The Geek Chic Elite Podcast

Safe indoors means more time for activities like video gaming, binge movie and TV-watching, and, depending on who you are quarantined with, drowning out external noise. When it comes to how we are tuning in (and tuning out at the same time), look no further than California-based audio manufacturer Audeze. Audeze's Mobius gaming phones blew my mind. Founder and CEO Sankar Thiagasamudram explained the history of this stunning piece of tech, while teaching me about how to shop for a new set.  The Mobius headphones are more than just an accessory to your gaming, music-listening, and media-consuming needs, they are a powerful platform that allows you extensive customization, head-tracking, and real world sound to deliver on all your audio needs. Just check out how these headphones measure up to the crucial in-game sound cues in Counterstrike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBTbFd3HbcI  You can buy yourself or a loved one a pair over at their website: https://www.audeze.com  Follow Audeze on social media for more info about all their cool audio products: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudezeLLC/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audeze_official/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/audezeofficial1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/audeze?lang=en

Once again conjoining the powerhouse team of writer Michael Frizell and artist Joe Paradise (yes, that's his real name), TidalWave Comics is coming out with an imaginative 22-page flip book style story of the Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin story. Frizell and Paradise have worked together before, and publishe Darren G. Davis shares what makes their work so magical. "Infamous: Tiger King" will be out on June 24, 2020. It features cover art by Jesse Johnson (which is also this episode's thumbnail image!) Print copies of the biography comics are available on Amazon. You can pre-order the books now at ComicFleamarket.com.  Digital versions will be available from iTunes, Kindle, Nook, ComiXology, Kobo and wherever e-books are sold. For more information about the company, visit www.tidalwavecomics.com For more podcasts and pop culture news, please visit our website at www.geekchicelite.com.

Amidst these chaotic Covid-19 times, it was fantastic to talk with Matthew Heafy who brings so much comfort and entertainment to his fans as a musician and as a streamer. As the lead singer and guitarist for metal band Trivium, he has been on stage for more than two decades. In recent years, he has opened up his connection to fans, not just of his music, but to those who also share a love of video gaming. He streams daily, both practicing playing guitar and playing games like Fortnite and is a master at creating community and family through these ventures which is so crucial today. The Geek Chic Elite extends our deepest thanks to Matthew again for taking the time to talk with us. We hope you are all living your best-quarantined life and breaking some gaming records in the meantime. Trivium has a new album coming out on April 24 called 'What the Dead Men Say' and when it drops, you'll need that itch for live music to be scratched, pronto. On our website, www.geekchicelite.com, and in our show notes for this episode, we’ve got links to all of Matthew’s social media accounts and to Trivium’s, as well as their new single off the album, Catastrophist. Stay safe and enjoy! Find Matthew Heafy online: Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/matthewkheafy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewkheafy/?hl=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matthewkheafy/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/matthewkheafy Find Trivium Online: Website: https://www.trivium.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TriviumOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triviumband/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/trivium Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/278ZYwGhdK6QTzE3MFePnP?si=kuQ7d7euTHONNjmvLl-sXQ Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/trivium/47123955?app=music&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Catastrophist Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNgyzREsaAA Photo Credit: Matthew K. Heafy's Twitter

Alternative rock band Beware of Darkness' Kyle Nicolaides is a huge geek. Citing video game music as one of his introductions into loving music and wanting to be a musician, we talk some of his favorite soundtracks. Kyle was kind enough  in this episode to get down into the nitty gritty about what's it's like to create music with and without depression. Kyle is also no stranger to being apart of video game history. The band's 2013 single, "Howl," has been featured on Saints Row IV, Need for Speed: Most Wanted, EA Sports UFC and Gran Turismo. After three years, the band is back with their latest single “Bloodlines.” “Bloodlines” was recorded in Los Angeles at Kingsize Sound Labs with producer Braden Merrick and mixed by David Sardy (LCD Soundsystem, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against The Machine). In addition to multi-instrumentalist Kyle Nicolaides, the track boasts special guests guitarist Jeff Schroeder (Smashing Pumpkins), bassist Mark Stoermer (The Killers) and drummer Jon Safley (CRX, Bleached). To listen to "Bloodlines" and Beware of Darkness' other hits, please visit: http://www.bewareofdarknessmusic.com/ https://www.facebook.com/BewareOfDarknessMusic/ https://twitter.com/bewareodarkness https://www.instagram.com/bewareofdarkness/ https://www.youtube.com/c/BewareOfDarkness To purchase "Bloodlines," please visit: http://ffm.to/bloodlines?fbclid=IwAR3V6vmJS05mQL5V4dV1wmuZI82hMvwgrDtMwH0rnsxVa0kPNdZnFTI6ZdY

There’s no better way to celebrate New York then by talking about our experiences with On Location Tours. Joining Laura of The Geek Chic Elite this episode is Mike Dolce, of the Secrets of the Sire Podcast. He was kind enough to invite me on the Secrets of the Sire podcast a few weeks ago to talk about Jane Foster as Thor in Taiki Watiti’s upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder Movie and some other hot takes on the X-Men and Agents of SHIELD. Mike will be at NYCC at booth #1042, so drop in and say hello. Secrets of the Sire can be found on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple and Spotify, and you can find him on social media with his Twitter @Sire_Studios, Instagram @sirestudios, and on Facebook. The website is: https://secretsofthesire.com. Mike and I spoke with Georgette Blau, the president and CEO of On Location Tours. On Location Tours is celebrating its 20th year and for the past two and a half years has delighted nerds and visitors aplenty with its Super Tour of NYC, which visits more than 40 locations. If you’re local to New York, like Mike and I, or, if you’re visiting for New York Comic Con or for any other reason, you can rest assured that there are plenty of dates to go on this tour and not just see iconic nerdy NY scenes, but the ones that have colored your comic books, televisions and silver screens for decades. On Location Tours can be found on https://onlocationtours.com, on Facebook as On Location Tours, on Twitter as @OnLocationTours and on Instagram as @Onlocationtours too.  At the end of my chat with Mike and Georgette, I’ve also included my talk with my wonderful guide Chris, who is a passionate and incredibly knowledgeable nerd who just wants to share the love. Thanks once again to Mike of the Secrets of the Sire podcast, and to Georgette, Chris and On Location Tours for making this episode possible.

Historian, author and speaker Robin Gerber divulges into the legacy of Barbie with her new book, Barbie Forever: Her Inspiration, History, and Legacy (September 24, 2019). There are few things nerdier then Barbie, and in this episode we explore the history and international impact of Mattel founder Ruth Handler's greatest creation. For more on Robin Gerber, please visit her website: www.robingerber.com For more on the GCE, please visit: www. geekchicelite.com

The Geek Chic Elite Podcast spoke with Chris Jaymes this week on his new graphic novel, Sons of Chaos. He’s written, produced, directed and acted in a number of projects including Lost, Netflix’s Bad Samaritans, The Human Common and Boxing Day. But his latest venture pulls upon the spirit that’s made movies like 300, and tv shows like Game of Thrones so popular. Penning his first graphic novel as a joint venture for IDW Publishing and Penguin Random House, Chris Jaymes goes down to the heart in exploring the Greek War of Independence in Sons of Chaos. Sons of Chaos is a sprawling 192 page graphic novel with complimentary art by industry veteran Ale Aragon. I spoke with Chris on the day the book was released into the ether about the present-day implications of this war that took place 200 years ago, it’s modern day current event counterparts and the writing process. For more information, please visit: https://www.chrisjaymes.com https://sonsofchaos.com https://www.amazon.com/Sons-Chaos-Chris-Jaymes/dp/1684054796 http://www.geekchicelite.com

Each year, San Diego Comic Con hosts the Eisner Awards, which highlight the accomplishments and achievements of creator’s and industry professionals in comic books. For our annual relaunch of the GCE podcast, we spoke to first-time Eisner Award nominee Rachel Smythe. The New Zealand writer and artist is known for her Webtoon webcomic Lore Olympus, chronicling the mythological romance between Hades and Persephone. Set amongst a more contemporary background, the story deviates from the original tale, but has hooked in more than one million readers, per week. With an overall readership of 161 million, it is currently the number one series on the Webtoon platform. Follow us at: www.geekchicelite.com Webtoon: https://www.webtoons.com/en/romance/lore-olympus/list?title_no=1320&page=1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/used_bandaid?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usedbandaid/?hl=en Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/loreolympus

Of the many incredible things you can see or do at a comic convention, having a portfolio review by an industry professional is one of them, but it can be a very daunting task for the prospective creator. The GCE spoke with Line Webtoon's Head of Content Tom Akel at the inaugural Keystone Comic Con about how to prepare and what to expect with the portfolio review process. You may have to adjust your volume throughout the podcast as we were sitting next to an active wrestling match at the convention so the audio does become a bit crazy at times. For more, please visit https://www.webtoons.com and www.geekchicelite.com

One of my favorite things about comic cons is roaming the aisles of Artist Alley and discovering talent and creators unbeknownst to you before. In this case, writer, art director and licensor Dale Lazarov posted in a Keystone Comic Con group that he was attending the convention. His post caught my eye and I sought him out the next day to chat with. Lazarov's imprint can be found at www.stickygraphicnovels.com and www.dalelazarov.com The Geek Chic Elite can be found at www.geekchiceite.com Keystone Comic Con is a new comic convention by ReedPOP, known for putting on the longstanding New York Comic Con and C2E2 conventions.

Legendary comic book artist Bob McLeod came one the podcast and recorded this interview the Geek Chic Elite back in May 2018 at Wizard World Philadelphia. In this interview, McLeod recounts his inspiration outside of other comic book artists, his current endeavors and if he has any information on the upcoming New Mutants movie. For more on Bob McLeod, please visit his website at: http://www.bobmcleod.com

Ellie Morlino's art caught The Geek Chic Elite's attention while attending Wizard World Philadelphia 2018. The artist, currently exhibiting as an illustrator and in school for computer animation, chatted with us about Saturday morning cartoon inspirations, Frozen inspiration and what's it like as a first-time exhibitor at a convention. You can view Ellie's work at her website: https://elliemorlino.carbonmade.com Visit the GCE over at our website for more! www.geekchicelite.com

Extra Life is a charity gaming organization that has raised over $40 million since its inception, ten years ago. The Geek Chic Elite spoke with rep Mike Torres as Wizard World Philadelphia 2018 to learn more about the program and how anyone can truly become a hero. For more on Extra Life, please visit their website at www.extra-life.org. Visit the Geek Chic Elite at: www.geekchicelite.com

This week, Laura brings Gary on board to talk spoilers, reactions and theories on one of the biggest movies ever, Avengers Infinity War. The movie is the culmination of ten years of Marvel's hard work into their cinematic empire. Is there any stopping this juggernaut - of course not. The Geek Chic Elite doesn't demand your silence, but does warn you that there are a million spoilers!

The Geek Chic Elite were invited to partake in an interview with Awesome Con's Lacey Gilleran, who chatted with John Boyega about Star Wars (hint- filming starts soon for Episode IX , Pacific Rim Uprising, anime and his directorial aspirations. Awesome Con is a comic convention based in Washington D.C. and will run this year from March 30 to April 1. John Boyega will be attending the convention along with many other guests. For more: www.geekchicelite.com

Marc Guggenheim is known for a lot of important things, such as creating DC's hit television shows Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow. While attending Ace Comic Con on Long Island from December 8 - 10, Marc talked about his native roots, that being Long Island, and how they have influenced his (and his family's) work. More on: www.geekchicelite.com

The GCE Podcast is back and chatting with Robinne Lee, who plays Bea Hasting's on SyFy's Superstition. We talk fears, Thanksgiving and what it was like to be earning a JD while getting jobs as an actor.

We're back this week with an interview with Canadian actor Teach Grant. Known for his roles in Supernatural, The Flash, Lucifer, and for writing/directing the 2014 film Down Here, Grant has been really busy. However, he took some time out of his schedule to chat with us about his upcoming roles in Once There Was a Winter, Altered Carbon, Damnation and Van Helsing. You can learn more about Grant on our website www.geekchicelite.com. Photo credit to Robert Rowland.

Lee Meriwether graced the main stage of Eternal Con 2017 on day two. Sharing fun stories about her time on set of the 1966 Batman movie and Tunnel Time, Ms. Meriwether entertained the crowd. The Geek Chic Elite were in the crowd and listening in, and we've got a couple of snippets from her endearing chat. Visit out website: http://www.geekchicelite.com Learn more about Eternal Con: http://eternalcon.com

Hello! We’ve got a great interview with Stan Lee for you to listen to for our first official podcast episode. Find us online at: www.geekchicelite.com www.facebook.com/GeekChicElite www.twitter.com/GeekChicElite www.instagram.com/thegce