Erzulie will be available on digital in June and select theaters in May and June. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
A reunion between four friends quickly goes awry when they find themselves face to face with Erzulie: the swamp mermaid goddess in director Christine Chen’s frightening mermaid horror feature Erzulie– in theaters and on VOD during May and June. (Gravitas Ventures, 2022)
Erzulie – Four women accidentally summon a water goddess while reconnecting at a camp in south Louisiana, and a local decides to capture the goddess for himself.
A Kamikaze Dogfight and Gravitas Ventures release, Erzulie stars a young ensemble including Zoe Graham, Elizabeth Trieu, Courtney Olivier, Diana Rose, Leila Annastasia Scott and Jason KirkPatrick.
Scripted by Christine Chen and Camille Gladney. Christine Chen, Payten Brewer and Candice Barley served as producers, with Han Soto and Andrew van den Houten as executive producers.
In select theaters during May : May 27th – June 2nd: Laemmle, Glendale On VOD June 14 from Kamikaze Dogfight and Gravitas Ventures.
The Policeman’s Lineage features the stars of the movie Parasite and will be available on digital, Video on Demand and cable on June 7, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Parasite’s Choi Woo-sik stars in director Kyu-mann Lee’s riveting crime drama The Policeman’s Lineage, premiering on Cable and Digital Rental/Purchase this June from Echelon Studios. A rookie policeman teams up with a veteran cop to investigate a serious criminal case that will rock the police force to its core in the new film. (The Policeman’s Lineage, 2022)
The Policeman’s Lineage– Parasite’s Woo-sik Choi stars as Choi Min-Jae, a rookie police officer and a man of principle, who teams up with Park Gang-Yoon, the chief of an investigation team that has an unrivaled arrest record but includes corrupt methods. Together, the two very different policemen dive deep into a massive case that shakes the police force upside down.
CAST: Woo-sik Choi (Parasite), Cho Jin-woong (The Handmaiden), Park Myeong-hoon (Parasite), and Hee-soon Park (Apple TV+’s Dr. Brain)
The Policeman’s Lineage is directed by Kyu-mann Lee (Wide Awake), produced by Han-seung Lee (The Tower), and executed produced by Hyun-joo Jung (The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil). The production team includes production designer Chae Kyoung-sun (Squid Game), editor Nam Na-young (Squid Game) costume designer Kyeong-mi Kim (Okja), composer Young-gyu Jang (Train to Busan), and makeup artists Hyo-kyun Hwang & Tae-Yong Kwak (Parasite).
The Policeman’s Lineage will be on digital, VOD and cable* June 7, 2022 from Echelon Studios.
The Policeman’s Lineage will be available on: *Cable and Digital Transactional Video On Demand including: Comcast Charter-Spectrum DirecTV iTunes Cox Cable Dish Network Sling TV Google Play Verizon Fios Fandango / VUDU InDemand Vubiquity Rogers Vimeo on Demand
Make Myself Me Again is set for release on May 20, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
If Cristina Vane’scritically acclaimed debut Nowhere Sounds Lovely was her “road trip” album, then her much anticipated follow up represents the return home; musically and personally. Out May 20 on Red Parlor Records, Make Myself Me Again finds rising slide-guitar star Vane growing roots in her Nashville home and taking a moment to grow into herself as well. “I’ve been trying to peel back the layers, to understand who I am, and I think that process has translated to this record,” she explains, “The production is straightforward, more minimal, and a bit of a return to my rock roots but still paying homage to the music I’ve explored since then.” Make Myself Me Again was co-produced by Brook Sutton and Jano Rix and features appearances by Vane’s world-class musician friends like Bronwyn Keith-Hynes and Billy Contreras. (Cristina Vane, 2022)
DittyTV premiered the music video for the album’s first single, “How You Doin’,” calling it “a feel-good piece of movie magic released in support of her innovative and infectiously-good upcoming studio album, Make Myself Me Again.” Guitar Girl Magazine also sat down with Vane to talk about the inspiration behind the single, how her sound has evolved over the years, guitars, and much more. Fans can check out the video now and listen to “How You Doin'” right here.
Many songs on Make Myself Me Again delve into Vane’s personal relationships, and document her quest to find strength and independence in a new town. The album’s title track rings of tenacious resilience, with Cristina’s beautiful yet understated fingerstyle and slide guitar playing. It is the sound of the calm that comes with finally feeling at home with one’s self, conceived from the place of optimism that sometimes comes after a brutal shakedown. “Sometimes I lose, sometimes I win” sings Vane, “I’m gonna make myself me again…I’m giving up on giving in / I’m gonna make myself me again.” Despite the myriad of musical touchstones, the record remains cohesive, centering itself around Vane’s experiences and musicianship. “After being exposed to all of this music that I love, I’m slowly figuring out how to find my own voice,” she says, “It is the sound of growing up.” With class and adventure, Vane brings us all back home to ourselves on Make Myself Me Again, an album so honest that you would be hard-pressed not to root for it, along with its vulnerable and tenacious creator.
Catch Cristina Vane on tour: May 20 – Nashville, TN – Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge – Album Release Show* May 21 – Louisa, KY – Fallsburg Summer Stage* June 2 – Knoxville, TN – Barleys Taproom* June 3 – Lexington, KY – The Burl (supporting Town Mountain)* June 4 – Asheville, NC – Isis Music Hall* July 7 – Nescopeck, PA – Briggs Farm Blues Fest* August 18 – Minturn, CO – Minturn Summer Concert Series August 31 – Prescott, AZ – Folk Session @ Kiwanis Amphitheater September 2 & 3 – Pagosa Springs, CO – Four Corners Folk Festival October 22 – Greenville, SC – IPI Festival
‘The War Back Home’ is Alex Cage’s new novel. Photo: amazon
Alex Cage is an action adventure thriller author. His books blend his interest in martial arts, adventure, travel, and knowledge with exploration and high-octane action. Cage enjoys action adventure and thriller stories with fantasy and sci-fi sprinkled in. He has always wanted to create his own stories but spent many years thinking about it before actually putting his stories on paper. Currently living in North Carolina, he enjoys reading, writing, and practicing martial arts. In his new book “The War Back Home,” Clarence Tucker realizes his greatest fight is right where he left it. It is available in eBook and print formats. (amazon, 2022)
“The War Back Home” – For years, elite soldier and trained killer Clarence Tucker fought in wars abroad, thinking he was outrunning his past. But his dark secrets are waiting to consume him. Back home, Tucker reconnects with his family, ready to live the simple life. As he adjusts to civilian life, deals with family issues, takes in strangers in need, and falls for a woman, he discovers everyone around him has their own secrets. One in particular, may get them all killed. With a deadly threat lurking in the shadows, and the everyday difficulties life brings, Tucker must call upon his combat skills, as well as some newly developed soft skills or someone he loves will pay the ultimate price.
‘From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond’ will be out June 21, 2022. Photo: amazon
In new books to read news today: an upcoming memoir by a retired aerospace engineer and inventor with 19 patents.
Chester L. Richards recently turned 80. With a number of odd close encounters with the grim reaper under his belt, he has always boldly gone where few have dared. Chester’s mantra — view all that comes your way, the good, the terrifying and the ugly, as a series of adventures —took shape early. After narrowly escaping mortal injury from The Great Potato as a lad a few years later in college, Chester and friend Judy Burns co-authored a spec script for Star Trek on a lark. The story they were brought in to write, The Tholian Web, became one of the original series’ most popular episodes. “From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist” will be released on June 21, 2022. Author and Star Trek contributor Chester L. Richards tells his life’s adventures as a rocket scientist, screenwriter, musician, and world traveler in this action-packed memoir. Drawing inspiration from his late wife Sarah, Chester is baring all in his debut book release. (Chester L. Richards, 2022)
A veteran writer advised the young man, “You should write. Write your passions.” But I have nothing to say, Chester thought. That was the moment he decided the real message was to fill his life with adventures. And he did — adventures in surfing, learning and performing music, traveling to exotic places for river rafting, and his work as a rocket scientist. It was the loss of Sarah, the love of his life, which caused Chester to write his first book of stories. At the house in Thousand Oaks they once shared, the hair-raising adventures Sarah loved continued to occur, though, as the author says, he no longer has much hair. A man of grand adventures, Chester relates why taking the plunge into voluntary adventures is so enriching — they will change you forever, and sculpt your life’s story.
“From The Potato To Star Trek and Beyond” reveals his passion, his most exciting journeys, and brushes with death. Chester believes one must view all that comes your way – the good, the terrifying, and the ugly – as a series of adventures. He shares an almost fatal encounter with a potato (yes, a potato), his experience as co-writer of one of the most iconic episodes of the original Star Trek, several wild African adventures, and more.
Says Steve Pastis (author, and writer/editor of The Good Life publication for seniors): “I would highly recommend From the Potato to Star Trek and Beyond. The book is informative, even educational, but author Chester Richards maintains a friendly, conversational tone throughout. The stories were a definite surprise. Who knew that this mild-mannered, soft-spoken gentleman I’ve known for years had so many harrowing adventures, and was so accomplished in the scientific community? If there is a lesson to be learned from these pages, it’s that everyone should get to know the people in their lives on a deep level, especially the mild-mannered, soft-spoken ones.”
“From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond: Memoirs of a Rocket Scientist” by Chester L. Richards is available for pre-order on Amazon
Publisher: Pawpress ISBN: 978-1880882306 Pages: 334 Available in Paperback, Hardcopy and Ebook
1655810520
days
hours minutes seconds
until
‘From The Potato to Star Trek and Beyond’ release date
From writer/director Jon Binkowski and Terror Films comes Scare Zone, premiering on the Terror Films Channel May 27, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Welcome to Scare Zone, just another strip-mall Halloween Horror House …or is it? From the strobe room to the masked maniacs wielding chainsaws, knives, and pitchforks as they chase paying customers through the halls of this haunted maze, it is one good jump scare after another. However, as terrible things begin to happen and people end up dead, the visitors of Scare Zone think it is all just part of the “show”! (Terror Films, 2022)
From writer/director Jon Binkowski and Terror Films comes Scare Zone, premiering on the Terror Films Channel May 27 and on wide digital and Video on Demand June 3 (worldwide). SEAL Team’s Neil Brown, Jr, Arian Ash (Lonely Hearts), Michele Simms (Sex Drive), Jordan Woods-Robinson (The Walking Dead), Chris Burns (Bloodline), and Simon Needham star.
“Ever since I first walked through a Halloween haunted house, I’ve had the same dreadful thought; ‘What if a killer has nested in the attraction and, dressed like one of the actors, just walks up and hacks me with an axe… would anyone notice that it’s not part of the show?’” says Binkowski. “Then, as I was contemplating shooting my first feature film… an opportunity presented itself. The Universal Orlando Resort had built an awesome haunted maze right in the middle of one of their sound stages for Halloween Horror Nights. And, because they wanted to feature the attraction in a late November theme park convention, the maze was going to just sit there for 3 weeks doing nothing. That was my chance to answer my own horrifying question! So, my team and I leapt into action! The script practically wrote itself and it was a blast shooting for three crazy weeks on the Universal soundstage. Although I always had that nagging feeling someone was going to leap out and hack me with an axe! “
Fortress of Sin will be released in digital and DVD coming this June from Wild Eye Releasing. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
A father searching for his trafficked daughter finds a religious cult in Fortress of Sin, coming this June from Wild Eye Releasing. Digital and DVD coming this June from Wild Eye Releasing. (Wild Eye Releasing, 2022)
Winner Best Feature Film at Vesuvius International Film Fest, Fortress of Sin is called “captivating” (Horror Geek Life) and “tackles a very real world horror” (Wicked Horror).
Paul Chomicki (Slayer: The Replentless Killogy, Deadly Xmas, Paranormal Halloween), Katie Otten (Inner Worlds, Infinite Adventures), Avi K. Garg (The Shield, UFO Files), and Paul Guay (Liar, Liar, The Little Rascals) star in a Paul Chomicki and Christian Voss film, Fortress of Sin.
‘The Berry Story’ by Yannick Atambona will be released soon. Photo: Yannick Atamboa, used with permission.
Yannick Atambonais the author of “The Berry Story,” a polyglot, Certified Interpreter, Translator, and teacher who has traveled the world to learn about different cultures and languages. He started writing when he was a kid. When he had an idea or a story to tell, he would always start by writing it on paper and then read it to his friends and family. He used to write poems for his friends and he also wrote a book about his mother that unfortunately, got lost during his globetrotting. This affected him so because he poured everything he felt and knew in that book about the woman who gave him life. He has always been fascinated by the power of words and storytelling, by how they can shape a person’s personality or mindset. He writes for a broad audience and does not confine his inspiration and writings to a single genre or demographic of readers, so he effortlessly transitions from fiction to nonfiction. As a result, he is equally at ease writing for children, young adults, and adults. “The Berry Story” is part of a series and he hopes that it will help kids to accept and embrace who they are and give those who are victims or witnesses to bullying the courage to stand up to it. It will be available in paperback, hardcover, as an audio book, and a coloring book. A release date and availability details to follow. (Yannick Atambona, 2022)
“The Berry Story” – Brandon the blackberry is no less than a unique and extra caring kid. What makes him sensitive is the remarks and taunts directed at him by some kids. Brandon is regularly bullied by those he wants to befriend and this situation crushes him and creates confusion in his mind. He spends time figuring out how to make friends and be accepted. He tries to befriend other kids but ultimately receives rejection instead of love and acceptance. He keeps his hopes high as he sees that everybody is not evil and his greatest wish, to become better than others, is not, however, shattered.
The author believes that readers will be motivated to thrive through life regardless of difficulties and learn to find strength within themselves in uncertain times, but mainly how to stand up to bullying and rejection. The story delivers a strong message that anyone who is a victim of bullying can always stand up against it but remain kind.
He understands that storytelling is compelling, especially when we can see ourselves and the people we can relate to within the story. His primary wish is to inspire through his writings, provide hope and encouragement to the reader, and cultivate empathy by creating relatable characters that foster hope. He uses fictional or real-life social events to tell stories and describe social and cultural interactions, occasionally with improvisation, theatrics, or embellishment. He infuses his stories with what he learned and saw while globetrotting, incorporating diverse cultures, each of which has its own set of tales and narratives shared for entertainment, education, cultural preservation, or instilling moral values. He coined the term “books with substance” because he believes that every book should teach a lesson; this is what he refers to as a book’s substance. He writes to share a piece of his soul with the world.
Outta Sight will be out June 3 via Warner Music. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
Hailing from Saskatoon, The Sheepdogs are one of Canada’s most successful bands amassing a legion of fans worldwide with their rich harmonies, rounded guitar tones and classic rock influenced sound. The Sheepdogs have had 9 top 20 songs including 3 number one singles in their native Canada. Their albums Learn & Burn and The Sheepdogs both went platinum and yielded the platinum singles “I Don’t Know” and “Feeling Good.” They were the first unsigned band on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon twice and have been nominated for 10 Juno Awards, winning four. Their new album Outta Sight will be out June 3 via Warner Music. (The Sheepdogs, 2022)
The Sheepdogs took all of their pandemic-induced feelings from the past two years and channeled them into the one thing that made sense: good, old-fashioned, non-bummer rock and roll music. The band—Ewan Currie, Ryan Gullen, Sam Corbett, Jimmy Bowskill, and Shamus Currie—were, like the rest of us, confused, cast ashore, and feeling isolated during COVID, but their output during that time produced the grooviest, simplest, and most penetrating album of their career, Outta Sight. With no roadmap and an overall uncertainty hanging over the universe, the band circled up, plugged into their amps, shared riffs and melodies, and leaned on each other for inspiration. The guys say it was the least prepared they have been while cutting a record since their self-titled album in 2012, but bassist Ryan Gullen calls the music they made a “life raft,” claiming that their initial sessions for Outta Sight saved them from their anxieties. “Playing rock music kept us grounded…kept us going.”
The Sheepdogs shared another piece of Outta Sight with album-track “So Far Gone,” a J.J. Cale-sounding slow burner recorded with a vintage Rhythm Ace drum machine and fuzzy, straight-into-console electric guitars. Keeping with a simple “get in the room and play the song” mentality, the band landed on most of the album’s final tracks within three or four takes, letting a vibe, rather than a concept, guide their hands. Fans can hear “So Far Gone” now at this link, check out the Sheepdogs’ previously-released single, “Find The Truth,” right here, and pre-order or pre-save Outta Sight ahead of its June 3 release here. The Sheepdogs’ North American tour throughout the fall is on sale now. A full list of tour dates can be found below.
The strength of The Sheepdogs in full throttle straight-up appeals to your senses. Without pretension, it is urgent, rhythmic, clear, and fun; it is a break from slick production and gazing at your navel and proclaims the joy and jubilation of drums, bass, horns, and electric guitar. The Sheepdogs make tunes that make you nod your head. The artistry, however, beneath the stadium riffs—the harmonies, the multiple guitar parts, the groove behind a rhythm section that hangs out together when they are not on the clock—is battle-honed and spit-shined between vans, garages, thousands of soundchecks, and, yes, headlining shows.
“Rock ‘n’ Roll is about cheering us up. Simple as that. We hope our music does the same for the listeners at a time where things still can feel very tough. There’s no greater truth than rock ‘n’ roll.” – Ewan Currie
Catch The Sheepdogs on tour: September 16 – Fredericton, NB / Harvest Music Fest September 18 – Charlottetown, PEI / PEI Brewing Company September 20 – Burlington, VT / Higher Ground September 22 – Montreal, QC / MTelus September 23 – Quebec City, QC / Palais Montcalm September 24 – North Bay, ON / Capitol Centre October 7 – Bristol, UK / Thekla October 8 – Manchester, UK / Gorilla October 9 – London, UK / Electric Ballroom October 13 – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall October 14 – Belleville, ON – The Empire Theatre October 15 – Woodstock, NY – Levon Helm Studios October 17 – Boston, MA – The Sinclair October 18 – New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom October 20 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall October 21 – Washington, DC – Union Stage October 22 – Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall October 24 – Asheville, NC – The Grey Eagle October 25 – Nashville, TN – Basement East October 26 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade – Purgatory October 28 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (Upstairs) October 30 – Dallas, TX – Tulips November1 – Austin, TX – The Ballroom November3 – Indianapolis, IN – Hi Fi November4 – Detroit, MI – El Club November5 – Kitchener, ON – Centre In The Square November18 – London, ON – London Music Hall November19 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall November20 – Minneapolis, MN – Turf Club November22 – Winnipeg, MB – Burton Cummings Theatre November23 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina November25 – Saskatoon, SK – TCU Place November26 – Calgary, AB – The Palace Theatre November27 – Edmonton, AB – Midway November28 – Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar & Grill December 1 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom December 2 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom December 3 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern December 4 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge December 6 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent December 7 – Los Angeles, CA – The Moroccan Lounge December 8 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah December 9 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar December 11 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall December 12 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown December 14 – Lexington, KY – The Burl December 15 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom December 16 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
South Carolina good times rockers Blue Dogs are back with new album Big Dreamers, due out June 3, 2022. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
With a wild drum fill and a swirl of chorus-affected guitars, Carolina’s favorite band Blue Dogs kick off their brand new single “That’s How I Knew”—their first studio-recorded music released since 2004’s Halos and Good Buys. For fans of the long-running band, it is only the first of more to come from an entire album of new music. Big Dreamers is set for release on June 3, 2022. (Blue Dogs, 2022)
Produced by accomplished guitarist and longtime Blue Dogs fan—and at times, guitar player—Sadler Vaden (Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit), Big Dreamers marks a long-awaited comeback for the band and an inevitable full-circle moment for their producer. “I have a history with these guys,” Vaden says. “They used to hire me when I was 18 or 19 years old to play with them. I’ve always admired their sound, even on their albums before I started playing with them, but this record represents the best part of the Blue Dogs in my mind. It’s return to form that also brings out the highlights of their last record. Some things are polished and some things are a little more raw.” Vaden is not the only fan of Blue Dogs contributing to Big Dreamers; legendary Texas songwriter Radney Foster sings background vocals on “That’s How I Knew,” which he co-wrote with Bobby Houck along with the greasy, mid-tempo “If Ever,” and dobro master Jerry Douglas joined the boys on the bluegrass-inspired “The Road You Don’t.”
JamBase premiered the music video for “That’s How I Knew,” Blue Dogs’ irresistible ode to finding the right relationship, and BrooklynVegan highlighted the track, calling it, “a warm, breezy song that finds the long-running band in fine form.” Fans can watch the videoat this link and pre-orderBig Dreamers ahead of its June 3 release. The band will be celebrating the release of Big Dreamers with a concert at Isle of Palms, South Carolina’s famed Windjammer beach stage on June 3. Tickets are still available.
Founded in 1987 and based in Charleston, the group is still led by songwriters Hank Futch (bass) and Bobby Houck (lead singer, acoustic guitar), who grew up together in Florence, South Carolina. After nearly two decades on the road, the Blue Dogs took an extended break from touring in 2007 as Futch and Houck accepted jobs outside of music to support their new families. Yet they both filed away occasional phrases and potential titles just in case they ever had a chance to make another album together. For this project, they were joined in the studio by guitarist Dan Hood, steel guitar player Charlie Thompson, and longtime drummer Greg Walker. Keeping it all in one big Blue Dogs family, former member Phillip Lammonds co-wrote three of the new songs.
“We’re doing this to follow that dream of playing music and sharing our sound with whoever wants to listen,” Futch says. “We’ve probably been Americana before that became a term. But we didn’t feel like we had to be anything other than ourselves to write these songs.” Houck adds, “We still have something to say. We can write good songs that we like, knowing other people will like them too. We’ve got a lot more to do, more places to play, and maybe bigger places to play. Because of this album, we get to live this dream longer than we thought.”
Big Dreamers track list: The Good Ones Big Dreamers Young Love All Night Long That’s How I Knew Love Is Love Is Love The Good Road If Ever The Road You Don’t Carolina Grand All Out Of Time
SA Examiner 