Praxis CEO, Cameron Sorsby joins a second semester on JUST TALKING. Millennials are confused about which direction to take their careers—GO the traditional college route OR join Praxis—OR third option — become a Millennial Mobster?!  Chris is clearly not ready for the mobster life.  He’s always on his phone posting on social media providing evidence to the crimes—NOT good for the MOB!  So rather than having to work your way up the Chris “The Chatty Kathy Boss” Collins crime ladder—join Praxis. “It’s a one year apprenticeship program, helping hard working ambitious young people start their careers strong.”  With the cost of college going up and the experience of “Zoom Education” bringing students down, college alternatives like Praxis should make young people ask— WHY University?  Learn more about Praxis, https://discoverpraxis.com

Strike a Chord

Lead Singer and Guitarist Chris Newhard from Sleep Cycles joins STRIKE A CHORD.  Sleep Cycles has ex-members from Promise of Redemption, The Color Fred and Tokyo Rose to name a few—SO there’s a bit of historical rock experience to pull from.  We love band origin stories!  There’s always a moment when you’ve either got to shit or get off the pot. With no songs in hand Newhard went to the writing room and banged out some lyrics—AND some funny backstories. We call this winning the rock lottery!  Sleep Cycles links up with Fred Mascherino from Talking Back Sunday to produce “The 88 (eighty-eight)” and “Come On and Say It” (feat. Fred Mascherino).  Sleep Cycles has definitely been wide awake making some kick ass music! Listen and Follow at https://www.facebook.com/SleepCyclesPA

Strike a Chord

King Foolish aka Danny Resnick the vocalist/guitarist for Astoria State joins STRIKE A CHORD. They say it takes about 10 years for a band to make it!  In the case of Astoria State it started back in the 2000’s when Danny met Jessie Carroll playing for The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.  Fast forward a few broken bands, some projects and years later—you get Astoria State!  AND YES Resnick plays keys for TRJA — it’s unconventional but we don’t care.  Astoria State’s NEW EP “The Suffer, The Salvage 2021” is six head-banging guitar jams.  Our favorite track “War” — or maybe a little closer to the heart—Love is a War and always a battlefield.  Resnick wrote the track about those bad love experiences to reflect on how we react and grow from it… “a little bit about life, a lot about love.” Haven’t you heard War is a 4 letter word?  Listen to Astoria State: https://astoriastate.com

Just Talking

Film Actor William Moseley joins JUST TALKING to discuss his latest film Saving Paradise. What attracted William to Saving Paradise? — it wasn't a pencil factory! –surprisingly Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men!  If William looks familiar to you it’s because you might know him as Peter Pevensie from The Chronicles of Narnia.  Rumor has it there’s a Chronicles of Narnia TV series on the way—will William be making a cameo appearance?  You have to listen—he tells all on the show.  Watch Saving Paradise on all streaming platforms, https://www.jaysilvermanproductions.com/saving-paradise.

Strike a Chord

Singer/ Songwriter Lili Joy a season 16 Team Blake Sheldon The VOICE contestant joins STRIKE A CHORD to bring the joy of her new single Dandelion. Since the last time Lili Joy was on the show there’s been a few changes.  The trademark blue wig is on hiatus for starters.  BUT Lili Joy has been writing/creating new music during the pandemic—“if there’s one good thing to come out of this… just time to like create….” It’s been a time warp.  Lili went to bed as a sixteen year old and woke up eighteen!  Her new single Dandelion asks the existential questions about growing up.  What should I do?”  “What should I be?” ALSO, check out Lili Joy’s cover of 1960 Patsy Cline’s track Crazy—Lili, you’re not crazy—we're CRAZY for YOU!  Listen to Dandelion: https://soundcloud.com/user-686612984

Indie Film Director Skyler Lawson joins JUST TALKING to promote his latest film, Whelm. When indie directors set their minds to make a movie they pull all cards and favors—“it’s like trying to take the SAT’s while riding a bull!” Skyler went back to his home town in Indiana, gathered local community support, networked talent and researched 1930’s celebrity bank robber legends to create the film Whelm. Whelm shot on 35mm film is beautiful cinematography.  It embraces the “warmth of the Midwest” with a great sense of humor—it’s a unique take on the Great Depression crime lore.  Watch Whelm streaming on Amazon Prime https://www.amazon.com/Whelm-Delil-Baran/dp/B098TVWBMN. More info at https://www.endrowpictures.com

Ed Holland lead singer from the 4 time Grammy Nominated Irish country band Hurricane Highway joins STRIKE A CHORD.  Like many music artists working remotely over the past year during the pandemic, the band used online tools to produce music with top players in Nashville—sending ideas back and forth till the magic happens.  Most if not all country bands are expected to have guitarists but Hurricane Highway went full circle with their track Sha La La featuring a ukulele!  A testament to Hurricane Highway’s place in country music is their odd cover track of Lionel Richie’s—Dancing on the Ceiling “It’s just a crackin song.”  Listen and you’ll see why the people love it!  Follow Hurricane Highway at https://www.hurricanehighway.net.

Film Critic Elizabeth “Betsy” Kim (Gen Z Critics) joins JUST TALKING and advocates for the younger generation to start critiquing films.  AND with that—Gen Z Critics has decided to have their own Oscar nominations vote!  Betsy’s top vote during the COVID lockdown goes to Korean Drama’s (K-Drama’s)—they’ve got drama, comedy, tons of episodes and are incredibly fun to watch. There’s one under the radar sketch comedy show Betsy recommends—Ziwe (Zee Way) on Showtime—“nails Gen-Z humor” but “too cool” for the Emmys and snubbed.  Submit your film critique at https://genzcritics.com/

Film Producer Jessica Devaney joins JUST TALKING to talk about her controversial film Pray Away.  The film is about Gay conversion therapy—a sensitive subject — AND exposes Exodus International, the most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. Pray Away is a deeply compassionate approach to portraying people discovering their gender/sexual identity in the context of the modern church without weaponizing the message. It’s a powerful documentary, available on NETFLIX, https://www.netflix.com/title/81040370.

STRIKE A CHORD artist Phreckle$ once known as Female (Femm maalee) left a life of addiction, toxic relationships, partying and reinvented herself as Phrecke$ the powerhouse artist today. Phreckle$ isn’t an artist you can place in a genre—“I don’t want to be in a box, get me out of the box”—“something that has its own lane.” Artists grow over the years.  “My music is a mesh between hip hop, pop, a little bit of a rock edge in a way.”  Phreckle$’ track Because Of You is a tribute to her daughter, a powerful and sobering example of changing your life in a positive direction. Listen and follow Phreckle$ at https://www.iamphreckles.com.

Comedian Marcus Hawkins joins JUST TALKING from the COVID security of his car. “If y'all don’t get your punk ass shots, we can’t do nothing!”  OK CDC there’s your next advertising campaign.  Marcus stands up for comic book character equality.  “Batman can’t eat out Catwoman but Robin can take penis?”  “My heroes eat pu**y!”  So Marcus what say you? To bathe or not to bathe? … “Wash your ass!”

From demo tracks to dummy tracks the Indie Rock band Dummy joins STRIKE A CHORD from New Jersey.  Dummy members are Matt, Chris, Ben, Jeffery and Carlee, all with assorted musical backgrounds. You wouldn’t know looking at them—BUT Dummy’s roots are in Heavy Death Metal!  The band’s latest track Afterthought has a music video straight out of a Dawson’s Creek episode.  The band’s music is a mix of romance and 80’s nostalgia vibes—AND suddenly you want to dance!  Follow Dummy at https://dummytheband.com. Shout out to film crew “Manic Hour Pictures” !

Maybe means NO? No means maybe YES? Maybe means MAYBE? Chris still isn’t sure.  Actress/Playwright Catherine Barnes joins JUST TALKING to share her insight on consent and why we all suck at it. Yes? No? Maybe So? is part musical with a mix of inner social justice warrior jazz hands—AND a strong millennial message—“No one gets to grab my boobs if I don’t give consent!”  Millennial dating is hard and confusing.  Catherine practices LOVE ISLAND “negging” on Chris.  While Marissa opens a maybe surprise just to get a “dick in the face?” Visit Catherine’s website at www.queenmabmusic.com.

Let’s live in a world where your favorite classic cartoons and TV shows are covered by a Punk Rock band.  UK TikTok sensation Punk Rock Factory joins STRIKE A CHORD—AND has already done it!  Their new album Masters of the Uniwurst takes on 21 classic theme songs including: Cars—Life is a Highway, Power Rangers, The Flintstones, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pokemon and many more.  It’s trippy when you hear the opening theme song to the 90’s TV show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as a punk metal, drum smashing, head banger! Go! Go! Power Rangers! Pick up the latest Punk Rock Factory album and merch at www.punkrockfactory.com

Kevin Neighbors joins JUST TALKING to discuss the versatility of his one man show Versatile—AND share some Slam Poetry. He’s a BLACK man.  He’s a GAY man.  He’s a FOSTER CHILD.  BUT most of all he’s Kevin!  His show is a personal timeline—searching to define himself through a series of reflective but tragic experiences.  “We walk around and we’re looked at… for me people just try to figure me out.” Follow Kevin Neighbors on IG @kevin_neighbors. https://www.instagram.com/kevin_neighbors

With over 2 million TikTok followers Nashville Country Singer Alexandra Kay joins STRIKE A CHORD.  Alexandra started off playing competitive league softball.  There were college scholarships lining up, sports agents and promising future ahead—BUT she decided to pursue a career in music—AND she caught Nelly’s it's Hot In Herre attention and signed a deal.  GOOD CALL!  Alexandra’s track I Kinda Don’t reached the number one spot on iTunes Country Charts.  Music, tours and more on Alexandra Kay at https://www.alexandrakayofficial.com

CCS Contributor SPORTS MATTERS with Kevin Drake joins in on JUST TALKING to discuss the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games. It’s about time Skateboarding and Surfing were part of the games.  As Tony Hawk would say "I consider skateboarding an art form, a lifestyle and a sport." PLUS—name drama in Cleveland—Guardians? The next Babe Ruth?—Shohei Ohtani?  AND the world of NIL rights for collegiate athletics?  OK young millennial athletes it’s time to use your NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) and bring in the endorsement cash—that is, if there’s any left after Bryce Young’s deal!

What’s the secret to 15 million streams on Spotify?  STRIKE A CHORD guest Singer-Songwriter Ashton Edminster decided to put her personality on social media and sing to her followers—“the cool thing about social media is it lets you have an inside on people's lives.” Ashton’s track Break the Distance describes the experience of having internet friendship/relationships—AND within the first 24 hours was charted #9 on iTunes!  Ashton’s single Seem Okay features previous STRIKE A CHORD guest Dezmond Walkeron vocals. This track describes the difference between men and women in the most open and complimentary way, love is intoxicating.  Ashton Edminster is available on all major streaming services: http://www.ashtonedminster.com