"The Day The Light Went Out" The Strange Familiar, Returns

The Strange Familiar

The Pop/Rock Band The Strange Familiar are back! After the success of their album "Chasing Shadows" the group took some down time for various reasons. That down time went on to shape their new, and in my opinion best effort yet, "The Day The Light Went Out."

I caught up with the band front woman, Kira Leyden Andrea to get the 411 on their latest, and the things that life throws at you...

MS: Hi Kira, I was watching a "Pretty Little Liars" rerun before you called I remembered when songs  from TSF's "Chasing Shadows" were featured prominently on a previous season. What about songs from the new CD? Do you think they will be heard on the show?

KLA: I hope so, I believe the music supervisor for "Pretty Little Liars" has a copy of the album. I'm hoping they'll use it, I think they are kind of waiting for something super emotional and dramatic to happen, but hopefully they will. (laughs)

MS: "Pretty Little Liars" is always super emotional and dramatic so I am sure it will happen. (laughs) While listening to the album last night all I could think was: "Wow, this is really good."

KLA: Awwwwww, Thank You!

MS: Reading some of the comments you guys made about the album, like how much more personal and deeper it was than your previous efforts, "Well, yeah." Talk about that.

KLA: We did the songs on the album at two different times and somehow they ended up fitting together. The first couple of songs we wrote were "Surrender" & "Painkiller" we had those for a little while, we played them live, sort of "road tested" them you might say, we noticed they were getting a great reaction from fans. The songs were totally a different direction than what we had done on "Chasing Shadows" in the sense they were coming from darker places.

"Painkiller" is asking the question about going through life and living it numb and letting all of these things pass you by. It started with those two songs, then when we went to do the second half we had "Rain" which we didn't even think we were going to end up using. We were really short on songs, honestly (both laugh) we had a few that we liked and we thought were good, and solid, we knew we needed more and it needed to fit with the other stuff. But we didn't know if the producers would go for it, we showed all these songs to them including "Rain" and they said this is definitely going on the album, I thought: "Really?" We really thought of it as just this cute little song, this little lullaby - we kind of went with it. I like the song on the record because it does fit. It talks about being in the desert, and it talks about being in a dark, tough place in your life that someone is bringing you through. It's a cool thing.

We went through a lot of that too, like having the baby and when I was sick for a while...you  know I was in intensive care after I had the baby, and it was scary. I was really, really sick with an abscess and I think that plays into the rest of the record. That's "The Day The Light Went Out" so, yeah.

MS: I remember seeing that on your Facebook page, I believe your husband Jeff posted it, about how ill you were. One can definitely see how it influenced the album, sometimes the best stuff creatively comes out of the most challenging of times.

Kira And TSF's Latest CD

KLA: To me the message of the album is you can experience horrible things and tragedies in your life, but out of those, that's where you really become who you want to be. It's where you become stronger and you grow so much, while you're in it, it's like: "Whoa!" But when you look back at it, you think I wouldn't be who I am today without that, believe it or not it's a good thing actually.

MS: If you actually make it through you do become a different and better person.

KLA: Yeah, I think so.

MS: Me too. What was it like being in the hospital for you?

KLA: Well, you are really going in and out of morphine la la la feelings. (both laugh) In my situation I did not know how big my abscess really was. You can't see it and you feel horrible. One day I remember this one Doctor came in, one I had never seen before and said: "Where changing your antibiotic" and he did to this really super strong one, and I'm like, Okaaaaay. I was freaking out about all these antibiotics, and the Doctor says: "You have to you are in intensive care and you are really sick." That's when it started to sink in that "Dang this is serious." We were scared and it was a really dark time, I just wanted to go home and be with my baby, I feel like I can appreciate things so much more, there are people who are stuck in the Hospital who don't get to leave for months. You can relate and empathize more with them. That's part of what feeds into the album and it's title, "The Day The Light Went Out" a lot of it too does have to do with my faith.

Because I am a Catholic, a Christian, I just like to be honest the song does have to do with that. You don't have to believe anything I believe - to appreciate the message of the song that out of something horrible and dark can come something beautiful.

MS: One of the things I like about you guys is that I get the message you put out there is an inclusive one.

Hey Everyone, It's Us!

KLA: Yeah, it doesn't matter at the end of the day we are all human beings. We are all going to go through suffering, experience loss...we can all relate to each other and that is the message I want to bring to as many people as I can.

MS: It's a good message. All the songs do fit together well, "Surrender" was a particular favorite of mine.

KLA: Very cool, that's actually my favorite. We are going to shoot a video for that one, that is our next big thing, to try and get that video done. (laughs)

MS: "Surrender" is the perfect choice for a video! So let's talk about something a little lighter, (both laugh) how is your daughter Rayne?

KLA: She is great! She is so full of life and so fun, the happiest little child. She is starting to talk and walk now.

MS: My goodness, that went quick!

KLA: She's a total person walking around, she says Mama, Dada, door...(laughs) Also she has to say "Hi" to every person she sees.

MS: It so much fun to be around kids because they see the world so differently.

KLA: Everything is exciting, everything is an adventure and everything you do is fun when you are a kid. (laughs)

Turn and face "The Strange Familiar" on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestrangefamiliar
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tsfmusic
Own The Strange Familiar Here: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B00199RF86?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=digital-music&field-keywords=The%20Strange%20Familiar

Tie One On, With "Fifty Shades" Star Jamie Dornan

Nothing Except For A Slip Knot Comes Between Jamie Dornan And His Calvin's

Pardon the beefcake shot, but given the tone of this post, I could not resist an image showing all of you the star of the upcoming adaptation of "Fifty Shades of Gray" Jamie Dornan in his Calvin's...

Much like Brooke Shields it looks like nothing comes between Jamie and his Calvin's either.

Mr. Dornan has earned himself an interesting set of skills after some of his latest jobs. Like tying rope, for example.

He plays a serial killer who ties up his victims in "The Fall" to a billionaire S&M hunk who enjoys to do some rope work in "Fifty Shades of Grey," Dornan has had his fair share in the knot workshop, but even he admits that he'd like to do slide into something different.

 The actor admits "There are a couple of classic knots I know now,"  tell us more Jamie -  "and I've put them to good use far too many times recently. In fact I'd like to do a job where I don't have to tie women to beds."

Or perhaps you could hold seminars for the rabid fan base of the E.L. James novel, it would be a great publicity stunt, just putting it out there...!

Learn to tie a knot at: http://www.fiftyshadesmovie.com/

Neil Patrick Harris Has An "Angry Inch"

Watch Out Bitches, Neil Patrick Harris Is On The Loose!

Apparently Neil Patrick Harris, the immensely likable performer is a bit of a 
Devo (Male term for Diva for those not in the loop) - Oh and by the way, kidding!

Neil Patrick Harris' recent Broadway performance of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is causing a bit of a stir.

After a female admirer yelled out "I love you Neil!," during the show Saturday, Harris shot back, "I'm doing something up here, motherf—cker!"  

The former "How I Met Your Mother" star isn't denying that this happened, but he is saying the supposed curse out was taken out of context. 

The musical—about a transgender German rocker—is highly improvisational, embracing audience interaction."

It's great that an enthusiastic fan was there in the audience for Mr. Harris to take her comment and make it a part of the show. I bet she loved it!

NPH made the following statement to Out Magazine:

"Hedwig is bringing up a lot of super insecure things within me. I never thought drag was intoxicating, I've never had a fun drunken Halloween in drag, never been in heels, really. I've lived my whole life being attracted by masculinity—it's why I like guys. I'm not a super effete person, and I have to turn into that, and in doing so it brings up a lot of homophobic insecurities within myself."

Neil you are preaching to this choir I hear ya!

Currently in previews "Hedwig" opens April 22nd!

Buy your tickets here: http://www.broadway.com/shows/hedwig-and-angry-inch/

Film Buff Friday: Lose Something? "The Lost Empire"

"The Lost Empire"   You all know how I love "B" movies, right?! Well here comes another from the master and fan of the genre himself Jim Wynorski. Extra! Extra! Available April 22nd (That's Tuesday, got it?!)

In 1983, a young director stepped behind the camera for the first time and began to shoot a film which he thought might be both his first and his last. An ardent fan of "B" cinema, Jim Wynorski decided to cram this film with everything he loved. "I got my first break doing The Lost Empire for Plitt Theatres," says Jim Wynorski. "The late owner, Henry Plitt (a decorated war hero), wanted to make a low budget sci-fi action picture as a tax loss. I never knew that when I made the show, so I put my heart and soul into the project. When it finally got completed, Plitt actually liked it enough to give it a wide theatrical release - where it actually made some money," comments Wynorski.  The film had a limited theatrical release followed by an initial release on VHS. As a result of a series of corporate changes at Plitt, "The Lost Empire" was set aside and lost to generations of genre movie fans. Wynorski's career took off and resulted in an immense body of work. "It was always a deep regret of mine that my first film was caught in this limbo," says Wynorski "For years I did all kinds of detective work trying to get my film seen."  In 2007, Wynorski began working with Indiana based producer, Bill Dever. Dever was more than familiar with Wynorski's work and was by his own admission "a big fan". Off and on they began searching for The Lost Empire. " We had a lucky break when we discovered who purchased the assets of Plitt," says Dever. "From there the pieces fell into place; for me it was an honor to be involved in the resurrection of The Lost Empire."  They re-acquired the rights and Wynorski went to work readying his first born to the  world for the second time. Dever engaged the sponsorship of Doremi Labs, a leader in digital cinema technology. Doremi has been in the forefront of leading the digital cinema revolution. "Doremi not only is a company deeply involved financially in digital cinema," says Michael Archer VP Of Digital Cinema for Doremi, "We also care deeply for the legacy and tradition of cinema and for us this was a natural fit."  In the fall of 2013 projection lamps throughout North America illuminated screens with Wynorski's vision with the help of some friends and the dedication of a company very much aware of the history of the industry it serves.     Find Your "Empire" Here: http://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=PMG1002

"Scandal" The Covering Of Kerry Washington's Baby Bump

Is that your knee Mr. President? Or are you just happy to see me?

Tonight as all of us Gladiator's know is the season finale of one of the best shows on TV "Scandal."

I've really got to hand it to the whole creative team that works on this, a show with story lines that escalate usually falters mighty, but "Scandal" like the Energizer Bunny just keeps going and going...and getting better.

"Scandal" is like riding the fiercest roller coaster at Magic Mountain! I can't wait to see what happens in tonight's wrap of the current season.

Now that I have clarified that I am a true fan of the show and it's awesome ability to entertain, let me say one of the more entertaining aspects of this season for us Gladiators was seeing all of the creative ways they covered series star Kerry Washington's baby bump.

C'mon you know you were amused by it as much as I was. Some of them were typical, while others were downright genius!

My personal favorite President Grant's (Tony Goldwyn) knee obscuring Olivia Pope's bump so the prying camera could not film it. Totally awesome and amusing at the same time.

Confess did anyone out there have a drinking game based around this? I bet some of you Gladiators did...!

The best thing though is the brilliant team behind "Scandal" did manage to keep their female lead and show anchor front and center where she belongs. That is the one mistake most shows with a female lead make, when their leading lady gets pregnant - they move her out of the center of the action and whip up other story lines for the supporting characters and they lose the shows focus and it goes downhill from there.

Excited to see how they end the season tonight and "yes" I will be checking out Operation Camouflage Kerry's Baby Bump as well.

Happy viewing Gladiators!

It's always scandalous on your TV! http://abc.go.com/shows/scandal

Dolly Parton Is Having A Hoedown On "The Today Show"

DOLLY PARTON TO PERFORM AS PART OF THE TODAY SHOW OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES ON MAY 13TH

In less than a month the awesome Ms. Parton will take to "The Today Show" stage and wow everyone with her effortless flair and charisma. I know I will be watching...Yes, I think Dolly is amazing!

Dolly Parton, the most honored female country performer of all time, recently topped the New Zealand all-genre album chart and the Australian country album chart with the release of her latest album Blue Smoke.  Now, in preparation of Blue Smoke’s release in the United States, Dolly has announced her performance as part of the "The Today Show" Outdoor Concert Series,  the very same day her album hits stores – May 13th.

Additional television and media appearances will be announced in the coming weeks.

Achieving 25 RIAA certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards, Dolly has had 25 songs reach number 1 on the Billboard Country charts, a record for a female artist. She has 41 career top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she has 110 career charted singles over the past 40 years. All-inclusive sales of singles, albums, hits collections, paid digital downloads and compilation usage during her Hall of Fame career have reportedly topped a staggering 100 million records worldwide. She has garnered 7 Grammy Awards, 10 Country Music Association Awards, 5 Academy of Country Music Awards, 3 American Music Awards and is one of only five female artists to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award. Dolly was inducted as a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.  And the litany goes on.

Dolly’s career has spanned nearly five decades and is showing no signs of slowing down.  An internationally-renowned superstar, the iconic and irrepressible Parton has contributed countless treasures to the worlds of music, film and television.  Some of her hit films have included "Nine to Five," "Steel Magnolias," "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," "Rhinestone," "Straight Talk," and "Joyful Noise."  Parton received two Oscar® nominations – one for writing the title tune to "Nine to Five" and the other for "Travelin’ Thru" from the film "Transamerica."


Have your own Ho Down with Dolly at:

www.dollypartonentertainment.com

Facebook: Facebook.com/DollyParton

Stand In Solitude With Suzanne Vega In Rome

Suzanne Vega "Solitude Standing"   Available on DVD on May 6th An intimate performance in Rome from 2003 I, like many first remember Suzanne Vega when she had her breakthrough hit "Luka." It was an amazing work that brought a palatable sound and mainstream access to a subject matter that was anything but... Ms. Vega is currently on tour all over the world and the U.S. - click on the link below to find out where in the meantime you can pre-order the DVD of her intimate performance in Rome. Keep calm and carry on... Filmed at the Rome Auditorium in July 2003, Suzanne Vega performs some of her greatest hits at this intimate concert, including Tom's Diner, Luka and Marlene On The Wall. The songs are interspersed with moving poetry readings. The DVD includes a candid interview with singer/songwriter Valerio Piccolo about Vega's life and career. This DVD is released shortly following her world tour and new album. "Widely regarded as one of the most brilliant songwriters of her generation," (Biography Magazine) Suzanne Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s when, accompanying herself on acoustic guitar, she sang what has been labelled contemporary folk or neo-folk songs of her own creation in Greenwich Village clubs. Since the release of her self-titled, critically acclaimed 1985 debut album, she has performed at sell-out concerts in many of the world's best-known venues. She'll be touring the UK, Europe, the USA, Japan and Australia throughout March, April and May 2014 - a full list of dates can be found HERE. Songs / Poems: 1. Marlene On The Wall  2. How To Make A Poem (poem)  3. Small Blue Thing  4. Caramel  5. Italy In Spring (poem)  6. Some Journey  7. Penitent  8. When Heroes Go Down  9. Anti-hero (poem)  10. Gypsy  11. Left Of Center  12. Solitaire  13. The Queen And The Soldier  14. In Liverpool (poem)  15. In Liverpool  16. Luka  17. Tom's Diner Buy yourself a piece of solitude at:  http://www.seeofsound.com/p.php?s=WNRD2582