Citywide Blackout, March 16, 2019: Kathleen Valenti/Avanti Nagral

On this week's podcast, I open with author Kathleen Valenti, who has a new book in her Maggie O'Malley seires, “As Directed.” She talks about the Maggie's development, going from recent college grad to solving one murder after another. Kathleen also delves into her marketing background and how this has helped her to spread the word about her work.

Following this I play a new single from Mike Allen, “Set in Stone.” Mike began playing professionally at 16, working for the Little Walter Price Blues Band. Switching to country in 1980, he spent years on the road playing for Jeff Hord and the Texas Fullhouse Band, Hatfield and McCoy, Phoenix, and others.

After the break, Boston-based singer-songwriter Avanti Nagral joins me to share the story behind her new single. “thank u (pls).” This song centers on a recent breakup, and how she grew from the experience. She's on the way to India to begin a press tour for the music video for this song, and she talks about the social media influencers and YouTube stars who worked with her on the project.