Kickstarter: Boston Metaphysical Society

Hey Peeps,

Not my normal MO, but this is for an excellent cause and a great opportunity to support Indie comics and a wonderful woman, artist and creator - Madeleine Holly-Rosing! Please have a visit to her comic web-home Boston Metaphysical Society and support this endeavor and ones to follow through Kickstarter.

Don't be fooled because the goal was reached, in one day. This is a indication of the quality of her project and your added support will continue her efforts. Be a part of it -

Spyder's ridiculously short movie review: Paranomal Activity: The Marked Ones

Yes, creepy but please stop.

Indie Art Stop - Nadia Isakova

Ms. Isakova brings an exceptional eye for beauty. I found her pictures to be inspiring in many ways. The clarity, vision and mood of her photography is fantastic. Enjoy:

Of course, all pics are the property of Nadia Isakova and are used here only to display her talent and urge you to explore and purchase form her.

Absolute Darkness (Ten Horror Stories) - Dan Shade

Absolute Darkness is a collection of ten (10) short horror tales from author Dan Shade. The title itself had me hitting the buy button. If there is one thing I enjoy reading, it's a good horror short. Here we have ten, by one author nestled between  a virtual dust jacket - I was sold.

As I began to read the anticipation seemed to peak and valley as the first tale Freudian Slip unfolded. Let's just say I love blood in a tale but enjoy it more if it has a purpose. Three more tales past and then came a short tale entitled 'The Thief.' At last - something with meat and a exceptional story. I enjoyed the cross genre presentation and the tastefully done buffet of shock and gore.

Much of the other tales involve some cross genre too but mostly slight humor or erotica. Still decent and entertaining reads. I will say I chuckled a few times and not because of bad writing, rather good entertaining humor. 

For the writer … format on Absolute Darkness could have been cleaner between stories. There is some good examples of cross genre writing, mainly The Thief and Neighbours. Some nice setting notes as well, Checkout and The Pool.

For the reader - if you enjoy your horror in variety you will like many of the stories but probably not all. Narcotikos, Night Caller and Nightwalker for example, but then again you might just love them. For .99 cents, it is certainly worth considering. 

On the writer's iPod – UNSUN

UnSun (on FB) is fronted by Anna "Aya" Stefanowicz coupled with her husband Maurycy "Mauser" Stefanowicz and completed by Patryk "Patrick" Malinowski  on bass and Wojtek "Gonzo" Błaszkowski on drums. As one might gather, they hail from Poland and provide a unique Gothic infused rock sound that my muse finds unique.

As music goes, so goes the muse and a diverse muse is a happy muse. As you learn of the influences one might think that my muse is just “all over the place” and perhaps she is but she is happy. Anna Stefanowicz provides a haunting and dramatic voice to her library. UnSun (web presence) is a remarkable ensemble with deeps roots in rock and roll with apparent influences. Their European flair adds a sundry sound that sets them apart.

On the virtual turntable that fuels my muse you will find such masterfully crafted tunes as – Not Enough, Lost Innocence, Whispers and Bring Me to Heaven. With two studio albums (The End of Life and Clinic for Dolls) under their belt, UnSun (sample) is showing their staying power and growing fan base. Give them a listen …

Take a peek at UnSun and Whispers:

Indie Art Stop: Nomi Chi

Here is some work from Vancouver's Nomi Chi - love the darkness in the otherwise not dark appearance, perhaps just me -

Find Nomi here:

Blog
Web

And a sample - one of my faves:

In case you missed it: The Dirty Youth

My muse has a thing for female fronted bands – the ultimate is Evanescence. My muse adores Amy Lee but here my muse is interested in sharing perhaps something less then “everybody knows about” influences. Here we have a female fronted band who affectionately call themselves The Dirty Youth (on the web). From my muse The Dirty Youth is a rocking muse ass-kicker. Sure, they have their lighter side but it is their hard rifts and melodic tones of lead singer Danni Monroe that tips the scales for the muse.

As writers, we all have our personal favorites or things that we do to get our muse comfy at the keyboard or the end of a pen/pencil – from quiet time to booze to music and every thing in between that stimulates what lies deep within. If music, that is pulse pounding, builds a bit of chaos for your muse then The Dirty Youth (on FB) is a must.

Matt Bond and Luke Padfield belt out the lead and rhythmic guitar rifts that are sure to please the most discerning ear. The bass and percussion keeps the music of The Dirty Youth (on Twitter @thedirtyyouth) pure and damning – but as I said, my muse loves female fronted bands and Danni Monroe is a powerhouse singer that can run with the best of them. She simply kicks-ass.

Their album Red Light Fix (sample it here) is a fantastic offering for any muse that enjoys her (or his) music hard and delicious. You will also enjoy a quieter moment here and there but overall you will enjoy an incredible album that displays inspiring talent.

The playlist:

1. Rise Up
2. The End
3. Requiem of the Drunk
4. Fight
5. Final Chapter
6. Ellen
7. Red Light Fix
8. Last Confession
9.  Promises
10.  This is for you

My muse is especially fond of tracks – 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 (all right just about the entire bloody album – that should tell you something). Each tune provides a distinct drive and place for the muse to create. Each builds on the other creating a novel worthy journey as you spin the virtual vinyl. Excellent music – with body that will shock your creative senses. These delicious, inspiring and driven tunes will set your muse on a journey through creation – plot, characterization, setting … completion.

Of note, track 4 – “Fight” is an absolute classic in my muse's mind. How this song is not ruling the airwaves and putting The Dirty Youth on every rock fans lips is beyond me. This is a complete band – musically, vocally, look and damn that Danni Monroe! Have a look at “Fight”

The Dirty Youth needs to find its way on to your muse’s playlist – it will grow on her or him and take your writing to places you never thought possible.