Category: Women Who Rock

1980's, A Conversation With, Art, Beyond What We Know, Books, comedy, Entertainment, Fashion, Horror, Interview, Life, Morning Call, Movies and TV, Music, News, The Seventh Echo, Theater, Top Headlines, Women Who Rock

One Hundred Conversations Later: Celebrating My 100th Morning Call Interview

When I sat down to interview Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls recently, I knew I was talking with one of the defining voices of the MTV generation. What I didn’t realize until afterward was that our conversation marked a personal writing milestone: my 100th interview for The Morning Call.

It’s a number I’m incredibly proud of—not because of the total itself, but because of everything those one hundred conversations represent.

As someone who grew up obsessed with music, I never imagined I’d someday have the opportunity to speak directly with the artists whose songs helped shape different chapters of my life. What began as an occasional assignment gradually became one of the most rewarding parts of my career as a journalist.

Over the years, those interviews have taken me across nearly every musical landscape imaginable. I’ve spoken with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Grammy Award winners, legendary singer-songwriters, virtuoso musicians, comedians, rising stars, and artists performing in intimate clubs as well as sold-out arenas. Every conversation has offered a different perspective—not just on music, but on creativity, perseverance, and the lives lived behind the spotlight.

One of the greatest surprises has been discovering how remarkably generous musicians are with their time and stories. Behind every platinum record or iconic hit song is a person who still remembers the uncertainty of getting started, the excitement of writing that breakthrough song, or the challenges of staying creative decades into a career.

Those are the stories I’ve always tried to tell.

Rather than simply asking about tour dates or new albums, I’ve enjoyed exploring the experiences that shaped the artists themselves. Sometimes that means discussing songwriting. Other times it leads to conversations about family, loss, inspiration, mental health, aging, or the changing music industry. Those unscripted moments often become the most memorable parts of an interview.

Reaching interview #100 with Mike Score feels especially fitting. A Flock of Seagulls helped define an era of music that still resonates with fans today, and speaking with Score reminded me why these conversations continue to matter. Music connects generations. Long after the charts have changed, the songs remain part of people’s lives.

Looking back, I’m grateful to The Morning Call for trusting me with these stories and allowing me the opportunity to meet so many fascinating people along the way. I’m equally thankful to the publicists, managers, record labels, venues, and artists who made each interview possible.

Most importantly, I’m grateful to the readers.

Whether you’ve read one interview or all one hundred, your enthusiasm for live music and the artists behind it has made this journey worthwhile. Every time someone tells me they discovered a new performer because of one of my stories, or attended a concert after reading an interview, I’m reminded why I continue doing this.

One hundred interviews may sound like a finish line, but it doesn’t feel that way.

It feels like another milestone in an ongoing conversation.
There are still countless artists with stories waiting to be told, albums waiting to be discussed, and concerts waiting to be experienced. If these first one hundred interviews have taught me anything, it’s that every musician has a unique journey worth sharing.

Here’s to interview #101 —and whatever comes after that.


Thanks for reading, and thanks for coming along for the ride.

A Conversation With, Entertainment, Interview, News, Women Who Rock

Jupiter Jetson on Unionizing Brothel Workers, Fighting for Ownership Rights, and Making History
Photo: Dean Capture

Jupiter Jetson never expected to become one of the most recognizable labor advocates in the adult industry. Known for her beauty and work as a legal sex worker at one of Nevada’s famous brothels, Jetson recently found herself thrust into the national spotlight after helping organize what supporters describe as the first successful brothel-worker unionization effort in U.S. history.

The movement began late last year, after workers at Sheri’s Ranch were presented with new contracts that, according to Jetson, sought sweeping control over performers’ names, images, likenesses, and intellectual property in perpetuity. What started as concerns over contract language quickly evolved into a broader conversation about labor rights, worker protections, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in creative industries.

Now serving as Chief Steward of United Brothel Workers, Jetson has become one of the leading voices in a labor dispute that extends far beyond Nevada’s brothel industry. 

In our new interview, she discusses the origins of the union effort, the challenges workers have faced, and why she believes the fight has implications for workers across countless professions.

How did this unionization effort begin? 

Jupiter Jetson: There was a very specific ignition point. In December of 2025 management at Sheri’s Ranch introduced new contracts with the expectation that we’d receive them when we arrived and sign them immediately. We weren’t even given advance copies.

Thankfully, I had a friend working that week who sent me photos of the contract. When I reviewed it, I was shocked. Within the first few pages, the contract claimed ownership of our name, image, likeness, durable power of attorney, and intellectual property—past, present, and future.

I immediately sent it to an attorney, who confirmed that I was reading it correctly. In some ways, they told me it was even worse than I realized.

What happened after that?

Jupiter Jetson: We had a small Discord group where workers mostly shared practical things—rides to the airport, lost phone chargers, things like that. I posted the contract and my attorney’s analysis. Almost immediately, everyone started contacting other workers. Within days, nearly every working woman at the ranch had joined the discussion. We first tried addressing management directly through emails and requests for clarification but got little to no response. Eventually, we sought legal assistance and were connected with organizers from the Communications Workers of America.

They looked at our situation and told us something important: if we weren’t truly being treated as independent contractors, then we had the right to organize as employees. Within 24 hours, we had a simple majority of workers signing union authorization cards. Within 48 hours, we had a supermajority.

You were subsequently fired. Do you believe it was connected to the organizing effort?

Jupiter Jetson: Absolutely. I had no disciplinary record. In fact, the last time I had worked there, management had asked me to pose on behalf of the ranch for Esquire. Then, shortly after helping collect union authorization cards I was terminated. Several other women involved in the organizing effort were also fired. At this point, roughly ten percent of the workforce has been terminated.

Many people might assume this dispute centers solely on the nature of sex work itself. But that isn’t really the case, is it?

Jupiter Jetson: Not at all. The issue that galvanized everyone was intellectual property and ownership rights. People hear “brothel union” and assume we’re talking about sexual services or negotiating activities. The reality is that this started because workers wanted to maintain ownership of their names, likenesses, creative work, and future careers. The AI component is especially important. Under the contract language, workers could potentially be duplicated in media they never consented to. That’s a concern that extends far beyond our industry.

So this stretches far beyond being a courtesan?

Jupiter Jetson: Exactly. This is a worker issue. We’re seeing companies attempt to claim ownership over people’s identities, creativity, and labor in ways that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. That’s why I think this story has resonated outside our industry. Historically, sex workers often become the test case for larger social and labor issues. I’m hopeful that if we succeed, it can create momentum for workers in many other fields.

What has this experience been like for you personally?

Jupiter Jetson: Surreal. I’ve always believed in labor rights and worker solidarity, but actually finding myself in this position is something entirely different. Sometimes I still can’t believe we did this. I’ll see someone I’ve never met carrying a United Brothel Workers mug, and it hits me all over again. It’s exciting and emotional. It’s also deeply humbling.

The funniest part is that I now have a Wikipedia page, and somehow I’m becoming known more for labor rights advocacy than anything else I’ve done in my career. I never would have predicted that.

Looking ahead, what comes next?

Jupiter Jetson: First and foremost, I’m always going to be a harlot but beyond that I’m continuing this fight. We’ve been told there’s a strong possibility I could eventually be reinstated to my position, and if that happens, I absolutely intend to return to the Ranch.

I’m also continuing to write. I’ve been working on a book for some time, and this entire experience has given the project a completely new dimension. It was originally intended to be part memoir and part guide based on my experiences in the industry. Now it also includes this labor movement and everything that’s happened over the past several months.

Before we wrap up, I want to bring up something you told me during our first interview several years ago about your life, because it seems incredibly relevant. At the time, I asked you what the biggest lesson you had learned about yourself, and your answer was: “The biggest thing I’ve learned that carries across all industries is the importance of knowing your worth.”

Jupiter Jetson: That’s incredible! It’s basically a union slogan. The awareness we’ve raised has already made a difference. I’ve heard from workers in other parts of the industry who are now having conversations about organizing and advocating for themselves. That alone makes this worth it. 

What’s funny is people keep telling me that this whole movement fits perfectly with who I’ve always been. I still find it surprising, but maybe they’re right. Even if the outcome remains uncertain, the conversations are already happening—and that’s something nobody can take away from us.

To learn more about United Brothel Workers and follow the unionization effort, visit: 

https://unitedbrothelworkers.org

A Conversation With, Art, Entertainment, Interview, Women Who Rock

Rewriting the Script: Sarah Vandella on Life, Legacy and Her Next Chapter

Sarah Vandella isn’t disappearing — she’s rewriting the script.

After years as one of adult entertainment’s most recognizable performers, she’s stepping back from the persona that defined her and into something far more personal. While slowly transitioning the “Vandella” moniker in favor of “Moon,” the stunning beauty is turning her focus toward online platforms, wellness, and a more intentional way of living.

The shift comes after a career that thrived both on-camera and within the world of legal sex work. But this isn’t a story about walking away. It’s about taking control.

On her own terms, Sarah is carving out a life that prioritizes autonomy, sustainability, and growth, while still finding ways to channel the same creative energy that once fueled her work in front of the camera in the adult industry. But she’s not saying goodbye, she’s simply moving in a new direction.

I spoke with Sarah about stepping back from on-camera work and in-person sex work, what she’s building now, and why this next chapter might be her most defining yet.

You’re scaled back a lot in your career- what was the catalyst?

I always said from the beginning that I’d keep doing it until it stopped being fun. It’s not that it suddenly wasn’t fun anymore — it was more that the world just stopped feeling as safe. There wasn’t one specific moment or event that triggered it. It was something that built up over time, just watching things shift and change. I’d spent so much time building my brand, but the legal side of sex work, and the back-and-forth to Reno, started to wear on me.

Was there a particular moment that stood out in coming to the decision?

I think I really knew something was off when I noticed my routine changing. On my way to the ranch, I used to stop overnight just to ground myself before going into that environment. Eventually, I started feeling depressed and my body was telling me not to go anymore. I sat with that feeling for a few months and that’s when I knew it was time. The decision was met with a lot of support and love, and I’m incredibly grateful for my time there. It’s a part of my story, and I’ll always be thankful for the Mustang Ranch. I still have friends there and I care about them deeply.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned about yourself — and about the industry — over the course of your career?

A few things, honestly. First, no matter what’s legal or how much security is in place, you’re never completely safe. Despite the trajectory of adult work, there’s always some level of risk when it comes to safety. That was a hard truth to accept, especially given how the industry has evolved. I also came to understand just how deeply the structure of porn is rooted in patriarchy. It was never really built for female performers to truly thrive or have longevity. There’s this unspoken “expiration date” for female performers — people say it’s around thirty-six — which is frighteningly sad. In some ways, I found myself circling back to that idea more than I expected.

At the same time, I did learn that I was able to carve out moments that were genuinely mine — times where I was having fun on my own terms. Those are the things I hold onto. Little pieces of that were real, and mine.

What were some of your biggest highlights in the adult industry?

The contract years, the traveling and the signings was a really fun chapter. I got to experience a lot, especially before Covid. I had a strong run where I was working consistently, doing photo shoots, shooting movies, and just staying busy in a way that felt exciting. There were a lot of genuinely good moments in that stretch. I also loved doing the conventions and signing with Reality Kings, which really set the tone for where my career could go. Those experiences stick with me. There were a lot of grateful moments.

What would you say was the most challenging?

For me, it was a lot more about my internal struggles than anything else. The hardest stretch was the period right before I got sober. There was a time when I was basically unshootable — my agent couldn’t book me, and I wasn’t showing up in the way I needed to. That forced me to really look at myself and do the work. I had to dig deep and completely reinvent who I was, both personally and professionally. Changing how I lived off camera ended up changing everything. It brought me back to a more grounded, authentic version of myself, and that shift allowed me to come back stronger.

Is there a bit of advice you can give for those wanting to start a career in adult entertainment?

The industry is such a broad term now — it doesn’t even necessarily mean you have to work with studios anymore to create content. But if you do want to shoot with studios then do your research on agents, find someone you genuinely connect with, and make sure you feel comfortable with them. Don’t sign anything right away. Sit with it, ask questions, and have someone you trust go through the legal jargon with you. Protecting yourself is everything.

Most importantly, don’t say yes to anything you’re not fully comfortable with doing. You might grow into certain things over time, but that should happen on your own terms. If you agree to something and it ends up going in a direction that feels wrong or even traumatic, that can set you back in a real way. It’s not worth putting yourself through that.

What new projects are you currently working on?

I’m always working and doing my online work managing my OnlyFans and other platforms. I’m also certified in sound healing and taking coaching classes. For now, I’m formatting my foundation for where I want to go next in the healing arts and wellness industry. I want these next few years to be different in terms of energy. I’ve always been working on myself, even while I was doing sex work and porn. I believe in the kindness and hope of humans. We can hold space for the joy and the resistance. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Whatever we do, we have to just keep living the best that we can.

Follow Sarah on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sarahlivesfreely/

Books, Entertainment, Fun And Games, Horror, Interview, Medium, Women Who Rock

Victoria Morsell Hemingson Discusses 30th Anniversary of ‘Phantasmagoria,’ Writing

Widely regarded as one of the most successful and controversial computer video games of its time, Phantasmagoria wowed gamers when it was released in the summer of 1995.

The interactive point-and-click horror adventure created by Sierra Online, one of the first games for both MS-DOS and Windows, spanned seven discs and grossed more than $12 million dollars on its opening weekend, easily becoming one of the year’s best-selling games.

The hugely detailed 550-page script developed by Roberta Williams told the story of Adrienne Delaney (portrayed by actress Victoria Morsell Hemingson), a writer who moves into a remote mansion only to find herself terrorized by supernatural forces. The game featured both live action and cinematic footage mixed within a three-dimensionally rendered environment.

Despite the buzz and high demand it generated, Phantasmagoria was also considered controversial upon its release in 1995, with several major retailers refusing to even stock the game because of content they considered to contain “highly realistic violence.” Something that seems trivial in comparison to the games currently occupying store shelves three decades later.

Although the game was hugely successful, Victoria Morsell Hemingson decided to switch gears from acting in order to pursue a career in writing shortly after the release of Phantasmagoria, as well as to concentrate on marriage and raising a family. In 2021 she was awarded the grand prize in the Mystery/Thriller category in Book Pipeline Unpublished for her novel, “Awful Necessary Things.”

Today, she’s concentrating on several different writing projects, including novels as well as a powerfully written and personal non-fiction piece about a difficult time in her life. She’s also had the opportunity to actually play Phantasmagoria herself for the very first time on the Conversations with Curtis YouTube channel.

I recently spoke with Hemingson about Phantasmagoria’s 30th anniversary and its impact, her writing and more in this new interview.

It’s been thirty years since the release of Phantasmagoria. When you look back now with so much perspective what thoughts come to mind?

Victoria Morsell Hemingson: I remember it was actually really fun to make. We had such a great time because it was like a dream job. They put us up in cabins and we all got to stay by a lake. We were a tight knit group and it was nice to have something steady for a few months. If you follow Conversations With Curtis on YouTube, that was the first time I ever actually played the game. I remember when I was hired I really didn’t know very much about computer video games but I was told it was a new kind of game that was cutting edge. I had originally auditioned for the director for another project. He had seen me act before and knew I’d be right for the part in Phantasmagoria.

Did you know what you were getting into with this game?

Hemingson: It was hard to envision exactly what it was going to look like at first. It was a gigantic script and there was a lot we didn’t understand going in. For example, the set was in front of a blue screen and was completely empty. There was no furniture; just boxes for steps, beds and chairs. I remember we had to stand facing a monitor and could see the animation that they already had done on the TV and where we were going to be in relation to the game while we were doing it. It took a while to get used to how to move and be in the right place on screen. As an actor it was a bit of a challenge not knowing how big or small to go. We were all figuring it out as we went along.

What was it like learning the story and what were some of the little nuances in the 500+ page script?

Hemingson: Roberta Williams told me the story. The script itself was all in order but it contained everything, like first I would have to open a drawer to find the matches. Then I would open the drawer to see the matches, then open the drawer and not see the matches. Each of those kinds of variations was part of the script. I remember when we filmed we were there for a few months and then brought back in a few months later to shoot for a final few weeks.

What made you decide to make the transition from acting to writing?

Hemingson: I always wrote when I was a kid and a lot of the acting I was starting to do wasn’t as satisfying or fulfilling. I wanted to do something I was really proud of. I still remember the exact moment I realized that I was done acting. I had gone on an audition for a play and they kept everyone waiting around for hours and hours. Then when it was finally my turn to audition it was like a split second. It just felt like it wasn’t worth it. So I decided to go back to school and got a master’s in writing. The writing was something I always wanted to do.

What’s your writing process like?

Hemingson: It can be difficult trying to get into the groove but I try to write in the morning and then later on in the afternoon, Of course, it’s different when I’m revising. When I was in school I was a little more efficient with my time working and writing.

What are some of the projects you’re currently working on?

Hemingson: I recently wrote a personal non-fiction piece for Hippocampus Magazine. I used to work as a receptionist when I was younger and had an eating disorder. It was during this time that I started seeing this actor, whose name I won’t reveal.

I’ve also written a fiction piece for South Carolina Review about a woman in Los Angeles who’s trying to get off a cycle of bad choices and am working on a new novel.

What are you most looking forward to about this next phase of your career?

Hemingson: I guess it would have to be completing these new projects. I’m excited about working on them. I need to get them out of me. I may also be collaborating with my husband on something which will be fun. He’s a screenwriter who wrote the film, “The Holdovers.”

A Conversation With, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call, Music, Women Who Rock

Pentatonix singer on group’s origins and its Allentown Fair show

Since their emergence in 2011, Pentatonix has become one of most innovative vocal groups of all time and redefined what a cappella is all about.

The three-time Grammy winning vocal quintet, which features Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi, Kirstin Maldonado, Kevin Olusola and Matt Sallee, have sold more than 10 million albums and performed everywhere from The White House to The Hollywood Bowl. Last year the group completed their biggest Christmas tour to date by selling more than 200,000 tickets in support of their Greatest Christmas Hits album.

This weekend, the group is bringing its ubiquitous vocal talent and high energy to the Allentown Fair for a performance on Saturday, with special guest and “American Idol” alum David Archuleta. It’s a show that promises both a healthy dose of classic Pentatonix material as well as new songs along with a few surprises.

I recently spoke with vocalist Kirstin Maldonado about Pentatonix’s Allentown Fair show and more in this new interview.

Q. What can Pentatonix fans expect from your Allentown Fair performance?

Kirstin Maldonado: We’re really looking forward to the show. It will be fun and different. Last year we were touring constantly and this year we had a lot had time off to be able to work on new music and we’re also bringing back some oldies and classics. We always try to include the songs everyone wants to hear.

You can read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Kristin Maldonado by Clicking Here.

A Conversation With, Entertainment, Interview, Morning Call, Music, Women Who Rock

Meet her on Broadway: Bethlehem native Lilly Moss talks about her singing career, her new album and that time she met Taylor Swift

Rising country artist Lilly Moss has roots that run deep through the Lehigh Valley. Born and raised in Bethlehem, the talented singer-songwriter is making a name for herself by combining her uniquely ubiquitous voice with a good measure of poetic storytelling.

This year, Moss performed for a sold-out crowd at the Pediatric Cancer Foundation’s Hearts of Gold Gala, where her mosaic artwork brought a winning bid of $20,000 for the foundation. She also performed at the Sherman Theater Showcase as a special guest of Hayes Warner, who was named one of People’s “Emerging Artists to Watch 2023.”

Moss’ second single, “Heartbreak Summer,” will be released Friday; the release date of her album will be announced soon. The title-track, “Meet Me on Broadway,” is an energetic tribute to Moss’ dream of a Nashville happily ever after and was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Dan Malsch of Soundmine Studios in Stroudsburg.

Moss’ summer schedule is shaping up nicely and includes both band and solo (guitarist-accompanied) performances, including a Musikfest appearance at Lyrikplatz on Monday, Aug. 5. On Monday, July 22, she’ll appear with her full band, The Steel Ponies, at the Williams Township 75th Country Fair. Her performance starts at 7 p.m.

You can find out more about Lilly Moss on her website: www.lillymoss.com. I recently spoke with Lilly Moss about her music in this new interview.

Q. Did you always know music was going to be your calling?

Lilly Moss: I like to say that I grew into it. I started voice lessons in sixth grade and took them up until I left high school but never really thought about performing because I was self-conscious of my voice and its tone. I wasn’t confident enough to put myself out there until I realized that’s what set me apart. I performed for the first time back in 2021 and remember never wanting to get off the stage. It was then that I thought, ‘OK, let’s do this for real.’

You can read the rest of my Morning Call interview with Lilly Moss by Clicking Here.

1980's, A Conversation With, Books, Entertainment, Interview, Medium, Music, Women Who Rock

‘True Tale of Mista Bone’: Author K.L. Doty Previews New Jack Russell Autobiography

In her new book, “The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock and Roll Narrative,” Author K.L. Doty unveils the long-awaited story of the life of vocalist Jack Russell. From his early years as the original front man for American rock band Great White to the band’s subsequent success with its million-selling album, Once Bitten as well as thesubsequent follow-up, Twice Shy, and their infectious cover of the Ian Hunter song, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” Russell gives readers an inside look into the glory days and debauchery of eighties hard rock.

Doty’s book, which will be released this summer, also promises to reveal a deeper, more complex story of Russell’s life. One that offers readers a personal and eye-opening account of the singer’s rise, fall, and return to fame following the horrific events of The Station Nightclub fire in February of 2003. In it, Doty helps to uncover Russell’s creative and enduring spirit, one showcased both in and outside of the spotlight.

I recently spoke with K.L. Doty about Jack Russell’s upcoming autobiography and more in this new interview.

How did you and Jack Russell connect?

My husband, Chip Z’Nuff is in a band Enuff Z’Nuff. They’ve been around since the eighties and still actively tour. I helped sell merchandise on the road for Enuff Z’Nuff for a long time and Jack Russell’s Great White was one of the bands that Chip toured with. That’s how I met him.

How did this project come about?

I had been approached several times over the course of a few years by Robby Lochner, who is Jack’s guitarist. I said no every time because even then I knew how much work was going to be involved. Then In September of 2020 I was asked again. At the time, I had just finished almost two years of study to become a wardrobe stylist through the New York University of Art and Science. I still wasn’t interested in taking on so much work but went to bed and literally woke up in the middle of the night thinking, “I have to do this.” That’s how it all started.

What was the writing process like?

People often ask me what my biggest advice for writing a book is, and it’s always “Don’t do it!” [laughs]. You start off with stars in your eyes but the longer you go the stars can start to dim, because it’s a lot of information. And it’s not like I was writing some cute little fairy tale from my own brain. I was writing someone else’s story and it was all true. So if someone tells me something, even if it was just a single sentence that contained a few facts, I would have to go and fact check with multiple sources. It can be hard to corral the information and still create a cohesive story. I had to learn to be organized and do whatever I could to seek out the information I needed.

What were some of the other challenges you faced during?

I didn’t realize I would be giving up as much as I did, including spending time on the road with my husband. I was working with other people’s schedules and had to put personal relationships on hold because this book had to be first. The whole process took four years in total and I spent the first two years interviewing Jack a few times a week for about an hour and half. It was all recorded and there was so much to transcribe. My goal was to get the general idea of things and then make it sound the best that I could. I received the first copy recently. It didn’t become real until I actually held it in my hands. That’s when it sunk in that this heavy thing I was holding; something that you could open up and look through, actually existed!

Did Jack share any fun “rock and roll” stories with you?

Oh, he had a lot of those. Little anecdotes, like when he was on tour with Judas Priest and they trashed the hotel room and threw everything out into the pool. It was one of the first times the band had been on the road and they wound up having to pay out a lot of money.

K.L. Doty – Photo by Jamie Benjamin

Jack says “I’m sorry” quite a bit when discussing the events of The Station Nightclub fire. How did you approach talking to him about such a difficult subject?

It was a heavy thing to have myself go through as a writer and I was very cautious talking about certain things. Jack says “I’m sorry” in the book because, legally, he wasn’t allowed to say it during the trial, because doing so would be considered an admission of guilt. This is the first time he gets to speak out on that.

Can you tell me a little about your background and how it helped shape you into who you are today?

I come from a very whimsical family and grew up around a lot of influential people in rock and roll and Hollywood. Growing up, my grandmother would host these incredible parties where random celebrities would just show up. I knew one day I wanted to be just like that — to host parties with people like that. When I was sixteen, I’d lie to get out of going to school by telling them I was sick or on a family vacation, and then I’d tell my parents that I was going on a field trip. Then I’d go to venues with these rock bands where I would just be there and interview them. Times were different then, but I’d show up and say I was so and so and I was writing articles for this or that magazine. Being female, it was inevitable that I was going to be labeled a groupie, so people looked at it the wrong way. But my main goal was to learn more about the industry.

Are there any other projects you’re currently working on right now?

I have a record that should be coming out by the end of the year. If you ask me how I would describe it, I’d say it’s what would happen if Norah Jones were to do a record with Alice Cooper, Nine Inch Nails and Beethoven. I like to give the sound the imaginary title of phantasmagoric pop. I like very soft, ghostly elements but I don’t mind the industrial drive in the bass. I’m also focusing on boxing right now. It’s something I didn’t know was in me but I really don’t mind hitting hard. We’ll see where it takes me.

Is there a message you’d like people to take away from reading the book?

I want them to take away the beauty of words. The story aside, I wrote this book in such a way where, even under the most horrible of events or feelings, it makes you feel like you’re eating something delicious. Adjectives, synonyms and what have you, it’s a beautiful little puzzle piece. My goal was to take all of the best words and put them in the right order to make a true story taste as incredible as it sounds.

The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative will be released this summer.

A Conversation With, Entertainment, Guitar World Interviews, Interview, Music, Women Who Rock

Ann Wilson on enlisting Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Warren Haynes and Tom Bukovac for new solo album Fierce Bliss
Photo: Scott Dudelson/WireImage

Ann Wilson is one of the premier hard-rock vocalists of all time. Smashing boundaries with longstanding Seattle outfit Heart, she’s enjoyed a decades-long career resulting in more than 35 million albums sold and an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Wilson recorded much of her new solo album, Fierce Bliss, at the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama, and enlisted the company of a trio of guitar powerhouses for good measure: co-producer Tom Bukovac, Warren Haynes and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

Haynes, who last worked with Wilson on her Immortal solo release, returns for Fierce Bliss, bringing along Gov’t Mule for a pair of original songs: Gladiator and Angel’s Blues. 

Shepherd accompanies Wilson on two covers: a monstrous version of the Robin Trower classic, Bridge of Sighs, and an ambitious take on the Eurythmics’ hit, Missionary Man, the latter of which has Wilson backed by a 40-person gospel choir. 

An ethereal duet version of Queen classic Love of My Life with Vince Gill is also featured on the album, as well as fantasy art by Roger Dean, renowned for his work designing Yes’s sleeve artwork.

We spoke with Ann Wilson about Fierce Bliss, working with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Warren Haynes and her favorite memories of Heart.

Was it your desire to create a guitar-driven album?

“Yeah, that’s what I’m comfortable with and what speaks to me. I was blessed to get into the company of Tom Bukovac, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Warren Haynes. They’re great players who are also great humans. After we got vaccinated, we all put on masks and went to Muscle Shoals, where Tom had put together this band with Tony Lucido on bass and Sean Lane on drums.”

Read the rest of my

Interview with Ann Wilson by Clicking Here!

A Conversation With, Entertainment, Interview, Music, Women Who Rock

‘Showin’ Up’: Brooke Josephson Discusses Her Infectious New EP
Brooke Josephson

Known for her catchy pop tunes with a tongue-in-cheek take on domestic life, singer-songwriter and actress Brooke Josephson is showin’ up for another round of infectiously honest and hook-laden material. 

Josephson’s new EP, Showin’ Up, is the follow up to her acclaimed and female-empowered Sexy & Domesticated, and features introspective songs discussing the shifting energy and acceptance of who we are, the importance of the creative journey and making a difference, and the profoundness of lost relationship. 

Self-produced by Josephson, Showin’ Up was mixed and mastered by Grammy winning engineer, Brendan Dekora (Paul McCartney, Foo Fighters, Anita Baker) and features musicians like guitarists Chris Nordlinger, Tim Pierce (Goo Goo Dolls, Crowded House, Phil Collins) and drummer Seth Rausch (Keith Urban, Sheryl Crow, Little Big Town). The EP also includes Josephson’s spin on the Bonnie Raitt classic, “Love Me Like A Man,” and features a radio single as well as an extended jam. 

I recently spoke with Josephson about the new EP and more in this exclusive new interview.

How would you describe Showin’ Up in terms of its sound, and maybe how it relates to some of your previous work?

Josephson: I really leaned in with guitars on this one with Chris Nordlinger. When I think about the progression, both artistically and in my life, there’s been a lot of growth. This one definitely has more of a grounded, rock and roll sound.

What was the writing process like?

Josephson: I actually wrote all of the songs before the pandemic and was performing them live for about six months. It started with lyrics and then I put the music down in my home studio, gave it to my band, and the songs grew every time we played them live. Then we had our opening show at The Whisky in January of 2020 and everything came to a halt. I’ve been sitting with these songs for a bit, and they’ve taken on a whole new meaning from when they were first inspired.

Let’s discuss a few of the tracks, starting with “Rainbow.” What can you tell me about it?

Josephson: “Rainbow” was another one of those songs that was inspired by my daughter. I had picked her up from school one day and she seemed really upset. She put a smile on her face, but I could tell she wasn’t ok. It wasn’t until bedtime that she started crying and said that one of her closest friends had told her to find new friends. It was heartbreaking. So I told her the story of my brother who had a similar issue growing up. Then I remembered that Harry Chapin song, “Flowers Are Red,” and about owning your own color and what makes us special and unique. When she went to sleep I went in and started writing. I wrote it from that perspective and originally planned to release it in 2020. But then the George Floyd trial and Black Lives Matter happened. It was a dark time but there’s been a shift of energy, so when the single finally come out people were ready for something cathartic and bright. It’s a mindful awareness of the differences between us and the humanity that bonds us. 

“Showin’ Up.”

Josephson: I was at a songwriting conference and one of the inspirations was for us to think about writing a song to open our shows with. I thought about what makes doing a live show or going to a show so special, and it’s really all in the power of showin’ up. Not just the audience coming to be present but also as an artist. From the time you pick up your instrument for the first time or start wiring. Having to show up for yourself even when no one else is watching. It leads to the moment when everyone can come together. It’s another song that took on new meaning when I watched the heroes of the pandemic and the essential workers showing up to save lives while we were all stuck at home. It went from a performer’s point of view to something much bigger. 

“Don’t Say.”

Josephson: That was inspired after my parents divorced after thirty-five years of marriage. Even though I was an adult, it affected me profoundly. My brother and a few close friends also went through divorces well. It’s a song about change but still wanting to hold on to what was. It was my way of writing a song for them.

What made you decide to do a cover of “Love Me Like A Man?” 

Josephson: I’ve always been a fan of Bonnie Raitt. That song has so much grit and I’ve always performed it live. In my head I started hearing it with a different rhythm, sort of like the Nine Inch Nails song, “Closer.” We were having so much fun with it in the studio that I just let it keep running. That’s why there’s a radio version and an extended version on the EP. It wasn’t ego driven, we were all just in the groove. 

Are there any other projects you’re currently working on right now?

Josephson: In addition to being a mom I’ve been booking things around music and live shows, including acting opportunities that have been popping up. I’ll be in New York in March to film a thriller that centers around the murder of my character. I’ve also been doing the voice of a fairy in a Disney feature that I’ve recently recorded. 

Was there something you learned about yourself during lockdown, or a philosophy you’ve taken away from not being able to do the things you normally would?

Josephson: I’ve really had to recognize my struggle with perfectionism, and I didn’t realize how hard I was on myself. I like being productive but also had to be sensitive with two kids taking school on Zoom and my husband, who was also working from home. I’ve been leaning into self-compassions and, in doing so, I have more compassion for others. That was a big takeaway for me. 

Now that we’re starting to slowly come out of the pandemic what are you most looking forward to about the future?

Josephson: Collaborating. I still remember when I walked on set for the “Rainbow” music video and saw my band for the first time I was laughing and crying. We were all together making music in the same room again. I’d love to work with other artists, whether it’s writing with them or having other songwriters who are looking for an artist to record their song. I’m really looking forward to collaborating and just being with people. 

1980's, A Conversation With, Entertainment, Interview, Medium, Music, Women Who Rock

‘The Best Is Yet To Come’: Indomitable Songstress Bonnie Tyler Discusses Her Uplifting New Album

Photo: Tina Korhonen

Read the rest of my
Interview with Bonnie Tyler by Clicking Here.