Author: nzaino
My Favorite! Oodles of Poodles with Writer and Teacher Alicia Churchill
The My Favorite! column is a weekly celebration of all things joyful. The parameters are simple. I asked some creative friends to write...... Read More
DoT Podcast Ep35: Billy D. Washington Never Left Stand-Up, But He’s Coming Back, Plus New Music from BIRDS
I’ve been a fan of comedian Billy D. Washington for a while. He’s a smart comic, talented in a lot of ways. He...... Read More
My Favorite! Freelance Writer Jane Benson Knows How Swede It Is
The My Favorite! column is a weekly celebration of all things joyful. The parameters are simple. I asked some creative friends to write...... Read More
DoT Podcast EP34: Erin Judge’s Vow of Celibacy, New Music from Zion Rodman
Today Erin Judge celebrates the one-year anniversary of her debut novel, Vow of Celibacy, which is on sale for $1.99 on Amazon if...... Read More
My Favorite! Sunshine and Yoga with Actor/Writer Maria Ciampa
The My Favorite! column is a weekly celebration of all things joyful. The parameters are simple. I asked some creative friends to write...... Read More
Randy Newman’s Dark Matter: Characters and Visions
If Pixar decides to make a heart-warming epic about Russian strongman Vladimir Putin, Randy Newman has already written the song. Except it won’t...... Read More
My Favorite! Bacon and Eggs with Comedian DJ Hazard
Welcome to the first edition of the new My Favorite! column, a weekly celebration of all things joyful. The parameters are simple. I...... Read More
Alice Cooper’s Paranormal: Welcome Back to the Nightmare
It’s a little silly how happy it makes me to hear Alice Cooper sing lines like, “Please watch your step dear, the world...... Read More
Izzy Lee Has Revenge In Mind In Two New Horror Shorts
Those who love short horror films – be on the lookout. Writer/director Izzy Lee has a couple of new shorts, For A Good...... Read More
Coming Up: Lisa Said Runs Down Her List of “Some Dudes” on New EP
It’s funny how fans are born. I spend a lot of time listening to new music, and “new” old music, clicking links on...... Read More
Video Debut: “The End” by I Was Awake
Dark but hopeful is the theme in this video for “The End” by Boston progressive rockers I Was Awake. The band officially released...... Read More
DoT Podcast EP33: My Infinite Tuesdays with Michael Nesmith, New Music from Banditos
Back in April, Michael Nesmith released his book Infinite Tuesday: An Autobiographical Riff, his take on his 50 years in music, film, and...... Read More
DoT Podcast EP32: Frippery and Foppery with The Upper Crust, Aunty Donna Invades America, and Comedy from Ali Wong
The Department of Tangents Podcast is back from a brief hiatus with a comedy and music packed EP32! The main interview here is...... Read More
AXS TV Re-Airing “Classic Albums” Series
Good news for music geeks! My favorite documentary series – Classic Albums – is back on television, if only for a limited run....... Read More
DoT Podcast EP31 – Rita Rudner’s Comic History, Plus New Music from The Upper Crust
Rita Rudner has been working on an autobiography lately, a considerable undertaking for someone with her history. She has been writing and performing...... Read More
DoT Podcast EP30 – Amy Helm Finds Her Voice and Newly Released Comedy from Bill Hicks
The first thing you should know about Amy Helm is that she’s a fantastic singer/songwriter. In 2015, she released her first solo album,...... Read More
DoT Podcast Episode 29 – A Late-Night “Yes, And” Session with Petey Gibson, Plus Music from Amy Helm
There is a concept in improv called “Yes, And…” which basically means that you take whatever reality your scene partner has presented, accept...... Read More
DoT Podcast EP28 The Women In Comedy Festival 2017 Edition Plus New Music from Scott H. Biram
Last year, I was sad to see one of my favorite festivals, the Women In Comedy Festival, take a hiatus. “Hiatus” can mean...... Read More
DoT Podcast EP27 The Comedians of Awkward Sex and the City and New Music from Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
For EP27 of the podcast, I talked to the comedians of the Awkward Sex and the City tour, including the show’s creator, Natalie...... Read More
GUEST POST: Bunny Movies for Adults: After Dark Edition (No Kids Allowed)
This week, I got a strange e-mail offering me content. Not specifically for the Department of Tangents, or for anything. Just a piece...... Read More
Bad Mancinis Celebrate Nick the Lounge Singer at Midnight Tonight with ILL MURRAY
So maybe you’re saying to yourself, I want to hear some deep electronica grooves right now. But you’re also saying, I really love...... Read More
DoT Podcast EP26: Anders Parker on Solitude and Collaboration, New Comedy from Carmen Lynch
Anders Parker has been swerving all over the map, musically, for more than twenty years. He started out as the one-man band Varnaline...... Read More
DoT Podcast EP25: The Sublime Lunacy of Chandler Travis plus New Comedy from Jackie Kashian
We have reached the quarter century mark, in terms of full-length podcasts. And I’m happy to reach that milestone speaking with musician Chandler...... Read More
Jamie Loftus Performs “Swan Lake In a Locked Basement” for Jash.
It is an undeniable truth that the Internet is full of strange things. And it will get even stranger around 3PM EST today...... Read More
Department of Tangents Minicast: An Interview Flashback with John Cleese
In October of 2015, I interviewed John Cleese for the Boston Globe in advance of a local stop on his book tour for...... Read More
Kickstarters: Johnny Angel Wendell Makes Some Noise About Sex and Politics
Musician/novelist/radio host Johnny Angel Wendell created a Kickstarter campaign for his new project, an EP called Smut and Politics, on March 20, and...... Read More
DoT Podcast EP24: Joe DeRosa on Horror and Comedy
Joe DeRosa is the perfect subject for the Department of Tangents Podcast. He’s a talented comedian, as evidenced by his new album and...... Read More
Comedy Jam Producers Mike and Tim Duffy Talk Music and Comedy
I love it when any of the themes of this blog overlap in one project, so I was tickled to read about Comedy...... Read More
RIP Chuck Berry – The True King of Rock and Roll
It is impossible to calculate what the world would sound like without Chuck Berry. What would music be? What would a guitar solo...... Read More