Revenge of the 90s: TICKET GIVEAWAY and Interview with Keith Zalinger

Psychic home brewer and bassist extraordinaire Keith Zalinger is a true believer in the maxim “Go big or go home.”  In this case, Zalinger has turned a conversation at the bar into a reunion bash for four of Connecticut’s best-loved 90s bands.  The Revenge of 90s Rock and Metal, featuring Future Shock, Safe Haven, Khasm,… Continue reading Revenge of the 90s: TICKET GIVEAWAY and Interview with Keith Zalinger

Women in Business, Part VII: HandHewnFromMe2You

This summer interview series focuses on Connecticut women who work hard to take their talents to the next level.  Wilton artisan Ana Kristina is a perfect example of this.  She’s turned her love of paper crafts and an eye for detail into a full-time business, HandHewnFromMe2You.  In an email interview, she and I talked about… Continue reading Women in Business, Part VII: HandHewnFromMe2You

Thrift Store Shopping Tips and Tricks, Goodwill Edition

My finds: two nice summer dresses, one casual summer dress, one fall dress, one short sleeved shirt, one pair of shorts, sticky notes, a picture frame, a unopened Pack n Play sheet for my friend, and a "leaf tablecloth."

Second-hand shopping has been a hobby of mine since I was a teenager back in ol “Mecca of the Universe” Branford, Connecticut.  My stepmother Gina and I made regular pilgrimages to the Homemaker Thrift Shop to see what treasures we could uncover, chasing the thrill of finding a great pair of jeans for $5 or… Continue reading Thrift Store Shopping Tips and Tricks, Goodwill Edition

Cat Lady Book Reviews: 100 Things to Do in Hartford Before You Die

Despite being a Connecticut resident all my life, I had no idea there was so much to do in Hartford.  I’ve lived mostly in the southwestern end aside from some brief stints in Hamden, and the Nutmeg State’s capitol city has been off my radar since the Webster Underground shows of yore. (I know the… Continue reading Cat Lady Book Reviews: 100 Things to Do in Hartford Before You Die

Band Interview: Mineva

In our effort to provide our readers coverage of the best new local music, we present to you Mineva, a fiery and passionate post-hardcore band.  On their debut EP, Precious, Endless, Kevin Covill (vocals), Jason Moriarty (guitar, vocals), Sean Prior (guitar), Peter Stroczkowski (bass, vocals) and Anthony Buck (drums) deliver four songs of jagged, sincere… Continue reading Band Interview: Mineva

EP Review: Downward Spiral

My buddy Marco G has been sending Alternative Control albums to review for a couple years, and Downward Spiral’s self-titled debut EP is my favorite so far.  It builds on the musical ideas from his previous group Stikpin and the production is radio-ready. Marco plays guitar in the current incarnation, joined by Stikpin vocalist Chris… Continue reading EP Review: Downward Spiral

Album Review: Phat Astronaut Live

In a world that’s recorded to a click track and run through autotune… Where the sound of instruments is replaced with electronic imitations of the sound of instruments… One local band had the courage…. To release… A LIVE ALBUM… Recorded… At their FIRST SHOW. Okay, end movie trailer voice.  Seriously though, who does that?  Great… Continue reading Album Review: Phat Astronaut Live