The Carousel is Backstrom’s debut album. It is available now on Spotify. Photo: Backstrom, used with permission.
When it comes to music, I love all types of music. Well, almost all of them, but my favorite genre is rock. With the new year comes the release of new music by artists everywhere. Today I am pleased to announce a new release this month from Backstrom.
Backstrom is a Swedish songwriter in the genres of Folk, Country, and Rock. His debut album The Carousel (feat. Bart Topher) was released today. If you enjoy this type of music or just enjoy discovering new artists, consider this new release. Backstrom’s music is available on Spotify and you can follow the artist on Instagram. (Backstrom, 2024)
Get to know a little bit about Backstrom in this Q & A:
Question: Who are the band members and what do they play? Backstrom: Backstrom was initially the only “band member” or the songwriter. But I worked with a lot of great session musicians who played a huge role in this project and more or less became band members in the end. For this album, Bart Topher does vocals on eight songs and has also written three lyrics. Tommy Jones wrote three lyrics as well. Fransisco Paz plays all drums and percussion and helped out with a lot of instrumental production. Luca Giannotti plays a lot of guitars on the folk songs and also some bass. Kimberly Faith does harmonies on 6 songs. Hernan Ian plays guitars on the country songs. Maciek SzczyciĹski play most bass. And thereâs a lot more who deserves credit in this project.
Q: Can you tell us anything about the recording process? B: I wrote the ground material in the winter season and started out by doing a simple demo myself of the songs during the spring – then I spent the rest of the year hiring different session musicians to improve the sound and instrumental quality of the songs. So the whole album is more or less done online and Iâve been sending files back and forth around the world. Gabe Wolf made a great contribution mixing and mastering the songs in the end.
Q: How and where did you get together? B: I hired all musicians through Fiverr.
Q: Have you played any notable gigs, festivals or other events? B: No, this is mostly about songwriting and not live performance.
Q: What are the band’s main influences? B: In general Leonard Cohen, Mark Lanegan but it stretches all the way from Townes Van Zandt to the Rolling Stones and beyond in some songs.
Q: Can you briefly describe what the song/each song is about? A: It’s not always a deep thought behind every line, it needs to sound good as well, and I prefer to leave the underlying interpretation to the listener!
Q: What are you most happy about with the record? A: I think we managed to get a quite unique sound, it doesn’t sound so much like anything else out there.
Twang’s Miche-Nada. Photo: Twang, used with permission.
Dry January is a movement for anyone who drinks alcohol. Some people participate as a detox from their excessive drinking that happens over the holidays. Others use the beginning of the new year to kick-start healthy habits and routines. With Dry January in full swing, Twang, a Tex-Mex inspired, family-driven company founded in 1986, specializing in the creation of products with flavored salt, sugar, and spice blends is sharing a non-alcoholic drink recipe, better know as a mocktail.
For over 38 years Twang has been sharing its flavorful products and recipes with the world, and Dry January is no exception. Twang would like to share its vibrant âMiche-Nadaâ recipe â a spin on the classic Mexican beer cocktail, the michelada. (Twang, 2024)
Made with never ending flavor for all taste buds, Twangâs Miche-Nada can be made with classic, spicy, or pickle Twang Reserve Michelada Mix. Curated with a blend of all-natural ingredients, the michelada mix includes real lime juice, robust ancho chiles and organic Worcestershire sauce. Twang Rimming Salt completes the Miche-Nada and comes in flavors like lime, sunrise spice, nectarberry and more. Perfectly balanced and conveniently packaged for national shipping, the michelada mix comes in a 16oz bottle for only $7.00 while the rimming salts are only $4.00 each.
Twang Miche-Nada
Ingredients:
Twang Reserve Michelada Cocktail Mix (classic, spicy or pickle flavors)
Twang Rimming Salt (lime, sunrise spice, nectarberry and more flavors)
Ice
Sparkling water
Lime wedge
Directions:
Rim your glass with choice of Twang’s Rimming Salt
‘Dissonance Volume I: Reality’ is book number one in the Dissonance Trilogy. It is available now. Photo: Amazon
Dystopian sci-fi thrillers take place in societies in decline where the characters are battling environmental ruin, technological control, and government oppression. These are some of the most imaginative novels out there and are one of my favorite genres. If you are ready for your next dystopian sci-fi thriller, consider todayâs new release: âDissonance Volume I: Realityâ by Aaron Ryan. It is the first in the Dissonance Trilogy and promises plenty of thrills and is defined as Aliens meets A Quiet Place. âDissonance Volume I: Realityâ is available through the authorâs website. More about the author here.
Aaron Ryanis the author of the Dissonance series, several business books on multimedia production penned under a pseudonym, as well as a previous fictional novel, “The Omega Room.” He has always had a passion for storytelling. When he was in second grade, he was tasked with writing a creative assignment: a fictional book. And thus, âThe Electric Boyâ was born: a simple novella full of intrigue, fantasy, and 7-year-old wits that electrified Aaronâs desire to write. From that point forward, Aaron evolved into a creative soul that desired to create.
He enjoys the arts, media, music, performing, poetry, and being a daddy. In his lifetime he has been an author, voiceover artist, wedding videographer, stage performer, musician, producer, rock/pop artist, executive assistant, service manager, paperboy, CSR, poet, tech support, worship leader, and more. The diversity of his life experiences gives him a unique approach to business, life, ministry, faith, and entertainment. Aaronâs favorite author by far is J.R.R. Tolkien, but he also enjoys Suzanne Collins, James S.A. Corey, Marie Lu, Madeleine LâEngle, C.S. Lewis, and Stephen King. Aaron Ryan lives in Washington with his wife and two sons, along with Macy the dog, Winston the cat, and Merry and Pippin, the finches.
âDissonance Volume I: Realityâ
Plug your ears. Don’t look. The war for humanity has begun. Cameron “Jet” Shipley was there when they arrived in 2026. He, and everyone else, lived through the next decade and a half, learning to hide. Learning to never make a sound. Learning the most important rule of all: You just…don’t…look.
The year is now 2042, and humanity is eking out an existence in the shadows. Cameron and his team are sent out on a recon mission in Clarksville Tennessee, with events and developments that may alter the trajectory of Earth’s fate…and his own.
Joined by newcomers Bassett and Trudy, Cameron and his brother Rut will have to contend with a powerful force that has laid waste to the planet and annihilated over eighty-five percent of civilization. Will Jet’s expeditions lead him on a slippery slope of discovery that demands accountability and answers? Or will it plunge the earth, and everything in it, into further dissonance?
‘Hunt for The Shepherd’ is the thrilling new novel by Susan Bennett. Photo: Susan Bennett, used with permission.
One of my favorite books to read are mystery novels. The fun part of reading crime and mystery fiction is trying to figure out who is the bad guy, especially if thereâs a plot twist or two involved. Todayâs new book release is a modern day thriller and whodunit to get you thinking. âHunt for the Shepherdâ by Susan Bennett centers around a serial killer known as The Shepherd. Start the year off with a thrilling mystery novel â pick up your copy of âHunt for the Shepherd” and get immersed in an intense storyline. It is available on Amazon UK, Amazon US, and Barnes and Noble.
Originally from London, Susan Bennett is an English author, currently residing in Norfolk. Spending most of her career as a teacher, Susan has taken the skills and expertise she gained to fulfil her dream of becoming a writer. Using a plethora of research and knowledge into the crime genre, Susan combines suspense, mystery, and law enforcement realism to ultimately create gripping narratives you cannot put down. Her first published novel ‘Hunt for the Shepherd’ is now available in all formats. (Susan Bennett, 2024)
âHunt for the Shepherdâ – Beside the unforgiving railway tracks, the discovery of a lifeless young girl shatters the tranquility, propelling the unyielding Serious Crime Squad into action. Urgent briefings crackle with intensity, plans take shape, and leads are pursued in a race against time. As the body count rises, an enigmatic figure emerges – The Shepherd.
With time slipping away, the imperative to capture this relentless murderer intensifies. As the squad races against the clock, the stakes soar higher, and justice becomes a fragile thread, threatening to unravel. Gripping and intense, this tale ensures that every heartbeat counts in the pursuit of an adversary who thrives in the shadows.
This is no ordinary whodunit; it’s a modern-day thriller that grips the reader from the first page. The detectives navigate a roller-coaster of triumphs and setbacks, thrust into a sinister game orchestrated by a psychopathic mind.
Families enjoy a FREE day at the DoSeum during SACM’s School Discovery Day to kick off National School Choice Week. Photo: SACM, used with permission.
To kick off National School Choice Week, San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) will be hosting its most popular event of the School Discovery Day series at the DoSeum on Saturday, January 20, from 11a.m. â 2p.m. The first 1,000 guests who register online for this free event will have the chance to meet with representatives from 37 of San Antonioâs top schools while also gaining complimentary access to The DoSeumâs 68,000 square feet of galleries. SACM representatives will provide hands-on guidance in navigating the nonprofitâs online school search tools, application materials and extensive, unbiased education resources while team members from MindshiftED provide additional guidance and interpretation for Spanish speakers. The event is free and open to the public. (San Antonio Charter Moms, 2024)
SACMâs School Discovery Day Series is the largest school fair series of its kind and is held annually during the height of San Antonioâs enrollment season for charter and choice schools, currently underway for the 2024-2025 academic year. National School Choice Week, January 21â27, 2024, is a national celebration of opportunities for all families to choose the Kâ12 educational options that best fit their children.
With more than 175 schools of choice, a booming population of new families, and a major ârightsizingâ plan slated to close 15 schools in San Antonio ISD next year, San Antonioâs educational offerings have never been more diverse or important. Time is of the essence for families looking to explore their options. To prepare, SACMâs family-friendly School Discovery Days are an excellent place for families to make the most of their search window. San Antonio Charter Moms is designed to make the often overwhelming process of finding the right school less complicated for families. These events offer the perfect opportunity for parents and caregivers to ask questions, fill out applications, and learn about the enrollment process while enjoying some quality family time in the process.
âSchool Discovery Days are very valuable because you get to talk with school representatives in a relaxed environment and get a feel for their education philosophy and school community. Instead of just reading about a school or doing a quick tour, you have more time to get to know school staff and parents to further evaluate whether it would be a good fit for your child. For example, when you talk to a school leader, you can hear their passion or lack thereof. You can see if their philosophy is more traditional and formal or modern and relaxed. It’s all about gathering as much information as possible and trying to determine what it would be like to interact with the school’s administration and community on a frequent basis.â – Kat Gomez, local charter school parent and frequent contributor within SACMâs Facebook Discussion Group.
SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT THE DOSEUM (Flagship Event | National School Choice Week)
Saturday, January 20, 2024, 11a.m. â 2p.m.
The DoSeum (Theatre Entrance) 2800 Broadway San Antonio, TX 78209
Guests will enter the theater, just to the left of the DoSeumâs main entrance, where they will be greeted by the beats of the young DJs from The AM Project. Once inside the theater, SACM team members will usher visitors to connect with and explore the participating schools. This year, the event will extend beyond the theatre and into the first and second floor galleries allowing families to come for the information and stay for the fun. Guests who complete the scavenger hunt can enter a raffle for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Families can see the list of participating schools, learn more about the fun activities planned for the day and find free onsite parking information by visiting SACM onlineto learn more.
A snapshot of future events in the School Discovery Day series is listed below.
SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
Saturday, February 3, 2024, 11a.m. â 2p.m.
Second Baptist Church Community Center 3310 E. Commerce St. San Antonio, TX 78220
School Discovery Day at Second Baptist Church guests can head to the Community Center to dance to the beats of The AM Project, catch Once in a Wild mobile zooâs animal program, and get creative with face painting. Nearly 25 schools will be available for families to meet during this free event. Click here for online registration.
SCHOOL DISCOVERY DAY AT HEMISFAIR
Saturday, March 2, 2024, 11a.m. â 2p.m.
Central Games Plaza in Yanaguana Garden at Hemisfair 434 S. Alamo St. San Antonio, TX 78205
Families visiting School Discovery Day at Hemisfair can meet with more than 30 top schools as they enjoy the fantastic amenities of Yanaguana Garden, including a splash pad, sand play area, table games, swings, climbing structures, picnic area, restaurants, and more. Guests are encouraged to register online. Considered the leading local school search authority on all learning models, SACM provides easy access to extensive, unbiased school resources such as online discussion groups with over 11K members, articles, live videos, enrollment guides, podcasts, a school finder app and perhaps the most anticipated and impactful of all, their in-person School Discovery Day Series held annually during enrollment season.
San Antonio Charter Moms (SACM) began as a blog in 2012 when Founder Inga Cotton was inspired to help San Antonio families more easily learn about high-quality school options. The blog has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares fair information about all types of schools, be they charter, private, or public.
‘Successful Penalty Kick: A Successful Life’ is available as an e-book or audio book. Photo: Sports Euphoria
Motivational books have the power to influence and change lives. They offer advice on personal and professional development as well as coping with lifeâs ups and downs. Athlete or not, If you have ever experienced sports euphoria, this feeling can be applied to everyday life. This is the topic discussed in the book âSuccessful Penalty Kick: A Successful Lifeâ by Kemal Letifov and available through Sports Euphoria. It serves as an incredible source of inspiration and motivation for athletes of all kinds. It is also an all-around extremely educational and helpful manual for anyone looking to enhance their soccer penalty kick abilities.
Sports Euphoria is the ultimate destination for unlocking the secrets to success on and off the field. Sports Euphoria believes in the transformative power of sports and the invaluable lessons they can teach us about life. Their mission is to inspire and empower individuals to reach their full potential by drawing parallels between the world of sports, particularly the art of penalty kicks, and the journey to a successful and fulfilling life. Discover the secrets to penalty kick success and life triumphs in this powerful e-book. Unveil the mental process behind successful penalty kicks and learn how it intertwines with achieving success in life. Dive into the pages to unravel life-changing insights and revolutionize your approach to both sports and life. (Kemal Letifov, 2024)
âSuccessful Penalty Kickâ is available through their website for a suggested price of $11.00, which reflects its value. However, if that prices poses a challenge, feel free to contribute what you can. They operate on a âpay-what-you-canâ model, allowing people to set their own price, ensuring that it is accessible to all. All contributions, regardless of amount, is appreciated.
âSuccessful Penalty Kickâ – Is it possible to escape the hopeless fate of the penalty kicker who misses a penalty kick? Is every penalty kicker doomed to his fate and how can it be avoided? Can failure be completely avoided?
These are highly significant questions, and you will discover their answers within the pages of this book. These responses are impeccable, as they come from the very source of the emotional sports spirit, derived from years of practical experience. The crucial principles for achieving success are unveiled through the description of the mental process behind taking a penalty kick. There are sentences within that possess the potential to revolutionize anyone’s life, as the achievement of success in penalty kicks is intrinsically intertwined with achieving success in life. You will have an amazing experience of unique sports euphoria.
‘Karen the Origin Story’ is the second book in the Amish Sovereignty series by Andre Johnson. Photo: Andre Johnson, used with permission.
Literature and fiction does not always have to be so serious. Humor is essential to lighten lifeâs heavier moments, especially when dealing with history and everyday life. By now we have all heard of the term âKarenâ in modern slang. It usually refers to a middle class white woman who is seen as extraordinarily entitled or demanding. Todayâs book highlight is âKaren the Origin Storyâ by Andre Johnson and it touches on that subject; it is available on Amazon. If you enjoy the lighter side of fiction, consider this humorous title by Andre Johnson.
Andre Johnson is the author of âKaren the Origin Story,â book 2 of 3 in the Amish Sovereignty series which also includes âAmishâ and âKaren the Horror Story.â
âKaren the Origin Storyâ Noah and Anita are fraternal Amish twins. These twins and two of their friends go on their Rumspringa. While on Rumspringa, the group realizes that things are a little different and that they really like chili cheese fries. Midway though Rumspringa, they realize that they need to make a difference before going home. (Andre Johnson, 2024)
For anyone unfamiliar with Rumspringa, it is a rite of passage and period of growth for Amish young people during which they face fewer restrictions on their behavior and are not subject to the usual community norms. It usually begins at age 16 and ends when a youth chooses to either be baptized in the Amish church or leave the community. (Google)
‘The Law of Beasts, Book 1 – Act 1’ is the new book by Dapharoah69. Photo: Dapharoah69, used with permission.
Fantasy fiction takes place in faraway imaginary worlds that contain supernatural beings and creatures, including vampires. Vampires make for some of the most fascinating storylines I have read; especially when there is some type of power struggle between warring factions involved. Todayâs new book release by the talented storyteller Dapharoah69 is one such book. âThe Law of Beasts, Book 1 – Act 1â features Khovahsh Burgoos, a nine thousand-year-old member of the Dragonhead Ancients, and introduces readers to Alicia Chay, a sadistic queen of torture. Sounds intriguing, doesnât it? Donât wait! Get your copy today and find out what happens next. âThe Law of Beasts, Book 1 – Act 1â is available on Amazon.
Dapharoah69 is a multi-award-winning, best-selling, independent literary force born in Salinas, California and raised in Goulds, Florida. For twenty years, he has entertained millions of fans around the globe with his unapologetic writing. He is an LGBTQIA sex symbol, spoken word artist, poet, HIV activist, actor, professional model, dancer, literary icon, and a living legend. His success and killer ink have influenced a sea of writers in numerous countries for two decades. (Dapharoah69, 2024)
He wrote âThe Law of Beasts, Book 1 – Act 1â of his vampire series in June of 1998 before he became Dapharoah69 at the age of 22. He was known as JaâBreel LeâDiamond. He published his first book when he was homeless. He has penned thirteen books and three memoirs and notched ten Amazon and Barnes and Noble Top 100 bestsellers. He won Book of the Year and Male Author of the Year via the African-American On the Move Book Club, The Men of Integrity Award from Utopian LLC and a Certificate of Recognition from the New York State Senate for his literary achievements.
âThe Law of Beasts, Book 1 – Act 1â – Khovahsh Burgoos, an elitist demi-shifting reincarnate, is a nine thousand-year-old member of the Dragonhead Ancients. Alicia Chay, the sadistic queen of torture, ruled for forty centuries under the identity of someone else. With a family of savages as her fledgling, she detests mortals, but she loves feeding on them for blood. She became a vampire, built The House of the Hounds and created a treaty without clearance from the Dragonhead Ancients or the Queen Mother, Armona. Alicia hunts down insubordinate vampires that illegally use human bodies to harm precious animal life. Meanwhile, she is being observed by Khovahsh. He has direct orders to deceive her, but he has his own agenda. When they encounter each other, a chain of events compromises her life and opens the door for Muzzle, an angry villain, to threaten her for turning her back on The House of the Hounds.
‘Flashback: Lolita’ is the new novel by P.M. Richter. Photo: Amazon
Crime fiction centers around crimes, criminals, police, and the investigations that surround them. The mystery and suspense is what makes these novels so fascinating to read. Todayâs new book release is one such novel: âFlashback: Lolitaâ by P.M. Richter. If you like mystery, crime, and psychological thrillers with a female lead character, check out this new novel. Buy your copy today; it is available on Amazon.
P.M. Richter is an author living in West Hollywood California. She has a degree in Psychology from Northridge State University. She has worked as a property manager for Nansay, Corp. a multi-national corporation and has been a dance teacher for Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire Dance Studios. She loves reading, writing, and making covers for her books. Her new book âFlashback: Lolita (Abuse, Mafia Wife, Prison)â is a flashback on Lolita’s life and book 3 in the Deadly Fun Series. The series includes âDeadly Funâ and âPrecious and Deadly.â (Pamela M Richter, 2024)
âFlashback: Lolitaâ – A Cinderella Story? Yes, she has an evil, abusive mother and a terrible early life filled with physical abuse. Yes, she meets the handsome Mafia Prince in church of all places. They are madly in love and have a gorgeous fairytale wedding. They live in a beautiful mansion. Fabulously rich and young, they look forward to a wonderful life. Lolita loves being wife to the Mafia enforcer. She has everything sheâs ever wanted and adores her husband. But Happily Ever After? I donât think so.
All the fairy tales and romance stories end with âAnd They Lived Happily Ever After.â What really happens after the âEver After?â Could it be tragic? Well, yeah.
When the Prince is gone forever, murdered. When political forces targeting the Mafia cause a miscarriage of justice. When youâre thrown into a maximum-security womenâs prison. Then itâs just a matter of survival.
Clashing steel gates. Your room is big and scary. The food is awful. Working daily in the laundry, like a real Cinderella, is hot and exhausting. The nights are filled with inmates screaming and crying.
The guards are mostly okay, making sure the prisoners follow strict prison rules. Except one, who has it in for Lolita. A real nasty character who came from a rival Mafia gang in Chicago. He is determined she will suffer. Maybe never leave the prison alive.
Drones fly over the prison gates, delivering contraband, poison pills, and weapons. There are strip searches for hidden drugs. Fights break out between inmates. Rival gangs clash in warfare. Drugs are rampant. Can Lolita survive?
Midnight Peepshow will have a digital release on February 13, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Attention horror movie fans! As I always say, itâs always the perfect time for a horror movie. Thereâs a new horror/thriller movie coming to digital on February 13, 2024. Perhaps in just in time for Valentineâs Day, if you and your valentine like these types of movies. Donât miss Midnight Peepshow.
In Midnight Peepshow, we are introduced to an unnamed Madame who owns and operates a peepshow offering patrons a tailor-made experience wrapped around their deepest desires, fears, and sins. Tonight, it welcomes a businessman who has a unique connection to an extreme fantasy website on the dark web. He soon becomes a witness to three stories of victims who found the same website, and now the Midnight Peepshow has found him. It will only be a matter of time before he is made to pay the ultimate price for dabbling in the dark side of his own desire. (October Coast, 2024)
Director: Airell Anthony Hayles, Andy Edwards, Jake West, Ludovica Musumeci
Cast: Zach Galligan, Chiara DâAnna, Richard Cotton, Sarah Diamond, Jamie Bacon, Derek Nelson, Jack Fairbank. Miki Davis, Ryan Oliva, Ocean M. Harris
SA Examiner 