The Fringe Collective Podcast

Max Boras Interview

This is my interview with guitarist/songwriter/producer Max Boras. We talk about influences, his time at Berklee and the Manhattan School, the music business, and guitar gear. He has an EP coming out on November 6 called "Primal Electric." Max is a versatile, highly proficient and talented guitarist, and he has played almost every style of guitar you can think of. This particular record is a shred-tastic collection of instrumental rock! He can be found on the internet at: https://www.maxborasguitar.com/ [https://us-west-2.protection.sophos.com/?d=maxborasguitar.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWF4Ym9yYXNndWl0YXIuY29tLw==&e=bWpqb2huc29uQGJlcmtsZWUuZWR1&t=bEU0VjZhSUJQN2MwUzlBL3lDMko5VGkzODJBR2lVWTFwZWg4ZHhrR3N2ND0=&h=c4eef31d2e994cd38a2061cab3ba1cc6] https://www.instagram.com/maxborasguitar/ [https://us-west-2.protection.sophos.com/?d=instagram.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9tYXhib3Jhc2d1aXRhci8=&e=bWpqb2huc29uQGJlcmtsZWUuZWR1&t=dzBuWDBnZVZlUmllbTMxVjhTbjNjYlF1TUdyTUZ0SGRiOWphckk2QXArMD0=&h=c4eef31d2e994cd38a2061cab3ba1cc6] https://www.facebook.com/maxborasguitar [https://us-west-2.protection.sophos.com/?d=facebook.com&u=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL21heGJvcmFzZ3VpdGFy&e=bWpqb2huc29uQGJlcmtsZWUuZWR1&t=QmNSOW9PLzhIYzJuRGJGMGVqU2I5ZWg1YUxQV2V2QzllQzBXWlVINDNDQT0=&h=c4eef31d2e994cd38a2061cab3ba1cc6]   (One note: we talk about "CWP" in the interview; CWP is the Contemporary Writing and Production degree program at Berklee.)

Interview with Gretchen Shae of the Knock Ups

Gretchen Shae writes music and performs in Boston trio The Knock Ups - "a female fronted, self proclaimed GLAM punk band." She is a vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and Assistant Professor at Berklee College of Music, among other things. She started out in the Boston music scene as bassist and singer for the band Black Barbie.  Here's some more info from her bio on the Berklee website: "In 2015, she performed with U2 at TD Bank Garden in Boston. The Knock Ups participated in WZLX's Rock & Roll Rumble in 2016, and WZLX named her song “Dionysius” in its top 10 local songs of the year. Moore also serves as a board member of New Beginnings Reentry Services. Because of this passion, she has created a course on mass incarceration that she currently teaches at Berklee." The Knock Ups have an EP and a number of singles available on Spotify, Apple Music, and elsewhere. Please check out their music, and if you live in Boston, catch a live show. The Knock Ups on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheKnockUps/] The Knock Ups on Bandcamp [https://theknockups.bandcamp.com/]

Interview with MB Padfield

MB Padfield is a unique artist in many ways. She performs live with a guitar she customized herself, and an array of effects and looper pedals. She plays covers to pay her bills and still maintains a successful career as an original artist. And she talks very openly about sobriety and her life as an artist in recovery. In this episode, MB talks candidly on these subjects, her time as a Berklee student, her life as an artist in New England, and her impending relocation to LA. Ani Johnson joins us near the end to ask a question or two. MB’s latest single, “Seams,” is available on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Apple Music You can find her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/mbpadfield [http://facebook.com/mbpadfield] and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/mbpadfieldofficial/ [https://www.instagram.com/mbpadfieldofficial/] Her website is: https://www.mbpadfield.com [https://www.mbpadfield.com] If you like this podcast, please subscribe at iTunes or through your podcast client. Also, give us a comment at iTunes if you can. Please like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fringecollective [https://www.facebook.com/fringecollective]

Interview with Courtney Swain of Bent Knee

It's my pleasure to interview the fabulous Courtney Swain, lead singer and keyboardist for Bent Knee. I have known Courtney since she was a freshman at Berklee College of Music, and even as a student, she was most impressive! She is a stellar vocalist, pianist, composer and arrranger, an accomplished and creative artist, and a thoughtful and intelligent person. In this interview, she talks candidly about her time at Berklee as well as the success she has had with Bent Knee. Those who have read my blogs or listened to my old podcast "Frequencies" know that I am not the biggest fan of bands or artists getting signed, but Bent Knee were smart about it and got an amazing deal, which she talks about a bit! Courtney has a solo EP coming out in November, called "Growing Pains." You can preorder it at: https://courtneyswain.bandcamp.com/album/growing-pains [https://courtneyswain.bandcamp.com/album/growing-pains] Her artist website is: http://www.courtneyswain.com [http://www.courtneyswain.com] If you have never heard Bent Knee, you need to go to their website right now and check out their music:  https://www.bentkneemusic [https://www.bentkneemusic.com/] If you like this podcast, please subscribe at iTunes or through your podcast client. Also, give us a comment at iTunes if you can. Please like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fringecollective [https://www.facebook.com/fringecollective]

Interview with Flight of Fire

About the Episode For this first full-length episode, Michael J. Johnson interviews the members of the hard rock band Flight of Fire. In the studio, he speaks with Maverick (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) Tanya Venom (lead guitar, backing vocals) and Tia Mayhem (bass, backing vocals.) This trio of talented musicians speaks articulately and candidly about their musical journey and the lessons they have learned along the way.  Where to find Flight of Fire on the web: Website: www.flightoffire.com [http://www.flightoffire.com] Facebook Page [http://www.facebook.com/flightoffire] YouTube Page [http://www.youtube.com/flightoffiremusic] Instagram Page [http://www.instagram.com/flightoffire] Twitter [https://twitter.com/Flight_of_Fire] About the Fringe Collective Podcast Now more than ever, musicians exist on the fringes of society, often unnoticed and unappreciated. Yet they are always there in the background, providing the soundtrack for everyday life. The Fringe Collective Podcast will give you their stories. The Fringe Collective Podcast is hosted by Michael J. Johnson. If you like the episode, please rate us at iTunes. We can be found at: Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikejjohnson [https://twitter.com/mikejjohnson] Facebook: The Fringe Collective [https://www.facebook.com/The-Fringe-Collective-1127858637360564/] I will be doing more interviews coming up. Stay tuned!