Meet Hermes the Mentalist, Magician

As a child, Hermes the Mentalist and his family traveled a great deal, giving Hermes a variety of unique cultural experiences and the ability to forge connections with new people. As an adult, Hermes has lived in many places, including Venezuela, Argentina, Russia, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

Hermes is a lifelong learner who is very engaged with his surroundings and believes that, "in today’s world, where everyone can be connected, it is important to accept and esteem what we can learn from others."

Keep up with Hermes on Facebook, and check out videos of him performing on YouTube. Below is a sample of Hermes the Mentalist in action.

1. I love the connection to the Greek god, Hermes: how and why did you choose Hermes as your stage name?

Hermes was my nickname from childhood (given by my mother). Hermes in mythology was a mischievous god. Always getting in and out of trouble, Hermes was a prankster (that explains my childhood), but he also was the god of magic.

2. When we think of magic, a variety of performers come to mind, some doing close-up magic, some doing elaborate large-scale illusions, etc. How would you describe the magic you do?

I play with the minds... of the viewers. I love close-up: it is a "no mirrors/ no smoke" approach that people find fascinating. But when not performing on TV, most of my shows are on stage, with no props / no illusions. I use all my senses in harmony to create the effect of a sixth sense.

3. Where do you give performances--how can people see you perform and/or hire you for an event?

Like I mentioned before, I do a lot of TV work, mostly in Latin America. Being a polyglot gives me more range in public performance. I also do lot of corporate engagements and tours in some private venues. Last year I was in Barcelona / Marseille / Monaco / Rome.

4. For someone who is interested in learning more about magic, what do you suggest?

First, let's not confuse tricks with magic. For example: learning a few songs in the piano doesn't make you a musician, so likewise, learning a few tricks doesn't make you a magician.

It takes a lot of learning, practice, stage movement, public speaking, etc... In many cases is a lost art, and a magician is not judged by his tricks but by his performance and viewers' engagement.

With that in mind, I suggest that you work to become an actor first then learn some "tricks." Put both in the same piece and you get magic.

5. Why do you think audiences enjoy your performances so much?

I stimulate the mind to learn and question. TV performance is one thing, but when in a corporate environment, you can go full force with the "books," just because is a more educated crowd. Talking about Carl Jung's Analytical Psychology is not for everyone to understand or even grasp the concept. I tell and show them that real magic happens in the mind, and what I do, they can do, too. A true teacher is the one who creates doubt in order for the student to create questions and follow up with research to find the answers. That is what I do with magic.

Thanks, Hermes!

Meet Kathy M Walters, Poet

Kathy M. Walters is a gem to the literary profession. Though she holds a Master's degree in HR Management and a BA in Sociology, her title of passion is that of an author/poet. She has written her first book and creates/performs poetry as a window to her soul. To hear Kathy perform her work, visit her Lines & Lyrics site. Her book, From Pain to Praise, is available on Amazon.

1. Were you always interested in poetry growing up, and when did you start dedicating yourself to writing as an adult?

Yes, I have always been interested in poetry. As a small child, I can remember composing "rhymes" and songs. I loved words. I loved performing for family and friends. So, once I realized I could play with words and create my "masterpieces" when the ending of words sounded alike, I was ecstatic! I enjoyed being creative and loved what I was doing.

As an adult, my dedication evolved through my personal experiences and the experiences of others. I began writing for meaning and poignancy. I wanted to write what I "feel" from the depth of my soul.

Sometimes, it’s difficult to verbalize our thoughts. But I believe my gift is to articulate feelings into words. I want to bridge a connection. My dream is to powerfully arrange my words and writings so that the pages connect with the soul of another's feelings. And when one reads my work, they will say, "That's exactly how I feel!" or "How did she know that?" or "I experienced the same thing!"

2. How would you describe the relationship between your spirituality and your writing?

My writing and my spirituality go hand in hand. I write what I feel. I write what I want others to know and I write to share words of encouragement. I love to help others and let others know that they are not alone. We all experience hurt. We all experience pain. My pain may not be the same or as severe as yours, but it is still pain. The joy lies in knowing that we are in this together. And together we can strengthen each other.

3. What inspired you to release your work in audio format, and what was the process like in creating your debut CD?

I truly believe that God places people in our lives to make things happen or help steer us in the right direction. I was inspired by an author/publisher, Fay Alice Walker, to release my work in audio format.

I was attending a Georgia Peach Writer's book club meeting one Saturday. Each author was discussing their book and sharing excerpts. At the time, I didn't want to share information regarding my upcoming novel because I needed to tweak it a bit more. But, I always memorized my poetry and I loved to share. I recited a poem with the other writers and Fay immediately told me how much she enjoyed it. I was pleasantly surprised because I had no idea I would get the reaction she gave. She told me she could hear my poetry with music. She asked, "Do you know how many people would love to listen to smooth sounds and poetry as they travel, dine, walk in the park, or just want to relax?" I thought about it and immediately contacted a producer. My CD project started from there, and I thank God for sending Fay to help me to realize the possibilities!

4. Could you give us sort of a snapshot of the ideas, topics, and themes that readers will find in your book, From Pain to Praise?

First of all, let me define "snapshot." For me, a snapshot can tell an entire story or only part of a whole. One of my favorite snapshots is, "Everyone possesses a license for healing, harvesting, and redemption. That license never expires." The meaning behind that snapshot is that it is never too late to overcome, start a new or escape the things which held you bound.

From Pain to Praise is a collection of poetry, words of inspiration, and short stories. It is truly an inspiration. It's cathartic. It's real.

Have you ever felt like throwing in the towel? Has it ever seemed that past hurt has moved in, packed your bags, and is forcing you out of your own home? Where do you go and what do you do when you feel all hope is gone?

As Christians, we are faced with numerous circumstances, causing "internal injuries," leading to a life of pain and resulting in permanent scars. We live in a world that no longer seems to care. As soon as you've endured one storm, another tumultuous cloud is in the making. But we serve an awesome God, don't we? He has pills for your pain, promise for your prayers, and power for your praise!

From Pain to Praise is about life, love, and everything in between. It will make you smile. It will soothe your soul. And then... you will be filled with praise!

5. Do you find that your career in HR is completely separate from your writing, or do ideas for poems sometimes come to you during your workday?

While one may think my career in HR and my writing are separate, I must say they are intrinsically intertwined. No matter what I do in my career as a HR professional, I often receive ideas for my writing. People, places, things and situations inspire me. And I can't imagine how the two (career and writing) can be independent of one another. Many thoughts and ideas come to me during the workday, sometimes taking my mind off of work! And that can be a positive and productive distraction. LOL (But don't tell my boss!) :)

There is a lot more in store for my career as an author. The bigger picture is for me to enjoy life, learn, support other authors, grow, give back, share, and be the best individual that I can be!

Thanks, Kathy!

Meet THUNDERCLAP, Musician and Performer

THUNDERCLAP is originally from the Chippawa, Niagara Falls. He's performed hundreds of times all over North America and Europe. The strength of this performer's originality was honed as a practicing method actor. His approach is honesty without a preconceived outcome, a pinch of poetic justice, a grand gesture or two and voila! one hell of a strange, operatic minstrel that will leave you scratching your head.

Currently in the process of fundraising for his debut solo album, Hellbent on Success, THUNDERCLAP has launched an indiegogo campaign which has raised over $3700 as of this blog posting (June 5, 2013).

For samples of his music, check out his pages on SoundCloud and MySpace. If you're in the Brooklyn, NY area, hear him in person on June 13 at the Northside Festival at Pete's Candy Store.

1. How does your experience as a method actor influence your work as a singer/songwriter?

Well as much as I used to think that I was writing lyrics that really meant something to myself and perhaps the general listener, I was wrong. Only after being told by an acting teacher that I in essence sucked (and actually an art teacher years before that), was I able to be educated to why I sucked and and how to not suck. I now can really distinguish. and plot how I want a message to affect the listener in the most substantial way possible. It might sound overly simplistic, but in the film Walk the Line, Sam Phillips gives this pivotal speech to a young Johnny Cash. That speech really sums up what I learned as an actor. That same principal applies to all artistic mediums.

2. Would you tell us a little bit about the breadth and depth of collaborative work that goes into making a solo album?

Quite often over the year that we've been recording, constant eureka moments have come upon us. In light of this, my veteran engineer Gene Hughes keeps reiterating that the learning and eureka moments NEVER stop. And although we have producer Spookey Rubens officially at the helm of this project, the collaboration between Spookey, Gene, and myself is unselfish, fun, and magical. Again, unending eurekas blanket the recording experience of this album.

3. As someone who has funded a lot of the expenses of producing your album (not to mention many other artistic projects!) on your own, what inspired you to reach out to do some crowdfunding through indiegogo?

Believe it or not, where I'm from, I'm probably the first person I know that jumped into crowdfunding. I heard about it, and I acknowledged to myself that my knowledge of marketing and wide social media networking would probably be well put to work on such a project. And I keep telling people: If I only had one dollar pledged to me, it would have been worth it, for the marketing campaign that I launched has had a large wide spreading impact, the value in this as an entertainer is invaluable!

4. What helps you stay motivated, day in and day out, to keep producing your creative work?

As naive as it might sound, at the end of the day my foundation of belief is this: everyone has some value to add to the world, so the creativity I produce "is not for me, and it's not from me." My creative output hopefully serves someone in some way positively in their lives. This reason I give might sound like a "put on," but it's not; it's honestly what I deeply believe. I'm simply a conduit which ideas travel through, and blast into the atmosphere. Boom, spray, twinkle!

5. For people reading this interview who aren't familiar with your work, how might you introduce them to it, and could you recommend a link or two they should start with in terms of getting to know you and your music?

I was spotlighted on a holland based TV show that delves into my life in Niagara Falls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjsWcfaWN_o

AND there's a lot of content to view in the media section of the indiegogo campaign itself.

For starters, here's the intro video I made for the indiegogo campaign:

Thanks, THUNDERCLAP!

Meet Jason E. Hill, Actor

Jason E. Hill is an actor, a dad, a military veteran, and a search and rescue volunteer. Learn more about his work on his website, No Joke! Survival, as well as his IMDB page.

1. As an actor, how did you get started in film and TV work?

I started like a lot of actors, doing background work. My first job as an extra was for a History Channel movie named Taming the Wild West based on the story of Jedediah Smith. From there I did more movies as background until one day I was offered some lines in a Stephen Spielberg television series. After that, I got an agent and away I went.

2. What is your role in the summer 2013 movie release, The Lone Ranger?

My character in The Lone Ranger is named Seamus. I wish I could say more, but unfortunately I must keep quiet until the movie is released. I can say that it is going to be awesome!

3. How does your project, No Joke! Survival, combine your interests in acting with your knowledge of outdoor survival and your experience in the military as well as volunteering for search and rescue in your community?

That's a great question. I started a local group where I would teach basic survival skills. I grew up with a love of the outdoors and continue to this day. My military experience taught me responsibility and confidence. I taught first aid among other classes while I was in the military. When I started making videos, the goal was to teach survival skills but make them humorous as well. Learning can be fun. The acting has let me become used to the process of being in front of a camera and understand how things are filmed. I don't claim to be real good at it, but I do have fun with it. Search & Rescue is a way for me to give back to the community. I already had tons of outdoor and survival gear, so it just made sense. Many of my skills come into play while I am out in the mountains with a heavy pack searching for someone. If I could do a Survival movie about Search & Rescue, it would combine the things I love!

4. What are some of the topics you cover in your videos on No Joke! Survivial?

Most of my topics are on basic survival skills. Skills such as starting a fire, filtering water, finding water from different sources, trapping, map reading, making a spear, proper clothing, and proper hydration.

5. I noticed on your blog that you keep busy with a lot of projects! What are you currently working on, and what are some of your goals for the next few years?

You read my blog? Awesome... you're the first one! I may not actually be funny, but I like to try. Our last project was a funny parody of the show Finding Bigfoot. We are preparing to film another parody of a different show which we hope turns out well. It might be based on a popular survival show where two people go out together to survive. A job hosting a real television show on Prepping is looking like a possibility as well. My goal is to be able to make a living doing something associated with outdoors and survival. Everyone says you should love your work.

Thanks, Jason!

Meet Lyndol Keith Woodruff, Chief Connection Officer with EyeLevel Entertainment

Lyndol Keith Woodruff is an actor, comedian, and entertainment entrepreneur. Originally from Dallas, he moved to Hollywood in 2003. He is a skilled communicator and networker--and a student of personal growth who has a vision of putting the heart back into entertainment, which he calls his "Mission with NO Intermission!"

Lyndol is currently working to raise money to produce an online TV show with positive content. EyeLevelTV will bring new music artists to the world as well as top motivational experts and business owners with amazing success stories. For more about EyeLevelTV, check out their campaign on Indiegogo.

1. How would you describe your role as Chief Connection Officer with EyeLevel Entertainment?

I love this role! It is simple and fun. My job is to connect with people. Find out what is important to them, what moves them, what excites them. It is important for me to understand other people's desires and vision so I can figure out a way to connect it to what we are doing if it makes sense, that simultaneously moves our vision and their vision forward effectively, collaboratively.

2. In your career, how have you combined entertainment with entrepreneurship?

At the heart of being an entertainer, I am here to connect people to inspiration, new ideas, concepts... and I realize more and more that it's almost the exact same thing that I do as an entrepreneur. I connect people to opportunities, to possibilites, so I find it intriguing that being an entrepreneur and an entertainer, these things go hand in hand. They both rise out of my desire to connect with people and have fun!

3. What drew you toward working on an online TV show?

Awesome how this happened. I was representing Hunter as a singer/songwriter and brought Kent Jacobs to the house to see him perform a single we were working on. Little did I know, Kent had just partnered with YouTube and Machinima and he told Hunter and I we should have our own webseries on his new network, NOW TV Live. We had all kinds of ideas, so Kent urged us to start our own network focusing on transformation, so we partnered with him, and here we are.

4. How have you utilized your experience with networking to find collaborators for Eye Level TV?

My brain has this special function of taking a look at what people naturally do well, and figuring out how to implement their skills and resources into what I am doing to help us both move forward. I have a unique way of understanding two visions and how to connect them.

5. What does it mean to you to bring a sense of heart and mission to entertainment?

Bringing a sense of heart and mission to entertainment is to own your greatness, own who you are, authentically... 100%, caring for others, cooperate, collaborate for the greater good. Empowering people, by highlighting how powerful our choices are.

Thanks, Lyndol!

Meet Hunter Wade, Chief Inspiration Officer with EyeLevel Entertainment

Hunter Wade is a musician, speaker, writer, and actor on a mission of inspiring the world to a higher potential. He has formally studied Music Therapy as well as Sound Engineering, been featured on ABC's Lost, played Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, and released two independent albums.

Hunter is currently working to raise money to produce an online TV show with positive content. EyeLevelTV will bring new music artists to the world as well as top motivational experts and business owners with amazing success stories. For more about EyeLevelTV, check out their campaign on Indiegogo.

1. How would you describe your role as Chief Inspiration Officer with EyeLevel Entertainment?

As the Chief Inspiration Officer, it's my job to hold the subjective vision. I am forever keeping my sights on the BIG WHY behind all we are doing and inspiring others back to that regularly. It is also my duty to stay fresh, keep current, and to continue to challenge myself to grow personally as well as professionally. I stand as an example of what is possible when we choose to believe!

2. What are some qualities you're looking for in choosing artists to feature on your online TV show?

When I am scouting talent, the first thing I notice is rather subtle to most people. I am getting a sense of a person's "come from" or their underlying intention. I am less interested in the packaging or look than I am in the heart of the artist. Transparency, authenticity, confidence, and creativity come together in an intriguing way to create something tangible--yet, I am more interested in the subtle energy I feel in a person's presence. You could say, I like to feel their "vibe" but that's fairly hokey. ;)

3. When did you first start thinking about starting an online TV show, and could you talk a little bit about your process of bringing this idea to fruition?

I actually decided to launch a network that focuses on responsible media long before I ever imagined any specific show concepts. The idea initially emerged when I was 18 and really solidified in conversation with my best friend Jason when he and I had an auto-glass company in AZ about 14 years ago. My path from AZ to launching this network certainly wasn't direct. Without going into too much detail, I'd say the process of bringing this to fruition has involved a LOT of surrender, an immense amount of persistence, and an intense willingness to be uncomfortable!

4. Why did you decide to reach out for funding through Indiegogo, and what are some other opportunities you see for other people to collaborate with you on this project?

I decided to use the Indiegogo campaign platform as a way of reaching a larger audience with our mission. This is totally about YOU! So I wanted to attract people who share the "Giver's Gain" philosophy and give them a platform to share their message with the world. There are so many opportunities to get involved with us. We work with a "Find a Need and Fill it" philosophy. So basically:

Get out there and make a difference with your talents.
Share about EyeLevel and KNOW that you are an important leader of this movement.
Employ the philosophy, "It's easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission!"

When we see you taking the ball and running with it, we are likely to offer you a formal position with the company. In fact, two others have jumped in, found a gap in what we are doing, and filled it in with their skills--and now they hold equity in our company. That's Giver's Gain philosophy in action!

5. What are some of your personal goals in terms of expressing your own sense of purpose through music, performance, and other forms of art?

I want to be in musicals, sing at Red Rocks and the Hollywood Bowl, get a Grammy or 5, be the voice of a cartoon character, and remake Mary Poppins as Burt the Chimney Sweep. I want to share and be known for developing a new vocal style that incorporates chanting--I have been perfecting this style for 15 years. People who have heard it become entranced and freak out a little because it is very powerful and unlike anything we are accustomed to hearing. I believe with all of my heart that I have been given a very powerful gift that can be used for global transformation, so my deepest aspiration is to listen with an open mind and heart for the call of inspiration to lead me into the highest and best use of these gifts. I am ridiculously grateful to be living this adventure in this time with all of you!

Thanks, Hunter!

Meet Celeste Thorson, Actress, Model, Writer, and Director

The beautiful, young actress Celeste Thorson has been seen on TV shows like How I Met Your Mother, The Exes, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. With creative talent behind the scenes, she has also written 24 episodes of television, seven new media episodes, and three short films. Aside from winning her a cameo in a Rolling Stones music video, her model looks have earned her campaigns for Paul Mitchell, Yoplait, Sprint, and many other top clients along with magazines and billboards worldwide.

Learn more about Celeste on her official Facebook page, as well as her page at the Internet Movie Database.

1. How did you get your start in the entertainment industry?

I was inspired to work in the entertainment industry after collaborating with artists, photographers, and directors from around the world. I just became so motivated to create something new every day and express my artistic aspirations through art in many mediums. Now I perform on camera as well as developing ideas as a screenwriter and director.

2. What do you enjoy most about writing for film and TV, and what do you find most challenging about it?

I enjoy taking a creative idea or story and bringing it to life. It's so fulfilling and exciting to see how it will grow. It's awesome to collaborate with many different artists in production and see them do what they love and put their stamp on it. It can be challenging to satisfy the expectations and timelines of production, but it's even more gratifying when you accomplish that goal.

3. What are a couple of behind-the-scenes aspects of modeling that people who see you in ad campaigns probably would never imagine?

I actually share a little bit of my personal behind the scenes stories on fashion diary at celestethorson.blogspot.com. I think most people don't realize it takes an army to put photoshoots and films or TV shows together. It also isn't always as glamorous as it often appears in the photo. Sometimes you see a gorgeous room, but in reality it's just a pretty set in a drafty warehouse. There are a lot of cheats in Hollywood, like if a dress doesn't fit in a photoshoot you may not zip it up in the back and just shoot from the front. Lots of Hollywood secrets involve duct tape.

4. Could you tell us about some of the projects you're currently working on?

I had a ridiculously good time filming Yogaphiles, an independent comedy series I wrote/produced/directed about a quirky class of L.A. yoga students that take life too seriously. We created some fun short episodes available at www.Yogaphiles.com, and more are rolling out Spring 2013.

5. How do you integrate your interests in activism with your busy career?

I love petitions and the idea of strength in numbers. One of my favorite hobbies is circulating petitions online to raise awareness and change policies. I like to tweet with fans to share causes and charities we're passionate about from @celestethorson. Activism will always be big part of my life and something I hope to share with others for as long as I'm able.

Thanks, Celeste!

Meet Anna Elizabeth McGrath, Actor

Anna Elizabeth McGrath graduated from university in 2010 and began acting professionally in Dublin, Ireland immediately after this. She started out in theatre but has moved into television and film. She loves working in TV and film, even more so than the theatre because every day you are doing something different, and it is always fun and exciting.

1. As a known theatre actress in Ireland, what has the process been like for you to transition into TV and movie work?

When it comes to the transition itself, it has been very easy and enjoyable. I love the theatre and always saw myself as a theatre actress, but there is so much film and TV work out there these days that I eventually fell into working in front of the camera, almost by accident. It turns out I absolutely love film and television; I love being in front of the camera; I love doing something different all the time. I now consider myself a film and television actress rather than a theatre actress. What is strange about being known as a theatre actress is that I still get people coming up to me on the street in Dublin trying to work out where they know me from. I have a million films running through my head where they might have seen me, and then they exclaim, "Oh! You were in Hamlet!" or "Oh, you’re the girl from Savage In Limbo!". It is funny because I would have always assumed that it would be the exact opposite, that people would always be recognized for their film work and never for their stage work.

2. What are the benefits of making short films for actors, writers, and directors?

There are many benefits to making short films. They are a great training ground for making features, especially for writers and directors. You have exactly the same scenario including all the problems and complications that go with it on a micro-scale. From an actor's point of view, doing shorts has its pros and cons. A major pro is that you are doing something different all the time. If you do a succession of shorts, you are always working on a different character, in a different scenario. The downside is that you don't get nearly as much time to work on your character as you would with a feature as the turnaround is usually pretty quick with short films.

3. Would you tell us about the three short films you've recently completed?

I wrapped on three short films recently. The first was called Revenge, which is a film about someone who suffers at the hands of their noisy neighbor in an apartment block. It is all about the revenge that she wreaks upon the noisy neighbor. It was screamingly hilarious to shoot, and I think it will be fabulous when it finally comes out. The second one I did was Capturing Beauty, which is a mobile phone short, shot entirely on Android and iPhone devices. It was about how we capture absolutely everything that goes on around us in the world with our mobile/cellular devices, perhaps at the expense of living our lives. The last one was called Lucky Strike although the name may change. This one is about two female friends. One is down and out and has just lost her job. The other one (me) buys her a scratch card--a winning scratch card. The film is about how the dynamic in the relationship changes and what the etiquette is when someone buys you a winning ticket. I loved doing all three; the comedies in particular are always a lot of fun to shoot.

4. What's your character like in the new full-length film, The Smoker and the Dame Who Wore Red Shoes?

I play the lead villain in The Smoker and the Dame Who Wore Red Shoes. She was described by my director as a "replicant-like, humanoid creature." She is beautiful to the point of perfection, beautiful in a very plastic way. She is not a human being; she doesn’t experience emotion in the same way you would expect a human being to experience emotion. It's there, but emotion is something to be controlled and used. She is intent on destroying the protagonist of the film, but the further along the protagonist gets to his goal, the more her ability to control her emotional center starts to fail. It was a very different part to play. I often get cast as a villain, but I've never filmed anything like this before. I've always had a very human core to my character despite all the flaws. My director told me to take her up to 110%, and if it was over the top, he would scale me back. I just let it all out: I was worried it would be over the top, but he didn't need to scale me back. I loved it; it was such a different experience playing her.

5. What are you currently working on, and what are your goals as an actor for 2013 and beyond?

At the moment I am working on a script called The Burning of Bridget Cleary about a woman from County Tipperary in Ireland who was burnt alive by her husband in 1895 as he suspected that she was a faerie changeling. That is, he suspected that the faeries had stolen his wife and left a faerie in her place. It is a true story and absolutely blood-curdling. I can't wait to shoot it. I've also just been sent a script about an oppressed woman from the 60s in Ireland, also based on a true story. It's amazing how much society can screw people up. I can't really say anything more about it yet until it gets greenlighted, but I would die to play the role. So fingers crossed!

Thanks, Anna!

Meet James Conner, Musician

James Conner has been writing, recording and performing music in the Bay Area for nine years. Originally from New Jersey, James moved to San Francisco in 2003 and released James Conner: For The Industry EP (iTunes, CD Baby). Featuring fast electronic music and spoken-word vocals, the first EP and the subsequent full-length record, James Conner: A Year In The Light Of My Life (2007) mixed elements of Aphex Twin, Nine Inch Nails, and David Bowie into a dark fusion of brooding angst. Now in 2012, James has returned with his second full-length record. San Francisco (Good-night In Dreamland) (iTunes, CD Baby) delivers a cohesive blend of indie rock, 1990s alternative rock, and elements of jazz. To capture the songs on San Francisco, James recorded with Nic Pope for a year at Different Fur Studios in the Mission. James has enlisted Nathan Bennet (on guitar) and Alex Aguallo (on drums) to round out a powerful trio to bring San Francisco to the stage.

Find San Francisco on Amazon as well as iTunes, and sample James' music on ReverbNation, SoundCloud, and YouTube.

1. How would you describe your music to someone who hasn't heard it before?

As a cross between Dinosaur Jr. and U2. People also compare my music to The Strokes, Interpol, and The Libertines.

2. What's your process for writing music: do you generally start with a riff, an image, a lyric...?

I usually start with the lyrics/vocals and work backwards. For me, the lyrics/vocals determine everything about a song--i.e. the tempo, the mood, and the type of song it's going to be. Since I'm the singer/lyricist and also the songwriter, everything supports the vocal.

3. How is San Francisco (Good-night In Dreamland) similar to your first album, and how is it different?

My first record, James Conner: For the Industry EP (CDBaby, iTunes) was fast, electronic music with spoken-word vocals. On San Francisco there are three tracks that are of the style of the first record. That was a deliberate attempt on my part to have a link with the style from my first record. But with San Francisco I wanted to make a "rock" record, so the majority of the songs are rock songs in the style of "indie rock" or "alternative rock." Also, on San Francisco I made more of attempt to sing although my vocals on the record aren't all-out singing.

4. How does living in San Francisco influence your work?

All of the songs on San Francisco were written since I've been living in San Francisco, and all the songs are about topics that I've been dealing with since I've been in San Francisco. I grew up in a small town in Southern New Jersey and my parents are conservative Republicans, so casual sex and infidelity were basically hidden/non-existent while I was growing up. I moved to San Francisco when I was twenty-three, and I had very little dating experience when I first arrived. It took a long time for me to adjust to the morality of San Francisco and California in general. In San Francisco, casual sex and infidelity in relationships is basically the norm. When I first moved to San Francisco, I would ask a girl out, and I would also ask if she had a boyfriend, and I would literally get a blank stare--as if the question itself was irrelevant. On the East Coast and especially in the small town I grew up in, if you asked a girl out who had a boyfriend, you would be facing a fist-fight. It's much different in San Francisco. So all the songs on San Francisco deal with sex, dating, and infidelity.

5. What online resources do you find most important in connecting listeners with your music, and what offline resources are most crucial to you?

Facebook is pretty crucial these days when you're connecting with fans and building a community for your music. It also allows you to have a more personal connection with your fans which is invaluable. Offline resources have almost entirely disappeared these days. I guess they would include local newspapers, local businesses, and word of mouth. They're all important when you're trying to build a local fan base, but they're getting more sparse every day.

Thanks, James!

Meet Erik Dobell, Mentalist

Erik Dobell can read minds... really. This is because Erik Dobell is a mentalist. A mentalist is someone who uses psychology and chicanery to create the illusion of psychic powers. During a performance of "The Psychological Chicanery of Erik Dobell," you will see him use techniques such as deduction, suggestion, and cold reading to demonstrate telepathy, precognition, and (if he's feeling frisky) psychokinesis. You'll want to believe him... but you probably shouldn't.

Erik lives in North Carolina and enjoys traveling for performances. Check out Erik's YouTube channel to see his mental powers at work, and follow him on Facebook.

1. What's the difference between being psychic and being a mentalist?

That's actually a hard question because there are a lot of similarities. Mentalists tend to be more honest about what they are actually doing: they are performing a show that is for entertainment purposes only.

If you go to see a psychic perform, you are going to see one of two things. You're either going to be looking at someone who believes they're real, or you're looking at someone who is using similar skills not to entertain but to scam money out of people.

I guess the difference would be intent--although I've met quite a few shady mentalists in my day.

As for the actual show, since mentalism is more about entertainment, the show is going to have a much different feel and flow to it. The techniques will be more sophisticated and dare I say... believable. Psychic shows tend to be more along the lines of a demonstration and almost always of cold reading.

2. How have you built a career as a mentalist?

I spent several years putting together the best mentalism show I could; I then picked my target markets and got myself out there. I believe success in show business is largely about luck, and I've been lucky.

It also helps to have no shame.

3. What do audiences take from your performances?

I have a background in theater, stand-up comedy, and writing. I feel I have a good idea of what an audience is going to find entertaining, and that's what I'm going to provide to them. I'm going to do everything in my power to give them one of the best shows they've ever seen.

I never want to disappoint an audience. No matter how big or how small.

Aside from that, there is an underlying theme to the show. I come out in the beginning and tell the audience, in so many words, that what they're about to see this evening is an illusion: I'm not psychic, but you're going to think that I am. Then I attempt to convince everyone in the audience that I can read minds.

Not only do I find that to be a fascinating premise for the show, but I also hope that it makes people think a little more skeptically about people who claim extraordinary things. If I'm on stage pretending to be psychic, and it appears 100% genuine, even though I say that it isn't, then what are so-called "real" psychics doing?

I'm happy to say many people pick up on this, and it leads to some wonderful conversations after the show.

4. How do you work with an audience's skepticism, and how much skepticism do you think is healthy?

Depends on the routine I'm performing. Sometimes I want someone on stage who is there just to be entertained and not thinking very much about how I'm doing these things.

Sometimes I seek skeptical people from the audience. I do this because I want to prove to them that I'm really doing these things and I don't have a bunch of plants in the audience, and it can also be entertaining for the audience to watch the mentalist perform for the skeptic.

I don't think you can be too skeptical. We as people are lied to--a lot! It's a very good idea to develop logical thinking skills and to question things, especially if they seem unusual or too good to be true.

Cynicism is often mistaken for skepticism, but to be cynical you must be closed-minded. To be skeptical you must be open-minded. How else would you be able to question things?

5. What are some exercises you'd recommend that people practice if they want to sharpen their own mental powers?

How to Develop a Super-Power Memory by Harry Lorayne is a great book that will help you with just that.

My other bit of advice is stay active. The light goes dim when you stop thinking, so never stop thinking.

Thanks, Erik!