secrets of Hillsong – Whoo, Lord. This story generated a lot of interest. The first documentary, Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed , released in 2022 and explosively exposed the horrors that were going on in the church that attracted celebrity congregants like Justin and Hailey Bieber, Kevin Durant, and Kylie Jenner—namely sexual abuse, exploitation, and cover-ups. The Secrets of Hillsong is a four-part docuseries featuring interviews with former pastors Carl and Laura Lentz since their public ousting, as well as congregants still navigating the still-unfolding global reckoning as the megachurch faces a rash of new revelations. Premieres May 20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSgiyTf5GH8 The Clearing – Based on J.P. Pomare’s best-selling thriller “In the Clearing”, this eight-part miniseries is a psychological thriller about one woman trying to stop a nightmarish cult that preys upon children in hopes of fulfilling a master plan. Before she can help anyone, though, she must face her own past. This looks to be the perfect amount of creepy, with too many identically dressed blonde kids and tension-evoking strings accompanying flashbacks and lush Australian footage. Stars Teresa Palmer ( A Discovery of Witches ), Guy Pearce ( A Christmas Carol ), and Miranda Otto ( Lord of the Rings ). Two-episode premiere May 24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJ6oKZJXZY0 Mayans M.C. – Man, I’m so bummed this series is ending. It continued my biker fix after Sons of Anarchy ended, so now that the spinoff is ending, what’s next? Both Charlie Hunnam (Jax Teller, SOA ) and Theo Rossi (Juice, SOA ) have both alluded to a possible SOA revival, but as of yet, there is no “official” word. A girl can dream, though. Mayans M.C. will have a 10-episode final season. If you’ve yet to tune in, the series follows the life of Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes (JD Pardo, The Twilight Saga ), president of the Mayans M.C. charter on the Cali/Mexi border. A former golden boy with the American Dream right in his hand, EZ has now risen to lead his brother and the Santo Padre M.C. in a bloody war against their rival M.C., the Sons of Anarchy. Streaming May 25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1PEgoOrPM0 Prank Panel – Starring Gabourey Sidibe ( Precious ), Eric André ( Eric André Show ), and Johnny Knoxville ( Jackass movies), this irreverent series focuses on ordinary people who throw pranks at friends, family, and co-workers with a panel of the world’s best pranksters. Airs May 25 *Also premiering this month: Taste the Nation , Season 2 (May 5); The Great , Season 3 (May 12); Queenmaker: The Making of an It Girl (May 17); and The Kardashians , Season 3 (May 25) APPLE TV+ Silo – In a ruined and toxic future, a community exists in a giant underground silo that plunges hundreds of stories deep. Thousands live in the giant silo, and after its sheriff breaks a cardinal rule and residents die mysteriously, engineer Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson, The White Princess ) starts to uncover shocking secrets that lead to the truth about the silo and the regulations meant to protect them. Also stars Tim Robbins ( The Shawshank Redemption ) and Rashida Jones ( Office Space ). Debuts May 5 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYhuvIv1pA STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie – Back to the Future favorite Michael J. Fox returns in this documentary featuring archival and scripted elements as the 80’s pop sensation recounts his life and career up to and beyond his devastating Parkinson’s Disease diagnosis. This is going to be emotionally excellent, so be sure to catch it when it drops; you won’t want to miss it. Streaming May 12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHgMSR4F1Ak City on Fire – When a college student is shot in Central Park on July 4, 2003, the investigation starts to connect a series of mysterious citywide fires with the downtown music scene and a wealthy uptown real estate family fraying under the strain of the many secrets they keep. Stars Omid Abtahi ( The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 ), Chase Sui Wonders ( Bodies Bodies Bodies ), Wyatt Oleff (It Chapter Two ), John Cameron Mitchell ( The Sandman ), Nico Tortorello ( Scream 4 ), and Jemima Kirke ( Sex Education ). Releases May 12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVE6xnc5lu4 High Desert – Patricia Arquette ( Severance ) is Peggy, a former addict who decides to make a new start by becoming a private investigator after the death of her beloved mother, with whom she lived in the small desert town of Yucca Valley, Calif. Also stars Christine Taylor ( Dodgeball ), Brad Garrett ( Wildflower ), Bernadette Peters ( The Good Fight ), and Matt Dillon ( Wayward Pines ). Premieres May 17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV6jwjRj358 Platonic – When former (platonic) best friends Seth Rogen ( Pineapple Express ) and Rose Byrne ( Bridesmaids ) approach midlife and reconnect after a long rift, the duo’s friendship becomes more consuming and destabilizes their lives in this new rom-com. Airs May 24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnn02jJf5ys PARAMOUNT PLUS King Charles: The Boy Who Walked Alone – An intimate, unique look at King Charles as close friends, confidantes, and former lovers share stories and personal letters that shed light on the man behind the crown. Debuts May 2 The Family Stallone – Sylvester Stallone peels back the curtain and offers direct access to his life with wife Jennifer Flavin ( Rocky V ) and daughters Sophia, 26, Sistine, 24, and 20-year-old Scarlet, who are absolutely beautiful. Catch the series May 17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWQ_Q9x6TQU PEACOCK Bupkis – I don’t know about you guys, but I sure do miss Pete Davidson being on SNL. His skit with Timothée Chalamet is still one of my all-time favorites. But here, Davidson is back on Peacock with his semiautobiographical comedy series, which features a heightened, fictionalized version of the American comedian’s life and an all-star cast of heavy hitters: Joe Pesci ( My Cousin Vinny ), Edie Falco ( Nurse Jackie ), Ray Romano ( Everybody Loves Raymond ), Brad Garrett ( Everybody Loves Raymond ), Simon Rex ( Saw ), Charlie Day ( It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia ), and Kenan Thompson ( SNL ). Streaming May 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1RHjFgl06Y Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed – This docuseries highlights a connection between José Menendez and Edgardo Dias that gives a new dimension to the Menendez brothers’ case. Roy Rosselló tells his story as a member of the famous boy band Menudo and finds new witnesses in his crusade for justice. Features in-depth interviews from people close to both cases and raises questions about child sexual abuse that extends for 30 years with no action or investigation from the authorities. As Roy seeks to change that, he is willing to go where needed to find voices who support him. Drops May 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s39Ff3Vhl6o Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss – Centers on host and intrepid traveler Rainn Wilson as he traverses the world searching for the secrets to the happiest and least happiest places on earth. Releases May 15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uauVON1nYk0 NETFLIX The Mother – Jennifer Lopez stars in this Netflix original movie about an assassin fleeing from dangerous assailants, who comes out of hiding to protect her daughter she left behind earlier in life. Also stars Paul Raci ( Perry Mason ), Gael García Bernal ( Mozart in the Jungle ), and Joseph Fiennes ( The Handmaid’s Tale ). Premieres May 12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BFdFeOS3oM Anna Nicole Smith: You Don’t Know Me – From director Ursula Macfarlane ( Untouchable ) comes an unflinching and humanizing examination of the life, death, and secrets of Vickie Lynn Hogan—better known as model and actress Anna Nicole Smith. From her first appearance in Playboy in 1992, Anna Nicole’s dizzying ascent was the very essence of the American dream, brought to a tragic halt with her untimely passing in 2007. With access to never-before-seen footage, home movies, and interviews with key figures who have not spoken out until now, this documentary reveals new insights into the story of the blonde bombshell hardly anyone really knew. Airs May 16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p-0WRVZ-Pc Victim/Suspect – Young women tell the police they’ve been sexually assaulted, but instead of finding justice, they’re charged with the crime of making a false report. Then, they’re arrested and imprisoned by the system they believed would protect them. Investigative journalist Rae de Leon uncovers and examines the patterns of young women being ignored by authorities. Streaming May 23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoZaGvTpYTU Sanctuary – This sport drama series tells the story of a sumo wrestler who is driven to the edge of a cliff and believes that money, a woman, and fame are all buried in the ring. Debuts May 4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA2-DjbULiM Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – The Bridgerton spinoff about the life of Queen Charlotte arrives May 4. Catch everything you need to know about it HERE . FUBAR – Arnold Schwarzenegger is back in this series about a C.I.A. operative on the edge of retirement who discovers a family secret and is called back into the field for one last job. Also stars Adam Pally ( The Mindy Project ), comedian Fortune Feimster ( Summer Camp Island ), Jay Baruchel ( How to Train Your Dragon ), Barbara Eve Harris ( The Amazing Spider-Man ), and Monica Barbaro ( Top Gun: Maverick ). Releases May 25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6A56zcGeWE *Other titles premiering: Love Village (May 2), Jewish Matchmaking (May 3), Dance Brothers (May 10), Ultraman (May 11), Black Knight (May 12), Queer Eye , Season 7 (May 12), Xo, Kitty (May 18), Selling Sunset , Season 6 (May 19), The Ultimatum (May 24) 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

Tony Biggs < Back DJ Skillspinz: A Classically Trained Master of Combining Textures and Beats Nicole Brice Apr 7, 2023 Share Tony Biggs With so many aspects of music production being prefabricated these days, I’ve managed to find a man who is still mixing it up the old skool way. (Yes, we spelled it like that on purpose.) As a lover of hip-hop and rap my entire life, what initially drew me to DJ Skillspinz was his insane scratching techniques. Using nothing but his talent, turntables, and an ear for combining beats , he showcases his mad skills with each new mix he releases. His choices for his combinations are diverse and fascinating, and they showcase his knack for individuality in a world oversaturated with conformity. Based in Georgia with over 210k followers on Instagram alone, people are definitely loving what he's doing. Antonio “Tony” Biggs, aka DJ Skillspinz , is an Army veteran , a disc jockey, a producer, and a composer, who is widely known for music on the Peacock series One of Us is Lying , on S1E1 of the Netflix series Gentefied , and on the Starz program Step Up . He was an extra in the BET movie Redeemed as well and has produced/deejayed for GhostFace Killah’s Theodore Unit , Play (of Kid ‘n Play ), and Def Jef , Grits , the Ambassador , and Grammy artist Lecrae . Other credits include Xbox 360 ’s Project Gotham Racing 4 , and he is an Akai MPC Beat Battle Round 10 champ. What has this man not done, seriously? With an impressive history of production and music, further samples of his work can be heard on the Ghostface Killah Theodore Unit album 718 , where he produced track number 14 , and on the Rapland Records House Party Conversions album with Play of the famous rap duo, Kid ‘n Play . Additionally, Antonio was also nominated for a Dove Award for his debut album Reintroduction of the DJ and is the first Christian DJ to release a turntablist record on Rescue Records . His current album, Table Manners: The Mixtape , is available via all streaming platforms, and there’s even more new music on the way. He shared with me some mixes he plans on doing, but I was sworn to secrecy, so you’ll have to follow him and see what he releases in the future. We recently had the opportunity to chat more in depth with this turntable master to learn about his fascinating career and life, so, after you finish reading this, you’ll want to go check out his Instagram page. It is full of things sure to make your head spin, kind of like a record. Photo provided by artist MaM : Man, I am so impressed with all of your song combinations, because I am a huge, HUGE fan of old-school hip-hop. Some of the stuff you’ve done with A Tribe Called Quest, I’ve been like, “Damn … this is awesome!” So, how did you get into making music for TV shows and movies? TB : That’s something I always wanted to do [ever since] I was a kid. I am a big horror movie fan, and when I was 13—maybe 15—I used to record on cassettes different sound bites from my favorite horror movies and use that to make music myself. I guess you could say it came from my love of horror movies. I always wanted to do something in film and television, and so it just fits. Eventually, I started making beats , which got me into hip-hop . Being involved in the industry has led to great opportunities to submit my music to people for consideration. The rest is history. MaM : You’ve had your music licensed to Netflix and Peacock. I mean, dude, that’s awesome. Were you surprised to see your song on TV? TB: Well, the [Netflix] supervisor didn’t let me know it had been placed in the show, and sometimes that’ll happen, but it was crazy! I kept watching Gentefied and they played another one of my songs. I ended up with two songs in that one show. MaM : Wow, that is incredible! I read you were nominated for a Dove Award. Tell us a little more about that. TB: That was really cool. I think back then I wasn’t really focused and aware of what was really in front of me. I was younger and wasn’t really paying attention. I wish I could go back, honestly, to do it all over again and be more aware of what was going on around me at that time. I was just so focused on making more music and doing other things. Photo provided by the artist MaM : How old were you when you got that nomination? What year was that? TB: My record came out in 2000 , so it had to be later that year. I think I was 23 or 24. MaM : I also see that you were the first Christian DJ to release a turntablist record on Rescue Records. Are you still signed to a label, or are you just doing things independently? TB : I’m independent right now, but I was the first Christian DJ to do that. Of course, there were other DJs before me, you know, doing Christian hip-hop and other stuff, but no one had put out an actual turntablist record. It was a blessing to be able to do something like that, and there hasn’t been anyone else since me to put out another record like that. MaM : You were a trailblazer then and you still are because no one else has been able to do the same. I find these days that creativity is lacking because of all the prefab apps out there that do everything for you. TB : I think it takes away from the culture and from the skill used to create when you can press a button and have the computer scratching for you. You don’t really need a DJ . That’s what I hate, but it’s kind of a blessing and a curse with technology. Everyone thinks they can be a DJ now, but, for example, my sister recently bought herself a DJ controller, and now she talks like she’s a DJ . I’m over here thinking, ‘Why do you have this?’ MaM : See, all the technology scratching for you is just not the same to me. TB : I guess you gotta get in where you fit in, right? It is what it is. MaM : So, what first got you into DJing and music? TB : That’s a great question. I was in a group with my brother and a good friend of ours. He lived right across the street from us. We were probably 9 or 10 years old. We had a little rap group and my uncle, who is from up north and used to come down and visit all the time, heard us rapping. He kind of took us under his wing and took us to a friend’s house where we did a little demo. The guy recording us went around the room asking each of us what we did, and my brother was like, ‘I’m the rapper,’ and my friend was like, ‘I’m the rapper, too.’ They get to me, and I go, ‘I’m the DJ ’—mind you, I did not have any DJ equipment, but once I said that, it just stuck and we went from there. I always just wanted to be a DJ . It's crazy to think about. I can’t recall one specific DJ who made me think, ‘That’s what I wanna do.” Now, I used to use my mom’s turntable sometimes. I used to take her stuff apart to see how it worked. She would bring records home, so I guess I can credit her as being the one to introduce me to hip-hop. I remember her bringing a record home by the Fat Boys and telling me to listen to [it]. It was ‘ Jailhouse Rap’ and it stuck with me. She had also brought home a record by Roxanne Shanté . After that, though, I remember I was hooked. A 12-year-old DJ Skillspinz / Photo provided by artist MaM : So, she didn’t care you were taking apart her turntable? Wait, did she know? TB : I don’t think she knew. I used to take her speakers apart, too, just to see how they worked. MaM : Then you put it back together the same way so she never noticed? TB : Yeah. Still to this day she doesn’t know. MaM : Well, she does now! (laughter) MaM : So, let me ask you: Who are you inspired by from that period of growing up? TB : I would say Jam Master Jay was a huge influence, ya know? I mean, Jazzy Jeff was a huge influence, too. DJ Magic Mike from Vicious Base and DJ Scratch from EPMD , too. I love all those DJs . I love a lot of DJs . MaM : I miss the music from that time period. I would love to bring it back and teach this generation what good rap and good hip-hop is. TB : That’s one reason I’m doing what I’m doing … [to] keep it alive. I used to think there wasn’t a place for it anymore, and I tried to create new stuff for the newer generation and stuff. I was just sitting down one day, and I was like, ‘I’m gonna put this mix out, this Wu-Tang one,’ and it just took off! I was like, ‘Oh shoot! People are still out there still loving this.’ MaM : Yep, like me. I was creeping around on your Instagram page and was like, “Man, this dude is awesome!” TB : Thank you. MaM : Just being honest. I love everything I’ve seen so far. My next question for you would have to be, at what age did you officially start DJing with your own equipment and everything? TB : Here’s a funny story. My aunt, God bless her soul, she bought [me] my first turntable. I used to watch Yo! MTV Raps and I saw the turntables the DJs were using, and I thought to myself, ‘Man, what kind of turntables are they using?’ A guy from my neighborhood had this magazine called J&R Music World . It was in New York , and that is where my aunt is from. I was looking through the book one day and came across the turntable all the DJs were using [and] I knew I needed that turntable. We had a family gathering and my aunt knew I loved music, [so] I told her about the turntable I had seen. She told me that if I made As and Bs on my report card that she would buy me my first turntable. A young DJ Skillspinz / photo provided by artist MaM : How old were you at that point? TB : I was in high school … 9th grade. … I ended up not making [all] As and Bs on my report card; I actually made a C. I went back to my teacher, though, and I was able to convince her to change my grade to a B. (laughs) I went right [then] and called my aunt to tell her the news, and about a week later, I came home from school one day and there was a turntable sitting in the chair in my living room. From then on, it was uphill. MaM : That is really cool you had your family’s support. What did you say to the teacher to get your grade changed? (laughter) TB : See, I was supposed to be reading this story. The whole class was reading this book, and we had to fill out a form showing where we were in the book. My teacher told me I was supposed to be further ahead than I was. I explained to her that I had made a mistake and filled out the form wrong and that I really was further along than I had written, and so she changed my grade. MaM : Dude, nice. I wish I would have had those powers of persuasion back in the day when I made a C. (laughs) DJ Skillspinz in Waco, TX / photo provided by artist TB : I want to throw this in there, too, about the turntable. My aunt only bought me the one turntable and I needed a second one, so, [I worked at a program for teenagers during the summers] and used the money to purchase the second one. MaM : Nice. So, you live in Georgia now, but is that where you grew up? TB : I am from Columbus, Ga ., born and raised. MaM : Never lived anywhere else? TB : I lived in Nashville, Tenn ., … then [when I was 18] in California for a while in South Central . MaM : What made you decide to move out there? Did you always want to? TB : Nah, I was trying to pursue music and had family [who lived out there]. Then, this guy who claimed to be a manager took me down a little path for a bit. You know, [you’re] learning [and] just trying to trust people because they say they’re gonna do certain things and, well, you live, and you learn. MaM : Yep, that you do. When did the music stuff start to take off for you? Where were you living when that happened? TB : I was back in Columbus . [I’d made] a mixtape, and [this guy out in California had a copy and he] ended up leaving the tape at someone’s house, and that someone gave it to somebody else, and that somebody gave it to this A&R with Rescue Records . [This] A&R guy was a former dancer of Vanilla Ice ’s. (laughs) MaM : Oh my gosh, wow. (laughter) TB : Yeah, well, let me tell you a funny story about that. He heard my mixtape and was like, ‘We need to find this kid,’ [so] they [contacted] me and wanted to sign me. The crazy thing about that is, I remember Vanilla Ice coming to Columbus [on tour] and my brother and I used to sneak into concerts, but [at that time], I didn’t want to see Vanilla Ice . We had gone in and seen who we wanted to see, but I remember being outside the Civic Center and I could hear Vanilla Ice telling the crowd to say stuff to his DJ . I didn’t want to hear that. The crazy thing is, this guy ( A&R rep) was inside dancing with Vanilla Ice , and we didn’t even know each other. Come years later, and this same guy signs me to the label. MaM : Whoah. That’s insane. That’s something I like to call a universal happening. It all comes back full circle. TB : For the record, though, I respect Vanilla Ice , and I love what he did for hip-hop , pushing the culture forward. MaM : Definitely, I agree. If people like Vanilla Ice hadn’t come around, I don’t feel there would be an Eminem. He paved the way, even with as much hate as he got. As far as current projects are concerned, are you working on releasing any additional albums? TB : I’m about to do another album. ‘ Table Manners ’ is new, but I have a few mixtapes I want to put out but just haven’t yet. I’m gonna do an actual project because people have been hitting me up about it. … I have some things coming up that are so freakin’ dope, so [there’s more coming soon]. Photo provided by artist MaM : Last question: Do you feel the platforms musicians have to release their music on these days is sufficient, or do you miss the way things used to be? TB : Honestly, I miss how things used to be. As I was saying before, it took you having to have talent to get signed and technology is a blessing and a curse, but I think either you have it or you don’t, and you shouldn’t rely on technology to get you a record deal or to get you hundreds of thousands of followers. That’s crazy when you think about it. Things have been watered down so much. I wish more people would take the time with their craft to refine it. To check out the work of this genius of the turntables, be sure to hit one of the links below! The Meet-ups | Dj Skillspinz Make The Bass | DJ Skillspinz (bandcamp.com) ‎DJ Skillspinz on Apple Music DJ Skillspinz (@djskillspinz) • Instagram photos and videos DJ Skillspinz | Spotify Dj Skillspinz | Facebook Episode 23.1 DJ Skillspinz - YouTube www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Nicole Brice is a lifelong lover of hip-hop from the late 80s and early 90s, and will often have A Tribe Called Quest blaring in her car. It annoys her kids. Want to be featured? E-mail her at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

During this content drought, get lost in these epic historical fiction and fantasy series! < Back Historical Fiction and Fantasy Series to Binge Keeley Brooks Aug 29, 2023 Share During this content drought, get lost in these epic historical fiction and fantasy series! So, who’s feeling the effects of this continuing writers’ strike and subsequent content drought? Because I know it’s not just me. When the line was drawn in the sand in Hollywood months ago, I held out hope that studios would do the right thing; good thing I’m not holding my breath. Summer is a time of year when we are usually inundated with new streaming content, but this season offered slim pickins. If you find yourself flying through your queue content, now looking for something to get into while you await the next big series release, you’re in luck. Here are some of my favorite historical fiction and fantasy series sure to keep you entertained, worth a really good binge . BARBARIANS Created by: Barbara Eder, Stefan Ruzowitzky, Steve Saint Leger, & Lennart Ruff Where to binge it: Netflix Barbarians is a high budget German historical war drama that dropped on Netfix in 2020 right when we were all confined to our homes during COVID. That’s probably the reason this series soared in popularity: Everyone was home to see it. If you’ve yet to indulge, now’s your chance. Barbarians tells the story of what happened during the Roman Empire’s occupation of Germania—namely the resulting rebellion of the Germanic tribes during the Battle of Teutoburg Forest around 9 A.D. The Battle of Teutoburg was pivotal during this time because it was under the cover of darkness when an alliance of Germanic tribes targeted their oppressors. The result? Destruction of three Roman legions. Boom. Barbarians tells the story of three friends whose fates are intertwined in fighting for their freedom and dealing with the drama of love, loyalty, and betrayal. Barbarians is full of action, heavy on the bloodshed, and loaded with high production value, solid acting, and some pretty sweet camera work and effects. Currently there are two seasons around the Battle of Teutoburg, and while it’s yet to be announced, it’s assumed that season three will focus on the aftermath of conflict. Bring it on, Netflix! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cA7kwBSUaU BRITANNIA Created by: Jez Butterworth, Tom Butterworth, James Richardson, & Terry Cafolla Where to binge it: Prime Video, MGM+, Fubo, Sky & Now, Apple TV Swords, sorcery, swears, and sassiness … and Romans and Druids—that’s the good time Britannia presents to us all wrapped up in a nice little bow. The series landed on Prime Video in 2018 then was picked up by EPIX in 2020 for Seasons 2 and 3. Sadly, and disappointingly, EPIX scrapped Season 4 (booo), a decision that left all of us fans on the edge of our seats craving closure to this fantastic drama series. They blamed it on COVID. Set during the primitive and mystical times of 43 A.D., Britannia follows the Roman army in their quest to conquer Britain after Caesar’s failed attempt 90 years prior. This mystical land, as we learn right off the bat, is home to some pretty tough, wild, and mouthy female warriors and powerful Druids, who have the unique ability to channel the mysterious forces of the Underworld. Britannia is an enthralling tale of extreme power struggles and clashing cultures in a gripping narrative that breathes life into this robust selection of characters, each with their own abilities, motives, and loyalties. Britannia stars Kelly Reilly ( Yellowstone ) as a powerful Celtic warrior and David Morrissey ( The Walking Dead ) as Roman General Aulus Plautius, who went on to become the first governor of this newly conquered land. It also stars MacKenzie Crook , whom you may best remember as the dude who kept losing his eyeball in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. While both Reilly and Morrissey richly embody the characters they portray, Crook is the one who steals the spotlight in every single episode he appears. MacKenzie Crook as Veran, the powerful Druid leader Britannia focuses on Rome’s effort to crush the Celtic tribes, who just so happen to be divided and at war amongst themselves. At the same time, it also follows a great prophecy that exists and rolls off tongues from tribe to tribe: A “Chosen One” will save her war-torn land from the Romans. However, that prophecy falls into jeopardy with the arrival of “The Dead Man” (also played by Crook), which sets into motion a battle amongst the Druids, risking their demise. Britannia attracted a multitude of critical acclaim for its vivid portrayal of Rome’s invasion of Britain. It is one hell of a bloody, brooding series with an excellent plot, fascinating narratives, gorgeous visuals, even better plot twists, impeccable battle sequences, and a healthy mix of history and fantasy, not to mention superb acting, tribal tattoos, and costumes. Britannia is fun, active, engaging, and highly entertaining as opposed to historically accurate, and it promises a thrilling escape into a fantastical world where magic, swearing, brutality, levity, and a taste of the ancient past collide. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhDAFAbv9e0 CAMELOT Created by: Chris Chibnall & Michael Hirst Where to binge it: Prime Video, Google Play, Vudu, Apple TV Camelot ’s one and only season saw much success when it debuted in 2011, but scheduling conflicts between cast members prevented a second season … allegedly. Regardless, Camelot is a must-see one-season series, especially for fans of the King Arthur legend. While there are many adaptations, this one is created by screenwriter Michael Hirst , who is responsible for the unforgettable historical series Vikings and The Tudors ; he is, in my opinion, the king when it comes to creating the most fantastic and memorable historical drama series. Hirst’s interpretation of the King Arthur legend breathes a very adult twist into the tale with its focus on sibling rivalry, passion, and romance. After King Uther dies in Camelot , Britain sits in chaos. Merlin (Joseph Fiennes, of The Handmaid’s Tale ) begins searching for an heir and winds up finding an impetuous young man named Arthur (Jamie Campbell Bower, of Stranger Things ). Arthur is Uther’s unknown son who has been raised as a commoner. Camelot revolves around the intense battle for the throne between Arthur and his evil half-sister, Morgan (Eva Green, of Penny Dreadful ), who is determined to fight her brother to the bitter end, even summoning unnatural forces to help her claim the crown. Arthur’s journey to unite a kingdom shredded by war becomes a series of profound moral tests and difficult challenges that make for a riveting watch . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYZImCVvbVU The Last Kingdom Created by: Nick Murphy Where to binge it: Netflix The Last Kingdom is one of my absolute favorite historical fiction series on the planet. It’s a heart-wrenching British television series based on Bernard Cornwell’s novel of the same name . In case you’re unaware, Cornwell is an English-American historical fiction author with the penchant for writing some of the most dramatic, engaging historical tales, besides Philippa Gregory, but her focus is different. “The Last Kingdom” is the first novel in Cornwell’s “The Saxon Stories” series (2004), which tells the story of how England began under King Alfred the Great . While the series is spectacular, it doesn’t follow Cornwell’s books true to form, so if you’ve read them, don’t get lost in expectations. The Last Kingdom centers on Uhtred of Bebbanburg (aka Uhtred Uhtredsson and/or Uhtred Ragnarsson), who is played by American Horror Story ’s Alexander Dreymon . Born a young Saxon noble, Uhtred is kidnapped by Danish Vikings during an invasion and raised as a Dane in Ragnar Ragnarsson’s kingdom, but it’s not the same Ragnar you’re thinking—different time periods. While in captivity, Uhtred is woven into Danish culture, language, and religion for years before he finds himself in the service of King Alfred of Wessex, played by David Dawson , whom you may remember from Peaky Blinders . The Last Kingdom delves into the turbulent backdrop of King Alfred’s desire to unite the separate kingdoms while exploring Uhtred’s loyalties between his love for and loyalty to both Saxons and Danes. The series is a whole package replete with an engaging, dynamic storyline and is a must-see for anyone looking to get lost in an epic and thrilling historical drama. What you can expect: gorgeous cinematography, multi-dimensional characters, exciting battle sequences, and copious amount of blood, brutality, emotion, entertainment, and top-notch storytelling and acting . I do recommend watching with subtitles, though, because it’s often difficult to understand some of the accents. The Last Kingdom ended its five-season run in 2022 and wrapped up Cornwell’s “Saxon Stories” adventure with a movie in Summer 2023, Seven Kings Must Die . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxPApTGWwas Norsemen Created by: Jon Iver Helgaker & Jonas Torgersen Where to binge it: Netflix Norsemen injects a different, comedic perspective into the Viking saga. This Norwegian series (also filmed in English) will have you laughing your butt off at a group of Vikings living in the village of Norheim. The series follows the life of these villagers and their day-to-day happenings full of strife and shenanigans, silliness and stupidity. Norsemen is unique and different with awkwardly hilarious moments , making it one of the most watchable and enjoyable medieval shows to dive into, especially now while new content is sparse. It serves up a highly entertaining take on the Viking Age and presents the challenges faced by a small Viking village; it also portrays quite a funny but childish rivalry between the chieftan and his little brother. In three seasons, we’re taken into silly disputes with neighboring villages, including a rival tribe led by a ruthless Viking and the efforts of a Roman slave to modernize Norheim’s culture, resulting in persistent ongoing conflicts. One character you’ll fall in love with is the sword-wielding, no-nonsense wife of the chieftan, Hildur . She’s a force to be reckoned with and is the most grounded, level-headed warrior amongst all the Viking men. Norsemen is good for three seasons of hearty laughs and offers a tongue-in-cheek take on the whole Viking craze . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpMvIZRUPf4 Penny Dreadful Created by: John Logan Where to binge it: Showtime, Paramount+, Fubo, Sky Penny Dreadful (2014) is set in the 19th Century’s dark recesses of Victorian Gothic London. This psychological thriller series masterfully weaves together classic literary figures with a chilling narrative that keeps viewers craving more, exploring specifically the origin stories of Dr. Frankenstein and Dorian Gray. Season 1 begins in 1891 when avid explorer Sir Malcolm Murray (Timothy Dalton, of Doom Patrol ) and his seductive clairvoyant Vanessa Ives (Eva Green, of Camelot ) hire an American gunman and roadshow artist (Josh Hartnett, of Lucky Number Slevin ) to help locate and rescue Sir Malcolm’s daughter from a mysterious vampire, among other supernatural forces. They receive help from a young doctor named Victor Frankenstein, who is hunted (and haunted) by an undead man of Frankenstein’s creation, who is masterfully played by Rory Kinnear ( No Time to Die, Our Flag Means Death ). Season 2 of Penny Dreadful introduces some wild witchcraft within a coven of witches who answer to Lucifer and are on the hunt to bring Miss Ives to their master. Meanwhile, Dr. Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway, of Mr. Mercedes ) is forced to make his creature a bride, which is a story and process that clenches at your heart strings as you watch in moments of horror and awe. And in Season 3, our main characters encounter more supernatural events as they find themselves split up and placed all over the world, but when Count Dracula appears in London, the battle for Vanessa’s soul begins. With its ensemble cast led by the enigmatic Eva Green , Penny Dreadful delves into the supernatural world, unearthing creatures and legends that lurk in the shadows. It garnered critical acclaim for its superb acting, atmospheric cinematography, and rich storytelling , earning several awards and nominations throughout its three-season run. Effortlessly weaving together psychological drama with visceral horror, Penny Dreadful offers a psychologically immersive experience that lingers long after the credits roll. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFXHfEqMcis Rome Created by: Bruno Heller, William J. MacDonald, & John Milius Where to binge it: HBO & Max, Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, BritBox, Apple TV If you know who Ray Stevenson ( King Arthur, 2004) is, you don’t want to miss out on seeing him in Rome . A furiously crass British historical drama following the turbulent transition of the Roman Republic to an autocratic empire, Rome portrays both the aristocratic viewpoint of Julius Caesar and his allies, as well as the politically naive viewpoint of ordinary Romans like Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd, of Grey’s Anatomy ) and Titus Pullo (Stevenson). It's a raw account of the lives and deeds of the rich, powerful, and historically significant as they navigate politics, war, and family dynamics in pursuit of a stable Roman Empire. Stevenson and McKidd as Pullo and Vorenus Rome Season 1 is all about Julius Caesar’s civil war of 49 B.C. against the traditionalist conservative faction in the Roman Senate. It focuses on his rise to dictatorship, followed by his subsequent fail, right on down to his assassination on the Ides of March 44 B.C. We also see the early years of the young Octavian, who is destined to become the first emperor of Rome. Season 2 is set around the power struggle between Octavian and Mark Antony following Caesar’s assassination and covers the time period from Caesar’s death to Antony and Cleopatra’s suicide in 30 B.C. High production values cancelled Rome ’s Season 3, but don’t let that deter you from checking it out. Rome is an exciting exploration of the complexities of the Roman Empire and its eventual rise to power . Featuring over-the-top production values—especially for 2005—as well as elaborate sets and costumes with intriguing storylines full of explosive drama and action, Rome is certainly one historical series you shouldn’t pass on watching. In addition to Stevenson and McKidd, Rome also features James Purefoy ( Pennyworth ), Tobias Menzies ( Outlander ), Polly Walker ( Bridgerton ), and Indira Varma ( Game of Thrones ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtUQqiIa0oI Spartacus Created by: Steven S. DeKnight Where to binge it: Starz, Roku Channel, Apple TV, Vudu, Google Play, Lionsgate+ Spartacus: Blood and Sand was one of the best shows on cable in 2010 —historically speaking, at least. The epic series received high acclaim for its extreme production value, mouth-watering narratives, tremendous combat sequences, and its lead actor, Andy Whitfield , who sadly left this physical plane in 2011 when he succumbed to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He, indeed, left behind a huge mark on the industry not just for who he was but also for his efforts and success in bringing the character of Spartacus to such radical life. Andy Whitfield as Spartacus Spartacus: Blood and Sand tells the story of the Thracian gladiator Spartacus who, from 73 to 71 B.C., led a major slave rebellion against the Roman Republic departing from Capua. When he is torn from his homeland, and thusly separated from his wife, Spartacus is forced into slavery and is condemned to fight in the excessively violent gladiator’s arena in Rome. As he navigates the violent, brutal world, Spartacus comes to realize that not all battles are fought in an arena, as he must overcome lies, treachery, and temptation if he wants to survive. Executive producers Steven S. DeKnight ( Pacific Rim: Uprising ) and Robert Tapert ( Evil Dead, Evil Dead Rise ) focused on structuring the events of Spartacus’ obscure early life leading right up to the beginning of historical records, but after completing Season 1, they chose to delay Season 2 due to Whitfield’s illness. In the interim, Starz produced a six-episode prequel miniseries entitled Spartacus: Gods of the Arena , which is one of the best miniseries—let alone prequel miniseries—that exists. It features incredibly visceral gladiator games in a style reminiscent of a Zack Snyder film, and everything about it screams BADASS : characters, attitudes, training, brutality, loyalty, heart, and tolerance. When Season 2, Spartacus: Vengeance , finally released, actor Liam McIntyre ( The Flash TV series) took on the titular role of Spartacus, which ultimately ended with Season 3, Spartacus: War of the Damned . Spartacus is a seductively thrilling action-drama series rampant with blood, violence, drama, and lots of sex that brings to life the Roman Republic and its depravity. Through Spartacus’ struggle for vengeance, we accompany him on his heroic journey to free himself and his people from slavery. With epic arena battles, intense gladiator training, political intrigue, excellent effects, and passionate romances, Spartacus is a series that will, no doubt, captivate you from beginning to end. There’s no room for insecurity of any kind in this series, which’ll have you attempting to binge as much of it in one sitting as you can. Spartacus’ gripping story and outstanding performances make it one of the best medieval TV shows ever made . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHxn8mTpAJU The Tudors Created by: Michael Hirst Where to binge it: Prime Video, Paramount+, Showtime, Fubo, Apple TV, Google Play, Sky When I discovered The Tudors (2007), I’ll admit I was obsessed. I’ve always loved the tale of Henry VIII, his court politics, his wives, and his crumbling sanity, and this series blew me (and most everyone else who watched it) completely away. Another hit historical series from Michael Hirst , The Tudors is set primarily in 16th-century England at King Henry VIII’s court . The show lured in audiences with its political intrigue, elaborate costumes and sets, intricate storylines, and emotionally charged performances—namely from Jonathan Rhys Meyers ( Vikings ), who plays King Henry. The Tudors is an enthralling and dynamic drama that brings to life the power struggles, romances, and political machinations of Henry VIII’s court while exposing us to his passionate, often volatile relationships with his six wives … and his power. It showcases one of the most tumultuous periods in English history , replete with treachery, ambition, lust, and greed. Henry is a shrewd, charming, passionate leader hell-bent on leaving his mark on the world, and we get a front-row seat as he impulsively navigates his way through love, war, and politics in an effort to secure England’s future. Jonathan Rhys Meyers brings so much emotional likeness to his character, it’s as though he truly channeled the sovereign while filming The Tudors . We as viewers are but flies on the wall in King Henry’s court watching his sanity unravel woman by woman, wife by wife. He. Is. Divine. Remember when Heath Ledger took on the role of the Joker and it was said he lived the role as though there were no separation between himself and it? Yeah, I’m pretty sure he was inspired by Rhys Meyers’ stellar portrayal of the legendary King Henry VIII. The Tudors is one series you’ll watch over and over and possibly over again— it’s that good . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXNf9dxnQrM Vikings Created by: Michael Hirst Where to binge it: Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, Peacock, Apple TV, Google Play Annnnd in yet another slam dunk from screenwriter Michael Hirst, we have Vikings . I feel like it needs no introduction, but just in case, it’s a beast of a historical fiction masterpiece that’s loaded with bad-ass shield maidens, ravenous Viking warriors packed in emotional depth, and raw tribal violence wrapped in near-perfect narratives garnished with drama, suspense, and mythology. Vikings is one of the rarest shows on earth that is never, ever dull and whole-heartedly entertaining in plot, action, cinematography, soundtrack, and acting. Vikings follows the legendary Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok (Traves Fimmel, of Raised by Wolves ), who claims to be a direct descendant of the god Odin. He and his band of Norse warriors explore, pillage, and conquer new lands in all their brutal glory. Along the way, we’re introduced to all of Ragnar’s family and descendants, and the paths each of their lives take. Frustrated by the policies of Earl Haraldson, who only sends raiders to the east to Baltic states and Russia, Ragnar seeks to secure his legacy as a leader of men through epic battles and political alliances by forging west to the new world. On his journey, he must deal with betrayals, unexpected turns of fate, and the growing power of his enemies. His family and allies experience a mix of adventure and tragedy as they struggle to survive in the treacherous world of Dark Age Scandinavia . Vikings consists of six action-packed seasons chocked full of love, drama, war, brotherhood, community, and brutality and captures the gritty, savage reality of the Viking Age in a captivating and awe-inspiring manner, perfect for a binge-worthy medieval TV show . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GgxinPwAGc And, though it is good but does not live up to its predecessor, you might as well continue the fantasy and follow up with Vikings: Valhalla —it’s the sequel series to Vikings . Created by Jeb Stuart ( Die Hard, The Fugitive ), Vikings: Valhalla is set 100 years after Vikings events and chronicles the beginning of the end of the Viking Age. It explores the adventures of Leif Erikson, Freydis (daughter of Erik the Red), Norweigan King Harald Hardrada, and the Norman King William the Conquerer in an action-packed drama that grows on you as it works to present traditional Viking stories with a twist. You can find Vikings: Valhalla streaming on Netflix. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi4YnwFT7Gk Every one of these series is a must-see worth making time to watch for the first time ever or to revisit for a whole new experience. With each viewing, you’ll fall deeper and deeper into their respective narratives and begin noticing varying degrees of beauty, art, and storytelling in places you didn’t see the first go-round. If you’re still looking for more historical fiction and fantasy series to binge after these, check out the following: The White Princess and The White Queen (Starz, Prime Video), The Serpent Queen (Starz), Merlin (Peacock, Prime Video, Apple TV), Marco Polo (Netflix), Kingdom (Netflix), Game of Thrones (HBO & Max), House of Dragons (HBO & Max), Outlander (Starz), The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power (Prime Video), Reign (Prime Video), The Spanish Princess (Starz, Hulu), The Great (Hulu), Pillars of the Earth (Prime Video, Vudu, Roku), Medici (Netflix), The Borgias (Hulu, Disney+ ), and Black Sails (Starz). Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches, even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . 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Anna Byars is an inspiration for future generations of female musicians < Back Anna Byars: A True Musical Luminary Nicole Brice Aug 25, 2023 Share Anna Byars is an inspiration for future generations of female musicians You may have seen her around town since she has been a fixture on the local music scene in Baton Rouge for many years starting in the early 2000s, and you may know her as the guitarist and background vocalist for Polly Pry , but who is Anna Byars , truly? Credit: Gary Governale Byars is kind and genuine in addition to being extremely witty, funny, and charming ; she is bursting with personality . Anna holds her own as an extraordinarily gifted musician and guitarist captivating audiences with her soulful melodies and masterful skills, but she does not limit herself to just one instrument: She also played drums in a band called The Rakers . “I like to say I’m a drummer as a second language because the guitar is my first language,” Byars says. With a unique blend of talent, passion, and authenticity, she has carved her path through the bustling music scene in South Louisiana , leaving a lasting impression and continuing to forge ahead. Credit: Gary Governale Anna Byars was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana , in a musically inclined family and started honing her craft at a very young age. Both of her parents are professional musicians and play piano. Gravitating towards the guitar, she picked up a random one under her mom’s piano one day and that was all it took. At 10 years old, Anna officially started strumming and loved it because of the emotional depth and versatility it offers. After proving to her mother that she indeed had plans to stick with it, she began to take professional classical guitar lessons at age 12. With a knack for sight-reading music, Anna built the foundation for her guitar knowledge. Growing up in a house where her mother taught piano lessons, Byars started writing songs and singing and says of the time, “It was the 90s, you know, and we were all dreaming of making it big. I kept playing and performing wherever I could, and then in college I knew I wanted to get a band together.” During her teenage years, her passion for music fully ignited, and after meeting her bass player for her first band just after she turned 19, Byars met her drummer, too, and all the pieces fell into place. This ultimately led to the formation of The Anna Byars Band . Drawing inspiration early on from the music that inspired her as a child, such as the Indigo Girls and Green Day , and consisting of all original music, the band flourished for a few years before calling it quits. After college in 2005 is when Anna met Kristen Foster , and they instantly hit it off. “We fell in love as friends, just super hard,” says Byars, and with Foster’s ukulele in hand, the two embarked on a career together. “She played me one of the songs she had written called ‘The Atlantic Ocean’ and it was just so damn good that I forced her to start a band with me.” The rest is history. Credit: Gary Governale Calling themselves The Casuals at first, Byars and Foster put out a couple of EPs together after recording in a makeshift studio and practice space located behind the now-defunct legendary music venue in Baton Rouge known as The Caterie . After seeing modest success with their initial run of EPs, the women decided to team up with Foster’s father , renowned music producer Fred Foster , who is best known for producing classic recordings for Roy Orbison and for helping found Orbison’s label, Monument Records . He also helped launch the careers of Dolly Parton , Tony Joe White , and Kris Kristofferson in addition to co-writing the classic song made famous by Janis Joplin , ' Me and Bobby McGee '. “Yeah, every time I tell people [that], I’m like, ‘It’s okay if you don’t believe me because I barely do,” says Anna. “We threw ourselves into it until he liked what he heard and invited us up.” Anna and Kristen then went up to Nashville to record and in 2012 , the album Two Warm Minutes was released. Released August 17, 2012 After its initial release, Anna and Kristen saw modest success with the record, but they felt it did not truly capture their essence, so they took to the road to play live shows and build their following. At 29 years old, Anna embarked on her first tour with Polly Pry , which saw them adding a double bass player to make their duo a trio. “And after that, I just really knew in my soul that I just did not want to do the singer/songwriter thing, even if it was as a duo,” so Anna switched gears and stopped playing acoustic guitar and switched over to electric. “When you play acoustic guitar, and you’re female, you get pigeonholed.” By meticulously studying the techniques of her idols and incorporating her own artistic sensibilities, Byars managed to create a sound that is entirely her own—a sound that resonates with listeners on a profound level. The year 2016 brought about Polly Pry contributing to a compilation of Aerosmith cover songs called Deuces are Wild: A Tribute to Aerosmith , which is currently available for listening to on Apple Music. Since then, the ladies have continued to play shows here and there while working on their follow-up album, Hola Perfecto . The release date for their sophomore effort is to be determined, so stay tuned. When Anna is not devoting her time to Polly Pry , she plays guitar in her other project, Sunrise People , which, according to Byars , “sounds like a band that would play CBGBs in the 70s.” On her involvement with Sunrise People , Anna goes on to say, “I really love playing guitar in that band because I get to take all my years of everything and just fly, you know? It’s just right.” Byars possesses an uncanny ability to create a profound connection with her audience through her music. Listeners feel the raw emotions she channels through her guitar playing, carrying them on a hypnotic journey. Her ability to convey a range of emotions that encompasses joy, sorrow, nostalgia, and everything in between creates an intimate bond that transcends typical boundaries. Credit: Gary Governale Beyond being gifted with extraordinary talent, Anna is constantly seeking growth and evolution. She embraces any opportunity to experiment with new sounds, techniques, and genres and has been steadily writing songs. “My body and brain just started writing songs about six months ago and I’m in an infant stage of trying to get 12 solid songs. I want to be a little bit of Juliana Hatfield mixed with a little Radiohead,” she says. “I want to do another band. I’m playing with names, but I am really excited about the stuff that I have been writing.” With a promising future ahead of her and so many projects in the works, Anna comments on her work ethic: “I have always dug my heels right in whether it’s right or wrong,” and continuing to dig her heels in is just what she has been doing. In addition to music, she stays busy by making comedic shorts on TikTok as well. “I have sort of a hobby in comedy. I like to put on wigs and make up funny characters and put out snappy videos.” When asked whether she has considered stand-up comedy as a possible career move, Byars elaborates, “You know, I did stand-up one time and I’ve lived my life on stage, or so it seems, but doing stand-up was one of the most terrifying experiences and I’m not scared of performing. I really want to press myself to do that, but doing stand-up does require rigor and focus. Everything must flow and work. Kristen has been inspiring my world with her stand-up career, so you never know!” When Byars isn’t focused on music, she prefers to play pinball and has even created her own Ladies’ Pinball Club at local hangout BR.cade , which is located on Government Street in Baton Rouge . Credit: Gary Governale “I like to say it’s a ladies’ pinball club but that guys are welcome, too. My motto is ‘no pressure, we’ll always be there.’ I just started playing pinball one day and noticed that it’s all dudes [and] no girls. They would stand to the side, and I think that’s because pinball doesn’t look like it’s as much fun as it really is. You gotta put your hands on the machine. It’s a physical thing. It’s an arcade game, but it’s not a video game.” To get her club started, Anna says she would purposely leave extra credits and games on the machines so she could approach people to play games with her. This proved to be successful, and an official Pinball Club was formed in late 2022/early 2023. “It’s my one-year anniversary of playing, but the club has been around for about 4-6 months,” she says. Anna modestly acknowledges her mad pinball skills, but I got to witness them firsthand and she’s pretty damn good. “Yeah, I’ve gone to a couple of tournaments, and for a little while, I was the number seven female player in Mississippi. In Louisiana, I’ve placed last, and I believe they call it The Plunger Award when you place last.” On whether she has plans to continue playing in the future, she says, “It’s such a new thing, though, and I love it and am just trying to get better at it.” Credit: Gary Governale So, in conclusion, who is Anna Byars , really? She’s a true musical luminary and her boundless creativity and commitment to her art ensure that her journey as a musician will remain one that captivates and inspires for years to come. Through her unique style and collaborative spirit, she has successfully set herself apart on the local scene. As she continues to evolve and explore new frontiers, she will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the music world, inspiring future generations of female musicians to follow in her footsteps. To check out Anna’s projects and music, hit one of the links below and be sure to catch her in action with Sunrise People on September 1, 2023 at Midcity Ballroom in Baton Rouge with William Edward Thompson and The Rakers . To learn more about Anna Byars: Polly Pry Apple Music : ‎Polly Pry on Apple Music Polly Pry Facebook : Facebook Sunrise People : Facebook *All photos shot on location at BR Cade by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

New Titles Dropping This Month < Back January Streams Keeley Brooks Jan 6, 2023 Share New Titles Dropping This Month A new year brings fresh new content, and there’s plenty of that streaming this month. You didn’t think I was gonna leave this out, did you? Here are some of the hottest titles dropping on some of your favorite platforms this month. Enjoy, my friends. NETFLIX Kaleidoscope – This title hit on Jan. 1. Giancarlo Esposite ( Breaking Bad ) stars in this new heist series that plays with format, interaction, and linearity in a Black Mirror: Bandersnatch / Murderville sort of way. Esposito is a veteran thief after one last payday of 7 billion dollars in dirty money kept in the “world’s safest vault.” Just like Clooney in Ocean’s Eleven , he puts together a team and prepares, but his hidden past with the vault’s security consultant could complicate everything. Also stars Rufus Sewell ( Old, The Man in the High Castle ), Jai Courtney ( Suicide Squad ), Peter Mark Kendall ( Top Gun: Maverick ), and Tati Gabrielle ( You ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbArSoOP8XQ The Pale Blue Eye – Dropping Jan. 6, Christian Bale ( Batman ) is back as detective Augustus Landor, who is tasked with solving the gruesome ritual murder of a young West Point cadet in 1830 and putting a stop to a potential scandal for the military school. He engages an eccentric, brooding young cadet named Edgar Allen Poe (eek!!), played by Harry Melling ( Harry Potter series), to infiltrate the ranks and expose the strange happenings. Also stars Robert Duvall, Gillian Anderson ( The X-Files ), Lucy Boynton ( Bohemian Rhapsody ), and Toby Jones (Truman Capote from Infamous ). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddbL9jvg77w That 90’s Show – Red and Kitty are back, and this time they’re hosting a basement full of new talent in this sequel series to That 70’s Show . When Eric and Donna’s daughter Leia bonds with new friends, she falls for Jackie and Kelso’s son Jay as she spends the summer of 1995 with her grandparents in Wisconsin and recreates her parents’ philosophical smoke sessions and madcap adventures. Stars all of That 70’s Show cast, minus Danny Masterson who is absent for legal issues, along with some fresh new faces. Streaming Jan. 19 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F36HBFGxWkg You People – Jonah Hill and Eddie Murphy team up for this comedy about a couple in love, who must get their parents on the same page with each other and on board with a Jewish-Muslim marriage. Also stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus ( Seinfeld ), David Duchovny ( The X-Files ), and Nia Long ( Bad Boys) . Streaming Jan. 27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCMHc-IFAB0 Also streaming this month: Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street, Season 1 (Jan. 4); Vikings: Valhalla, Season 2 (Jan. 12); and Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song (Jan. 26) HULU Death in the Dorm – This documentary tells the true stories of six college students whose lives were cut short by murder: Andrea DelVesco (UCLA), Christian Aguilar (Univ. of Florida), Yeardley Love (Univ. of Virginia), Michael Deng (Baruch College), Samantha Josephson (Univ. of South Carolina), and Katie Autry (Western Kentucky University). Now streaming The Drop – The newest film from the Duplass Brothers ( Safety Not Guaranteed, Room 104 ) … When a happily married couple excited about starting a family travel to a tropical resort for a wedding, things quickly go south when the wife accidentally drops her friend’s baby. The vibe of the friends’ reunion sours as past drama and old wounds surface, throwing the married couple’s future into doubt. Stars Anna Konkle ( PEN15 ), Jermaine Fowler ( Coming 2 America ), Jillian Bell (22 Jump Street ), Utkarsh Ambudkar ( Brittany Runs a Marathon ), Elisha Henig ( The Sinner ), Joshua Leonard ( The Blair Witch Project ), and Robin Thede ( A Black Lady Sketch Show ). Streaming Jan. 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUEZjwC84Ps Extraordinary – This latest superhero sendup unfolds in a world where everyone develops a power on their 18th birthday—except for late-bloomer Jen, who is 25 and still waiting for her power. Frustrated with her dead-end job and flaky hook-up Luke (who can fly), Jen plods through a world of super-strength and hyper-ability in search of her gift. Streaming Jan. 25 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdtyxmTRABs Also streaming: Koala Man, Season 1 (Jan. 9), How I Met Your Father, Season 2 (Jan. 24), and National Geographic Investigates: LSD and Psychedelics (Jan. 26) AMAZON PRIME The Rig, Season 1 – Calling to mind John Carpenter classics like The Fog and The Thing , this series features some spooky, unexplainable occurrences on an oil rig in the Scottish North Sea after a mysterious fog rolls in. Soon the entire structure is haunted, and people start suffering psychological breaks. Stars Emily Hampshire ( Schitt’s Creek ) and Iain Glen ( Game of Thrones ). Streaming Jan. 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKf09DckhmY Hunters, Season 2 – This alt-history revenge/conspiracy thriller series is back for a final season, three years after everyone got hooked on the Al Pacino pulp tale. Holocaust survivor-turned-philanthropist Meyer Offerman (Pacino) has assembled a team of outcasts to hunt Nazis hiding in 1970’s America, but an accident derails their plans. This season they reunite on an internation mission to track down and kill Hitler, played by Udo Kier ( Swan Song ), who is supposedly hiding in South America and mobilizing an army to establish a Fourth Reich. Also stars Logan Lehrman ( The Perks of Being a Wallflower ), Josh Radnor ( How I Met Your Mother ), Carol Kane ( The Princess Bride ), and Jerrika Hinton ( Grey’s Anatomy ). Streaming Jan. 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBE7dHShnjE Shotgun Wedding – This action/romcom stars Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel as a wealthy couple trying to navigate the perils of an island destination wedding … right up until a gang of modern-day pirates show up and begin taking hostages, leaving the pair to save the day in a set of increasingly outlandish violent shenanigans. Streaming Jan. 27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNVwRHQL8jw Also streaming: Indiana Jones original trilogy (Jan. 1); Endeavour, Season 8 (Jan. 3); The Test, Season 2 (Jan. 13) HBOMax Velma – Mindy Kaling ( The Mindy Project ) voices Velma in a new adult animated mystery series following the nerdy sleuth’s origins before the official formation of the classic Scooby Doo gang … just with a sharper, more serious storyline and a whole new look. Joining Kaling are Sam Richardson ( Veep ), Constance Wu ( Fresh Off the Boat ), and Glenn Howerton ( It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia ). Streaming Jan. 12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5zP1IIhdCE The Last of Us – Who HASN’T been waiting on this puppy?!! This long-anticipated series adaptation of the very popular horror video game takes place in 2033, 20 years after humanity was ravaged by a brain fungus that turns its hosts into violent, feral monsters that use echo location to rip survivors apart. Post-apocalyptic mercenary Joel (Pedro Pascal, The Mandalorian ) is hired to escort a teen named Ellie (Bella Ramsey, Game of Thrones ) on a brutal trek across post-pandemic America to a team of doctors who hope that she may hold the cure to the disease. Keep an eye out for Nick Offerman ( Parks and Recreation ), who guest stars as a loner survivalist living in the woods. The plague starts streaming Jan. 15! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLtkt8BonwM The Climb – Who doesn’t love watching Jason Momoa do, well, anything? This time he and rock-climbing iconoclast Chris Sharma are hosting a competition to inspire the next great generation of adrenaline junkies: amateur climbers will endure a gauntlet of physical and mental challenges in a contest for a $100,000 prize and a sponsorship from elite outdoor brand prAna. Momoa took up rock climbing to train for several films; his joy and reverence for the sport gives the series a wild, spiritual quality. Streaming Jan. 12 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKUce1x-njY APPLE TV PLUS Servant, Season 4 – M. Night Shyamalan’s psychological thriller is back for a nerve-shredding close with a final installment of supernatural terror. If you haven’t been watching, the series centers around a grieving couple who opens their door for a sinister force in the form of a nanny to enter their home and all hell breaks loose. In season 4, the nanny’s war with the Church of Lesser Saints heats up, threatening the city of Philadelphia and beyond. The grieving couple must confront her instability and evil, and as their home continues to literally crumble, we will learn who the nanny really is, along with the identity of the baby in their home. Stars Lauren Ambrose ( Six Feet Under ), Nell Tiger Free ( Game of Thrones ), a very funny Rupert Grint ( Harry Potter ), and Toby Kebbell ( Wrath of the Titans) . Streaming Jan. 13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwFbDHPQNcE Shrinking, Season 1 – Jason Segel ( Forgetting Sarah Marshall ) is Jimmy, a grieving widower and overwhelmed therapist, who stumbles upon a new approach to life: he decides to start breaking the rules and telling everyone exactly what he thinks of them and their problems. His professional peer Dr. Rhodes (Harrison Ford) is less than impressed, but Jimmy throws training and ethics to the wind and finds himself catalyzing profound change in peoples’ lives – including his own. Sometimes, you just need to have a breakdown before you have a breakthrough. Streaming Jan. 27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLXVzbQD_wQ Also streaming: Mosquito Coast, Season 2 finale (Jan. 6); Echo 3, Season 1 finale (Jan. 13); Superleague: The War for Football (Jan. 13); and Truth Be Told, Season 3 (Jan. 20) PARAMOUNT PLUS Sometimes When We Touch – A new three-part documentary exploring the “reign, ruin, and resurrection” of soft rock, offering the hopeful view that the genre is experiencing one of the most unlikely comebacks in music history. Now streaming Mayor of Kingstown – Taylor Sheridan is back with season 2 of his hit new series, starring Jeremy Renner ( Avengers ), Kyle Chandler ( Friday Night Lights ), Dianne Wiest ( Edward Scissorhands ), and Hugh Dillon ( Flashpoint ). In case you missed season 1, this series follows the McLusky family, power brokers in Michigan led by Renner, where the business of incarceration is the only thriving industry. Tackling themes of corruption and inequality, the series offers a stark look at the family’s attempt to bring order and justice to a town that has neither. Streaming Jan. 15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXuXwyTZ4Ts Wolf Pack – Sarah Michelle Gellar ( Buffy the Vampire Slayer ) trades vampire hunting for investigating sightings as she stars in a new supernatural show from the creator of MTV’s Teen Wolf (no relation). During the chaos of a forest fire in California, a strange creature from the woods bites two high schoolers, who become werewolves. They join two other undercover werewolf teens, abandoned as puppies after a … waaiiit for it … forest fire sixteen years before, to discover the secret that connects them and eliminate the beast that is stalking them. When one of the pack is kidnapped, the others must draw on both sides of their nature to find the cunning and courage to rescue her. Also stars Rodrigo Santoro ( 300 ). Streaming Jan. 26 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y3rflTTjeI PEACOCK Poker Face – Starring Natasha Lyonne ( Orange is the New Black ), Adrien Brody ( Succession ), Joseph Gordon-Levitt ( 500 Days of Summer ), Chloe Sevigny ( Zodiac ), Ron Perlman ( Sons of Anarchy ) and Lil Rel Howery ( Get Out ). Lyonne is Charlie, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying, hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve. You won’t want to miss this series, I promise. Streaming Jan. 26 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x2NzusLAqk 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