Interview

CHICAGO – In the landscape of life, not many have experienced a journey like Jian Ping. Raised in China, she was a child during the political reign of Chairman Mao Zedong. Eventually ending up in Chicago, she wrote her 2008 memoir “Mulberry Child” about her childhood, which was made into a documentary and directed by Susan Morgan Cooper. The doc is now on Amazon Prime.

MCHENRY, ILL. – The venue D.C. Cobbs (Woodstock, Illinois) was the location for an acoustic set by 23-year-old Lara Bell, an up and coming singer/songwriter who has been performing professionally since she was 15 years old. Her rich and sultry voice, embodying a wide range of genres, was complimented by an enthralling stage presence.

CHICAGO – The trio of teenage sisters that are “Gold Frankincense & Myrrh” (GFM) – CJ Sanders, Maggie “Rose” and Evie “Lulu” English – create their sound by blending the melodic pop-rock of Paramore with the power and aggressiveness of Slipknot. GFM wants to use their music as a vehicle to illustrate that women and young people can create positive, uplifting music that can still rock.

CHICAGO – Larkin Poe features sisters Rebecca and Megan Lowell, who are singer/songwriters and multi-instrumentalists creating their own brand of rock ’n roll … rooted in grit, soul, and their southern heritage flavor. Originally from Atlanta and currently living in Nashville, they are descendants of tortured artist and creative genius Edgar Allan Poe. 

CHICAGO – Back in 2017, I had the honor to talk to one of my favorite Chicago filmmakers, absorbing his highly tuned perspective. Lonnie Edwards broke out in 2014 with the award-winning short film “Parietal Guidance,” and from there has commented on black and societal issues with his films “A Ferguson Story,” “Exodus: Sounds of the Great Migration” and his latest “Periphery.”

CHICAGO – It’s no mystery that author Lorraine Evanoff – who just released her second “Louise Moscow Novel,” entitled “Pinot Noir” – loves the genre of intrigue, for her life has mirrored the adventures of her fictional super spy character. Where Louise Moscow begins is where Lorraine Evanoff has been.

HUNTLEY, ILL – Electrician by day and rockstar by night, hometown hero Pino Farina brings the northwest suburbs together through bi-weekly Facebook live performances. With a virtual jukebox of covers and original songs, Pino exudes a positive vibe, passion and talent that has helped fill these empty quarantine nights with lasting memories.

CHICAGO – The April “Mainframe Comic Con” … an entire online Comic Con, including guests, artists, exhibitors and even cosplay … was a huge success. So the team decided to do it again. Mainframe Comic Con 2.0 will take place on this upcoming Saturday and Sunday, May 30th and 31st, 2020.

CHICAGO – These are strange and isolating times for everyone. As someone who thrives on covering concerts, during the pandemic I sometimes feel like a part of me is missing. Luckily, one recent quarantine phenomenon that has helped me and other live music addicts fill the void is the surge of live online performances.

CHICAGO – When two passionate content creators got together, they sought not only to produce a work of entertainment, but a higher philosophy within it. Co-Writers/Directors and Executive Producers Adriana Leonard and Carley Marcelle have created “Beta” A Digital Series, and they are about to launch it.