Category: Entertainment News

Tech and Tensions: ‘Sentience Hazard’ and the Fight for AI Supremacy

‘Sentience Hazard’ is the exciting new science fiction thriller by Alexandru Czimbor. Photo: Reader Views

Speculative fiction books exploring science fiction and artificial intelligence (AI) captivate readers by presenting futuristic worlds where technology evolves beyond human control. These narratives often explore the ethical dilemmas, power dynamics, and societal shifts brought on by AI, sparking questions about humanity’s future. Themes such as sentience, autonomy, and the consequences of machine learning challenge readers’ perceptions of technology and its role in society. AI-driven speculative fiction offers thrilling, thought-provoking plots, while engaging readers’ imaginations and fears about a rapidly advancing technological landscape. This blend of innovation and existential uncertainty is what makes the genre so compelling.

I recently read and reviewed “Sentience Hazard” by Alexandru Czimbor for Reader Views and highly recommend it for fans of speculative fiction centered around artificial intelligence.

Alexandru Czimbor is an award-winning author who was born and raised in Transylvania, Romania during the oppressive communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu. He has lived in the United States since 2001 and spends his summers in Europe. Alexandru taught at a Romanian university, worked in the software industry, and has been an executive since 2011. He has a master’s degree in computer science and studied at UTCN Cluj-Napoca and ETH Zürich. In his latest book is “Sentience Hazard,” a tense global standoff looms as China’s superior AI technology threatens to tip the scales of power. (Barnes & Noble, 2025)

“Sentience Hazard” – Set in 2053 and amidst the chaos of an AI standoff, Zhèng Yang, a renegade Chinese scientist unveils vital intel, sparking a race against time. As the US scrambles for a solution, François DeSousa, a maverick French genius and Professor Ian Ndikumana, a Scottish-African professor offer controversial expertise. Love, sacrifice, and ingenuity converge in a battle for humanity’s future.

The US and Chinese artificial beings, developed with radically different principles, share one essential quality: their cognitive abilities go well beyond those of any human being. The future of the world hangs in the balance. Can humanity survive the clash between two sentient forces of its own creation?

Finalist in:

  • 2024 Cygnus Science Fiction Awards
  • 2024 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards
  • 2024 American Writing Awards
  • 2024 Literary Global Book Awards

Recipient of:

  • Literary Titan Book Award
  • Outstanding Creator Award
  • Pinnacle Book Award
  • Firebird Book Award
  • Book of the Earth Award
  • 2024 BREW Science Fiction of the Year

Twists, Turns, and Terrors: ‘The Damned’ is the Newest Nordic Thriller Masterpiece

The Damned, the new chilling Nordic thriller, will be released in UK and Irish cinemas on January 10, 2025. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Psychological thrillers explore complex human emotions, fears, and motivations, often blurring the lines between reality and illusion. These films go into the minds of characters, creating an atmosphere of tension, suspense, and unpredictability. The appeal lies in the psychological manipulation, where viewers become immersed in a web of deception, unreliable narrators, and mind games. The genre stimulates intellectual engagement, as it challenges perceptions and provokes deep thought about human nature. Audiences are drawn to the psychological complexity and emotional intensity, seeking both excitement and the thrill of solving mysteries within the narrative.

Vertical has announced that Thordur Palsson’s ominous and chilling thriller The Damned will be released in UK and Irish cinemas from 10th January 2025. (Strike Media, 2024)

Starring Odessa Young (The Staircase, Mothering Sunday) and Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders, Gangs of London), The Damned is a tense psychological horror film that follows 19th-century widow, Eva. She is tasked with making an impossible choice when a ship sinks off the coast of her isolated fishing outpost during the middle of an especially cruel winter.

With provisions running low, Eva and her close-knit community must choose between rescuing the shipwrecked crew and prioritizing their own survival. Facing the consequences of their decision and tormented by guilt, the inhabitants wrestle with a mounting sense of dread and begin to believe they are all being punished for their choices.

Following its premiere in November, the Cork International Film Festival 2024 awarded an Honourable Mention to The Damned commenting ‘The Damned is a juggernaut of a film, breathing fresh life into a well-trodden genre. Its powerful use of the landscape and compelling performances make it truly deserving of this Special Mention.’

Inspired by the Westfjords of Iceland in the 1800s, The Damned takes place in an unforgiving, almost unlivable setting, yet one that is steeped in immense beauty and turbulent folklore.

For director Thordur Palsson (The Valhalla Murders), himself a native Icelander, it was this folklore and mythology that led him to develop the idea that would later become The Damned. Growing up in Iceland, family members would often share gruesome tales of ghosts, demons and evil spirits.

‘Every Icelander has heard all kinds of different variations of the truth – all elements of our history that have been passed down. One of these stories was about a ship that sank off the shores of Iceland, with all survivors being killed by the natives. Having known of this, I started to write a story relating to it and kept fleshing it out, adding darker elements.’ – Thordur Palsson

Rooted in the depths of Norse Mythology, The Damned features haunting performances from Rory McCann (Game of Thrones), Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley), Turlough Convery (Belfast), Lewis Gribben (Somewhere Boy), Francis Magee (The Tourist), and Mícheál Óg Lane (Calvary).

‘On My Own’: Harrison Lipton’s New Anthem of Self-Discovery

Harrison Lipton masks post-breakup sadness with cheeky humor on ‘On My Own.’ Photo: Eciaus Booth, used with permission.

Breakup songs hold a unique appeal for listeners, offering emotional catharsis and a sense of solidarity. These songs often explore themes of heartache, loss, and personal growth, providing an outlet for listeners to process their own emotions. The relatable lyrics and powerful melodies resonate deeply, allowing individuals to feel understood and less alone in their struggles. Whether through soulful ballads or upbeat anthems, breakup songs help listeners navigate the pain of relationships ending while offering hope for healing and new beginnings. The universal nature of heartbreak makes these songs timeless and comforting during times of emotional turmoil.

The Brooklyn-based musical jack-of-all-trades Harrison Lipton recently released his cheeky new breakup anthem “On My Own” via Amuse. The facetious, 70s-inspired dad rock song uses the all too familiar coping mechanism of poking fun at inherent sadness to make it through the day. His voice full of smooth earnestness, Lipton ushers listeners towards the greener grass on the other side. (Big Hassle, 2024)

“The song started in a small bedroom studio in Carroll Gardens during a session with Aidan Ludlam of the booyah! kids, who uses lyrics like an impressionist painter uses paint. He helped me balance the dissonance between being dumped and finding how to be okay with it.” – Harrison Lipton

Shot on 16 mm film, the official music video was directed by Yishen Wang. An ode to the city and people of New York, Lipton finds himself lost in a sea of recognizable faces, even Times Square’s Naked Cowboy.

“…feels like a rarity, transposing of-the-moment sounds into a dusted-off paean to a romance lost in memory and feeling.” – NPR

“An artist whose stylistic tenacity is fabulously muddled, Lipton floats between genres, brushing against indie, alternative and bedroom pop with a driven psychedelic influence flowing through the hazy soundscapes.” – The Lines of Best Fit

Fresh on the heels of landing songwriting and production credits for indie-rock sensation Yot Club and Atlantic Records six-piece MICHELLE, among others, Lipton has made a name for himself as a rapidly ascending, go-to creative collaborator. His recent work as a songwriter and producer has earned him shoutouts in HYPEBEAST, The Line of Best Fit, and Sirius XM’s Life with John Mayer.

Now with the focus shifted to his own releases, Lipton unveiled “Synchronized Swimming,” with its captivating accompanying music video, back in September. Exploring romance coyly nestled within the metaphor of synchronized swimming, listeners witness Lipton’s proven songwriting and production talent in raw form. Complete with dusty piano, laid-back Khruangbin-like drums, and an underwater guitar solo, the final touch is the perfect pairing of background vocals from MICHELLE’s Layla Ku. 

“On My Own” keeps building the world “Synchronized Swimming” started, putting forth a distinctly clean and modernized late 70s aesthetic.

Harrison Lipton is a 30-year-old singer, songwriter and producer. The Brooklyn artist’s musical flair resides in the intersection of indie, R&B and 70s soft rock. Lipton prides himself on fully realizing a track from start to finish, leading the charge with songwriting, producing, and mixing, as well as creative direction. Lipton’s music is a product of his singular imagination, presenting a style that is sincere, authentic and all his own. His music has been featured in NPR and Early Rising as well as on numerous editorial playlists such as Apple Music’s Late Night Menu and Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Chill Vibes. Now focusing on new singles leading toward a larger project, Lipton emerges as a promising and unique voice, blending soulful vocals with singular and catchy production.

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Sunray: Fallen Soldier – A War Veteran’s Quest for Justice and Redemption

The action thriller Sunray: Fallen Soldier is coming to digital platforms and select cinemas next month. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Military themed action thrillers captivate audiences with their thrilling storylines, high-stakes conflicts, and intense combat sequences. These films often explore themes of heroism, sacrifice, and camaraderie, resonating with viewers who admire resilience and bravery in the face of adversity. They include gripping narratives where soldiers confront dangerous missions, engage in epic battles, and navigate moral dilemmas. Audiences are drawn to the raw emotional intensity of these stories, as well as the adrenaline-pumping action that showcases tactical precision, creating a powerful connection to the characters and their struggles.

Sunray: Fallen Soldier is an action thriller that will be available on digital platforms and select cinemas across the UK and North America on January 24, 2025. It is now available for pre-order on digital download in the UK and US. (Strike Media, 2024)

Sunray: Fallen Soldier – A war veteran calls on friends from his past to hunt down those responsible for the death of his daughter. Along the way, he learns more about himself than he anticipated as a violent crime syndicate unravels in his wake.

After dedicating his entire life to service in the armed forces, Andrew Coleman now struggles to slot back into a world he no longer recognizes. Forced to confront the death of his daughter following a fatal encounter with drugs, he becomes hell-bent on finding those responsible.

With nothing to lose, a violent criminal underworld unravels in his wake. Set against a backdrop of realistic, fast-paced action, guided by high-quality military drills; and created by UK Armed Forces veterans, Sunray challenges the perceptions of mental health and the struggles that soldiers face when re-integrating back into civilian life.

A film by James Clarke and Daniel Shepherd and starring Tip Cullen, Tom Leigh, Steven Blades, and Daniel Davids, Sunray is created by and stars a collective of former British Royal Marines Commandos – the UK’s elite amphibious special operations capable commando force.

Written, directed, produced, edited, and acted by UK Armed Forces veterans, the Sunray team has lived and experienced the direct effects of conflict including the loss of friends.

Veterans were employed across the production both on and off screen. The film is supported by a multi-national veteran and active armed forces community who want more awareness for the sacrifices made by soldiers and the effects of PTSD.

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Couture on Tour Brings Emily in Paris to San Antonio: A Must-See Fashion Experience

Couture on Tour: An Emily in Paris Experience. The beloved Netflix series Emily in Paris is going on tour with a theatrical Parisian fashion show event. Photo: ATG Entertainment, used with permission.

San Antonio, TX – Bonjour Emily in Paris lovers! Couture on Tour: An Emily in Paris Experience is bringing the fan-favorite Netflix series, produced by MTV Entertainment Studios and creator Darren Star (Beverly Hills, 90210, Sex and the City, Younger), across the country with 25+ tour stops this Spring and Summer 2025. From their fashion to the dreamy Parisian scenery, this unique sidewalk-to-stage event, brought to you by Atomic Venus Media in partnership with Paramount, is coming to San Antonio on May 19, 2025. Tickets are now on sale. (ATG Entertainment, 2024)

“My own adventures deeply inspired my journey in crafting Emily in Paris in Paris during my 20s,” said Darren Star. “I am thrilled that fans will be able to enjoy an experience that will transport audiences into Emily’s enchanting world. As we celebrate the fourth season now streaming on Netflix and the exciting renewal for a fifth season, the profound connection fans have with the characters is what gives this series its enduring appeal. I am excited for this elevated live event for Emily in Paris enthusiasts across the nation.”

Atomic Venus Media (AVM), founded by former WME agent ElizBeth Jones, produces custom content, tours, and experiences around popular film and TV properties. AVM brings over 100 years of combined entertainment expertise to the stage. “I could not be more thrilled to launch AVM’s first large tour with Emily in Paris,” says Jones. “Bringing Darren Star’s incomparable writing and character development to life through a female-led production company is deeply meaningful. As he has proved time and time again, Fashion is Art and Art is for Everyone. This tour will captivate audiences in ways they haven’t seen before. As live experiences become the future bedrock of our industry, we are creating Couture on Tour to be a unique standout, offering fans a chance to journey into Emily’s world.”

The theatrical fashion show will have theaters across the country pulsing with the ambience of La Trompette Bleue while pieces from Emily in Paris, inspired by costume designer – and Couture on Tour Creative Consultant – Marylin Fitoussi take the stage. Beyond the fashion show, the Emily in Paris Experience will bring to life the streets of Paris and transport visitors into Emily’s world. Visitors will also have the opportunity to dip into Emily’s wardrobe, immerse themselves in scenes from the show and take home a piece of Paris with items from on-site displays and shops.

“The beauty and fashion of Emily in Paris will make for a unique and whimsical in-person experience for fans,” said Marie Marks, SVP of Themed Entertainment, Paramount. “We are thrilled to partner with Atomic Venus to bring the style of Paris to the streets of the US.” Couture on Tour: An Emily in Paris Experience will kick off in Spring of 2025 and will travel across the states to cities such as Denver, Atlanta, Nashville, Kansas City, St Louis, Milwaukee, Ft Lauderdale, and more. Tickets are now available for purchase and start at $40 in select markets. All markets will include a VIP ticket which will include a fully curated experience and keepsake items.

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Max Wareham’s Daggomit!: The Story Behind His Debut Album

Banjo player, songwriter, and author Max Wareham announces debut, Peter Rowan-produced album Daggomit! Photo: Sasha Pedro, used with permission.

Whether on archaeological digs or translating medieval poetry, the past has always been a north star for banjo player, songwriter, and author Max Wareham. His commitment to early innovators of the banjo shines on Daggomit!, his debut album of soulful original songs, highlighted by the hard-driving chemistry of Nashville’s preeminent bluegrass stars. Wareham tours nationally with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band, bringing his creativity to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Ryman Auditorium, Merlefest, Green Mountain Bluegrass Festival, IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards, and many more, as well as with his own band, Max Wareham and the National Bluegrass Team. (IV PR, 2024)

“It brings me back to my childhood,” says Max Wareham of his new single “Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home,” “camping in the woods of New York state and longing for a simpler time.” Forever a student of bluegrass tradition, Wareham has tapped into a very real feeling that can be found all the way back before the genre had its name; part nostalgia, part yearning. 

“I wrote this one a while back,” says Wareham. “Then I took it to Peter Rowan, who proceeded to disassemble it completely and put it back together in a way that made more sense.” The tutelage of his bandleader boss Rowan helped to hone Wareham’s arrangement into a beautifully simple melody with ample room for instrumental embellishment and crystalline harmonies by former members of the Grammy-nominated band, Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Laura Orshaw and Josh Rinkel. 

MAGNET Magazine shared an early premiere of “Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home.” Fans can stream or purchase “Lonesome Blues” at this link.

“Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home” is the latest single from Wareham’s upcoming debut album, Daggomit!, which was produced by Rowan and is due out on February 21. Fans are encouraged to check out Wareham’s previously released single “Hard Times Are Far Behind” at this link and pre-order or pre-save Daggomit! ahead of its February release right here.

Wareham is currently touring with Max Wareham & the National Bluegrass Team, featuring international mandolin prodigy Jean Baptiste Cardineau, singer and guitarist Walker Russell, and Boston bass stalwart Emma Turoff. Tour dates for Warham & the National Bluegrass Team as well as Wareham’s appearances with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band can be found online.

Produced by legendary grasser Peter Rowan and recorded by multi-Grammy-winning engineer Sean Sullivan, Daggomit! features Chris Eldridge and David Grier on guitar, Laura Orshaw on fiddle, Chris Henry on mandolin, Mike Bub on bass, and Larry Atamanuik on snare drum; a group of stars making the initial listen of the album worth the price of admission, alone. But fans will undoubtedly stick around for the stories Wareham tells throughout the 13-song collection. Stories from a lifetime of experiences and feelings that together tell the story of exactly what makes Max Max. 

Daggomit! tracklist:
Walking In Jerusalem
Lonesome Blues, I’m Coming Home
The Black & Gold
That’s Just Part Of It
Heartaches
Rexford Falls
Gone, Baby, Gone
I Remember
Hard Times Are Far Behind
Cattails
Bar Blues
Drifting Too Far From The Shore
Miles

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Layers of Emotion in ‘The Bella Vista’: Emma Ruth Rundle’s Poetic Journey

Emma Ruth Rundle announces her debut poetry book “The Bella Vista.” Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Poetry books offer a powerful blend of emotion, imagination, and expression in concise, rhythmic forms. They invite readers into intimate worlds where language dances and meanings are layered, offering both intellectual stimulation and emotional resonance. The beauty of poetry lies in its ability to distill complex experiences into few words, allowing for deep reflection and personal interpretation. Whether through vivid imagery, striking metaphors, or simple truths, poetry books captivate readers by fostering a sense of connection to universal themes, emotions, and the human condition, making them timeless treasures.

There’s a new poetry book coming out February 11, 2025 by Emma Ruth Rundle – “The Bella Vista.”

“rip up this book, my love / i wrote it for you” So opens Emma Ruth Rundle’s book of poetry, entitled “The Bella Vista.” The multidisciplinary visual artist and musician has now released six solo albums over the past decade to commercial and critical acclaim. The release of “The Bella Vista” will mark her literary debut. (another side, 2024)

With “The Bella Vista,” Emma Ruth Rundle turns to language as the best and perhaps only tool suitable to express, in her words, “the tenderness and brutality of romantic love.” The collection of poetry is a concept, an addiction memoir, a family tree, and a love letter all at once—to music, mistakes, and humanity; to cross-country drives and other artists and the long road to finding oneself.

“Written on the road over the course of a year, ‘The Bella Vista’ is equal parts travel-log, love story and journal of dark existential reflection. It is what I have spent the last two years of my creative life working on and I am both relieved and excited to finally be sharing it.”- Emma Ruth Rundle

“The Bella Vista” will be published by Unnamed Press and available at bookstores and online on February 11, 2025 – pre-order here. To coincide with the book, Rundle will release a limited edition audio album consisting of minimalistic, contemplative piano sketches à la Harold Budd of whom the book was named in honor of, and was highly influential to “The Bella Vista.” Copies will be limited to 300 and available in a signed first edition hardcover + exclusive vinyl bundle here.

Early praise for “The Bella Vista”

“Emma Ruth Rundle’s debut collection of poems, The Bella Vista, is a gorgeous, fierce, and devastating account of romantic love. Rundle has found a new form for her prodigious lyrical gifts; here is a lucid and haunting collection that moves with a kind of dream logic to ‘summon the unseen.’” – Deborah Landau, author or Skeletons and Soft Targets

“Emma Ruth Rundle’s The Bella Vista is more than a poetry collection—it’s a memoir charted by stars, an autobiographical scrapbook and lyrical compass that helps us navigate our everyday lives through its wisdom, beauty, and fingerprint specificity.” – Brandon Stosuy, author of Sad Happens and the Make Time for Creativity series

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Aladdin 3477: A Futuristic Twist on the Classic Tale of Magic and Adventure

Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom is the debut feature of renowned pop culture artist Matt Busch. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Science fiction and adventure fantasy movies transport audiences to imaginative worlds filled with futuristic technology, epic battles, and extraordinary creatures. These genres allow viewers to escape the confines of reality and explore limitless possibilities, where anything from time travel to magical realms can exist. The sense of wonder and excitement in discovering new, uncharted worlds appeals to our natural curiosity. Themes of heroism, personal growth, and the triumph of good over evil resonate deeply, providing both thrilling entertainment and profound emotional connections. Through visually stunning effects and immersive storytelling, these films ignite our imagination and inspire awe.

There’s a new movie coming out on video on demand in January that combines adventure with futuristic elements: Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom.

Los Angeles, CA – Following a long career as a pop culture artist, Matt Busch is stepping behind the camera for the debut of his first film in his own franchise: Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom. Busch brings over three decades as an artist for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings, and more to the table as he takes the Arabian Nights tale into the far future and across the world. On January 3, 2025, audiences across North America will be able to rent or own Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom on Cable VOD and Digital HD, including Apple TV, Prime Video, and Fandango at Home from Buffalo 8. (Justin Cook PR, 2024)

Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom. The epic sci-fi adventure stars Erik Steele, Christi Perovski, Aaron Golematis, Lin Zy, Jon Rick, Tony Miello, Brian Dalling, Jerry Hayes, Irfan Sheikh, Robert Shannon, and Sydney Solomon.

“Having grown up a product of the Lucas/Spielberg golden era, I’ve always been obsessed with telling fantastical stories. The theater experience of epic adventure, sprinkled with magic on the big screen was a direct link to my creative childhood brain. I knew if my sci-fi trilogy of films were ever going to happen, I would have to step back and create them independently, my magnum opus as a true artist. Through the grueling amount of work, 12-year-old me was beaming the entire time, creating the kind of films I used to camp out in line for.” –  Matt Busch

Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom – In a futuristic Hong Kong, Aladdin, a street-smart orphan with dreams of ascending to the elite class, fixates on Princess Kamala of India. His life takes an unexpected turn when he’s lured into a treacherous quest to Cambodia in search of a fabled lamp. Along for the unpredictable ride is Oomi, a homeless girl whose presence inadvertently thwarts Aladdin’s every scheme.

Their journey introduces them to a captivating sage who claims to be the Jinn of Wisdom. Together, they venture into the vibrant landscapes of Thailand, where Aladdin confronts his haunting past. As they navigate narrow escapes and magical encounters, Aladdin is faced with a pivotal choice: pursue his selfish desires or embrace the unwavering loyalty of Oomi, whose devotion transcends all bounds.

Aladdin 3477- I: The Jinn of Wisdom: 118 minutes
Sci-Fi / Fantasy/ Adventure
English, Hindi, Cantonese & Thai w/ English subtitles
Producer: Kaleidoscope Koi Entertainment

Courtesy photo, used with permission.

John Mailander’s ‘Let The World In’: The Soul-Stirring New Album

John Mailander’s Forecast to independently release ‘Let The World In’ on January 24, 2025. Photo: Emily Walis, used with permission.

Nashville Tenn. —  John Mailander’s Forecast is excited to independently release Let The World In on January 24, 2025, on CD, vinyl, and digitally. Forecast is a Nashville-based collective of visionary musicians led by acclaimed performer, producer, composer, educator, and recording artist John Mailander, known for his voice on the fiddle and other stringed instruments. (Dreamspider Publicity, 2024)

Forecast is John Mailander on fiddle, keys, and electronics; Ethan Jodziewicz on upright and fretless electric bass; Chris Lippincott on steel guitars, keys, and electronics; Mark Raudabaugh on drums and percussion, Jake Stargel on acoustic guitar, and David Williford on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet.

Produced by Mailander, Let The World In was recorded by Brook Sutton at The Studio Nashville, assisted by Will Tyson and Maeve Graham. It was mixed by Daniel Rice and mastered by Wayne Pooley. With nine tracks, four of which are shorter free improvs, all but “Road” are original instrumentals. 

The songs show a crossover from the jazz side of things and more into the jam band world, especially with the first single—a Nick Drake song, “Road,” which is available to stream and buy now.

“‘Road’ has been a bit of a mantra to me over the past couple of years. I haven’t always considered myself much of a singer, but it felt important for me to sing this one myself on the album. Lyrically, I feel like it ties into the themes of the album as a whole, and it’s a great vehicle for jamming as a band. This track captures a lot of the vibe of what we do live.” – John Mailander

The song was described as “majestic and expansive” by JamBase, who debuted the Grouch Bucket-animated video that accompanied it. In their feature, they went into deeper detail with John about “Road” and the entire album. 

Let The World In is the spiritual third in a trilogy of “Forecast” records and the second “true” album as a band since 2021’s Look Closer, which was recorded during the pandemic. Originally assembled for the live debut of John’s 2019 album Forecast, the group adopted the name for a series of residency shows in Nashville at Dee’s Lounge. John Mailander’s Forecast has since developed a dedicated following through their adventurous improvisations, singular collaborations, and genre-bending, exuberant musical explorations.

The album opens with 18 seconds of the band candidly gathering to warm up, culminating in the count-off to “Let The World In.” The title track is a Forecast sound collage in which Mailander explores on fiddle and Wurlitzer, and the ambiance is enhanced further with the addition of the “Let The World In Sound Freedom Expressionists” (Hannah Delynn, Maya De Vitry, Gibb Droll, Ella Korth, Lindsay Lou, and Royal Masat).

Other compositions include the bluesy, whimsical, and mysterious “Gardener,” the string-layered “Chapters,” and the peaceful Metheny/Hornsby-inspired “Heartland,” which showcases Stargel’s imaginative guitar solo along with a Jodziewicz arco bass feature and Mailander’s piano playing. 

“(improvisations 1)” and “(2)” are short pieces that were spontaneously composed by Forecast during the end of their daily recording sessions. “(reprise),” bookends the album with a reinterpretation of the title track’s cinematic main melody, with Mailander again on piano. Let The World In is meant to be played as a whole listening experience. Play this album loud.

Along with “conducting” the Forecast, Mailander is a member of Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers. His playing can be heard on albums by Billy Strings (including the Grammy-winning album Home), Noah Kahan, Joy Williams, Lucy Dacus, Molly Tuttle, Joe K. Walsh, Chatham County Line, and many more. John is currently on tour with Sam Grisman Project.

Let The World In Track Listing:

(open) (0:18)

Let The World In (6:52)

Gardener (4:40)

(improvisation 1) (1:15)

Chapters (2:55)

Heartland (6:22)

(improvisation 2) (1:44)

Road (9:25)

(reprise) (1:47)

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Unlocking the Mysteries of the Brain: What ‘Out of Your Mind’ Reveals About the Human Brain

‘Out of Your Mind: The Biggest Mysteries of the Human Brain’ will be released in January. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The search to understand how the brain works has been a long-standing scientific endeavor, exploring the complexities of cognition, emotions, memory, and consciousness. Neuroscience and psychology have made significant strides, yet much remains unknown about the brain’s intricate processes. Books such as “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat” by Oliver Sacks delve into neurological disorders, offering insight into brain function. In “How to Change Your Mind,” Michael Pollan explores neuroplasticity and the impact of psychedelics. Meanwhile, Daniel Kahneman’s “Thinking, Fast and Slow” illuminates decision-making and cognitive biases, offering a deeper understanding of human thought processes.

If you’ve always wanted to learn more about the inner workings of the brain but found the subject too complicated, there’s a new book coming out next month that aims to make it more accessible to all readers.

“Out of Your Mind: The Biggest Mysteries of the Human Brain” by Jorge Cham and Dwayne Godwin goes on sale January 28th, 2025. It’s an introductory journey into your own mind—if your inner voice had a Ph. D. in brain science, cracked jokes, and drew cartoons. (Penguin Random House, 2024)

Why do you love? Why do you lie? What makes you happy? Every single thought you have comes from one place: your brain. But what makes it tick? How much of it have we decoded, and how much of it remains an impenetrable mystery?

Join best-selling author and online cartoonist Jorge Cham and neuroscientist Dwayne Godwin on a deep dive into the fascinating world of the human brain, in which they will explore questions such as: What is consciousness? Where is you in the brain? And do we have free will? All while illuminating everything we know (and DON’T know) about one of the most complex objects in the known universe.

Think of it as conversation-ammunition for your next cocktail party, or a quick fascinating read while you’re in the bathroom (don’t worry, the chapters aren’t that long). Centered around questions we all ask ourselves at some point but don’t usually have answers to, “Out of Your Mind” is an illustrated book about the brain that isn’t too brainy. Playful, accessible, and deeply insightful, it’s the one brain book that’s truly accessible and suitable for all brains.

Some of the questions that are addressed include:

  • Where is the mind?
  • Why do we love?
  • Why do we hate?
  • Will an AI take my job?
  • What are the limits of memory?
  • What is addiction?
  • What is consciousness?
  • What makes us happy?
  • Do we have free will?
  • What happens when we die?
  • What makes us human?

JORGE CHAM is the Daytime Emmy-nominated and best-selling cartoonist creator of the popular online comic strip “Piled Higher and Deeper” (known as PHD Comics – phdcomics.com). He is the co-creator, Executive Producer and Creative Director of “Elinor Wonders Why,” one of the highest-rated animated shows on PBS Kids, and the co-author of two popular science books: the best-selling and award-winning “We Have No Idea: A Guide to the Unknown Universe and Frequently Asked Questions about the Universe,”as well as the children’s book “Oliver’s Great Big Universe.” Jorge is also the co-host and co-creator of “Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe” a popular podcast and radio show. He obtained his Ph.D. in robotics from Stanford University and was an Instructor and Research Associate at Caltech from 2003-2005. He is originally from Panama.

DWAYNE GODWIN is a neuroscientist, an educator, and an academic leader who is a professor in the Department of Translational Neuroscience and served as graduate dean at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His research centers on the cellular basis of abnormal brain rhythms, including active projects on calcium channel function, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. His goal is to use emerging insights about the brain to develop treatments and potential cures for neurological diseases. His science outreach includes Mind in Pictures, cocreated with Jorge Cham for Scientific American Mind, as well as blogs for the Society for Neuroscience and the Museum of the Moving Image.

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