A shouting mandolin player stomps their feet for a twelve-minute song. A petite instrumentalist disappears behind an accordion for an impressive droning set. A singer brings the expected roar of a bar down to intrigued whispers as they sing. A six-foot rapper brings a ukelele out from behind their back. A comedian tackles a tipsy mass and ensures a strong reaction. A magician rises from the mixing console to reintroduce wonder to otherwise arduous lives. 

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with SickInTheHead, aka SITH, a hip-hop artist who recently released his powerful debut album “Smokin’ Boots.” SickInTheHead shares details about his creative process, the meaning behind his stage name, and what it’s like being an artist on Staten Island.

In the first of this three-part installment, Brian Buchanan explores the cultural and music landscape of Staten Island.

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Jeff Altieri aka Jeff Enrage, a seasoned show producer and musician with a long history in the Staten Island music scene. Jeff shares his journey, the current state of the local music scene, and his vision for the future.

“I’ll sit and watch,” Clarice, an 80-something-year-old woman told me. The other women cut, glued, collaged, chatted, and told her how much they enjoyed altering their recycled hardcovered books. They showed her their books to entice her to stay and make her own. Gwen related the story of her husband, who had died and loved accordions, so she had been delighted to find a drawing of one.