Iris Dorbian is an East Coast-based business journalist who has covered the legal cannabis sector for outlets including Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Crain’s New York Business, Venture Capital Journal, Buyouts, and Investopedia. In October, she released her latest novel, Next Stop, Boston, from Black Pawn Press.
Who Is Author And Journalist Iris Dorbian?
A prolific writer about many subjects in addition to legal cannabis, such as private equity and venture capital, small business, politics, media, and the arts, Dorbian has authored several books. Her works are a study in her varied passions: Great Producers: Visionaries of the American Theater (Allworth/Skyhorse, 2008); An Epiphany in Lilacs (Mazo Publishers, 2017); and Sentenced to Shakespeare (Sunbury Press/Milford House Press, 2019). Initially working as an actress, the creator switched to writing when she attended Columbia University’s School of Journalism, from which she received a master’s degree. Dorbian is the former editor of the technical theatre publication Stage Directions; her writing has also appeared in Thomson Reuters, Business Insider, Playbill, Backstage, and more.
What Is Iris Dorbian's Novel Next Stop, Boston About?
Next Stop, Boston merges the author’s lifelong passion for rock and roll and trashy rock star biographies/memoirs with her keen interest in Hollywood gossip, fanfiction, and soap operas. Very loosely inspired by the classic Fellini film La Strada, the story revolves around 16-year-old Geri Randall, whose life is turned upside-down when washed-up rock star Dez Deacon (her late sister’s fiance) is named as her guardian. Whisked away from the only life she knew to be taken on a rock and roll tour, Geri is initially desperate to win Dez's approval. That desire hits a sour note when Dez's treatment of her becomes too much to bear. What ensues is a battle of wills between her and her temperamental guardian, a collision course that will push Geri to do the unthinkable to get what she wants.
With the book already receiving wide acclaim, readers can now purchase Next Stop, Boston through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other retailers.
Iris Dorbian's Classic Rock Weedsday Playlist
For her Weedsday Playlist, Dorbian reminds us that rock and roll is here to stay: “Perhaps it's because I was born near the end of the seminal Baby Boom generation and right before the onset of Gen-X, but I kept gravitating toward a lot of oldies but goodies while compiling this playlist. Mind you, I’m not a relic of a bygone era, far from it. But I was heavily influenced by the adults of the 1960s and 1970s who became my teachers and counselors. As a result, I can’t help but include in my playlist four classic songs from the 1960s guaranteed to not only heighten your senses but also lengthen your high as you mellow out. Only one song is a lot more recent. I love this one as it’s imbued with a powerfully evocative moodiness sure to raise anyone's smoke sesh to its highest plateau of feeling and transport.”
The Velvet Underground - "Venus In Furs"
Lou Reed’s masterpiece about an S&M relationship sadly did not get the recognition it so richly deserved when this tune was first released in 1967. Like many complicated, creative geniuses, the Velvets, (really Reed, the heart and soul of the band) were ahead of their time and sadly, commercial success was not forthcoming. But no matter. Even with their brief run, the Velvets left a legacy that has influenced a generation of musicians. With this song’s crashing guitar riffs and Reed’s brilliant, incisive lyrics, this is the perfect edgy song to get high to. Enjoy.
Click here to play on Spotify!
*Editor's Note: Did you know? Cannabis consultant Andrew DeAngelo chose Lou Reed's "Dirty Boulevard" for his Weedsday Playlist. Check out his full list here!
The Beatles - "Tomorrow Never Knows"
Another masterpiece ahead of its time, but unlike Lou Reed and the Velvets, this groundbreaking composition, courtesy of the immortal lads from Liverpool, did gain the recognition it deserved at the time of its release. In fact, it jumpstarted the psychedelic movement in the 1960s. This track introduced looping and sampling into commercial pop/rock nearly sixty years ago. If you listen to it today, it sounds so modern and fresh it’s mind-blowing.
Click here to play on Spotify!
*Editor's Note: Did you know? Cannabis coach Bradley King chose The Beatles' "Here Comes The Sun" for his Weedsday Playlist. Check out his full list here!
The Doors - "The Crystal Ship"
What do you get when you mix Ray Manzarek’s signature keyboard playing with Robby Krieger’s astonishing guitar licks, John Densmore’s innovative drumming and lead singer Jim Morrison’s soulful and sensual baritone posturing? Answer: You get this intoxicating, dreamlike song from the legendary 1960s LA psychedelic/proto-punk band that truly broke the mold. Brimming with romanticism and drug references, this song will guide you into a kaleidoscope of fantastical imagery that will feel like utopia as you smoke.
Click here to play on Spotify!
Traffic - "Dear Mr. Fantasy"
The stoner song to end all stoner songs. Steve Winwood’s vocals are as mesmerizing and hypnotic as the instrumentals are on this track. “Dear Mr. Fantasy, play us a tune. Something to make us happy…” sings Winwood. How can you go wrong with this genius psychedelic oldie?
Click here to play on Spotify!
Agnes Obel - "Fuel To Fire"
From the first time I heard this song, which was on HBO’s The Last of Us soundtrack, I was transfixed. The haunting melody and Obel’s deeply visceral vocals kept reverberating in my head for weeks and months afterwards. If you're in the mood for a serious smoke sesh, this tune, teeming with mournful overtones, might be conducive for some very deep, introspective musings.
Click here to play on Spotify!
For more about Iris Dorbian, visit irisdorbian.com. NEXT STOP, BOSTON is now available - click here for more information.
What are your favorite Weedsday tracks? Tell us about them - reach out at @honeysucklemagazine on Instagram and @HoneysuckleMag on Twitter!
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Featured image: Iris Dorbian at Bryce Canyon, Utah, March 2023. Courtesy of Iris Dorbian.
