Episode 52 Rock Queen Writers: A Panel Discussion on Writing About Musicians in Fiction, with Jessamyn Violet, Mallory Smart, Claire Hopple, Kirsti MacKenzie
Episode 52 of Rock is Lit features a dynamic panel discussion with four women authors exploring the art of writing about musicians in fiction, delving into their creative processes, challenges, and the cultural impact of their narratives.
Episode 51: Exploring Jewish Identity, The Holocaust, and the Healing Power of Music in Jason Warburg’s Novel ‘Home Was a Dream’
Episode 51 of Rock is Lit delves into Jason Warburg’s novel ‘Home Was a Dream’, exploring themes of Jewish heritage, identity, and the profound impact of the Holocaust, intertwined with the healing power of music.
Episode 41 Beyond ‘Double Fantasy’: Laurie Kaye’s Journey to John Lennon’s Final Interview
Step into the rhythm of rock’s golden era with Laurie Kaye on Rock is Lit. Join us as she shares the highs, lows, and unforgettable moments from her life leading up to John Lennon’s last interview, all of which she chronicles in her new memoir, ‘Confessions of a Rock ‘N’ Roll Name-Dropper’.
Episode 40 Prog Tales: Inside Jason Warburg’s Novel ‘Never Break the Chain’, with The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast Guys Talkin’ Prog Rock
In Episode 40 Jason Warburg talks about his novel ‘Never Break the Chain’, and Mac B. and Action Jackson from The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast talk prog rock.
Episode 39 Reckoning and Redemption: GenXCore Unveils the Punk Rock Soul of His Novel ‘California Roadkill’
In this episode of Rock is Lit, we journey into the punk-rock heart of GenXCore's novel, ‘California Roadkill’, exploring the raw and resonant narrative that unravels violence, homelessness, and addiction in the Golden State.
Episode 38: Music, Mystery, and Mountains: The Appalachian Influence in Emily Alice Katz’s Rockin’ Short Story “A Wayfarer at Devil’s Elbow”
Step into the mystical and melodic world of the Appalachian Mountains as we embark on an exploration of North Carolina author Emily Alice Katz’s short story “A Wayfarer at Devil’s Elbow,” which unravels the enigma of a reclusive 1970s rock musician who has vanished into the rugged terrain of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Episode 37: Rememberin' and Rockin' to the 1980s Cult Classic Film 'Eddie and The Cruisers' with Sherry Thomas
In this episode of Rock is Lit, join me for a captivating journey back to the 1980s, as my guest Sherry Thomas and I delve into the cult classic movie ‘Eddie and The Cruisers’, starring Michael Pare, Tom Berenger, and Ellen Barkin. We share our insights on the film’s enduring legacy and the magic behind its iconic soundtrack by John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band. Discover the secrets, stories, and music that made ‘Eddie and The Cruisers’ a timeless rock 'n' roll masterpiece.
Episode 36: From ‘60s Southern Rock to Nina Simone’s Soul: Peter McDade on His Rock Novel ‘Songs by Honeybird’ with Alan Light on His Bio of Nina Simone, ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’
In this episode of Rock is Lit, Peter McDade joins me to talk about his rock novel from Wampus Multimedia ‘Songs by Honeybird’, then journalist Alan Light, author of ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’, drops by to do a deep dive on Nina Simone, after whom one of Peter’s main characters is named.
Episode 35: Franz Nicolay
The Hold Steady’s and World Inferno Friendship Society’s Franz Nicolay joins me to talk about his rock novel ‘Someone Should Pay For Your Pain’, a story that follows singer-songwriter Rudy, his conflicted relationship with a successful former protégé named Ryan, and Rudy’s young niece, Lily, who wants to travel with him and whose surprise appearance forces a reckoning with himself and his past.
Episode 34: Rex Weiner
In this episode, Rex Weiner joins me to talk about his book ‘The (Original) Adventures of Ford Fairlane’. The 1990 movie starring Andrew Dice Clay is loosely based on the character Rex created.
Episode 33: Jason Warburg
Ever wondered if politics and rock ‘n roll had a baby what it would look like? In this episode of Rock is Lit, Jason Warburg is here to tell you. He’s the author of the rock novel ‘Believe in Me’ from Wampus Multimedia, a story in which young political operative Tim Green finds himself in the orbit of a super famous rock ‘n roll band.
Episode 32: Ben Arzate with David Novak
In this episode, Ben Arzate talks about his horror rock novel ‘Music Is Over’, a story that deals with the lost years of musician Juntaro Yamanouchi of the Japanese Noise band The Gerogerigegege. In the last segment of the episode, David Novak, author of the award-winning book ‘Japanoise: Music at the Edge of Circulation’, drops by to talk with me about this style of music.
Episode 31: Daniel Torday with Ty Gilpin
In this episode, Daniel Torday, author of the novel ‘Boomer1’, joins me to talk about the book, Bluegrass music, revolutionaries, political rants, and the Wild West of the Internet (otherwise known as the Deep Web). Later, mandolin player for the Bluegrass band Unspoken Tradition and music marketing director for Crossroads Studios, Ty Gilpin joins me to give a crash course on Bluegrass.
Bonus Episode: Scott Michaels
In this bonus episode, which is really an addendum to Season 1 Episode 6, featuring Zachary Lazar’s rock novel ‘Sway’, a story that brings together the early Rolling Stones, the films of avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger, and members of the Manson Family, Scott Michaels joins me to talk about Sharon Tate and the Manson Murders and what it was like working as a consultant on Quentin Tarantino’s film ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’.
Episode 30: John Wray with Jon Verno and Tom Gigliotti
In this episode, John Wray is here to talk about his brand-new novel, ‘Gone to the Wolves’, which author Raven Leilani describes as “a love letter to metal that captures both its brutal kinetics and its nearness to the sublime.” In the last segment, Jon Verno, from the Metal Mayhem ROC podcast, and Tom Gigliotti, co-host of Shout It Out Loudcast, school me on several subgenres of metal mentioned in ‘Gone to the Wolves’, including death, thrash, black, and glam metal.
Episode 29: Brett Marie (AKA Mat Treiber)
Brett Marie (AKA Musician Mat Treiber) is my guest in this episode. Brett and I talk about his novel, 'The Upsetter Blog'; working with his wife, singer-songwriter musician and writer, Roxanne Fontana; how Anton Newcombe inspired his main character; Gram Parsons’ room at the Joshua Tree Inn; and so much more.
Episode 28: Garth Risk Hallberg On ‘City on Fire’, the New Apple TV+ Series Based On His 2015 Novel
Garth Risk Hallberg joins me to talk about the new Apple TV+ series ‘City on Fire’, which is based on his 2015 international bestselling novel of the same title. The first three episodes of this eight-episode music-driven mystery thriller premiere Friday, May 12, 2023. You can catch one new episode weekly through June 16, 2023.
Episode 27: The Yardbirds Drummer, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Member, & Author Jim McCarty
In this special episode of Rock is Lit, one of the original members of The Yardbirds joins me: Drummer and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jim McCarty is here to talk about his music career and experience with The Yardbirds; his interest in and exploration of the paranormal and spirituality; his endearing and enduring relationship with his late wife, Lizzie; and his book ‘She Walks In Beauty’, the fascinating story of their relationship and Jim’s quest to connect with her after her passing.
Episode 26: Jessamyn Violet with Lina Lecaro
In this episode, acclaimed musician Jessamyn Violet joins me to talk about her novel, ‘Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar’, a gritty, glittery, queer YA debut about a teenage musician who jumps at a chance to play in her favorite rock band on their upcoming world tour, only to realize her heroes have their own agenda and might be leading her down a dark path. In the last segment of the episode, ‘LA Weekly’ Culture & Entertainment Editor, Lina Lecaro, drops in to talk about the LA music scene in the 1990s, which is where/when Jessamyn’s novel is set, and some of the women who were rockin’ the town and the world at that time.
Episode 25: Cheryl J. Fish with Lucas Hare
In this episode, Cheryl J. Fish joins me to talk about her new novel, ‘Off the Yoga Mat,’ a story set during the Y2K craze that features yoga, Finnish sauna culture, and Bob Dylan. In the last segment, Lucas Hare, co-host of the Is It Rolling, Bob? Talking Dylan podcast, drops in to do a deep dive into Dylan’s career at the end of the 20th century.