Tag: interviews

  • by Michael McCarthy I’m totally hooked on Heavens Edge’s new album, Philadelphia, which will be released on November 13th via Frontiers Music. In fact, I’ve been streaming it every single day since the band’s publicist first sent me an advance listening link over a month ago, and I’m still not remotely tired of it. I…

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  • by Michael McCarthy Israeli singer-songwriter, composer, and multimedia artist Jasmin Stone has spent years creating music that defies easy categorization. In addition to releasing her own albums, she’s composed music for films, television, and theater, written songs for other performers, published poetry, and created imaginative music videos. Her influences range from Portishead and Saint Etienne…

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  • interview and photos by Michael McCarthy  On Tuesday, November 3rd, Massachusetts voters will decide the future of recreational marijuana sales in the state. Question 8, if approved, would repeal the laws allowing the retail sale of recreational cannabis, effectively shutting down the state’s legal adult-use marijuana industry. Medical marijuana would remain legal, as would possession…

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  • by Michael McCarthy It’s been nearly a decade since Tyketto released their previous studio album, but the wait for Closer to the Sun has certainly paid off. The band’s sixth studio album reached number one on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Chart, and frontman Danny Vaughn says the band is enjoying one of its…

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  • by Michael McCarthy Photos by Christian Zajicek, courtesy of Trend PR I’ve always thought of singer/songwriter Catie Turner’s music as intellectual pop. Her songs can be irresistibly catchy, but the hooks are never there to disguise empty lyrics. Turner writes about identity, insecurity, control, relationships and the complicated question of what it actually means to…

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  • by Michael McCarthy Montréal-based singer, songwriter, and producer SUUNCAAT makes some of the most intriguing and unconventional pop music I’ve heard lately. Her songs tend to be electronic, experimental, and filled with unexpected sounds, but they’re also catchy enough to get stuck in your head for days. While her music has been described as hyperpop,…

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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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  • 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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  • 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 Congolese-born Baloji’s new LP, 137 Avenue Kaniama, was released on March 23rd, 2018 via Bella Union. Prior to when the label approached me about the album, I’d never heard of Baloji, but then I suppose very few people here in the States would’ve heard of him. That’s exactly why I wanted…

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  • interview by Michael McCarthy It’s been roughly 12 years since the release of The Fratellis’ universally loved debut album, Costello Music. Their newly released album, In Your Own Sweet Time, is their fifth and certainly one of their best. I was, honestly, blown away from the first time I heard it. I wouldn’t bother trying…

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  • by Michael McCarthy Yes, it may be hard to believe, but this is my fourth interview with Stryper frontman/co-lead guitarist Michael Sweet already. What can I say, he keeps putting out fantastic albums and I love to ask him questions about them. Between making records with Stryper, his solo projects and Sweet & Lynch, Michael…

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  • interview by Michael McCarthy You may be familiar with Louis Torre because you’ve heard his popular, stripped-back covers of songs like “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” by Shawn Mendes, “Don’t Take The Money” by Bleachers and “Toxic” by Britney Spears. He’s released roughly two dozen covers already, and we discuss those at length, but we…

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