‘Past Sins: A Kalanu Mountain Mystery’ is the new mystery novel by J. Thomas Witcher. Photo: J. Thomas Witcher, used with permission.
Mysteries and suspense thrillers are some of my ultimate favorite books to read. They keep readers guessing and often have plot twists to keep things interesting. If you love a good suspense thriller and looking for your next big read, check out today’s new book release: “Past Sins: A Kalanu Mountain Mystery” by J. Thomas Witcher. It is book 2 in the Kalanu Mountain Mystery series featuring Tobias Atkins, a former detective with the Kalanu County Sheriff’s department. Even though he is now retired, a haunting new mystery draws him in. It is available on Amazon.
J. Thomas “Tommy” Witcher has been writing since the age of 10 when he discovered the magic of words both in prose and poetry. Gathering knowledge and ideas from his varied life as an Air Force brat, U.S. Marine (Purple Heart recipient in Vietnam), and police officer, he has further broadened his horizons in the past few years as an actor in several productions with the Henry Players in McDonough, Georgia. Educated and reared in England and Georgia, with Marine service in Vietnam, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, he has a truly cosmopolitan view of life. Tommy is happily married and lives in Cleveland, Georgia. In his new book “Past Sins: A Kalanu Mountain Mystery,” they thought Tobias Atkins was finished as a cop. They thought wrong. (J Thomas Witcher, 2024)
“Past Sins: A Kalanu Mountain Mystery” – Retired detective Tobias “Swede” Atkins is in for a rollercoaster ride. Battling post-coma challenges, a perplexing ex-wife, and accusations of arson, his world spirals into a tangled web of suspicions and doubts. As he navigates a town on the edge of chaos, a woman’s desire to turn a restaurant into a battleground unravels a historic murder and concealed secrets fanned by the mountain’s fiery whispers. Swede discovers the past haunts the present and truth is as elusive as mountain winds.
The sci-fi metaphysical thriller Reflect will be released on cable Video On Demand and Digital HD on January 9, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Cranked Up Films is excited to kick off their 2024 slate with the North American VOD release of Reflect, the feature film debut of writer/director/star Dana Kippel. The sci-fi metaphysical thriller follows a group of friends on a spiritual obstacle course hoping to improve their lives, but they don’t know they are being monitored by mysterious hooded entities, eager to take over their bodies. Reflect debuts on Digital VOD January 9, 2024, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. (Justin Cook PR, 2024)
Dana Kippel headlines the film as Summer, rounded out by a cast including Grace Patterson, Jadelyn Breier, Marissa Patterson, Ariana Williams, Corey Brooks, Eric Scott Woods, Dash Katz, Maya Knell, Ryan Jack Connell, and Joe Filippone. Kippel produced under her Crazy Carrot Films shingle, alongside Zac Coats, Ryan Jack Connell, Brian Duss, Grace Patterson, Loan Thach, and Rhiannon Moller-Trotter. Michael DeLano of COTU Media served as executive producer.
Reflect world premiered at the Chandler International Film Festival and went on to screen at the Boston Science Fiction Film Festival, the Sydney Science Film Festival, and the ETHOS Film Awards International Film Festival.
Reflect –
Unhappy with her current relationship, Summer sets out on a road trip to Sedona, AZ, accompanied by her four gal pals to a spiritual obstacle course. Upon arriving, they are greeted by their uncanny host, Hermes who leads them into the vast desertscape which becomes the foreground for the interdimensional game show they unknowingly are participating in.
Transported, they begin a colorful, surrealistic journey of the soul, diving into issues surrounding trauma, mental health, and female relationships. The girls start to go missing one by one as we discover mysterious hooded figures are following them. As the tension rises, who will figure out how to escape this and become the last one standing, ultimately winning The Game of Life?
‘Martian Economics: A Guide to Redesigning Monetary Theory on Earth’ is the new book by Joseph Thomas Plummer. Photo: Amazon
Economics is a social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. (Google) If learning more about economics with a link to the possibility of life on Mars sounds intriguing, consider today’s new book release: “Martian Economics: A Guide to Redesigning Monetary Theory on Earth” by Joseph Thomas Plummer. This new guide has the power to reshape our future and enhance the quality of life for every Earth inhabitant. Don’t miss the chance to be part of a revolution in economic thinking – pick up your copy today on Amazon.
Joseph Thomas Plummeris an economist and author. He is an alumnus of Virginia Tech and Babson College with graduate degrees in Business, Education, and Natural Resources. His new book thought-provoking book, “Martian Economics: A Guide to Redesigning Monetary Theory on Earth” he guides readers through a cosmic thought experiment, drawing parallels between the potential life on Mars and the intricate complexities of our earthly monetary system. (Joseph Thomas Plummer, 2024)
“Martian Economics:A Guideto RedesigningMonetaryTheory on Earth”
Attention, Earthlings! Prepare to embark on a mind-bending journey through the cosmos of economics written by the brilliant Joseph Thomas Plummer.
Imagine a world where the very foundation of our economic understanding is redefined. Just as you might ponder the characteristics of a distant planet, the author challenges us to reconsider the fundamental principles of monetary theory. In this compelling exploration, he takes us beyond the boundaries of Earth, presenting a fresh perspective that could revolutionize our economic landscape. How much money should exist on Earth? The answer lies in shedding preconceived notions and venturing into uncharted intellectual territory.
Join him on this visionary quest, where science, engineering, and economic theory converge. As we contemplate the dynamics of a colonized Mars, we unlock a framework for reimagining monetary systems, trade, conflict, and governance on our very own planet.
Read it now and be a pioneer in the next frontier of economic understanding!
Our journey to a brighter economic future begins here.
Touring musician Brandon Taj Hanick founded Indie Town and invites bands and artists to book better tours and strengthen their DIY communities at home and across the world. Photo: Google
After two decades of releasing albums and touring in the U.S. and Europe with bands King of Prussia, Future Lives, and more, Athens, Ga. songwriter Brandon Taj Hanick has co-founded Indie Town, the completely free, invite-only app that lets independent bands and artists easily find, connect and share with one another. (Indie Town, 2023)
Calling it “the first international DIY artist community,” Hanick co-founded the app to help bands and artists connect, book shows and tours together, and share their creations without the burden of repressive algorithms or pay-for-play schemes.
Unlike existing social media platforms, Indie Town is exclusively built for musicians and artists. Featuring easy-to-create music and video players on profiles, the app lets artists search for community members by genre, location or name, listen to members’ music, check out photos and videos, send messages, and become friends.
“After touring and making albums for years, my friends and I knew there was something missing for DIY bands and artists: An easy way to meaningfully connect the people we’d meet on tour who are creating thriving, interesting music scenes,” said Hanick.
“Community is important to artists, but there wasn’t a digital indie town square,” he continued. “So we built a place to reflect the DIY spirit that drives creativity and creation through collaboration.”
Since Indie Town’s soft launch in November 2023, artists and music community members from all over the U.S. and 13 countries, including The U.K., Brazil, Sweden, Canada, Spain, Portugal, South Africa and Czech Republic, have joined the community.
Indie Town streamlines community-building by integrating music and video players from Bandcamp, Spotify, YouTube and Soundcloud, so bands can easily create their profiles – which serve as mini-websites – in about 90 seconds.
Bands choose from genres like lo-fi, hip hop, glam or bedroom, plus 50 more. “Artist community” users include DIY venues, small labels, zines, videographers and studios, among others.
What early members are saying:
“Indie Town will be transformative in helping bands alleviate some of the headaches of booking. It’s something we’ve needed for a long time and I’m stoked about what it will mean for touring musicians!” – Athens, Ga. songwriter/musician Annie Leeth
“Independent bands make our world more beautiful and weird, so we shouldn’t be forced to use artless, celebrity-obsessed platforms to connect with other artists. Indie Town is built for DIY artists, by DIY artists.” – Porto, Portugal songwriter/singer Vasco Batista (Big Summer)
Your Very Own Dream is set for a January 19 release. Photo: Clay Parker and Jodi James
Before their artistic paths converged in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in late 2014, Clay Parker and Jodi James roamed the musical landscape as lone troubadours, each nurturing their own raw and genuine sound. Now, almost a decade after their first long-distance co-writing collaborations, the duo’s distinct sound has maintained a minimalist yet unpredictable quality—in part by reflecting the ways the artists themselves have changed both together and as individuals. Following their self-titled debut EP in 2016 and 2018’s The Lonesomest Sound That Can Sound, the duo who jokingly refers to themselves as a “band without a name” are returning with a brand new LP in 2024: Your Very Own Dream will be released on January 19, 2024. (IV-PR, 2023)
Parker and James have gained a fanbase by creating worlds within their records, populating each song with points of view that are archetypical yet unique. With Your Very Own Dream, the pair hones this technique to a razor’s edge; equal parts plaintive folk existentialism, blue-note bluster, prairie-fire idealism, and fever-dream ballad with which fans of Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten, and Gillian Welch & Dave Rawlings will feel right at home. Parker and James consistently present music that carves a most-direct, excess-free path to its listeners and patiently displays the duo’s true nature as creators of a primitive kind of beauty—stark yet expressive, accessible yet deep, shadowy yet real.
The duo recently released the first single from Your Very Own Dream, the James-led, slow-burner, “Nothing At All.” Fooling very little with the trivial and getting to the heart of the matter quickly, “Nothing At All” rides a mellow, mid-tempo arrangement akin to late 90s alt-country acts like Whiskeytown or Uncle Tupelo; a heartbeat of Americana music in the modern age where the song comes first and everything else is lagniappe.
Your Very Own Dream track list: Fire For The Water Hey Hey Hey Nothing At All In The Cool Of The Evening Flatfoot How High Would I Have To Fly A Matchbook Song Your Very Own Dream
Catch Clay Parker and Jodi James on tour: January 19 – Baton Rouge, LA – MidCity Ballroom – Album Release Show February 16 – Galveston, TX – Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe February 17 – Austin, TX – House Show February 18 – Austin, TX – NeWorlDeli February 19 – Oklahoma City, OK – House Show February 21–25 – Kansas City, MO – Folk Alliance International February 28 – Nashville, TN – 5 Spot February 29 – Dunlap, TN – House Show March 1 – Chattanooga, TN – The Woodshop March 2 – LaGrange, GA – Pure Life House of Music
‘Cosmic Kids: Spacewalk to Kindness’ is the new children’s book by Alex L. Walker. Photo: Alex L. Walker, used with permission.
Children’s books are so versatile because they can be educational, entertaining, or both. They can be instrumental in teaching children important life lessons, inspiring creativity, and cultivating social skills. If you are looking for the perfect gift for the child in your life or to add to your child’s library, consider today’s new children’s book release. Written by Alex L. Walker, “Cosmic Kids: Spacewalk to Kindness” is the first in the Cosmic Kids book series and teaches children important values such as kindness, compassion, and empathy. Other books in the series will address Responsibility, Leadership, Respect, and other necessary skills. Pick up your copy today – “Cosmic Kids: Spacewalk to Kindness” is available on Amazon.
With 15 years of experience in children’s learning psychology, Alex L. Walker is a talented author dedicated to nurturing creativity, compassion, confidence, and capability in young individuals. Through his engaging books, he imparts valuable life lessons to children. (Alex L. Walker, 2024)
His debut, “Cosmic Kids: Spacewalks to Kindness,” marks the beginning of a 35-book series. Each book concludes with interactive questions designed to inspire creativity, moral lessons, character insights, and artistic expression. It’s also a valuable resource for parents and teachers to interact with and better understand their children.
Beyond his literary pursuits, Alex finds joy in gardening, beekeeping, and playing table tennis at the local club. Join him on this incredible storybook journey and witness your child grow, learn, and flourish with the timeless wisdom within these pages. (Alex L. Walker, 2024)
“Cosmic Kids: Spacewalk to Kindness”– Cosmic Kids Book 1 Are you ready for an intergalactic adventure through kindness, compassion, and empathy? Meet Astra Lumin, a young navigator excited about her first spacewalk to explore Empathy, the super-sensory satellite. Her mother, Commander Andromeda Lumin, has always told Astra to remember to care for others. So, when Astra meets Hurgul, a young blue-green alien who was really nervous about the upcoming adventure, she decides to follow her mother’s advice. Join Astra and Hurgul on their “Spacewalks of Kindness,” which will help young readers learn more about how empathy and kindness can affect someone’s life and why it is important to encourage inclusivity and cultivate social skills.
Why Kids (And Their Parents) Love “Spacewalks of Kindness” Featuring beautiful illustrations and a heartwarming story, this children’s storybook will help kids understand how to treat others with respect, recognize and manage their feelings, and promote acts of kindness.
Discover The Must-Read Space Educational Kid’s Storybook Series This is the first installment in the “Cosmic Kids” book series. It follows the adventures that the children of space scientists get themselves into and focuses on learning lessons through epic journeys. Other books in the series will cover Curiosity, Responsibility, Leadership, Active Listening, Honesty, Respect, Gratitude, and more.
The Ultimate Gift That Keeps On Giving Whether you are looking for a new educational illustrated storybook for your child or a thoughtful gift idea for your niece, nephew, grandson, or granddaughter, look no further. Surprise any young astronaut today and harness the power of storytelling and eye-catching art to teach valuable lessons.
Put On Your Spacesuit and Get Ready For Blastoff!
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‘Cosmic Kids: Spacewalk to Kindness’ by Alex L. Walker. Photo: Alex L. Walker, used with permission.
‘Nature’s Antidepressant: Harnessing Earth’s Gifts for Wellness’ is the new wellness guide by Drake Wells. Photo: Amazon
The new year is upon us with promises of new and better beginnings. For many people, their New Year’s resolutions include physical and mental wellness. I can attest to the restorative powers of spending time in nature and I try to spend as much time as possible outdoors. Just a simple walk outdoors can do wonders for your overall mood. Today’s new book release by Drake Wells touches on this important topic. “Nature’s Antidepressant: Harnessing Earth’s Gifts for Wellness” embraces the healing power of getting back to nature to cure our mental ills. So if you are looking for a resource guide to mental wellbeing, consider this new book. It is available now on Amazon.
Drake Wells is a Division I runner, Eagle Scout, and outdoor enthusiast living in Houston, TX. He has written descriptive poetry connecting themes in nature to mental clarity, including his published work, “Embers,” which won the Scholastic Gold Key award in 2020. Drake’s experiences with the outdoor world, from sailing the Florida Keys, to surviving the wilderness, have equipped him to illuminate the transformative impact of nature on human well-being, seen through the eyes of someone who has lived it. His new book “Nature’s Antidepressant: Harnessing Earth’s Gifts for Wellness” offers not just insight but a holistic remedy for societal ailments. (Drake Wells, 2023)
“Nature’s Antidepressant: Harnessing Earth’s Gifts for Wellness” – In the chaotic modern world, yearning for simplicity and clarity is a common sentiment. Imagine a time when our ancestors thrived, deeply connected to nature’s rhythm. Could the remedy for today’s mental malaise lie not in medicine cabinets but in rekindling our ancestral bond with nature?
Join Drake Wells on a transformative journey through “Nature’s Antidepressant,” where he explores the contrast between ancient roots and contemporary lives. In vivid detail, Wells portrays our ancestors harmonizing with the environment, highlighting the stark contrast to our comfort-driven present. As modernization escalates, so does depression and anxiety.
Wells delves into the therapeutic power of nature, presenting scientific and psychological evidence of its profound impact on well-being. This book is more than a critique; it’s a call for a paradigm shift, a return to our natural roots. Envision a world where emotional struggles find resolution not in synthetic medications but in embracing the raw, rejuvenating power of our surroundings.
Revenge thriller Roadkill will have a theater and Video On Demand release on January 5, 2024. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
These are just a few of the new movies coming up in January. (October Coast, 2023)
Norwegian Dream Video On Demand – January 2, 2024 OFFICIAL SELECTION – Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film Festival 2023 NOMINEE – Best First Feature Film, Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival 2023 NOMINEE – dFlights Award, Off Camera International Festival of Independent Cinema 2023
Cast: Øyvind Brandtzæg, Karl Bekele Steinland, Izabella Dudziak, Runar Koteng Frønes, Hubert Milkowski, Jakub Sierenberg, and Edyta Torhan
Robert, a Polish immigrant working at a fish factory in Norway, has come to earn money to pay off his mother’s debts. Robert realizes he has feelings for his colleague Ivar. For fear of losing his position within a group of Poles at the factory, he hides his feelings, especially when it turns out that Ivar is doing vogue and is an aspiring drag queen.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Roadkill Theater and Video On Demand – January 5, 2024 THEATRICAL RELEASE IN THE FOLLOWING CITIES; NY, LA, Detroit, Chicago, Minneapolis Starring Caitlin Carmichael, Danielle Harris, Ryan Knudson, Warren Fast, Trenton Hudson Rating: TV-MA Runtime : 90 Mins
Caitlin Carmichael, Ryan Knudson, and horror icon Danielle Harris star in this full-throttle revenge thriller. Written and directed by Warren Fast, Roadkill plays as a throwback to the classic action-thrillers of the 80s and 90s.
Lost while traveling through a rural county in 1983, a young woman crosses paths with a hitchhiker headed the same destination and offers a ride in exchange for directions. Their journey takes a violent turn when the two are caught up in a police manhunt for a fugitive killer. As victims begin to amass and authorities close in, it becomes a fight for survival on the open road. Featuring fun chase sequences, strong special effects and great kills, Roadkill is written and directed by Warren Fast, who also co-stars.
Hellhounds Video On Demand – January 9, 2024 Director: Robert Conway Cast: Nathaniel Burns, Eva Hamilton, Cameron Kotecki, Dana Kippel
A pack of werewolves known as the Hellhounds wage a war against a fanatical order of werewolf hunters called the Silver Bullets. The Hounds and the Bullets now roam the country appearing to the outside world as rival biker gangs. After all his brothers and sisters are wiped out by the Bullets, the last remaining Hellhound, Alias, embarks on a bloody quest of revenge. The hunt is on!
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
A Place of Our Own Theater – January 12 and Video On Demand – January 16, 2024 DIRECTED BY EKTARA COLLECTIVE 2022 INDIA 88 MINS
Shining with quiet authenticity and a fierce heart, A Place of Our Own is the story of two transwomen in Bhopal, India, fighting for a life that is more than marginal. Directed and crewed by the Ekarta Collective, which blends experienced and first-time filmmakers whose lives and identities mirror their characters, this film — which won the Audience Award at the SXSW Film Festival — is crafted with grit and care. Centering on Laila and Rashni as they seek a new home after an unjust eviction, the deceptively simple plot illuminates the wide range of prejudice they face. Determined to find a space to thrive, Laila and Rashni depend on each other and their own inner strength to withstand the hatred that surrounds them. As challenges mount, the women find friends and support in unexpected places. The unwavering dignity of Laila and Rashni — deftly portrayed by first-time actors Manisha Soni and Muskaan, respectively — is the magnetic centerpiece to this intimately shot narrative. With candor and subtle humor, A Place of Our Own ultimately asks not only where, but in whom do we find home.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Scalper Theater and Video on Demand – January 16 Director: Chad Ferrin Cast: Susan Priver (Clementine Carter), Jake Busey (Detective Hayden), Bai Ling (Jade Mei), Kate Patel (Detective Lupino), Scott Vogel (Bob Tarkovskiy)
Everyone around psychic Clementine Carter is being brutally murdered by a masked killer dubbed ‘The Scalper.’ Is it dead psycho Andrew Lubitz back from the grave, a copycat killer or a horror beyond imagination? Clementine must use her second sight to stay one step ahead of the maniac’s blade to solve the mystery.
Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Stroking An Animal Theater and Video On Demand – January 16 Director: Ángel Filgueira Cast: Xulio Besteiro (Tomás), Ángela Ríos (Ada), Lidia Veiga (Mariña)
Mariña, Ada and Tomás form an irregular triangle of bodies, intentions, and vibrations. Mariña has an intense love affair with Ada when Tomás, a mutual friend, enters the couple’s intimacy. Six moments of the relationship articulate the film, thrown like flashes of light. The journey of this love triangle will lead Mariña to rethink her bonds with others and her self-care.
Pullman Market is a new 40,000 square market opening at Pearl in the spring of 2024. It will feature Mezquite, a restaurant and mezcal bar focusing on the cuisine of Sonora, Mexico. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group announced this month that Pullman Market, the largest culinary market in the Southwest, is slated to open at Pearl in San Antonio, Texas, in Spring 2024. The sprawling 40,000-square-foot market will feature four full-service restaurants, quick casual concepts, a robust wine and beer selection, Texas-based produce and specialties, and a seasonal bakery and fresh pasta program. Pullman Market will open in spring 2024 and will be located at 221 Newell Ave. Stay tuned for more details concerning opening date. (Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group, 2023)
“We are excited to create a new, unique culinary experience that represents all of Texas for locals and travelers alike. Pullman Market is a place to celebrate all things food. You can grab a quick bite or stay a while at one of our restaurants. You can discover high-quality ingredients for dinner or grab something premade to make mealtime easy. Pullman is about creating easier relationships with local food and producers, a relationship that is often reserved for high-end restaurants or weekend farmers markets, and we are excited to share it with the community.” – Kevin Fink
Pullman Market will be located in Pearl, which has continued to evolve as a culinary hub of San Antonio. Pearl is a dynamic neighborhood built around the historic Pearl Brewery located just north of downtown San Antonio. Located in the heart of Pearl, Pullman Market was designed by award-winning Texas architecture firms, Clayton Korte and Burton Baldridge.
Pullman Market is set to unveil four full-service restaurants, including Fife & Farro, a family-friendly, no-reservations-required eatery specializing in homemade pizza and pasta; Mezquite, a restaurant and mezcal bar focusing on the cuisine of Sonora, Mexico; Isidore, an elevated dining experience where reservations will be required and the menu will change regularly; and Nicosi, created by award-winning Pastry Chef Tavel Bristol-Joseph, will be an intimate dessert bar with 18 seats and a no-phone policy. In addition to the four restaurants, Pullman Market will offer a grocery featuring Texas-based produce and seasonal specialties along with casual to-go concepts with items such as burgers, ice cream, tacos, sandwiches, ceviche, coffee and more.
“Pullman Market is a wonderful complement to the vibrant culinary, retail, and cultural landscape that defines Pearl today. The success of our Pearl Farmers Market the past 14 years shows that our neighborhood supports local farmers, chefs, and food enthusiasts. With Pullman Market, we are excited to provide a space where residents and guests can connect to these experiences daily, in addition to our weekend Farmers Market.” – Mesha Milsap, Pearl CEO
Led by partners Kevin Fink, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Alicynn Fink, Berty Richter, and Rand Egbert, Emmer & Rye Hospitality Group is a Texas-based restaurant group that manages seven renowned restaurant concepts including Emmer & Rye, Hestia, Kalimotxo, Canje and Ezov in Austin as well as Ladino, located at Pearl in San Antonio. The team will also be partnering with Tom Schnuck, the son of the co-founder and co-manager of a restaurant group who also assisted and invested in young chefs to create many successful restaurants that collectively hold five Michelin stars.
Critterland will be release January 26, 2024. Proceeds from the new single ‘When The Pills Wear Off’ will be donated to Appalachian Recovery Non-Profit Hope In The Hills. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
For folksinger Willi Carlisle, singing is healing and by singing together, he believes we can begin to reckon with the inevitability of human suffering and grow in love. Rooted in the eclectic and collective world of his live shows, Carlisle’s third album, Critterland, takes up where his sophomore album, Peculiar, Missouri, left off, transforming Peculiar’s big tent into a Critterland menagerie and letting loose the weirdos he gathered together. The album is a wild romp through the backwaters of his mind and America, lingering in the odd corners of human nature to visit obscure oddballs, dark secrets, and complicated truths about the beauty and pain of life and love. (IV-PR, 2023)
Produced by the GRAMMY Award-nominated Darrell Scott and to be released on January 26, 2024, by Signature Sounds, Critterland considers where we come from and where we are going. On the album, he takes on human suffering through stories about forbidden love, loss, generational trauma, addiction, and suicide, believing that by processing the traits and trauma we inherit, he can reach a deeper understanding of what it means to succeed and to exist.
“It’s kind of about getting a little older, moving from hard drugs and hookups to bedroom sex and pharmaceuticals,” says Willi Carlisle of his latest single “When The Pills Wear Off.” “It’s an amalgam of queer stories that I’ve heard, lived, and seen.” Devastating and gorgeous, Carlisle’s fingerpicked ballad serves as the penultimate tune from his upcoming album Critterland—and a flawless example of the songcraft that’s garnered fans like Tyler Childers and BJ Barham.
Carlisle is donating a portion of the proceeds from streams and purchases of “When the Pills Wear Off” to Hope in the Hills, a West Virginia-based charity focused on recovery and wellness in Appalachia. “After losing friends to overdoses, after witnessing the stress that hidden lives and quiet desperation causes people, I decided I wanted to sing about addiction,” says Carlisle. “So, I’m partnering with Hope in the Hills to raise awareness and funding to help those in need. Too much of country music glorifies abuse, murder, and poverty in the name of shock and sales, and I want to fight the stereotypes. Let’s share music about our struggle and triumph! Let’s celebrate love and mourn the dead. ‘When the Pills Wear Off’ is a really sad song, I know, but I hope it brings some joy into the world.”
The funds raised by this single will specifically go to Hope in the Hills’ music therapy program, which conducts regular sessions at recovery houses in East Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky, and West Virginia, and additionally supports music therapy through WVU Medicine’s Opioid Unit, Troublesome Creek Stringed Instruments, which employs folks in recovery to build musical instruments in EKY, and a recovery-to-work stagehands program through Recovery Point West Virginia.
Fans can hear “When the Pills Wear Off” today and pre-order or pre-saveCritterland ahead of its January 26 release.
Critterland track list: Critterland Dry Country Dust The Arrangements The Great Depression Two-Headed Lamb A Higher Lonesome I Want No Children Jaybird When the Pills Wear Off The Money Grows on Trees
Catch Willi Carlisle on tour: February 1 – Newport, KY – The Southgate House February 2 – Columbus, OH – Rumba Cafe February 3 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe February 4 – Lakewood, OH – Mahall’s February 7 – Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark February 9 – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern February 10 – Kalamazoo – MI – Bell’s Eccentric Café February 12 – Wisconsin Dells, WI – Showboat Saloon February 13 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club February 15 – Des Moines, IA – xBK February 16 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown February 17 – Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck February 18 – Oklahoma City – OK – Resonant Head June 2 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater* June 5 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre* June 7 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre* June 8 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre*
* Supporting Tyler Childers
Willi Carlisle. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
SA Examiner 