INTERVIEW by
DAVID R. NAVARRO
Photo by
SAMANTHA D’ANNA
SINGER-SONGWRITER
COME TO THE WATER BAILEY ELORA
“COME TO THE WATER” OUT NOW! SONG + VIDEO
song produced by the spot studios | MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTED BY JORGE ARANA
LOUD & CLEAR
LOUD&CLEAR MAGAZINE IS RELEASED AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE. IT IS A DIGITAL MAGAZINE THAT IS DISTRIBUTED GLOBALLY. DIGITAL LINKS ARE PROVIDED TO ALL CONTRIBUTORS. WE DO NOT PROVIDE PRINT COPIES OF THE ISSUE AT THIS TIME.
FOUNDER & PUBLISHER
DAVID R. NAVARRO // @_designprint @loudandclearmagazine
DESIGN
d&p MEDIA
CREATIVE ADVISORS
BAILEY ELORA // Art Direction ANDRES TRUJILLO // Marketing + Publicity MELISSA VELASCO // Creative Writing
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
AUTHOR RUSS RAY // @eat.travel.type.colorado
MELISSA VELASCO // @ melissa.velasco.31508
J@Y M@DH@TTER // @city_built_music
PHOTOGRAPHERS (REGULARS)
DAVE // @_designprint
JONATHAN WOODEN // @jzw_photo
DONTE TOUSSAINT // @d_2_shootz
DOUG MUNGAVIN // @dougmungavinphoto
ADVERTISING & PROMOTION dave.designprint@gmail.com
COPYRIGHTS
LOUD&CLEAR ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE is owned by DAVE NAVARRO. The magazine, its staff and writers, has made sure that content is accurate on the date of publication. The views expressed in the articles reflect the author(s)’ opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content is published in good faith.
All rights reserved. Nothing can be partially or in whole be reprinted or reproduced without express written permission.
MODEL | VICTORIA SOLEDAD https://www.instagram.com/viadly.ly/
PHOTOGRAPHER | DOUG MUNGAVIN https://www.instagram.com/dougmungavinphoto
A seven-track album of Music Medicine to encourage wellbeing and dream chasing through mantras, affirmations, and soulful melodies.
This collection starts with a dream and ends in a lullaby spanning themes of mindfulness, manifesting, land stewardship, and divine feminine consciousness.
Check back for this download to be complete, or find it via Bandcamp: https://darcynelson.bandcamp.com/album/music-medicine-album
SPECIAL SHOUTOUT!
2 BAILEY ELORA @baileyelora
www.linktr.ee/baileyelora
3 MELISSA VELASCO
www.melissavelascobooks.com
4 VICTORIA SOLEDAD @viadly.ly
13 KRISTY GRONSETH @kristysilver70
48 PLANET OF THE TAPES
Diamond The DJ LL Kool J Geechie Dan
49 BEAT HOGS MUSIC @beathogsmusc
50 SEDRICK MONTANO @sendricksmontano
www.linktr.ee/sedrickmontano
ENTERTAINMENT
DENVER SPOTLIGHT // NEW MEXICO RUNNERS // CITY BUILT MR. TYESKIE // PRETTY SAVAGE
10 SONGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
26-27 a little bit of me by Eryn Bent YOUR SONG // Elton John @eltonjohn
FEELS LIKE HOME // Bonnie Raitt @bonnieraittofficial
BLUE CARAVAN // Vienna Teng @viennatengmsuic
VINCENT // Josh Groban (Don McLean) @joshgroban
NO SUCH THING AS A BROKEN HEART // Old Dominion @olddominionmusic
TOLERATE IT // Taylor Swift @taylorswift
WHEN THE PARTY’S OVER // Billie Eilish @billieeilish
NESSUN DORMA // Sarah Brightman @sarahbrightmanmusic
CINNAMON GIRL // Lana del Rey @honeymoon
STRONG WOMAN // Eryn Bent @erynbentmusic
COVER FEATURE + INTERVIEW
28-35 ERYN BENT // Country Music Singer-Songwriter
Interview by David R. Navarro, Cover Photo by Samantha D’Anna
Other photographers credited on images within interview.
SPECIAL FEATURE Sarah
MOUNT
(Excerps from Loud&Clear Issue No. 7 - Cover Feature and Interview by David R. Navarro).
Loud&Clear caught up with Sarah Mount, a Performing Artist, a Creative, Musicians Union Founder and Educator based in Denver, Colorado.
When did you first get into music?
While I didn’t start playing an instrument until I was 9 years old, I like to think I’ve been into music since always. My dad was a very accomplished bluegrass bass player in his life, and I’ve been exposed to music since before I was even born.
Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I’m convinced that being a career musician is and was always destined to be, but the catalyst in this pursuit is very unique. It all started with a horrific accident where, as a pedestrian, I was struck and nearly killed by a truck in Aspen in 2011 while I was selling art at a festival. In my months of mending from shoulder and neck injuries, and a pretty serious traumatic brain injury, I found myself rediscovering my passion for music. It started as a method of healing recommended by doctors to help my brain, and blossomed into my current livelihood.
How has your music evolved since you first got started?
This is a difficult question to answer! It’s hard to take an objective perspective on this, but my personal taste in music is always evolving, and I believe it is reflected in my playing as well. For example, at the moment I have a real affinity for world indie music, and I find a lot of inspiration while listening that I use for my own playing. I’m always looking to be a better player than I was yesterday, and that’s all I can really ask for.
Do you write with other artists?
Absolutely, and always! Whether it’s a session job where I record some parts for a song, or writing horn lines for a project the process is 100% collaborative.
If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough industry? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?
I love the question because it is so easy to let some of the notso-ideal aspects of this industry get to you as a musician. I am driven by passion and joy. It is incredibly fulfilling to see the looks on the faces of those in a crowd dancing along to your original music, and equally as satisfying playing everyone’s favorite cover songs at a wedding knowing everyone there will treasure these moments for years to come. It’s a privilege to both make a living as a creative, and carrying these moments and memories around.
5 FACTS 5 with BRI CORA BOSEN
PHOTO BY JOHN MCSWEENEY MASTER FEROCIOUS AT BAR404, DENVER, CO
BRI CORA BOSEN
Master ferocious LEAD SINGER
1. I am a transwoman, living openly and proud.
2. I love to travel. I’ve lived in San Jose, Costa Rica and Hanoi, Vietnam.
3. I am a reader - pretty much any genre and I average about 50 books per year.
4. I am absolutely a metalhead, but my favorite artists are: Alice in Chains, the Carpenters, Norah Jones, and lately Green Lung (I’m kinda obsessed).
5. If I could have any superpower, I would want the power to start a ‘flash mob’ dance number in any situation and stop crimes with sweet moves and sweet grooves.
by John McSweeney
Photo
Distinguished Artist
KID ASTRONAUT
Kid Astronaut is a visionary artist, blending Punk, R&B, and Hip-Hop to create a cosmic sound that defies gravity.
With lyrics that navigate the complexities of life, love, and self-discovery, Kid Astronaut’s music is a beacon for those seeking truth and connection.
Inspired by the legendary sounds of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, and Prince, Kid Astronaut’s journey began with a passion for music that evolved through his former band, Air Dubai. In 2015, he transformed into Kid Astronaut, devoted to reaching new artistic heights and sharing inspiration, motivation, and love with the world.
Alongside “The Aliens,” his loyal fanbase, Kid Astronaut soars to new artistic heights, poised to carve out a legacy of extraordinary art and positive influence for future generations.
SINGER-SONGWRITER + TIME/DIMENSION TRAVELING MUSICIAN
Connect with KID ASTRONAUT at: Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kidastronaut Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/kidastronavt Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/kidastronavt Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/kidastronavtt Tik Tok - http://www.tiktok.com/@kidastronavt Links - http://linktr.ee/kidastronavt
KRISTY GRONSETH
Photo by GEORGE SANDERS @makeitfunkynow taken at photography workshop by PAULINA G. WALTNEY @paulinagwaltney and JONNY EDWARD @jonnycreative. Styled by PAULINA G. WALTNEY and GEORGE SANDERS @makeitfunkynow
Modeling by Kourtney Kemp @kourtini_torres
Photography by Donte Toussaint @d_2_shootz
LOUD&CLEAR ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY NEWS
by david r. navarro
BAILEY ELORA’S “COME TO THE WATER” MUSIC VIDEO REACHES 3K YOUTUBE VIEWS
Denver, CO - Coming off a stellar year and a Grammy®/The Recording Academy nomination consideration, Bailey Elora’s “Come To The Water” has reached an impressive 3,000 YouTube Views. Directed and Produced by Jorge Arana, starring singer-songwriter Bailey Elora, actors Bradley Allen Meyer and Dani Skayy. The song was written by Bailey Elora, Alfredo “Freddy” Zamora, and Geoff Orwiler. Watch her music video at: https://youtu.be/nXaOw4w4CaY?si=QlcvXaepixzIibqK
CITY BUILT RELEASES “BLESSED”, REACHING OVER 1,000 STREAMS IN ONE DAY
Albuquerque, NM - Jay M@dH@tter has been on his Hip Hop journey since he was 13 years old. How time flies... Loud&Clear Magazine is happy to share City Built’s next single off a their latest project. “Blessed” has done quite well, reaching 1k in streams in one day! Please help Jay and his team reach more heights. You can help by clicking the masterlink and steam “Blessed” on your favorite platform.
https://unitedmasters.com/m/blessed-115
AUTHOR MELISSA VELASCO TO SIGN BOOKS ON MARCH 1ST AT CORONADO MALL BARNES AND NOBLE
Albuquerque, NM - Barnes and Noble Coronado are champions of the local author, Melissa Velasco!!! BOOK SIGNING on March 1st, 2025 from 12-4pm at the Coronado Mall Barnes and Noble location. Swing by and say hello! Don’t miss your opportunity to meet this amazing author and one of Loud&Clear Magazine’s contributing writers! #hollywoodhighchronicles #melissavelascobooks For more information on Melissa Velasco and “The Hollywood High Chronicles” visit her website at: https://www.melissavelascobooks.com/
ACTRESS ANNA STADLER SIGNS WITH HOUGHTON TALENT
Atlanta, GA - Actress Anna Stadler annouced she has signed with agency, HOUGHTON TALENT for TV/film, commercial, industrial, voiceover, print and live event representation throughout the southeast.
Anna is known for her work in “Money, Guns, and a Merry Christmas”, “Low Country: The Murdaugh Dynasty”, and Sick Minded”.
Follow Anna Stadler’s journey on Instagram at @annaestadler and on IMDb at: https://www.imdb.com/name/ nm11231767/
Photography by Tino Duvick @brokenchainphoto
LOUD&CLEAR ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY NEWS
BRIAN WEEMS NAMED NEW HEAD COACH OF NEW MEXICO RUNNERS 2025 DENVER SPOTLIGHT AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS THE BEST IN THE CITY
Rio Rancho, NM – The New Mexico Runners have officially announced the hiring of Brian Weems as the team’s new head coach! A dynamic leader with a deep passion for the game and an unwavering commitment to success, Coach Weems is ready to lead the Runners to an exciting new chapter in the franchise’s history.
During Tuesday’s press conference, the dialogue expressed Coach Weems’ focus to bring a team developmental element to the organization, making him an
ideal leader to guide the Runners as they continue to deliver the fastpaced, high-energy arena soccer action fans know and love.
A local soccer luminary who played at Sandia Prep during his high school years and at UNLV in college, Coach Weems is currently also the Head Coach of the Rio Grande High School Boys Soccer team and has built a culture of team success leading his high school team to their first ever district title in 2024.
His resume features many key soccer coaching highlights including being named District High School Coach of the Year six times since 2007 during his coaching career which features Belen, Sandia, and Rio Grande High Schools. He will still continue to coach and work at Rio Grande High School.
“We are beyond excited to welcome Brian Weems to the New Mexico Runners family,” said Team Owner Andres Trujillo. “We have the player talent to compete and Brian’s leadership, development of team culture, and commitment to community engagement are exactly what we need to take this team to the next level. We can’t wait for our fans to meet him and see what he brings to the field.”
Coach Weems expressed his excitement and mentioned, “I pride myself on building relationships with my players… It’s my job to prepare them to their full maximum capacity to play.” He goes on to say, “It’s all about these amazing athletes and my goal is to propel these athletes to a winning program while changing the culture for the better.” He brings along a 4 person assistant coaching staff that includes a goalkeeper coach as well as a defensive coach to help facilitate the fine tuning of these New Mexico Runners athletes. Player development is a key focus for Weems and will be at the forefront to bring the Runners to be more competitive and successful.
The New Mexico Runners have two more home games remaining this season. They will host the Oklahoma City Certified Lions on Sunday, March 9th and the Empire Jets on March 23rd. Both games have a 3:05 PM MST kick-off at the Rio Rancho Events Center (3001 Civic Center Circle Dr. NW, Rio Rancho, NM 87144). Discounted group tickets this season start at $13 and can be purchased online at https://www.newmexicorunners.com/group-tickets or the box office on gameday.
Denver, CO - The Denver Spotlight Awards is back for it’s 2nd year was held on Sunday, February 23rd at 3035 S. Parker Rd. for an unforgettable evening of celebration and recognition. The red carpet affair honored outstanding talent across various categories and highlighted the incredible achievements within the Denver community. Those in attendance mingled and enjoyed a night of glamour, and celebrated the best Denver has to offer. It was an extraordinary event filled with performances, incredible vendors, and pleased sponsors. We are already looking forward to next year!
R&B ARTIST MR. TYESKIE RELEASES NEW SINGLE “SEX YOU MORE”
Dallas, TX - Talented R&B artist out of east Texas, Mr. Tyeskie releases new single, “Sex You More”. This single is set to reach new levels on international charts. Don’t sleep on Mr. Tyeskie, Download and Stream his music on @spotify, @applemusic, and @amazonmusic.
PRETTY SAVAGE HITS THE MARK WITH KUPID KREATIONS KOUTURE FASHION SHOW
Denver, CO - Pretty Savage aka Kierra Young is making waves in Denver with fashion. First, as a model and now as an entreprenuer. Her most recent show, Kupid Kreations Kouture Fashion Show was held at VOID Studios in Denver on February 8th. The show featured several local models including Pretty Savage herself. The show was a hit! Stay tuned for more show annoucements via instagram at @pretty.savage.2.0 and @newmodelslegacy.
Photo by @blu_apples_photography
10 SONGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
by Eryn Bent a little bit of me
YOUR SONG // Elton John @eltonjohn
FEELS LIKE HOME // Bonnie Raitt @bonnieraittofficial
BLUE CARAVAN // Vienna Teng @viennatengmsuic
VINCENT // Josh Groban (Don McLean) @joshgroban
NO SUCH THING AS A BROKEN HEART // Old Dominion @olddominionmusic
TOLERATE IT // Taylor Swift @taylorswift
WHEN THE PARTY’S OVER // Billie Eilish @billieeilish
NESSUN DORMA // Sarah Brightman @sarahbrightmanmusic
CINNAMON GIRL // Lana del Rey @honeymoon
STRONG WOMAN // Eryn Bent @erynbentmusic
SINGER-SONGWRITER
Interview with ERYN BENT
INTERVIEW by
DAVID R. NAVARRO
Photo by
SAMANTHA D’ANNA
Photo
“I would say as a woman, it’s important for me to give voice to other situations other women have gone through, especially in regards to mental health.”
–Eryn Bent, Singer-Songwriter
Bent
Singer-Songwriter Eryn Bent has been enchanting audiences since age 14, with her powerhouse vocals and honest, true-to-life gritty songwriting.
Born and raised in Montana, Eryn has small-town, Western roots that influence through her songwriting. Marrying emotive lyrics and moving melodies, her autobiographical originals explore several genres, but cling strongly to the authenticity of folk and traditional country. While New Mexico has become her home base, she has played all over the West coast, forever planting her musical magic in the hearts of those who hear her.
Eryn is a trained vocalist with years of private training under her belt, which gives her the incredible range and ability to showcase her music in a genuine, evocative way. She sings, she means it,
and you’ll feel it in your bones. “Firefly”, Bent’s first professional release, hit the public in May 2014, and was met with great review. The album is a 2015 New Mexico Music Award Winner, with 4 nominations, including “Best of the Year”. Bent’s second professional release, the “Go Down Fighting” EP, also garnered several New Mexico Music Award nominations in the Best Country category in both 2019 and 2020 after its 2019 release. Bent’s third full length album will be released in late 2021, with the album’s first two singles currently out on all streaming platforms.
Eryn plays full-time both solo and with her band around the state of New Mexico and the surrounding area, with plans to expand touring into the midwest and East Coast come 2022.
Photo by SAMANTHA D’ ANNA @samanthadannaphotography
Loud&Clear: Can you share how your upbringing influenced your decision to pursue a career in country music?
Eryn Bent: My parents were always very supportive of me pursuing vocal lessons and music, which definitely supported me while I was young and training. I have an excellent mentor and vocal coach who really helped convince me I could make my music a career, and I really made serious moves in that direction in 2009.
Loud&Clear: How has living in the Southwest shaped your musical style and songwriting?
Eryn Bent: I feel like Santa Fe and the southwest have a certain creative energy buzzing in the air, and it’s easy to meet other artists and musicians with the same passions. I think the community really helps stroke the creative fire. I’ve been able to listen and learn from working with other musicians in the area as well, so I feel it’s helped me grow in every aspect of musicianship.
Loud&Clear: Who were some of your earliest musical inspirations, and how have they influenced your work?
Eryn Bent: My earliest influences are Jewel, Sarah, Tori, Sheryl, Taylor, Joni - I was really struck by strong female singer-songwriters, and strong female vocalists like Celine Dion and Sarah Brightman. I think all
of these artists reflect in my own music in that I keep my vocals as strong and emotion based as I can, while emphasizing my own life and feelings in my songs.
Loud&Clear: How does your identity as a woman in country music influence the stories you choose to tell through your songs?
Eryn Bent: I would say as a woman, it’s important for me to give voice to other situations other women have gone through, especially in regards to mental health. Also, I think most women in any profession deal with some crazy drama/harassment from men (and occasionally women), so I also put those stories into songs.
Loud&Clear: What’s your typical songwriting process? Do you start with lyrics, melody, or an idea?
Eryn Bent: Sometimes I have a strong idea or phrase that will come through and will write lyrics and a melody around that theme, but I have a lot of books of poetry and a lot of voice notes filled with melody ideas and chord progressions, and my favorite process lately is to go through these books and match them to a voice note and melody that just works. I usually tweak lyrics a bit but they’re usually all pulled from poems. It’s like a beautiful little puzzle of pieces I’ve written over time.
Loud&Clear: How do the landscapes and culture of the Southwest inspire your lyrics?
Eryn Bent: I typically write autobiographical songs and the southwest has a lot of beauty, love, drama and life to pull inspiration from.
Loud&Clear: Do you prefer writing solo, or do you enjoy collaborating with other artists? Why?
Eryn Bent: I may collaborate in the future, but I enjoy writing solo because I love the feeling of bringing an idea or concept to life, and the payoff after doing the work and seeing the finished song is exquisite.
Loud&Clear: Can you tell us about a song that holds deep personal meaning to you and why?
Eryn Bent: “Vincent” by Don McLean (I heard Josh Groban’s cover of it first) has always held a special place in my heart. The lyrics are so beautifully crafted and I am personally compelled by Vincent and his art and his struggle with his own mind.
Photo by SAMANTHA D’ ANNA @samanthadannaphotography
Loud&Clear: What challenges have you faced as a female artist in the music industry, and how have you overcome them?
Eryn Bent: I’ve definitely dealt with a few bookers/promoters who have been inappropriate and unprofessional, both when it comes to harassment or trying to stiff me on a gig. I also get unsolicited pics from time-to-time, but I do find that when I publicly call out this behavior on my social media sites, it happens less. I try to overcome trolls or any negativity by focusing on my craft and my own garden, as they say. If you’ve got haters, you’re doing something right!
Loud&Clear: Have you noticed any shifts in the representation of women in country music? What changes would you still like to see?
Eryn Bent: I have seen a lot of strong female singer-songwriters in the country field really coming into their own and writing strong, vulnerable music that people can really relate to. I would love to see this continue and to see more women involved in writing their own songs and lyrics. There’s something about that true openness and vulnerability that really draws me in as a listener and fan and inspires me as a songwriter.
Loud&Clear: What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
Eryn Bent: Releasing and working on my most recent album, BLUSH, has been the most rewarding moment(s) thus far. This project and the music videos we’ve shot and are working on are the most detailed projects we’ve pursued thus far, and I’m incredibly excited to share them all and this album in its entirety when the time comes. *wink*
Loud&Clear: How does the rugged beauty of the Southwest influence your stage presence or visual aesthetic?
Eryn Bent: I do like to lean into the southwest glam cowgirl aesthetic, I love my cowboy boots and tassels! You won’t find me drenched in turquoise, though. Unless it’s a turquoise colored dress!
Loud&Clear: What role does storytelling play in your music, especially when connecting with the rich history of the Southwest?
Eryn Bent: Almost all of my songs are autobiographical and have a storyline of some sort, whether literal
or metaphorical, and the southwest does pop up here and there in lyrics. One of my favorite choruses I’ve written goes into detail about the Rio Grande. (It hasn’t been released yet!)
Loud&Clear: What message or impact do you hope your music has on your listeners?
Eryn Bent: I hope my music gives my listeners a source of comfort and safety and peace. I’ve always hoped others could relate to what I’m writing about and going through in my songs. I strongly believe that music is healing and I write to heal myself also. Sometimes what can’t be said can be expressed in song, and my hope is that my music expresses those unsaid emotions for others, too.
Loud&Clear: Are there any new projects, collaborations, or tours you’re currently working on or excited about?
Eryn Bent: We are currently working on several recording and video projects, with several music videos set to release soon.
Photo by CAROLINE MENDOZA @moonandmidnightphoto
My biggest announcement is that BLUSH will be released as a deluxe album with a vinyl printing later this year! BLUSH (turning red) Deluxe Edition - release date will be announced in April. The BLUSH tour dates will be announced this spring.
Loud&Clear: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the music scene?
Eryn Bent: Be persistent, and don’t compare yourself to any other artist. There is only ONE of YOU.
Loud&Clear: If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Eryn Bent: Lana del Rey! I can’t believe I only started listening to her last year, but her artistry is incredible and such an art of its own.
Loud&Clear: How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance while pursuing a career that demands a hectic schedule?
Eryn Bent: I struggle to have a healthy balance, but I do find that when I prioritize rest, hydration, nutrition & self care, I can deal with the hectic a lot better. It’s rare that I’m able to do all of that, but I have learned that my rest is something I have to take as seriously as I take my hustle & craft, or I’ll burn out quickly.
Loud&Clear: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Eryn Bent: My new single and music video, “Valentine’s Night”, released on February 14th, 2025! I’ll be heading back to New York City on March 8th for my second show in NYC. I’ll be releasing something to celebrate the occasion! Stay tuned. ;)
Fans-to-be can follow Eryn Bent’s journey at: Website // www.erynbentmusic.com
Socials // https://linktr.ee/erynbentmusic
Photography (Right) by Caroline Mendoza @moonandmidnightphoto
Samantha D’Anna @samanthadannaphotogrpahy
Jessica Kathryn @jessykahriot
Traci B. Smith (NM Music Awards photo)
Follow Author Russ Ray
@eat.travel.type.colorado
DAVID
BOWIE AND THE UNKOWN
by Author Russ Ray
I can’t resist saying something about David Bowie and his passing. Not just because I went to one of his concerts, but because his music got me through a rough time. In 1975, having no better choice, I joined the Army. I was two months out of high school. I had no diploma and no plan. Six sergeants at the recruiting center in Denver assured me I was doing the right thing. “Trust me, son, this is the best thing you could do right now.” I trusted few people then. I didn’t base my decision on trust. I based it on the same instinct a man on a cliff decides to jump rather than face the mountain lion who had just cornered him. I put my faith in the unknown rather than defer to the teeth and claws of the mess I had made of my life. I packed my bags for Fort Ord, in Monterey, California.
My parents had given me a portable cassette recorder on the previous Christmas. I remember opening the package and wondering aloud, what the hell am I going to do with this? I soon learned to like it. It wasn’t small enough to put in my pocket, but it was small enough to take music with me. I bought albums like every other teenager in the ‘70s, but because of my new tape player, I was now buying cassette tapes. In March of ’75, the group America released Hearts and Bowie released Young Americans. In June I enlisted. When I packed my suitcase for boot camp, I slipped in the cassette player, the America tape and the Bowie tape. I spent many nights after a long day of training with that tape player pushed close to my head on my pillow. When I got sick of one tape, I played the other. On Sundays, the drill sergeants let us have some time to ourselves, so I played the tapes for the other guys in my company. Bowie, by far, got
the most requests. In the mid-70’s, he was into American R&B. Ziggy Stardust and Life on Mars were a thing of the past. American disco had the world in a trance, and Bowie had to have his take on it. The song Young Americans was not so friendly to Americans. It has a cool beat, but it is a scathing comment on our culture. I grew up knowing as much about Americans as I did Englishmen. My English mom had her own private struggle with America. The America she dreamed about as a child in war-torn England was not so much the America she found when she arrived in New York at 20 years old. Traveling to the midwest didn’t help matters for her. America was bigger and wilder than she had imagined. When my aunt came to America in the ‘70s to visit her sister (my mother), she brought along my cousins. We were the same age. My cousins teased me relentlessly about being a brutish, loud, uneducated Yank. Bowie shared their opinion. In Young Americans, he sings about how American lives fall short of our vision. The song didn’t offend me. It was just another Brit taking a jab at Americans. But the music was so damn good, it got me through the days and weeks in boot camp that stretched on for what thought would be an eternity.
Listening to Young Americans in the barracks was not my last encounter with Bowie. In 1976, I stood on a train platform in Frankfurt, West Germany with a ticket in my hand to join up with the 6th Infantry in West Berlin. It was just a trip from one city to the next, or so I thought. The train would take me through the “Iron Curtain”. I wasn’t just traveling through time zones. I was traveling through a concrete blockade between east and west. It was a deadly political divide. Russia had built a “reassurance” that our freedoms wouldn’t influence her subjects. The city of Berlin was tucked away over 100 kilometers inside East Germany, beyond the safe zones of the West. It was completely surrounded by a barbedwire topped concrete wall and patrolled by two aggressive armies, one from Russia, the other from East Germany. I nervously fidgeted in my seat as I passed East German and Russian soldiers armed with machine guns at each checkpoint. In 1976, Bowie also made his home in West Berlin. (Ironically, he felt he had more freedom to record what he wanted in West Berlin rather than in London or New York.) The following
year, he and Brain Eno recorded “Heroes” at the now famous Hansa by the Wall studios (just a stone’s throw from the Berlin Wall). My Army buddies and I didn’t know what Eno and Bowie were up to in 1977. We didn’t know anything except what the Army wanted us to know.
On May 16, 1978, I went to see Bowie in concert at Deutschlandhalle in West Berlin. For the most part, I hate concerts. Too many people. Too loud. Too much bullshit. But this concert was different. It was more art, less noise. There were layers of sound laid upon layers of sight. Dancers moved in sensual rhythms bathed in a light show while Bowie worked the crowd. I brought a camera with me. At the end of one of the sets I moved to the stage entrance along with Bowie. As he walked off of the stage with his band, he saw me. I was no more than 15 feet away from him. He smiled at me and pointed at me as I raised my camera to my eye. I pressed the shutter release. Nothing. Not even a click. I didn’t get the shot. But in my mind’s eye I can still see Bowie pointing at me and smiling.
When I heard of his death this past week, I thought of that moment. I thought of my life in Berlin - surrounded by an army of communists who were my age, but who were under different orders. And, I think now of David Bowie and how his music traveled with me when I was a young American.
RIP TINA TURNER
by Author Russ Ray
When I was 20 years old I saw Tina Turner in concert at the Berlin Philharmonie. It was when the city was divided and surrounded by the Wall and the Soviet army. Because the city was also trapped over 100 miles behind the Iron Curtain, rock stars often had to scale back their shows. The communists made traveling through the East German corridor to West Berlin difficult. Tina wasn’t intimidated. She brought everything. Watching Tina Turner’s extravagant show before the backdrop of the oppressive Soviet/Russian regime on the other side of the deadly Wall is something I’ll never forget.
Blessed - City Built is a high energy, feel good positivity hip hop track that is all about gratitude and appreciation for what you have in this moment. Blessed is that track you put on in the morning to get your workout, your job, your life going!! Hear it for yourself and Download on:
https://open.spotify.com/album/38ClsLgSyNr2k47w0r7Qok?si=UOxskVGWQMal0-uqR2Epdg https://music.apple.com/us/album/blessed/1787940666?i=1787940667
Natalie
Featured Model
NATALIE MARSEILLES
@natalie_marseilles
REPRESENTATION // PHOTOGRAPHER
DAVID R. NAVARRO
d&p MEDIA @_designprint
Featured Model
VICTORIA SOLEDAD
@viadly.ly
Featured Model
ANNA STADLER
@annastadler
PHOTOGRAPHER // Sarah High
@sarahgracehigh
REPRESENTATION // Management
LAMA Entertainment www.lamaentertainment.com
Agencies: Houghton Talent, Inc. @htagency and Avalon Artists Group
INDIE SPOTLIGHT
Velvet Daydream
Denver-based rock band Velvet Daydream have been breathing new life into the classic rock scene with their authentic 70s-inspired sound and style since 2023. Drawing inspiration from legendary acts from Pink Floyd to Led Zeppelin and beyond - and recording exclusively with vintage equipment and 1/2-inch tape, Velvet Daydream’s signature sound has quickly put them on the map, with their self-titled debut album amassing 100,000 streams, and selling over 125 vinyl copies, and their cover of “Please Please Me” landing them a feature on The Beatles’ official Instagram. Equally as electric on stage, the band have also been invited to open for acts like Ace Monroe and Powerman 5000 and perform at festivals such as Electric Honey and UMS. The band are currently hard at work preparing to drop their next single ‘Leave You There’, while plans for a slew of live gigs and regional tour dates remain on the horizon, all to be announced in due time.
Ryder King (guitar/vocals) // Kaeden Keys (guitar/vocals) // Nick Schwartz (drums/vocals) // Jude Pfanstiel (bass/vocals)
“Leave You There”
Our next single ‘Leave You There’ will be released on December 1st. We wrote Leave You There because we had been writing lots of softer music, and decided we wanted to get back to our rock roots. The song immediately fires off with commanding drums and a dirty guitar riff. From there it is taken over by rowdy vocals, and a fast paced song structure. This song is 3 minutes of pure rock n roll.
www.thevelvetdaydream.com linktr.ee/thevelvetdaydream
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Greta
Nelson @byshredda
