Category: Interviews
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by Mike McCarthy The following article was originally published in Cinezine in 1997 under the title Frank Discussion with Ben Affleck. Actor Ben Affleck recently held court (press day, that is) in Boston to promote Kevin Smith’s new film Chasing Amy, in which he stars as Holden, the guy who falls for a lesbian. You…
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by Michael McCarthy There are plenty of tribute shows that attempt to recreate legendary artists right down to their clothes, mannerisms and stage movements. The Carpenters Songbook: A Live Celebration is taking a different approach. When vocalist Christina Hélène Braa takes to the stage this fall to sing classics like “(They Long to Be) Close…
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interview by Michael McCarthy I first interviewed Rorie Kelly for Love is Pop back in 2016 after their significant other invited me to a house concert they were performing. To this day, that remains the only house concert I’ve ever been to, but I remember it like it was yesterday. I can still picture the…
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by Michael McCarthy MM: First of all, congrats on being inducted into the Illinois Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. That was last Sunday night, right? CZN: That’s correct. MM: Cool, cool. And when did you find out you were being inducted? CZN: Well, we actually were told a few months ago through the Rock…
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Interview by Michael McCarthy New England artist QUIBX explores the complicated realities of existence through bold, mixed media work that’s dark, layered, and instantly recognizable. He often begins by sketching with pencil and ink — a nod to his comic book roots — before scanning and coloring digitally. The results are striking: pieces that feel…
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interview and photos by Michael McCarthy I recently met with Adam O’Donnell, the owner of A Damn Shame Records, located at Mill No. 5 in Lowell, Massachusetts, to do an in person interview. The interview went well, Adam proving to be a terrific and insightful person to interview. There was just one problem. My trusty…
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interview by Michael McCarthy Since one Wednesday in June of 2015, Rob Fitz has been hosting a weekly movie night event called Weirdo Wednesday at The Luna Theater located in Mill No. 5 in Lowell, Massachusetts. Sadly, it was recently announced that the mill is closing at the end of the month. The final edition…
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interview by Michael McCarthy The following interview with Dave Perry, the owner of the late Lowell, Massachusetts record store Vinyl Destination, took place on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024. We did the interview inside of what was once Dave’s shop and where a large number of records remain. (A new owner will be opening A Damn…
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interview by Michael McCarthy Singer/songwriter Justin Masters is one cool dude! He’s also a great friend. As someone who’s known him since the mid-90s or thereabouts, I am proud to know him and I’m even prouder that he’s releasing his music. Before And Way After is his second album, but rather than a follow-up to…
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interview by Michael McCarthy On September 4th, 2020, the world’s most famous Christian rock/metal band of all time, Stryper, will release their 13th studio album, Even The Devil Believes, on Frontiers Music Srl. If you’re a fan of the band’s last three albums, No More Hell To Pay, Fallen and God Damn Evil, then you’re…
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interview by Michael McCarthy One of the last heavy metal bands to make it big before grunge exploded and decimated the scene was a group out of Paramus, New Jersey called Trixter. The band’s self-titled debut came out in 1990 and their biggest hit, “Give It to Me Good,” was number one on MTV’s daily…
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interview by Michael McCarthy On July 10th, Enuff Z’Nuff will release their all-new album, Brainwashed Generation, on Frontiers Records. It’s the band’s third record for the label and the second to feature bassist Chip Z’Nuff front and center handling lead vocals on all but one song, a blistering gem called “Strangers In My Head,” which…
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interview by Michael McCarthy I’ve known singer/songwriter/painter Michael Rider for several years now. Their piano-centric indie pop blends irresistible pop hooks with thought-provoking lyrics that sometimes feel like poems and occasionally sound like journal entries, which I mean in the best way possible. Insightful is the first word to describe Michael that came to mind…
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interview by Michael McCarthy photos courtesy of Rorie Kelly “You can’t keep this fucker down,” sings indie favorite Rorie Kelly on her ferocious new song, “Up From Here,” which she just uploaded a live version of on Youtube this week. It’s just one of several new songs the powerful singer-songwriter has unveiled as of late,…
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interview by Michael McCarthy If you’ve been following Love is Pop for any period of time then I’m sure you’ve realized that one of my favorite people to interview is Michael Sweet of the legendary heavy metal band Stryper. In fact, this interview is the seventh time we’ve spoken since we started chatting about his…
