CONTENTS
Dress by Cheng | @ChengHuaiChuang
FEATURES 22 | Taylor Mosby 62 | Gigi Rich 50 | Mariel Darling 68 | Jesse Kinch 28 | Nikki Era 34 | Megan Nicole 18 | Self Image In The Media 44 | Is Short Hair Worth It? 74 | Best Graphic Apps 20 | Music Playlist 80 | Creative Tips
Cover: Denim Jacket by Frantzy Face | @frantzyface Silver Tee by Alexa Chapman | @alexachapmanofficial Sterling Silver Jewelry by Mimi Prober | @mimiprober
Publisher Division 34 Studios Editor in Chief Ella Audrey Rae Contributing Photographers
Gina Salvato, Amanda Ramon, Sky Rizzo, Sideways Media, Seth Krupersmith, Sofia Colvin Contributing Writers Mina Rahmat, Ella Rae, Team PR - Division 34 Studios Distribution - Issuu Design - In house & Various Social Media Official Website - goldcrownmag.com Facebook - /goldcrwnmag Twitter - @goldcrwnmag Instagram - @goldcrwnmag How To Reach Us EMAIL hello@goldcrownmag.com PHONE NUMBER 757-346-5510 WEBSITE www.goldcrownmag.com © 2019 by Gold Crwn Magazine. All Rights Reserved Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Printed in the United States of America.
Silver Tweed Trench by Alexa Chapman | @alexachapmanofficial
ed it o r s n ot es "If you have an idea that you genuinely think is good, don't let some idiot talk you out of it" Stan Lee
Spring time is my second favorite time of the year aside from Summer. This year is different because we get our first huge festival in VA, thanks to Pharrell. The 'Something In The Water ' festival is basically a small Ultra Music or Coachella Festival. It sold out within minutes and more artist have decided to join the lineup the closer the time comes for show day. Amongst all that , I've managed to finish Issue #38. The last time Mariel was on the cover,she was 14. She's found her true sound and making music lovers fall in love with it. Aside from Mariel, we have Megan Nicole.One of my favorite people to interview. In this issue ,she talks about her new show coming to YouTube called 'Adult (ed). We also have actress Taylor Mosby, Rocker Jesse Kinch, and songwriter Nikki Era.
Growing up in an age where social media is no longer seen as a want, but more as a need is tough for anyone. But no one has it harder than young girls. It?s no secret that the world makes it seem like there?s only one way for a girl to succeed. Or that her personality is not enough. Social media can blind innocent young girls into a mentality that they are not good enough for society. For a place that from the outside looking in seems happy, it is quite the opposite. Self-love is encouraged daily, even getting celebrities taking action against bullying. In a world where we already get enough said to our face, cyberbullying has become the new normal. Movies have been made on the topic, it?s now so bad that schools even suspend/expel students if they get caught doing so to other classmates. It?s become like second nature to see hate comments on any given post. How do we get the last laugh on these cyberbullies? Is there a way that we can get past them while online? Self-deprecation is a form of humor that mainly exists so that we as people can make fun of ourselves before others can. For example, if your self conscious about your eyebrows, you can joke about it openly so others can?t hate on you for it and get the same satisfaction. It?s become more frequently used as time goes by because as time has gone, hate has become more normal and more frequent. Millie Bobby Brown, most known for her role as Eleven in the Netflix hit series, ?Stranger Things?, posted a picture of her with bright red lipstick and short hair parted down the center. I looked to the comments and a lot were comparing the fourteen-year-old star saying she looked ?like a thirty-year-old woman? or an
old aunt, which is totally uncalled for. Millie is probably one of the biggest celebrities and at such a young age, she?s getting immense hate. Now think that if Millie can get comments like these, how hard is it for someone less popular? Everywhere, young girls are trying to find themselves. Be themselves and somehow also fit in with everyone else. Share individuality but find a group for themselves. This is hard when there?s a huge double standard in the media. Two of the hottest female rappers are a great example of this. Of course, I?m talking about Nicki Minaj and Cardi B. Love them or hate them, they?re always being put against each other and why? Because the media teaches us that there can only be one dominant female. If a male artist was compared to another male artist in his genre, it?d be disgraceful, but it happens to women DAILY! It seems so subtle at first. If your a fan of Cardi you can?t possibly be a fan of Nicki. If you listen to Nicki you can?t listen to Cardi. Rules like these are what drive women in the spotlight out of a career. Hating on an artist just for existing in a category with another artist is uncalled for. Girls are given the mindset not to come together. That they need to be closed off from other girls. That other girls are ?snakes?. Why should girls empower each other in everyday life, if the women they look up to don?t do the same? That is the sad reality. Young teenagers prefer to listen to their idols than to what?s right. Whether there?s a future where self love is as important as social media is currently, we can all aspire to be the next generation of leaders preventing this kind of hate.
TAYLOR
" If y o u d o n ot see a n y o n e t h a t lo o k s lik e y o u, so un d s lik e y o u, o r t h in k s lik e y o u in t h e in d ust r y t h a t d o esn ' t m ea n y o u d o n ?t b elo n g . "
M OSBY
WRITTEN BY ELLA AUDREY RAE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA RAMON
Taylor Mosby is an actress who stars as Tiffany
black people in the 1960?s and I feel like this
Haddish?s daughter, ?Amira?on TBS?s "The Last
role
has
taught
me
a
lot
of
lessons.
OG?,. Before getting that awesome role, she stared in other hit shows such as Criminal
EA: How did you get t h e r ole of Am ir a on
Minds, About A Boy, and The Middle. I got a
Th e Last O.G? TM: I was called in to audition
chance to talk to Taylor about her breakout
for the daughter of Tracy Morgan in a new
role, upcoming movie ?Breakthrough? where
?untitled project? created by Jordan Peele.
she can be seen singing and acting and her
After my first audition, I was called in to a
show on Brat TV. Read below.
producer 's meeting with Mr. Peele for what I
EA: How did you get st ar t ed in act in g? TM: I
didn?t realize was my final audition. A few
knew I wanted to be an actress at seven years
weeks later I received a call from TBS telling
old, so I participated in as much local theater
me I got the role! It was such an emotional day
as I could and I was in almost every school
for me because it was my first series regular.
play. One spring break, my mom and I came
EA: How w as it
out to LA to try it out here to get a feel for it,
Haddish ? TM: Ms. Tiffany is like a second
and one audition led to the next and now here
mom to me. We always have fun working
we
together and we?re always making jokes on
are!
t o w or k w it h Tif f an y
and off set. Whether she?s teaching dances EA: You appear ed on f ou r episodes of
from ?back in the day? or I?m teaching her a
Cr im in al M in ds. How did you get t h at r ole
newest dance move that?s gone viral, we have
an d h ow w as it on set ? TM: I was called in to
a good time. Occasionally, when we have
audition and then I found out I booked it the
down time she will tell me about some of her
next day. That was my first dramatic role and it
own personal experiences in the industry and
was so cool getting to meet the cast, especially
how I can learn from them. She is truly
for my parents who have watched almost
amazing
every
overall.
episode. EA: Wh at abou t Tr acy M or gan ? TM: I was so
EA: You also join ed 'A Gir l Nam e Jo' on t h e
excited to play Tracy Morgan?s daughter, and I
Br at ch an n el. How h as it been playin g t h at
knew I was going to love my character because
k in d of r ole? TM: Playing ?Abby? on the show
she was a perfect mix of two comedians. Mr.
has been really eye-opening because it takes
Morgan has taught me so much about the
place during the time of the first school
entertainment industry and how I can steer
integrations. I?ve learned a lot about life for
my career over the next couple of years. He
protects me like my own father and is
singing in the movie or on the soundtrack.
constantly making jokes. We have a lot
When I was singing this song, my goal was to
of good memories.
make people feel what Chayla was feeling through her music. For them to feel her emotions through her notes. Making people
EA: Wh at h as been you r f avor it e on -set
feel something is always my goal when it
m em or y on t h e Last O.G? TM: One time
comes to music.
while we were filming season one, there was an ice cream truck that drove past the house we were filming at and we all ate ice cream, listened to music, and talked about life. It?s my
favorite
memory
of
everyone.
EA: Will f an s see a sin gle or EP f r om you soon ?
TM: Yes they absolutely will! I?m
actually in the process of organizing some music in the studio now so stay tuned for sure!
EA:
You
sin g
in
u pcom in g
m ovie
'Br eak t h r ou gh'. How did you discover you r passion f or m u sic? TM: Music has been in my blood since I was little. As a matter of fact, I knew I wanted to sing before I knew I wanted to act. Music has always been second nature to me just like acting has and I?m so
EA: Wh at is you r advice f or u pcom in g act or s or act r esses? TM: To other aspiring actors and actresses, do not let the word ?no? stop you and do not be intimidated by the majority. When I say that I mean if you do not see anyone that looks like you, sounds like
glad I get to mix the two in Breakthrough.
you, or thinks like you in the industry that doesn?t mean you don?t belong. It means t he
there?s a spot open for someone just like you
'Br eak t h r ou gh' t r ailer com e abou t ? TM:
because everyone is special in their own way
When I auditioned for Chayla, they asked me
and the world can hear your story just like
to sing Oceans. I was never aware I would be
everyone else. Just don?t be afraid to try.
EA:
How
did
t he
son g
in
Ph ot ogr aph er : Amanda Ramon St ylist : Victoria Jackson Hair : LaShondra M akeu p: Jared Lipscomb
N IK K I
ERA
WRITTEN BY ELLA AUDREY RAE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY SKY RIZZO
You ever wonder who writes those catchy Jojo Siwa songs sometimes or maybe those awesome Disney Channel bops? Well one of young Hollywood?s secret weapons has come out with a song of her own! Meet Singer and songwriter, Nikki Era. She has written for entertainment power house companies including Disney Channel, Universal and MTV. Songwriting isn?t all she?s becoming known for. though. Nikki has a voice on her as well. She was a contestant on season 16 of American Idol, Katy Perry compared her to a modern day Barbra Streisand and Lionel Richie thanked her for ?blessing?the judges with her stage performance. In February Nikki released her debut single ?Fantasy Boy?. It showcases the singers unique personal style and blends retro 80s elements with contemporary pop lyrics. Read below to learn more about young Hollywood secret songwriting weapon, Nikki Era. EA: How did you get into songwriting? NE: I've been writing stuff forever like poems and quotes. Lyrics just kind of came out of that. When I started working with my production company received a bunch of really cool opportunities to write for film and TV, as well as other amazing artists and people started to consider me a songwriter. Being acknowledged by your peers means everything. One of my managers, Kas, is the ultimate hype man and he was like "you have one of the best pens in the game." So whenever he asked me to do a session I would be like OMG YES! I just kept saying yes and this year ended up being amazing and great music and relationships came out of it. EA: Do you remember the first song you wrote? NE: Yes! It was called "Eternity". Me and my cousin who was a dancer made our families sit down and watch our performance. We spent a week one summer practicing and making up choreography. It was a super emotional like R& B record so I don?t know if our choreography was
needed haha. But the song wasn't actually that bad! I can still remember the words to the chorus. They're like burned into my mind! EA: What?s your songwriting process usually like? NE:I'm always writing something down when I think of it so my phone is filled with ideas, melodies, and concepts. Anytime I watch a movie or listen to other music I usually pick up on some sort of inspiration. Then depending on whether it's for my own music or for another project I go back and look through it. It's like organized chaos. If it's for a project I'm working on for my own music I usually start a notebook. I like to physically write things down and draw stuff in the corners. She has also penned titles such as Nickelodeon star JoJo Siwa?s current hit single, ?D.R.E.A.M.?, Meg Donnelly?s ?Smile?, and Dove Cameron and Sofia Carson?s song ?Break This Down? for this summer?s highly anticipated Disney Channel Original Movie, Descendants 3 EA: How was it working with the likes of Dove Cameron & JoJo Siwa? NE: OMG writing in Descendants 3 was amazing to be a part of because so many people love and adore those movies and they're filled with so much talent. Working with JoJo is insane! She is a literal bolt of lightning. She's super focused and knows exactly who she is so when we wrote D.R.E.A.M. it was a lot of fun and just came from a place of passion and determination. Everyone, no matter what they do, can relate to following their dreams. EA: What has been your favorite song to write? NE: My favorite song I ever wrote was a song called ?Wild?. It was the first song I ever wrote all by myself on the piano. Usually I'll collaborate with a producer or a musician because I'm not necessarily the best piano player ha! I've been practicing more now! But I kind of just put aside my insecurities and sat down and vibed out and this amazing, true, raw record came out. We're reproducing it and
re-releasing it for this new EP I'm working on and I'm super excited. EA: What is your advice to new songwriters? NE: Follow your gut and try to think about it from the listeners perspective. Not every idea you have will be your best idea and it's ok to kill off some of them. The best way to get better is to try and not attach to the art too much. Just keep creating and then step back and say, would I want to listen to this? Could I relate to this? I listen to some things I wrote a few years back and I'm like WHAT WAS I THINKING! But that's part of the process of getting better. EA: How did you discover your desire to sing instead of just writing? NE: I always sang! I just could never figure out how I wanted to sing. I grew up doing musical theater and it was so amazing because it taught me basically everything I know about performing. It also taught me how to be different people which helps in songwriting but not always in artistry. A lot of artists struggle to find their sound and it's because creativity is hard to control sometimes. I knew after working with so many amazing artists exactly how I wanted to sound. EA: Which is easier, writing songs for other artists or yourself? NE: They're definitely slightly different processes for me. When I write for another artist I feel like my sole purpose is to get their idea out in the best way. It's almost easier for me to judge the song itself in that scenario. I trust myself more. When I write for me the process is a little more back and forth and I literally change my mind every 5 seconds so I have to take more time to be sure I love it. EA: How was it to be part of Season 16 of American Idol? NE: It was something I never thought I would do but my manager was like whatever just go sing a song lol I went with one of my best friends as my pianist and I sang and Lionel Richie said I blessed them and I was like OMG YESSSS! It's cool to see how it works from the other side. It's a great TV show and the contestants I met and made friends with were phenomenal talents. At first I didn't know if I was going to get the golden ticket because Luke was like, "I don't get you" and I responded "you're not the first man, honey!" and then did a Britney Spears impression. He said yes at the end :)
theEA: What is your advice to new contestants this season? NE: Don't overthink anything and don't listen to anyone about song choice. That was the most stressful part for me because as a writer it's hard for me to pick covers sometimes. You're a singer. You've been singing forever. Just sing what you love. Don't worry if it's been done a million times or whatever they say about certain songs. The reason they're done over and over is because they're good audition songs! EA: You also got to cover ?Think? for the new ' What Men Want' movie. How was that experience? NE: That was one of my favorite things to do this year because it's Aretha Franklin and it's an honor to cover her in any capacity. Being able to cover her and have people hear it within such a cool movie about the female psyche was even better! EA: How did your new single ?Fantasy Boy? come about? NE: ?Fantasy Boy? was kind of my jumping off point for this entire EP. I knew I wanted to make contemporary pop with an 80s vibe and I just went in and started with the drum pattern. There's a very specific kick/snare pattern that was popular in the 80s. When you hear it now it still takes you back there. I started from that and the record just evolved. It was easy to write, that's how I knew I wanted to make more of them. EA: When can we expect the EP? NE: Right now we've just started recording all the vocals, so once that's done it will go into mixing and we can start doing visuals. I'm so excited about the entire thing. I got a keytar... I want to paint it hot pink. Right now I want to call the EP MEGA. EA: You seem to have a dope 80's aesthetic theme with your style and music. Tell me about that.NE: What I love about the 80s is everything was BIG. Big style, big music, big synths, big voice, big parties, big hair! Sequins, bright colors, lights! It's such a paradise of an era. I wanted my art to be born in it. So that's where MEGA conceptually came from. EA: Any advice for upcoming singers? NE: Only you know what's right for you. Everyone has an opinion so create your world and don't apologize. You can stream 'Fantasy Boy' on all of your favorite platforms and follow Nikki on Insta @thenikkiera
" On ly y o u k n ow w h a t 's r ig ht fo r y o u. Ev er y o n e h a s a n o p in io n so cr ea t e y o ur w o r ld a n d d o n 't a p o lo g ize. " - N ik k i Er a WRITTEN BY ELLA A. RAE PHOTO BY ALEX RECKERT
M EGA N
N ICOLE
WRITTEN BY ELLA AUDREY RAE | PHOTOS BY SIDEWAYS MEDIA
Ever wish there was a guide to adulthood? Singer Megan Nicole did to and created one. called 'Adult (ed)'. This past year Megan?s life catapulted from adolescence to adulthood, with her getting married, buying her first home and become a pet parent. These rapid changes left her a little overwhelmed and wishing she had a handbook which was the inspiration for the concept of Adult (ed). Adult(ed) is a show all about the things that we are expected to know as ?grown-ups? that no one ever taught us. In each episode, Megan, along with a guest will tackle a new subject with the help of an expert on the topic. From throwing a fancy dinner party to figuring out taxes, viewers will learn something new with Megan and have some fun along the way. With this show, Megan is hoping that viewers walk away from the series and individual episodes feeling informed, positive, and confident about taking action to live a more informed and adult life. I got a chance to previe a few episodes and let me tell you, I not only learned a few things but Megan's delivery of this information made feel like just a friend helping another friend. Read below about this new awesome project.
ER:How's life been this year? MN:Life?s been good! I?m feeling the most balanced I ever have when it comes to work and my personal life. I went from being a workaholic, to slowing down for a year, and I now I?ve landed at a great space. I will always have a fire and drive in me to create. It?s been great being able to create other things outside of music, like my new mini series ?adult(ed)?.
EA: You got married last year. What has been the biggest change in your life since saying I do? MN:I would say becoming an ?us?. I now have a teammate at my side. If I?m making a big decision we are going to make it together. It?s no longer just about me or just about him. It?s not a loss of identity, but it is about making choices that will be best for the both of us. And sometimes that means your partner might be making a sacrifice and another time it may be you that needs to make an adjustment. EA: What has been your favorite thing about being a wife? MN: I just really love starting and ending my days with my person! It?s cool to have someone that you look out for and who looks out for you. EA:You also bought your first home at. 25, which is a dream! Congratulations Megan! So tell me, what was the fun part about the process and the not so fun part? MN: Thank you! I have to say, I don?t think there was anything particularly fun about the process. We did write the previous owners a letter to go along with our offer though which was fun and I like to think that helped. The not so fun part, was probably how dragged on it felt when we were in escrow. The paper work felt never ending! EA: What's your favorite thing about your new house? MN: It feels nice landing in a space that I know I?ll be in for a while. It really opened up the freedom to create a home that?s our own. When I was renting, I didn?t always have the freedom to paint walls or hang all the things I wanted. Now, if I want a kitchen with a blue cabinets, we can have a kitchen with blue cabinets (which we do, and I think that?s one of my
CONTIN UED WRITTEN BY ELLA AUDREY RAE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY Nicole Poulos
favorite spaces because of it). It?s such a great feeling being able to fully personalize your space! EA: Do you have any advice to people around your age looking for a home, but might not have the same knowledge about the process? MN: Talk to people in your life who have already been through the process! That was super helpful for us to talk to people who we trust and look to for advice. Make sure you really research the area you are looking in, find a realtor who can be helpful, and get a good inspection on the home! EA: With all of this change in your life, you created a new show called Adulted, which I think is needed so much for us young people. How has it been creating this amazing project? MN: It?s been so fun to create this series and finally see it come to life! There are obviously many tools out there for ?adulting?, but I loved the idea of breaking it down subject by subject in the form of a show. I love that it?s all in bite size pieces and that we have an expert on each subject guiding us. As we dove deeper and deeper into each episode we really started to find the voice and flow of the show and it felt good. I hope everyone can find something to take away from adult(ed) as we learn how to be grown ups together!
EA: What do you think is the hardest thing about Adulthood? MN: I would say the expectations we put on ourselves to ?have it all together?. We?re expected to be good at it all. Keeping a clean home, time management, work and meanwhile we need to find time to take care of ourselves and love on our friends. When you realize it?s a journey everyone is on and that everyone has their short comings it takes a lot of the pressure off. EA: What has been the best advice you have gotten about transitioning into adulthood? MN:In some ways I feel like I?ve been an adult for a while because I?ve been working since I was 15. I would say knowing it?s okay to not have it all figured out right now, because we honestly never really do. EA: When can we expect more music ? MN: Hopefully some time this summer! I?m itching to get some new music out into the world. The first season consists of 10 episodes that will launch on the 24th via Megan?s YouTube channel which currently has 4.1 million subscribers. You can follow Megan on Instagram @megannicolemusic and also stream her latest album' Life Of The Party' anywhere online music is sold. .
Having short hair has been one of the best ideas I?ve had. I cut my hair off a good three years ago and I?ve gone through periods where my hair barely went to my ears to now, when it?s almost to my shoulders. I used to have really long hair, to the point where it was a hassle to get ready every morning. While having short hair is now nothing new to me, there?s things I wish I would?ve considered before getting my hair cut. Here are some of my favorite pieces of advice for anyone considering getting the big chop. First, it?s important to know your face shape. Finding the shape of your face is crucial information to knowing what style is best for your short hair. For example, square-shaped faces look good with angled bobs, but not with a masculine pixie (youqueen.com). There are many different face shapes and any hairdresser you meet will probably give you this piece of advice. Look at famous celebrities with relatively short hair and just see how their hair compliments their face (or how it doesn?t). It?s very helpful to know all your options before you make your final decision. Secondly, it?s okay to try things out. At first, it may seem like a scary thing to go for the big cut, but it helps to move slowly. In fact, you don?t have to drastically change your
hair! You can ease into it by starting at a medium length and going shorter down the line. Find what works for you and try to stick to it. Experiment, but do your research. It?s okay to go for it or to be patient. At the end of the day, the choice is all yours. Finally, know that there are still struggles you will have to go through with short hair. When I first cut my hair short, I thought a weight would be lifted off my shoulders and for a while, that was the case. But, as I got it shorter, I realized a lot of short hairstyles require the same effort as long hair. Just because you get short hair, doesn?t mean you?re not going to have to buy hair products and you will have to put effort into it and fit it into your schedule. There is also a stage your hair will go through (if it is really short) called a ?mullet? and you will need to get routine cuts. With all this said, it is much more easier to have than long hair, but, as with all haircuts, it does require effort. In conclusion, cutting your hair is a risk I consider worth taking. It?s not for everyone, but it?s a great option to spice up your look. There are pros and cons that could make or break your decision, but the choice is always yours. No matter what, it?s your hair and you have complete control of what style it?s in.
M A RIEL DA R
HAIR & MAKEUP BY CATLIN MONAHAN HAIR & MAKEUP ASSISTANT BY JARRETT BRANDON Dress by Cheng | @ChengHuaiChuang
RLIN G
WRITTEN BY ELLA A. RAE PHOTOGRAPHY BY SOFIA COLVIN
At 14 years old, Mariel graced the cover of Gold Crwn Magazine promoting her debut single ?Epic?. The song was an upbeat inspiring record that when you heard it made you want to hear more. That was definitely just the beginning. Over the years, she developed not only her sound but also her brand. She became the host of one of Musically?s top live shows ?Jukebox Countdown?. A show Mariel herself pitched to Musically, now known as Tik Tok. She eventually became Mariel Darling. With that name, came a more mature sound and look.Her new record ?Unknown? is such a massive hit that is relatable on all levels. As soon as I heard the record she instantly became the spotlight of Issue 38. Read below about emerging star and social media influencer Mariel Darling.
EA: How has 2019 been so far? MD: 2019 started off great. I have been to LA twice already to create with my producer, Mike Check. I just got back from a shoot for a music video to my new song, ?Running Away? coming out at the end of April. I cannot wait to share all of these dope creations with the world. EA: You kind of revamped your brand since the last time we talked. What made you do that? MD: Life. You last interviewed me when I was 14 years old. The thrill of life was calling me, and I decided to follow it. I decided to take off the blindfold and not be afraid to show the world the person that lives inside me. I am breaking through and let my ?vibey-er? side show. I put aside all judgments and happily became Mariel Darling.
EA: What is your sound if you had to describe it? MD: My songs are like a rollercoaster. They have highs, lows, twists, and turns. I take my listeners on a ride. In 2017 Mariel become the host of her own music show 'Jukebox Countdown' that was only available on Tik Tok (formally known as Musically).EA: How
did you get that hosting job? MD: I have been working with the social media platform Tik Tok for about 2 years, building a fan base. I applied for the Live.ly TV show, and pitched my idea of a top 10 countdown of Musical.ly?s top songs on their chart. Right away they jumped on board, and they granted me my segment. I hosted my show for about a year until Musical.ly became Tik Tok eliminating Live.ly, EA: How was it to host a show? MD: I love being in front of the camera, and my fans. It was a one-hour adrenaline rush, with a constant changing audience. My shows popularity grew so much I would broadcast to 150,000 people on a Sunday night in only one hour. I love my fans, and owe it all to them for my success.
Mariel's second single/video 'Unknown' was released in January of this year . The video has 270k views since its debut. 1.6k likes and only 16 dislikes. An instant hit with a free flowing visual tpo match. EA: How did your new single 'Unknown' come about? MD: I wrote the song as I was transitioning into a teenager, and life experiences
Bodysuit by This Is A Love Song | @TIALS Silver Tweed Mini Skirt by Alexa Chapman | @alexachapmanofficial Sterling Silver Jewelry by Mimi Prober | @mimiprober
Silver Tweed Trench by Alexa Chapman | @alexachapmanofficial
Red Patent Leather Trench by Aida Kaas | @aidakaas Safety Pin Hoodie by Her_Man | @HerManMarket Embellished Leather Skort by Cheng | @ChengHuaiChuang Silver Leather Choker by Uncuffed | @uncuffedleather
were taking me to the unknown. The unknown to me is the journey to adulthood, and the unexpected life ahead. EA: The video concept was amazing. Where did the set idea come from? MD: Honestly, we did not have a plan. So my manager, Jackie Sarkis, just picked up a plant that was in the corner of the room, and started coordinating each set with furniture from around the studio to my outfits. EA: What inspires you to write your music? MD: There's always a song in my head, and I sort through the pieces, and I put it down on paper. EA: How are you handling high school and following your dream? MD: It is quite difficult being two different people. It?s kind of like Hannah
Montana type of lifestyle. I go to private school with a dress code, and yet still find a way to stick out. But, at the end of the day I come home, and Mariel Darling comes back out to play. EA: What advice do you have for your fans about getting through high school? MD: Stay true to yourself, and don?t let the jealous haters dim your sparkle. Mariel doesn't have any plans for an EP but she has seven singles that she can't wait to release. Follow Mariel on Instagram @mariel_darling. You can also read issue 18 she covered at 14 on our website to get more of her back story and other cool info about the singer.
WRITTEN BY ELLA A. RAE PHOTO BY: GINA SALAVATO Soulful vocalist Gigi Rich is back with an amazing single entitled ?Silver Linings?I got a chance to talk to soulful vocalist in 2017 about her start, her debut EP ?All In My Head. Since then she has been writing and recording for her next project. At only 20 years old, Gigi is just getting started. Read below our conversation about her current single and more. EA: How h as it been sin ce you r eleased you r debu t EP? GR:Things really picked up and doors have opened to more and more opportunities, both writing and recording. The release of this new music is so exciting for me. It?s been almost two years and I feel like I?m really coming into my own, and it?s cool to let people in on the process! EA: How did t h e son g 'Silver Lin in g' com e abou t ? GR: It was about a relationship I was in and one day realizing we both didn?t view it the same way. I was much more into it and committed than the other person. So I wrote the song about trying to find the positive in a seemingly negative situation - and acknowledging what happened and then moving on from it! EA:
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in t er view t h at t h e son g w as abou t an d I qu ot e " som eon e I f ell f or - w ay t oo f ast , so f ast t h at t h ey f or got t o dr op all of t h e dozen ot h er people t h at t h ey w er e st ill in volved w it h in som e w ay " Wh at is you r advice t o som eon e dealin g w it h t h at ? GR: I would say if something does not seem right, then it most likely is not. I learned that people will often reveal their true intentions, and it?s a matter of identifying that behavior for what it is. Do not ignore the signs, and believe me, there are plenty if you actually take the time to understand and process them. Also, if you?ve made it clear what makes you uncomfortable or what you?re not okay with that are perfectly reasonable within a relationship - and they see no issue in doing it anyway? that?s a problem! At that point, even though it may be hard, it?s best to walk away for your own sanity. EA: Does it get easier each t im e you sin g t h is son g? GA: Totally! For me, it?s just a jam. I still tap into that emotion but it?s just more looking back on the past in a positive way. I don?t carry any of it with me. EA:Wh en can w e expect t h e video f or you r n ew sin gle?
GA: It?s actually coming out tomorrow which I?m super excited about! We had fun with an old school visual and a classic car? it?s a really fun video.
EA: Can you give an y det ails abou t you r n ext EP? GA: My next EP will certainly different than my last. It has some more rock influences and more upbeat songs that I?m looking forward to sharing. I?ll be releasing one song a month, so be on the lookout!
Gigi Rich is for certain a firey soulful vocalist that embodies the sounds of legends such as Amy Wienhouse and .Alica Keys. I recognized it when I heard ' Mr Bossman' on her debut EP 'All In My Head' I can't wait to see more of what she has to offer this year. You can get Gigi's new single 'Silver Lining' on all streaming platforms. You can follow her on Instagram @iamgigirich.
Jesse Kinch is a 24 year-old, classic-rock musician whose music style is heavily influenced by rock legends of the 60?s and 70?s. His uniqueness and unapologetic approach to his music, makes him unlike any other artist his age! He won ABC?s Rising Star and released his debut album I?m Not Like Everybody Else?. Recently he performed at Rhythms Live Music Hall in NC and rocked the house. The media compares his talents to the DOOR?S Jim Morrison and the ROLLING STONES? Mick Jagger, a new generation of fans across America have been embracing Jesse as their own. Read his interview below and see why he?s your next favorite rocker.
EA: How did you get into music.? JK: I got into music around age 6 when I found an old acoustic guitar hidden away in my basement or did it find me? I was very inquisitive about it and began questioning my father about it. He taught me my first 10 or so chords which actually came very easy and natural to me. My father was startled by this and even more so that at this age I could tune the guitar by ear. I embraced classic rock, R&B and classical crossover. At age 11, I found my voice and began to sing. At that young age, I was fronting my own band and performing on the New York City, Long Island club circuit. Throughout my teens,
JESSE K INCH
I continued to perform and master my craft , fronting a band with seasoned players. Two of my bandmates had already toured the world. All the music I absorbed and the experience gained from performing live so early on, really shaped the artist I am today. EA: What was your experience on Rising Star like? JK:It was a great experience and I was super charged and ready for it. The show was almost a perfect fit for me. Almost all of my song choices were accepted and the musical director of the show Ray Chew and I quickly developed a friendship and great respect for each other. Ray realized I knew exactly what I was doing and fully trusted my musicianship and song arrangement ideas. With his great band behind me and our mutual trust and respect for each other I was able to be fully ME on the show. I formed many friendships with other contestants on the show and also with host Josh Groban, judges Brad Paisley, Kesha, and Ludacris. Playing live all summer to 5 million people wasn?t bad either. Big smile! WRITTEN BY ELLA AUDREY RAE PHOTOGRAPHY BY SETH KRUPERSMITH
EA: What did you learn from it? JK:I learned the business, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Enough said! EA: When you won how did you feel and celebrate? JK: I felt like I accomplished what I came there to do. I reinvigorated my original fan base and enlightened a very young audience and a cross generational audience that there is REAL-music out there, and that there are REAL artists out there that can play an instrument, sing without auto tune , write a song without 5 co writers and perform without a circus of dancers around them spinning on the floor and jumping from the ceilings. My win on the show was my celebration. EA: What is your advice to others who are going on singing competition shows? JK: Be prepared, swallow your egos, and learn your craft.
EA: How was the process of writing I?m Not Like Everybody Else? JK: The blueprint for the album was agreed to by myself and my label to have 8 original songs and 5 covers. Why so many covers? The label asked me to record couple of songs from my performances on Rising Star and also a few covers that they loved of mine added to my original material. It was a great mix of songs and dynamic that flowed quite naturally. EA:What song is your favorite? JK:Honestly, I love every one of the songs on the album from my originals to the covers requested by my label. I don?t believe in doing ?filler? songs. To me every song is meaningful and counts. I love my two original ballads ?How Do I Reach You (The Last Veil)? and ?After All These Lovers.? ?Masami (The Elegant Beauty)? could be my favorite and there is talk of going to Japan to do a video shoot of it there. ?Rain On The Dog? is just way cool! I?m very proud of it and the lyrical content. EA: What song was the hardest to create? JK: would say How Do I Reach You (The Last Veil) because
there were different sections to the song that had to blend together musically, vocally and emotionally. I love the song so much. EA: What artists and or songs influenced your musical style the most and why? JK: I have been greatly influenced by so many from the British Invasion of the 60?s , some Motown, for sure the Seattle scene of the 90?s and even classical crossover. These influences ooze from my original music. I have such a great respect and admiration for the greats who came before me and paved the way, and in many cases with great sacrifice and little reward.
EA: What makes you different from other classic rock artists? JK: Let?s be clear here, I am not a classic rock artist. My influences are many and cross generational. I follow my inner callings, not trends. EA: How did it feel performing in front of so many fans in North Carolina and why Durham? JK: I was told by a fan about a new venue opening in Durham, North Carolina. I knew from past comments on social media that I had many fans requesting me to please try and come to their state. The stars were aligned and everything fell into place. I loved performing in Durham and the audience made it a very special night. So many very nice people in North Carolina. EA: What is your advice to upcoming artists? JK: Be prepared for an emotional roller coaster. Don?t expect anything, earn it! Remember the music industry is big business, learn and understand this. WRITTEN BY ELLA AUDREY RAE PHOTOGRAPHY BY SETH KRUPERSMITH
Welcome to the the second creative tips article of 2019! To start off spring , we are going to talk about some good apps for your smart phone as a creative. Calm App / Before you start any project you always want to clear your mind. I highly recommend the 'Calm' app. It's so dope and has so many topics to choose from. They have a paid version to access all the topics but it is very much worth it. You do each morning and they keep track of your routine. After each session they provide an awesome quote to take with you through out the day. It is available in the iTunes store and Google Play store. Dropbox / Now organization is one of the main things a creative needs on and off the computer. You need something that will allow you to access all of your work without killing your phone storage. Dropbox does just that and for free. All you need to do is upload everything to dropbox and then download the app and whenever you need to download something to your phone, you just go into dropbox and hit access offline and
download. You can free up your computer and your phone and never loose any data or project because it's all in the 'cloud'. Cool right? If you need more storage then Dropbox free provides, you can pay for more. Over / It's time to start creating. I use to use Canva for everything but I found something better and it's name is 'OVER'. This is app is dope because you can create any size project, upload your own fonts, and even export into PDF. Did I mention the sick templates they allow you to use? They have 1,000's of templates and cool fonts that fit any project. You currently only use the service as an app and not online yet. That's it for todays tips. Hope it helps with your next project. Got a topic or question you want me to cover in the next issue? Let me know by sending me messages on any of my social media @ellaaudreyrae or ellaaudreyrae.com.
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