THE DAILY SHUFFLE JANUARY 2019
SUMMER BISHIL
contents 05. Dakota
Shapiro 07. Sammi Sanchez 09. Drew Lynch 11. Summer Bishil 17. EBEN 19. Caroline Vazzana 23. Plested 25. This Month
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Vanessa Salles
CREATIVE DESIGNER Karla Silva
Follow us at
@thedailyshuffle
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SUMMER LOVER Cub Sport
2:17
THESE DAYS Anya
3:10
IMAGINE Ariana Grande
3:33
FREAKS Xylo
3:21
FIRE ON FIRE Sam Smith
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BACK TO LIFE Hailee Steinfeld
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letter from the editor Hey, readers! First thing’s first: Happy 2019! I’m so excited to start off this new year with our brand new issue - featuring The Magicians’ Summer Bishil as our cover star! We’ve been hard at work bringing you the latest in music and TV and we can’t wait to keep rolling out new content... big things are on the way, I promise! In this issue, you’ll find a guide to all the newest releases and everything that should be on your radar for the month of January. We’ve also got something special for all the fashion lovers: Caroline Vazzana, author of Making it in Manhattan, is breaking down all the style do’s & don’ts for you! Be sure to follow TDS on all social platforms to keep up with all our newest releases and let us know who you’d like to see featured in future issues! XOXO
Vanessa Salles Editor-in-Chief
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photo by DIANA RAGLAND grooming by JENI CHUA styling by GAELLE PAUL 5
DAKOTA SHAPIRO
words by VANESSA SALLES
Take us back to the beginning! When you sat down and read the script for Valley of the Boom, what is it that drew you to the show? When I first sat down and read the script, I remember thinking that I had never read anything like it, there were rap battles and dance sequences and fourth wall breaking. I was a big fan of the show House of Lies which Matthew Carnahan also created, so I could see how he would apply his style and make it work. I was just excited to do something a little different! It was also fascinating for me to learn about the dawn of the internet, something we use every day, but somehow I never knew the origins. What can you tell us about your character? I play a real person called Stephan Paternot, or “Steph” as he prefers it. He started the very first social media website with his business partner and friend Todd Krizelman. Steph is a fantastic communicator, very driven and extremely passionate about the work that he does. It’s pretty incredible that Steph and his partner were able to have the largest IPO in history when they were just 25 years old. Working with some big names on the show, are there any memorable behind-the-scenes moments that you can share with us? It’s hard to think of just one! The cast was truly fantastic and it was a real dream being able to work on the same show. I remember one of my favorite moments of filming was in the final episode. I don’t want to give too much away, but there is an homage to John Woo in which there is a huge nerf battle. So when setting up our coverage, they were trying to have as many bullets flying in the air as possible and so all the crew including Matthew Carnahan were shooting nerf guns at us at the same time. I remember thinking, “Wow, I never expected to be shot at by the director with a nerf gun.”
Without giving anything away, what should viewers be expecting to see in these upcoming episodes? Viewers should be ready for all kinds of things... Crazy 90’s hairstyles, a massive money themed dance sequence, rap battles, etc. And they might learn a thing or two on the ride! What’s been the highlight of working on the show? It’s been so much fun. Getting to meet the team on the show was really special. It’s rare to work with a group of people and for everything to just ‘click’ in a really organic way. When you think of your ultimate dream role, what comes to mind? It’s hard to imagine my ultimate dream role, life is often surprising with these things. I never thought of myself as a ‘tech guy’ although I’ve used the internet most of my life and yet felt a great kinship when I played Steph. A dream role for me would be anything that gives me some insight into something, or someone new (although I always wanted to play a role like ‘Donnie’ in Donnie Darko). What’s something you’d like to see more of in the TV/movie industry? I would like to see more original ideas. I think remakes can be really cool, but sometimes it feels like the industry is kind of saturated with them at the moment. I’m always excited to see storytelling done in a different way. So anything that brings something new to the table interests me. Also, I’d love to see more sci-fi, but that’s a personal preference. What’s on your career bucket list for 2019? My career bucket list for 2019 is just to continue to work with people that I admire so much. That’s the most enjoyable part of this whole thing for me. Working with people who have mastered their craft makes you a much better actor. I hope to be able to continue to do that. 6
Take us back to the beginning; how did you find your passion for music? What milestones have led you to where you are now? Growing up, I was surrounded my music. I used to go to the theatre a lot with my grandma. She’s the one who got me into music. I moved around a lot as a kid; I lived in NY, Las Vegas, San Diego. I really fell in love with music in New York. I fell in love with musical theatre and ended up going to a musical theatre school, where I was doing singing and acting. From there, I started doing covers on YouTube covers for a while. I was in a girl group for a while, then I went solo. I did a show with Megan Nicole at the ROXY and that’s where Randy discovered me, which has led to me where I am now.
Working on your debut album, what should fans expect to hear from it? It’s very honest; it’s about everything I’m going through. You can expect a lot of that and it’s more like a revamp. I’m maturing and I’m growing with my music.
How important is to you as an artist to stay true to your Latin roots? Who are some Latin artists that you are inspired by? It’s very important to me to stick to my Latin roots! It’s naturally a part of who I am so it’s only right that it’s involved in my music. There are so many Latin artists that I love; I grew up listening to Selena – she’s everything! I, of course, love JLo and I’ve looked up to her ever since I was little, Shakira as well. I would How would you describe your musical journey and try to dance like her and shake my hips. I would watch the way your sound has evolved over the years? and learn from them. Before, I was working closely with Disney, so I feel like the music wasn’t as authentic as it could have been. When it comes to stage presence, who are some Now, I get to tell my own stories and talk about topics artist(s) that you admire? that are really happening in my life. I’m really excited I love JLO and her power on stage. Watching her to continue to tell my story. career grow and see how it’s changed, it’s super inspiring. I also look up to Rihanna. I love her swag Tell us about your latest single “down girl” - what and confidence on stage. Both of them are definitely was the recording process like and how did you an inspiration to me. know you wanted Alex Aiono involved with the track? What’s something that you’d like to see more of in It was super last minute! I’ve known Alex for a really the music industry? long time. I went up to Columbia to record and on I’d like to see more people using any platform they our way back, I came up with this song and knew can to get their music out there. We have Spotify, that it was going to be the next song I put out. I then Apple Music, SoundCloud, so many platforms that showed Alex the song because I thought he would can help get people’s attention. Nowadays, that’s the sound amazing on it. He loved it and jumped on the most effective way to promote your sound! song. He literally got on it and recorded his part so fast and sent it over right away. It happened perfectly! Aside from releasing the album, what’s on your bucket list for 2019? You both got your start covering popular songs To go on tour, hopefully! It’d be so much fun to get online - what was it like, coming from that, to get out on the road and be able to connect with fans in together and work on something new and original? person. I think it’s really cool. I’ve seen his journey since the beginning, and he’s seen mine. It’s so cool to see What’s the best way for fans to get your attention how you can get so much exposure on YouTube. He’s online? been killing the cover game. It’s awesome to see what I love people who leave funny comments - that you can achieve after just posting covers online. To be definitely gets my attention because I get to see a bit able to create your own music is something amazing. of their personality!
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sammi sanchez
words by VANESSA SALLES photo by GRANT SPANIER 8
DREW LYNCH words by VANESSA SALLES photo by MARC WOOD
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Take us back to the beginning! How did you find your way into comedy? I originally moved out to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting at age 19. I had grown up all around theatre and big musical productions, so the next logical genre I could set to conquer was film and television. After taking a night job at a comedy club so I could have my days free to audition, I had also joined the comedy company softball team. Just one year after moving out to LA with some success on Disney shows and big animated movie auditions, I suffered a head injury from playing softball that caused loss of my motor skills and functionality. Since I could barely get through a sentence, let alone a monologue without stuttering, my agent dropped me. It felt like I was so close to giving up, but in a time of desperation, I went onstage at the comedy club to talk through the pain of these newfound recent events. I was forever hooked on this new performance outlet. Tell us about your experience on AGT! What was that audition process like for you? The audition process is very competitive and nervewracking. I believe they auditioned over fifteen thousand people, and eventually have the very difficult job of eliminating that down to one. I woke up around 4 a.m. the morning of my audition, and stood in line with singers, dancers, kids, adults, dogs, variety acts, etc. Once I saw the first round of producers, they kept sending me to more people in different rooms until I eventually got to perform for the judges. It’s very difficult being among so many different acts, knowing that all you have is who you are and what you say that can advance you to the next round. I was so fortunate to have people who supported me on the show, and am incredibly thankful to AGT for taking a chance on me. Returning to AGT: The Champions this month, what should viewers be expecting from that? I really hope to show people what I’ve been up to since my season of Got Talent. I think I’ve grown as a comedian and better grounded myself as an artist, and
I hope it’s clear how appreciative I am of the career I have because the platform the audience, the fans, and the show have provided me. Tell us about your YouTube channel – does it ever get difficult to manage that, on top of all your other responsibilities? YouTube really is a full-time job on top of my already full-time schedule. I find it difficult to manage at times because of how cyclical and perpetual the content grind can be, however, I have an amazing team who makes it all possible. My passion for standup and creating videos is always revitalized when the viewers can see how much care and dedication we put in to it. Where do you find inspiration for your comedy sketches/YouTube content? Being able to adapt to fluctuating trends and the ever-changing climate is always important, while still remaining true to your brand. I’ve found inspiration in a number of things that would normally be overlooked because they might seem unconventional in their appeal. With how much content is being consumed on a number of different platforms, I think this forces creators to think outside the box in expanding their concepts, and making that much more of a committed effort in their consistency. Do you still get nervous before hitting the stage? How do you deal with overcoming it? I don’t know if I get as nervous as I used to before, but I definitely get excited. I’m trying new things all the time so I can stay fresh, but the level of risk is somewhat higher because people have expectations in coming to see you. Before, when people didn’t know who I was, it was this exhilarating challenge of getting a neutral audience to buy into my ideas. Now the challenge is introducing fresh ideas with stakes being so much higher because expectation can be lost. It’s a great way to build confidence in yourself and accountability in your audience.
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summer bishil A fan-favorite on SyFy’s The Magicians, Summer Bishil is a force to be reckoned with. Starring as ‘Margo Hanson,’ the scene-stealing actress delivers some of the show’s best one-liners and keeps viewers wanting more.
words by VANESSA SALLES photo by DIANA RAGLAND hair by HARPER makeup by HELEN ROBERTSON styling by MATTHEW PERIDIS
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“I was drawn to my character from the very start,” she reveals. “I always had it in mind to demonstrate as much dimension as I could and I knew I wanted to develop Margo into something more.” Describing her mindset during scene preps, Summer makes sure every on-screen decision is intentional. “Your hope is that the writers see your choices, like them, and write more for you,” she says. “I knew I had to work hard if I wanted more material; I was very conscious of Margo not having a lot to do or a lot of time to show her dimension in season one, so that was always foremost in mind when prepping for her.” Four seasons in, Summer’s portrayal of Margo is the perfect example of character growth. “She’s incredibly strong-willed,” the actress notes. “At the end of the third season, before her memory is wiped, Margo’s determined to do her part in restoring magic and she’s learning to become more of a team player. She has that goal in the front of her mind and it’s what drove her through the entire season. It’s going to be really interesting to watch her in this new season and watch her rediscover that fire and get back on track with the mission that they’re on.” Having explored a very interesting storyline in the last season, Summer admits she loves the challenge. “I think season 3 was a very interesting time for Margo,” she says. “Going forward, I don’t have a particular storyline in mind; the writers on the show are really good at keeping us on our toes - I just want things to stay challenging; that’s what every actor wants.”
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Recalling behind-the-scenes set moments, Summer assures fans that some very special episodes are coming up. “The most memorable time that I’ve had on set was episode 10 of season 4,” she says. “It was a challenge but it wasn’t overwhelming. It wasn’t easy or something that I’d been doing during our four seasons but it was welcomed and I fully embraced it. I really loved working with Shannon Kohli; she is such a special director! It’s going to be such a good episode and I think fans are really going to enjoy it.” Something that fans might be surprised to learn about set life? “Something that usually surprises people about The Magicians set life is how early our call-times are,” she laughs. “People are always shocked when I say I get up at 3:30am for work! I enjoy the grind because it keeps my mind busy. The last thing you want to do when you move to Vancouver for five months is sit around twiddling your thumbs. If I’m working, I’m happy!” With an incredibly loyal fan base, The Magicians serves as one of SyFy’s most popular series. “Our fans are so incredible,” Summer gushes. “They are so supportive and we’re just so lucky to have them. There have been so many stand-out moments with fans but I think my favorite thing is when I see women cosplay Margo! That’s just so much fun and so surreal to see.” Her special message to fans? “If there’s one thing I want to tell the fans, it’s ‘thank you,’” she smiles. “I’m very grateful that I have been able to consistently work and learn on a set for four years – I hope we
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can keep it going!” Staying accessible to fans online, Summer’s always game to interact and answer questions. “I love talking to fans online,” she explains. “The best way for them to get my attention on social media is when they ask me specific questions about the show; a well thought-out question about how I prepare for ‘Margo’ is always nice!” When dreaming up future roles, the actress has got a lot of ambitions. “When I think of my ultimate dream role, it’s something vastly different than what I’ve been currently doing,” she describes. “I’d like to do more film and take my time to distill a character. I like indie film sets – I like the idea of being on a project that’s a labor of love. That’s what it felt like on episode 10 this year; I relish it when you’re on a project that feels like you’re all trying to do your best for the material. The feeling that you’re all working toward a piece of art together and the egos are left at the door. I also don’t like being gussied up all the time; it’s not something I crave in a character. It’s been fun to play Margo’s glamour but the reward really came when I got to shed her glamour and show all the different layers to her. Right now, TV and film has become such a diverse landscape; there’s so much content out there! I hope it continues this way because it’d be interesting for new projects.” As for what’s up next? “My bucket list for this year is to stay as present and as grateful as I can be,” Summer reveals. “I don’t like setting concrete plans or making lists. I like allowing life to do its thing and I just want to make sure I show up for it.”
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EBEN words by VANESSA SALLES photo by ZACK CASPARY
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How would you describe your musical journey as an artist and the way your sound has evolved throughout the years? I’m very early in my musical journey. The past two years, I’ve haven’t actually honed into a sound that I love making and that I want to make. I come from musical theatre so even the way I performed was very theatrical, so I had to learn to move away from that and find my own swag. I’m still in the beginning stages of finding my sound, it’s still so early. Even the first few projects, I’d listen to them over and over again. Now, after listening to them over again, I would change a bunch of stuff but that’s because my sound is still evolving.
through a lot. The words came easy to me. It’s one of my personal favorites.
When you released your “Past Hundred Days” EP, you referred to it as your “most honest project to date” - was it hard being so vulnerable in it? Oh yeah, absolutely. A lot’s happened in the past couple of years. But I owed it to myself to be truthful and honest in my music. The best songs are the ones that come from hardship and growth. That feeling you get when you can relate to someone story through music? It’s incredible and I hope my fans feel they can relate when they listen to my music.
When it comes to stage presence, who are some artist(s) that you admire? Definitely Chance the Rapper and Drake. I love story telling and, in a lot of their songs, they tell a whole story. With that story that you’re hooked into, it’s something you can relate to. On top of that, they throw in amazing production and perform an unbelievable show, it’s the perfect marriage of performance and lyrical storytelling.
What has the reaction been like from your fans? It’s been amazing. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to make music and to have fans that appreciate my art is everything. The support has been overwhelming. They’re been so positive in their feedback and it’s honestly the best thing an artist can ask for. What’s the songwriting/recording process usually like for you? The process, for me, feels natural. The songs came together so easily for me. It’s amazing how natural it feels to sit down and make music. The songs sort of flow out of me, I guess. Is there a track on the EP that holds the most significance to you or one that you enjoy performing the most? ‘When Did You Know’ is so close to my heart. I wrote it when I was a relationship and we were going
You recently toured with ‘Why Don’t We’ - what was that experience like for you? Oh my gosh, touring with the boys has been one of the best experiences of my life. One, just being able to travel the world, going to all these places that I’ve dreamed of going. I’ve been to Asia, Europe, the UK, and to be able to go to all these places at my age is something I don’t take for granted. On top of it, with five of my best friends, it’s the best of both worlds, I’m getting to travel the world with my best friends and it’s my dream come true.
What’s something that you’d like to see more of in the music industry? I think, right now in the music scene, women are killing the game. Especially Ariana Grande; she’s doing amazing. Dua Lipa is also another example, they make amazing music while spreading the message of female empowerment and that is just so awesome. I’d love to see more of that. With a growing following on social media, what’s the best way for fans to get your attention online? I love it when fans leave funny comments on my Instagram posts. Anything that’s fun-spirited and witty will always catch my attention. What’s on your bucket list for 2019? To put out my first album, go on tour, and have a #1 charting song! I just want to keep making music and growing as an artist, for sure.
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FASHION 101 with Caroline Vazzana
With a bright, bold and unique sense of style, Caroline Vazzana is a bonafide trendsetter. An author, fashion editor, and style influencer, the modern day Carrie Bradshaw is making her mark in the industry. words by VANESSA SALLES photo by CHRIS COLLADO Growing up, what ignited your passion for fashion? How did you know you wanted to make it a career? I have always loved fashion! From around the time I was ten years old, I knew I wanted to be in a creative field. Eventually, I found a love for clothing and design and landed in the fashion industry. I originally thought I wanted to be a designer but after taking one sewing class in college, I realized design wasn’t exactly my forte - it took a few years to figure out which avenue within the industry that I wanted to pursue. What’s a typical work day like for you? No two days are ever the same! I usually wake up and check my emails and Instagram to see what I need to deal with that morning. From there, I prepare for the day ahead, get ready, and plan out looks. My assistant will then meet me at my place and we’ll head to our meetings, shoots, events etc. On the way, we go over the schedule for the day and plan out our to-do list. I usually end my night by going to several events and finding time to post online in between!
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Take us back to the beginning; what inspired you to create Making it in Manhattan? I started writing Making it in Manhattan when I was still working full-time. I could remember what it was like when I first started out in this industry. I didn’t know anyone or have any previous connections, so I had no idea where to begin. I thought if I could create a fun and relatable guide book for beginners to help them “make it,” it would be really special to give back and share my stories! Which celeb’s closet would you raid? Sarah Jessica Parker’s! I think she’d have an incredible shoe collection! What are some of your ultimate career goals? I hope to keep growing my brand. I would love to partner with larger companies who really inspire me and my style and be able to appear in their campaigns or projects. I hope to keep spreading the Making it in Manhattan message of following your dreams and fearlessly being yourself! I hope to also write another book, so stay tuned!
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styling tips from caroline
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People often ask me how they can wear more color. I tell them, red is a neutral color! Although it seems like such a bold color, it can really work as a neutral one. Pair it with white, brown, black, pink, purple, blue- it always works.
Matching is overrated - I find that my best outfits happen when I don’t try to match. Mix prints and play with colors! Doing this often creates a more interesting look and something that will really catch people’s attention.
Wear what you like; you don’t have to follow trends or follow what’s “cool.” Being cool is overrated. If you wear what you like and what makes you happy, you will always be in style.
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PLESTED words by VANESSA SALLES photo by CATIE LAFFOON
Let’s talk about your debut project, First and Foremost! What can you tell us about the creation/ recording process? How long was it in the works? So I’ve been writing songs for ages, with loads of friends and amazing people, First and Foremost is a collection of the songs that meant the most to me in 2018. They tell the story of my year travelling, gigging and working myself to the bone to make it in music. The songs are quite honest and rough around the edges, as I’m not perfect, so I don’t think my music should be either. I’m so excited that it’s finally out there for people to hear!
Has it been nerve wracking to step into the spotlight? Definitely! But if I wasn’t nervous, I think I’d be doing it wrong. The reaction from my fans always makes it worth it though!
Is there a track that holds the most significance to you? Why? Every track holds little piece of my heart, but “Your Name” for me is most significant. It’s my first real upbeat song, which is so much fun to perform live. I wrote it with a good friend Scott Harris in New York about missing someone when you’re away from home! It’s a true story as well, which always hits hardest.
When it comes to stage presence, which artist(s) are you inspired by? I love the energy Chris Martin gives to every performance, I think that’s key, the consistency! But then again, I saw Pink sing her songs whilst flying and flipping over the crowd once. Might get my guitar and try that!
Having made a name for yourself penning songs for some big names, how did you know it was time to write/release songs for yourself? I try my best to write songs every day, so I always end up with a lot of demos, which I’ll send to labels and friends for other people to sing. But I started writing songs too personal and raw to give away, this coupled with the fact I was really missing being on stage, I didn’t really have a choice, I just had to get into the artist side of things!
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How would you describe your personal sound? I’m a real lyric nerd, so I’d like to think my lyrics stand out a little. I don’t like over complicating the sound, but imagine David Gray, Bon Iver and X-Ambassadors made a super group and then covered a Shawn Mendes song.
What’s on your bucket list for the new year? Tour. Tour. Tour. What’s something you’d like to see more of in the music industry? More recognition for writers! The industry has been putting writers in the spotlight a lot more recently which is great, but I still think writers get left to do all the work for what can feel like nothing sometimes!
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THIS MONTH
What to watch ...
Good Trouble, 1/8
Valley of the Boom, 1/13
The M
What to listen to ...
Jack & Jack - A Good Friend Is Nice 1/11
Dodie - Human 1/18
Maggie Rogers - He 1/1
Magicians, 1/25
eard It In A Past Life 18
Deadly Class, 1/16
Back Street Boys - DNA 1/25
The Conners, 1/8
Megan Trainer - Treat Myself 1/25
You won’t wan
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