Search Results

Slow Down by Manchester-based band What Will Be serves as an alt-rock anthem for post-pandemic healing and is a testament to the beauty of human creativity. < Back What Will Be: Slow Down Erica Machen Nov 3, 2023 Share Slow Down by Manchester-based band What Will Be serves as an alt-rock anthem for post-pandemic healing and is a testament to the beauty of human creativity. In the world of alternative rock, where raw emotion and edginess often take center stage, ' Slow Down ' by five-piece UK-based band What Will Be —due for release November 3rd —stands out as a refreshing departure. Strongly influenced by the sound of the 90s, ' Slow Down ' evokes a sense of nostalgia reminiscent of bands like Incubus and Hoobastank . For those who turn to alternative rock and grunge-era music as a source of solace, ' Slow Down ' not only captures the essence of the past but infuses it with positive vibes that resonate deeply and makes it a must-listen in challenging times. Released November 3, 2023 What Will Be is made up of Bram (guitar/vocals), Jonny (guitar), James (bass/vocals), JK (drums/vocals), and Chris (keyboard/piano). Bram doubles down his talent by being the band’s primary songwriter with lyrics inspired by his own life and observations. With his acoustic guitar in hand, Bram became a vessel for inspiration in weaving early lyrics and melodies together for ' Slow Down '. Upon bringing it to the rest of the guys at their purpose-built studio in Manchester , the true awakening happened. Organically, JK and James worked up the rhythm section, Bram added more layers with the guitar, and Chris wove in his piano melodies and strings. What they so naturally produced with ' Slow Down ' is a testament to the beauty of human creativity. Credit: Photo provided by band ' Slow Down ' has profound relevance in our post-pandemic world, where feelings of isolation have become all too common. While it was originally penned to convey the struggle against illness and the missed opportunities to connect with loved ones, its message touches the hearts of anyone who has felt the burden of isolation. The song invites you to embrace your support networks and acknowledge those who stood by you during your most vulnerable moments. The official music video for 'Slow Down' by What Will Be One of the noteworthy characteristics of ' Slow Down ' is its compelling vocal performance . Bram pours raw emotion into his lyrics, highlighting the authenticity and heartfelt journey through pain, healing, and ultimately, resilience. The lyrics, with the recurring phrase " feel time slow down ," carry a powerful message. This line resonates with anyone who has experienced moments when life seems to come to a standstill, and yet, it also celebrates the rare instances when time aligns remarkably with our needs . With ' Slow Down ', What Will Be has achieved a fantastic ability to address complex emotions and responses to life's challenges while offering listeners a sense of understanding and shared experience— a must-listen in challenging times. In a world still struck with the aftermath of the global pandemic, What Will Be’s ' Slow Down ' serves as a poignant reminder that there's strength to be found in our connections and resilience in the face of life's challenges . The song's fusion of raw emotions, energy and positivity offers a ray of hope, and underscores the enduring spirit of the human experience. ' Slow Down ' is more than just a song; it's a testament to the healing power of music and a call to embrace the journey of resilience, no matter where you are in life. In capturing the essence of the past alongside deep human emotion, ' Slow Down ' showcases the boundless wellspring of talent within What Will Be and surely makes it a must-listen track. To learn more about What Will Be: Facebook: Facebook - What Will Be Twitter: Profile / Twitter Spotify: Slow Down - Spotify - What Will Be Apple Music: Apple Music - Slow Down - What Will Be YouTube: YouTube - What Will Be Instagram: Instagram - What Will Be www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Fremonts blend elements of folk, country, blues, and rock in a way that feels both familiar and enduring. < Back Revisiting the Roots: The Fremonts Release Remastered Classics Nicole Brice Jul 25, 2025 Share The Fremonts blend elements of folk, country, blues, and rock in a way that feels both familiar and enduring. Though The Fremonts are new to me, they have been making music together for over a decade. After sold-out performances of their original cabaret in New York City , Colorado , Massachusetts , and at the Edinburgh Fringe , as well as a cultural ambassador tour through Tajikistan with the U.S. State Department , they returned to the studio to develop a new album. However, life presented unexpected mid-life challenges, leading them to pause their latest projects and focus on remastering their existing full-length albums, We Don’t Live There and The Failure Cabaret . Those updated versions are now available on all streaming platforms. Discovering new music is an exhilarating experience; it feels like uncovering a hidden part of yourself that you didn't even realize was missing. I feel this way about The Fremonts' music . It’s warm, soulful, and steeped in the spirit of storytelling. Their sound is nostalgic yet refreshingly original. In addition to their remastered albums, The Fremonts have released a new music video for their song ‘ Ketamine Happy Hour ,’ which humorously reflects on their experiences with alternative therapies for depression. Video for 'Ketamine Happy Hour' The Fremonts combine Americana music with storytelling in a theatrical cabaret style . Stephanie Dodd , from Fremont, Nebraska , and Justin Badger , from Fremont, California , have refined their music through years of professional acting experience. They have recorded two full-length albums , toured extensively, and received rave reviews for their original cabaret performances in the U.S. and at the Edinburgh Fringe. The duo currently resides in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts . It’s challenging to define The Fremonts ' sound completely, but I would say it leans more towards Americana than anything else . Americana music is classic and timeless because it draws from the roots of American culture, blending elements of folk, country, blues, and rock in a way that feels both familiar and enduring. Credit: Eric Limon To celebrate their new releases, The Fremonts will be performing a series of shows in the Berkshires and the Hudson Valley this August. The performance dates have just been announced, so be sure to catch a show. In the meantime, let’s explore their latest work together! The Fremonts' show schedule WE DON’T LIVE THERE Since this is my first time listening to this album, I would like to share my thoughts. Stephanie’s vocals are angelic, carrying a soothing quality. Each song tells a story, painting a vivid picture in the mind. The music on this album is wonderful; I can’t think of any other word to describe it. Standout tracks: Tillman’s Wall – The beginning of this song is nothing short of epic. The sounds intertwine into a massive composition, and when Justin’s vocals kick in, it just builds and never lets up. It’s simply fantastic. Tell My Mother – Everything about this song is impressive. I often find it challenging to articulate what I love about a song, but this one is a toe-tapping singalong tune, and it’s phenomenal. Who Fears the Devil – This is a powerful track full of layers, and Justin’s vocals are flawless on this one. Album cover by Emilie Druss and Matt Lowber THE FAILURE CABARET The Failure Cabaret is an album that features a diverse range of sounds and textures, making it a truly enjoyable listen. Every track feels like a road trip through emotions. Standout tracks: Find Me – starts with a heavy groove and Stephanie's vocals take over, building to a chorus filled with conviction. I was nodding my head the entire time while listening to this track. Gravity – just plain beautiful Ketamine Happy Hour – such a fun song, and the video is even more fun. Album cover by Emilie Druss and Matt Lowber The latest releases from The Fremonts infuse new energy into the band’s already captivating catalog. They maintain the emotional depth and vintage charm of the original tracks while delivering a richer and more immersive sound experience. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to their unique blend of Americana , blues , and rock 'n' roll , these updated versions are a perfect way to rediscover or fall in love for the first time with the raw storytelling and musical craftsmanship that define The Fremonts . Go check them out today! **cover photo by Eric Limon To learn more about The Fremonts: Bandcamp: The Failure Cabaret (2025) | The Fremonts YouTube: The Fremonts - YouTube Apple Music: ‎The Fremonts - Apple Music Spotify: The Fremonts | Spotify Website: The Fremonts www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

A Nonconformist Sound < Back Unparalleled Talent and Personality: Subliminal Landmines Nicole Brice Feb 7, 2023 Share A Nonconformist Sound All musicians and bands draw inspiration from others, and often you will find hints of those influences scattered throughout their music. For Subliminal Landmines, though, their new sound hints at nonconformity and is one that is uniquely their own. If you like good, loud, punk rock, this band is for you. Taking a cue from Green Day, who are just one of their influences, these guys have solidified a solid line-up and continue to evolve as musicians and friends. Initially possessing a sound reminiscent of the Riddlin Kids, complete with catchy hooks and choruses, the sound of their new material takes on a harder edge with more of a skate/punk vibe. I was lucky enough to hear some of the new material, and I cannot wait until everyone else can check it out, too, because it is killer. credit: Gary Governale Fronted by Grant Duhon on guitar with Chris Hayes on bass and Casey Bateman on drums, the men of Subliminal Landmines prove they are more than just another punk band. Each member brings an interesting dynamic and personality to the mix for a truly well-rounded listening experience best heard with the volume turned all the way up. The release of 2020’s “Gibberish” saw Subliminal Landmines forging their way into an over-saturated market during the height of COVID-19 but, truth be told, this album is distinct and unlike anything else out there. If I had to pick one vocalist to compare Grant’s sound with, I just can’t. Truly. In fact, the writer in me wants to bring you these snazzy descriptive words for him, but they escape me. His voice is smooth and edgy and just what you’d expect to hear in a punk band, but yet, does not sound like anyone else. He possesses a style all his own. credit: Gary Governale Chris has more of the classic punk vibe going for him, complete with a bad-ass wardrobe and an even more idiosyncratic personality. He exemplifies what it means to be punk rock and, in his other life, owns Leviathan Studios, a tattoo shop in Baton Rouge, La., where he has inked more people than I have purses and shoes. With a flair for art and individuality, Chris possesses a strong stage presence and an even larger-than-life persona. credit: Gary Governale Casey rounds out the band on drums, and this dude hits those drums so hard, you feel their vibrations through your clothes clean into your soul. He’s really good and oozes talent, not to mention he is a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Props, my dude. credit: Gary Governale I had the pleasure of hanging with these guys recently to talk about everything from music, influences, and sound to why Chris owns “Twilight” on DVD but refuses to watch it, and everywhere in between. A bad-ass, eccentric mix of classic punk rock is how I would describe Subliminal Landmines. Be sure to find their music and jam out as soon as you finish reading this article. You’ll thank me later. credit: Gary Governale MaM: So, you guys formed in 2017, but you (looks at Chris) were NOT a part of that. CH: Yes, formed in 2017, but the band has been around for a long time … We’re trying to push what we are doing now, and there have been several changes, but this is the core group now. MaM: Chris, I know you personally from working with you back in the day but give me a brief background on you for our readers. What’s your age? CH: Do I have to give my real one? MaM: It would be nice, ideally. (laughs) CH: I mean, I identify as, like 26, but … MaM: Well, you’re a couple years younger than me, and I’m 41, so … CH: I’m, uh, 37. I’m a baby, remember? I’m a tattoo artist professionally, and I play bass in the band. Grant and I both sing. Hell, Casey sings now, too. It’s really a three-way entourage going on. MaM: Chris, who do you cite as your influence with your playing? Please don’t say Sid Vicious. (laughs) CH: No, uh, singing-wise, yeah, we’re in the same range vocally. (laughs) It’s kind of a funny thing. A lot of the way I play, if you talk about it, like how I play bass … I started out getting into a lot of basslines from, like, Tool and then some more funky basslines like Gap Band and stuff like that, but that’s not how I play in this band. I bring more technical melodies to this band but more in that punk vein. I’d say as far as that vein of influences, it’d be more Hot Water Music, Alkaline Trio, and I don’t really know. MaM: Ok, let’s talk gear. What’s your favorite bass to play and what type of gear do you use? CH: I’m a big fan of neck-through basses. That’s always been a thing for me. I always end up going back to an old 90s Peavey Unity neck-through body. I’ve had that since, like, the 6th grade, so over 20+ years. I’ve stripped it down, rebuilt it, and made it all my own. Most gear I try to customize it and make it my own. credit: Gary Governale MaM: Ok, so now, Grant, tell the readers a little about yourself. GD: So, I’m Grant. I’m 27, and I’m unemployed. (laughs) Got fired on the 2nd day of this year, so I got to start my new year without a job. (laughs) MaM: Well, what were you doing before you got fired? GD: I was managing a smoothie place in Carencro, La., and I had been working for them since college, but I did that for about four or five years, did the band, got married, and had two kids. I have a son who is two, and a daughter who is about to be one. MaM: So, you’re only 27? CH: Oh yeah, I got a kid, too. MaM: I know you have a kid. (laughs) CH: Well, I feel like an asshole if I don’t mention it since he mentioned his. (laughs) GD: Yeah, so the world is kind of just open with opportunity right now, and I’m just trying to decide what I want to do. I kind of want to be more in the kitchen if I do something, like maybe be a chef or manage a kitchen or something like that. MaM: Go to school for that. GD: Yeah, exactly. Culinary school. I just want to find something short term, though, to bridge the gap, but I’ve been playing guitar since I was eight years old. Self-taught, no lessons or anything. One of our main influences for me—and you can hear it in our music—is Green Day. Writing style, performance … [I] kind of just took some of that from them. ‘American Idiot’ is one of the first albums I heard by them when I was eight. MaM: Oh my gosh, that makes me feel old. GD: I ended up, though, going back to listen to some of their older stuff, like ‘Dookie’ and ‘Nimrod’, but out of all of those that influenced me, it would be ‘Dookie,’ ‘Nimrod,’ and ‘Insomniac.’ Each of those albums has a distinct sound for the era they were in. I did listen to a lot of Hoobastank growing up, too, and my mom listened to a lot of Creed. MaM: Chris just made a funny face. CH: I’m making all the freakin’ faces at Grant talking. Like, stop talking. (laughs) GD: Just kind of saying what was around me as a child (looks at Chris ), but as I’ve gotten older, my choices have changed. MaM: Hey, we all went through a Creed phase. No judgement. (laughs) Don’t knock ‘em! GD: I started writing my own songs at nine and even played in front of my 5th grade class with one of my friends, who played the drums. MaM: Wait, what did you guys play? GD: So, we played some original songs I had written. Did that. As I turned 17, I was focused on college and didn’t play for a couple of years, but when I dropped out of college, I picked the guitar back up and then got the band started, which, 2017 is when the band really got started with me and my friend, Zack, who is now in the Marines, and I told him, ‘Dude, I really want to get a band going,’ and we walked around Lafayette and put up signs looking for a drummer and bassist and eventually, we found some people [and] time passed. [P]eople come and people go, and now we have the line-up we have currently. credit: Gary Governale MaM: What type of guitar do you prefer playing? GD: I have a guitar that was a Christmas present—my first guitar when I was eight. It’s a knock-off Fender guitar that you buy from Guitar Center for $199. It has the white pick guard with the tan to black(ish) fade like a lot of the original Fenders have, and it has stickers plastered all over it. CH: Cherry sunburst? GD: Yeah, whatever color you’re looking for. That’s the one I used to play with, and it still works to this day, but what I’m playing with right now is an Ibanez that I took apart and kind of pieced together and made my own. It’s dark blue … new knobs, new bridge, got some locking tuners put on it. I would say it’s a Frankenstein guitar, but it’s new besides the body, so it’s not a bunch of used parts. That’s what I play with. Amp-wise I have a 4 x 12 Orange Cab I play with, and I have the Orange Crush Pro head for it. I don’t really use any pedals; I use a distortion Senders pedal and a tuning pedal. Keep it simple. credit: Gary Governale MaM: So, (looks at Casey), tell me a little more about you. CB: So, I am Casey Bateman. I’m 32. Grew up in St. Amant. Started playing music around the house because of my dad. I got my own drum kit when I was 12, which is the one I’m playing on today. I started percussion in middle school [and] played in the marching band, but when I got out of high school, [I] went into the Marine Corps and played in the Marine Corps band—played in that for four years. That’s where I learned drum set, percussion, and random things. CH: Scalping? CB: Yeah, scalping, too. (laughs) Sure. MaM: Much respect for your service, thank you. CB: After that, I was in a bunch of random bands—cover bands. I guess the biggest one I was in was in Denver. It was a reggae band, which is really cool, because it was the only band I was able to play shows with in other states. credit: Gary Governale MaM: What would you say your musical influences are, as far as genre? CB: Genre? Growing up I was into metal and rap. Eventually, I got my drum set and discovered Blink 182 and My Chemical Romance. I still love those bands, too. I was super into Travis Barker back in the day. MaM: (Us, too, Casey.) Too bad he had to marry a Kardashian, right?! CH: They’ll be divorced soon. Only a matter of time. CB: Like him, though, I try to be choppy, and I was inspired by that. I’m really into metal. Like the Acacia Strain and Hatebreed. I think I bring a Hatebreed-type of aggressiveness to my playing. credit: Gary Governale CH: I feel you bring a bit of the Creed and Hoobastank vibe into the band. CB: (laughs) Yeah, I also play jazz drums. I play that around town and I’m actually in a jazz band called Florida Street Blowhards . They’re a bunch of old jazz heads and we just play some music every now and then, and I don’t exactly use those chops here with this band, but it’s fun. When I was in Denver, I actually played in the Denver Nuggets drumline for a while, and it was really fun. I did that for about three years and that inspired me to get back into music, [so] I started my music education degree, and I’m at LSU now, about to finish. I graduate this fall and will be finished by the end of the year. CH: Wait, so Denver has a team called the Nuggets? CB: Yeah, it used to be the Golden Nuggets. Not what you’re meaning. CH: I mean, Colorado is, like, the #1 state for legalizing weed, so how appropriate they would name their team the Nuggets. (laughter) CB: Their mascot was this, like, miner. CH: Now it’s like a hippie? Looks like Jerry Garcia? (laughter) CB: It’s quite convenient how that worked out. MaM: So, do you feel your fans have been receptive to your sound so far and with what you are trying to accomplish? GD: I definitely feel that this past year they have been. The energy that Casey brings to the band is new, and then Chris and I are really finding our niche playing together. All three of us [are] synching up. The way crowds have reacted to us this past year has been way different than previous years. We’re more involved with them, but they’re more receptive with wanting to hear us play, and it’s a good feeling. CH: You know what I just realized? Every single show we’ve had for the past year, like the past five or six shows, we’ve had the entire crowd go, ‘Uhhhh!’ (makes moaning noise). (laughs) MaM: Uh huh, and how did you manage that? CH: We literally paused the song and hit the crowd with a, ‘Can I get a uhhhh?!’. (laughs) GD: They usually all do it back. credit: Gary Governale MaM: How would you describe your sound? I made a note about your music and that it sounds like Blink 182 with an edge. Would you agree with that? CH: The last album we put out, I could agree with that, but with the new stuff we are doing, we’re moving away from that sound. MaM: So, what would you say you’re evolving towards with your current sound? CH: I really couldn’t give you something to compare it to, off hand, but it’s just progressed more into an aggressive style. It’s got a heavier edge than before. We’re pushing faster, heavier, and more technical. MaM: So, you don’t want to be as poppy as before? GD: We’re moving away from the pop punk. CH: Yeah, we’re pushing away from the older music and moving towards the newer stuff we’re doing. MaM: If you could give me one band that your new stuff compares to, who would it be? CH: It’s more in the vein of the skate/punk vibe or more traditional punk, like Pennywise. MaM: So, do you guys have any aspirations for the future? Do you want to do this full time, or do you want to keep it as more of a hobby? CH: I’ve always looked at it as if you’re gonna play in a band, you need to approach it professionally, but we’re not making money at this. Any money earned is put back into the band. You know you can throw us some more risky questions, just saying. credit: Gary Governale MaM: Ok, so, what was this you said earlier about you being a movie buff who owns “Twilight” on DVD, yet you will NOT watch it? Why even spend the money? (laughs) CH: ‘Cause it’s a movie and I collect movies, but people don’t buy DVDs anymore. Very few. They’re actually losing money on that. I’m buying it for the studios so they’ll keep making movies, but they just can’t keep making THAT movie. (laughs) MaM: Ok, well that leads me to … name one guilty pleasure band or artist that is in your music collection. CH: Oingo Boingo. MaM: That’s not a terrible band. That’s actually a really good band. CH: Oh, you mean that I don’t listen to? MaM: No, that you don’t want people to know you listen to. Like, if they saw it, you would be like, “That’s not mine. Someone put that there.” CH: Honestly, I wouldn’t be ashamed of any of the music I listen to. I listen to weird shit. (laughs) I do have a lot of stuff that people would be surprised of, but nothing to be embarrassed of. I have shit like Patsy Cline and stuff. GD: I kind of feel the same way, but I can’t pinpoint it to an exact artist. CH: It’s easier for you because you own the newer Green Day albums. (laughs) GD: I guess the later Green Day I can’t really get behind. (laughs) I do listen to it, though, but I don’t exactly enjoy it. (laughs) I guess, though, if I had to pinpoint an artist, then it would probably be NBA Youngboy. MaM: Can’t say I have any of that in my music collection. GD: Like, I enjoy some of the stuff he has put out, but I can’t say that I listen to rap these days. MaM: Well, any closing words? CH: You know how there is pull-apart monkey bread with the cinnamon on it? MaM: Yeah … CH: Why don’t we just call it Simian rolls? (laughs) To check out all that is Subliminal Landmines, head on over to their various pages and listen NOW! New material coming soon, as they guys are currently mixing the new stuff. Stay tuned! Subliminal Landmines | Facebook Subliminal Landmines (@subliminallandmines) • Instagram photos and videos (195) Subliminal Landmines - YouTube Spotify – Subliminal Landmines Music | Subliminal Landmines (bandcamp.com) ‎Subliminal Landmines on Apple Music www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Wrestlers are a three-piece thrash metal powerhouse with nostalgic sounds. < Back Reviews on the Real: The Wrestlers J. Heist Aug 28, 2025 Share The Wrestlers are a three-piece thrash metal powerhouse with nostalgic sounds. Hailing from Oristano, Italy , The Wrestlers are a three-piece thrash metal powerhouse. Combining the nostalgic sounds of classic thrash metal and heavy metal, this band is "A Fuoco" (on fire)!!! With driving bass riffs, intricate guitar work, hardcore metal vocals, and non-stop drumming, they transport you back in time. If you enjoy thrash music, such as Metallica , Testament , and Megadeth , combined with elements of Judas Priest , Iron Maiden , and hardcore punk , I highly recommend giving this record a spin. The Wrestlers' self-titled album gets two thumbs up from me. Credit: The Wrestlers The Wrestlers are Alex Murru (Guitar/Voice), Simone Mura (Bass), and Samuele Oggiano (Drums). Released March 7, 2025 Necrophilic Woman This song is a fantastic way to kick off the album. Fast guitar playing and a catchy vocal melody set the tone where the song travels at breakneck speed, offering a brief moment of peace with a melodic breakdown before overwhelming you with an incredible guitar solo. This track serves as a perfect introduction to what the rest of the album has to offer—great riffs, impressive harmonies, and an overall fantastic composition. Look at the Dark This song takes a more melodic approach throughout. The vocals showcase their range in the chorus, while the rhythm section brings it back down to Earth. This track has everything, from solid songwriting to music that perfectly matches the title. ' Look at the Dark ' is one of my favorites on the album and will definitely have you contemplating the shadows. Rapist Demon This song brings hardcore punk vibes, reminiscent of Propagandhi but with a death metal twist. It has that old-school/new-school sound that will leave you wanting to press play again. It feels like a party anthem, and I can easily see it featured in a film. With its straightforward chord progressions, it epitomizes the concept of "less is more." You won’t know whether to get in the pit, headbang, or sing along. Explosion of Skull This track comes in strong with heavy guitars from the very start, reminding you that The Wrestlers didn’t come to play. The song is confrontational, featuring heavy metal and punk riffs along with a bass breakdown that leads into harmonized guitars and a stellar solo. If you're not in the pit by the end of this song, you might not be listening closely. The Apocalypse of Blood This song is a fast-paced beast that also offers some breathing room. Its breakdowns demonstrate that they came to both melt faces and woo you with metal, only to ramp up the speed again. This song has Slayer vibes, especially with a solo that would make Kerry King proud. ' The Apocalypse of Blood ' perfectly encapsulates what The Wrestlers are all about. After the Apocalypse When a metal song starts with a bass line, you know it’s going to be good. This track is on the slower side compared to the others on the album, showcasing their ability to craft guitar harmonies and groove riffs. It serves as the first song on the B-side of the album and as a great way to kick off that part. ' After the Apocalypse ' is as close to a ballad as metal gets. Le Leggi Dell'Umanità On this song, The Wrestlers utilize their multilingual skills to bring a taste of Italy to the mix serving up a drum intro, multiple time signatures, a bass break, and fast guitars. This track is an excellent representation of several of their writing styles combined into one. If you play this on a road trip, be sure to put it on cruise control. Mr. Beer This song brings back hardcore punk vibes. It differs slightly from the others, but still effectively represents their music. The bass player showcases his melodic talent with another catchy bass intro. This one's a bit of a happier version of their music but retains that metal edge. The Wrestlers indeed demonstrate their diversity with this song. Metal Father ' Metal Father ' introduces more hardcore punk sounds with great, simplistic yet effective guitar progressions and a sing-along-worthy chorus. The interlude strips things down a notch, offering a moment to catch your breath—if you have a lighter, this would be the perfect time to hold it up. It’s another example of the "less is more" approach, complete with superb dynamics. Violent Storms The closing track, ' Violent Storms ,' is an excellent way to end the album. It features classic 80s thrash metal grooves and powerful vocals that light up the speakers. Even the lyrics are perfectly crafted to conclude the album. This song might even be my personal favorite on the record, demonstrating once again that The Wrestlers can do more than play fast. Credit: The Wrestlers Overall, this is a fantastic album from start to finish, with a good flow from song to song. Each track has its own identity and leaves you wanting to hear more. If The Wrestlers aren’t in your playlist, you’re definitely missing out. Spin this album at full volume. The Wrestlers' self-titled album is a must-listen. Peace, love, and music, - J Heist To learn more about The Wrestlers: Facebook: The Wrestlers Facebook Instagram: The Wrestlers Instagram Spotify: The Wrestlers - Album by The Wrestlers | Spotify Apple Music: ‎The Wrestlers - Album by The Wrestlers - Apple Music The Triad Rec: THE TRIAD REC | Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Got something for J. Heist to check out? E-mail us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Barbie sees success with its all-star cast and its underlying message for women everywhere < Back Barbie: Film Review C.G. Smith Aug 7, 2023 Share Barbie sees success with its all-star cast and its underlying message for women everywhere Rating: 3.5 out of 5 duck lips of approval My wife and I don’t usually go out to see movies anymore, but she had been hearing about the Barbie movie from co-workers for a few days, so we bought tickets and went to the Broad Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana, to see it. The Saturday matinee was nearly full of adults of all ages, and a few families with young girls. The trailers rolled, and I finished my hot dog as a few latecomers filed into the last seats near the front of the theater. The movie began with a nod to 2001: A Space Odyssey for the intro sequence, and it was a grin-worthy moment for me. I was quickly pulled into the Kool-Aid as an oversized Margot Robbie ( Suicide Squad ), dressed as the original Barbie, towered above little girls playing with their ordinary dolls. Director Greta Gerwig ( Lady Bird ) showed right away that she was going to have fun with the film as little girls destroyed their baby dolls in homage to this new doll, Barbie. There were enjoyably wonderful supporting performances, and it was amusing to see some amazing actors having a good time with the roles they landed. Will Ferrell ( Old School ) as the Mattel CEO was silly, his presence perhaps a statement on how even a complete man-child can rise to the top of a company in a patriarchy, and Rhea Perlman ( Cheers ) as Barbie creator Ruth Handler was a high point for me. Michael Cera ( Superbad ) gave the discontinued Allan doll some life and a bit of comedic relief as the bony best friend of Barbie’s buff male counterparts, and Kate McKinnon ( Office Christmas Party ) was fabulous as Weird Barbie. Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie The plot centers on Barbie suddenly facing an existential crisis because of how someone in the real world is imagining her. We learn Weird Barbie is weird because she’s been played with too “hard,” and now Stereotypical Barbie’s perfect existence is suddenly threatened by flat feet, celluloid, and thoughts of impending death. Weird Barbie tells Stereotypical Barbie that to fix the situation, she must travel to the real world and find the person who is causing these changes in her. In the process, a stowaway Ken is introduced to the patriarchy, which he quickly adopts, albeit a bit clumsily, as he has always felt like he had no purpose without Barbie. I felt the whole Real World vs Barbie Land plot was an unexpected but overused way to tell the story. It was never really fleshed out as to how these two places could co-exist but nonetheless gave a way to merge the make-believe world with the reality of today. My favorite scene was when America Ferrera ( Superstore ) goes off about how impossible it is to be a woman in society in a monologue on the double standards of being a woman. This unlocks the answer the Barbies have been searching for to regain control of Barbie Land from the Kens, who have taken it over. Ryan Gosling ( La La Land ) does a great job as Ken, and the film doesn't make it a foregone conclusion that he and Barbie belong together, but rather that they should learn to know and love themselves without the confines of any pre-conceived gender roles or biases. Margot Robbie as Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken I will say that my wife, who was the catalyst for this outing, was not as impressed with the movie as I was. I find that often when something is talked about, and then built up in our minds, it's very hard to actually shine once it is experienced. Stephen King's The Stand (2020), for instance, has and probably never will live up to the movie I have created in my head. Overall, I felt Barbie was a fun, interesting movie and, although skewed towards adults, was not vulgar or too grown up for maturing children. Barbie seems to have a good time with the franchise while also projecting the power of finding and being yourself for Barbies and Kens alike. I doubt you'll not enjoy your time with this one if you go in with an open mind. Barbie also stars Issa Rae ( Insecure ), Kingsley Ben-Adir ( Secret Invasion ), John Cena ( Peacemaker ), and Simu Liu ( Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) . 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

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

< Back What the Hell Did I Just Watch: Sharktopus vs Whalewolf Ezekiel Kincaid Share Aug 14, 2023 Sharktopus vs Whalewolf has its moments but is ultimately a flop Rating: 2 out of 5 aging MLB players whose career is tanking Welcome to the movie that tanked Casper Van Dien’s acting career! Ha ha, just kidding. His career was over not too long after he did Starship Troopers in 1997. With that said, if you’ve hung around the B-movie scene for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard of the Sharktopus movies. So what the hell is Sharktopus? It’s a genetically altered shark with the upper torso of a Great White and the lower torso of an octopus. Yes, it is a shark with tentacles. Got your attention? Sounds pretty cool, right? And it is, or it was—right up until Sharktopus vs Whalewolf . Sharktopus vs Whalewolf (2015) is the third installment of the Sharktopus film series and is the second sequel. It was directed by Kevin O’Neill , who only has a short six titles to his directing credit—none of which you’ve probably seen, unless you watched Dinoshark (2010) or Sharktopus vs Pteracuda (2014); he did, however, work on visual effects for Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), Blade (1998), and Piranha 3D (2010). Sharktopus vs Whalewolf stars Casper Van Dien ( Starship Troopers, Alita: Battle Angel ), Catherine Oxenberg ( Dynasty, The Lair of the White Worm ), Andrew E. Tilles (visual effects for Surrogates and Fast Five ), and Akari Endo ( Cristo Rey ). The plot is pretty basic and picks up where Sharktopus (2010) and Sharktopus vs. Pteracuda (2014) left off: Somewhere in the Caribbean at an anti-aging clinic, a psychotic genetic scientist named Dr. Elsa Reinhardt (Oxenberg) mixes the genes of a killer whale and a grey wolf, because, well, we’ve all been curious, haven’t we? In an experimental process, she then inserts the genetic mix into Felix Rosa (Tilles), an aging, disgraced Major League Baseball player whose career is tanking; Rosa hopes the experiment will be a success and that his talent will be restored, but the experiment goes awry. Rosa turns into an unstable werewolf creature and in order to stabilize the wolf in him, Dr. Reinhardt adds Orca DNA and boom! We have a whalewolf —moreover, we have a whalewolf who now threatens Sharktopus’s territory. Things get a little out of hand when Sharktopus and Whalewolf meet … and fight. Sounds like the plot of your typical monster movie, right? Yeah, that’s because it is. There is a little sub-plot though, but it makes absolutely no sense at all. Sharktopus vs. Whalewolf opens with a funeral taking place on a boat for a burial at sea. The funeral is interrupted almost immediately with an attack from Sharktopus. As a result, a woman goes missing and, long story short, local police chief Nita Morales (Endo) throws Captain Ray (Dien) in jail. A local voodoo priest bails Ray out of jail and wants him to fetch the heart of Sharktopus to use in a ceremony as payment for this debt. Meanwhile, Inspector Nita Morales is trying to figure out what is going on with all the killings and whalewolf sightings; she thinks people have gone nuts until she sees the insanity for herself. The movie ends with a less-than-climatic battle between the two sea titans. Who wins? Really? Like I’m going to give that away in a review. You’ll have to watch for yourself to see who comes out on top in this borefest. My advice is to just skip to the end and watch the final battle. You won’t be missing anything, I promise. There were a few comedic scenes that made me chuckle, but the comedy falls flat and encourages several eye rolls, not in a good way. Sharktopus vs Whalewolf has its moments but is ultimately a giant flop, especially in the face of its Sharktopus predecessors. Let’s talk about the effects. The CGI in Sharktopus vs Whalewolf is pretty bad, which is kind of to be expected in a SyFy Original movie but is still a little shocking, given that the effects in both Sharktopus and Sharktopus vs Whalewolf were pretty decent--also given the fact that its director is the founder of a special effects production company called Flat Earth Productions. Here, the filmmakers didn’t even try to make their effects look real or even hide the fact they are using CGI. It’s almost like they are proud of what a crap job they did; instead of any really fun effects, we’re given pure CGI involving a ton of CGI blood spatter that honestly couldn’t look more fake if it tried. At least go for real-looking blood, balance out the visuals a bit. It made me long for the days when actors dressed up in rubber suits to play the monsters. Now, if we could get a Sharktopus vs. Whalewolf remake with people in rubber suits fighting (and starring Will Ferrell), I’d watch that. I’d also be good with Simon Pegg or Rainn Wilson in the starring role. Any takers out there who want to start working on a script? All in all, Zeke gives this movie 2 out of 5 aging MLB players whose career is tanking. Sharktopus vs. Whalewolf is currently streaming on Tubi, Crackle, Fubo, Freevee, and Amazon Prime and Video On Demand. 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

Who is Fish? < Back Messing Up Quests and Putting Things to the Test Nicole Brice Feb 15, 2023 Share Who is Fish? One day as I was doing my daily scroll on social media, I came across a YouTube video a friend had shared, and it was titled Stuck Inside a Video Game . I was like, “Hmmm, what could this be?” as I pressed play, not sure of what I was about to watch. For the next five minutes and 42 seconds , I was snickering like a goober while watching this cinematic masterpiece in all its humorous glory. The creator of the video I had just watched was a guy named Fish . After that moment, I shared the video because it was awesome and because most can relate to anything pertaining to video games. Little did I know that a few months later, while looking for talent to scout and write about, I would happen upon the Instagram page of the same artist/musician responsible for the epic YouTube video I had seen and gobbled up like a goober. For those who have not seen the jewel that is Stuck Inside a Video Game , it is a clever song and music video of a guy on a couch playing The Legend of Zelda , showing different scenarios and scenes of the main character being sucked into the actual game, complete with witty commentary, sexy women back-up dancers/singers, and much hilarity. In fact, before you finish this article, you must watch it. Stuck Inside a Video Game by Fish So, who is the guy behind this glorious gem? Well, folks, his name is Sam Fishman , a.k.a. Fish . I bet you’re probably asking, “ Who is Fish? ” So please, allow me. Not only is Fish a producer, a drummer, a video game enthusiast, and a kick-ass human , BUT he is also extremely witty, very intelligent, and super talented. When he’s not making amazingly awesome YouTube videos with clever concepts, he spends his time spinning the sticks as the drummer of the New York-based Americana/Folk rock band, Driftwood … truly an entertaining man. Keep reading to learn more! credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia MaM : Good Morning! Thank you for speaking with me today. So, let’s preface this by saying how wonderful it is to be speaking with the creator of “Stuck Inside a Video Game.” I saw it a few months back and instantly fell in love with it. Fish : You saw that? (laughs) That’s fortuitous. MaM : Yes, I saw it before I knew who you were and instantly thought, “This dude is awesome!”. Fish : Oh wow! (laughs) Yeah, that’s so funny. The universe is pointing in the right direction. MaM : So, not only are you making incredibly creative videos, but you are also the drummer in the band Driftwood, correct? Tell us a little more about that. Fish : So, I had been living in Brooklyn for about seven months when the pandemic hit and then, at that point, I said, ‘Alright, I’m gonna move out of the city.’ So, I left Brooklyn , moved back home with my folks for a little bit to figure out what the next move was, and then I felt like moving to Ithaca, N.Y. I felt like that was the best move for me. I have some familiarity with New York State, so I said, ‘Let me try Ithaca out,’ and I moved there. The first year that I’m there, it’s like [the] pandemic. Everything was closed. Nothing was happening. I started getting situated and reaching out to people, and through a mutual friend, I connected with Joey Arcuri . Joey is the bass player for Driftwood , and we connected, and so I said, ‘Joey, we should jam sometime,’ and we both know Chris . Chris is our mutual friend, and Joey said, ‘Yeah, that’d be great, man. Let’s keep in touch.’ A couple months go by, and I reach back out to Joey, and he gets back to me the next day and tells me their drummer had just left and then asked me if I’d like to audition for the band. The timing worked out, and because Joey and I had that mutual friend, we made the connection, and there ya go. MaM : Wow, that is incredible! You obviously have a background in music, so at what age did you start playing drums, and who are your musical influences and inspirations? Fish : I started playing drums in 3rd grade. MaM : Wow, 3rd grade? Just the fact that you can even remember back that far is awesome. I don’t even remember what I was doing at that age. Fish : Yeah, I had begged my parents for, like, two years to get me a drum set, and then they did. As far as influences, I have so many drummers I am into. That’s a really good question. It kind of taps into, like, there is stuff you can enjoy and then there are things you can kind of listen to cerebrally to get that music, and it makes sense in your brain; but, then there is music that hits your body and makes you feel things, and I guess for me, there are times when I love listening to hard rock and metal, and that sort of hits more intellectual [sic] for me because I’m understanding it in a way, but when I want to feel stuff, I really love listening to music with a groove and a laid-back vibe. For example, I’ve been listening to Madison Cunningham lately. It’s more Americana vibes. Very singer/songwriter … female vocals, relaxing … not gonna put me on edge. MaM : Do you prefer more singer/songwriter type of music? What’s your favorite type of music? Fish : Oh man, it’s very seasonal for me. I couldn’t tell you what my favorite is. For instance, I’m into these well-crafted songs kind of things and lush orchestrations, really just in the groove, in the pocket, but there may come a time in the summer where all I want to listen to is some heavy stuff. For instance, what’s the band from Chicago? I’m blanking out. The guy who does the “Oo-wa-ah-ah-ah!”? MaM : Disturbed? (laughs) Fish : (laughs) Yeah, Disturbed . I’ll maybe put on a little Disturbed . MaM : Get down with the sickness! (laughs) Fish : Yep yep! (laughs) … and I love Britney Spears ! I was listening to [her] the other day. MaM : Me too!!! One of my guilty pleasures! Fish : Yeah, Britney Spears , so good. credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia MaM : So, tell us a little more about this video. I need to know all the details, because that thing is badass! Fish : (laughs) Yeah, that is so insane! There are a lot of layers to that video. On the surface, it’s this really wacky, like, surreal video. I mean, I’m stuck in a video game. I’m stuck in ‘ The Legend of Zelda .’ It’s actually a reflective piece, and for a while, in my, like, late-20s or, well, even when I was, like, 31 [or] 32—which, I’m 36 now, or, rather, I’ll be 36 this coming Sunday. Even into my early 30s, I found myself playing games a little too much, and I wasn’t really living. The music video was a big, cathartic release for me. I wrote this rap song about being stuck in a game, and I wrote it the way I knew how, and then I said, Screw it! I’m gonna go all in. I’m gonna fly out to Los Angeles. I’m gonna get this thing legit.’ I found a video crew, Blurred Pictures , Rosco – he’s this great director out there. His mind moves a mile a minute, and we just got a team and I said, ‘I’m gonna produce this thing,’ and we really did it. I wanted to share my experiences in a way other people would relate. I feel like there’s a lot of guys out there that are stuck in this video game world, and they don’t even realize it. The video is a fun way to show the lines can be blurred if you play too many games. Is your life the game? Is the game your life? That whole back-and-forth dilemma. MaM : I can totally relate to that because my husband is a gamer, but he never let it consume him 100%. Now, my best friend, her boyfriend is so consumed by video games that he completely ignores her, and she is a total babe! I can definitely identify with your video. Fish : See? That’s what I mean. It’s relatable! Another part of it was that the women in the video are from ‘ The Legend of Zelda ,’ too … the three goddesses of the Tri Force … but they also take on a different meaning because they’re very sexy in the video, and because of that, if you’re attracted to women, women could become a distraction if you’re a little too focused on the game. You must find that balance. This is not my life’s purpose. My life has a greater purpose. The takeaway from this video is battling your shortcomings, getting out of your comfort zone, [and] really trying to better yourself. MaM : What is your favorite video game? Fish : Zelda … but then, which Zelda , right? I have some games that are definitely in the top 10, but simply because of the symbolism in the hero’s journey, Zelda is probably going to take the cake. I’m going to have to go with ‘ Ocarina of Time ’ as the best or as my favorite, with my second favorite Zelda game being ‘ Link’s Awakening .’ MaM : That’s awesome. I wanted to ask you, prior to Driftwood, were you playing in any other bands? Give us a brief history of your music career. Fish : So, if you thought the video was crazy, this is even crazier. Before I got into Driftwood , I was touring around the country and even got to go to Japan with my former band. I was playing with this group called Madison Rising , a political band, and it was a great opportunity for me to travel, and I learned a lot. I ended up leaving the band, though, to focus on other endeavors. The takeaway from that is that I learned a lot about the music industry, and I got to open up for Lynyrd Skynyrd , Aerosmith , and Weezer . We had a good run. I started with them in 2011 and left in 2018 . [I] spent seven years with them and learned some incredible things. Great learning experience. MaM : Steppingstones, though, to get to where you are today. Fish : Absolutely. Had I not experienced those situations with that band, then I would not have learned about what it means to be a professional musician. MaM : I want to learn more about these videos on Instagram and more about your production work. You have such an interesting story to tell. Fish : Appreciate that. The production stuff you mentioned is kind of inspired by art. Like, here’s a drumming solo; here’s me drumming to this; [and] here’s my friend doing a piano piece. I’m starting to sort of play in both worlds. The music video, for instance, plays on some surrealism there. I have a video I will be posting soon of me just roaming around a recording studio while my friend, Andrew Klein , makes scary sounds on metallic percussion instruments. MaM : (laughs) That’s so awesome! credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia Fish : There is one where I am going to be dancing behind the drummer, Andrew Klein , while he plays drums. (laughs) I want it to be fun. Trying to just do some silly stuff that is different. Trying to lighten up this whole ‘I’m a serious artist’ business. That’s where I’m at. I love being in the production role. I like seeing visions of mine come to life. I have good organizational skills, and being a good producer, to me, is having good organizational skills. MaM : Do you own your own studio? I’m curious as to where you are recording. Fish : I’ve been investing in myself, and I like going to different studios, as opposed to trying to set up my own studio. I’m not into that. Maybe if I had a ton of money, I could make my own studio. There is something about working in someone else’s space that forces me to be more creative … working within the limitations … let’s adapt. For example, Wilburland Recording Studio is a place I go back to quite a bit. It’s a place where the latest Instagram clip was filmed. It’s a great open space, and I like working with Will a lot, and it’s close to where I live. I like trying different things. I don’t want to get locked into the same pattern. I have another bit coming up that I recorded. Mikaela Davis is a prominent harp player in New York state, and I’m bringing her to Wilburland , and she’s going to perform the great fairy fountain music from ‘The Legend of Zelda.’ MaM : Love it! If you lived here in Louisiana, we’d be hanging out! Fish : I feel that, too, just based upon our conversation. You’re just good energy. MaM : I’m such a nerd. I read and I meditate, and I like science. Are you currently based in New York, still? Fish : I live in Ithaca, New York. MaM : You know, every time I hear the name Ithaca, I think of the movie, “Road Trip!” Fish : Yes! (laughs) You are so on point! Yes! MaM : That’s what I instantly think of with Ithaca. So, with your extensive background in the industry, I just must ask you what you think the music industry is lacking these days? Fish : That’s a great question. To me, what’s lacking is education, and what I mean by that is that the local artists, they don’t fully understand what it means to run your band as a business. Any local artists who are complaining, and I get this in Ithaca through friends, like they are really making forward progress and are passionate about what they’re doing, but they don’t understand that if your band is going to progress, then there needs to be an awareness that if your band is not run like a business, then don’t have any expectations of moving forward. If you want to move forward, you must do all the work on the business side to help you establish a plan. credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia MaM : I completely can identify with that because you are building your band as a brand. You must brand yourself to stand out so that people take notice. What are you working on currently? Fish : One of the upcoming things is a screenplay for a movie. I just finished the first draft. It’s called ‘ Cicada Madness .’ It’s based on an audio project that is already completed, and I just decided to take it to the next level, but I’m certain I will be doing a crowdsourcing fund for the movie, because I want to have a big budget. When you think of the film, though, it’s a B-movie … sorority girls, cicadas flying around just exploding… (laughs) . MaM : So, is it like Hitchcock’s The Birds but with cicadas? Fish : Yeah, but funny. Not meant to scare you. Just total fun. Driftwood is currently recording an album, and we plan to release it in the fall. This is their most mature album to date. It’s going to defy expectations and has a lot of variety. Those are the main things. I have a video that is supposed to be finished by the end of February where I teamed up with a community music school to put on a performance of Claude Bolling’s ‘Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano ,’ and it brings me back to my roots of reading music and performing. I imagine I’ll be posting some clips from it in early March. I love doing different things where maybe you’ll get Jazz & Classical one day and then you’ll get crazy silly skit the next day. I have a lot of different things I want to do. credit: Carlo Alberto Orecchia MaM : Ok, so big question. Who is Fish? Fish : Well, right now he’s the drummer of Driftwood the band; he does session work; and he produces and collaborates. But, yeah, Fish is ever evolving. That is the safe answer. Fish wants to inspire others. Fish wants to collaborate. That’s the key word. Fish is someone who wants to work with a lot of different people. Fish is a leader. Fish wants to bring out the best in other creative people. I love going to a keyboard player that I see potential in or that I think is phenomenal and I’ll say, ‘Hey, man! Let me get your number. We’re gonna work together.’ I just get right down to it. If I want to work with someone, I let them know. Fish really wants to bring out a vision and be part of a team. To learn more about Fish, check out all his links below and enjoy! Website: Who Is Fish? - Sam Fishman | Drummer, Composer, Creator Instagram: Who Is Fish? (@whoisfishig) • Instagram photos and videos YouTube: Who Is Fish? - YouTube Facebook: Who Is Fish? | Facebook www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The LA Phantoms have the strength and will to create music that resonates. < Back The LA Phantoms: A Louisiana Punk Band with a Rich History Nicole Brice Nov 4, 2024 Share The LA Phantoms have the strength and will to create music that resonates. The LA Phantoms , a Louisiana punk band, has a rich history of resilience and readiness to face any challenge. Since the early 2000s , the band has seen many line-up changes and iterations, but their strength and determination to create music that resonates with their audience have never wavered. We are thrilled to share their story with you. Credit: Gary Governale Formed in the early 90s under the name Mystic Fix , the LA Phantoms are a homegrown band originally from Ville Platte that moved to Lafayette, Louisiana . There, they underwent numerous line-up changes due to member deaths and other tragic circumstances, but they never stopped. With even more changes since then, The LA Phantoms have emerged today through these trials and tribulations, ready to conquer the musical landscape. Today, the band is fronted by Cutty and Mac , who share vocal duties. Cutty , who also plays bass, Mac on drums, and Jaysun Birdman on guitar round out all the band duties. Sometimes, they'll invite other musicians on stage with them, too, because it is all about the music. This trio is brimming with anticipation for the new era of punk rock they are about to be a part of, with new music set to be released in 2025, and we cannot wait. I had the absolute pleasure of hearing this new music, and I can assure you, it's something to look forward to. A vast range of influences have solidified the LA Phantoms ' tight sound, and they are dedicated and determined to leave their mark on music history. To describe the LA Phantoms ' music, it is good, solid punk rock. There is no fluff, no frills, just straight-up enjoyable punk rock. The LA Phantoms , a trio of humble yet immensely talented musicians, embody a relentless drive and determination to push the boundaries of their craft. Their unwavering commitment to their music is admirable, and we eagerly anticipate what the future holds for them. Mixed Alternative Magazine had the privilege of engaging in a profound conversation with the LA Phantoms , and their love and dedication to their craft was genuinely inspiring. Read on to learn more about their journey. MaM : Let’s dive into your band history. Tell us a bit about how you got started and where. Mac : This band was an incarnation that spawned from another band. A punk band was called Mystic Fix . Mystic Fix was formed in the early 90s , around 1994 , in Ville Platte , Louisiana , by our brother, Chris . It was Chris and James , and another guy named Timmy on drums, who is my brother-in-law now, so then they moved from Ville Platte to Lafayette , and the other guys from Ville Platte fell off, and Chris continued with us with a different line-up. The line-up fluctuated between various people until it ended up being me, Cutty , Chris , and Luke Duke . We played a few shows with that line-up, but Chris wanted to play more rock n roll, and he was discovering bands like Nashville Pussy and Speedealer – a lot of Southern rock stuff. Mac Black by Gary Governale Eventually, he told me he didn’t want to go on with the name Mystic Fix anymore. He then said he wanted to start another band with more of a rock n roll approach because he thought it would give us more gigs across the country. He didn’t want to be pigeonholed into the whole punk rock scene. Fewer dive bars and bigger, more prominent venues. This all happened about 2001 , and that was when we officially started The LA Phantoms . It was me , Chris , and Luke Duke ( Choke ). We wrote and recorded an album and put it out. Luke lived in Lake Charles , and Chris lived in Lafayette . Luke eventually fell out because he couldn’t commute from Lake Charles to Lafayette to rehearse. We ended up getting another guy, Damien Miller . Damien was the bass player for that run of LA Phantoms and passed away in 2007. That run of The Phantoms went from 2001-2005 . Also, Creosote Jones from Cheater Pipe played with us for a few years and helped write many songs with us. Credit: Gary Governale Cutty : We also had a harmonica player. He did lead harmonica solos. MaM : Man, I’d be curious to see how that fits in with your sound. Mac : We have a link to it. We can send it to you. MaM : Yes. Please send me the link. Cutty : It gave it kind of a blues edge. It worked with the formula. It was kind of like the song “ Electric Worry ” by Clutch . They have harmonica on that song. MaM : So how did you get to the band's current incarnation? Mac : Chris died. MaM : Oh wow … Mac : In 2005 , my wife Jessica was terminal, so I had to quit the band because I couldn’t really play shows or go anywhere. We had been gigging everywhere from Austin to New Orleans , and I couldn’t go on the road because my wife needed me. Mac Black by Gary Governale MaM : I’m so sorry, man. I understand. Mac : I quit the band, and Chris started Mystic Fix back up with some other guys in Ville Platte . He started having trouble with his drummer because of his lack of interest. After my wife passed away, he asked me to join the band because he had recently signed up with a local label in Carencro . Chris gave me a cassette of the songs he planned to record, and I learned all the songs. The last show was at a skate park in Lafayette , and I got on stage to sing with them. This was June 10, 2007 . On the next day, June 11th , Chris passed away, and then I found out on my birthday, June 12th , that he passed. We were devastated by this. To help with his funeral expenses, they asked me to put together a band to gig and help make money to pay for his funeral. I told them we would learn all the songs Chris had created. Chris’ girlfriend sang for us, and we raised a few thousand dollars and were able to bury him. Chris’ girlfriend later became my wife. Her name is Julie Jab . Then there was this guy named Shane , who played bass briefly. He was like the Sid Vicious of Lafayette—a lot of stage presence. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Then what? Mac : We got Cutty . Me and Cutty had played in Mystic Fix , and he was with us when we were writing the early songs with LA Phantoms , and he came back once we got rid of Shane . Then we gigged like that till my wife had a heart operation. She had a valve replacement. She couldn’t continue with us. Then I started a band called Black Feratu , with my friend James Feratu . That was metal , and we did it for a few years. Then, the original guitarist for Mystic Fix was on his deathbed and was not doing well. He decided he wanted to play another run of shows, so he and Luke went with Cutty and I , and we started doing Mystic Fix songs. Still, we decided to do some LA Phantoms songs, too, but then James got on the stage one night, and he could only do half a song, and he was on a tank of oxygen and just couldn’t do it anymore. Cutty by Gary Governale MaM : Wow, bless his heart. Cutty : Yeah, his last performance was in Lafayette at The Boom Boom Room . He was convinced he could stand up and play the songs. We tried to persuade him to sit down, but he stood up like a soldier and tried to troop through the song. Unfortunately, he did pass out, which was James ’ last performance on stage. MaM : To me, that is badass because that shows his dedication to music. Cutty : One of the toughest MF’ers to get on stage. MaM : I admire people like that, man. Those are the actual soldiers. Mac : That’s right. Till we die, we don’t stop. Cutty : Unfortunately, he did. MaM : You all have an interesting story. Mac : Tragedy at every step. Cutty : Today, we are coming to you for this interview from the slab that used to be Changes . Mystic Fix was pretty much the house band at Changes . Love it or hate it, but if this slab could tell stories, we could write an incredible book. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Reminds me of the Dischord House and how well-known it is. Cutty : The sacred slab. Mac : Until it burned down. MaM : You’re back to where it all began, and it is fortunate that we are doing this interview today. Brings back all full circle. Let’s get into the music. Your music blows me away, and I can’t wait to market it. When are you planning to release the songs you sent me? Mac : We just finished mastering them and got the final footage for the video we are putting together of ‘ Slow What .’ The plan is to release everything simultaneously on all platforms, though. MaM : I think that sounds great. It's punk rock meets melodic thrash punk. It has a unique sound. I love the heavy bass on ‘ Slow What ,’ when the guitar comes in, it’s strong as hell, man, and that whole song takes off. It reminds me of The Melvins meets Tad . That’s the first vibe I got. With ‘Tight Grip,’ that song is aggressive out the gate, and then ‘Vampire,’ has that whole Van Halen ‘ Hot for Teacher ’ vibe. What inspired you to come up with your sound on these tracks? That is the LA Phantoms sound. Mac : It’s just all our influences. I wouldn’t say I like being put in a box. Cutty : A broad spectrum or prism. Without it, you’ll be limited and boring. We try to expand as much as we can. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Who are your influences then? Cutty : The Misfits , Social Distortion , Slayer , Corrosion of Conformity Mac : James Brown , Taj Mahal , Sly and the Family Stone . Cutty : We also have another element of the music you haven’t heard yet. It’s more funk and blues. It's like Minutemen meets Sly and the Family Stone . We also have a small catalog of that. MaM : I can’t wait to hear that! You guys are talented as hell. Let’s do this. What is your ultimate goal as a band, and what are you looking to accomplish with your music? Mac : Our short-term goal is to release this music and expand our range of gigs. We have only been playing mainly in Lafayette and Lake Charles . We want to play Metairie and New Orleans more, maybe even Texas . In the long term, I’d love to tour Europe . My friends do this already, so I feel it’s achievable. Jaysun Birdman by Gary Governale MaM : Let’s make this happen. What is about music that makes you passionate? Cutty : It’s a release. You can have all these problems – weights and burdens on your back, and when I pick up my instrument, everything starts coming together. Even if it’s just 15 minutes or two hours, it makes everything okay. Jason : The creativity and playing live. There’s nothing else like it. I love the camaraderie we have. We played a show with Choke recently. They are awesome guys. Super cool. I love hanging out with everyone because we have so much in common, and everyone is so supportive of each other. Mac : Music sets me free and connects me to the universe. It connects with all is one, and one is all when I play music. It’s flow. It puts you in this flow state. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : They say music is medicine, and the Chinese symbol for medicine is like music. Tell me about the worst show you’ve put on so far, and then tell me about a good show you played. Cutty : I can’t focus on a bad show because it broadens the human horizon even if we mess up. We’re all people. It’s like a joke. If you trip, are you going to laugh with the crowd, or are you going to get laughed at, pissed off, and make an entire burden about it? You don’t do that. It would be best to roll with the punches because even a horror show is still a show. We’re out. We’re playing music. We’re having a good time, and we try to make the best out of it. That’s about it. As far as the best one? With these two guys, it’s always good. Mac : I’d have to say the last show or the ones going on right now are the best ones. The worst show I’ve ever shown is when there is violence at the show. Someone would be throwing bottles at us, or someone would come into the club with a gun or just incidences like that. Just don’t stop playing unless we have to chase someone out. Cutty : Now, if we got hit with a bottle, we’d have to beat the piss out of them. (laughter) Cutty : It’s just expected. (laughter) Mac : Well, the time with the gun, we didn’t stop playing. They walked in with the gun, pointed it at someone, and that was it. Credit: Gary Governale (laughter) MaM: If you could share the stage with anyone in the future, like your dream show, who would you pick, and why? Cutty : I would say opening for The Misfits and Suicidal Tendencies. That would be the perfect show for me. Mac : I have to concur. MaM : In the next five years, where would you like to be as a band? Mac : Touring Europe and playing big festivals. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : If someone approached you and asked you to describe your music to them, how would you sell it to them? Mac : Gangster Punk Rock n Roll (laughter) Cutty : I like that one. What was the phrase you wanted to put on shirts? Mac : Vampire bank robbers from outer space (laughter) MaM : Last question – how does music inspire you daily? Mac : To get up in the morning and face the world. Motivation to work out and live life. Credit: Gary Governale MaM : Same Cutty : Adrenaline and therapy – when you combine the two, that can also have a positive effect, and for us three, it works. MaM : Oh yeah, 100%. Jaysun : It helps me grow. I like to learn new stuff. I’m a student of the game. As The LA Phantoms prepare to embark on a new year with new music, they will undoubtedly begin to build a following. Stay tuned for much more from this trio. To learn more about LA Phantoms : Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559706162429 *All photos by Gary Governale www.governalephotovideo.com Zenfolio | Home I have been working as a video professional since 1993, with a wide range of experience writing, producing, directing, shooting and editing. A strong interest in videography, specifically lighting and composition, led me to photography in 1998. Rapidly changing technology has blurred the line between video and photography, allowing me to work in both mediums.. Baton Rouge, LA, United States www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

‘Serenity’ possesses a surreal and atmospheric quality that takes you on a soothing journey. < Back Reviews on the Real: Serenity by Nicki Needham Nicole Brice May 12, 2025 Share ‘Serenity’ possesses a surreal and atmospheric quality that takes you on a soothing journey. Today, we’re exploring the latest release from Louisiana-based singer-songwriter Nicki Needham . She has become a prominent figure in the local music scene, thanks to her remarkable talent, unwavering drive, and exceptional work ethic. Nicki is frequently performing and has taken the stage at numerous music festivals throughout the state, including Festival Internationale and Fête du Void . Released May 8, 2025 Released on May 8, 2025 , ‘ Serenity ’ possesses a surreal and atmospheric quality that takes you on a soothing journey. I always listen to new songs with headphones to fully immerse myself in the rich textures and layers of the music, and this release was no different. The official music video for 'Serenity' by Nicki Needham. The opening of ' Serenity ' is hauntingly beautiful, filled with soul and depth. It leads into one of the most soothing and captivating voices I've ever heard, giving me chills from start to finish. Nicki’s voice reminds me of American singer-songwriter Anna Nalick , whose music was the soundtrack to my endless drives to and from Hammond during college. The mixing of this track is flawless, and the production quality is exceptional. Nicki’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of someone searching for themselves amidst the world's chaos. She encourages listeners to take time for self-reflection and to discover their own serenity. The spoken word segment at the end of the song is particularly noteworthy; I closed my eyes and felt myself slipping into a semi-meditative state. As ' Serenity ' concludes, it erupts into a powerful chorus filled with emotion. It truly is a rollercoaster of a song! The track ends on such a high note that it leaves you wanting more. No joke—go stream ‘ Serenity ’ now, and you can thank me later. Look for a full EP release from Nicki Needham in the fall of 2025, too. To learn more about Nicki Needham: YouTube: Nicki Needham - YouTube Website: www.nickineedhammusic.com Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Nicki Needham (@nickineedhammusic) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify: Nicki Needham | Spotify Apple Music: ‎Nicki Needham - Apple Music www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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

If you’re looking for a catchy sing-along chorus, this song delivers. < Back Reviews on the Real: Who Told You by XIII Minutes Reimagined J. Heist Sep 13, 2025 Share If you’re looking for a catchy sing-along chorus, this song delivers. In today's review, we explore the Christian Nu Metal/Alternative band XIII Minutes as they breathe new life into an old favorite. Their song ' Who Told You ' is a powerhouse anthem within the genre, combining soothing sensations with chunky metal riffs, and this new reimagined version is available now . Released August 15, 2025 Released on August 15, 2025 , and originally featured on their 2019 album Obsessed , XIII Minutes offers a modern twist to this classic track. While the original version has a rawer sound, this updated rendition incorporates synth, effects, and a new vocalist, resulting in a more polished and fuller experience . True to Nu Metal style, ' Who Told You ' boasts dynamic elements reminiscent of bands like Sevendust and Tetrarch . If you're looking for a catchy sing-along chorus, this song delivers—learn the words and let the uplifting message resonate with you. XIII Minutes presents the gospel in a way that feels energizing, almost as if it could get Jesus in the mosh pit . Turn up your speakers and let the frequencies send chills down your spine. Official lyric video for 'Who Told You' ' Who Told You ' will transport you to another dimension before it concludes, leaving you wanting more. If you enjoy this genre of music, be sure to give it a listen! Peace, love, and music -J Heist To learn more about XIII Minutes: Spotify: XIII Minutes | Spotify Apple Music: ‎XIII Minutes - Apple Music YouTube: XIII Minutes Band - YouTube www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com J. Heist is the man when it comes to reviewing music. He hosts a podcast called Backstage 504 in addition to going through tons of submissions. Got something for him? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

A look at the recent sci-fi flick "65" < Back Adam Driver Fights Off Dinosaurs in All His Action-Hero, Gun-Slinging, Life-Saving Glory Keeley Brooks May 24, 2023 Share A look at the recent sci-fi flick "65" I’m a fan of most movie genres and will pretty much watch anything— most anything, even when everyone else says, “Hey, that sucks.” I don’t care. I want to see for myself. That was the case with Adam Driver’s latest film, 65 . It has mixed reviews from critics and audiences and has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 35% with an audience review score of, oddly enough, 65%. I happened to like it, and here’s why. 65 is a science fiction action thriller written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods--both of whom wrote for A Quiet Place and A Quiet Place II --starring Adam Driver (I shouldn’t have to do this, but I will: Star Wars: The Force Awakens ) and young actor Ariana Greenblatt ( Love and Monsters ). Driver is a space pilot living on the planet Somaris with his wife and sick child. Needing money to treat her illness, he decides to undertake a two-year expedition transporting human colonists to a new world when disaster strikes and a mass of asteroids pummels his ship down to an unknown planet, which is revealed to be Earth—65 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period. You know what that means? Dinosaurs. Giant, flesh-eating dinosaurs. Upon the crash, Driver, known as Mills, realizes his ship is damaged beyond repair, and he is the only survivor. He thinks about committing suicide but ultimately decides against it after he discovers one lone little survivor from the human colonist transport, a young girl named Koa. Because of their language barrier (and a broken translator), the two struggle to communicate. With Driver at the helm, their struggle is most endearing. Mills later discovers that a functioning escape shuttle from his ship has landed on top of a mountain, so he is hell-bent on getting there. Koa, however, scared and lost without her family, does not want to leave. In an effort to spare her pain and heartache, Mills lies to her and indicates her family is on top of the mountain waiting for her; in reality, they died in the crash. As the two set out towards the mountain amidst the treacherous landscape, they discover they are not alone as they endure one harrowing situation after another to reach their destination. Will they make it? That’s the question guiding this story. credit: Sony Pictures The planet is home to huge, dangerous, very aggressive dinosaurs, and when the dinosaurs become aware of Mills and Koa’s presence, the hunt is on. As Mills works to protect them from harm, he and Koa begin to form a sweet little bond that carries them through their journey. Here's a quick rundown. Mills and Koa are attacked by a large quadrupedal theropod ; later, a rockfall separates them and Mills is attacked by an Oviraptor while Koa is attacked by a raptor -like creature, which she traps in a fallen tree longs and uses bombs Mills gave her to kill the beast. credit: Sony Pictures Mills kills the Oviraptor on his ass and escapes its cave, but then he falls into quicksand while frantically searching for Koa, who shows up at the last minute to save him. And lastly, as they continue their trek up the mountain, Mills notices a massive asteroid (whose debris crashed the ship they were on) heading right for Earth and realizes they have less than 12 hours before it hits and triggers a catastrophic extinction event. credit: Sony Pictures I won’t tell you what happens next, because you need to watch it for yourselves, but I will tell you that their dinosaur-fighting days are not over, as the duo face two Tyrannosaurus rex AND the same quadrupedal theropod from earlier. Oh, and you’re gonna want to stay tuned after the credits roll, because there’s a little treat there. credit: Sony Pictures While, yes, the story might have some plot holes and whatnot, overall, it really is a good movie to tune into on a rainy day if you have nothing to do. Just watch it for what it is and appreciate the art behind it. If you come out saying this movie is bad, it’s because you sat down to watch it with expectations and pre-conceived notions equivalent to a different, perhaps larger-scale sci-fi movie. On some level, 65 is devoid of all the action that accompanies multiple character arcs in a big budget flick, but that doesn’t matter. There’s enough going on here in this story to keep you entertained and drawn in. The effects, largely dependent on old school cinematic techniques like camera and editing or sound and visual effects—even dramatic performance and questions of what’s really happening behind the dialogue—were fantastic, in my opinion. Beck and Woods do a solid job of bringing in fear of the unknown and of being hunted by using certain sound effects combined with the art of suggestion to drive moments of danger and curiosity. The terrain is breathtakingly terrifying to witness, as Earth is rife with clumps of tornadoes and acid-spewing geysers, as well as tons of chill-inducing prehistoric creatures. While you might be expecting those big-budget effects like you saw in Jurassic Park , you must detach from those expectations to watch this movie. It relies heavily on what you don’t see to drive the suspense of what is happening and to heighten our fear of what could be, and that is where this film (and story) shines. It also navigates very well the relationship between Mills and Koa as people, as friends, as provider and dependent, as adult and child, and as two human beings who experienced something deeply traumatic together and forged a bond from survival. So, overall, do I recommend 65 as a weekend watch? You’re damn right I do! It’s curious, it’s exciting, it has its heartwarming moments, and we get a decent resolution. The acting is also pretty good, and the end left me wanting to know more about Mills and Koa and what happens next. You will not feel like you’ve just wasted 93 minutes of your time, I promise … unless you’re a film snob, then you might feel differently. But don’t be a snob! Art is meant to be experienced. 65 is currently available on Video on Demand, Prime Video, and Roku and will eventually be streaming on Netflix, but as of yet, there is no stream date available. It’s worth the rental fee, though. Enjoy the third age of being stranded in the Mesozoic Era! Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches. Even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Ventruss creates a sound that defies categorization < Back Ventruss: An Orchestration of Dedication, Creativity, and Passion Chris Pryor Aug 18, 2023 Share Ventruss creates a sound that defies categorization In the heart of Louisiana’s music scene, an orchestration of dedication, creativity, and unwavering passion resounds through the ranks of the alternative metal band known as Ventruss. Behind the electrifying riffs and soul-stirring vocals lies a band that has honed is musical prowess and perfected the art of collaboration and resilience. Formed in 2012, Ventruss has seen numerous line-up changes over the years, but that doesn’t stop them from releasing new music and touring. A recent phone interview with BJ Davidson, Ventruss’ drummer and driving force, provided an insightful glimpse into the band’s journey, challenges, and aspirations. Ventruss is taking the stage on August 19, 2023 to perform at Rad Fest 2023 at Parc International in downtown Lafayette, Louisiana, and is the sixth band in our installment of interviews with all acts on the bill. Credit: Facebook Navigating the intricate tapestry of metal music, these veteran musicians have crafted a distinctive sound that defies easy categorization. The band has gracefully melded these elements with alternative metal, creating a sonic landscape that captivates and enthralls listeners. The band’s dedication to musical excellence remains unwavering and BJ Davidson shared insights into their evolution over the past decade. From their early days in Louisiana’s local scene to their emergence as a regional force to be reckoned with, Ventruss continues to forge ahead with no signs of slowing down. Credit: Facebook One of Ventruss’ defining attributes is their ability to seamlessly navigate the challenges that often plague many bands: finding and maintaining the right line-up. BJ candidly discussed the uphill battle of locating committed, like-minded musicians and how their continuous pursuit of synergy has shaped the group’s identity. With a keen emphasis on respecting one another’s artistic input and maintaining strong interpersonal bonds, Ventruss exemplifies the delicate balance between artistic collaboration and personal relationships. Read on to learn more! MaM : So, let's have a conversation about the group to give fans and maybe some of those who don't know Ventruss some background info. BJ : The band was formed in 2012. I'm the drummer in the band and on lead vocals, we have Ben Jewell, who's one of the founders of the band. Shawn Saizan is our lead guitar player. Jake "Big Chug" Chenevert-he's our bass player, and we've got Jesse Newman on rhythm guitar and backup vocals. MaM : I know you said you weren't in the band for the first three years, but in the past seven years, tell me how it has evolved, and has y'all's vision for this group changed in any way? BJ : Oh yeah, definitely. I'll say you can hear the band's prgression if you listen from our first album to our second album and then to our newest album that we put out a few years ago. We're also about to go record a new song next month. So, you can steadily hear our progression as a band and a lot of that stems from, I think, the different people we've had in and out of the band over the years. Just us growing up, getting better at our instruments and as individuals, and everybody in the band, I think, has different influences. So, I feel like we're a band that you really can't put in just one block or one category or genre of metal because there are all kinds of different types of metal. One thing about us that I've always loved is the fact that some of our earlier work wasn't quite heavy metal. It was more on the alternative rock/metal side of music. But then as we've progressed over the years, we've gotten a lot more technical and heavier. We've started tuning our guitars lower and trying different things like that. So, it's like we always evolve in different ways-and the sounds and influence also. Every member's input is always welcome. Our approach to songwriting might be a little different, which is also another reason why I think it takes us longer to write material. In 10 years, we put out three albums and we only have about 17 original songs in our entire catalog, but all of our songs are of excellent quality from start to finish. We really focus on the music and the parts; we really try to build the parts up to get as much out of them as we can. So, our approach to writing is a little different than the other bands in that way, I think. I joined the band seven years ago; the band hadn't had a steady drummer for a while. So as soon as I joined the band we [rehearsed], we started playing shows...left and right. Then we were really, really getting noticed, and any time a big national touring metal band or act came through the big music venues, like the House of Blues in New Orleans or the Varsity Theater in Baton Rouge , Southport Hall in New Orleans , they were calling us. So that really helped us out a lot with our notoriety and getting discovered. We've since stopped playing locally so much and started focusing on traveling and touring after we released our second album. Credit: Facebook MaM : Well, it sounds like you guys got it going on. What are some of the biggest obstacles you've had to overcome as a group? BJ : The biggest obstacle I would say we've had to face, and I'm sure that many bands if not all bands, have had to face this: finding the right people to join your band and stay dedicated. That's one of the hardest things to do. MaM : I totally agree with that righ there. You know, to me that is the biggest thing. It's finding not only incredible musicians but also ones who are willing to put in the work. BJ : Exactly. It's a financial thing. It's a mentality. It's a commitment. It's musical equipment. It's all these things that go into this to make this work and you really got to have that special blend of people that, when they perform together, have that good chemistry. I'll never forget this: One time, Sevendust ... said in an interview ... that picking your bandmates is a very crucial part because you're going to be, if you get to that level, traveling and touring, spending all this time with these guys in very close quarters. So, you know, if you've got an asshole type of personality in your band, it's only going to amplify and get worse when you're traveling and touring around, so you got to keep that in mind. It doesn't matter how good you are or who you are if you're not personable and polite and you don't respect people's time. Credit: band's website MaM : So, we've been through the good, we've been through some of the trials and tribulations of trying to find musicians, keep musicians, and get the right caliber of guys in your group. Now you're looking at your big picture, which is what for this group? What's your endgame? Where do you see this thing in the five years or so? BJ : I feel like now our plan is to just keep writing good music that we love and just keep continuously on the grind. We've been on the grind for 10 years now. It's a big cycle that comes in waves. You've got the creative waves where you're creating your albums. In the next five years, we plan to grow, but like I said, every member's voice is always heard in this band. We all run the show and we all have different areas that we specialize in. We all kind of have different roles and responsibilities that help us keep everything moving along. MaM : Well, let me ask you this: I know with three albums and 17 songs, it's probably tough to pick a favorite, but if you had to, which would you say is Ventruss' best song - your signature song? BJ : If I had to pick one song from our whole catalog, I would probably say our song "Talladega" is it. That's also our best-performing song on Spotify and Apple Music. It's been out a couple of years and if somebody wants to hear what we are as a band of interest, I always point to that song because it showcases the best of all of us and what we can do. It's aggressive and fast and in your face, but there there are some parts that are not so in your face. And then vocally, you've got good vocal melodies, clean singing and those nasty gut-wrenching screams. So, there's a good contrast there from start to finish. MaM : So, I watched the video for "Talladega" and that's a cool video. I mean, you've got the fast cars on the track. I like that; I'm a NASCAR fan. Is that the kind of direction you all were trying to go with this video? BJ : Yes and no. I'll say that the music video shoot was fun. That was the first time our bands got to do a high-budget type of film. We've done music videos prior to that one, but it wasn't quite on the budget and the production if was at that level. [For "Talladega"], we had a whole film crew. We filmed it at the New Orleans Speedway. Our old bass player, Steven, was a huge NASCAR fan and we were just trying to think of a name to call this song and he said, 'Let's just call it 'Talladega' because Talladega was coming up in NASCAR and he was looking forward to watching the race. It was a fast, aggressive song, so it kind of was fitting in that way. And then we wanted to do this fun racing video to go with it. MaM : Is there anything upcoming you guys want to share? Big show announcements, song releases? Just some tidbits you can throw to the fans? BJ : Yeah, we've been writing new material. We hopefully will have one to two new songs, maybe, released by the end of the year, and if not released, then we're definitely trying to have two to three recorded by the end of the year. So, people can be on the lookout for some new music from us in the upcoming months. You might hear us trying some new stuff that might change our sound up, too. MaM : There you go, man. Well then, the last question I've got for you is what can we expect from you at Rad Fest 2023? BJ : We've been around, and our live shows have alwasy been something that has made us stand out. So, you know, any time you see us perform, we're gonna be high energy, in-your-face aggressive. Ben is a hell of a frontman. He's one of the best crowd controllers I've ever seen, especially in the local scene. He's just got something about him when he's up there; he can really draw your attention. And then you've got all of us in the band behind him. Every time I play, and I sit behind my drums, I put on a show myself just on my drum set. You know, I want people at any time in the show when they look at me, if they happen to look at me playing, I want them to feel what I'm playing and be entertained. If you see us at Rad Fest 2023, you will be entertained. Credit: Icon Photography As Ventruss stands on the brink of new horizons, the band's future promises continued growth and musical exploration. Guided by a meticulous work ethic and a profound respect for their craft, they are gearing up to release fresh material that embodies their ever-evolving sound. In the face of adversity and industry challenges, Ventruss remains an embodiment of dedication and a testament to the unbreakable sprirt of music. Be sure to catch them at Rad Fest 2023 or check them out via one of their links below. Website : www.ventrussmusic.com Facebook : www.facebook.com/Ventruss Instagram : Ventruss (@ventruss_official) • Instagram photos and videos Twitter : Profile / X (twitter.com) YouTube : youtube.com/channel/UCXIH1_IqS_TKSgVwbnFg2mw Spotify : Ventruss | Spotify *Cover photo - www.ventrussmusic.com Christopher Pryor is a multi-talented Renaissance man who currently fronts the Louisiana-based band Chris Pryor & The Main Event. He loves to listen to new music and give his opinions. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

‘Road Dog’ is a toe-tapping, finger-snapping, and hand-clapping tune full of rhythm. < Back Reviews on the Real: ‘Road Dog’ by Jared Daws is a Gritty Anthem for the Highway Wanderer Nicole Brice Mar 21, 2025 Share ‘Road Dog’ is a toe-tapping, finger-snapping, and hand-clapping tune full of rhythm. Southern-based artist Jared Daws has released a new track titled ‘ Road Dog .’ This spirited song, which debuted on March 14, 2025 , is filled with rhythm that makes you want to tap your toes, snap your fingers, and clap your hands. The track begins with a hauntingly beautiful instrumental guitar melody and evolves into a strong rhythm once the lyrics come in. Jared's vocal delivery gives me chills due to the power of his voice. As the song progresses, a noticeable groove develops, and Jared's vocals become increasingly soulful and poignant. Once the tempo picks up, it doesn't slow down. I found myself nodding my head the entire time I listened to this song. As the tune begins to fade, the pace slows down, with Jared delivering the final words: "I'm a road dog." Produced by Pat Lyons of Colter Wall 's band and featuring Greggory Garner of Sam Barber 's band on bass and Matty Myers of Sierra Ferrell 's band on drums, ' Road Dog ' celebrates the open road's enduring charm and a traveling musician's life. Rooted in classic country music, it captures the essence of a nomadic lifestyle that resonates with many of us, both musically and lyrically. This is a solid tune you must hear, and I am absolutely in love with it. Released March 14, 2025 - click to listen Don't miss out on the experience of ' Road Dog .' Stream it today and discover why I'm so enamored with this track. I guarantee you'll love it as much as I do. The official music video is also out today via YouTube . Check it out! Official video for 'Road Dog' by Jared Daws To learn more about Jared Daws: Jared Daws | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Disfigured in Eternity is out NOW! < Back Vatic Decryption Releases First EP Nicole Brice Oct 5, 2022 Share Disfigured in Eternity is out NOW! Vatic Decryption has released their long awaited and much anticipated first EP and it does not disappoint. With the opening track, the fierce sound hits you right in the cojones for a musical journey that is best enjoyed LOUD and with the volume turned all the way up. Vatic Decryption is a Death Metal band based out of Baton Rouge, LA and comprised of Jacob Meche (vocals), Carl Coates (Guitar / Bass), and Mike Poole (drums). To check out their first EP, head on over to https://vaticdecryption.bandcamp.com/. Artwork by Tata Kumislizer Recording and Production: Recorded at StudioDudio -Engineered by Brian Domingue and Connor Guiberteau -Mixed and Mastered by Connor Guiberteau 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

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

How a local Louisiana comedian found his craft in laughter to help overcome anxiety. < Back Don’t Freak Out! It’s Just Jeff Vance, Everybody! Kimberly Bryant Jan 28, 2025 Share How a local Louisiana comedian found his craft in laughter to help overcome anxiety. I’ve known Jeff Vance for a long time. We go back to… dang, okay, definitely before 2010; I can tell you that much when we both worked together at a call center slinging “knock-your-socks-off” service to the hundreds of callers we fielded daily. But the one thing that stood out the most to me about him, like a shiny new nail peeking out of some plywood (fun analogy, right? —I tried), was that he was a DJ in his free time. The everyday nine-to-five grind of the monotonous routine is unentertaining to me… but that was! Very! You see, but that still wasn’t quite it. Jeff was hilarious. I remember purposely intersecting him in the hallways to see what he would say to make me laugh so loud that I would irritate my co-workers. For me to do that, you have to have a gift. For me to seek talent, it’s because I see talent. So, I’ve always felt like Jeff would be on a stage somewhere, if not on television. Fast forward to many years later, and I’m still tracking Jeff’s moves on social media to see that he’s doing it. He found his way into the entertainment industry through acting—via theater, then dinner theater eventually became comedy. That happened when Vance conversed with a fellow actor one evening and figured another stage wouldn’t hurt at all. But one thing Jeff could tell you is that, in the beginning, it wasn’t exactly a King Cakewalk; it was tough. Sometimes, the comedian was met with comments such as “Please quit comedy and go back to the grocery store,” he tells me. At the same time, we munch on cheese and laugh while filming The Pop Culture Green Room podcast episode at Rind Specialty Cheese and More in Hammond, Louisiana (if you’re in town, GO!). But that didn’t last long. Soon, the jitters would simmer down, and he became more comfortable. But as soon as it got his groove, life happened. He quit comedy in 2009, raised his kids, and returned to comedy when COVID hit… and Lunchbox Comedy was born. Credit: Facebook In 2022, Jeff began to rally the troops, consisting of his comedy friends. But the big challenge was luring them to a place called Gonzales, Louisiana . “Uh, where?” Yep, that’s what he was met with. Luckily, they trusted Jeff’s judgment, and the rest is history. Lunchbox Comedy has grown, currently touring Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana . Jeff still gets overwhelmed with how far he’s come. I was utterly shocked when I discovered something about him that I wasn’t unaware of. Didn’t even have a clue. It could’ve fooled me, yet it also made sense. He suffers from anxiety. Major anxiety. Credit: Kimberly Bryant I had gone with my friend Elizabeth and her mom to catch a show at Deadbeat Brewing in Hammond (also a fun spot) with Jeff opening for TanyaLee Davis . He began his routine so bravely while being blinded by the light, and one of the first things he said was that he has anxiety. It stopped me in my tracks. Then I thought about it. I’ve read before that comedy can be a coping still for anxiety. Maybe it’s because I figured a small laugh for yourself or at a friend, but I didn’t think about putting yourself on display. That’s… being vulnerable. That takes guts. I would’ve never known. Jeff doesn’t stop. He goes after what he wants, and he found his way into promoting Lunchbox Comedy on news circuits, on tour, on stage, and in front of people. In front of people. People staring. In silence. My heart was pounding, and my palms were getting clammy. That kind of anxiety… and comedy helps him through it. Credit: Facebook Jeff Vance knows that not every day will go the same, but he also pushes through the difficult moments in his career. He has his bag of tricks, bits, and improv handy. It helps that he has accredited comedians on his touring circuit, so knowing that the support is close by helps ease the anxiety. One of the main reasons I wanted to grab Jeff for this interview is his hard work ethic, his never quitting, and his showing that you can still go after your dreams even with anxiety. Not only is Jeff a comedian, he’s also a producer as well. He wears all kinds of hats, I tell ya! I’m sure I’m missing something else he does. And I have to say, I’m very proud of my friend. Be sure to check out anything that Jeff Vance does. You can thank me later. To learn more about Jeff Vance and Lunchbox Comedy: Lunchbox Comedy | Facebook Facebook Jeff Vance Comedy LA - Live Stand-Up Comedy in Louisiana *cover photo - 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? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Blow Up My Life is a cinematic unicorn in the thriller-comedy genre with undeniable humor and thrills with a capital T. < Back Blow Up My Life: Film Review Keeley Brooks Nov 20, 2023 Share Blow Up My Life is a cinematic unicorn in the thriller-comedy genre with undeniable humor and thrills with a capital T. I enjoy watching corporate conspiracies play out on screen, especially when they involve Big Pharma. Recent adaptations have kept the tone heavily dramatic and serious for obvious reasons. There’s no room for thrills or comedy—why would there be? And if there was room, what would that look like? Would it even be successful? In short, yes. Blow Up My Life is 2023’s cinematic thriller-comedy unicorn , featuring healthily balanced moments of humor laced with non-stop thrills … and I mean Thrills. Blow Up My Life is a dark comedy about a disillusioned man wrestling with his morality on doing the wrong thing to do the right thing. When disgraced pharmaceutical employee Jason Trumble (Jason Selvig, one half of the viral comedy duo The Good Liars) uncovers a bombshell of company corruption , he sets out in a rush to expose their wrongs and save millions of lives before they can dispose of him. As he goes on the run, he enlists the help of his computer-wiz cousin Charlie (Kara Young, of I’m a Virgo ) and his journalist ex-girlfriend Priya (Reema Sampat, of Orange is the New Black ). However, the man at the heart of the scandal has other plans. Jason Trumble is an up-and-coming hotshot software designer at Furenza Pharmaceuticals. His claim to ego: the Doxie app, which is designed to help curb addition by controlling the dispensed dosage of opioid recovery drug Doxie. After posting an embarrassing, drug-fueled rant online one night, Furenza fires Jason and he subsequently loses everything, resorting to living in his “Burning Man van.” To make ends meet, Jason turns to running his own computer and software repair business. When a serendipitous house call brings him face to face with his former boss, Gary (Davram Stiefler, the other half of The Good Liars)—who’s quite an arrogant jerk—Jason illegally copies Gary’s computer data. While sifting through the information, Jason uncovers damning evidence that the Doxie app is glitching, dispensing increased doses instead of decreased doses to people, causing them to become addicted, with the risk of overdose and death. The whistleblower stuff is that Furenza knows and is choosing to keep quiet because revenue is through the roof and the glitch has become their key money-making tool. Corporate greedmesiters. When Jason confronts Gary about it, some wild, unexpected action happens that shocks viewers and redirects Jason’s focus to one thing: taking down Furenza … or as Charlie puts it, “F**k them before they f**k you.” I was very pleasantly surprised with this film. From its screenplay to the acting to its balance in tone and technique, Blow Up My Life had my attention from its opening scene, which hooks viewers in with its graveyard setting, its 1940’s gumshoe-detective-style narration, and its lead actor. The narration is something I loved about this movie. Jason narrates his story into a tape recorder the whole time he’s on the run from Furenza. And this is where first-time, feature-length filmmakers Abigail Horton and Ryan Dickie go to work in tying in the levity not through the comedy itself but in the way it’s executed. It’s just genius , especially around this subject matter. It works really, really well and makes this viewing experience fun. Jason Selvig as Jason Trumble (Source: IMDb) Jason, sweet and naïve in his lack of awareness, delivers his story in such an engaging, unironic, deadpan way that he adds just the right touch of comedy without being overtly “in your face” and without cheesy dialogue. He’s very sincere and realistic—so much, in fact, that it’s easy for us to forget we’re following a character and not a real person in real life just trying to do the right thing. Selvig does a superb job at bringing an authentic level of humanity to Jason that viewers can’t help but feel sympathy for him. Kara Young also weaves in the levity with her character, Charlotte August (aka Charlie). Most of the time we see her, she’s on a computer screen hashing out Jason’s next movie with him regarding the conspiracy. It is she who calls out his naivete and helps clear a path to exposure and escape for him. She stands as the voice of reason when Jason wants to give up, kicking his ass back into action with her exciting “damn the man” speeches. Kara Young as Charlie August (Source: IMDb) The chemistry between Young and Selvig is palpable and delightful—they effortlessly feed of one another’s creative energy. But just because Blow Up My Life features levity does not mean it’s a light-hearted movie; quite the contrary. The thrills here involve life and death, non-stop close calls, and incriminating accidents. Surprisingly, though, the tragedy in this story comes not in overdoses but in wondering if Jason and Charlie will succeed and knowing what will happen if they fail. Another thing I loved about this movie is the soundtrack—music by P. Rose. The music paired with this story gave me an 80’s Teen Wolf vibe in the way the music helped to drive any action and mischief that’s happening on screen. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Could there have been a better soundtrack? No. Overall, Blow Up My Life is a nice change of pace from stories like Dopesick, and it has all the elements making up a must-see film: an excellent plot; effortless acting; a great soundtrack; nicely done editing; carefully explored cinematography; thrills, action, and comedy; a relevant message; an awesome screenplay; and an ending that leaves you breathless. You really can’t go wrong in this selection, which is riveting from start to finish and sure to be a classic. Blow Up My Life releases on digital platforms on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with a voracious appetite for entertainment consumption and an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches, even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Jim Parker Songwriter Series is a monthly event at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. < Back Off the Charts: Jim Parker’s Songwriter Series Bud Gambrell May 13, 2024 Share The Jim Parker Songwriter Series is a monthly event at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Hello all! Welcome back to Off The Charts! The Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL, hosts a monthly music event called Jim Parker’s Songwriter Series . Jim Parker, a Huntsville favorite, hosts this exclusive event. May’s edition of the Songwriter Series saw the event moving from its usual location of the VBC Playhouse to Mars Music Hall, also located in the VBC. I saw this as a unique opportunity to introduce you, the reader, to this intimate listening room-type event and maybe a couple of songwriters you may not be familiar with. For those unfamiliar with Jim Parker , Jim came to the North Alabama area from Nashville, Tennessee, and has been a songwriter for over 50 years. Having co-written songs with many award-winning artists, Jim's journey is the heart of the Songwriter Series. He began the Series in 1985, showcasing hit songwriters from Nashville, Muscle Shoals, Atlanta, Canada, and other surrounding areas. My journey with Jim Parker began in 1985 while working at a local television station. Jim would often drop by for interviews to promote the Songwriter Series. Over the years, our paths have crossed numerous times, and I have even had the honor of photographing the series on two occasions. This personal connection has allowed me to understand the event and its significance better. Before this most recent May 10, 2024, showcase, I pulled Jim aside and got some insight into this entertaining event. Take a moment to read more below. OTC : Jim, tell me about the origins of the songwriter series. JP : Well, I came from Nashville. I moved to Nashville in 1975, played all the listening rooms there, and wrote songs with Jon Anderson and other fine songwriters. Then, after getting off the road with Dave and Sugar , I moved here because we were raising the family, and I wanted to get off the road. So, my wife got me into real estate in Nashville. I got my license in 1979. We started having babies, and she was out there selling real estate with the baby on her chest, and it wasn't working out too well. So, I just had to take over, thinking that was a trick. I think she tricked me. After being in Madison, AL, from 85 to 87, I was standing before my beautiful wife, weeping like a child because I was not fulfilled by what I was doing. It was a business. And it is emotional, but it's not that creative. I can write a creative contract, but that's not like writing a creative song. She said, well, take some time off. I took two months off and regurgitated everything that was built up, and I told her that I would start my songwriting career here in beautiful Alabama. Then I was playing at the Bluebird in Nashville, and it just happened that Steve Maples, who runs this complex, was there with his son-in-law, who was also a songwriter. And I mentioned I'm looking for a home in Madison, AL. He approached me and said you ought to come and check me out. Let's talk about bringing it to the Von Braun Center. It took me a few days to get around to it because every day you take off from real estate, you're behind two or three days. So, I caught up with him, and he said, bring it here. That was 19 years ago, and we're still doing it. And we're very pleased with what's happening. I have some of the most exceptional songwriters in the world and some of the best songs you could ever hear on the radio. They're just too good! Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Why do you do it? JP : Well, it's a genetic disorder, and it's terminal. Creativity is a weird thing. You do it because you cannot keep from doing it, and it's a constant conflict because you may be having a conversation, and somebody says something, and you want to write it down, so you have to excuse yourself. I had a furniture guy who was trying to sell me a sofa. I said, “Man, that's expensive. You wouldn't cheat me, would you?” He said “No, man, I'll cheat you right.” I say, “Excuse me a minute.” I had to go write that down. So that's kind of how it happens. And I do it because the only cure for this disease is more of it. I can't visualize my life without music. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : What are you trying to accomplish? JP : I've already accomplished everything. I've recorded with an orchestra, I've got a song cut by Mark O'Connor, who's brilliant, and I have a bunch of cuts by Billy Droze. We're doing a country record for him now, and I can't tell you who's producing it, but it's a big producer. I've accomplished everything and written hundreds and hundreds of great songs, which've been cut by many great people. John Anderson cut Chicken Truck in 1980. I’ve been writing to him, and we wrote to him about two months ago. So, it's just a process. I must keep doing it. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Tell me about tonight. JP : We're here at the Mars Music Hall. I've got Brent Moyer, Tim Styles, and Bob Tobin. I met them down at the Frank Brown International Songwriter Festival. I've been doing that for about 15 years, and I just picked the guys I like to sit with who write good songs and tell good stories. In addition to chatting with Jim Parker, I was able to chat with one of the performers of the showase, Tim Styles , too. Check out our conversation below. OTC : Tell me a little bit about who Tim Styles is. TS : Well, I'm a singer-songwriter from New Mexico, but I've lived all over the country. The first time I went to Nashville, I was 14 years old, and so I've been running the roads ever since. I never did grow up. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : What does something like this, a singer-songwriter series, mean to you? TS : It means to me that people want to listen. I've spent so much of my time fighting crowds at bars. They don't want to listen, which is OK too. I know everyone wants to have a good time. But when songwriting is really my passion and when people are willing to sit and listen to stories, I get to delve into that part of myself. That's nice. It's the other side of being just an entertainer. You can be a storyteller. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : So, you consider yourself a modern-day troubadour. For someone who doesn't know what that means, tell me what you consider a modern-day Troubadour. TS : I'm a performing songwriter, another way to say it. I don't just write songs and sing. I like to perform my original music—like a Kristofferson kind of thing, you know. I can also perform my own music and put my own spin on it. OTC : So, you mentioned Kris Kristofferson . I'm assuming he's an influence on you. What are some of your other influences? TS : All the great singer-songwriters like Townes Van Zandt , Guy Clark , and even rock guys like Warren Zevon have been a huge influence on me. Just all the music you pick up along the way, but I always find myself returning to the singer-songwriters. To make the night special for the songwriters, Jim had local artist Don Howard design a caricature of each performer. The caricature of future performers may be produced and sold at shows. Credit: Bud Gambrell OTC : Jim, can you give me a sneak peek into future series? JP : Yeah, I'm doing a Trop rock show on August the 2nd, bringing in Bill Whyte , Darrell Clanton , and Brooke Graham . She's #4 on the Texas Rock Charts, so it's always great people. And in November, Billy Droze and Kentucky Blue will be here with me with his bluegrass band. He'll take the whole stage. OTC : Any other plans in the future for the songwriter series? JP : Sure, 2025, man! I'm working on it now. Yeah, we have dates. Y'all come and see us. You will not be disappointed, and it's a cheap date. Credit: Bud Gambrell If you enjoy the listening room-type experience where you hear the stories behind the songs, I highly recommend you stop by for any future Jim Parker’s Songwriter Series. Like Jim said, you will not be disappointed. Send me an email. Let me know what you think. Also, tell me about any performers you would like to see in future editions. Until next time, Keep your diamond down in the groove! Jim Parker Music Brent Moyer : https://brent-moyer.com/ Tim Styles : https://music.apple.com/us/artist/tim-styles/267070949 Bob Tobin : www.bobtobinmusic.com To reach Bud: Email : the_budgambrell@mixedaltmag.com Bud's sites : bgambrellphotography.com Bud Gambrell Photography Bud Gambrell Photography is a locally owned and operated photography business in North Alabama. Call or email us today for an appointment. www.facebook.com Log in or sign up to view See posts, photos and more on Facebook. Amazon: https://a.co/d/1CLA9Tz Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

New year, new music! < Back April Playlist Picks: Way Back When Nicole Brice Apr 7, 2025 Share New year, new music! April is the beginning of the “new year” officially for me, and so, in light of that, here are some random tunes to get your “new year” going. 1. Kraftwerk - Trans Europe Express ‘ Trans Europe Express ’ is one of those songs that just fascinated me. Hell, just Kraftwerk is fascinating. 1977 2. Julia Michaels – Pink While this song does have naughty undertones, it’s fun to sing along to, and Julia Michaels is just a fantastic singer, songwriter, and performer. I had the pleasure of seeing her live a few years ago when she performed at The Varsity Theatre in Baton Rouge . This song is special to me, though, because it was through this song that my nonverbal autistic son began speaking more. I think it’s Julia’s kind tone that he picks up on with her singing that resonates with him so much. 2017 3. Depeche Mode - Wrong ‘ Wrong ’ is one of those Depeche Mode songs that you truly cannot visualize until you see the video. Watch the video and then listen to the song. Great tune. 2009 4. New Order – Truth Classic New Order – ‘nuff said. Coincidentally, this song was released the year I was born. 1981 5. Bon Jovi – Wanted Dead or Alive One of my favorite Bon Jovi songs of all time! Soooo good! 1987 Hey, if you don't like these, cool. If you've never heard them, check them out! Love and light, Nicole www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Music of Tyler Underwood < Back Authentic, Heartfelt, Soulful, and Deep Keeley Brooks & Nicole Brice Mar 17, 2023 Share The Music of Tyler Underwood Every once in a while, a new artist appears on scene with music so relatable, you can’t help but get lost in nostalgia when listening to his/her/their tunes. Tyler Underwood is one of those artists, and you’re gonna want to stay with us on this one, because this kid is the picture of resilience and perseverance. Underwood is a singer/songwriter, musician, and producer based out of Florence, Alabama. Born as the youngest of five children, he has lived a rough life, but that has never stopped him from being creative or longing to make music. In fact, his early experiences are what drove him to seek refuge in creating music. Soulful and melodic with heartfelt lyrics is the best way to describe Tyler’s sound. He has quite an incredible story to tell, and we are thankful he reached out to us so we could stumble upon his talents. His beats are catchy, relaxing, and smooth, and the song lyrics resonate deeply on every level. With thought-provoking imagery strewn throughout his tunes, Tyler’s exceptional use of words makes for a vivid listening experience. To be quite honest, his music reminds us of Jason Mraz but with an edge. It's that feel-good singer/songwriter material that one puts on in the car to sing to at the top of their lungs. To give you guys a better understanding of who Tyler Underwood is, we threw him some questions recently, so get ready, because he’s got one hell of a story. Photo provided by artist MaM : So, Tyler, thanks so much for chatting with us about your life and music. Why don’t you give us a little background on who you are. TU : I was born in Florence in 1993. I'm the youngest of five. My dad was in prison most of my life, so some of my earliest memories were staying in hotels just to go and visit him on occasion. My mom was a rockstar taking care of five kids on her own. We moved around the [Muscle Shoals area] for a while until I was 12. My mom and brother and I moved to Georgia because my brother had some run ins with the police, so we tried to escape. We rented a room out of someone's house and worked on a farm to pay for the stay and food. It was later found [out] that I wasn't going to school and there was a lot of drug activity going on in the house, so I was taken from my mom and placed in a group home. My brother ended up getting caught and sent back to Alabama. My mother didn't really have a place to stay in Georgia, [so] she moved back to Bama. After being in the group home for a couple of years, it was almost time for me to go home. My mom finished all paperwork and passed inspection for them to send me home. A couple months later, she passed away due to Emphysema. After her passing, I chose to stay in the group home. I felt like there wasn't nothing [sic] good for me back home. I probably would've dropped out of school or got into drugs. Luckily, I had a loving support group at the Open Door Children's Home, [and] that made me feel … safe enough to live there and see the other guys that lived there as family. It was around this time that I started writing songs and making music. I formed a rap duo with my best friend, and we began working on songs for mixtapes. MaM : Wow, that’s a lot to deal with at such a young age. We’re glad you found music both as an escape and as a way of connecting to who you are. TU : Yeah. I went on to graduate high school in 2012 while working at a radio station and a local restaurant, [then] I enrolled in the Atlanta Institute of Music to pursue an associate degree in audio recording and production. … During that time, I was freelancing as an audio engineer and producer, recording rappers and singers in my bedroom, and mixing and mastering their songs. After graduating in 2014, I started my own production company by the name of The Lokkz Music. I would have artists bring me basic structures or ideas of songs and I'd produce full-fleshed songs for them. After doing that for three years, I became frustrated, because most of the artists I was making songs for weren't pushing their music like they should. I just felt like we made beautiful music that just landed on deaf ears, so I began to focus back on making my own music. After going through a tough breakup, I had nowhere to go and was basically sleeping in my car trying to keep things going. After about a month, I finally bit the bullet and decided to move back to Florence and start over. I put a pause on most of my music work and got a job serving tables. After going from job to job, place to place, and going through another failed relationship, I finally set my studio back up and started working again. I started recording songs and … learning covers to start doing shows. For the second half of 2020 and all of 2021, I did shows all over the southeast. I went to Key West twice, traveled to Atlanta almost every weekend, and slept in my car just to play shows. At the beginning of 2022, I decided to take a break from shows so I could be home with my dogs and continue to craft songs for my first album. I'm currently working on finishing up that album and releasing content consistently to stay engaged with my fans. Photo provided by artist MaM : If you could describe who you are at your core, how would you do that? TU : At my core, I'm a lover and a curious child that oohs and aahs at all the wonderful things in life. For some, it takes a lot to be happy, but for me, just watching how beautiful a tree is when it sways or hearing how elegant a bird sings is enough for me. I have ambitions, and I'm passionate about my craft and about people leading lives they are truly satisfied with. I've studied a lot of Buddhism and eastern philosophy, and I've learned that life is made up of our perceptions and thoughts. No matter what you are going through, you can always find beauty and peace within. MaM : True dat! What a great outlook. So, you're both an artist and a producer. Tell us about that, and which came first. TU : I pretty much started doing both at the same time. When I was a kid, I would sing along to Elvis’s songs and 90’s / early 2000’s R&B. When I was 12, I started writing poetry and rap verses over Tupac’s songs. I soon fell in love with writing. I started learning guitar and piano at the age of 14 and by 15, I decided I wanted to be a rapper/producer and started learning as much as I [could] from books I found or that were given to me. The first song I ever made [was recorded] on an old Yamaha keyboard that allowed up to five tracks of recording. I would play the full length of each part of the song because it didn't have the capability to loop. I then played the beat and recorded it with the microphone on my MP3 player, [then] I connected my MP3 player to my computer and transferred the recording of the beat. I remember I had this crappy headset with a microphone on it. I used that to record the vocals and then went into Adobe Audition and lined the vocals up with the beat. And that was how I made my first song. As an artist, I see myself as someone that just likes to bring ideas to life. I've always had a creative mind. I've just always been on the search for tools that let me manifest that into reality. As a producer, it's pretty much the same. I'll take ideas that are merely skeletons and create a whole village out of it. MaM : Have you always had musical talent? TU : I haven't really always had musical talent. I learned [that] through passion and curiosity. But I've always loved music. It's always been at the forefront of everything for me. Even as a four- or five-year-old kid, I was drawn to music for some reason. I was always watching music videos or listening to what my siblings and parents were listening to. MaM : What made you slide into producing as well? TU : I've just always been a DIY type of person. So, naturally I just wanted to involve myself with every step of the process of making music. MaM : What instruments do you play? And tell us about your singing/rapping. From where does your sound originate? TU : I mostly play piano and guitar. I can also work my way around a sampler and drum machine. I'm pretty well versed in engineering, [and] I love working on analog consoles and getting my hands on actual gear, but most of the engineering work I do is in the box, meaning I mainly just use digital plug-ins that emulate real-life gear. Photo provided by artist MaM : Who would you cite as your influences? TU : Musically, my influences have always been Tupac, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, John Mayer, Bon Iver, and just a bunch of random bands and artists that my family grew up listening to. MaM : Do you have any albums or singles currently out or coming out soon? TU : I am currently working on my first album, but instead of releasing it all at once, I'm releasing one song at a time like how TV shows release an episode at a time. I plan on having some type of visual representation for each song as well. MaM : Right on. Did you have any singles drop in 2022? TU : ‘Right Thing’ released last year. It’s about being in a place out of comfort but not happiness … realizing you’re not happy in that place, but it’s just easier to stay. So, it’s about that and making the decision to let it go and move on. Because that’s the right thing to do. MaM : Have you released anything this year? TU : [Earlier this year], I released ‘Pranayama.’ It’s about learning to breathe—truly breathe—and just accept events in your life. Whether they are positive or negative depends on your perception of them. You can find positive in negative and vice versa. Learning healthy ways to deal with hardships is very important. It’s so easy to fall into the deep end, but if you take some time to learn techniques, such as meditation and pranayama (Sanskrit for breathwork) , you end up growing into a strong and peaceful being that doesn’t easily get defeated by its demons. MaM : Are these songs on the same album? TU : At this moment, both songs are singles in their own space but will eventually be a part of an album. The details on that will be revealed later. MaM : Any live shows? TU : I don't currently have any live shows booked, but I am working on getting a band together to tour for the album. MaM : What's the overall message in your music for people? TU : To me, music has always been therapy. When I go through things, I always turn to music to [guide] me. It started as just listening but then grew into writing music as therapy. So, I aim for my music to be a voice for those that feel like they don't have one, a shoulder to lean on, and a message to inspire. My music is relatable and very personal. I try to be very transparent in my lyrics. I also talk about things that could possibly help others lead better lives, mindsets to use as tools to make it through this rough experience of life. And there you have it, people. This kid is a fighter who has some talent and a clear vision of what he wants and where he’s headed with his music. We highly recommend checking out his carefully constructed beats full of premium quality instrumentals and heartfelt song lyrics. Before you know it, they’ll snag hold of you and have you listening on repeat while you do whatever it is you do with your time. Visit Tyler’s Linktr.ee for more music, videos, and links to his social media. *photos and video provided by the artist www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

One Super-Cool Writer in Love with the Land < Back Jonathon Engels Keeley Brooks Jan 11, 2023 Share One Super-Cool Writer in Love with the Land Sometimes, there’s a man, and sometimes, well, there’s a man who holds such deep mystery in his eyes, you just have to dig in and get to know him. That’s the case with creative, travel, and permaculture writer Jonathon Engels. Having graduated with Jonathan back in the Nineties, I thought I knew where he was headed in his life, which, having briefly known him like I did, I was certain was towards something technical, even though I was aware he had creative interests and abilities. But, he proved me (and I’m sure plenty of others) wrong by moving on to secure a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from the University of Memphis, then on to embark on a hefty career abroad traveling, teaching English as a foreign language, and writing about it all. Engels is from a suburb outside of Baton Rouge, La. He started out writing poetry at an early age, then developed an interest in writing fiction and playing music in his late teens in the Nineties. By his late 20s, he was tinkering with nonfiction in the form of travel writing and by 2014, he was focused on permaculture and on sharing his wealth of knowledge and worldly experience from a personal perspective. In speaking about his year teaching abroad, he said, “That adventure led me to write about the world I was discovering. I started getting published as a travel writer first (in 2011), became a staff writer for One Green Planet and Permaculture News (in 2013), and expanded from there.” Today, Jonathon is back living in the States and has been busy with his wife, Emma, building their homestead, which is made predominantly out of recycled materials in a wholesome effort to become one with the land. He stays busy writing non-fiction articles and essays that are so insightful, educational, humble, and direct, it’s as though you’re right there with him experiencing what he’s talking about or he’s with you as you’re reading. His words are a gentle guide through certain necessary human processes, of which we should all be more aware. Engles hooks you with his writing, drops you right in the middle of what he’s talking about, and presents you with something more than just a story to read; he presents you with an undeniably human truth worthy of consideration. He guides readers through the depths of each journey to ensure you stay on track and, most importantly, have an enjoyable ride. His candid use of humor reminds you not to take yourself or what you’re doing so seriously that you miss the beauty of life unfolding right before your eyes. Jonathon kindly took some precious time away from his land and work to chat with me about how he fell into this path, where he has been, what he has written, and what he’s up to today. I highly recommend checking out his work, especially if you are interested in or are considering traveling abroad, learning how to live as one with this great land, and writing about it. MaM : How did you foster your creative talents? JE : I wrote poetry here and there when I was a young teen, but when I started going to college (Louisiana State University), it just exploded. I wrote constantly, mostly out of a need to do it rather than a fine-tuning of a craft. I experimented a lot in the form. [I] still do when I occasionally attempt writing poems. Prose became my main concentration in graduate school (U of Memphis) when my sensibilities didn’t quite mesh with the poetry crowd there. I concentrated on fiction, again playing with form a lot, exploring different ways to piece a story together. Engels is also a musician—a guitarist, to be exact, which no doubt fosters his creative abilities and has been a source of release and entertainment over the years. JE : I’ve played music a lot on porches with friends. Mostly, I play guitar and sing. I played regularly at a bar/coffee shop when I was at LSU. I [also] worked at a guesthouse off and on for years in Guatemala and played a lot while there, often entertaining guests and occasionally plugging in for shows on weekends. I’ve never really tried to do it professionally or even develop my skills to that level. I like to play and sing and have a laugh with it. I also have ukulele, which I mostly play when someone else is playing guitar and singing in order to add a different sound to the mix. I have a picked a banjo from time to time, but I don’t [own] one. MaM : Do your write your own songs? JE : I’ve done it but didn’t feel that I was particularly good at it. So, mostly I just play music from artists that I like: Tom Waits, Bonnie Prince Billy, Bob Dylan, Devil Makes Three, The Band, etc. MaM : Are you playing anywhere? JE : Just at home and with friends. Some friends have encouraged me to do an open-mic night in town, but I’ve not as of yet. MaM : Take us through your time abroad and how life began to unfold for you as a writer. JE : Travel writing began when I lived in Korea (2005-2008), working as an EFL teacher. From there, I traveled and worked abroad for another 10 years. It seemed natural to write about my adventures, and it gave me the plot I always struggled to find when writing fiction. Though it started as a creative pursuit, my travel writing is now sometimes practical (for which I get paid) and sometimes creative (for which I get to say I’m literary and receive no money). The travel stuff morphed into more non-fiction avenues when I found opportunities to write for One Green Planet, a vegan/environmental website, and Permaculture News, a permaculture site. I’ve also written text for permaculture courses. These two outlets, as well as Green Global Travel, Transitions Abroad, and Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide, are how I’ve made a modest amount of money writing. Even so, I have continued to seek out avenues to be creative. I did some of that on Permaculture News, and I’m on the masthead of Panorama, a literary travel journal. I write a minimum of 12-15 articles/stories a month and have done so for about 10 years now. Permaculture became a daily part of life during a work-trade trip from Guatemala to, though we never reached it, Patagonia. My wife Emma and I spent about four years traveling around Latin America and Spain trading labor and knowledge for room and board. We also did quite a lot of volunteer work. Now, I live on a permaculture homestead, which means I practice it every day. We built our off-grid home ourselves, maintain a big garden and orchard, and both write about permaculture topics for One Green Planet. We also grow organic vegetable and flower gardens for a living, as well as volunteer doing it at a community music school in our nearest town: Elkin, N.C. MaM : That’s cool, man—both of you doing what you love together, then writing about it for others to absorb. Take us through your journey that led to a writing degree, multiple publishings, and a life rich in travel and culture. JE : I started LSU as a chemical engineering major because I’d been a good math student in high school, and my father was an engineer at Exxon. By the second semester, I was skipping Physics and Chemistry classes to go bowling, and Calculus had bowled me over. I wrote poetry all the time on my own time, so I started taking more writing and English classes. I switched my degree to English and that was that. [From there] I went to graduate school in Memphis. I moved there, got a job waiting tables, and applied to the University of Memphis the next year. Luckily, they took me. After I got an MFA in Creative Writing, I decided to teach for a year abroad. That turned into over a decade abroad. That adventure led me to write about the world I was discovering. MaM : Any creative writings currently in the works? JE : Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature published a piece at the end of November [last year]. I wrote it in September-October while I was in England. It’s about an experience in Guatemala. The journal, which I’ve written a few things for, went on hiatus for a couple of years, and this is the relaunch issue. [Click the image below to read Jonathon's story.] Otherwise, I still write (practical stuff) for One Green Planet every week, as well as a website called Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide. Neither of these are creative work, but they keep me busy and leave little space for other writing. MaM : Tell us about some of the creative works you’ve written and where they are published. JE : Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature: - There’s No Place – about finding a home after living out of a backpack for about 12 years. Published by Panorama. - From Texas to Turkey and Back Once More – about my father coming to visit me in Istanbul while I was teaching there. Won 2nd place in Expatriate Writing Contest on Transitions Abroad. - Living the Homesteader Dream: Everything Works Out, and Works, Kind of” – about the woes of off-grid living. Published on Permaculture News. I was a featured author in a print journal called Poiesis Review . The issue (#7) has five of my stories, including “5 Miscues in Packing: Hard-Earned, Largely Ignored Advice from a Vagabond,” “The Bibimbap Man,” “The Other Side of Texas,” “10½ Lessons in Misadventure Travel,” and “On Motorcycles with Milkshakes.” I’d actually submitted these to a different publication, “Go Read Your Lunch,” and through some connection, the stories got passed over to Poiesis. The editor contacted me wanting to do the featured author thing. Dumb luck. “Go Read Your Lunch” did publish one piece: Another Cup of Tea: A Personal Survival Guide to England . It’s about my first trip to England with my British wife Emma, and that involved a lot of having to pee because of the overabundance of tea and being unable to find a public restroom anywhere in the country. MaM : Let’s talk about permaculture. Dish about it and your specific approach and why. JE : Permaculture is a way of designing human habitats and habits, from personal spaces to communities, so that we work in harmony with nature, each benefiting the other. Most people, including me, come to it via gardening, but it is much more involved than that. It includes how we build homes to fit our surroundings, how we collect and distribute water, get/use power, interact with others, and more. To truly practice permaculture is life-altering, much more than putting in a raised bed garden, with which it is often confused. My approach to permaculture has been to use what’s around as opposed to buying in new materials. For example, we dismantled a shed and [some] two-hundred-year-old, dilapidated homes to get the lumber to build our house. We built our fencing from limbs and such that I scavenged from work when we had to clean up trees. The gardens are made from pond bottom that was excavated when digging our pond, and we have used leaves, hay, stones, wood, and so on that we’ve collected from various sources that had deemed them refuse. This has also been the case with many of the plants, particularly flowers, growing on the property. There is something rewarding and pure about doing it this way. It takes longer, but I feel it stays true to making a minimum, or even positive, impact on our immediate environment. Plus, the improvisational nature of using what’s there keeps the design process creative and innovative. To some, this approach has seemed extreme at times, but there are many out there doing a much more thorough job of it. We did buy some new stuff, mostly because we had to in order to pass our building inspection. MaM : What drew you to permaculture? JE : I was volunteering on a farm/eco-hotel in Nicaragua. The owner turned me on to it. From there, I read some books, visited a few more farms, and started seeking it out. Within the year, I’d read a bunch of texts, was developing a property in Panama, and actually began writing articles for Permaculture News about what we were doing. MaM : What has been and is your current relationship with the land? JE : We are in love with each other. For more on Jonathon and his travel and permaculture adventures, you can find him at Panorama , One Green Planet , and Blue Ridge Mountains Travel Guide . *images provided by Jonathon Engels www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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

It's all green to me! < Back Way Back When: March Playlist Picks 2025 Nicole Brice Mar 3, 2025 Share It's all green to me! March automatically makes me think of the color green—green for St. Patrick’s Day, green for positivity in the spring, just green. Let’s see if I can keep a clever theme for these song suggestions. 1. Green Day - 2000 Light Years Away Green Day certainly has come a long way from their earlier music, but to me, their earlier music is the best because it’s less polished and more authentic. This is one of those tunes that always transports me back to the early '90s. 1991 2. Hum - Green to Me Hum is one of those hidden 90s gems when it comes to bands. They toured with prominent bands back in the day, which is how I discovered them. To say this band and song are underrated would be an understatement. 1998 3. Gorillaz - O Green World Gorillaz burst onto the music scene in 1998 via Damon Albarn of Blur fame and Jamie Hewlett . A virtual band, Gorillaz is best known for its cartoon videos with characters. ‘ O Green World ’ is one of those album tracks that is a little more obscure but so fantastic because of its intricate sounds. Check it out! 2005 4. Incubus - A Certain Shade of Green Incubus ’ first album, S.C.I.E.N.C.E. , sounds nothing like their albums that came after. ‘ A Certain Shade of Green ’ is one of those high-energy Incubus songs that just reels you in. 1997 5. Master P - Pass Me Da Green Just a fun song. “Pass me da green, I need some weed with my Hennessy.” 1997 Hey, if you don't like these, cool. If you've never heard them, check them out! Love and light, Nicole www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90's flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

A New Era of Synths < Back NITE: Revamping New Wave Nicole Brice Mar 31, 2023 Share A New Era of Synths While doing my daily scroll on Instagram recently, I came across a duo performing a cover of Local H’s “Bound for the Floor” and I was instantly stopped in my tracks. I’ve never heard anyone cover this song, and with Local H being a favorite of my brother’s, I felt compelled to check it out further. Intrigued, I turned the volume all the way up to take it all in. After listening to the song, I had to know who these guys are who decided to cover Local H? As it turns out, their name is NITE, and they hail from Dallas, TX. NITE is an electronic rock band comprised of twin brother producers Kyle and Myles Mendes. They are also joined by drummer Phil Helms (The Vanished). The trio is inspired by alternative music of the 80s and 90s, and their sound has been described as darkwave, post-punk, post-industrial, and dream pop. I think their sound is just amazing, creative, and full of artistic flair. Photo provided by artists The brothers have released three full-length albums, along with several singles, remixes, and an EP, and they’ve also had the prestigious honor of touring and performing with bands like The New Division, Small Black, Vision Video, Clean Bandit, A Flock of Seagulls, Actors, Midge Ure (Ultra Vox), Magic Sword, Men Without Hats, Night Club, and Berlin—yes, the Berlin. Say whaaat?! After enjoying the Local H cover, I wanted to hear more, and that’s when I discovered their Spotify page full of musical goodness. They’ve even taken on the task of covering an iconic grunge tune by Alice in Chains to make it all their own. Their cover of “Would?” is fresh as a shirt straight out of the dryer and is truly remarkable. You must check it out. I reached out to NITE to learn more about who they are behind their sound, and luckily, I had the opportunity to speak with both Kyle and Myles. They’re so much fun, I almost didn’t want our conversation to end. We promise you’ll be just as entertained by them as we are. MaM : Good Morning! How are you? Myles : Hey, I’m doing well. Thank you so much for setting this up. Kyle’s here, too. MaM : Hey Kyle! So, I wanted to start with what made me gravitate towards you guys. That Local H cover is awesome! Very few people give props to Local H and, in fact, my brother is a huge fan of theirs. I want to know your story, though, and I want to convey it to our readers so they can learn a little more about you. So, you guys are based in Dallas, correct? Born and raised there? Myles : Well, we were born in Canada, actually. Kyle : Winnipeg. Myles : Yep, we live in Texas and have for most of our lives, and I would consider myself a Texan more than anything, but we do visit Canada a lot and have played several shows there. MaM : Awesome. So, let’s talk production. I’m assuming you record and produce your own music, but do you also do work for other musicians as well? Myles : We do it for other musicians. We also make music for other companies and do commercial work as well. That’s a new thing for us. We haven’t went [sic] public with it, but we do have a song in a Ford Mustang commercial in China. MaM : Wow! That’s impressive! Myles : It’s not a NITE song, though. It’s just something we produced for commercial work. MaM : Eh, it still counts. How would you describe your music? I was listening to the two EP’s that are on Spotify, and on your first EP, it’s more of a New Wave sound with a little techno. I hate saying “techno,” because it’s a more of an electronic sound, but with your second EP, you add in a little more fuzz and it has more of a rock vibe. Y’all’s cover of “Would?” is insane! I have never heard that song covered in that way, so tell us what inspired you to cover that specific Alice in Chains track? Myles : We, well, just like you said, we have more of that pop/new wave sound in our roots, but I feel during COVID, we started gravitating more towards industrial music. Photo provided by artists MaM : Ministry fans? Myles : Yeah, we love Ministry, too. We love that whole sound. Skinny Puppy, too. You name it, we probably like it. There is definitely an industrial accent with our music, and we wanted to bring that back a little but also not take the pop away. We really like early Ministry. Their first album was great. MaM : “With Sympathy”… yep! In fact, I put that down in my notes as a comparison for your music. Your first EP reminds me so much of that album. Myles : Thank you. I love that. That’s an honor to say it. We actually got into Alice in Chains late in the game. I’ve always known about them and who they were, but when I heard the song “Would?”, I thought, ‘Man … this could have been a Joy Division song’—even the comparisons from Layne to Ian Curtis’ life. … [A]nd you know, they both ended tragically. I felt “Would?” is a post-punk song in its own right, though, and I felt like I needed to hear it industrialized. It was also kind of the kickstart to colonize a new branding with more of an industrial sound. I didn’t try to sound like Layne, nor should I even try, but I felt that we took a different vocal approach to it. MaM : I completely agree. So, what do you guys want to accomplish going forward? Myles : Well, that’s a good question. I mean, we keep putting out music, and it was last year that our new song “Your Ego is Gone” was released along with the EP you heard. We are due for a new single, though, so we’re going to try and put one out before the tour this summer with The New Division. I think July is what we’re aiming for. We hope to have a single out by then. MaM : You mentioned a tour. Is this going to be a national tour? Myles : Right now, it’s just going to be a Texas tour. We’re hoping for a national tour later on this year with a band called Empathy Test. The New Division actually remixed our song “Life and Love”, and it has amassed many plays and was shared by New Retro Wave. MaM : Oh, I haven’t heard that yet. I’ll have to check it out. Does anyone ever give you guys a Tears for Fears comparison? I hear a tinge of that, too, in your music. Myles : Well, we are big Tears for Fears fans, and a lot of people do reference [them] with us. We are twins, though, and we’ve grown our hair out a little because, as kids, we were in a military school where we had to have shaved heads. It was a juvenile program called Young Marines. We weren’t juvenile delinquents or anything like that, but our parents felt we needed a ‘life experience’ and we got one. We also made a vow to grow out our hair afterwards. My dad loved the music of Kiss and a lot of the 80’s hair metal, so I guess you could say that’s why we have hair like we do. Kyle : It’s not a perm. Yeah. We don’t perm our hair. We have naturally curly hair. Photo from artists' Facebook MaM : That’s awesome that you naturally have that 80’s vibe going on. (laughs) So, you guys have a very fresh synth sound. How do you achieve that? I want to know what gear you use. Myles : We make our music through a software called Reason. We record pretty much everything through that, and a lot of our synth sounds are created with that, too. We also have Korg Minilogues we use. MaM : Nice. Myles : Another thing that people have taken notice of is our matching guitars, especially since we’re twins. We are currently playing Fender Jaguar guitars. Kyle plays bass, I play guitar, and they’re pretty much identical. What else, Kyle? Oh! We also have a drummer that sometimes plays with us, and he uses a full drum kit—the traditional one. He also plays with triggers, and that’s also how we capture him. His name is Phil Helms. He’s a veteran of the music scene, and so when Kyle and I were in middle school and high school, we actually listened to his band on the radio, and now he’s playing in our band. His band was called The Vanished, and then after that, they became Seven Channels. They’ve changed the name, but they’ve been touring for years. They’re kind of like an emo rock band. Photo from artists' Facebook MaM : See, that name sounds familiar. I bet I know their music. Myles : They had a single that was on national radio. It was called “Favorite Scar”. That was a big song. MaM : Ok, as soon as I get off this call with you guys, I’m going to check it out. There are many bands out there that I may not have heard because of how over-saturated the scene is. Kind of sad, actually. (laughs) Myles : There’s so many bands who had somewhat of a career and then, you know, it goes away, but with Spotify, at least you can look it up and go, ‘I remember this song from, like, 15 years ago.” They only had the one hit, though, unfortunately. MaM : Right, but even Spotify is kind of new to someone like me. I remember back in the day when you had the CD store and that was it. Hell, most of the CDs I used to buy were because of the cover art and whether it was in the genre of music I liked, and then I would listen to the music to see whether I dug it or not. So, new single coming in July … when do you plan to release a new EP? Myles : That’s a good question. I feel we are still learning. I’m seeing a lot of our friends are just garnering a good bit of success, and we have an album’s worth of material. I just feel if we released an entire album right now, we would kind of be hindering our growth. I think we’ll do what is called ‘waterfalling’, where we just keep releasing one song at a time and add a song to the EP every time we release one. Our next release might be the EP plus the new song. MaM : I think that’s an awesome plan. So, back to the Local H cover. What made you decide to cover them and their song “Bound for the Floor”? Myles : We love their music. They’re a duo, and we’re primarily a duo. Phil, our drummer, has always been in the trenches with us, per se, but he’s older and he can’t come out with us to a lot of the shows. He has a family and can’t make it to every gig, so we perform more as a duo. [So], we were just really inspired by Local H being a duo. Plus, we loved the song. Listen to their cover of "Bound for the Floor" here: https://www.youtube.com/@wearethenite/shorts MaM : Are you guys just releasing everything independently right now? Any interest in being on a label? Myles : We don’t have a label or anything like that right now, but we were a part of Cleopatra Records at one point, and we put out ‘Sleepless’ and an album called ‘Reborn’ through them. After leaving Cleopatra, we put out a remix album, and now we’re on this industrial, you know, crusade. MaM : Guys, we really love what you have going on and can’t wait to hear more. Any parting words or anything else you want our readers to know? Myles : We’re grateful that we’ve gotten to open for so many cool bands over the years, and I feel we’ve been fortunate so far. I feel we’ve seen our audiences grow, and that’s really encouraging. We are just hopeful and we’re positive and we do what we do because we love it. Discography: · I Am Not Afraid - 2013 · Reborn - 2017 · Sleepless - 2020 · Sleepless Remixes - 2021 · Hallelujah Your Ego is Gone EP- 2022 To check out the music of NITE, hit one of the links below and be sure to follow them on social media. NITE (@wearethenite) • Instagram photos and videos www.wearethenite.com https://www.youtube.com/user/wearethenite NITE | Facebook Nite | Spotify Hallelujah (Your Ego is Gone) EP | NITE | Nite (bandcamp.com) Profile / Twitter ‎Nite on Apple Music 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 music guru who covets her vinyl collection and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Got questions or comments? E-mail her at the_nicolebrice@mixedaltmag.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

Blueprints for a Breakdown is one of those EPs you can listen to repeatedly without growing tired of it. < Back Reviews on the Real: Blueprints for a Breakdown by T Mason & The Bricklayers Nicole Brice Apr 9, 2025 Share Blueprints for a Breakdown is one of those EPs you can listen to repeatedly without growing tired of it. The members of T. Mason & the Bricklayers , based in Baton Rouge , Louisiana are well-versed in creating music that resonates with audiences. Each member has been involved in various projects over the years, but they have now come together to make an impact in the reemerging pop-punk scene. Their latest release, Blueprints for a Breakdown , is a classic punk EP filled with catchy hooks, heavy basslines, and feel-good music reminiscent of the early 2000s. It truly captures the sound of my youth. Released March 9, 2025 Travis Mason 's vocal delivery is strikingly similar to Fat Mike from NOFX , making the comparison quite remarkable. He could easily cover a NOFX song. Joshua Selser is a powerhouse on the bass, and that's no exaggeration. He takes center stage with his playing, and the tone he adds to each song by T. Mason & The Bricklayers is undeniable. Andy Clancy ’s guitar playing is precise, creating a remarkable sound that ties the Bricklayers' overall sound together. Credit: Gary Governale Released March 9, 2025 , Blueprints for a Breakdown is one of those EPs you can listen to repeatedly without growing tired of it. Each time you hear it, the music feels even fresher than the last. After reading this review, I encourage you to check out the band's music. They have released quite a bit over the years. Let’s get into the tracks, shall we? Busy Signal – no lead-up – jumps right out of the gate – a solid track. Another Friday Night begins with that heavy bassline that I love. Travis then comes in on the drums, and Andy’s guitar parts are tight and energetic. Turn this one up loud! Shabang! A thunderous rolling of the instruments begins this track, which just starts going and never lets up. It's another solid tune. Sour Candy is my favorite track on the EP; however, all the songs are amazing. Everything about this song feels just right. The guitar parts at the beginning perfectly match the song's slower pace. I also really like the lyrics. ‘Sour Candy’ has a more alternative sound vs the pop punk sound heard on previous tracks. Stand on My Shoulders is another pop punk banger. It’s upbeat, poetic, and embodies the sound of T. Mason & The Bricklayers . Blueprints for a Breakdown is an enjoyable EP that is best listened to in the car with the windows down. This way, you can fully appreciate all the sounds it has to offer. The EP is now available on all streaming platforms, so add some local Baton Rouge punk rock to your playlist today. To learn more about T. Mason & The Bricklayers: YouTube: brick vs. window - YouTube Bandcamp: Blueprints for a Breakdown | T. Mason and the Bricklayers Facebook: Facebook Instagram: T. Mason & The Bricklayers (@t.mason_and_thebricklayers) • Instagram photos and videos Spotify: T. Mason & The Bricklayers | Spotify Apple Music: ‎T. Mason & The Bricklayers - Apple Music *Additional 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? Reach out to us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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

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 Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next

Kyle Pfeiffer is a visionary creating a culture of acceptance for future generations of fans. < Back Blacklite District: Building a Digital Era Legacy Nicole Brice Sep 2, 2024 Share Kyle Pfeiffer is a visionary creating a culture of acceptance for future generations of fans. From the depths of personal tragedy to the triumphs of renewal, Blacklite District , aka Kyle Pfeiffer, is on a path to becoming the Trent Reznor of his generation with his one-man approach to making music. Since the early 2010s, Kyle has crafted a well-known brand with a loyal fanbase on social media and YouTube because of his impactful music videos referencing gaming culture, mainly Minecraft . Most known for the songs ‘ Cold as Ice ,’ ‘ Living in a Nightmare ,’ and ‘ Goodbye ,’ Blacklite District has had four Billboard Top 40 hits and is currently averaging over 242k monthly listeners on Spotify and over 65 million views on YouTube and has been granted a Grammy nomination in 2025 for Best Alternative Performance . For those who have never listened to Blacklite District’s music, it is a bit of hip-hop mixed with alt-rock and a little pop at times. It has a little something for every taste but remains dark and heavy at its core, just as Kyle Pfeiffer always intended. A visionary creating a culture of acceptance for future generations of fans , Kyle hopes his music will continue to be the soundtrack for kids who need uplifting positivity to feel like they matter and belong. Devoted to making his shows accessible for all, Pfeiffer has become known for offering earlier start times, and because of this, entire families sometimes travel many hours to catch a live performance. Set to embark on a new tour this fall, dubbed The Red Carpet Tour , in support of his latest album titled ‘ You Can Do Better ,’ we were able to catch up with Kyle Pfeiffer of Blacklite District recently as he gets ready to hit the road. Read on to learn more about this musical creative and the legacy he is creating. Kyle Pfeiffer of Blacklite District MaM : You have an impressive career, and I want to discuss your legacy so far. I read that you started in 2002. Is that correct? KP : 2011-12 was when I started getting attention, but 2002 or so was when I started jamming in my garage with friends. I was only 12 years old. I even started a band in 5th grade, too. All these years later, and here we are. MaM : So, what was the official year Blacklite District formed as a “band”? Take us through a bit of band history. KP : There’s been so much stuff over the years. It’s just been my project since the first day. It’s my brainchild. MaM : Like Trent Reznor with Nine Inch Nails ? KP : Exactly. I’ve had different members over the years, but then there have been shows where it has just been me on stage. My guitarist is Justin Sundlin . He’s been with me for almost three years now. My bass player is a guy named Clinton Cunanan . He’s also on my management team. Been working with him for a long time. We’re having fun. MaM : That’s awesome. So, do you have a drummer right now? KP : In an official sense, we don’t have a permanent member who is the drummer, but Chance Jones from No Resolve comes out and plays often for us. Blacklite District MaM : The new album was just released on May 3rd. How’s that going so far? KP : I love it. I’m happy with it. If the fan base likes it, then I’m good. The response we have been getting has been incredible. We’re about to release the second animated video, which we do these Minecraft videos , and it should be in the next couple of weeks. The momentum is just considerable, and streaming has doubled this week alone since the announcement of the new video. I think something has occurred with me as an artist, though I’m 34 now – I’ve been doing this consistently for the past decade or so, but something about this last project makes me feel so complete that I’m in a different headspace. It’s cool, though. The thing I love about music is that the journey can take you through many places, emotionally and even physically. It’s cool to see the growth and to feel that evolution through all of this. MaM : Yeah, just the creative journey. I’ve had a similar journey, so I get it. I’ve read that you’ve shifted genres a bit here and there. Have you noticed any differences in how your music was perceived when doing that? KP : You know, not really. It’s hard to say. I never came out and said I was changing my style to pop. When COVID happened, and the year before that, there was a slight switch in styles, but it was that it just didn’t have as heavy of guitars and was more beat-driven, but the melodies and vibes of the songs have always been dark. Even if there isn’t a guitar in the music, I still find heaviness. In 2021, I went to rehab and got into this new era of life where I wanted to return to my rock roots by having a full live band. Having some minor success with rock radio and then seeing these younger kids start blowing up with hip-hop and stuff made me have, I guess, like an identity crisis, and then all this hardcore stuff started happening to me personally, so coming out the other end was almost like I didn’t care anymore about being the next big thing. I decided I just wanted to make music that I’ve always loved, which has been rock music. That’s kind of where I’m at now. MaM : I’ve read that Ozzy Osbourne has been one of your biggest musical influences. I’m a huge Black Sabbath and Ozzy fan, but tell us more about that. KP : I actually have the tattoo right here, and the song ‘ No More Tears ’ just did it for me. MaM : Yes! I love that song! Even today, the beginning of ‘ No More Tears ’ gets me so pumped. I crank it up in the car. Do you think that song was the key factor in pursuing the type of music you play, or were there other things? KP : I always go back to the period when my mom passed away because it wasn’t just the music in the song but the message of no more tears and trying to move on. It was what I needed as a ten-year-old kid to feel strong. The second I heard it, I was hooked and asked my uncle to play the song again after it finished. That song made me know that any music I played had to be rock and roll because of how the music made me feel strong as a small kid going through so much. That’s the beauty of music. MaM : What do you think it is about music that makes you feel so passionate? KP : I always try to think about this, and it’s hard, but as a young kid who was afraid and shy growing up, it was a way I could say the things I wanted about people without actually saying it directly to them. If I wasn’t around and people wanted to know things about me, it’s all in the music. MaM : How are you approaching writing new songs these days? KP : It can be many ways. Sometimes, I’ll hum a tune and put it in my voice notes to save it. The title of this new album, ‘ You Can Do Better ,’ is a simple melody that popped into my head. My guitar player came up with some chords, and then eight months later, we started working on it after stumbling upon the voice notes. The ones that stick with me months later are the ones we tend to work on. That’s a good sign to me that something is there. Or, sometimes, we’ll write a song in ten minutes, and it’ll be great. It just all depends. MaM : Tell us a little about The Red Carpet Tour you have this fall. I heard that you’re doing some unique things for the fans. KP : We are! My audience includes many young YouTube kids who come out as families to see our shows, for which I am so grateful. These kids are so passionate about my music. It’s crazy that they are also discovering my music in different ways, like YouTube, but we’re doing these shows differently for this tour. We’re starting the shows at 6 p.m. to get the families out there. We’re making it more intimate for the fans. We’re also booking smaller venues, so it’s perfect. The Red Carpet Tour kicks off September 6, 2024 in Des Moines, IA. MaM : That’s incredible! That’s your audience, and you’re embracing it. I love it. Do you have a favorite song to perform these days? KP : Well, I have so many, and the cliché saying is they’re like my kids, and I love all of them, but ‘ Cold as Ice ’ is one of my most famous songs, and we’re looking to have it certified platinum because it has well over the number of streams. I look at that song as one that has changed my career. Another song of mine, ‘ The Struggle ,’ is my second most popular song and resonates well with fans. They’re also fun to play. Video for Cold As Ice by Blacklite District MaM : You know how to connect with your audience, which is excellent. Tell us about your best and worst performance so far. (laughter) KP : I love that. Well, there have been some bad ones over the years. I'm not going to lie about that, but one time … this was back when I was in my early 20s; we would play in this town called Deadwood . On the night of the show, it looked like it wouldn’t be a good show because we didn’t sell that many tickets, but about twenty minutes before we were set to go on, my bass player and I decided it was a good idea to start chugging beers and smoking a little. We got messed up in a short amount of time. So, we went to go back in, and the venue ended up being packed, and we did not have the experience to play drunk, and it just turned into a shitshow. (laughter) In terms of the best, it’s been these smaller shows I’ve been doing because of the audience's passion. I spent so many years playing where I was the opener, and no one would come to see us, so now, when I see a line of kids out the door to see us play, it’s remarkable. It’s like a dream come true. That vibe is what I’m so grateful for. Video for The Struggle by Blacklite District MaM : Over the years, have you ever received a good piece of advice from a fellow musician that you’ve carried with you? KP : You know, that’s a great question, and over the years, I’ve tried to sponge up anything I could. On my first tour, I opened for Saving Abel , and I remember being in awe of being on tour with bands I had heard on the radio. I remember the singer of Art of Dying telling me they could be opening for me a year from now, and I just thought that was the coolest thing ever. They ingrained in me that you never know whom you will encounter on the way up and how the roles may be changed or reversed quickly. MaM : Any plans or aspirations for collaborations in the future? KP : I always wanted to collaborate with Ozzy , but he’s not doing his best. I also want to collaborate with Jelly Roll , but it hasn’t happened yet. I would love to do something with Post Malone , too. I love how Post Malone is doing this sort of country thing, and even Jelly Roll has shifted to that, too. It’s almost as if hip-hop culture is shifting to more of a country culture right now. MaM : Outlaw country in a way. KP : This shift could lead to more guitar-driven stuff. It could be great for the rock stuff in the future. MaM : I agree. Last question for you. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? KP : That’s a great question. I have a decade’s worth of music now and several hits that the fans love online, so I am just focused on growing with these tours and doubling and tripling the ticket sales. I would like to see in the next five years that I can keep the momentum going, continue expanding on the fanbase, and build that real core audience that connects with me and the music, just as I’ve always done. I hope you and I can talk five years from now and be on different levels, just doing our thing, because I genuinely believe that the vibe and work you put out there is how you get there. Insightful, charismatic, and driven with many years of success and many more to come, Blacklite District hits the road on September 6 in Des Moines, IA, and wraps its tour on November 2 in Atlanta, GA. Be sure to catch a date if it comes near you. In the meantime, check out the latest, ' You Can Do Better ,' on all streaming platforms. To learn more about Blacklite District: www.blacklitedistrict.net Blacklite District Home page of Blacklite District, a rock artist from Black Hills, SD. Official Blacklite District website! The story of Kyle Pfeiffer, new music, photos, bio, and more. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Reach out to mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next

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. 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. 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! 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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! 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. 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. 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. 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 ). 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. 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. 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 ). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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? 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. 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. Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with a voracious appetite for entertainment consumption and an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches, even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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

Bud Gambrell has compiled a journey through music in “Sidetracks Music Hall”—a memoir rich with local history < Back Sidetracks Music Hall by Bud Gambrell: Book Review Nicole Brice Sep 20, 2023 Share Bud Gambrell has compiled a journey through music in “Sidetracks Music Hall”—a memoir rich with local history When Bud Gambrell first contacted me to read his newly published book about the now-defunct Sidetracks Music Hall in Huntsville, Alabama , I had never heard of it … but I was intrigued. After reading the meticulously orchestrated memoir from cover to cover, I became engrossed in the history behind a truly unique establishment that not only touched the hearts of the patrons who frequented the space but also had a lasting impact on the musicians who played there. “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” offers a unique perspective on the magic of those live performances and on the lasting impact of the energy the space provided. Bud’s attention to detail in firsthand accounts from musicians, employees, and fans presents an engaging book that leaves no stone unturned and immerses readers in the vibrant atmosphere that was Sidetracks Music Hall . Though only open for a few years, the venue had a huge impact on the area that persists even today and is felt in the narratives of local musicians and patrons who offer a rare glimpse into the passion and dedication that goes into running a music establishment. Released June 8, 2023 The narrative of “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” seamlessly intertwines Gambrell’s personal anecdotes with the historical evolution of the music space, and through his encounters with renowned musicians—both big names and rising stars—the author offers readers an intimate glimpse into the creative process and the inner workings of the music and restaurant industry. What sets “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” apart is Gambrell’s ability to paint vivid portraits of the artists he met. From poetic songwriters to energetic performers, Bud captures the essence of their unique musical styles and personalities in moments that provide an intimate connection between the reader and the musicians, evoking a deeper appreciation for their craft. Gambrell’s attention to detail pulls the reader into the heart of what Sidetracks Music Hall was, not just to the locals, but to the artists and musicians who frequently took the stage there. It is worth noting that while “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” beautifully captures the spirit of live music, it also touches upon the challenges faced by the industry. Credit: Bud Gambrell “ Sidetracks Music Hall ” is a compelling memoir that takes readers on an unforgettable journey through the world of live music in Alabama . Through evocative storytelling and insightful reflections, Gambrell not only pays homage to various musicians but also sheds light on the unique power of live performances. Whether you’re a devoted music fan or are just simply curious about the magic that happens on stage, this book will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the music that moves us all. In order to get a better feel for the love behind the narrative, I reached out to Bud, who’s also a photographer, for a deeper knowledge of the lasting legacy Sidetracks Music Hall has provided. MaM : Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. Give us a little background info on you. BG : Well, if I go back to the very beginning, I was born in Louisiana but raised in North Alabama. I’ve been a music lover my entire life and have actually been accused of being a music snob a few times. I’ve looked it up in the Urban Dictionary, too, and the first definition of it is definitely me. I’ve been going to concerts for a long time, and when they first opened Sidetracks Music Hall, I didn’t know that much about it. I knew that they were trying to cater to original bands and musicians, but one day I just started going and it just kind of became a second home to me. It just had something about the place … this aura. It’s hard to explain if you weren’t there, but the atmosphere was amazing. MaM : What gave you the idea to write and compile your book? BG : I actually got my idea when I was at Sidetracks last year. I was there shooting Ace Monroe and I was talking to the road manager. We were discussing my coming up to shoot a show they were playing at the EXIT/IN, and we were sitting at the bar, and I saw a book for this venue right there and the idea came from those who had chronicled and circled back all these bands and acts that had played EXIT/IN. It was around this time, too, that I found out Sidetracks was closing. Various logos of Sidetracks over the years MaM: How long did it take you to compile everything? BG : Well, I started on the book, and within a month, Sidetracks closed. September 4, 2022, was the last night. By the first of October, I had already started doing interviews and talking to people. Around the holidays, though, I almost abandoned it because it was so much, but by the first of the year, I told myself that I needed to finish it. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it, but the inspiration came about because of my love for the place. It was a true labor of love. MaM : You mentioned photography earlier. Give us a little more info about your work in that arena. BG : Well, I’ve always been a hobby shutterbug ... I remember being in the Boy Scouts and taking pictures with a camera, but I can’t remember the model, and they don’t make them anymore, but it was a Kodak shaped like a box and you had to look down through the top of it and there was a thumb button to take the pictures. So, I would take those cameras on camping trips, and I’ve always had some type of camera around, but three years ago in 2020, to keep from going stir crazy, I got a drone and started with that. Several people told me the photos and videos from it were great and that I should become a professional and the next thing I knew, I was starting a photography business. Ace Monroe with Bud Gambrell at Sidetracks Music Hall. All of the photos on the wall behind them were shot by Bud. MaM : So, where do you like to shoot? BG : Right now, I shoot some local stuff at some bars, but a good bit of what I’m doing is at our local civic center. They’ve got four rooms there, and you’re shooting photos and listening to music, so it never feels like work. I got to shoot Joe Satriani last year, which was a dream show, and I’ve shot Gov’t Mule, Warren Haynes, and ZZ Top, too. Joe Satriani - photo by Bud Gambrell MaM : So, as far as all the bands and musicians that performed at Sidetracks over the years, who was your favorite to see and shoot? BG : Damon Johnson is one. I’ve been a fan of his for over 29 years, since his first or second album came out, and I’ve never had a chance to see him live until he played Sidetracks. Them Dirty Roses was another one, which I mention them a good bit in the book. There are so many, honestly, but if I had to pick just one, it would be Tab Benoit . I’ve actually got a picture on my office wall that I took of him, had blown up, and then had him sign it. MaM : How would you say Sidetracks Music Hall touched you personally? What takeaways do you have from the entire experience of seeing live music performed there? BG : It was the atmosphere. It had a home vibe and just always felt head and shoulders above everyone else. You know, there were nights I would go there by myself, and it was never a consideration whether I should or not because it always felt safe. It felt like home. Some nights, I could go and know half the people there, and some nights I didn’t, but by the end of the night I did. I wasn’t intentionally looking for a new place to hang out when I found Sidetracks, but the more I started going there, the more I realized how awesome the place was. It had this Cheers- type vibe where everyone knew your name, and to be honest, I don’t think I ever saw one fight the entire time I was there. I saw a lot of funny stuff, but never anything bad. Nobody at Sidetracks was ever in a bad mood. To experience the nostalgia of Sidetracks Music Hall yourself and to learn more about the establishment, Bud Gambrell’s book “Sidetracks Music Hall” is currently available for purchase on Amazon. The link is below, so be sure to check it out! The book is currently available via paperback, hardcover, and on Kindle. Side Tracks Music Hall: Gambrell, Bud: 9798396341999: Amazon.com: Books www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Pastor of Horror < Back Ezekiel Kincaid Keeley Brooks Dec 5, 2022 Share The Pastor of Horror So, sometimes there are men, and then sometimes, there’s a man … with such a fascinating story, you can’t help but stop and have to know the deets. Such is the case with a recent horror author I stumbled up by sheer happenstance, and I’m so glad I did, because I’ve been bursting with excitement to spotlight him ever since. His name is Ezekiel Kincaid, also known as—I’m not kidding—“The Paranormal Pastor” and “The Pastor of Horror.” And that’s what makes him so fascinating (aside, of course, from the fact that he’s a very talented writer): he’s a pastor writing horror fiction. Let me say that again: a pastor writing horror fiction … fiction involving demonic spirits and exorcisms, hauntings and slayings, and innocent characters of visceral bloody terror. His work is so fantastic, it pulled me right in while cooking breakfast over the weekend, and I managed to burn my bacon to a crisp and set off the fire alarm, because I was fully distracted at listening to Zeke read an excerpt from the second book in his “The Dreadful Death” series, “The Gathering.” “The Dreadful Death” series is a three-book series put out by Raven Tale Publishing and, if it’s being described in movie terms, “is a mix of The Exorcist , Carrie , and Pan’s Labyrinth ,” says Kincaid. “It’s a possession story about … a young girl [who also] has psychic abilities, and [she] opens herself up to this world where there are all kinds of creatures and demons, and some of these guardian demons are protecting her so she can fulfill her destiny of meeting this dark entity, The Tetromet,” describes Zeke. Set in the early 1800s in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, “The Gathering” tracks this young girl’s life as she descends deeper and deeper into darkness and madness, until finally the evil takes full control of her and she unleashes demonic terror upon her family, her friends, her loved ones, and her town. And that’s just the second book in the series. Kincaid is a self-described southern boy, born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He spent over 20 years in ministry as a pastor before shifting his focus to chaplaincy … and horror writing. He’s also (get this) a paranormal investigator with some pretty unexplainable experiences that’ll leave you as speechless as they did me. Dude is gifted, in more ways than one. And he trains in martial arts—Krav Maga and Jiu Jitsu, to be exact—so, in addition to exorcising demons, he also whips their ass. Zeke has three theological degrees and is an avid student of theology, philosophy, physics, and evolutionary science. (I know; it’s so amazing, I can barely believe it myself.) He’s also a, “former addict, who now uses his story to help encourage [and ensure] victory in others with the disease of addiction," and he has a "deep-seated passion for social justice and those who have been marginalized and oppressed." “Having been given the Scarlett letter by many in the former denomination I was ordained in because of my writing," he says, "I can empathize with those who have been rejected, ostracized, or condemned for their beliefs.” I had the extreme pleasure of getting to rap with Zeke over several in-depth conversations, so I figured I’d lay that Q&A down right here and let you see for yourselves just why you should not only know who Ezekiel Kincaid is but also why you should be following, reading, and supporting him as the brilliant artist he is. KB: So Zeke, tell us about yourself. Who are you, really? EK: Having walked through enough trials for six lifetimes, I am a man of deep strength, passion, conviction, love, empathy, courage, mercy, grace, and compassion. I also have a very dark sense of humor and love watching it get me into awkward social interactions. The worst thing anyone can try to do is fit me into a mold. I have a tendency to bust the edges. KB: Have you always been a writer? EK: I’d like to think so. When I was in first grade, I wrote this epic story for class about how my dog takes a crap. I got a C on it, but I’m pretty sure that was because my content was looked down upon. So, people have tried to censor me for decades! My parents didn’t know about it, because it was an in-class assignment. When they asked me why I wrote a story about my dog’s feces, I replied, “The teacher said to write about what we know.” KB: Ha! You can't tell a writer to write what they know, then condemn them for their subject matter! So, when did your skills fully emerge, and when did your love for horror begin? EK: My writing skills began to emerge in my creative writing class … in high school. This class, mixed with my English Literature classes and love for horror novels, began to birth within me a love for writing. It wasn’t until I got into seminary (the first time) that I really developed a real heart for writing. My passion for theological and doctrinal study led me to a deep desire to dissect, investigate, and share my findings with others. After years of writing theology and poetry, I decided to explore my other passion–horror fiction. Around 2018 I decided to give it a go. This season really developed my skill as a technical writer. However, once I started to get published in horror fiction, I met Lisa Vasquez. She is an author and CEO for Stitched Smile Publications. She began to mentor me and bring out hidden talents I never knew were there. She still helps me [to] this day, and we remain close friends. I pretty much owe all that I am as a horror writer to Lisa and her investment in me. KB: Do you write anything other than horror fiction? EK: I also love to dabble in poetry. This desire was also developed in high school through my creative writing and English classes. Currently, I find myself hopping back and forth [between] horror fiction, theology, and poetry. I love being able to switch gears like this. It keeps my brain active and my creativity fresh. I am also diving into the realms of horror fantasy and science fiction. KB: What drew you to the horror genre? EK: Two life-changing events happened in my childhood to get me into horror. First was watching the movie The Demon Murder Case with none other than … Kevin Bacon. It was a made-for-TV movie that came out in 1983, but I didn’t see it for the first time until I was [six]. Fans of The Conjuring series will recognize it as the inspiration for the latest installment, The Devil Made Me Do It . The show was based on one of the controversial Warren’s case files. This movie scared the lemon-yellow childhood pee out of me. I probably shouldn’t have watched it at [six] years old, but it definitely birthed my love for horror. The second event was my viewing of another made-for-TV movie called The Midnight Hour , made in 1985. If The Demon Murder Case birthed my interest in demonic possession, then this movie is the origin of my love for witches, zombies, and vampires. [High school is] where my love for horror went into overdrive. A steady dose of horror flicks finally merged with my introduction to Stephen King, Clive Barker, and William Peter Blatty books. My appreciation for the genre has done nothing but evolve and grow since then. KB: What was your first published piece/book? EK: My first published story was actually the first horror story I ever wrote called “Call of the Tetromet” with Fantasia Divinity [Magazine]. My first novelette to get published was also the first one I ever wrote. It’s called “The Memoir of Darius Fischer” and was published by Grinning Skull Press. The same goes for the first novel I ever wrote. It’s a horror comedy called “Johnny Walker Ranger: Demon Slayer.” It was picked up in 2020 by Stitched Smile Publications. KB: Are you with an agent/publisher at the moment? EK: Right now, I’m seeking an agent for my current horror/fantasy book called “The Gospel of Lilith.” I’ve been published by Fantasia Divinity, LVP, Grinning Skull, Stitched Smile, Raven Tale, Crystal Lake (Patreon), Black Hare Press. Shackelbound Books, Ghost Orchid Press, Siren’s Call, Horror Bound, Puzzle Box Horror, Jakob’s Horror Box, Horror Bites, and Hellbound Books. KB: Tell me about your books. As much as you wanna tell us, we wanna know. EK: Let’s start with “Johnny Walker Ranger: Demon Slayer.” This book was birthed from my love of The Evil Dead franchise, rednecks, and “South Park.” It follows a redneck alcoholic who discovers the secret to actually killing demons. He forms a demon-killing team full of rednecks and emos called The Bruce Campbells. With the help of Gabriel the angel, they have to stomp out a demon outbreak in Oxford, MS, that Johnny single-handedly created. If you love Evil Dead- style horror and offensive humor, this is the book for you. KB: That’s definitely my kind of book! What about “The Dreadful Death” series? EK: Currently in “The Dreadful Death” series, [there are] “The Dawning” and “The Gathering.” Book three is still forthcoming. The series follows a young girl named Theodosia Whitfield into a depth of horror like you’ve never read before. [This is the book that is compared to] a mixture of The Exorcist , Carrie , and Pan’s Labyrinth . The story takes place in the early 1800s in North Carolina. Theo is being groomed in preparation to serve a dark entity called The Tetromet. Because of her gifts, there are other creatures lurking in the Ethereal Plane that want her. To keep her safe, a demonic guardian named Hophni is sent to protect her from these monsters and make sure she fulfills her calling to The Tetromet. As Theo descends into the darkness, the evil she unleashes on those around her is malicious and insidious. The series is full of visceral, nightmarish imagery, intense, complex characters, and thought-provoking, realistic dialogue. Readers have said the story is like a cinematic experience in novel form. [As far as] “The Memoir of Darius Fischer,” anytime a writer takes on a well-known genre, they have to make sure there are enough original ideas to keep it fresh. This is the case with this novelette. Darius’s grandfather is dead, and he has left behind a myriad of secrets, one of those being a lone chest in his attic loft. Within it lies secrets so dark, they take Darius Fischer down a road of no return. Written in the style of Darius Fischer’s journal entries and his psychologist’s session notes, the story provides an original take of lycanthropy but also stays true to all the things we have come to love about the folklore. KB: Do you have anything in the works? EK: Yes, lots! First, I’ll mention the book I’m querying agents for, “The Gospel of Lilith.” This book is a horror/fantasy that combines the Hebrew and occult mythos of Lilith, along with a little made-up Zeke mythos thrown in there. The book shows how, through heartbreak, misogynist oppression, and betrayal, Lilith becomes the creature that we know her as today. It bears to mention that I do not go the traditional route with making Lilith an origin story of vampires. So no, this is not a vampire novel … but the next one I’ll mention is! “The Vengeful Lambs.” This one is a novella that I am sending out to publishers now. The story follows Sampson and Ruth as they travel the New Mexico desert after an encounter with a vampire. The story combines the claustrophobic feel of Phantasm and the grit of From Dusk till Dawn , along with some supernatural elements and Lilith mythos thrown in. Like my werewolf story, this one gives a fresh, original take on vampires, while also staying true to some of the things we have come to love about these creatures of the night. Speaking of night, let’s talk about another upcoming novelette of mine called “Night of the Blood Cum.” Yes, you read that right, and it is exactly what you think. It is about a giant, demonic sperm that wreaks havoc on a redneck family from Alabama. In an unforeseen event, the jizz of an ancient Warlock drips on a Ouija board. The demon sperm is born and if not stopped, all humanity will succumb to its wrath. The only hope is a redneck named Jim. Aided by the ghost of his dead buddy Earl (who died in a bungee jumping accident from stringing old underwear bands together), Jim must find a way to kill the sperm and make it sterile. Fans of Tucker and Dale vs. Evil- style horror will love this story. Coming soon from Godless. KB: Dude, you are utterly fascinating. Any upcoming appearances where fans can find you? EK: I’m a regular on the panel for the Professional Paranormal Research YouTube channel. You can find me there a few times a month. Over the past two months, I’ve done shows with Citywide Blackout, Raven Tale Publishing, The Magical World of G. Michael Vassey, AfterRot, and Panic Room Radio. I’ll be back on Ghostly Talk for the third time this January, talking to them about the paranormal and my recent and upcoming releases. KB: Any new or upcoming releases? EK: Yes! In 2023, “The Mourning,” book three of “The Dreadful Death” series will be released, as well as “Johnny Walker Ranger: Demon Slayer, Vol. 2.” KB: What’s next for Ezekiel Kincaid? EK: In February, my fiancée, my kids, and I will be going to Kentucky again to join Dustin from Professional Paranormal Research to do another investigation. I’m also hoping to get an agent soon, as well as expand my audience by finding new shows to appear on. I also have some new stories and books that I’m preparing to write: “One Flesh” (psychological/body horror), “The Whore House Massacre” (1970’s grindhouse-style horror), “The Tetromet Tapes” (found footage-based novella in my Theodosia/Tetromet universe), and “The Man in Black” (next book that chronologically takes place after “The Dreadful Death” series). There’s more, but I’m not giving away all my secrets. So there you have it, folks. Right from The Paranormal Pastor / Pastor of Horror’s mouth. You can find him, his books, his interviews and recordings, and his congregation online at https://theparanormalpastor.square.site , Amazon , Twitter @EzekielKincaid, and Instagram @ezekielkincaid. Happy reading, bookworms! 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

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 Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Next

New and returning content to keep you busy and out of the heat < Back Hottest Titles Streaming August 2023 Keeley Brooks Aug 1, 2023 Share New and returning content to keep you busy and out of the heat No matter where you are right now, chances are it is HOT. To help you beat the heat, some of the best streaming services are serving up new seasons of popular series as well as new titles for you to check out before heading back to school or wherever it is you’re headed. August features the return of fan favorites such as Billions and Reservation Dogs and the premiere of new series—the headliner of which is Star Wars: Ahsoka . Below is a complete list of some of this season’s hottest titles arriving over the next four weeks. Pickins might be gettin’ slim with this writers’ strike, but there’s still plenty to enjoy! Apple TV Plus Physical , Season 3 – Rose Byrne ( Bridesmaids ) is back with the final season of this dark comedy that follows aerobic exercise guru Sheila, who is bulimic, as she deals with increased competition. This season, Sheila steps out of recovery to question if her judgmental inner hater was actually the key to her success. Joining Byrne is Zooey Deschanel ( New Girl ) as Kelly Kilmartin, a blonde who’s taking the crown that Sheila thought was hers. Expect things to spiral as they feature more anxiety and more rad-tastic 80’s outfits. Premieres Aug. 2. FX on Hulu Reservation Dogs, Season 3 – The hit Native American coming-of-age dramedy is back, also with its final season, to bid farewell to Native teens Bear (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, of Bloody Hell ), Elora (Devery Jacobs, of The Order TV series), Cheese (Lane Factor, of The Fabelmans), and Willie Jack (Paulina Alexis, of Ghostbusters: Afterlife ), whose ups and downs have induced belly-aching laughter and sobs full of tears. Last season saw the teens make it to California to honor dearly departed Daniel; this season, they’ll all head home to the reservation—except for Bear, who ventures off to find his own way. Premieres Aug. 2. *If you missed my interview with Mose and Miko earlier this year (Lil Mike and Funny Bone), you can find that here . Only Murders in the Building, Season 3 – This season at the Arconia, Charles (Steve Martin, of Father of the Bride ), Mabel (Selena Gomez, of Spring Breakers ), and Oliver (Martin Short, of Innerspace ) find themselves wrapped up in a murder that’s all about the theater. Paul Rudd ( Dinner for Shmucks ) plays an actor who falls ill during a production that Oliver is directing and Charles co-stars in. And since the dearly departed was a smug guy, there are plenty of suspects. Also joining the season is Meryl Streep ( The Devil Wears Prada ). Premieres Aug. 8. Netflix Painkiller – Man, oh man. These opioid crisis adaptations just keep on coming, and I suspect they will for a minute. This drama starring Matthew Broderick ( Ferris Bueller’s Day Off ) tells the story of the origins and effects of the opioid epidemic that has ravaged hundreds of thousands of lives across America. Six episodes trace the creation and proliferation of OxyContin, the power wielded by the pharmaceutical industrial complex, the government’s failures, and the addictions that developed from the drug. The stellar cast also includes Uzo Aduba ( Orange is the New Black ) and Taylor Kitsch ( John Carter ). Premieres Aug. 10. Heart of Stone – Gal Gadot ( Wonder Woman ) is back and still kicking ass. From The Old Guard producers, Gadot stars as Rachel Stone, a covert agent who is also part of an elite group called The Charter. They’re highly trained with no political or national ties, and their only goal is to keep the peace in a turbulent world. Rachel and The Charter are helped by an asset called The Heart, which has untold powers: Own the heart, own the world. If it gets into the wrong hands, death and destruction could follow. Premieres Aug. 11. Showtime Billions, Season 7 – Axe is back, baby! At the end of Season 5, Damian Lewis ( Band of Brothers ) was off to exile in Switzerland. Now, his return may give Chuck Rhoades (Paul Giamatti, of Sideways ) two formidable foes. The other is Mike Prince (Corey Stoll, of Midnight in Paris ), who took over Axe’s hedge fund. Although he lost $3.5 billion when his black-box drives were taken, Prince saved enough face to still be in the running for president. Chuck is prepared to take him down — at whatever cost. Premieres Aug. 13, also on Paramount Plus. HBO and Max Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, Season 2 – I was wondering if we were going to get a second season, so I’m glad we are! The somewhat controversial biographical series may not have the support of key Lakers figures like Magic Johnson and Jerry West, but it’s hitting the court for another season anyway. This round takes place in the period just after the 1980 NBA Finals through to 1984. Owner Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly, of Step Brothers ) is riding high after the changes he instituted led to a championship trophy. But winning comes with a new set of expectations and pressures, particularly on Magic (Quincy Isaiah, of A Black Lady Sketch Show ) as his rivalry with nemesis Larry Bird (Sean Patrick Small, of The Just ) heats up. Premieres Aug. 6. BS High – This documentary tells the stranger-than-fiction story of high school football team Bishop Sycamore, which pulled off one of the more notable sports scams you’re ever likely to hear about. The film delves into how this fake high school managed to deceive its way into a nationally televised game on ESPN in 2021. Premieres Aug. 23. Disney Plus Star Wars: Ahsoka -- Rosario Dawson’s ( Rent ) renegade Jedi gets full billing in this new series, which ties in not just The Mandalorian , but also the older Star Wars: Rebels and Clone Wars animated series. Ahsoka, a former trainee of Darth Vader is on the hunt for Grand Admiral Thrawn, who disappeared at the end of Rebels with Ezra Bridger, another Jedi-in-training. Will the series bring with it the best of The Mandolorian and Andor ? Only time will tell! Premieres Aug. 23. Keeley Brooks is a big ole movies, television, and streaming nerd with an uncontrollable urge to write about everything she watches, even if it sucks. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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

Huntsville’s Throttle Fest 2023 is a small version of a music festival, but it’s more like a family reunion with live music. < Back Throttle Fest 2023: Southern Happenings Bud Gambrell Oct 24, 2023 Share Huntsville’s Throttle Fest 2023 is a small version of a music festival, but it’s more like a family reunion with live music. The announcement of Throttle Fest 2023 indicated the return of a huge music event that, since 2020, has brought joy to many people. Originally held at Sidetracks Music Hall in Huntsville, Ala., Throttle Fest is the brainchild of booking agent Shane Bickel. While Throttle Fest continued in 2021, the music event did not return in 2022 due to Sidetracks’ unfortunate closing. Luckily, opportunity struck this past summer when Bickel announced to adoring fans all across the South that Throttle Fest would be returning this October to Huntsville, now taking place at Rocket Republic . The lineup for Throttle Fest 2023 featured some of Southern rock's brightest rising stars —six bands originating from six different states. Hailing from Biloxi, Miss., newly formed hard rock band The Heavy Strides kicked off the event on Friday, Oct. 13, with their unique, signature sound known for marrying deep rhythmic grooves with searing guitars under the guidance of soulful lead vocals. The Heavy Strides promise an electric fusion of classic influences , including the likes of Led Zeppelin to Soundgarden, all wrapped up with a temporary edge. The Heavy Strides are Drew Fulton on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Josh Estes on bass, Cedric Feazell keepin' the beat on the drums, and Tyler Storms on loead guitar. Cedric Feazell of The Heavy Strides (credit: Bud Gambrell) Next up were The Josephines out of Bowling Green, Kentucky. These guys are always a crowd pleaser with their raw, rough-around-the-edges rock and roll that’s sure to have you dancing while you shed a tear or two. The Josephines—consisting of Brad Tabor (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, mandolin), Zach Lindsey (lead guitar, vocals), Alex Lindey (lead guitar, pedal steel, lap steel, vocals), and David Page (drums, percussion)—arrived with a different lineup this year, which included special guest guitarist Kyle Daniel. Kyle Daniel with The Josephines (credit: Bud Gambrell) Mixed Alternative Magazine was there and had a chance to talk to The Josephines’ lead singer Brad Tabor about how it feels to play Throttle Fest again. Says Brad, “It was awesome! We got to play with some new guys. We had a couple of players with us who don't normally go out with us, and they ripped it! And then, you know, the set sounded good to me, so people had fun and that's kind of the goal. I'm glad to be here for that reason. People got to enjoy themselves.” Brad Tabor of The Josephines (credit: Bud Gambrell) Closing out the first night was Them Dirty Roses from Gadsden, Alabama. This Southern rock band knows how to bend a string and break a heart Skynyrd-style. From the Alabama clay to Europe to festivals all across the United States, Them Dirty Roses are used to bringing the fireworks in their headlining abilities. The Throttle Fest crowd was treated to a bass solo from Ben Crain, a lead guitar solo from Andrew Davis, and a rousing drum solo from Frank Ford. Andrew Davis of Them Dirty Roses (credit: Bud Gambrell) After that set, Mixed Alternative pulled Them Dirty Roses lead singer James Ford aside to get his thoughts about Throttle Fest and being able to play in Huntsville again. “It does really feel good [to be back in Huntsville playing Throttle Fest],” Ford says, “because it [was] scary when Sidetracks went away. It was kind of like, ‘Damn, where are we gonna play now?’ We just didn't have a home in Huntsville anymore. And we've been doing it since 2018. So, I'm hoping this is the new place that's our new home in Huntsville. And I thought [the set] went great! … The crowd seemed to be into it.” Them Dirty Roses (credit: Bud Gambrell) Kicking the music off on Saturday, Oct. 14, was Southern soul/rock ‘n roll band One For The Road , who came straight out of “a small building back in the woods of Resaca,” in North Georgia. I have been hearing about this band from my good friend Todd Dean , an outstanding musician photographer who sat in with OFTR to sing Marshall Tucker’s “Can’t You See” . If you enjoy totally unadulterated Southern rock music , you have to look into this band. One For The Road features frontman and lead singer Zach Crumley, drummer Chris Webb, organ/piano player Joe Morgan, and bassist Jaithan Neal. Zach Crumley of One For The Road (credit: Bud Gambrell) Up next, and straight out of Little Rock, Ark., deFrance ’s rock ‘n roll style did a slammin’ job of setting the table for the classic rock sounds of Jive Mother Mary , from Burlington, N.C., who closed out the night. deFrance is cut straight from the roots of the best in Southern music , blending elements of true folk and country music with the classic songwriting styles of Tom Petty, Neil Young, and Ryan Adams into a fresh take on rock ‘n roll. I should also mention that deFrance travels in a church van. I think band leader Drew deFrance enjoys the reaction when the church bus pulls in to play at a rock club. Drew deFrance of deFrance (credit: Bud Gambrell) Jive Mother Mary, who headlined the second night, put on a damn good set, with several attendees mentioning that their Throttle Fest 2023 performance may have been the best JMM set they’ve seen. It comes down to this: Mason Keck and JMM never cease to amaze me at just how good of musicians they are. The word stunning comes to mind. When it was announced that they were coming back to Throttle Fest, I saw it as an opportunity to sit down and talk to Jive Mother Mary lead singer Mason Keck . In response to what Throttle Fest means to Keck as a performer, he says, “Man, Throttle Fest just kind of feels like a family reunion . Huntsville is a really cool little market for us. You know, we're from North Carolina originally and we kind of just had a core group of folks that really were supporting us strongly down in Huntsville. We played at Sidetracks a couple of times, then the first couple of Throttle Fests were there, and Huntsville was always a spot we could kind of count on as a good mood lifter, you know what I mean? The people that were going to be there were there to see [us] and that was an important part of it—always getting to see the folks that [come] out time and time again.” Jive Mother Mary (credit: Bud Gambrell) (In my best infomercial pitchman voice): But wait there’s more! Prior to Day 2 kicking off, Mixed Alternative also had the chance to talk to Throttle Fest organizer supreme , mastermind, genius, and promoter extraordinaire Shane Bickel . (If you can’t tell, we love Shane in Huntsville.) When asked what Throttle Fest means to him, Bickel replies, "It’s hardcore love for Southern rock music … just bringing a bunch of familiar faces together with some new faces and just creating a family atmosphere. All of the bands and the fans just get along so well. It's just, I don't know, something about it I like. It's a small version of a festival, but more like a family reunion with live music." In 2022, Throttle Fest didn’t happen due to the closing of Sidetracks Music Hall. This year, it was out of the blue when Bickel announced Throttle Fest 2023. We wanted to know what his plan was behind that, so we asked. "I miss y’all!" Bickel laughs. How else can we get everybody who used to support Sidetracks for most of the shows together? How can we get them all back in one room? Because so many people come from out of town, out of state. You have to put six of these bands together so you can get all different parts of the South to show up. And so far, we've done that: I think we had eight or nine different states show up [the first day]. So, it's pretty impressive that people still care about these bands and follow them . Most of these bands we won't be able to [accommodate] in a smaller setting or hopefully, they'll honor me with doing … Throttle Fest whenever we need to do it. " He continues, "It's like a family reunion, but these guys are going to move on to bigger and better stages. I mean, [we have to] enjoy it and embrace it while we can because a lot of these bands are going to be too big for us soon. [Everything has gone] really well. Everybody enjoys the new venue, so that is really comforting to hear positive feedback on that. So, all in all, [Throttle Fest 2023] has been a home run! " And I'd have to agree, especially when taking note of the festival's main theme, in addition to showcasing Southern music: family . Take it from someone who attended all three Throttle Fests: This is truly like a family reunion . There was also a phrase I heard repeated many times throughout the two-night event. I heard so many people tell someone else that they loved them, and in this day and age, where there is so much hate in the world, it was quite refreshing to see and hear. It is a shame that more people are not able to attend and share a loving, family-like experience one gets with Throttle Fest. For more information on Throttle Fest or any of the bands, follow their links and be sure to browse the gallery of images below! Throttle Fest Official Website The Josephines Official Website Them Dirty Roses Official Website Jive Mother Mary Official Website One For The Road Official Website The Heavy Strides Official Facebook deFrance Official Facebook www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Previous Next

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

They Deserve Some Damn Attention < Back Welcome to Flatch Keeley Brooks Oct 20, 2022 Share They Deserve Some Damn Attention With so many new sitcom titles dropping on TV and streaming platforms these days, it can be a challenge to try and catch them all. And while I do miss many new titles, I was lucky enough not to miss this one, and I’m glad I didn’t because it has become one of my new favorites, and I now find myself waiting for Thursdays just to watch the latest episode. Welcome to Flatch is a mockumentary sitcom directed by Paul Feig ( The Office , Freaks and Geeks ) and written and executive produced by Emmy Award-winner Jenny Bicks ( Sex in the City , Men in Trees ). It’s based on her British version of the show, The Country , and premiered on Fox in March 2022 . By May , it was renewed for a second season, which kicked off September 29 . When a documentary crew sets out to explore the lives, dreams, and concerns of residents in a small American town, it stumbles upon the tiny Midwestern town of Flatch, Ohio , where they discover many eccentric personalities and find more than worthy subjects in cousins and best friends Kelly Mallet and Lloyd “Shrub” Mallet , who aren’t at all shy about letting the crew in on their lives and local events. Each episode opens much like Letterkenny , with an introduction of the town and population: “ Recent studies show that Americans long for a simpler life in small towns. To explore these communities, Fox sent a documentary crew to spend time with the citizens of Flatch, Ohio—population 1,526. ” Then, we are introduced to a whole slew of characters to laugh at …or with ... either way. For starters, Stifler from American Pie , also known as Seann William Scott , plays the town minister, who is nothing like Stifler at all. He’s calm, soft-spoken, sincere, naïve … kind of a pushover, if you will, and he’s the one who attempts to guide Kelly and Shrub , who seem to refuse to grow up. And that’s funny. Courtesy of Fox It’s one thing to watch Seann William Scott as Stifler or even as E.L . in Road Trip , but it’s entirely different and funnier to watch him as this humble, pushover minister of a small town. Father Joe , as he’s known, moved to Flatch with his former girlfriend, Cheryl , who is an award-winning journalist and the editor of the local newspaper ... and quite quirky. Other Flatch residents include Kelly’s frenemy Nadine (Taylor Ortega, Succession ), who runs the Flatch Historical Society ; Mickey St. Jean (Justin Linville), who relentlessly attempts to become Shrub’s best friend; and no-nonsense favorite Mandy (Krystal Smith), a magnetic force of nature who lives life on her own terms. In the pilot, she asserts with force, “We are an upstandin’ town and we deserve some damn attention. We got two restaurants—one with menus, and last year somebody gave birth to twins, so now we got young people all over the place.” Then we meet Kelly and Shrub , who are a magnificent comedic duo to watch. Both are extremely talented, funny actors who play off of each other’s timing. Chelsea Holmes , often billed as just Holmes , is a hilariously talented American comedian, actor, and writer, and is also a stand-up comic and improvisational actor. She's definitely one to watch; I adore everything about her. Both she and Shrub are townies who spend their days hatching schemes. Courtesy of Fox And speaking of Shrub , played by the charming Sam Straley ( The Kids are Alright , The Dropout ), we learn from him and Kelly in the pilot just how he got his name. “So, his real name is Lloyd,” says Kelly. “Yeah, after my dad,” adds Shrub. “Yeah, his dad drank a lot of Busch beer, so they started calling him Bush …” and then Shrub chimes in, “Yeah, so they started calling me Shrub for, like, a little bush,” and after a brief pause where Kelly looks at Shrub as he’s looking off in the distance, he adds, “But, like, he left when I was a baby.” They both nod their heads and say, “Yeah,” and then Kelly adds, “But he probably still drinks beer.” Essentially, all Kelly and Shrub have are each other. Kelly’s father is around but has a new wife and baby daughter, so Kelly is virtually non-existent to him until he needs something. But Kelly doesn’t let this phase her trying efforts one bit. She defends him and tries to cozy up to him with no shame whatsoever. And the duo's interaction with the camera is priceless. Much like The Office … the looks, the expressions, the faces, the implications. In an interview with Cincinnati Magazine , Straley talks about the characters he and co-star Holmes play. “I’d say they’re kind of a classic duo, almost like husband and wife in a way. They’re partners for life, they’re best friends, and they want the best, but they also see what’s wrong in the other person and get so frustrated with each other sometimes, but we kind of always come together, because we’re each other’s support system.” He continued, “They’re in their early 20s … sort of at the point in their lives where they should have things together, and everyone around them is getting married and they’re still, I think, clinging on to moments in their lives that brought them acceptance. And they’re really excited about this new documentary crew and having ‘the movie people’ around and feeling seen.” When asked about his and Holmes’s individual characters, he added, “Shrub is, I’d say, more of the feminine to Kelly’s masculinity, which I think isn’t seen a lot on TV. Shrub is sort of the sensitive, artistic, detail-oriented control freak, and Kelly is the no-idea-is-a-bad-idea, throw-everything-at-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks one. And I think their dynamic is very much that they love each other but fight a lot. They cover each other’s gray spots in all the right ways, and they are desperately, desperately trying to find connection and a place where they fit. They’re absolute underdogs, and they’re always looking out for each other.” Underdogs, indeed. Each and every one of ‘em. AND Jaime Pressly ( My Name is Earl ) has joined season two as realtor and OG Flatch native, Barb Flatch . SHE is nothing short of hysterical and is the perfect addition to this little gem of a sitcom, which I hope has many more seasons to come. Courtesy of FOX So, I recommend adding some Flatch to your weekly musings. Yeah, there might be some cheesy jokes or moments that lag, but if you’re not wound too tight, you just might find yourself giggling at every little thing. Like we do at my house. Welcome to Flatch, everybody! Episodes drop Thursdays on Hulu and air the same night on Fox at 8 PM EST. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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

Unique analog collage displays manifesting as one collective dreamscape < Back Taryn Chase Jackson: Mixed Media Creative Keeley Brooks Aug 1, 2023 Share Unique analog collage displays manifesting as one collective dreamscape The older I get, the more I appreciate art that makes me think in a really outside-the-box way and doesn’t lay it all out for me. While I enjoyed that when I was younger, today I appreciate the mystery and curiosity behind exploring every little detail. I have more life experiences under my nails from which to draw my deeper conclusions and find hidden meaning and interpretation. I appreciated that when I came across the artwork of North Alabama analog collage creative Taryn Chase Jackson . Courtesy of Taryn Chase Jackson Jackson is no stranger to the creative world. As a child, she was unexplainably drawn to things visually without really knowing or being able to express why. Today, she knows and expresses it a lot over the canvas with her unique analog collage displays of mixed media and assemblage . Her work is nostalgic, full of vision manifesting as one collective dreamscape. Having always identified as a creative person, she currently spends her time as a creative writer, a grant writer, a singer, and an analog collage artist. Her genuine love for her visual craft is seen in the fine detail of her artwork, which is carefully pieced together with intention. It’s easy to get lost in exploring her creations, searching for your own message. It’s harder to pull yourself away from the stories and thoughts those creations inspire. Born and raised in New York , Jackson has lived in Virginia and North Carolina , and she now lives in Alabama. In high school, her work was published in the local newspaper and won a Tri-County Arts Council’s Scholastic Gold Key Award for Art. Since then, Jackson has completed a visual art concentration as part of her bachelor’s degree, and she also holds a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in creative non-fiction writing. While in high school and college, Jackson says she took a variety of drawing and painting classes and even won some awards, but ultimately, she didn’t love those mediums and struggled to recognize what she did for fun as “real art.” In fact, it wasn’t until she moved to the Muscle Shoals area and joined a group of artists that she became more serious about pursuing collage as a medium. As an analog collage artist, Jackson says she doesn’t design or edit anything digitally. “Everything you see in my work is made of paper I cut by hand and glued down. … My process is less conceptual and more driven by using found images. Personally, I’m overwhelmed by the idea of having literally every image at my fingertips and being able to resize or manipulate them however I wish.” She further elaborates that she prefers the randomness and synchronicity of putting images together in a way that seems natural, and I have to say, I can understand that. Reject the mainstream, forge your own way. We hear that, Taryn. We hear that. "Smile Like You Mean It" (Courtesy of Taryn Chase Jackson) Jackson enjoys living creatively and avoids specializing, feeling it’s best not to limit yourself as an artist by sticking with one category or genre. Instead, she says, we could be, “exploring, blending, and creating new categories/genres that may not even exist.” She genuinely enjoys making the world a much more aesthetically pleasing place to experience, and that shines through in each of her visual efforts. Recently, I had the chance to chat with Taryn about her life in the arts, her preferred medium, and her artistic processes. Check out our conversation below! MaM : Taryn, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with Mixed Alternative. Please tell us about yourself. TCJ : This is an intimidating question, so here are a dozen phrases that collectively describe me: I’m a creative, grant writer, wife, bonus mom, dog mom, Gen-Xer, double Gemini, bisexual, pagan, elder goth, compulsive collector, and maximalist. MaM : That’s a mouthful, but I like it! When did art come into your life? TCJ : I went to parochial school (essentially being home schooled at church) through the 7th grade, so I didn’t get basic art education until I switched to public school. But I loved cutting up magazines growing up and would save bits of paper or candy wrappers for no reason other than I liked the color or texture. Later, my high school friends and I started a photocopied zine that relied heavily on collage. We also decorated FBs (also known as Friendship Books) with what were basically miniature mixed media ads that we mailed to pen pals to find other fans of new wave and alternative music—obviously, this was pre-Internet! (laughs) I eventually took a variety of drawing and painting classes through high school and undergrad … but I didn’t love those mediums, and of course, I never recognized what I did for fun as “real art.” It actually wasn’t until I joined a group of artists in the Shoals that I became more serious about pursuing collage as a medium. MaM : What has your life as an artist been like? TCJ : I've always identified as a creative person. … The term “artist” is so loaded. Many people narrowly define the term as one for just visual artists or for people who make a living from their work. But creating in the context of a capitalist culture means that we have to unlearn the myths we’re taught and then be brave enough to define our work and its value for ourselves. "Toxic Positivity" (Courtesy of Taryn Chase Jackson) MaM : Who has been your biggest artistic influence? TCJ : That’s a tough question! Years ago, I probably couldn’t have named a single 2-D collage artist, but I do remember the exact moment I discovered the work of Joseph Cornell , who pioneered the assemblage. And I always felt a kinship with the Surrealists, with René Magritte and Man Ray among my favorites. I suppose there is a parallel in the way they bring disparate, familiar things together to form a cohesive whole that surprises and delights. MaM : How did you find your art style? TCJ : “Style" is one of the great mysteries, I think. Art teachers can really only introduce you to basic skills and concepts, to artists who have led the way, and give you a forum to experiment—but developing your personal taste and style is a process you have to do on your own, intuitively. You build on what works and throw out what doesn’t, and eventually other people will claim that they can recognize your work without seeing your name. But I personally think everyone’s style should be evolving all the time. MaM : While you’re making a piece, what goes through your head? TCJ : I’ve learned that I work best if I think in terms of a series or a theme because it keeps me coming back. For example, in 2019, I started a project based on the 22 cards of the Tarot deck called the Major Arcana. Each card represents an archetype or symbolic meaning, so I tried to find images that resonated with the particular card I was working on that day, then piece them together in a way that made sense to me. It’s almost like putting together a puzzle, except one where you've lost the box that had the final image on the cover, and you have to figure it out. So, sometimes I start with a concept or a feeling, and other times I pull a couple of core images I’m drawn to and see what else might complement or play off of them. I’m often surprised by the final result, and that’s part of the joy. "Solar Plexus Chakra - Gut Feeling" (Courtesy of Taryn Chase Jackson) MaM : Some of your collages are whimsical and some are more serious. What affects your art process when you’re making art? TCJ : Maybe it’s the Gemini in me, but I do often combine images that seem opposed—the sweet and the dark, the safe and the dangerous—leaving the viewer to wrestle with their own associations and, ultimately, assign their own meaning to the composition. Sometimes my pieces start with a theme or a word/phrase that I focus on to select images and create a vibe. Sometimes I have so much fun playing with different compositions that it’s hard to commit to the final layout. But ultimately, I know I’m on the right path if I can amuse myself at some point. Not every attempt is a masterpiece, but you always learn something in the process. "Gaia's Messenger" (Courtesy of Taryn Chase Jackson) MaM : In what ways is creating healing for you? TCJ : Creating is the ultimate form of healing, because in the process we’re returning (or attempting to return) to our true selves—the person we were as a child, when we were unabashedly curious and self-accepting, before all the self-doubt and people-pleasing that comes with maturity. If we can successfully tap into that core while we’re creating, we’re headed in the right direction. MaM : Are you frequently involved with local art shows? When and where? TCJ : Since I started submitting my work to exhibitions in 2020, I’ve been fortunate enough to be included in several juried shows at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art and the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts here in the Shoals—as well as at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur, AL; Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL; and even the Arc Gallery in San Francisco, CA. Dates for my current shows are as follows: · “ArtWorks" 2023 Member Exhibition at the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art , Tuscumbia, AL (July 22-Aug. 12, 2023) · “Making Waves: Waterscapes in Art” 2023 Online Juried Exhibition by Southern Tier Center for Emerging Artists , Jamestown, NY (Aug. 1-31, 2023) · "Myth in Form” Alabama Women's Caucus for Art (ALWCA) Juried Exhibition, Carnegie Visual Arts Center , Decatur, AL (Sept. 29-Nov. 4, 2023) MaM : Any advice for other artists out there (interested in mixed-media collage)? TCJ : Fortunately, collage is an extremely accessible medium: If you have paper and glue, you can do it. You don’t even need scissors—just tear it! If you supplement it with paint or markers, you have mixed media. Make it 3-D by adding found objects, and you have assemblage. Unfortunately, the idea that anyone can do it is part of the reason some people think it doesn’t belong in the world of "Fine Art.” Historically collage was also something more women did than men, so of course, that counted against it as well. But my advice to those interested is to a.) ignore the gatekeepers, and b.) get familiar with collage artists—historical and contemporary—to figure out which styles you like (or don’t). Follow the collage community on Instagram and subscribe to Kolaj Magazine or other publications that include collage. Imitate one technique and then another. Make a piece based on a particular song or a piece that someone you care about might enjoy. Let yourself get weird. "Forbidden Fruit" (Courtesy of Taryn Chase Jackson) With all creative work, every single person—even those with decades of experience—has to start with a blank page. So, the most valuable skill you can develop is figuring out the best way to trick your own brain into creating. For example, if you make excuses about not having time, tell yourself you’ll only work for 15 minutes. If you feel self-conscious, just tell yourself you’re just going to test a new method or technique—anything that lowers the stakes. Of course, then you have to resist the urge to judge, stay curious, and come back and do it all again. For more on Taryn Chase Jackson, visit her online at https://AnySlyEnchanter.wixsite.com/my-site or on Instagram @AnySlyEnchanter . *Cover photo "Liminal Spaces" is courtesy of Taryn Chase Jackson. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

The Enigma of Depression Through a Rose-colored Lens < Back Everything’s Poetic: David Donihue Erica Machen Mar 25, 2024 Share The Enigma of Depression Through a Rose-colored Lens In a world where we are drowning in society's lies about mental health, yet we thirst for those words to be substantiated, David Donihue poetically expresses a cyclic refrain emblematic of the empathetic souls of our time in "Everything's Poetic.” David showcases a resilient determination to find meaning and beauty in life despite adversity and mental health struggles. Bringing the poem to cinematic life, David has provided his readers—and YouTube followers—with a profound visual experience. Who knew invisibility could be so expressive? Without giving away too much, I'll limit my details here, but check out the video. The repetition of the phrase "This is the most depressed I’ve ever been," followed by reflections on past instances of depression, reflects a pattern of struggle with mental health. While acknowledging one’s own mistakes and the pain inflicted by others, he also expresses a longing for life to be meaningful and poetic, even amidst an endemic sense of despair. David also explores the idea that everything can be seen through a poetic lens, especially for those who are empathetic and introspective. He finds beauty in empathy and in understanding others' struggles and traumas. Maybe that poetic lens is rose-colored, but the understanding he seems to find is entirely bittersweet. There's a sense of unity and acceptance in David's poem as he acknowledges the diversity of human experiences, from "the hurting and the healers" to "the homos and the breeders," suggesting that despite differences, there is beauty and poetry in every life story. Ultimately, this is surely a celebration of resilience and the ability to find beauty and meaning in the midst of pain and chaos. It encourages embracing empathy, honesty, and a willingness to love life even in the face of adversity. David's raw honesty truly sets the tone for a remarkable poem full of thought and character. We recommend you check out more from this insightful poet and you can do so by clicking one of the links below. www.daviddonihue.com Facebook Instagram YouTube TikTok 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

Extraordinary < Back Funny, Filthy, and Full of Superpowers Keeley Brooks Feb 17, 2023 Share Extraordinary In an age of urgency and digital content overload, sifting through available titles on different platforms searching for something new to watch can be super frustrating and time consuming. Lucky for you, I’m a bit of a content hooker and am here to kind of help narrow down some of those titles for you by bringing you some of my personal recommendations. This past weekend, while taking a breather from binge-watching MTV’s “Teen Wolf,” I decided to jump over to Hulu and see what’s up with one of their new shows, a comedy series called “Extraordinary.” And I’m glad I did, because I spent the next few hours bingeing season one, giggling, laughing out loud, and falling in love with everything about it. “Extraordinary” is British superhero comedy about a hopeful but desperate girl in her mid-20s adrift in a big ol' confusing world. She’s skating on thin ice at her retail gig, is sexually frustrated, and is anxious about the fact she doesn’t have much to show for her young-adult life thus far. Oh, and it takes place in a world where everyone gets a superpower on their 18th birthday. Some people can walk through walls (or over them). Other people can fly. Some people wear eye patches because their superpower is getting other people to tell the truth. Others have super-human strength or the ability to shapeshift or move through objects or teleport. There’s even a character known as “the jizz guy” simply because he holds the power to make any living being—even a cat—have an orgasm if he touches them at all, in any way. I’d really love to be able to gift you the scene of the cat having an orgasm because it’s hilarious, but I couldn’t find it online. I can tell you it’s in the beginning of episode two, though! So, everyone gets a superpower on their 18th birthday, except for our main character Jen; she’s been waiting for six years to find out what hers is. Her life and what that’s like for her is our main storyline, and it’s quite an entertaining one. Jen lives with her BFF Carrie and Carrie’s boyfriend, Kash. Carrie can channel dead people, and Kash can turn back time at least a few minutes, but he uses it to do shit like rewind time to make sure Jen doesn’t see him in a costume that says “SUPER COCK” on it. He also prefers to create a group of vigilantes over getting an actual job. Jen also has a cat named Jizzlord, who is actually a dude unable to figure out how to control when and where he takes on cat form. He’s been stuck in cat form for three years and as a result has forgotten a lot about human life. The show has some pretty big laughs, some moments that are tender and sweet, and it offers up a unique take on the whole superpower thing. Having a superpower isn’t as big a deal in this world, and that sets up an entirely different vibe than most superhero content we’ve seen. The gag is that most people use their powers for dull, often selfish reasons. With an entirely English cast, “Extraordinary” is created by Emma Moran and season one has eight 30-40-minute episodes you can get lost in for a little while. Enjoy, my friends. *Quick side note: I also recommend getting into the “Teen Wolf” series. I have a thing for werewolves, and this one is really great, especially once you get past some of the young-adult stuff, and it boasts a great storyline, some pretty awesome werewolves that are cleverly designed, a good bit of blood and gore, and some super-cool fight scenes. The wolf fights are a-plenty! Plus, Dylan O’Brien of the “Mazerunner” movies is hysterical and absolutely perfect as Scott’s best friend Stiles. He’s a bit different from the Stiles most of us were introduced to in the 80s movie “Teen Wolf,” though. I haven’t seen him surfing on the top of any vans through the middle of town ... yet. Here, he's very smart and funny, especially with piecing things together and helping his cop dad solve different crimes. He’s very analytical. O’Brien also is reminiscent of the very funny Jim Carrey. Not only does he favor him in appearance, but he also favors Carrey in his ability to make people laugh. He adds a touch of levity to every single scene. You can find all six seasons streaming on Hulu and on Paramount Plus. Then, when you finish that, go watch the new "Teen Wolf" movie that released recently; it's streaming on Paramount Plus. You’re welcome. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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

Stream this NOW! < Back Halloween with a Horror Master: Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities Keeley Brooks Oct 4, 2022 Share Stream this NOW! There are many masters of horror out there and topping the list for nearly two decades has been Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. With top nods under his hat like Blade II , Hellboy & Hellboy II: The Golden Army, and Pacific Rim , he’s perhaps best known for upending the horror movie scene with 2006’s dark fantasy feature Pan’s Labyrinth . The master is fresh off the heels of last year’s Nightmare Alley , which is currently streaming on Hulu if you haven’t seen it, and he’s back this month on Netflix with his latest collective work of art, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities . Curiosities is an eight-episode anthology series created, produced, and hosted by Del Toro. It will feature a slew of material he wanted to bring to audiences in a smaller format than the typical feature-length film. And, apparently, according to our sources, we can expect to see and hear many of the tales and anecdotes the filmmaker writes about in his memoir Guillermo del Toro Cabinet of Curiosities: My Notebooks, Collections, and Other Obsessions. Netflix calls the series a curated “collection of unprecedented and genre-defining stories meant to challenge our traditional notions of horror” by carefully selecting a variety of writers and directors to bring the tales to life. There’s a tale directed by The Babadook ’s Jennifer Kent, another led by Firestarter ’s Keith Thomas, and even originals written by H.P. Lovecraft with screenplays penned by Mandy co-writers Panos Cosmatos and Aaron Stewart-Ahn (you should totally see that movie if you haven’t yet, by the way; it’s some bloody, ass-whooping fun that includes one very badass Kevin James), and The Dark Knight wordsmith himself, David S. Goyer. With such a variety of talent in the mix, on top of having del Toro at the helm, there’s absolutely no way these terrifying tales won’t stick with you like. Kind of like that moment in Nope when we had the big reveal: everyone lost their shit. Me included. I will never look at clouds the same way again. Ever. The collection also features a slew of your favorite actors, from Tim Blake Nelson ( O’ Brother, Where Art Thou? ), Andrew Lincoln ( The Walking Dead ), and F. Murray Abraham ( Mythic Quest ) to Rupert Grint ( Servant ), Ismael Cruz Cordova ( Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power ), AND, one my actor-comedian faves, DJ Qualls ( Supernatural , Road Trip ), among other well-knowns. Sounds pretty righteous, right? It is! Mostly. Here’s the rub: rather than all eight episodes dropping at the same time, which is pretty standard for Netflix, Cabinet of Curiosities will drop two at a time over three days as part of a special Netflix & Chill’s Halloween Event. Even still, that’s not so bad. The first two episodes of the series will be available at midnight on Tuesday, October 25, with subsequent episodes premiering two at a time over the next three days. All eight episodes will be available to watch globally on Friday, October 28, just in time for Halloween weekend. If you haven’t seen the official trailer, which, I have to say, offers up quite a cozy Gothic feel with some horrifically beautiful but frightening monsters, you can watch it here . You’re welcome. www.mixedaltmag.com Music | Mixed Alternative Magazine Southern-based indie music/arts/entertainment magazine with a 90s flair. www.mixedaltmag.com Questions or comments? Hit us up at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com . Previous Next Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link

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 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 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 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 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 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 *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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 *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

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 ). 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 ). 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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! 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 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 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 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 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 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 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

Recaps of all your fave live events! Weekend Rock 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