Category: Entertainment

Turn to Travel Channel and you will most likely catch a paranormal show; especially now that it is October.  I am a fan of the paranormal genre.  I have had experiences I can not explain, throughout my life.  Even being a fan of the paranormal, though, sometimes it feels like a little bit of ghost-hunting overload.  The shows blend together.  It seems like the same concept and mostly the same locations, just different faces.  That is why I am so excited about the Travel Channel’s Ghostober introduction “The Holzer Files”.

“The Holzer Files” is a true standout in paranormal shows.  It takes a look back at the files of Hans Holzer, a pioneer in paranormal research, and then has a team of investigators investigate the locations to see if they have similar findings.  It is not just any team, though.  The team consists of David Schrader (paranormal expert, author, and host of Darkness Radio), Cindy Kaza (a psychic medium), and Shane Pittman (an equipment tech).  They are the perfect combination.

The show starts off with Dave sitting down with Gabe Roth, a paranormal researcher, and Alexandra Holzer, Hans Holzer’s daughter.  They pull out the old video and audio reels that Hans recorded and review the evidence.  It is fascinating to watch the vintage footage and to hear the crackling, decades-old audio.  This almost seems to add to the creepy factor.

Cindy and Shane then do a blind walk-through of the location to see if Cindy psychicly picks up on any of the same notes that Hans and his medium did.  Dave watches from monitors and compares Cindy’s findings with the files.  Dave then joins the pair for the full investigation.  Occasionally, there is footage of Dave recording his “Case Log” about what is going on.  I like the production of these scenes.  It is very reminiscent of a spy/mystery movie, like “If you find this footage, this is what happened to me.”

The three balance off of each other very well.  Dave is cool, calm, and collected.  He has done investigations for years.  If he gets rattled, you know it is something truly note-worthy.  Cindy’s readings are very relevant and on point.  She maintains a sense of urgency but serenity when faced with a dark presence or heading a warning.  Shane is the paranormal newbie.  He, therefore, gets the most spooked out of the three of them.  Watching that genuine fear, though, is very relatable.

Only three episodes have aired so far.  If you missed them, go catch up now.  Episode 3 at the Whaley House was crazy!  I can not wait to see what the rest of the season has to offer.  Tune in on Thursdays to catch the new episodes.

BBMak was a pop trio from across the pond that exploded onto the American music scene with the release of their first hit “Back Here” in 1999.  You could not turn on TRL or Zoog Disney (admit it, you remember it) without seeing the guys performing the song in the Underground.  With the release of their first album Sooner or Later, their faces were filling teen magazines and fans’ hearts.  They followed the success of their first album by releasing their second album, Into Your Head, in 2002.  Then, almost as quickly as they appeared, they were gone.  The end of BBMak was official by 2003…or so it seemed.

*Fast-forward 16 years*

Have you ever heard that patience is a virtue?  Well, patience finally paid off.  BBMak has a new album, Powerstation, that was just released on October 11.  To sum it up, BBMak ages like a fine wine.  Their three distinctly different voices somehow blend together into the most beautiful harmonies.  Christian still has that smooth but gritty, edgy voice that he only further developed by supplying vocals to some of the top names in the EDM scene during the BBMak break.  Ste’s voice is still that piercing emotional voice that is perfect for those climatic, emotional musical moments.  Mark is the only voice that seems to have changed slightly.  There is almost a deeper, richer tone to it, now, but still the gentle, mesmerizing voice that his fans adore.  They truly have only gotten better, if that was even possible.  Most songs these days are great because of the production.  BBMak’s songs are amazing simply because of their raw talent.  Powerstation is truly a rare gem.

Don’t take my word for it, though.  Let the songs speak for themselves.

Their first single off the new album was “Bullet Train”.

One of my absolute favorite tracks from the album, “Uncivil War”.

Every track is impressive.  This is not an album from which you will want to buy just one or two songs.  So go pick up the album which is available on all the typical platforms or order it from their website and check out the tour dates while you are there.  www.bbmak.com

When I’m in my car, I usually have my MP3 player running on shuffle.  Quite often a BBMak song pops up.  Over the past (I don’t even want to say how many) years, every time I heard a BBMak song, I thought, “Such a shame that they parted ways.  They had such talent.”  Even though I have both American albums, the soundtrack songs (“Don’t Look Down” is my favorite!), and every import I was able to get my hands on, I just wanted more BBMak.  I never knew that desire would be satisfied.

This year, BBMak announced they were back together, have a new album coming out, and they would be going on tour!  *Insert fangirl squeal here*  As soon as the tour ticket date was released, I set a reminder on my calendar.  I wanted to be first to the website to secure my tickets.  When that day finally came, not knowing what kind of ticket options there would be, I put out positive vibes and kept telling myself, “I’m going to meet BBMak!”  The time came to log on and, much to my surprise, there were VIP Meet and Greet tickets offered.  I really was going to meet BBMak!

They released their first single “Bullet Train” and it only added to my excitement.  It is such a great song.  In true BBMak fashion, it is catchy, beautiful, and spotlights their amazing harmonies.  Then finally the concert day arrived.  I took my mom with me.  I used to always play BBMak in the car.  I had her knowing their names, birthdays, etc.  It was only fitting that she get to meet them, too.  I never want to get my hopes up too much prior to meet and greets, though.  I attended an ‘NSYNC meet and greet back in the day and they herded everyone through like cattle and all the security was intimidating.  This meet and greet, though, was amazing!  They kept it to a small group of attendees.  The atmosphere was super relaxed and informal.  When we went in, BBMak started talking to everyone and Christian greeted us all with a hug.  A minute or two later, they gathered us around to play two acoustic songs, “Bullet Train” and “Back Here”.  Their angelic harmonies pierced through the room.  Artists can hide behind synthesizers on albums…voices can be manipulated through mics at concerts…but with just their voices, guitars, and a hollow room, flaws can not be disguised, and there was not a flaw to be found.  Pure, beautiful talent, that is all I can say.

After they sang, we each were able to spend one-on-one time with them.  They are the sweetest, most down-to-Earth guys.  They hugged everyone and engaged in conversations.  I brought along my Cosplur bracelets for them.  I thought, “Hey, I’m going to be tagging them in stuff on social media so why not put a face with the name.”  I figured they would be gracious, say thanks, and then put the bracelets down on a table and toss them out afterward.  Nope!  They immediately put the bracelets on.  When we took our photo together, Mark said, “Make sure the bracelets are showing!”  OK, now they can toss them, right?  Wrong!  Mid-concert my mom tapped me and said, “Look, they still have on the bracelets.”  ❤  That meant so much.  BBMak spreading the Cosplur/Go PLUR Yourself vibes.  (Go Plur Yourself is a phrase I came up with to promote loving yourself for who you are.  More details HERE.) Pics below of the bands on their wrists. 🙂

As if my night wasn’t already made, Christian asked, “So were you a fan back in the day or were you too young back then?”  Of course I had to give him a hug for that one.  I’m only a few years younger than them, though I refuse to admit I’m over 21.  haha.  When I told them my age, they said I look super young.  I knew I loved these guys.  For the meet and greet photos, they had someone taking the pictures.  We could not use our phones.  I was surprised that they did not have an event photographer for this and the concert.  Next time they tour, I need to introduce them to the photographer I work with.  In fact, I am going to be assisting him with photographing the EDM queens NERVO at a show, soon!  (But that is a whole other topic for a whole other post coming in June.)

Soon it was time for the concert.  My mom and I were standing in the second row, center stage.  It was so great to hear all the old songs live.  I saw them perform songs from their first album at Disney World back in 1999.  You can’t imagine how elated I was when tour dates came out that year and it just so happened that their concert was the day that we had planned to arrive at Disney.  Destiny!  I never had the opportunity to see them tour for their second album, though.  I’m not even going to pretend that I remember the exact order of songs for this concert.  I was enjoying myself too much to worry about being that specific on details.  However, I can tell you that they started with “Out of My Heart” and followed it with all of their awesome hits, “I Can’t Say”, “Still on Your Side”, “Sympathy”, and more.  It was super hot and humid in the venue, which the guys mentioned several times.  At one point, a fan yelled, “Take it off!”  Mark proceeded to act like he was going to unbutton his shirt, which sparked giddy screams from the ladies.  He then teased, “Sorry, that’s the next tour.”  I hope you know we are going to hold you to that, Mark.  Hee hee.  During the show they actually introduced two more songs from the album that will be out in August.  One of those songs is “Uncivil War”, which is gorgeous!  I am in love with this song.

Eventually they took a bow and exited the stage.  Everyone knew there had to be an encore, though.  After all, they had not performed “Back Here”, yet.  Sure enough, they walked back onto the stage.  Mark joked that they seemed to have skipped a couple of songs.  Not only did they end with “Back Here” but they performed “Ghost of You and Me”!  My heart!  I love this song.  I have had an idea for a music video for “Ghost of You and Me” since not too long after it came out.  I finally had a chance to create the video, this year, and I planned to give the guys a copy of it at the meet and greet.  However, last minute, the actor just quit returning correspondence.  I was so frustrated.  I am going to put this video together one day, though.  I wanted to tell them that if they ever find themselves bored in the States, they are welcome to star in it.

As always, time flies when you’re having fun.  Before I knew it, the show was over.  On the bright side, I have a new album to look forward to, in August, AND they said they would be touring again!  I can guarantee I will be front and center.  …and you should be too!  Check out their website HERE to keep up with all of the latest news and to find all of their social media links.