Season 4 Reading Series: Murder, Music, and Mystery in LA: Philip Cohen Reads from His Novel ‘Conflict in the City’
In this episode, Philip Cohen reads from ‘Conflict in the City’, a genre-blending novel set in modern LA, where young musicians chasing rock and roll dreams are drawn into a deadly mystery that echoes the noir legacy of the city’s famed detectives.
Episode 54: Scott Michaels on the Murder of ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ Actor Sal Mineo
In this episode, we dive deep into the murder of ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ actor Sal Mineo, with Scott Michaels as our guide through this Hollywood true crime tale.
Episode 39 Reckoning and Redemption: GenXCore Unveils the Punk Rock Soul of His Novel ‘California Roadkill’
In this episode of Rock is Lit, we journey into the punk-rock heart of GenXCore's novel, ‘California Roadkill’, exploring the raw and resonant narrative that unravels violence, homelessness, and addiction in the Golden State.
Bonus Episode: Scott Michaels
In this bonus episode, which is really an addendum to Season 1 Episode 6, featuring Zachary Lazar’s rock novel ‘Sway’, a story that brings together the early Rolling Stones, the films of avant-garde filmmaker Kenneth Anger, and members of the Manson Family, Scott Michaels joins me to talk about Sharon Tate and the Manson Murders and what it was like working as a consultant on Quentin Tarantino’s film ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’.
Episode 29: Brett Marie (AKA Mat Treiber)
Brett Marie (AKA Musician Mat Treiber) is my guest in this episode. Brett and I talk about his novel, 'The Upsetter Blog'; working with his wife, singer-songwriter musician and writer, Roxanne Fontana; how Anton Newcombe inspired his main character; Gram Parsons’ room at the Joshua Tree Inn; and so much more.
Episode 26: Jessamyn Violet with Lina Lecaro
In this episode, acclaimed musician Jessamyn Violet joins me to talk about her novel, ‘Secret Rules to Being a Rockstar’, a gritty, glittery, queer YA debut about a teenage musician who jumps at a chance to play in her favorite rock band on their upcoming world tour, only to realize her heroes have their own agenda and might be leading her down a dark path. In the last segment of the episode, ‘LA Weekly’ Culture & Entertainment Editor, Lina Lecaro, drops in to talk about the LA music scene in the 1990s, which is where/when Jessamyn’s novel is set, and some of the women who were rockin’ the town and the world at that time.
Episode 17: Sarah Priscus with Pamela Des Barres
In this episode of Rock is Lit, it’s all about rock ‘n roll groupies, ala 1970s Los Angeles. Sarah Priscus, author of the new rock novel ‘Groupies’, is here to give us the lowdown on the inspiration for the book and her interest in the period. Then, Super Groupie Pamela Des Barres, author of the seminal groupie memoir ‘I’m With the Band’, drops by to give us some real-world context on that topic. You don’t want to miss this Rock is Lit Season One Finale.