Nyota Issue 24 by NYOTA Magazine

featuring

Issue 24

CONTENTS Music

Culture

Art is Life Playlist 07

Zaria 47

Sarah Kinsley 09

Shelby Surdam 53

Nuela Charles 13

MØTH 55

Waiting For Smith

Kylie Cantrall 59

Danica Bryant 21

The Francis Files 63

Nightshifts 25

Kyla Carter 67

Siena Bjorn 29

Emma Berman 71

Myles Lloyd 31

Carolyn Knapp 73

Rachel Sandy 33 Catbells 37 Words of Wisdom: Rachel Van Nortwick

Fashion Alexandra Sherman

Pressure for Perfection: The Effect of Y2K Fashion on the Psyche of Young Girls

Words of Wisdom: Frenchye Harris

THE

TEAM

Editor in Chief

Carol Wright is a recent graduate of American University. At a young age, she became interested in telling stories through photography which eventually led her down the path of creating Nyota. Now, her passion for storytelling has given her the opportunity to pick the brains of musicians, actors, and influencers across the world.

Assistant Editor

Arielle Ostry is entering her final year at The George Washington University, studying journalism and mass communication as well as dance. She started out writing dance reviews and artist features, and now likes obsessing over and writing about mental wellness, pop culture, and art (in all its many forms). In her spare time, Arielle enjoys fresh air, experimenting with her ever-evolving coffee order, and binge-listening to true crime podcasts.

Art Director

Nicole Cox is a recent American University graduate with a bachelor’s in Graphic Design. Nicole has always enjoyed the arts, from writing stories to painting objects she observed in nature, she always found a way to create, but she never expected the computer to be used as another medium for her creativity. Thanks to her wonderful professors at American, she was able to explore her passion for the arts and further implement her skills in her professional studies and hobbies.

FEATURES Sarah Kinsley

Zaria

Nuela Charles

Shelby Surdam

Waiting For Smith

MØTH

Danica Bryant

Kylie Cantrall

Nightshifts

The Francis Files

Siena Bjorn

Kyla Carter

Myles Lloyd

Emma Berman

Rachel Sandy

Carolyn Knapp

Catbells Rachel Van Nortwick Alexandra Sherman Frenchye Harris

CONTRIBUTORS Sophie Sachar Lee Giffen Carolyn Knapp

EDITOR’S LETTER Our June ‘Art is Life’ issue is finally here! In all honesty this issue almost didn’t come together but thankfully the stars aligned in the best way. On the cover is singer/songwriter Sarah Kinsley whose song “The King” can be heard all over TikTok and whose music has been such a bright light during this month. For this issue we also got to collaborate with artist Carolyn Knapp on a special edition cover and talk to her about her short-film Cherry Bomb. This issue has felt like a long time coming and I’m excited for it to be out in the world, available for everyone to read. As usual I hope it inspires you to tap into your creative side and go after your dreams! With Love, Carol Wright Editor in Chief @_carol_wright

Art is Life Playlist curated by Sophie Sachar 7

Spin Out // Bachelor September // Charlie Martin To Communicate // Rostam Tactics // Japanese Breakfast Keep It // Good Morning True // skirts Sanctuary // Hiss Golden Messenger Khobs // Issam Hajali Blue // Angelo De Augustine Tezeta (Nostalgia) // Mulatu Astatke

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Sarah Kinsley Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Julia Khoroshilov

Over the course of the last 15 months, Sarah Kinsley found herself in the same boat as many of us around the world, stuck at home during unprecedented times unaware of how the pandemic would reshape our lives. Using this time wisely, she immersed herself in writing, making music and creativity, as well as a new virtual way of keeping up with her studies. This led Kinsley to put something together that is an expression of where she is in her life currently, as well as being a forward step in her journey as a songwriter and musician. Kinsley talked to NYOTA about her music reaching others beyond her own life and how she has evolved as an artist. You developed a love for music at a young age and learned piano at a young age. In the midst of this, when did you discover your singing voice?

You’re currently a Music Major at Columbia University. Have your studies impacted or changed your music making process?

Weirdly enough, I think it was a simultaneous sort of pushing away and pulling towards my love for other kinds of music. I was always drawn to music. I was surrounded by it in every form. Lessons and theory books. Listening to CDs in the car. Dancing to tunes during lazy evenings. But there was something in learning the piano that was missing. Lyrics, or a voice. Instrumental music let me imagine, but kept me yearning to find my own centre in the midst of it all. So I think after about ten or twelve years of classical music I just started wondering what music I could make on my own, from my own voice.

Oh, absolutely. I think music is a reflection of all the things we do and breathe and inhabit, so of course, my studies are bound to affect it. In some ways, I’ve been a much more critical listener due to it. But I think this has also pushed me to get to the bottom of that relationship between music and emotion. And from there, the relationship music creates between you and I. Why does it make us feel this way? How can I produce that effect again? Studying music is not so much a dictator of process, but more so a beautiful consequence of knowing the power certain sounds and phrases hold.

Something special about your songwriting is that you’re specific yet listeners can still relate or see themselves in your songs. When you’re writing are you pulling inspiration from life experiences, things you read, things you watch or all of the above?

You often shed light on how there are few female producers. Do you think social media could potentially be a tool to bring female producers to the forefront?

Thank you, it’s incredibly reassuring and beautiful to hear that the music is capable of reaching beyond my own life. A lot of what I write is, of course, personal, intimate, close. I want you to be my second head, a kindred mind when you hear my music. I hope it speaks for itself. I think to some extent, my music is inspired by the things I watch and read. But it exists in its greatest form when the music is about my life, my experiences. The things that make me whole.

To clarify, I don’t think there are few women producers. I believe there are few highly recognized female producers. They exist and create, and I think the idea of women producers has changed greatly due to social media. But I also don’t think that real change - like any sort of change - will happen on platforms alone. It’s a cultural sort of shift that will happen one day, one that I’ll hear when someone asks me if I’m the sound engineer or the producer by assumption.

Comparing The Fall EP to The King EP there are similarities but also stark differences. Was your goal to change and play around with sound when it came to creating The King EP or do you think the changes came naturally as you’ve evolved as an artist? Honestly, I ask myself this question a lot and I’m not sure what that change boils down to. Whether it’s a choice made of conscious mind or maybe by some subconscious spirit. I do know that change is vital and expected, although I don’t think I ever expected the change to happen in this specific way it has. My last EP felt like self-sacrifice, or devotion. I was writing about past people, past lives, past experiences. Giving them my words. But The King EP was an ode to my past self. Who I had been, what skin I had shed off. That evolution, that change was so stark in comparison to what I was. So maybe it’s a little bit of both, the desire to change and the fact that it’s bound to happen. On TikTok when you release snippets of songs you usually share how that can portray a moment or a visual for people’s lives. For example, “I have discovered what it sounds like to truly be alive.” How do the scenes you envision when you first begin creating a song translate to the final track?

I could see “Over + Under” being an ode to love and life in your 20s because so much change happens during those years, especially the lines “Back in my hometown I wonder if I’m out of place / These years feel so far away.” Do you think later down the line you’ll be able to listen to this song and clearly remember how you felt during this stage of your life? It is definitely an ode to this time right now. I wrote “Over + Under” while I was surrounded by life in its sort of rawest form. I was looking at the trees and the clouds and all these forms of change. I think it was reassuring to know that the world was changing with me. This song will absolutely maintain its meaning down the line. It serves as a time capsule of sorts, a distinct memory of who I was and what I believed in over this past year. Do each of your songs on the EP encapsulate what you first envisioned when beginning your creative process?

They seem to naturally immerse themselves in the foundation of the track for me. Or the entire record. I think that when music really taps into its meaning, whether it’s about being truly alive, or living without fear or regret, that meaning seeps into the song. It’s impossible to disconnect one from the other. Every element, every production choice, every lyric is naturally geared and driven towards this concept. This idea of what the song represents. I think it’s similar to the experience of associating sounds with feelings, or people. Sound and music and noise all have that power over us.

No, not at all. And I’m incredibly happy to know that they don’t follow the exact meaning of what I envisioned. I think I began writing The King EP, I was pushing towards this clear idea of what being the king meant. If it meant being the greatest, the best, the absolute highest ideal of myself. But as I kept writing and living and thinking, a lot of the songs began to reveal much deeper contradictions I held against myself. I was slowly unraveling doubts and fears and inconsistencies. Could I be both afraid and free? Is it possible to start again? And to all of it, I said yes. And this is the part of the EP that I didn’t anticipate. It was facing those contradictions knowing that they were not going to dissolve or change. That embrace of all of those doubts and fears is what made the EP so special. It’s an ode to the imperfect, which is, in my eyes, so beautifully whole and great and big.

On TikTok people use audio from “The King” to edit together videos of them living freely or reaching milestones. How does it feel to see listeners connect with the song in that way?

It is so refreshing to see the passion you have for your own music. Do you think truly being passionate about the work you create is the key to any young artist making their mark in the industry?

There’s nothing like it. Granted, I do think TikTok is a funny place to see it happen. But it is proof that the song makes people feel the same ways I do. As weird of a platform TikTok can be, it has an odd way of reminding me that the ways I experience my music, or the way I feel, are more universal and understandable than I think.

Thank you. I think passion is necessary beyond work, it’s the essence of actually living. I find that the music I love the most, regardless of genre, regardless of anything, is music that makes me feel. When artists are passionate about being vulnerable, when you can stand in front of a crowd and bare it all, that music is divine. It’s other-worldly. That feeling is so intoxicating and incredible - why should we do it any other way?

#NYOTAmusic

Nuela Charles Interview by Carol Wright Photos Courtesy of Nuela Charles

3x JUNO-Award nominated singer/songwriter Nuela Charles, known for her soulful vocals and captivating stage presence has solidified herself as a Canadian music staple. Charles talked to NYOTA about her music inspirations and the creative process behind her EP Blissful Madness. Growing up was music always your go-to creative outlet? Growing up it was definitely a mix of music and dance. I took ballet and gymnastics early on, and when I was big enough to hold up a guitar on my own I transitioned to playing and writing and developing those skills. Who are some of your music inspirations? Growing up, my influences revolved around my parents’ vinyl collection consisting mainly of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Eric Clapton and Joe Cocker. Today I lean more towards voices. A lot of what I listen to in my day to day are UK based artists, and lean more on the alternative spectrum. To name a few – Arctic Monkeys, Nothing but Thieves, Jacob Banks, Corrinne Bailey Rae and Lianne La Havas. Tell our readers about your EP Blissful Madness, which tells the story of all of the emotions one can feel in 24 hours. What initially inspired you to focus on emotions as the theme of the EP? When I started writing for this project, it was before the pandemic, and as it became time to wrap things up, the theme just stuck out to me. We had already gone through a lockdown, and as I was listening back to mixes, it felt like these songs were meant to be together, because they each told their own story, but they fit so well as a unit. What was supposed to be a full length project ended up being an EP – and I believe that everything happens for a reason, and these songs were meant to represent all of the emotions one can go through in a span of 24 hours. The EP has been narrowed down to three songs but you must have had numerous songs you had to discard. How did you go about narrowing it down? If I’m honest, the world kind of made that decision for me, because at that time I was living across the country and my producer was in Toronto. The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns happened, and I didn’t think I’d be able to finish anything. So I decided on the three songs that I felt were the most complete and that were my favourite. As I dug further into whether these three songs would fit together, it became clear that they were meant to be. 14

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“...learn as much about the business as you can. The more you understand the business of it all, the better you’re preparing yourself for when it comes time to have your own team and label.” Did creating the EP during the pandemic provide inspiration or was it difficult at first to create during this time? I think it was a mix of both. There was no longer that ability to be hands-on in the studio and to really take the time to experiment, so I had to follow my gut and just commit to an idea. And on the other hand, I hadn’t had a vacation in years, so the mandatory time off was actually really good for my soul.

What advice do you have for aspiring musicians? The one piece of advice I give aspiring artists is to keep going – don’t quit, and to learn as much about the business as you can. The more you understand the business of it all, the better you’re preparing yourself for when it comes time to have your own team and label.

Do you have a particular songwriting process? My songwriting differs from session to session. If I’m co-writing, which is usually the case, it’s a very collaborative process. If I’m alone, it’s a mix between playing around on the guitar, and falling into a riff I love and then voice memo’ing a melody or lyrics that come. My song “Known Better” came out of a voice memo “session” where the chords and melody and 95% of the lyrics just came. I think I had three recordings of it and the song was done. Other times I can be sat by a keyboard and a chord progression sparks a melody and lyrics etc. Or sometimes I’m given a track and I write to it that way. So, it’s never really the same, and I think I like it like that. Your songs have had placements on Jane the Virgin and Tiny Pretty Things. Do moments like that push you to continue creating? Definitely! Moments like that are little reaffirmations that I’m doing ok and that my music has a place. It’s easy to question yourself and whether you should even continue – so wins like that really keep me going.

Waiting for Smith Interview by Carol Wright Photo Courtesy of LPR Agency

After a life-changing moment singer/songwriter Harry Lloyd a.k.a Waiting For Smith decided to pursue music full-time and since then has been writing about the everyday ups and downs of life and love. Waiting For Smith talked to NYOTA about discovering his singing voice and his single “Tired Mind.”

When did you realize that you had a passion for singing and creating music? We had this thing at school called house harmony. You basically got together an acapella song and performed it for the whole school with a group in a massive competition. After I performed the lead part of “Runaround Sue” by Dion & The Belmonts, people went nuts. I came out of the school hall and people were coming up to me for high fives and almost mobbing me like I had already made it. We didn’t win but we were 100% the people’s choice. I wrote my first proper song around age 10, seven years before that moment, in the pop-punk band I was in with school friends. The band was called Jester and the song was called “Mind the Gap.” Still think it’s a great song... the lyrics were terrible. The story of why you decided to pursue music is astonishing. Can you tell our readers a bit about what made you dedicate your life to music? Well I used to be a Ski Instructor in the French Alps for ESF (Ecole du Ski Francais). During the winters I’d do that and because it was so well paid, during the summers I had the time to do music and travel. It was perfect, but something always stopped me fully going for music. After a few seasons of living the dream, having lots of parties, helicopter rides with Russians and long lunches. I realized it wasn’t making me fully happy so I decided to finally finish my exams to the highest level, so I could teach anywhere in the world and give music a go. During the avalanche safety exam off piste I caught a mogul, front flipped and landed on my neck breaking my back. I tried to stand and I felt all the classic signs of “this is not good” like 17

shooting pains through my spine to my feet. My friend and fellow instructor Fred, after covering me with snow thinking I’d just fallen over, decided to call the rescue helicopters. They arrived and as the Pisteur’s hauled me onto the stretcher to take me down to the ambulance…a thought came into my head. “You can do music.” Then I made a promise to myself. “If I survive this and can walk again that’s what I will do. I promise. I’ll pursue music with everything I have.” It was so clear to me then and still is now. You learned the guitar while in bed recuperating. Do you still remember how to play some of those early songs you learned on the guitar? Yeah a few. I had a guitar teacher called Darren, he came to my bed every week for nearly a year and he really versed me in anything I was interested in: a little Folk, opening tunings, The Eagles, Ragtime, classical guitar...we covered a lot and laughed a lot. After he’d taught me something I’d write a new song. “Long Life” was one of those, my mantra for recovery. I’m so grateful for that time we had together. Since professionally you hadn’t originally planned to pursue music. Did it take time for you to find your voice and your sound? Yeah 100%. When I was 10 I sang with a cockney accent. I used to sing from behind the kit in my poppunk band Jester. Then I got into piano age 15-17 and wrote a lot of songs like that and thought I wanted to be Chris Martin. That’s when “Song for Grace” was written. Then for a moment I tried to be Lou Reed, then Mark Knopfler’s guitar and voice influenced me. By early 20s I kind of thought I’d just

listen to everything the Kinks had ever written and all of JJ Cale’s catalogue. Inspired by that I started a duo with a friend Danny, King Kong Man, we sang harmony like the Everly Brothers; me on piano and him on guitar. After my accident we reformed with an old school friend and started Waiting for Smith. It started as Indie Rock...the drummer was from a techno outfit so it was almost garage- rock. Then I thought right, that’s it...I wanna do me. I’m still not sure what that is. It changes everyday. This last year though I played so many online live shows and Festivals that I finally feel like my voice is really me. My influence is still all over the place as I love everything that makes me feel something. Living between Amsterdam and London do you often find inspiration for your music from things you see and hear in both cities? All the time. I think conversations inspire my lyrics the most. I love talking and hearing stories in London. Amsterdam for the sounds. The electronic dance and techno music scene here is really inspiring my records lately. Your song “Tired Mind” is the perfect tune that expresses how people have felt throughout the pandemic. Was it important for you to share the message that it’s normal to not be happy 24/7? Yeah I think it was. We can all sometimes pretend that it’s all fine when it’s not. The best thing you can do sometimes on a down day, is to honestly say to someone “I’m just not feeling good today.” My message is generally a positive one, I want people to feel good when they listen to Waiting for Smith, and feel light. However sometimes we feel sad and just accepting that, can save you the pain of fighting it. It can be a healing thing I think. Have you been utilizing social media more to connect with listeners since having concerts and meeting in person is still a bit up in the air? Yeah, social media has been so important for me as an artist to just: voice what I’m feeling, share thoughts, connect with other musicians, creators and fans. I used to really not like doing it, but when I realised it was just another form of expression, where you can share with people in one click an idea...I thought, actually this can maybe be used for the good. It really depends on what you’re posting.

Our June issue is our ‘Art is Life’ issue. How has art made an impact on your life? I believe that we’re all creators of something. If everyone was to create regularly like: paint, make music, write, work with wood, sculpt, dance, build, film, journal, sew, draw, craft, arrange flowers, cut hair, cook....the list goes on. There’s no doubt everyone would be a little bit happier. As it’s in our nature to make things...we all do it as kids and forget as adults. In short “Art is Life” I believe it’s partly why we’re here to express what it is to be human. If you wanna create - I found a list of 101 ideas. Go for it! Read this.

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Danica Bryant Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Tyler Blythe

Singer/songwriter Danica Bryant has been creating music since the age of 12 and has continued to work on her craft throughout the years. Now in 2021, she is prepared to introduce the world to her new sound. Bryant talked to NYOTA about her single “Heart Eyes” and her advice for aspiring musicians. When did creating music go from a hobby to a passion for you? I grew up listening to so much secondhand music from my parents that writing and performing were always a passion for me. I just didn’t realize not everybody felt that way about the arts. But I didn’t realize I could make this my actual life until I was around 12. When local bars started hiring me to perform, I think I finally understood that I have this passion because music is what I’m supposed to do. Was there ever a time where you used to write poems or short stories before you started songwriting? When I was a kid I wanted to write novels. I used to write entire books on my mum’s computer and hurt my eyes staring at the old, ugly version of Microsoft Word for hours on end! I’ve also always been quite invested in poetry, so much so that I’m still studying it now. But playing guitar made songwriting more and more important to me over time. Eventually, the magic of combining music with the words made songwriting my main outlet. Tell us a bit about your song “Heart Eyes.” Did a specific event or something you read online spark the idea for the song? I’ve never been one for writing traditional love songs. I sat down very purposefully to write one with “Heart Eyes,” but I got fixated on the kind of glossy, dramatic imagery of celebrity crushes and tabloid relationships. I started thinking about how young girls are so pushed by news and social media to fall in love with all these famous, conventionally attractive men. Girls who don’t fit that girly, romantic stereotype are seen as tomboys or just plain weird, but then at the same time, girls who do fit that idea are punished for being crazy and obsessive and out of their mind for thinking they have a chance with someone famous. It’s very symptomatic of how society punishes women in general for just any level of existence. Not to mention, it seems needlessly cruel to treat young girls as fools because they believed all of the ideas about romance and consumerism literally sold to them from childhood. For me personally, this culture also really damaged my identity as a young person on the LBGT+ spectrum, because of that guilt and estrangement I felt from what a woman is supposed to be. So in the end, ‘Heart Eyes’ fell very far from classic love song territory, but it packs in so much social commentary, I think the song is better off for it! 22

#NYOTAmusic The song pokes fun at celebrity culture. Do you often find that pop culture can serve as inspiration for your music? I think pop culture influences society so much that it always influences my work in a roundabout way. Pop culture tells us who we’re supposed to be, and whilst it’s often really fun to engage with, some aspects of it can also be really detrimental to our mental health, our relationships, our identities. ‘Heart Eyes’ is the first time I’ve directly satirised that concept, but previous songs like ‘The Cutlery’ and ‘Birthday Girl’ definitely play with that need to both respect and retaliate against different ideas amongst pop culture. Were you able to take your music in a bit of a different direction since you got to work with Jonny Avery and Thomas Oliver on “Heart Eyes?” Working with Jonny has taken my sound in a way more pop direction. I’ve always been very restricted by the fact I write on acoustic guitar. But Jonny’s incredible production has helped me take what I write to a more fully rounded level. He’s been a major help and is definitely shaping my art! We’re now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after a crazy year. Are you excited to have live shows and connect with listeners in person? I’m incredibly lucky in that I live in New Zealand, where we’ve had extremely minimal restrictions throughout the pandemic due to a super intense initial lockdown in March 2020. We’ve been able to hold live shows with very little risk for the past year, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be in that position. I hope other countries’ suffering can end as soon as possible and everybody can equally experience those freedoms again. It’ll also mean we’ll be able to connect with each other on an international level once more, which I’m looking forward to because I do miss that in-person flow of art from all nations. Our June issue is our ‘Art is Life’ issue. Could you ever see yourself pursuing a career that isn’t connected to the arts? If I wasn’t working in music, I think I’d be working in some area of literature or communications, still somehow connected to the arts. But nothing could ever truly fulfill me like music. Being able to work as an artist is all I’ve ever wanted, as I have so much to say and want to put all my time and effort into getting it across. What advice do you have for aspiring musicians? There’s the standard advice of honing your craft and just working as much as you can. But it’s also extremely important to network. Go to every show you can and meet every single possible person involved with music. Not only will there be people who can help you, but interacting with all of the other amazing undiscovered art out there will shape your art too. Rather than viewing your music as your journey, view it as one you share with so many other talented musicians. Support others with all you’ve got, and you’ll find support in return. 24

Nightshifts Interview by Carol Wright Photos Courtesy of LPR Agency

Andrew Oliver a.k.a Nightshifts is a Toronto based singer/songwriter who works his magic across vintage synths, groovy guitars and drum machines during latenight recording sessions to create soulful and cosmic pop tunes. He talked to NYOTA about his single “Tunnel Vision” and his music influences. Growing up did you always see music as a way to express yourself? Since I was about 13, writing and recording music has been my favourite activity. At the time, I didn’t see it as a form of expression. It was more of a fun thing to do by myself or with my friends. However, when I look back at those songs, I was clearly expressing feelings that I wasn’t expressing in any other way. Being based in Toronto do you often pull inspiration from things you see and hear in the city? I am influenced by Toronto in a few different ways. Most obviously through some of my favourite local artists like Bahamas, Andy Shauf, and Field Guide. I seem to be most productive during our long dark winters, when there is not much else to do! I often go on “lyric walks” around the city. I will put an instrumental that I made onto my phone, and walk around the city with my headphones and dream up lyrics. It is a vibrant, diverse, and inspiring city. Take us back to the beginning. What inspired the name Nightshifts? When I started the project, I was working a full time job for a healthcare company. I would work all day, then come home at night and record music. I saw it as working a “night shift” and the name stuck from there! I am doing music full-time now, but still tend to do most of my work at night. Sorry neighbours! “Tunnel Vision” is one of those songs that you can envision listening to on a summer day with the car top down. It truly seems the perfect song to come at a time when the world is opening back up. Do you ever have a visual in mind while you’re creating your music? I wrote the song during the first warm week in March. It was extremely sunny after a long winter. I was going on runs and taking in the good weather while working on the demo. The sunshine definitely seeped its way into the song. Tell our readers a bit about the creative process of creating “Tunnel Vision.” Did the song come to you in bits and pieces or seemingly all at once? This one came together relatively quickly. I had moved back to my parents home for a few months during the lockdown here in Toronto. I was back in my highschool 25

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bedroom, surrounded by memories of my favourite bands like Phoenix and The Strokes. I got back in touch with my indie rock roots, and wanted to write a modern version of those songs I used to listen to the most. I started by recording this fuzzy guitar loop, and then added chords over top. I ran around my hometown listening to this loop, writing lyrics in my head. I was feeling extremely inspired, I wrote and recorded the entire song in three days. I then worked remotely with producer Jason Kick to mix the track and add the final icing on top. Your music is unique and inventive. When you first started creating music did you have a particular way you wanted your music to sound or did you experiment until you found what worked for you? When I started making music, I had two very distinct and separate paths. I would work on hip hop beats with two of my buddies from my basketball team, and I would play guitar in my high school band. When I was about 16, I began combining these two processes. I would start with a drum machine beat, then add guitar and singing over top. Ever since, I have continued to gravitate towards this same palette, honing it and adding more elements like synths and samples. When you’re listening to music and looking for inspiration. Who are some go-to artists that you always listen to? Radiohead, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Caribou, Kings of Leon, Broken Bells, The XX. Our June issue is our ‘Art is Life’ issue. If you weren’t a musician could you see yourself having any other career? An entrepreneur of some sort. Prior to being a full-time musician, I founded, built and sold a vinyl record manufacturing company called Vinylizer, which still exists to this day. I absolutely loved the process of growing that company. My goal has always been to work on my own schedule, and I love any stories about people building their own companies.

Siena Bjorn

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Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Bailey Pilbeam

It’s clear that performing is in Siena Bjorn’s blood. She started out dancing as a tot for the Maine State, Pacific Northwest and Colorado ballet companies. Then went on to study acting at Tisch, and now spends her time writing and creating original music. Bjorn talked to NYOTA about discovering her singing voice and her single “Indigo.” You started out performing for the Maine State, Pacific Northwest and Colorado ballet companies. Do you think becoming comfortable on stage at a young age has aided you in your singing career? I certainly still get my fair share of stage fright moments before I go on, but I definitely think it’s helped me. I was always a part of some type of art form and I guess that type of exposure to performing solidified my love for the stage early on. It was only later that I realized that what I find to be fun could actually be my job as well. When did you discover your singing voice and your passion for creating music? I’ve been singing since I was tiny - if you put a tune behind something I’ll remember it forever. So my mom introduced singing to me very young as a way to remember our address and her phone number, homework in school etc. But I was a very shy kid growing up, so I didn’t like to sing in front of other people. I did a lot of performing in my bedroom to myself with my toy microphone/karaoke set. In terms of creating music, I can remember writing down lines of lyrics when I was pretty young, but never a full song. I didn’t end up finishing a full song, let alone one that I was truly proud of and saw the light of day until a few years ago. But I’ve always been very creative and drawn to the arts in some way or another. Tell our readers about your song “Indigo.” Sonically it’s different from your other songs. Were you hoping to take your music in a different direction? I was, definitely! My goal is to have a throughline in each song that connects them, but I enjoy making something new with every project. It had a really nice evolution as we continued to work on “Indigo” and I’m very proud of where it is now. I finally feel like this is the direction I’d like to go in musically. “Indigo” is sultry and sexy and reminiscent of Winehouse among others and I like that it is a blending of different genres. It has a heavy meaning behind the lyrics, but it still maintains the sassy fun attitude which makes it awesome to perform.

What inspired the lyrics? I was in my first real relationship with a woman and I was developing feelings really fast...I was terrified. That kind of fear and having to break down the barriers of shame that society subconsciously plants in us was stopping me from giving everything I had and from allowing the relationship to grow. I was very sad and hurt that we didn’t make it through and in the end I played a very big part in that demise, although obviously it takes two. It was a good learning experience, and out of it “Indigo” was born! There has been great music coming out during this crazy time. Who are some artists that have kept you inspired? There are so many and each for a different reason! Of course, Tom Misch, Joe Hertz, Khruangbin, Celeste’s new album was great...oooh Noga Erez has been a cool find too. I could go on forever! Outside of creating music, you also act. Do you feel as though you get to tap into different creative muscles when you act versus when you’re making music? Absolutely! Sometimes it’s tough to balance the two because they seem to both be running so fast in my mind. Acting is a way for me to step into someone else’s life and to have their experiences and tell their story whereas music for me is about telling my story and the way that I experience the world. What have you learned through working with actor Dabney Coleman? He has so many nuggets of wisdom, but I think his deep admiration and respect for the people he works with, his craft, filmmaking as an art form, and himself has been amazing to see. It has made me love the entire process even more than I already did which I didn’t think was possible! What advice do you have for aspiring singers? Just keep going. Keep writing, keep singing. The only person that is gonna make it happen for you is you. There will be a lot of obstacles, but find your people and make music for you.

Myles Lloyd Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: John Dagsaan

Hailing from Montreal, Canada Myles Lloyd is an R&B singer to watch, with a knack for writing songs that are filled with a careless emotion that can be defined as vulnerable and honest. Lloyd talked to NYOTA about his single “Monster” and using social media to connect with listeners.

Were you someone who knew they wanted to pursue music professionally from a young age or did that passion for music come a bit later?

The beat honestly just spoke to me and organically guided me into everything you hear. Absolutely love the way it ended up!

The passion for music was from a very young age. I would always sing Michael Jackson songs around the house as a kid. When I realized I wanted to pursue music was when I stopped looking at what my idols do as impossible for a Montreal kid like me.

During the pandemic how have you been keeping yourself creatively motivated?

Who are some musicians you look up to? Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Prince, and Drake. Tell our readers about “Monster.” What inspired the lyrics? “Monster” was inspired by love. Being so infused by what I love and what I’d love to be and sometimes forgetting the one that loves me for who I am right now. Not realising that this person gives me an energy that makes me go harder. A monstrous drive of energy. Do you often pull from personal experiences when working on songs? I always pull from personal experiences and from situations I fear will happen. The song hooks listeners in from the beginning. Did you have a clear idea of how you wanted the song to sound or did you allow for the song’s producer to help point you in the direction the song ended up going in? 31

Through the pandemic I just had to stay focused on my end mission and stay learning new things to keep my mind running and the juices flowing. Staying consistent and in routine made things a little easier in such hard times. As a young artist social media and other platforms allow you to stay connected with listeners. How have you been using social media to connect with your audience during this time of social distancing and no live shows? Interacting online with as many people as I can over social media is a must especially during the pandemic. Keeping everyone updated on what I’m doing and what I have planned now that everything is opening up. What advice do you have for aspiring musicians? Never stop doing what you love. It’s the most cliche thing to hear as a kid but as you get older you realize it’s the realest piece of advice to receive as well as keeping like minded individuals by your side because you’re only a reflection of the people you surround yourself around.

#NYOTAmusic

Rachel Sandy Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Memora Vivere Photography

Musician Rachel Sandy has made waves on TikTok after creating spot-on parody videos of artists like Lorde and Phoebe Bridgers. Sandy talked to NYOTA about how long it takes for her to create a video and her hopes to compose film-score in the future. Has music always been an integral part of your life? Most definitely! Music has always been something I’ve been drawn to. I grew up in a musical family, both my older brothers are musicians, so I was always surrounded by instruments and a lot of sound! My mum used to play classical music in the home when we were really young, and it absolutely fascinated me. Some of my earliest memories involve me as a toddler climbing up onto a very high piano stall and sitting there for hours upon hours, messing around on my brother’s keyboard. I loved it! I think the turning point for me was when I was around 11 or 12 years of age and heard Hans Zimmer’s score to the film Inception for the first time. I was completely blown away by the incredible power and the emotion of the music. I remember thinking that this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life - make music like that. Music has become an integral part of who I am. I am constantly amazed by its sheer diversity and how it intrinsically connects us all; it’s like a universal super language! Did you start uploading videos to TikTok with the intention to build an audience or do you use it more so as a creative outlet? I think initially, I just wanted to put some content on my channel so that TikTok didn’t think I was a soulless robot and delete my account. No, it definitely was just more of a creative outlet! I have always loved sharing music and enjoying music with other people, and I am CONSTANTLY writing and composing different things, so I thought TikTok could be a really cool way to connect with other music loving people. The response to my videos has been absolutely mind blowing... I’m still in a bit of a daze to be honest with you. I’ve met so many incredibly lovely people and so many talented musicians through TikTok, it really has been insane. I love making content that people enjoy! How long does it take for you to decide on an artist to parody, write the song, record it, and then edit the video together? Initially I was just picking some of my favourite artists! But I’ve been getting great suggestions from people on TikTok now, so they help me to decide! I find the actual writing of the music to be the easiest part, often the lyrics and melodies come together super quickly, you just gotta put yourself in the musical mindset of writing. The recording process takes a little longer; I have to decide on the instruments and 34

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what vibe I’m going for sonically. Then it’s just about getting it all down! Recording in the guitars, drums, vocals and whatnot usually takes a few hours, but I get so wrapped up in it that the time flies by! Last of all, I record the video in the TikTok app, which takes about an hour (putting to good use all my practice of making home videos as a kid) and then it’s done! From getting the initial idea, to writing, recording, producing and making the video I’d say it takes a day. Does working on parodies of other musicians allow you to stretch as a musician and get out of your comfort zone? Absolutely! I love listening to and writing in so many different genres of music. I think all music can be linked together when it comes to really breaking it down. You could probably find a link between Justin Bieber and Beethoven if you really tried! Sometimes, to take a break from composing/score writing, I will work on something in a completely different genre, like pop or indie music. I find it resets your musical perspective and often, when you come back to what you were working on before, you have a whole new wave of inspiration and ideas! My natural instinct has always been to play by ear, and I think developing your ear is the key to being a confident and versatile musician. Along with that, have you found yourself learning new song making techniques because of your parodies? Yes! So much of creating music is trial, error and experimentation. My favorite thing about music is that there are often not many wrong answers (a possible explanation for why I don’t enjoy maths). Working on different parodies has given me a lot of space to experiment with music and sound. Music is a continual process of learning new techniques. I hope I am still learning new things about songwriting and production at 80. To me the best part of your videos are the lyrics in each song. Do you have a specific songwriting process or are you someone who sits down and writes once inspiration hits? I find that lyrics come easiest when you don’t try too hard to write them. I don’t pressurize myself with the idea that I have to sit down and be like, “Ok I have to write a really good song now.’’ Instead I like to

just kind of sit with an instrument and start messing around. I find songs like to flow without being forced and your natural instinct is often the direction that you should take a song. Also, the voice notes and the notes app on your phone are your best friends! I write everything down all the time. I’ve even been known to grab my phone in the middle of the night after dreaming about a melody and just sleepily hum it into my phone so I don’t forget it. Most of it is nonsense, but when you have a good idea you wanna be able to get it down quickly! I am also a big fan of literature and also poetry! English was one of my favourite subjects at school, and I think it helps to open yourself up creatively to the power of words and expression; songs are essentially just sung poems! Maggie Rogers actually saw and duetted your video. How did it feel to have her recognize your work? I AM STILL FREAKING OUT NOW HAHAHAHA. Yeah, I was completely shocked, she is the absolute coolest. I love her music so much! I had a bit of a fangirl moment where I ran around my house waving my phone at my family and shouting “YOU GUYS LOOK IT’S MAGGIE ROGERS!” My dad (who exclusively listens to Stevie Wonder), didn’t know who she was, but he was still very supportive. It has been SO surreal, these artists that I respect so much are actually interacting with me. It has been wildly encouraging! Outside of creating TikToks do you write and record original music frequently? I do! I am constantly in the studio, lost in music, well into the early hours of the morning. In my free time I like to release neoclassical piano music on Spotify. I find writing and recording the piano to be a super cathartic process, there’s not much editing needed and a lot of it is based on improvisation. I also write orchestral scores and film soundtracks, and would love to compose for films. I can’t tell you how excited I was when Hildur Guðnadóttir won an Oscar for best original soundtrack in 2020 for her score to The Joker making her the first woman to win Best Original Score in over 20 Years. This is so encouraging to young women like me who want to work in this male dominated field. Additionally I love producing and songwriting, so yeah, I am always working on something. I’ve had to purchase multiple hard drives for the ridiculous number of music files on my computer! 36

#NYOTAmusic

Catbells Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Marisa Cherie

Catbells engages her listeners with soft hypnotic vocals, lush soundscapes, and moody melodies that capture her deep, heartfelt emotions in the most intimate of ways. The singer/songwriter talked to NYOTA about creating her musical alter-ego and her song “Fade - Rainy Day Demo.” Were you someone who grew up around music or did your passion for singing and songwriting come as a surprise?

“Fade - Rainy Day Demo” has such a dreamy feel that you almost could forget it’s about heartbreak. What influenced the song’s sound and feel?

My mom started me in piano lessons when I was 5, it wasn’t really a choice but she made me stay with it and I am grateful that she did. I think learning classical music at a young age has been really helpful to me as a songwriter today. I begged her for guitar lessons in middle school after self teaching myself guitar in 7th grade, once I switched to guitar the songwriting started almost simultaneously.

Thank you, the dreaminess really came from the instrumentation, using my vocal with a lot of reverb on it as an intro set the vibe of the song having a dreamy but also haunting aspect that really influenced the feel of the rest of the song. It was a sound that really fit the lyrics and made sense.

How did your alter-ego Catbells come to be?

How creatively involved were you in the music video for “Fade - Rainy Day Demo?”

Who are some of your musical inspirations?

I made the original video just playing with cut and pasted giphy’s and little stories I made on Instagram with them. I don’t know anything about making movies or even using programs like iMovie so it was fun just playing with it and coming up with roundabout ways to make something. I fell in love with the giphy of the cat girl and contacted the artist who made her (Gris Visa). She is from Mexico and is an amazing artist. She made the “Fade” lyric video using her illustrations and I just love what she created!

I love a lot of music, Donovan has always had a huge influence on me, as does Nico and Nick Drake. Also the band Lush is one of my favorites of all time, as are the Pixies. There are too many to even mention!!!

As the world opens up are you feeling hopeful about being able to perform live shows and connect with listeners?

It wasn’t something I was seeking out looking for, but when I came across the name Catbells, and read about the mountain in the Lake District of England and realized it was where Beatrix Potter lived and wrote, the name really resonated with me…and why not be an animal too, just like she wrote about in her stories!

Tell our readers about “Fade - Rainy Day Demo.” Did you pull from personal experiences to write the lyrics? I’d like to say that “Fade” didn’t pull from personal experiences because then I could say the sadness came from my imagination, but with “Fade” it does draw from personal past experiences of loss, both from romantic and non romantic relationships.

Yes, so excited to start performing live and bring these songs to a live setting! What advice do you have for aspiring singers? I think making music is such a beautiful art form! Much like painting, it’s such a pure expression and so emotional! My advice is to create and create and create! And then share it! 38

Words of Wisdom

Rachel Van Nortwick Interview by Carol Wright Photos Courtesy of Vinylly

Rachel Van Nortwick, a lifelong music lover is reinventing the dating app with Vinylly. A dating app that pairs potential matches based on their music streaming data. Nortwick talked to NYOTA about what she has learned through creating her business and how relationships can stem from music compatibility. Did you always envision yourself having a career in music in some form? I have known that music would always be a major force in my life but creating this app was less of a vision, more of taking one step, then another and then another. What led you to create Vinylly? As a lifelong music fan, I know well how music connects people and how passionate music fans can be about the role it plays in their life and relationships. I saw the opportunity to create a dating app based entirely on matching through music and I wanted it to be data-driven vs. focused on superficial attributes. Learning someone’s taste in music is definitely something that can lead to a great relationship, romantic or not. In your own life have you had friendships or romantic relationships stem from music compatibility? Yes, music has contributed to some of the strongest bonds I have. I have traveled cross-country with friends--both men and women and have lots of great music memories that you only get from spending a lot of time with someone and dancing and singing. I think music brings a lot of people to a place of comfort and where they can feel free, which is a great place to be interacting with someone--receiving and sharing the best energy possible. I gravitate to people who enjoy music generally, but preference does go to someone who’s up for live music. What has creating a business taught you about yourself? That I am doing what I should be doing and that I can do this, but that I need to reset often to focus on the long term and accept that it’s sometimes, actually most days, one step forwards, then one step sideways.

#NYOTAmusic Have there been any user experiences or testimonies that you have found to be extra special? Vinylly was new to the market prior to the pandemic, and we have heard stories of our app helping people find positive connections during stressful times. One user had just moved to a new city prior to shutting down, and he noted it was “nice to talk about current events [new music releases] without talking about current events [the pandemic].” Our hope is that these connections foster into plus-ones for life. What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs? Do as I did, take a step towards what you want to do. One small step, and then another, and then another, and then, before you know it you’ve got a thing. Let that pride in “the thing” keep you going. And perfect the art of the follow-up.

#NYOTAfashion

Alexandra Sherman Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Grant Puckett

Alexandra Sherman, founder and lead esthetician of The Lab, a luxury high-tech bespoke skincare studio. Is becoming a major player to watch in the beauty space. Sherman talked to NYOTA about what inspired her to create The Lab and trends in the beauty space. Growing up were you always interested in the beauty space? For the most part, I became more interested when I suffered from breakouts in my teens and early 20s. Once I tested different products and realized what worked for my skin, I became more excited about learning. I have always been very entrepreneurial and my background in the sciences helped guide me into falling in love with the field of esthetics. I became a licensed esthetician, received my training by Biologique Recherche national trainers in New York and completed advanced product knowledge training. What initially inspired you to create The Lab? After visiting many spas in Nevada, I realized that some of the most sought after treatments in the world were unavailable to myself and others. While I understood that making it in the beauty industry would be difficult in Vegas as it is over-saturated with the presence of many skin care specialists, permanent makeup artists and cosmetologists, I recognized a major gap in the luxurybespoke skincare market and wanted to bring a unique perspective to Vegas. As a frustrated consumer myself, I was inspired to introduce a more personalized and customized approach to facial treatments. How do you go about choosing the services you offer at The Lab? My training is in skincare, permanent makeup and scalp micropigmentation. Each field has different elements that I am passionate about and that fulfill me. More specifically, I tailor my treatments to include elite products and equipment that can be easily customized for each client. I’m excited to bring locals and visitors some of the most luxurious custom facials in the state while providing the best possible customer service experience. What are some trends in the beauty space you hope to see stay and you hope to see go in 2021? I believe natural beauty is being represented more and I love that. I also appreciate the more recent focus on advanced massage techniques and tools like gua sha in

facials. I see many estheticians performing treatments that are thinning the skin or compromising the integrity of the skin because they look good on social media. I hope that some of these treatment styles will phase out so clients are more aware of what is causing their skin more harm than good. You will be the only location in Las Vegas to offer Biologique Recherche treatments. Can you tell our readers a bit about what Biologique Recherche is? Founded in Paris in 1978, Biologique Recherche leads the luxury skincare industry with its safe and effective formulations, highly concentrated ingredients and undeniable results. The Lab is proud to partner with Biologique Recherche in becoming the first skincare studio in Nevada to offer the world’s finest luxury skincare treatments and products. A pioneer of advanced skincare for more than four decades, Biologique Recherche continues to break ground with their highly personalized treatment methodology, clinical approach to skincare and cold-pressed active ingredients. What has starting your own business taught you about yourself? Starting my own business has taught me that I have to take risks and let go of always needing to have control. I have really learned to trust my team and experts in the field when they offer advice. Outside of offering services The Lab also exists to educate others. What tips and tricks do you hope customers walk away with after visiting The Lab? I hope customers will learn how to integrate proper skincare and sun care regimens in their daily life. Whether they have very little time in their day and like to consolidate the steps in their morning and evening routines or they have time for an 8-10 step regimen, I believe understanding your clients needs and teaching them how to practice effective skincare for their goals is key. What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs? Take risks and wear sunscreen.

Pressure for Perfection: The Effect of Y2K Fashion on the Psyche of Young Girls Words by Lee Giffen

The fashion industry, whether it be high end, luxury or mainstream, is constantly evolving to match the trends that have everyone starry-eyed. Recently, our focus has been gravitating towards the uproar that is Y2K fashion, early 2000’s inspired looks of which Paris Hilton herself would be jealous. A scroll through any social media feed gives an immediate insight on how glamorous it is to present yourself in a trendy manner. Low-rise jeans, itty-bitty crops tops, cowboy boots, and resin rings galore are all making a major comeback. As you gaze upon girl’s outfits and how their bodies appear to fill out the fabric perfectly, is there an underlying message that is being brushed to the side? Saying it’s not a strenuous task to compare yourself to other girls is an understatement. As fashion trends rise, so does the pressure girls feel to look perfect. The fixation to look perfect and fit into trends as a young girl in this society, is something that’s often discussed in today’s world of social media and constant comparison. It is a fair statement to say that not everyone, but most people find it a comforting feeling to experience what it’s like to “belong” or fit into the wave of the crowd; but embracing a fashion trend that doesn’t embody inclusivity can take a bitter toll on someone’s mental health. Y2K fashion is directed more towards Gen Z, but can be shown off in any age demographic. The world of 43

fashion is cyclical and with the 2000’s back, a new group of beauty standards follows. Standards of beauty and society’s “perfect” is an ideology that you can’t run away from, for social media is riddled with an illusion of what someone’s life actually consists of behind the screen. With celebrities such as Bella Hadid, Lily Rose Depp, Madison Beer, and Emma Chamberlain all embodying the “perfectness” of this fashion trend, it can be overwhelming to attempt to fill their shoes. The absolute best solution to this pressure girls are feeling is to focus on filling your own shoes. As your phone case gets warm and your fingers cramp from the endless mind scroll of fashion perfection, a question to be asked is, “why is there such pressure to be trendy?” The perfect pose of the sun hitting just right in the prime golden hour – showing off the track suits and mini skirts – could very well be an illusion. The pressure girls feel with fashion trends and social media go hand-in-hand. The illusion of other’s lives looking “perfect” throughout theindefinite scrolling causes young girls to feel almost a responsibility to look a specific way. An alarming side of the Y2K fashion trend is the transparency of fatphobia that has never been fully illuminated for the bias and hurt it causes. Y2K fashion consists of many skin tight, low-rise, and flashy pieces that are typically produced for girls featuring a rather specific body type or sizes targeted to a

#NYOTAfashion smaller audience of girls. While body shaming has been around since the beginning of time, it was sure to be at a height in the early 2000s when being fat was considered taboo in clothes popular at that time (which just so happen to be the same ones cycling back now). It goes beyond the fact of body shaming and fatphobia that comes with the rise of this trend, it’s also causing eyebrows to be raised at fashion labels only producing these to-die-for pieces in sizes as high as 2. The low-rise jeans could very well be the face of this nostalgic trend, with bedazzled pockets or a boot-leg flare. Everyone wants a pair. If a plus-size girl (or even a girl that doesn’t have a flat stomach) wears these stylish jeans, it’s seen as gross and disheveled. However, when a skinny girl struts in these Paris Hilton jeans, she’s praised. The pressure of this double standard screams Y2K fashion.

posting your bad days or pictures that show the truth can be an unappealing idea. While this is completely fair, it is something more influencers need to be aware of their actions and overall impact they are causing on GenZ girls. Pressure to look perfect can be suppressed with a kill them with kindness method. Taking on the challenge of keeping up with trends should be embraced with positivity and inclusivity. This is easier said than done, especially when a vision of how you should dress and look is constantly being thrown at you in every direction. It’s completely valid to feel warped in a fashion coma. End the mindless scroll of social media comparison and desire to walk in others shoes, and start to strut in your own shoes. Fashion trends are notably cyclical, and it’s important to embrace individuality amongst the crowds.

As frightening as it sounds, even the idea of being fat or slightly overweight in the early 2000s, was considered straight up ugly. While reminiscing on the era, the film Clueless, starring Alicia Silverstone may cross your mind. The plaid two piece sets, frilly accessories and funky hairstyles, that are worn by the cast throughout the movie, could inspire any fashionista to create some iconic outfits. While Clueless gave us entertainment and inspiration, Alicia Silverstone was bashed for the way she looked. Critics at the time claimed Alicia was fat and continued to body shame her for years after the film, even though she was nowhere near being overweight. Alicia has since spoken out about the words she had to deal with during the early 2000s, in an interview with MTV News, and stated she remembers being called “the fat girl.” It is easy to see this type of mindset has returned with the clothing, as young girls are engulfed in this returning fashion trend. While Y2K fashion has a hidden aura of being negative, certain TikTok influencers have shed positivity on the trend using social media platforms. I personally believe it’s imperative that all influencers with the power and privilege of having a heavy following bring awareness to how real and toxic this situation of Y2K fashion truly is. Instagram can also act as an escape for some girls and the idea of 44

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Words of Wisdom

Frenchye Harris Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Billy Pissios

Frenchye Harris created the Black Fashion Movement in 2020 when she recognized that there were many talented young BIPOC designers who were not getting the attention from the leadership of the fashion world. This year she had the first ‘in person’ experience for the Black Fashion Movement and was able to highlight over a dozen designers. Harris talked to NYOTA about Black consumers’ impact on fashion and her advice for those who want to work in the fashion industry. Was working in fashion always a goal you had for yourself? Yes, I fell in love with fashion when I attended the Ebony Fashion Show at 9 years old. I knew from that moment that fashion was in my future. Was there a specific moment or event that inspired you to create the Black Fashion Movement? I have worked in fashion and retail for many years and have always noticed a significant absence of Black executives and Black-owned products being sold in retail stores. I’ve always been passionate about helping Black brands get the recognition that they have always deserved. I was inspired to create the Black Fashion Movement on social media in February 2020 to celebrate Black History Month by showcasing Black Fashion designers and Black owned brands. Once I got to the end of the month, there were so many brands that I didn’t get a chance to showcase so I kept it going. Through the Black Fashion Movement you’re educating the public on Black designers they need to know. How do you decide which designers to highlight? We showcase Black designers and Black-owned fashion brands that inspire us. Tell our readers about the in-person Black Fashion Movement event happening in Galleria Dallas. What inspired this idea? This event was inspired by the desire to normalize buying and wearing Black-owned brands and designers. So many Black-owned brands are at a disadvantage due to lack of funding and exposure.

My goal is to bring as many brands as possible to the consumer so that they can touch and feel the products and meet the designers. They will generate much needed sales and have the opportunity to develop relationships with customers that we hope will last much longer than the pop-up shop. Overall, Black people have had an enormous impact on fashion but it’s not often recognized. Are you seeing a change within the industry after the events of the Summer of 2020? It is estimated that the Black consumer will spend 1.7 Trillion dollars in the year 2022. With that kind of buying power, Black people have the luxury to be decisive on where they spend their time, money, and talent. So organizations that aren’t marketing to and hiring Black people are leaving money on the table. I saw some change after the Summer of 2020 and all of the black boxes but definitely not enough. So much of it was performative and many companies are in the same position in regards to hiring Black talent and selling Black-owned products that they were in Summer 2019. Companies that have implemented strategic and impactful change are so appreciated and I implore designers and consumers alike to seek out those companies when leveraging their buying power and talent. What advice do you have for those who want to work in the fashion industry? Just do it. Follow your passion and go after it. BUT respect the industry and learn the business. Continue to develop your craft. Outsource skills and projects that are outside of your wheelhouse. Seek our mentorship and jump to help and share your skillset when you can. Each one, teach one. 46

Zaria

Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Stephanie Girard

Actress and writer Zaria has been passionate about performing since she dreamed of being a singer as a young girl. Luckily for her she is fulfilling those dreams by acting in projects such as Dad, Stop Embarrassing Me and the Academy Award winning short film, Two Distant Strangers. Zaria hopped on the phone with our Editor in Chief to discuss her acting journey and working through the summer of 2020 through poetry. What initially sparked your interest in acting? I’ve always been interested in entertainment. I always joke and say that I thought I would be Beyoncé when I grew up, because I was absolutely obsessed with her and the Destiny’s Child era. Before loving Beyoncé to this extent was as normal as it is now. I have VHS tapes of me performing her songs, and so I’ve always been a performer at heart and an artist at heart. I think I got really focused on acting when I was in high school, because I did a play in middle school and I loved it, but I still was sure I was going to be a singer. It’s funny how that happens, because I did a talent show, and just fell straight on my face during the song, and it was a Beyoncé song, and it was so embarrassing, and I remember being so mortified, and it kind of pointed me to acting. Then in high school, I joined the Speech and Debate Team because my mom was always very school oriented. So it was like, you’re not going to focus on anything else except for school and so speech was my way of cheating that rule. And I got to perform competitively, like dramatic interpretations and basically, it’s like a competition for a one man show but it’s kind of hidden under the cover of the name, Speech and Debate. And I just fell so much in love with it. I remember the exact moment that I knew it was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life, and it was when I had spent the year just practicing and practicing and practicing my performance and being so enthralled in it that I had noticed; I remember looking in the mirror and being like, oh my gosh, I lost so much weight. How did I, how did that happen? And then I thought, Oh, I have been so obsessed with practicing that I have forgotten the most basic needs, which is you have to eat three times a day, you have to get a good night’s sleep. So I was like, well, if I love something so much, if I love learning something so much, then that’s something I want to do for the rest of my life. Do you ever have roles where you find yourself really deep into character and you get lost within what you’re doing?

Yes, of course. I feel that way with every character, I have this extreme sense of empathy, and so as an actor you fit yourself into the life of someone that you’re just meeting, that you’re in some ways creating with what’s already on the page and what has been created for you. And so every role, I feel like, even if I’m auditioning for a role, I am so excited and in tune and focused in on what the intricacies are like, what is this person’s tic? What does this person do when she’s nervous? What does this person do when she’s excited? How does it feel to her? How does she want the world to perceive her? And so, I’m still that obsessed kid that, you know, when I get those roles I still turn into that obsessed kid that just needs to find the answers within the characters that I try on.

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#NYOTAculture What did you do to step into your character Perri’s shoes in Two Distant Strangers? I think one of the most challenging aspects of stepping into Perri’s shoes was well, I think it’s a two pronged aspect, and the first part of it was, the character was written so well. Sometimes characters are written so well that you can easily connect with what’s on the page already, and your brain goes, ‘Oh, well, I know this, I know the answer to this’ and your left brain kind of kicks in and tells your right creative brain to just move out of the way. So I was tasked with saying, ‘Wait a second, what don’t you know about this character? And what don’t you know about her opinions? And what don’t you know about how she looks at the world?’ And the second prong of that was we were going through it as Black Americans, you know, we were challenged with watching videos of people being murdered, either it being Ahmaud Arbery or hearing about the horrific incident of Breonna Taylor’s killing, and then George Floyd, and all of this during a time where we know that statistically, there are less people on the street. We know statistically that police killing civilians should be going down because most of everyone was in their house. So it was such a challenging place to put myself in as a Black woman, as someone that has a laundry list, or whatever is longer than a laundry list of Black people that I love and care about and every day hope that this is not their fate. Was it difficult to separate yourself from Perri as the character, while you were working on Two Distant Strangers? I think that it was very difficult to separate the acting from the reality. But, you know, actually, so part of the conversation when Netflix acquired the movie was this horrified response by our community, which I completely and everyone on the Two Distant Strangers team, completely understands. It’s not an easy movie to watch. It’s not gentle, the movie is not gentle, but I can wholeheartedly and with as much transparency and honesty that I can ever convey, say that this project was carried with the most sincerity and carefulness. I like to say that everyone carried it like fine china, everyone put their hands in and said, I want to help and I want to use what I’m good at to do something good. And so I felt a sense of hope that I don’t know I’ve felt in years, regarding police brutality, because I couldn’t help but think well here are a bunch of people going through a pandemic, the

enemy is in the wind, and they’re banding together, putting on masks, letting nurses stick Q tips up their noses every other day, just to say, ‘Hey, this is wrong, and you can’t forget about it now, you have to have this, you know, in the universe, in the ether, you have to watch now.’ So there were definitely moments I’ll never forget, like after the first scene where Carter is unfortunately killed by Merck, I was in Video Village, which is the part of set where you’re kind of watching things go on, on the screen. Before the scene, everyone was lively and being as quiet as they can, while the cameras were rolling, but still having a good time and laughing. But when we filmed the part where the Black man was being choked by the police, there was a reverence in the room that I can’t even describe, it felt like a wave of clarity and gravity was holding everyone. I looked around and the Black people in the room were shaking their heads and couldn’t even look at it, and there was a sincerity and understanding that came over the non-Black people. That, to me, is the power of this movie. It’s stopping everything, and stopping everyone in their tracks and saying, ‘Hey, we need to pay attention to this really bad thing that’s happening in our country.’ Do you feel as though there’s been a shift in the industry in terms of important conversations happening and with projects like Two Distant Strangers getting Academy Award recognition? I think that this question is such a beautiful one, in that, this is a valid question that a lot of people have. And from where I sit, I can answer in this way. My answer is that there is no doubt that this is a shift. I mean, Travon Free, who wrote and produced and co-directed, is the first Black person to win live action short film. The first. But I think the other half of it is, we have a long way to go, because if we’re saying the first in anything, even for Chloe Zhao to be the first Asian director winning. I think that it’s beautiful and we have to acknowledge where we’re at now, and where we’ve come from, but we also have to acknowledge how far we have to go. I think that we have amazing people in the industry. We have Ava DuVernay, we have Barry Jenkins, and Franklin Leonard, who is a big champion for us, pushing us forward and propelling us forward. I think that we just have to keep pushing, and we have to keep going; but I think we have some really, really renowned activists and advocates to help that change keep happening.

You got to be a part of another project that can currently be seen on Netflix. What was it like to work with Jamie Foxx in Dad, Stop Embarrassing Me? Oh, that was so amazing, probably one of my favorite on set experiences. I mean, Jamie Foxx is talented in ways that you’re like, how can one human do all of these things well? So he’s always been someone that I looked up to, and always an artist that I’ve kind of been like, I want to do that, I want to make people laugh and make people cry and make people dance. I’ve always looked at him as a hero of mine, and to be working one on one with someone that you watched on TV and said I want to be like that when I grow up is such an amazing, fun thing to do as an actor. So I enjoyed Courtney also because she just wanted to have fun and she just took things so lightly and found the joy in everything and overstayed her welcome. And I think it’s funny because Perri and her, you look at both of those characters, you see Perri and you see Courtney, and you go, ‘Oh, they wouldn’t be friends.’ Then if you go a little deeper, you go well, Perri knows exactly what she wants, and Courtney knows exactly what she wants, and so it was fun to find because I was learning both of those characters kind of at the same time and so it was really phenomenal to be able to step into Courtney and I think one of Courtney’s superpowers is that she never feels like a burden. You know, and I think that as women, we are often told that we’re too big or our hair is too big, or our voices too loud or too high pitched or it’s too this, it’s too that, too whatever. But Courtney knew that she was enough and she knew what she wanted and she didn’t feel like a burden, no matter where she was. So I think that that was something that I still take with me wherever I go is that feeling of belonging. Tell our readers a bit about your book of poetry “We Got A Lot To Be Mad About.” Was this book your way of getting out your emotions during the summer of 2020? Poetry is definitely my outlet. So I started writing poetry when I was in high school. Actually, one of my very best friends, she wrote poetry as her way of, therapy, as her way of release. So I started doing it, and I just really never stopped. I’m in actual therapy now, but I still use it as my way to paint with words. I was so hurt by watching things unfold and it felt unfortunately familiar. Police brutality and police killing Black people at the highest rate and killing civilians is nothing new to me, unfortunately. So when there was this energetic movement and declaration 51

of attention on this subject, I was filled with hope and horror, you know. Okay, when are they going to stop marching? I would think. Okay, when are they going to forget about us this time? It almost, for lack of a better metaphor, feels like a bad relationship where you love someone with all the passion you have in your heart, and then the next minute, they’re gone, and then they come back, and then they’re gone. So I was writing these poems to try to put some sort of words to what I was feeling in those moments, and then I was posting them. And my really good friend, Dina Smith, she told me, don’t wait. People need this now, just self-publish it, don’t wait on a publisher, just publish this so people can have and hold your poems instead of just reading them on Instagram. She’s quite compelling, so I did, and it was really fortunate for me because it felt like a resource for people, it felt like, ‘Oh, she’s saying, the thing that I’m feeling.’ So I think that connection and empathy is something that is so taken for granted and ironically, I don’t think we’ll ever take it for granted again, or I hope we won’t after this crazy year and a half of not being able to see our loved ones or hold our loved ones. I felt really fortunate to have had all these experiences I have with writing so constantly, just as my own diary entries, that I was able to come up with these poems that really spoke to people’s hearts. Do you have any interest in writing for film or television? I have. I love writing. I have written a pilot of my own that I’m really excited about. So I definitely see myself writing in film and TV and continuing songwriting. Once I latch on to one form of art, I kind of like to explore it in all its facets. What advice do you have for aspiring actors? I think that the best advice that I could give, would be if it’s in your heart, and you’re willing to work for it, and you love working in it, then you must. I just believe that everyone is put on this earth with something they love to do as a kid. For me, it was playing house, which was acting. So I think at a very young age we kind of have some sort of compass kind of embedded in our heart, before everyone tells us, well, you can’t be that, or you can’t do that or because I could, you can’t. The things in our heart that don’t harm anyone and actually help the world, I think that they’re a tool in our toolbox and I think that if everyone was more in tune to the tool in their hearts’ toolbox, that we would build a lot more better things.

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Shelby Surdam Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Anthony Chiang

Shelby Surdam got her start acting in theater before deciding to break into film and television. This year she struck gold by getting cast in the hit series Cruel Summer where she plays Tenielle, one of three “Queen Bees.” Surdam talked to NYOTA about bringing 90s inspiration into her everyday life and being surprised by storylines in the show. Take us back to the beginning. When did you get bit by the acting bug? Looking back, pretty young. My mom would take me to watch the local community theater and while watching I wanted to be on the stage. So, in third grade up to seventh grade I did theater, and something flipped. I think the more TV shows and movies I watched, the more I realized that’s what I wanted to do. So I did acting classes and just wanted to learn more and more about the craft and still do. What initially drew you to your character Tenielle in Cruel Summer? What initially drew me to Tenielle was I’ve never really played a character like her. She’s popular and isn’t afraid to say something to your face but also to the public. She’s just a spitfire who tells it like she sees and hears it. In Cruel Summer your character Tenielle is friends with both Kate and Jeanette. Were you interested to explore that dynamic as the episodes progressed? Yes and I’m still interested in exploring girl friendship especially as you’re growing up. I think it’s not talked about enough. That’s what is so great about Cruel Summer, you’re seeing friendships come and go, and there is a certain heartbreak over losing a girlfriend. The show is a mystery but it also touches on topics such as mental health and bullying. Were you relieved to see a show about teenagers address some of these topics in a real and careful way? Yes and we’re not trying to glamorize anything which I found very refreshing. One of our writers, Imogen Binnie, has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health

Counseling and it really helped inform a sensitive approach on these subjects. Have you taken any 90s inspiration into your everyday life through your wardrobe or decor choices after working on the show? Yes! Especially with the wardrobe. With Tenielle she had a lot of baggy pants, that JNCO look which really grew on me. I love how Renee and Tenielle wear boy’s boxers. Something I want to start doing. I wish I even took some Jewelry that Tenielle wears. My favorite was a butterfly necklace. Throughout filming the show were there even moments when the cast was surprised by particular storylines? Yes! I can’t give anything away cause I’m sworn to secrecy and it was towards the end of the show but me and some cast were like WHAT?! I definitely didn’t see it coming while reading the scripts. Super excited for everyone to see. Our June issue is our ‘Art is Life’ issue. How has art been an influence in your life? Art to me is everywhere. It’s painting, music, literature, etc. Theatre is art! And with that it helped me know that acting is what I want to do for the rest of my life. To create. Without art in my life, I would not be the person I am today. What advice do you have for aspiring actors? Advice I have for aspiring actors is to keep going. Keep moving forward. Even if you’re wondering about acting, try it.

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MØTH Interview by Carol Wright Photos Courtesy of East 2 West Collective and MØTH

Emerging female artist, Molly Roth a.k.a MØTH is breaking boundaries with her debut painting, “The Kardashian’s Last Supper.” MØTH talked to NYOTA about being mentored by artist Thomas Garner and working on her debut piece before it was announced KUWTK was heading into its final season. Art has been a part of your life from a young age. Can you remember some of the things you used to draw or paint as a child? I was into drawing the way over-the-top sexualized women superhero characters of the X-Men comic book series; the more outrageously unrealistic body proportions, the more obsessed I was. Ha ha! I also wanted to know when I would look like that because I looked more like à la “stick figure.” I mean, I was maybe 6 but also remained a “late bloomer” as a teenager. So, I was forced to raid all of my brother’s comics just to draw more compelling forms of those female bodies with my one and only Lisa Frank pencil. I was also obsessed with raiding my brother’s ‘Magic Cards’, a popular card collectors’ game for nerds from the 90’s & 2000’s. Any sort of mythical-creature-woman on a Magic Card I drew. I was trying to understand the proportions of faces and now that you ask me this question I am realizing…nothing has changed since then. I still only ever want to paint bodies and faces, and women’s bodies and faces are more interesting than men’s, IMO. Under the mentorship of Thomas Garner you learned classical painting in the style of the Venetian Masters. Did learning this painting style change the direction your art was going in? Absolutely, of course. I am still obsessed with female anatomy. I took that class at UCLA Extension with Thomas and it was like my mind was blown to smithereens. These old painters had the same obsession as me! Except the technique and style in which it was done in layer upon layer, lights over darks, building up these deep rich realistic tones and underlying blues so you can sense the blood rushing under their skin. They were the literal masters of body and form and I was practically running down the aisle to marry this idea with the other side of me,

celebrities and pop culture. Thomas lived in Venice for 24 years and studied this technique and became my mentor, sort of similar to how novice painters learned from being an apprentice to a master artist yet more focused on my own development. Tell our readers about your piece “The Kardashian’s Last Supper.” Did you have the idea for that piece as soon as they announced their last season or even beforehand? Ha ha. NOPE. I had the idea at least a couple years prior. Kim and Kanye were still together, KUWTK was still indefinitely airing as it had for 18 seasons, and the ever-evolving drama and characters in real-life kept me in a constant state of anxiety as I worked tirelessly on perfecting an already deliberately-placed Blac Chyna. Oh no! Chyna and Rob hate each other now! *Facepalm* Throughout the piece there are fun little details such as the Louis Vuitton logo, Kanye’s Yeezys, and makeup sitting on the table. How did you go about planning those smaller details of the piece? I had those ideas straight from the top. I’m all about the Easter eggs. Actually, my neighbor came over and said, “Your background looks like a Louis Vuitton bag.” So, thanks, neighbor for that added nugget! Does pop culture tend to be your biggest inspiration for your art? No. For art, I am simply obsessed with the faces and bodies and the (hopefully) impactful larger statements that give myself a voice. I have yet to meet another person of my age that feels the same way I do about classical painting (not that you obviously don’t exist!) yet iconic well-known paintings and colors used from that era give a powerful sense of holiness and timelessness. They remain iconic. Grandiose. Epic. 56

I saw this same concept used by some of the most successful TV shows (Game of Thrones), musical artists (Kanye himself uses this tactic), and highend fashion brands (Louis Vuitton). I realized it’s a secret weapon used to subliminally convey that THIS is not something that will fade with time. THIS is something epic. Brilliant marketing. Voila!…But then the relatively younger person that is actually growing up in this century thought it was hilarious to combine such beautiful and often-times religious art with characters on the other end of the spectrum. I rarely see celebrities painted in this style, at least accurately, to this style of art. What advice do you have for those who want to have a career in the arts but aren’t sure where to get started? I find it so flattering that you are asking me this really important question that someone might listen to my advice about but I don’t feel qualified to answer! My path has been my own and let me tell you, NOT the path I normally witness artists taking. I have been a risk-taker and that is a whole ‘nother interview, trust. I realize that statement sounds dramatic but my family and friends know what I have sacrificed and it was a lot, just to be able to have the time of day to paint. All I can confidently say is draw your a** off. Obsessively. Art of any kind should be one that consumes you. Nothing you can do on your own time should make you happier. Your relationship with art is yours and no one can take it away from you.

TikTok and other social media platforms have become incredible ways for artists to get their work out there. Have you been able to create community or interact with other artists via social media? I’ve utilized Clubhouse but not TikTok yet. However, I plan to soon and my handle is @followthem0th (with a zero). Instagram @followthemoth has been my main platform as I can best display my art visually. I spend most of my days painting but I’d love to show my process in creating an art piece and I learn so much from watching other artists work as well. Our June issue is our ‘Art is Life’ issue. Could you imagine yourself having another career if you weren’t an artist? What is funny about this question is that painting WAS my fallback career. I came to LA to do music but kept getting commissions for art and still loved it, of course. It just took off in a way music hasn’t yet for me, and I am from a family of actually successful (career-wise) artists. So, I always felt it was in my back pocket as a secure option. I could not imagine myself having another career as I don’t feel gifted enough in any other areas as much as I feel as confident in myself with art. However, I have loved the idea of being a surgeon because then I could both help people and be able to work with understanding human bodies… in a much different but beneficial way. That was a realization I only recently came to though. I just doubt I could make it through studying for that without being distracted by painting or playing music.

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Kylie Cantrall Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Sarah Krick

Kylie Cantrall started creating videos and sharing her talents with the world via YouTube at a very young age before transitioning to acting and since then has been going full steam ahead. Cantrall talked to NYOTA about being the lead in a hit Disney Channel show, the advice she has for aspiring actors, and preparing for her role in the film Ron’s Gone Wrong.

As a kid did you often gravitate to the arts or put on performances? As a kid I was a huge American Idol fan. That meant that every night I would put on a full performance for my parents (I’m talking hair and makeup, costume changes and choreography…) all to see if the judges (my parents) would give me a ticket to Hollywood. Sometimes my parents would mix it up and say that I was not moving onto the next round and let’s just say that usually ended in a lot of tears haha!! Creating videos on YouTube is a big leap and you started at a young age. Do you have a favorite cover you recorded from those early years? When I was younger, I put out covers on YouTube and the first cover I ever posted was “Replay” by Zendaya. The coolest part about it was that Zendaya actually retweeted my video and the views went crazy! I remember thinking to myself as a little 8-yearold, “wow I’m famous!” Transitioning from YouTube to acting as the lead in a Disney show is such a unique experience for someone to have. What did you learn through that process? Making the transition from YouTube to TV was a definite learning experience. I don’t think people realize how much work goes into making a TV show. I know I didn’t! From table reads, to fittings, rehearsals and then the long nine hour shooting days, it’s definitely a full time job and a crazy life for a teenager lol! What initially drew you to Gabby Duran and the Unsittables? I was immediately drawn to the Gabby Duran and The Unsittables script the moment I read it! I thought it was a fresh take on the classic “fish out of water” concept of a girl moving to a new town and finding her “calling” which in this case happened to be babysitting aliens haha. Also, as a strong “alien believer” I really connected with the SCI-FI element and knew this was the perfect show for me to be a part of! 59

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“...start small and take baby steps toward your goals each day. Whether it’s memorizing a scene from your favorite movie and recording yourself acting it out or performing in your high school play and uploading it to YouTube. It’s all about being proactive and taking each opportunity!” Do you feel as though you can relate to your character Gabby in any way? I totally relate to my character Gabby! I think we both have a strong sense of self, love for everything 90s and are always down for an adventure! Also fun fact: we both suck at math. Tell our readers a bit about Ron’s Gone Wrong. Did you prepare for your role in the film any differently from how you prepare for Gabby Duran and the Unsittables? I’m super excited to be a part of the new fox animated film Ron’s Gone Wrong! The cool thing about doing this movie was it was all voice over, which means I could show up to the studio in sweatpants, no makeup and chai latte in hand. Definitely different from shooting Gabby, where I would have to arrive to set, two-hours early for hair and makeup and shoot for nine hours a day.

Music is your other creative outlet. Has the pandemic and those early days of staying at home given you time to work on new music? I haven’t had much down time over the last year since I’ve been so busy filming Gabby Duran Season two. Now that shooting is over, I’ve had a lot of time to kick back into music! I just recently signed with the record label APG and I’m really excited to start this next chapter. Everyone can expect a lot of music on the way! What advice do you have for aspiring actors? My best advice for aspiring actors would be to start small and take baby steps toward your goals each day. Whether it’s memorizing a scene from your favorite movie and recording yourself acting it out or performing in your high school play and uploading it to YouTube. It’s all about being proactive and taking each opportunity!

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The Francis Files Interview by Carol Wright Photos Courtesy of The Francis Files

What started out as a video diary showcasing a cross-country road-trip has turned into a beloved TikTok account with over 200,000 followers. Isobel a.k.a The Francis Files talked to NYOTA about filming intimate moments, connecting with people online in a personal way, and finding beauty in the everyday. What initially motivated you to create @thefrancisfiles and start posting your videos on TikTok? I created my account initially to post the journey of me taking a semester off of college to go on a crosscountry road trip with my best friend, Jenny. I filmed every single day of our trip for our friends and family to see, but other people started enjoying it too so I kept the bandwagon going when I returned from my trip. Each of your videos create beautiful moments out of everyday life. How do you go about choosing what to record? I get asked this question the most and I never know how to respond other than I just ~feel~ it. Filming my life every day allows me to be present at all times and when a moment particularly feels significant or allows as a buffer space between moments, I’ll film them. I find there is beauty in every single day, but allowing myself to let go of control and feel those “be there” moments is what strikes me to film them. You’re showing your day to day, the good and bad of it. Do you have times where you’re unsure if you should keep more vulnerable or sad moments to yourself? It’s never a question for me when I am alone to film the “bad” parts of my day. They are just as important and transformative as my “good” days. Social media is a highlight reel and I find we hardly see people allowing themselves to be human. I find sadness and pain to be so beautiful because it reminds you how much beauty and light you really have. It’s also comforting to see that you aren’t alone and if I have an opportunity to make someone feel that way, I will without hesitation.

How have the people in your life, friends and family adjusted to your videos? It’s really interesting to see the “characters” that your followers get used to seeing and enjoying in your videos. This is a great question that I often wonder about myself. My father is the biggest supporter of my videos. He created an account just to watch my videos and he inspires me so much. It’s definitely an awkward thing when you’re in the middle of a really special moment with someone you love, and you pull out your phone to film it. As for the other people in my life, I’d say it was an adjustment as no one really “got” what I was doing. The people I love are the inspiration for my art. With time I think everyone got used to me filming intimate moments of their lives too, as their life is intertwined with mine. Has @thefrancisfiles had any effect on how you view yourself within your own life? Did filming and editing the videos ever make you notice things you hadn’t before? As someone who is very open about their mental health on TikTok, I struggle with dissociation and depersonalization quite a bit. It’s interesting because I film everything from someone else’s perspective. I wonder how people are viewing me, but then when I’m not in the frame everything is from my perspective again. I love watching my videos at the end of the day as I get to see my day from so many sides, but it definitely creates a “what is real life” thought running through my head. I also realized I am not the most graceful at eating or drinking.

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Social media tends to make people be fake or share “perfect” parts of their lives. Early on when creating @thefrancisfiles did you have moments where you thought let me put this “aesthetically pleasing” video in vs. a different scene you had shot? The way I view my page now has shifted. It began as a simple log of my day-to-day life, but now it’s turned into more of a creative expression tool for me. I love telling a story with each video. The early stages of @thefrancisfiles I don’t believe consisted of many “aesthetically pleasing” shots as I didn’t exactly care what things looked like. Since January of this year I think I started to care more, not so much for other people, but because as someone who is minoring in film it’s really fun for me to work on projects every day. When editing I definitely will cut and splice and replace things - just for the sake of the storyline. The Francis Files is a true visual diary. Do you think later down the line you will be grateful to have these moments memorialized in this way? I already am grateful for these moments to be memorialized in this way. I think when you’re healing, it can be very difficult to notice any changes in the day-to-day. However, I can look at what my life looked like six months ago and see in a visual way not just how my shooting has gotten better, but the way I feel about myself and my relationships has improved. Whenever I watch one of my old videos, it feels like I’m catching up with an old friend - and for that, I’m very grateful. The comments section is always positive and full of love. How does it feel to connect with people online in such a personal way? I will forever be grateful for the people who follow me as they are genuinely the kindest individuals. I never see any hateful or snide comments as everyone there is full of love. I love feeling like I’m making an impact on someone’s life, even if it means they are just romanticizing their trip to the grocery store. I’ve been able to make amazing friends through this app - I even met my boyfriend this way! I think it’s such a beautiful thing to have and make connections in different parts of the globe; it makes you realize that at our core we all want to be seen and understood. 66

Kyla Carter Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Melissa Cohen @imagebymelissa

Actress and singer/songwriter Kyla Carter is showing off all of her talents in the new DreamWorks animated series TrollsTopia. Outside of acting, she has also released original music that focuses on encouraging self-love and building self-confidence. Carter talked to NYOTA about how she has grown as an actress and her songwriting process.

What initially sparked your interest in performing? I have been told I was singing before I was talking, so I like to say I was born to entertain! However, more specifically my love of acting, singing and dancing was inspired by Shirley Temple. When I was four years old, a commercial for the Shirley Temple DVDs came on the television. I begged my mom for the whole set. I watched every movie, color and black and white over and over, and I said to my mom, “I want to do what she does. I want to be just like her!” You’re a part of the Trolls universe through TrollTopia and Trolls the Beat Goes On. When it comes to voicing your character CJ Suki, what do you do to step into her shoes? CJ Suki is really cool, loves to spin records and has a raspy voice. To step into her shoes, I have to put myself in the headspace of rocking out to the coolest pop music at the biggest dance party. Outside of acting you’re also focusing on creating original music. Tell our readers about “Half Full Half Empty.” What inspired the lyrics? Since there is a lot of conflict in the world right now, I wrote the song about the choices we all have in life. We can try to see the positive side and the blessings or we can constantly focus on the negative. It is your choice. I choose HALF FULL!

When it comes to creating your music do you have a specific songwriting process? My phone notepad is full of 100’s of song lyrics and voice memos. When I am inspired, I stop what I am doing and immediately write it down. But, some days I stare at a blank paper for hours and can’t think of anything to write down. So, when inspiration strikes, I have to catch it! “Half Full Half Empty” was one of those songs that I was able to just write fast without picking up the pen. Once I knew I wanted to write about perspective, the words and a melody just flowed out of me. You’ve been acting since the young age of 5. How have you grown as an actress these past few years? Five year old me wanted to sing and dance like Shirley Temple. As I grew older, I learned very quickly that nothing good comes easy. Dreams can come true if you are focused and work hard to achieve them. To be the best me I could be, and compete with the plethora of talented people out there, I trained hard in acting, singing, dance, dialect, gymnastics, guitar, piano, ukulele and violin. I decided I didn’t want to copy anyone, and that it was important to be authentic to who I was as a person. I slowly developed my sense of style as an artist and will continue to fine tune the music artist I want to be. I am still learning, training and growing, and that will be for a lifetime!

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Tell our readers about Junga The Dancing Yeti Meets Heidi. What drew you to this project? I recently was hired to voice the lead character in a children’s book series about anti-bullying. I will be playing the role of Heidi and I will be working with my brother for the first time, who is voicing the bully, Groth in the series! The message of the book series really drew me to this project. I want to be a role model and my hope is that through my music and my work, I can inspire others to be true to who they are and ignore the noise around them. I believe self-confidence and self-love is the key to living happy. Many people are bullied, feel alone, helpless and unloved. If I can help even one child through the voice of Heidi, I know I am making a difference in this world. During the pandemic you started a podcast called Kyla’s Corner. How do you usually go about choosing the topics you’ll cover or guests you’ll have on? The main message that I try to relay to my listeners is to “Live Life Sunny Side Up.” I think there is a lot of power in positivity and that is what captivates my audience. My goal each week is to come up with a topic that my listeners can relate to. I want them to know that despite challenges, road blocks, disappointments and bad days, there is always a way to find the bright light in the darkness. Our June issue is our ‘Art is Life’ issue. How has art played a large role in your life? I cannot imagine my life without art. When the pandemic hit, and everything I knew and lived for the last 9 years was taken away from me, I used that time to create original music and fell in love with playing guitar. If I am not singing, dancing or playing my guitar, I am drawing, writing lyrics or taking photographs. I love literature, poetry and storytelling. If you are a creative person, art will always find you and live and breathe in your soul.

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Emma Berman Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Tenley Clark

At the young age of 8, Emma Berman got her career started through voiceover work. Now, at the age of 12 she is voicing Giulia in Pixar’s latest film Luca. A coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Berman talked to NYOTA about stepping into her character’s shoes and what she hopes audiences learn from the film.

Did a particular television show or movie spark your interest in acting? I have always been a big fan of the Disney movies and the fast-paced energy of Disney shows totally sparked my interest in acting and influenced me. In the Bay Area you’re active in professional theater. Could you see yourself exploring opportunities on Broadway in the future?

Pixar films always have an underlying message or teachable moment. What do you hope audiences learn from the film? There are so many incredible messages behind the film, like pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones, celebrating our differences, never judging a book by its cover, and silencing the voice of doubt in our heads that holds us from pursuing our dreams.

Being a part of a Broadway show would be a huge honor for me. I am a die-hard theater fan so it would definitely be a dream come true!

In the future could you see yourself working within other parts of the industry such as directing or producing?

You voice Giulia in Pixar’s Luca. What did you do to step into her shoes?

Directing or producing would be a very fun thing to explore and I would love to work in other parts of the industry. I also want to work in animation and storyboard art.

I feel like I am very similar to Giulia so that helped me a lot to bring her character to life, but the Pixar team definitely helped me build out Giulia’s character to perfection. It was an incredible experience working with our director, Enrico Casarosa, because he gave me a lot of creative space to experiment with how Giulia might have acted and sounded so the evolution of Giulia’s character felt pretty organic to me.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors? For people who want to get into acting, I would suggest performing in the local community theatre productions. Working in theatre is how I got my start, learning a lot about acting and making so many friends along the way!

Do you use different acting muscles when you’re voicing a character versus when you do a liveaction project? I think theatrical acting muscles are very similar to the voice acting ones, and I actually think that my background in theater helped me a lot with developing the skills needed for voiceover work. 72

Carolyn Knapp Interview by Carol Wright Photographer: Graham Byers & Danica Taylor

Carolyn Knapp is a director, animator, and creative director that should be on everyone’s radar. She has collaborated with Adobe, worked with Olivia Rodrigo, and created a short film that took TikTok by storm called Cherry Bomb. Knapp talked to NYOTA about advice she has for those interested in pursuing a career in the arts and how her short films reflect her own life. Did you grow up in an artistic family? This question is honestly so funny to me because, yes and no. I’m the first person in my family to ever pursue a career in the arts, but I grew up in a household that fostered artistic exploration, nonetheless. My dad works in tech, my mom is a psychology professor, and most of my grandparents were school teachers. While art wasn’t always encouraged as a career path, I was constantly surrounded by it. I picked up photography from my grandfather, sewing from my grandmother, and painting from my dad’s godfather. My parents passed down their obsessions with both film and music early on. Going to the movies or a live concert with my parents was always a huge family event to look forward to. Is art therapeutic for you? Do you find it easier to get out what you’re feeling through art versus your own words? Definitely! I’ve never wanted or tried to limit myself to one medium because I love having the freedom to explore each concept through whichever format expresses it the best. I feel like I’m constantly chasing balance; in my work, in my relationships, and having lots of different mediums available allows me to reserve some for pure relaxation. In my free time, I find a lot of comfort in throwing ceramics on my pottery wheel, sewing and upcycling, and creating paintings and drawings that are purely for myself rather than external consumption. Maintaining that work/life balance is so crucial to me now that most of my hobbies have evolved into my career (which I am so thankful for but can be tough!). Alternatively, my short films always stem from whatever issue I am 73

working over in my mind at the time. I am often asked if it is hard to be vulnerable with these narratives, but I have found that by the time the piece comes out, I have resolved my internal conflict surrounding that topic and am ready to move onto something new. When you’re completing projects for Universal Music Group, what is that creative process usually like between you and a musician when it comes to making graphics for them? My favorite thing about my job on Universal Music Group’s °1824 content team is that every single day of work is different. I was originally hired in 2019 as a concert videographer and editor. I interviewed bands and shot their live performances at iconic venues all around LA. While I didn’t have a ton of creative control in that role, I had the time of my life! When quarantine started and live shows were put on hiatus, the whole team had to adapt to create visual content from home. The first animated video I created during quarantine was for Maya B’s Sink, and it was a total dream of a project to start animating with. Maya allowed me to use her own original visual art from her zine in the video. I expanded on the visuals she had already created by building them into layered paper and cloth scenes inspired by Maya’s artistic style. While I don’t often get to collaborate so intimately with a musician’s own visual art, the typical process is pretty similar. We get requests for projects from the labels, and when I am put on a project, I will talk with the team about exactly what they’re looking for before creating a short treatment to describe my plans. Once the treatment is approved, I get to work!

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How much of your own creative vision comes into play on a project when you’re working with an artist with a specific aesthetic such as Olivia Rodrigo? When working with any musician, research of their past visuals is one of the most important parts of the process. Even in situations where my style differs with the artists’, my job is to create something I am proud of that also fits seamlessly within their pre-existing world. With Olivia Rodrigo, my management at °1824 originally recommended myself and my creative partner Anya Salmen (@karocrafts) to Olivia’s team because our personal aesthetics are extremely similar to Liv’s. Working with Olivia since February has been a dream come true because she has such a precise and personal vision for her world. Work pairings like this are amazing because her ideas are always exciting to me, and since our styles are so similar, I can run with her direction and create something that I really love, because I am confident that she will love it too. You created a short film called Cherry Bomb. Where did you look for inspiration for the film? I started ideating for the characters and narrative that would eventually become Cherry Bomb in September 2019. I was just starting my sophomore year of college and was out of the freshman dorms, living in my own apartment for the first time ever. The freshman dorm I lived in was known for being a social atmosphere, which attracted the fraternity and sorority crowd and led to a very heteronormative social environment my freshman year. I have been “out” as bisexual since I was sixteen, but up until that point I had always felt like I had to prove my bisexuality to my straight peers in order to be valid in their eyes. While I grew a lot my freshman year of college, I had more confusion revolving around my sexuality than ever, so after it ended, I decided to write a love letter of sorts to my younger selves validating their identities. I started with two sisters based on myself at different ages. There is Georgie, a reflection of myself, senior year of high school as I was feeling the intense need to prove my sexuality before moving to college, even if that meant getting with people who might not have been good for me. And there was Violet, a reflection of myself as a freshman in high school, a bright-eyed optimist not yet marred by the heavy weight of social anxiety. Your artwork and Cherry Bomb have a very similar aesthetic. Did it take time for you to figure out what your artistic style is? It’s really nice to hear you say that. It’s always cool when people pick up my visual style across my work because I really don’t try to stick within one aesthetic. Instead, the way I have found a visual style is by constantly trying 75

#NYOTAculture to create things that I love. I’ve been painting and making short movies since I was five years old and have been consuming art daily for just as long, so finding inspiration and coming up with ideas comes very naturally to me. I have folders and folders of saved images and videos on Pinterest and Instagram across every artistic medium that I have tried. Finding out which colors, textures, patterns, and techniques I love in other people’s work has helped so much in finding my own visual aesthetic. Looking back, the biggest moment in forming my personal style came my sophomore year of high school, when I started doing portrait sessions with my friends in my parents’ garage. I bought three colored light bulbs at the hardware store and started playing around with heavy shadows and vibrant lighting on the cheap. Six years later, I have upgraded to full RGB lights, but you can still spot one of those original green bulbs in one of the party rooms in Cherry Bomb! TikTok put a lot of people onto Cherry Bomb. Has social media been a large help as you’ve gotten your career started? Social media, specifically TikTok, has opened career opportunities for me that I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams. I’m on the older side of Gen-Z, and I created my personal Instagram account when I was in 5th grade, so I’ve really grown up on and with social media. I will admit, TikTok didn’t become popular until I was in college, and I was a big TikTok hater before the pandemic. Like many others, when quarantine started, I downloaded the app because I was bored, and I was immediately enthralled by “Queer TikTok” in particular. When the Cherry Bomb editing process was coming to an end, I decided to post a quick clip of the first 10 seconds on TikTok, which has now amassed over 700K views. After that success, I had to rush to release the short before the buzz died down, but I have also been shocked and amazed by the audience I was able to hold onto. The responses that I got from viewers about how Cherry Bomb made them feel validated in their own identities have been truly life changing. I’ve always seen film as a tool for social connection, but TikTok is the first app I’ve ever seen that has allowed me to find viewers without the help of corporate institutions. Now, most of the freelance work I get, from Adobe X Netflix to Eliza McLamb, comes from people seeing my TikToks and reaching out. I am shocked, but ridiculously grateful that this is the outcome. For my Cherry Bomb merch, I decided to commission small, mainly queer businesses and designers to create the pieces, rather

than using Redbubble or another big company, and I never would have found those businesses if it wasn’t for TikTok. What advice do you have for others who would like to pursue a career in the arts full-time? My main advice is just to constantly be making work that you love. In 2019 I directed a music video for my friend’s band Chalk Talk for free, and it ended up getting me my job at Universal Music Group. Preparation (a portfolio) plus opportunity equals success. Ignore your fears about putting your work out into the world. By that, I mean, self-promote like a man. Call yourself what you are, whether that is a director or a writer or an artist. I know so many men who introduce themselves as a title that they have not earned, while so many women and nonbinary people who actually are these things are afraid to label themselves as such because of imposter syndrome. Nobody will know what services you are offering if you don’t advertise yourself as what you are. This means posting every single thing you do on your Instagram and your website, so your portfolio is easily accessible. “Networking” can feel so slimy sometimes, but it’s not if you are genuine about it. Maintaining good relationships with your talented friends is a big part of this. Every job I have ever gotten has been the result of a friend’s introduction, or me cold-DMing or cold-emailing someone who I am a genuine fan of and telling them who I am and what I love about their work. Networking doesn’t have to be icky if you are genuinely interested in forming a relationship with another person. If you are stressing someone out by pestering them asking for work, they probably will not respond, but if you approach it right, they might be looking for someone with exactly your qualifications and you won’t know unless you offer yourself up.

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Nyota Issue 24

Articles inside

Sarah Kinsley