Manal Issa (R) as Sara Mardini, and Nathalie Issa as Yusra Mardini in “The Swimmers.” Courtesy Netflix. Even when a story is happening halfway around the world, it can be instantly relatable. Take “The Swimmers” (now streaming on Netflix), about two Syrian sisters who try to save their family…

“13: The Musical.” (L to R) Khiyla Aynne, Ramon Reed, Frankie McNellis, Nolen Dubuc, Jonathan Lengel, Liam Wignall, Eli Golden, JD McCrary, Lindsey Blackwell, Gabriella Uhl, Luke Islam, Kayleigh Cerezo, Willow Moss and Shechinah Mpumlwana. Courtesy Alan Markfield/Netflix. Netflix is rebooting “13: The Musical,” the theater production best known as…

Anna Akana, courtesy. Back when she was writing the songs on her debut album, 2019’s Casualty, Anna Akana had just left a toxic relationship, and her songs were both a form of therapy and a way to directly address her musician ex. Shortly after, she began writing what would…

VINCINT, Courtesy photo. Vincint Cannady was already a rising vocalist and didn’t want or need to compete on Fox’s “The Four” reality singing competition. The Philadelphia native, who blends his powerful pipes with soulful falsettos and huge dance hooks as VINCINT, twice rejected the show’s producers to try out.…

Insert Foot is woke on Joey Chestnut, “Luke Cage.” A few independent thoughts on Independence Day. As I brace myself for the annual Joey Chestnut Coney Island puke fest (I can’t even eat one hot dog without feeling like I committed a health crime unless I ate it at…

Jewel Kilcher. Courtesy: Brendan Walter. Having lived out of her car and on the street when she was a teen, it’s understandable why Jewel carries  the issue of homelessness—particularly homeless children—close to her heart. The singer-songwriter, born Jewel Kilcher, started a nonprofit in Las Vegas working with at-risk youth…

It would be accurate but simplistic to say that that the success of “Bird Box,” the film adaptation of Josh Malerman’s 2014 breakout horror novel, has changed his life. The writer was suddenly center stage with actress Sandra Bullock at the Hollywood and New York premieres, and hosting his…

Calpurnia, courtesy. Finn Wolfhard has wanted to play music since before he broke out as an actor on hit Netflix show Stranger Things. One of his first on-screen gigs was as a young stand-in for Canadian punk band PUP’s frontman Stefan Babcock in a music video. This was in 2014,…

Kate Nash, courtesy. If someone asked Kate Nash, five years ago, whether she would resort to wrestling if all of the singer-songwriter and actress’ other career options ran dry, she would have no idea what he was talking about. Things are different now, not that her career needs any…

Louis XIV and Vicky Cryer frontman Jason Hill had just broken up with a girlfriend on a Friday and was wondering what he would do next. Two days later, he answered a phone call that would alter his career trajectory; one that would lead him to write music for…