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Showing posts from July, 2024

Interview: pop singer, songwriter, dancer, actress Michelle Forziati

  Written By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications   Massachusetts’ singer/songwriter, dancer, actress Michelle Forziati recently released “Strings,” her second song out this year as a follow up to her April release of “Stranger.”    The Boston pop-music artist and Medford native is no stranger to the entertainment industry; she starred in 2017 Boston Marathon biographical film Stronger , alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. In the inspirational drama about Jeff Bauman’s recovery in the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Forziati played Jill Hurley.    Her new sultry alt-pop single "Strings" has a catchy, chill chorus and it was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Monty Dale at Graybeard Recording Studios, and features guitar by Michael Strakus and bass by Steve Constantino, two players known for their work in Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures.    In this OOTB interview, Forziati discusses the new song and previous release in detail, her entertainment inspirations, her future plan

Top 5 Feature: Surrender The Ghost

About  After walking away from music in 2017, Matthew Ellis had the fire reignited during the fall of 2020 after a few drinks and spinning his favorite records. The simple idea of writing an EP with old friends quickly grew into A REAL BAND (insert Blues Brothers quote).  From there the choice was simple, longtime friend and guitarist Tony Chaffin who’s only good at two things: 1) A timely joke 2) Shredding guitars. Armed with two guitars and a handful of demos it was now time to find a drummer.  Who better than Mark Johnston? Besides the facts that he hadn’t played drums in 20 years, lived an hour away and is a stay at home dad with “more asses in the house than seats to sit on” (his words), what could stop this trio now?  Well, not having a bass player or singer…but those are easy fixes, right? After working together for years and many heated discussions about the greatness of John Stockton’s NBA career, Ellis and Brandon Eldridge (Bass) reached an agreement: NO NBA talk, and let’s t

Interview: Annual summer music event, TiKi STiK, ready to rock Marion, Ohio

  Written By Neil Shumate, OOTB Publications   For nine years, TiKi STiK has welcomed a diverse lineup of Ohio and out-of-state musicians and bands to share the stage in Marion County for an annual two-day live music event, held the first weekend of every August.    This year’s ever-growing TiKi STiK—which will benefit Autism Speaks —is this weekend and includes 20 artists and features Friday night headliner Flaw and Saturday night headliner Tantric.    The 3.5 acres will not only have room for tents and camping for travelers from all over the state and beyond, but it will also have food trucks, merch stations and vendors. One-day tickets are only $20 and a weekend pass is only $30. For those 10 and under, admission is free.    Tickets can be purchased from performing bands, at MVP Vapor (1603 Marion-Mt Gilead Rd, Marion, OH 43302) or digitally online here . Event Address 4000 Larue Green Camp Road, Marion, OH 43302 Event Lineup Friday, Aug. 2 with Gates at 4pm Doomsdayve , Illaura , K

Album Review: Brian Ray, My Town, out Aug. 2

  Album Acclaimed musician Bryan Ray will release his new solo album My Town (via Stevie Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records) on Aug. 2. Ray is well-known as touring bassist and guitarist with Paul McCartney since 2002, and as former guitarist and music director for Etta James. The LP features Special Guest Vocalists that include Smokey Robinson, Michael Des Barres, and Gia Ciambotti, with Contributions from Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), Scott Shriner (Weezer), and Davey Farragher (Elvis Costello).    Pre-order the album here:   https://www.brianray.com/store/featured Review By Steve Jones, OOTB Publications   Bluesy and cathartic, Brian Ray takes a delve into his solo work with this charismatic album full of classic styling. I was pleasantly surprised by this record. It’s a feel good look into a man’s life through the use of modern sounds and throwback style. A little blues and a little ska at times, Ray delivers a fun journey with “Bad 4 U” and “I Ain’t Superstitious” as shining ex

Inkcarceration 2024 Recap

      Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival Wraps Up Another Record-Breaking, Sold-Out Edition For 2024  Fusing Rock, Metal and Tattoo Art  75,000 Music Fans Converged At Ohio State Reformatory In Mansfield, Ohio July 19-21 For Headliners Shinedown, Godsmack & Breaking Benjamin, Plus The Offspring, Bad Omens, Halestorm, Parkway Drive & More   Jailbreak Moments Included: Chimaira’s First U.S. Festival Appearance In 14 Years, Halestorm & I Prevail Exclusively Collaborating In Each Others’ Sets, Breaking Benjamin’s Son Singing And Playing Guitar & One Of Only Two Reunion Shows For All Shall Parish Plus, Popular Tattoo Convention With More Than 100 Tattoo Artists   2025 Dates To Be Announced Soon   The fourth consecutive sold-out edition for Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival 2024  was held  July 19-21  at the historic  Ohio State Reformatory  in  Mansfield, Ohio,  welcoming 75,000 music fans for three days of music, tattoos and haunted attractions. The event b