“A worm is a wet dream… from a Bird’s Eye View.”

I’m not going to tell you that Amy Kuney is for you. Or that she is the most important singer/songwriter you haven’t heard. I’ll tell you that if you like honesty and artistry, simplicity and singability, you’ll have a hard time not falling in love with Amy. Though she sites Nina Simone as an influence, her vocalism is more reminiscent of Billy Holiday. Each word leaves her mouth with deceptive clarity and innocence. She puts on no trite or over-stylized technique; when she sings, you hear her voice.

The production on her album “Bird’s Eye View” is, well, charming. Quirky and unassuming horn sections bolster the lyrical endeavor of her debut album, adding spunk and a unique type of retro. Plunky piano parts adorn her tunes, making her simple vocal delivery even more plaintive. Please listen to “Rocket Surgery” for a good example of what I’m talking about.

These days, a production that fits a voice, and a song, seems more rare than regular, so the approach that Producer Scott Siever takes on Amy’s music is more than refreshing, it’s reassuring. I want to call Scott and say “Thank you for believing in music.”

With vocals and guitars like this, it is almost a wonder of the world that Parting Jets For Jazzmen aren’t already huge. Catchy songs, solid production, nuanced and passionate musicianship, and a sound you can believe in, all mark this band for success. Siting influences like Lyndsay Lohan and Hillary Duff, I get the sense that they don’t take themselves too seriously, but it’s obvious they have an adolescent obsession with their instruments, which breaks through their performances like writing on the wall.
Troy Cawthon’s vox is very lightly reminiscent of Patrick Stump (Fallout Boy,) making his sound familiar but not used. This balance beam he plays on with deft melodicism that instantly requires attention, and builds excitement in the listener, (at least when I’m the listener.)
Check out Miss Denial. The guitarist shows a great command of the instrument and a sense of melody to rival the vocals, making each next moment possibly a favorite. The sense of ensemble in the band is tangible, as you can hear in moments of break down in this song; their sense of space is as keen as the sense of melody.
On top of all this, they have a sweet looking logo. I’m genuinely excited to share this band with my friends, and even more excited to hear more from them.

An instrumental band with a penchant for hazy, relentless chords and stumbling, varied drumming, Sad Breakfast keeps you waiting for what’s coming next, be it a cue from Husky Rescue or the Explosions in the Sky that influences them so heavily.

And you won’t be disappointed. With the illusive melodies of ‘So Far So Good’ running through your mind, you’ll be transported to forests of dappled sunlight and crunchy leaves. ‘Antilia’s’ incessant strumming and cymbal thrashing will have you driving through the city streets at night, racing through the evening lights.

Then, of course, to keep you curious, you get a track like ‘Rompiendo Cosas,’ a heavier rock number with crackling guitar riffs and even more percussion. In the instrumental world, you’ve got to have that special something to keep ‘em interested, and Sad Breakfast does just that with its well-crafted, pensive intricacies.

Rod On, Jr.
By: Elsa Lee

Rod On, Jr. is a twice published novelist and successful screenwriter before his film directorial debut met with critical acclaim. His subsequent films and screenplay have been equally well received and he continues to direct feature-length, short films, high tech commercials, and videos as well as writing novels and original screenplays. Rod On, Jr. was the award winning director at the Philadelphia International Film Festival and Market 2004 for his movie “Une Grand Perte”. He directed a second feature-length film, “City and Crimes” which he also authored. He has directed videos of the following artists: Jamiroquai, McSolaar, and Robin Williams. He has also directed high-tech commercials for Lancome, BMW, and Toyota. He is presently in development of his third theatrical feature film titled “The Last Chapter,” a psychological drama thriller suspense which he authored and for which he will serve as director. This project is based on the unpublished novel “Le Dernier Chapitre”. The book is scheduled for publication by Michel Lafon Publishing which is acquiring worldwide rights for the novel.

Are we going to talk about Le Dernier Chapitre or The Last Chapter?

It is the same book; Le Dernier Chapitre is the French title while The Last Chapter is the English title. However, the original title is “Le Dernier Chapitre”.

The Last Chapter is your third novel. What are your other publications?

“Une Grande perte” (Great Loss) and Strange Destiny were my previously published novels. “Une Grande Perte” is a powerful social drama. The story revolves around the loss of loved ones and short departures of a friend. The story takes place at the border of French-Germany in a town called Strasbourg. “Une Grande Perte” was not published in English, sorry! Strange Destiny is a psychological mystery drama inspired by a true story about an Italian family—the Brostani’s—and their son Armandi Brostani, a graduate student from the University of Maryland. He committed suicide in 2001 after acknowledging that he was the psycho-killer of 8 students on two university campuses in the US and Italy. The book was published in 2003 and was very well received by critics around the world.

“Strange Destiny” sounds like a sad story!

No! A beautiful story! A story of love, caring, and forgiveness. (very serious) Go buy the book and you will find out what I am talking about. If you are not moved by the story, I will buy you a drink the next time I see you.

How and when did you get started as a writer?

Growing up I hated reading. I did all I could to avoid books. Turns out later I learned I was suffering from a reading comprehension disability. It wasn’t until 12th grade that things changed. My mom found my journal under my bed, by curiosity because I was a very shy guy. She read it and was shocked by the details of my journey in school, home, relationships between my brothers and sisters. She made a copy of the entire journal and sent it to my uncle in Paris with a note “I think that my son is sick. Can you help me?” In Paris I came across different books and amazing authors such as Jean Paul Satre, Emile Zola, Jean Racine, Krosvissov, the rest is a long story. Then, my first literary agent, Catherine Henry, gave me The Outsiders, Rumble Fish, Tex, That Was Then This Is Now. She explained that Hinton was 16 when she wrote The Outsiders. From page one until the end of the book I was catapulted into another world. The book amazed me. I thought about it for days after reading it. I could not wait to read another book. And it was like that for all of Hinton’s books. Before I knew what was happening to me, I was buying books in stores and reading at least a book a month. Then, Catherine helped me through different writing exercises. She challenged me to write outside my personal life and to be as precise as the short stories of my journal, but without being connected to the story of my characters. I loved it! My career, you might say, had begun.

How do you usually find your ideas?

It’s a great question. Sometimes I get a character in mind. Sometimes a plot or a twist ending. Lots of times I just start writing and see where it lead me. Occasionally, I get inspired with something that has a beginning, middle, and end. With The Last Chapter it was different because the lead character, Eric Leeman, is a writer and I am a writer. Eric is a best-selling author of 7 books! Eric is going through a very difficult time of his life and career. Somehow, I sympathized with him but I couldn’t find any solutions to help him, so it was hard to find an end to the story.

Did you ever get any rejections?

Did I ever get any rejections? Yes. I still get rejections. Part of being a writer is having a thick skin. Finding an interested editor, I believe, has to do a lot with luck and timing.

How do you react to rejection?

There are two types of rejections. Formal Letters and what I call Positive Rejection. A Formal Letter is just like it sounds. No signature, or a rubber-stamp signature. You wonder if they didn’t just open your submission, attach a Formal Letter, and return it to you without so much as reading a word. A little depressing at times. But what can you do? The Positive Rejection is when an editor actually takes the time to personalize the rejection letter in some way. “Close, try us with your next story idea.” Something. Anything that makes it more than just a Formal Letter Rejection. Those I consider inspiring.

Do you have any other interests besides writing and cinema?

Yes! Music! In fact, you know, sometimes it takes at least a year to raise funds for movie production, so in the meantime, a friend came to me with the idea of starting a record label…so, I did! Arusa Music Entertainment. I’m having a lot of fun with it—we have several really great artists and great producers that are making some hot songs.

Wow! A man of many talents and interests! What is the name again?

(smiling) Yes. Arusa Music Entertainment.

Juggling the music, directing, and writing, how do you find time to relax?

Haha. There is no time to relax! You know, when I hear a good song…hear a great artist sing some strong, pure notes…that’s the greatest pleasure of all! That is my relaxation.

Goals for the future?

Stay alive.