Baltimore is full of talent in all genres. I still wonder why this city lacks attention from the rest of the world when it comes to the arts. We definitely deserve some kind of credit, right?
So what do you think? Is this film worthy of the big screen?
Definitely! For “Who You Gonna Call?” to be independent and locally based, I see potential beyond what it deserves. The plot could possibly be used for a sequel some day. I’d go see it, and I see it doing wonders for feminist if it were to actually become a full film.
“Who Ya Gonna Call?” was found on “Charm City Finest” YouTube channel Zoar Films. Cisco Davis, Jr., the creator of this short film, created it as a project for local film competition 29 Day’s Later Project, and as a celebration for Ghostbusters’ 30th anniversary.
While scrolling through the newly found YouTube channel, I’ve found some more interesting films. Majority of which were short movies and parodies of fan favorite films, like Ghostbusters and Power Rangers. I urge you all to go check them out if you’re into “scifi” goodies.
Would you go see this one the big screen if this was made from a big movie production company? Leave your comments below.
It’s here. After the wait, I can no longer say “Sorry for the Wait” like I’m Mr. Weezy F. Baby, himself. My first EP is here for you to take a listen to. It’s about time!
As part of my list of tasks to complete on my bucket list, I can say this is one of the most lengthy projects I completed thus far. However I caught myself not wanting to finish it a few times, and the production process was bumpy along the way. Anyway, I said “eff it” to my woes and decided to drop what I had anyway. It’s the first of what I hope will be more music projects, so I won’t beat myself up for how it sounds. I know I’ll produce way better material in the future. I’m just glad to have the opportunity to do something like this. Writing music has become one of the many creative activities I do to keep my mind busy.
It’s now official; I will scratch off release mixtape off my Bucket List! Yay!
You may download my EP “Songs From Da Dugout” via my Bandcamp page or Soundcloud at Alissa Feré. So it’s easier for you, take a look at the Playlist below and download it. Thanks for listening!
Special Thank You to the lovely staff of people who helped me with this project:
Producer and Engineer: FLuX; Album Cover Art: Boutzie; Photographer: Rebellious Rebel; Promotional Art: Alissa Fere; Creative Consulting: K.A. Walker and Tony Bonez Sinatra; Featured artist: Quinn Shabaz, Leon Dominick, and Boutzie; Studio Production: The Dugout Dojo
Do you think I should make more music? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
I decided to get a little creative for this release. I thought Why should I leave you guys with only an expected date for my project? I should give you a little more, and maybe some more background to what to look forward to. So I partnered up with my favorite photographer/blogger to give something extra as we wait for my dropping day.
Songs From Da Dugout is a representation of my emotions. Often I feel I’m left in limbo on a lot of issues when I’m dealing with guys. I think lots of women can relate. It can feel like I’m sitting in a dugout waiting to be called on for the next play. It can get restless waiting on these guys, and they should know that I don’t wait very long for my moment.
Women have so many questions that could be left unanswered while waiting on their next call in a partnership; there’s so many expectations that should be fulfilled on the behalf of the man that aren’t met in relationships. I relate to those women because when someone’s left in the dugout, how is anyone expected to win the game? How is anyone expected to conquer the battle?
These brothers got us yelling to the coach like, “Come on. Call me, coach! I’m ready to play.”
For Hazmat Remi to be labeled as a “based” artist, “Evolve X” makes me ponder what the heck is based music?! If you’ve ever listened to any of the original basedgod Lil B’s songs, you’ll understand what I mean. In an interview with MTV’s The Vice Guide To Everything, Lil B explains based music as a genre where the artist expresses him/herself positively. Some based music can be negative, but if it is, it must also have a positive message embedded in it, as well. So to sum that up, based music is really too broad for me to redefine for my readers. Haha
There really is no easy way to explain what it is, you just experience it. A good based artist has the ability to capture you, regardless, with their unique approach to sharing their “positiveness.” I’ve met my share few based artist in Baltimore with that ability, one being Hazmat Remi with her song “Evolve X.”
Thumbs Up:
There’s lots of positivity in this music video, and I love the message Hazmat Remi leaves in her lyrics for this song. Though I’m not very fond of much based music, Remi makes it a lot easier on my ears to take in.
I might have beginner ears for this genre. Who knows?
Become someone. Be something. Love.
“Evolve X” makes me feel like running to random stranger to bombard them with my friendly hugs for the simple reason they’re living the best way they can. Life’s is going to be okay. Everything will be fine. It’s a song that makes a person embrace the approval of oneself during hard times; during a time where people see more evil than good. We as a people must become an acceptable society as a whole for future generations. Indeed, Doc’s Castle Media is all for that!
*cough cough* “It’s Your Talent…Own That Shhh!” isn’t my slogan just for the hell of it.
Even the Hazmats seem to be comfortable walking the streets carelessly, worry free, and ready to evolve. They want you to hop on board the evolving train. Do something that’ll awaken the brighter you for a better us.
What do you think? Do you like Hazmat Remi’s “Evolve?” Leave comments below.
On Sunday, November 16, 2014, hip-hop artist Kat Dahlia stopped through Baltimore for her My Garden Tour to give us a little preview of her debut album My Garden.
It was my first time seeing Kat Dahlia perform and she definitely came through and showed us the best of what she had while on stage that night.
Kat Dahlia’s line up during her set consisted of a few familiar songs, which any Kat Dahlia fan would easily know and sing the words to. The energy of the crowd that night was awesome, though the audience was a little tight nit. It was what Kat described to be “small and intimate.”
The performance set included a playlist of her songs Crazy, The High, and more of her classics. As she performed, she painted a picture for her listeners, giving everyone the back story to her love life, and ultimately explained to everyone what each song to her album stemmed from. It was very interactive as she asked people if they’ve ever been through what she’s gone through and if they understand heartbreak how she has. She also performed covers to Lauryn Hill’s “Zion” and A Great Big World’s “Say Something.” But the crowd absolutely turned up for her popular debut single, “Gangsta,” dancing and singing every word of the lyrics.
Kat Dahlia brought with her a band of men from different cultures. She stated with a settle giggle, “My men come from all over.”
A bass player from cuba…
A white man who showed us his smooth skills on the piano and guitar…
And a black man who let us bump while banging on the drums…
The night was at its best.
While I spoke to a few people at the concert before Kat blessed the stage, I asked them how they’ve got familiar with this musical goddess. Lots of people said they researched who she was using Google and found some of her videos posted on YouTube. Since then, they’ve kept up with what she’s been releasing. Cool!
Doc’s Castle Media ran a contest for dedicated readers and fans of Kat Dahlia a few days before the concert. Two lucky winners got the chance to see Kat Dahlia free with a special guest.
Ms. Brittany
Mr. Anthony
I hope both contestants enjoyed themselves at the show. I was secretly spying on them while I was there to see if they enjoyed. I would hate it they’d went and they didn’t have fun. Haha. I think the mission was accomplished.
Baltimore showed Kat Dahlia so much love that evening. I hope she comes back to our charmed city once the album drops to give us sort of delayed encore so more people can get in tune with this refreshingly new style of hip-hop, which she refers to as ….
What’s your favorite Kat Dahlia song? Let us know in the comments below.
This Sunday, November 16th, Kat Dahlia’s coming to Baltimore Soundstage and Doc’s Castle Media is running a contest to get you some free tickets to come see her perform!
She’s coming to show Baltimore what she’s all about, and hopefully, what she’s has in store for her debut album “Garden,” set to release January of 2015. I can’t wait! Can you? As a celebration for her new release, Doc’s Castle Media giving our most dedicated readers who are Kat Dahlia fans two reserved tickets to this Sunday’s show!
Do you know Kat Dahlia? If you’re able to answer all four questions correctly, you’ll qualify for two free tickets to see the beautiful and very talented Kat Dahlia. So here’s how it works…
If you answer all four questions below correctly, you’ll receive an email from Doc’s Castle Media congratulating you, along with more information for how to obtain your free tickets. So are you ready?
Who is Kat Dahlia?
Also, this Sunday, see Baltimore recording artist 4thQu perform for the first time in front of a live audience.
4thQu has a reputation of choosing the anonymous path of exposure as he pursues his musical career, which means there isn’t many chances we get to see the kid perform. Talk about building up suspense. 4thQu has done just that for quite some time. So it’s a must see to watch him perform ahead of Kat Dahlia.
Check out one of my favorites from 4thQu! Listen to Nostalgia by 4thQu, below.
What an honor! I have been nominated under three categories in the 2014 Mobbies Blog and Social Media Competition. Yay! Thank you everyone!
I have never been nominated in any competition as such, especially for my writings, and I’m extremely thankful for all of you who were active in deciding to nominate me under the following three categories: Best Label Defying Blog, Best Music Blog, and Best Personal Blog.
This competition is sponsored by the Baltimore Sun and the Creative Alliance, LLC.
I love to write, though I didn’t always know that. Doc’s Castle Media opened my eyes to my talents. I always knew I had a knack for ideas because I always owned a composition notebook or sketchbook full of thoughts since the age of 10. But to really take an active role in blogging or any kind of journalism, my mind wasn’t with it until it was made one of my duties to complete while working for an internship. I strongly opposed the idea of being a journalist my entire 4 years attending high school. I guess now, I’ve made myself out to be a liar because look at my site! It’s 3 years going strong with over 300 blog posts. I write like a journalist and I do it a lot!
I write because I believe that my voice matters. I believe that my thoughts and feelings about things carry value. My whole purpose for creating a blog was to use my words to influence others to do something meaningful in their lives. Each day, I ponder the possibilities of that actually happening. Seeing that people took the time to nominate me has shown me that my purpose might be working. Apparently, I offer something you all like.
I often talk to people while I’m out in the streets of Baltimore or while on Facebook, and people compliment me on my commitment and dedication to continue writing about what’s happening around the city from a unique and entertaining perspective. I appreciate that plenty of you take notice. I’m even more grateful to hear that many of you read on a consistent basis. It’s still weird getting this type of attention from writing freely. But I love you all more each day as you continue to support me and share my thoughts with the world! It drives me more…like really, I’m so motivated to keep doing this.
As I’m busting my tail to provide something unique and special for you all, please do me the favor in voting for me, just as you all nominated me, in this year’s annual Mobbies Blog and Social Media Competition. It’d mean a lot to me if I could actually win in any of the categories I’m nominated for.
Below is the link to the directions for voting for the nominees in the 2014 Mobbies. Please register with one of your social media accounts and vote for Doc’s Castle Media!
As 2015 slowly approaches, Doc’s Castle Media looks to include a few new additions to the website. I’m counting on my readers to offer me some new suggestions for what you all think can make Doc’s Castle Media a little better. Please leave your feedback and concerns in the comments below as I’ll review all of them carefully. Hopefully I’ll get some very good suggestions that’ll spice the site up.
Have you read Doc’s Castle Media submission for the Editor’s Pick in the 2014 Mobbies Competition? Read Hopping on that Train Back to 1990s on Doc’s Castle Media.
Not too far in the distant past rested a decade where a lovely young writer was born. That young writer’s name was Taylor, know to many of you as Doc. The decade was the 1990s. Oh, how I miss my childhood years so much.
I may have literally been a baby growing up during this decade, but there are so many things I’ve experienced as a child growing alongside a mature family, I think I can luster up at least 3 things a lot of people my age and older may relate to that we all might miss. So here they are, the things I want to bring back from my years of retro.
My favorite things I’d bring from the 90s would be…
Music has always had my heart, man.
The Box
The best music channel in the world is of the past. Forget about MTV. The Box was the best because they played variety with little to no commercials and absolutely no teen pregnancy shows. MTV has always been a little picky with what they wanted on there channel, in regards to music, and always remained mainstream. When The Box was around music lovers could see their favorite underground artists if they wanted. Of course, the music industry was very different then. But what I loved the most about The Box was the option to see what music videos were coming on next during the music breaks. WHY DON’T THEY DO THIS ANYMORE?!
Equivalent to The Box today, we have MTV Jams and MTV University, which can be found if you have Verizon Fios or Comcast Xfinity. These channels are “okay.” But I prefer a more organic and original feel for music. Too much of the same thing turns me off, so you can imagine how much time I spend watching either channel. If MTV Jams and MTV University were combined, they’d probably scratch the surface, but only the surface. Can we please bring The Box back?
The Cassette
I use to listen to the radio all day just to catch my favorite song to record on an audio cassette, and not just any audio cassette. When I didn’t have a blank tape available, I would rummage through my room to find an old “storybook” tape, which originally had Disney bedtime stories on it, and shoved some notebook paper in the top holes, close to where the tape could be found, so I could re-record over its boring stories. Talk about desperate to get a song! My only issue doing this was the radio dj talking through the tracks and the unwanted radio edits. If it wasn’t a Ludacris or DMX song, I’d hate to not hear what the artist was really saying. The struggles of downloading music was too real then. But it was worth it.
Now, life has made it easier to hear my favorites anytime I want. I can simply go to Soundcloud and YouTube with a swipe and click of a finger on my phone. Just type it into the search box and voilà, it’s there! But I do miss the struggles of getting my song from the radio. I knew every song that was played on air.
I’m a cartoon fanatic!
Saturday Morning Cartoons
Remember waking up early on the weekends to watch cartoons like Johnny Quest, Goosebumps, Bobby’s World, or Digimon Digital Monsters? I use to dread getting up in the morning for school during the week. But when Saturday rolled around, I was up watching cartoons right on time while I ate breakfast. Cartoons from my past could be the reason I’m so animated today because I still watch them. I recently rewatched the entire first seasons of Jackie Chan Adventures and Digimon Digital Monsters on Netflix. All it did was make me upset that I had to get ready for work later that day.
I feel so bad for kids today. They don’t get to have that Saturday morning experience like I had. The moment the clock struck noon, I was already outside hanging with my friends afterwards. Of course, going outside is another thing kids don’t experience, but that’s another story. On top of not having the Saturday morning cartoons to wake up to, kids rarely have a good variety of cartoons to choose from. Broadcast networks like The CW, FOX, and CBS rarely show cartoons, unless it’s the holidays. Plus, Every time I’m channel surfing the tv guide, I find marathons of the same cartoons running for hours on cable networks. It was never like that while growing up on 90s cartoons. There were too many that needed to be aired.
There is so much more that I can talk about that I’d bring back from the 1990s. But this blog post would be entirely too lengthy. So I literally shared with you the first three things that came to mind. Haha! What do you think you’d bring back from the 90s? Let me know in the comments below.
ALSO, this post is part of a local blogger competition The Mobbies, sponsored by Baltimore Sun and Creative Alliance. I’ve been nominated for three categories: Best Music Blog, Best Personal Blog, and Best Label Defying Blog. Thanks, Guys!
Voting begins November 3rd! I’d like to ask all my loyal readers to please add this date to your calendars to participate in the voting process and visit this link when voting begins, Baltimore Mobbies. Thanks for all for always reading! I have to do something special for y’all.
Don’t let this come as a surprise to you. I’m taking a blogger’s break and here’s why…
You ever had one of those moments where you’re sitting around thinking of the many things you could be accomplishing but aren’t because you find yourself being too busy trying to keep up with what everyone else is doing? Have you ever felt that moment when you realize you’re losing interest in something because you’re seeking approval of your brand? I feel like that in the chase of trying to find a purpose for Doc’s Castle Media.
There are so many reasons I could list for why I’m losing interest in what I currently do for DCM. (I won’t be posting them here. I might be posting my reasons in a future post.) As I’m getting older, I’m constantly questioning what’s more important to me. I’d rather stick to things that will keep me happy than working for the approval of someone else. So as I’m working for Doc’s Castle Media, I’m seeing I’m losing the love I once had for my blog site because I feel the pressure that comes with being one of Baltimore’s sought after small entertainment bloggers.
I’m a drifter. I started to pick up on that as time passed by. People would often asked me what I wanted to do as a career when I get older. My reply always varied within the arts until I reached the age of 21, where I rarely gave an answer at all. My reply became “I don’t know, probably something in the communications field.” Today, I still don’t know and my reply is the same. I “lowkey” hate that. I just want to be able to do what the hell I want and be appreciated for it. I don’t know why something as simple as that is so hard to do. When I feel like it’s not happening, I know things have to change. So here I stand trying to use my drifter abilities the best way I can.
It’s important for me to let you know that I’ll be on a mini disappearance because a lot of you have kept a continuous and very loyal following by reading whatever new posts I’ve published to the blog. I definitely don’t want to leave anyone assed out. Some people even expressed on my status where I first announce me going MIA that I’ll be missed. Thanks!
Will I Be Gone Forever?
Not even! I might even publish something after I post this. I just wanted to let people know in case there was a delay in my postings and if any of you would start to question my absence.
I’ll continue to guest blog and write for other sites in the meantime. But I’m trying to figure what I can do for Doc’s Castle Media that won’t make me revert to thinking about all the negative thoughts that I’ve developed about writing for Doc’s Castle Media.
I want to stay far away from becoming a grumpy person who’s frustrated about her art as long as possible. I don’t want the fun behind what I do to be taken away from me. I seek that feeling of a childlike sense of wonder in majority of what I do. If the feeling I get from writing becomes a dreadful duty, I would not know where I’d choose to go for my future because writing about what I feel, think, and believe helps give me purpose. I can’t lose that. I owned this talent. I’d be damned to lose it!
I don’t know how long I’m going to take a time out, though I’m always writing.
What I’ll be doing in the meantime…
I consider myself to be an “artistic writer.” So I’ll be practicing different mediums of writing during my quiet time. If you guys haven’t already been keeping up with me on my social sites, I’ve mentioned my interest in doing some songwriting, screenwriting, and book writing. In the future, you may see new pieces done from any of the three. I’ll also be continuing to guest blog for people at their requests and keeping my spirits and other’s spirits high in supporting other writers. So I may be quiet here, but I’m not completely silent.
What I’m expecting to come from this…
First, I expect to gain some kind of wisdom. I want to know myself better. I want to be able to place a better focus for where I’m going with myself. Second, I’m expecting to exercise my creative strengths while practicing writing other mediums. Lastly, I’ll be grasping for all hope in keeping my childlike sense of wonder while doing this because I do not want to turn writing into a dreaded job. Writing is a career. It’s been a hobby since I was 12 and I plan to enjoy doing it for the rest of my life.
So please be so kind to have some understanding while I go on this mini break. I’ll be posting other writings on other platforms. If you follow me on any of my social sites, I’ll direct you to them with the proper links when done. Thank you for all your support!
Are you a music lover? I found another music blogger in Baltimore that could possibly address your craving needs for the love of hip-hop and R&B. I interviewed AmirahRashidah Blog’s very own Amirah Muhammad as another addition to my Blogger’s Rundown. It was a fun experience, indeed. I’ve known Amirah personally for quite some time now, and I’m pleased to say she such a wonderful person to talk to. I can always expect a conversation full of laughter when spending it with Amirah.
This interview was not like others as I had a special appearance from Shareese Williams, former beauty blogger of Doc’s Castle Media. She joined in my interview with Amirah to ask a few questions about Amirah’s love for singing. (Special audio is at the end of this post.) Amirah, Shareese, and I spoke of how AmirahRashidah started, Amirah’s plans in the future for her music blog, her participation in Janelle Monae’s Instagram contest, and her passion for the art of music alone. I learn a lot about AmirahRashidah, though I also am a contributing writer for her site, as well. It’s good to be refreshed on someone’s vision. She’ll reach a lot of success in the future. I’m definitely rooting for this one.
Doc: What’s the story behind AmirahRashidah? Where did it all begin?
Amirah: It all began in 2008. I started another blog, a personal blog, called Amirah the Uncool. Yes, I was into Lupe Fiasco. (Laughs) It became more of a blog where I posted music instead of for personal. I decided to take Amirah the Uncool to the next level by creating AmirahRashidah. I started that in 2012.
Doc: Awe, okay. What is your motive to keep AmirahRashidah going?
Amirah: So I have a huge passion for music. I sing and actually play two instruments. It’s something I’ve always loved. Eventually in the future once I get my law degree, I want to practice law and protect the rights of musicians and their work. That is what keeps me going. I have a good ole fan base and people to go to and say, “Heyyy, you need representation? I got chu!”
Doc: Right. It gives you more experience, too. So how many contributing bloggers do you have for your site currently?
Amirah: I have, right now, four. But three are active. That includes you.
Doc: (Laughs) Yes.
Amirah: (Laughs)
Doc: Are you looking to have more contributors soon?
Amirah: Yeah, I’m definitely looking to have more contributors.
Doc: Is there a way anybody can contact you about that?
Doc: In the meantime, do you accept guest bloggers
Amirah: I do. I do. They may contact that same email, as well.
Doc: So what made you decide to use your name as the name of your site?
Amirah: HA! Me and my lack of creativity. (Laughs)
Doc: (Laughs)
Amirah: I had Twitter before I had changed my blog name to AmirahRashidah and I just liked that name. It rang so I ran with it.
Doc: Okay, cool. I mean, I would have done the same thing.
Amirah: (Laughs)
Doc: I like my middle name. I use to use it a lot on stuff. So yeah definitely see what you were doing. (Laughs) Do you accept submissions from local artists?
Amirah: I do. I’ve actually posted a couple of submission for some local artists. I’ve done an interview for a local artist, too. I’m always looking for local artist to submit to the blog.
Doc: But with all of those emails coming to you at one time do they must have a specific subject line so that you can organize it differently?
Amirah: Yeah, with any email you send it should be like that. (Laughs)
Doc: (Laughs) I know but some people are oblivious to that. Sometimes they don’t. They just think they can contact you on anything and be like, “Hey! I got that fire!”
Amirah: I got a couple of those and I was just like, “NEXT!” (Laughs)
Doc: See? (Laughs) I like when people are specific so it can be filed somewhere nicely, you know.
Amirah: Yeah, on my website, I have a contact form. But on there I also have if you’re submitting music, make sure you email me at this email. You could use either or.
Doc: Alright. Umm, I recently saw some promotion on your Instagram about something new coming this summer to AmirahRashidah. Do mind letting us in on the scoop with what’s going on with that?
Amirah: Yeah, I’m so excited! Umm, I decided to do a video platform for AmirahRashidah, which it’s going to be called AmirahRashidah TV. I hope to have interviews mostly with local artists because they’re nearby. I’m not traveling too far. (Laughs) I ain’t getting paid for this yet.
Doc: (Laughs)
Amirah: It’ll be interviews and just random discussions about what’s going on in music. I’ll even have my guest contributors and bloggers do videos, too.
Doc: So you’re blog isn’t just for local artists. It’s for others too?
Amirah: Yeah, it’s for national artist and indie arts.
Doc: That’s good to know because people will be all over it. Do you have a favorite local artist?
Amirah: Ahh, lord! (Laughs) I so want to give the political correct answer.
Doc: (Laughs)
Amirah: My favorite local artist just might be this producer by the name of eu-IV. He does really well at mixing up R&B tracks. It’s this one track where he covered SWV’s Rain. He transformed it and I loved it. He’s one of my favorites. It’s another person. His name is Jonny Graham. He’s a Jazz musician. He plays trumpet and writes his own music. He gets people to sing on his mixtapes and albums. I like him, too.
Doc: Have you written about them on your blog?
Amirah: I’ve written about Johnny. I haven’t written about eu-IV yet. But I’m actually about to do an interview with him. Look out for one in April.
Doc: You should do a video interview of him.
Amirah: I know. If I do it then it’ll be pushed back to the summer to be on AmirahRashidah TV.
Doc: Is AmirahRashidah TV just interviews?
Amirah: It’s interviews. If we can get concert footage, concert footage.
Doc: …if it’s legal. (Laughs)
Amirah: Yes, legal footage. (Laughs) I’m not going to get in trouble for people posting stuff they not supposed to be posting. And…conversations about what’s going on within the music industry. I know you like to rant about certain things. (Laughs)
Doc: Yeah, I like to rant.
Amirah: (Laughs) So it’s a good platform for that, too.
Doc: Okay (Laughs)
Amirah: I can see you doing a video or two. “I just hate how R&B…” (Laughs)
Doc: HA! I like music rants. People listen to me. Hey, sometimes I make a lot of sense. But thank you for doing this interview with me.
Amirah: Thank you!
This is the point where beauty blogger Shareese Williams jumps in. Ha-ha!
Shareese takes the initiative to ask when Amirah will be dropping an album and doing a collaboration with her. Listen to what she says…
To view some of Shareese’s work, follow her on Instagram at @Uhhh_Shareese.
Did you read my last Blogger’s Rundown Interview? Check out my last interview with Shae of the UncommonRealist.
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