Citywide Blackout

Let’s face it, family can be a challenge. But when that family is a group of supernatural shapeshifters? Well, that’s a horse—or a wolf—of a different color.

In our newest Citywide Bytes interview, I talk with author Lisa Diane Kastner for her recently-released book, “Family Pack,” the sequel to her 2022 release, “Cure.” The book continues the story of Luna Auber, whom after her brother dies suddenly learns that she is both a shapeshifting lycanthrope and the descendent of a legendary female Viking warrior.

In “Family Pack,” Luna’s epic journey continues amidst a conflict between The Lycanthrope Society, which believe that humans and lycanthropes should exist in harmony, and The Righteous Group, which believe that lycanthropes are intended to rule over all other species.

Lisa talks about the series got its start on a dare from fellow author and New York Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry, and full disclosure, I nerd out quite a bit here. When one of the greats of the writing world dares you to do something, you just gotta!

We also go into how Luna’s progressed on her journey in this new life and the conflict that she’s about to be a part of. Lisa talks about Luna’s powers and how she adapts to this new world as well as how the character and author parallel one another.

And if anyone out there wants to make my dream of Citywide Blackout cookies happen, I’m here for it!

When I first heard the music of Imaginarium, my thought was “Damn, this is good,” followed quickly by “We gotta get this band on the show!” And here we are.

Band founder Anton de Bruin talks about how the group came to be as well as the musical backgrounds of the different members. We look at the eclectic sound, a blend of funk, jazz, and reggae and how it all comes together through the different members. The band is based in the Netherlands, and Anton shares some of the shows they’ve done and where they’d like to play next.

Opening the episode is an excerpt from “Gabobo” and wrapping things up is “Kaleidoscope.”

Music has always been a part of Todd Hearon’s life and following a brief break for other creative pursuits, he’s returned with a three-part album release and in this interview, we dive right into what this is all about.

The Texas-born songwriter goes into the story behind his most recent release, “Impossible Man” and how it follows his 2021 and 2023 albums, “Border Radio” and “Yodelady.” We also talk about his musical hiatus to go to grad school in Boston and co-found The Bridge Theater Company, an independent troupe in Boston’s Theater District.

Todd shares how his poetry and other writings blend with his music, and gives us the story behind Myrtle, his 1950 Gibson J-50.

Opening the interview is an excerpt from “Guillotine” and closing things out is the song “Looking Glass,” both of which are from the new album. 

In author Donna Levin’s new book, “The Talking Stick,” we meet Hunter, who has lost…..well, just about everything. Her husband has left her for her former friend, now best enemy Angelica. She has no job, no prospects, and is unsure of what comes next.

That “next” happens while exploring a San Francisco flea market. Here, she’s sent on a journey with three other women who join her journey to reexamine pasts, explore grief, addictions, parenting, and marriages, and discover that some of their most-cherished memories are romanticized versions of the truth.

In this interview, we look at what inspired this book and introduced to Hunter and Angelica. Donna talks about the element of a Talking Stick and why it was included in the book. She shares a look at the journey Hunter’s on and the people she’ll be sharing it with and just where it’s all going.

Singer-songwriter Tyler Herwig believes that if he can help even one person through his music, then that is a job well done. In this episode, he talks with us about how his wife inspired him to pursue music as a full-time career and some of his experiences along the way.

In fact, Tyler’s most recent release is “All Yours,” a message of thanks to his wife for her many years of support as he’s made his art his new career.

In fact, he performs around 280 shows a year and talks about how he maintains such a rigorous schedule and his goals in the future. He shares a few show memories and what he views are his highlights as an artist. Tyler also shares some news of his upcoming music.

Opening the show is an excerpt from “Enough” and closing the episode is “All Yours.”

Singer-songwriter Dany Horovitz is back for what has become a yearly check-in and man, there is a lot to talk about. Over the last 12 months, he’s released tons of music and we go into the songs and the stories behind them. Dany also talks about how he puts himself into his songs. We also give some previews of what he has planned for the rest of this year and into the next.

The last year has also seen a lot of memorable appearances, such as at the recent North by Northeast Festival and as a judge for the Juno Awards. Dany, Max and Curtis talk about what that was like and Dany’s experience getting to choose his picks for the Adult Contemporary Category.

Dany also shares some of the many artists he’s collaborated with and the amazing results of these musical partnerships. We talk a little business as Curtis asks about the stunning social media presence that Dany’s built since he started this journey just a couple of years ago.

Opening this interview is an excerpt from “Until the Seas Run Dry,” Dany’s newest single and bringing things to a close is “Roads and Roses,” one of our personal favorites.

After hearing this interview, I hope you’ll all be a little more careful when you open that random email. Because you never know.

Author Justin Lee is back with a new book, “The Reluctant Reckoner” (Oct. 8) and in this episode, we talk all about protagonist Mark Righters, an ordinary man caught in a world he is wholly unprepared for. Here’s a look at what’s in store:

An honest accountant who likes to keep it simple, he's been at the same company for 23 years and prefers things the way they are: steady, with little excitement, and even less change. His health, 8-year-old daughter, and small suburban home are all he needs. But after that e-mail, everything is at risk. 

Somehow framed for a financial discrepancy that could send him to jail, at first, he's just bewildered. But when the crime mysteriously disappears just as quickly as it emerged, it's clear just how outmatched Mark really is. 

Then he's kidnapped, blindfolded, and given a timeline to steal confidential information. He doesn't know who the perpetrators are, what they need it for, or why they asked him. But he does know they know things about him. Personal things. Things they can't possibly know. 

Justin and I talk about the kind of person Mark is and how he navigates this plot. He goes into his growth as a writer and the new territory he got to explore in this, his fourth book. We also look at how, after four books and several awards, Justin feels that he has “arrived” as a writer.

Author and storyteller Matthew Mercier has a certain claim to fame—he once lived in the Bronx home of Edgar Allan Poe. In fact, the experience was so life-changing, he made it the subject of his recently-released book. “Poe and I,” out through Crystal Lake Entertainment. Here’s a look at what’s in store:

Jonah Peabody takes a job as caretaker and head docent for a historical house in The Bronx that once served as the last home for Edgar Allan Poe, a job that requires him to live on the premises so he can give tours on the weekend. To be more precise, he must live in the basement of Poe’s home—Poe’s Basement.

This is Matthew’s first book and in this episode, we talk about the writing process and what of his own experiences made it into the story. We talk about his protagonist, Jonah Peabody and how he and Matthew relate. He also shares some memorable times living in the home of one of the legends of the horror genre.

On Oct. 22, the world will be introduced to, as writer Helen Mullane puts it, “the acid-drenched, blood-soaked journey into the heart of rock n’ roll excess” and I could not have done a better job summing up “Groupies,” a new five-issue series which debuts on Oct. 22 through Comixology.

Helen and I go into the origins of this series, and how she and co-creator/artist Tula Lotay shaped the story. Helen shares her interest in the world of groupies and how she dove into it to craft the characters. She talks about working with Tula and how she applied her art style to the story. We even give a few hints as to what you can expect, but you’ll need to read “The Groupies” to find out what happens!   

Three couples. A weekend at a secluded lake house. What could go wrong?

Quite a lot, as it turns out. Joseph Falank’s new book, “The Vanishing at Echo Lake” (Oct. 22), combines the each couple’s relationships issues with a mysterious cabin where the living have a tendency to go missing without a trace.

Joseph talks about what inspired the book, not his first in the horror genre, and how he created both the world of the cabin and the people, in a way that makes them matter to the reader. He goes into the force surrounding the cabin and how we learn of its effect on the people there. The book’s set amidst the COVID pandemic and we look at why this was done and how it impacts the story.

Joseph even gives us a sneak peek at his next project, a fantasy story that his daughter helped inspire.