XS10 Magazine - August 2021 by Xs10Magazine

FOUNDER Michael Neely CEO Rasheed J. Neely EDITORS Aidem Media Group design&print B & S Designs Digital Marketing GRAPHICS design&print

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michael Neely David R. Navarro Misty White Addison Coleman Sherry Nelson Bruce Glasgow Eileen Shapiro Jimmy Star

COPYRIGHTS XS10 Magazine is sole property of AidemMediaGroup/AMGmusic.Net. Which is owned by Michael Neely and any articles and pictures are sole property of XS10 Magazine and any likeness. XS10 Magazine has been copyrighting since 2012.

ADVERTISING & PROMOTIONS Aidem Media Group B & S Designs - Digital Marketing Cat Peterson

Letter from The Editor

Dear Reader, It is an absolute pleasure to welcome you to XS10 Magazine as we start our 8th year of publication. This year brings about changes, as our founder and visionary, Michael Neely of XS10 Magazine being the Editor-in-Chief. While the core of Xs10Magazine is the same, Staff and I are not—with this, you may see Xs10magazine change a little. We will be centering each individual print magazine around a theme: Tradition (issue seven), Identity (issue eight), Resistance (issue nine), and finally Metamorphosis (issue ten). We hope you will still be loyal readers and will welcome the changes to come; and are so thankful you are here reading now. Xs10Magazine is a hybrid, sexy, urban lifestyle and consumer magazine. We present a unique blend of entertainment news from around the globe. Xs10Magazine embodies a unique combination of edgy articles that feature a wide coverage of Music, Film and Fashion: A-list celebrities, promising newcomers, sports figures, new technologies, fashion, politics, sex, health, and travel. The origin and intentionality behind our name, Xs10Magazine, is simple: “Xs10” means you have too work twice as hard to get to where you need to be and view or perspective. We are glade in sharing the views, perspectives, and stories of People around the world. Our mission is to bring the Entertainment community thoughtful and engaging commentary on political and social issues, to our readers . As a publication, we do not advocate for any specific political ideology, but we have set standards regarding the posting of harmful and denigrating pieces as it relates to minority groups. We see our platform as a sacred space of people voices, and thus, view that it is our responsibility to highlight the diversity on Xs10magazine and to use our platform as a space of learning and education and diversity. Our intention is to host a platform for writers to share their political opinions, faith stories, and creative works. That is why we exist. The freedom of speech, however, does not mean the freedom of hate speech. We would like to be as transparent as possible. For this reason, we gladly welcome any comments and critiques you may have as a reader. Letters to the editor are also highly encouraged and will be considered for publication on our website or in print. I am elated to be furthering the mission of Xs10 and to hear your stories. Cheers, Michael Neely, Founder & Editor-in-Chief AMG Entertainment Network

design&print Page 24 // Cover Feature Table of Contents Page 4 Dechen Hawk

Page 21 DeLaurentis

Page 32 Jason Bennett

Page 9 Sean Ellis

Page 24

Page 35 Ben & Delon

Page 14 Geechie Dan Page 17 Camilla Susser

Adam Ant

Music Icon & True Rock Star Page 28 Gary Choi Page 30 vanilla base

Page 37 BayBee Gurl

PROMOTING POSITIVITY + EDUCATION + DIVERSITY We are a multi-media entertainment corporation consisting of a streaming television network with 3 channels which are located on Vimeo, Roku TV, which is international, and Amazon Fire TV, 2 digital magazines and a streaming radio station at present. We consistently strive to promote positivity, education, and diversity across all our entertainment platforms. Our television channels are AMG Entertainment Network™ Conversations, where we sit down with the movers and shakers of todays’ entertainment, business, and technology industries, AMG Entertainment Network™ Music, showcasing music videos of all genres by independent artists, and AMG Entertainment Network™ Films, offering a wide variety of filmed content from independent filmmakers. Our magazines are, Xs10 Magazine™ which is a hybrid lifestyle and consumer magazine presenting a unique blend of entertainment news from around the globe with exclusive articles that cover a variety of topics including music, film, fashion, technology, sports, health, and travel from A-list celebrities, promising newcomers, and sports figures. The Orange Magazine™ that introduces influencers, “The Fruit of The Industry” in music. Our focus is to share the stories of many of todays’ up and coming artists from around the world in an engaging way. Our radio station is Dagrahynd Radio™, playing an extremely diverse range of genres that span decades of great music from indie and major artists, special guest interviews, and much more. AMG Music™ consists of an independent record label, digital distribution services, and marketing & promotion services to suit all your musical content needs and budget. Contact us for packages and pricing at: www.amgentertainmentnetwork.com

DECHEN HAWK Music from His Soul When did you first get into music? Please explain. Music spoke to me from the womb. My momma rocked me to sleep to Stevie Wonder. I was always singing as a kid, making songs up on the playground. My parents bought me one of those toy pianos. I’d play it for hours. I took piano lessons as a child. But it wasn’t until the death of my father at age fourteen that I reached for an outlet and asked for an electric guitar. The rest as they say was history. I started writing and recording songs immediately and haven’t looked back. Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music? You know, it was never a question for me. I knew through and through that I was a born musician and that I wanted to make a living doing what I love. I was inspired by my band teachers in High School. They were young performing and recording artists. I wanted to be like them. MTV was bursting on the scene when I was young and I wanted to be like those artists as well. I was a teenager in the ’90s and that was a special time for music. Artists of all types, styles, and genres were making it as musicians and getting signed to major labels. It was all super inspiring. How has your music evolved since you first started in the music industry? I think I’ve evolved more than my music. My music has always been powerful and moving. I’ve just gotten better at letting it flow through me and having the skills to bring that to fruition. I also think there’s a maturity in simplicity.

I made things complicated when I was younger. Now I try and make it as simple as possible. As the great Thelonious Monk said, “Simple ain’t easy.” Stylistically, I went from a more singer-songwriter sound in the beginning to a more soulful R&B sound later on. Now I’ve arrived somewhere in the middle. I craft moving soulful songs.

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough industry? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why? I’m with Kid Astronaut on this one, it’s gotta be love. Love is the only real reason to do anything. I play music for the love of it. I play music because I love other people and I want them to feel the joy or healing that I feel when I perform or listen to music. Love has the power to transform the world. Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in an industry overflowing with new faces and ideas? I am the ingredient that makes me special and unique. Everyone has their unique voice and sound if they can tap into it. Everything I do from beautiful downtempo ballads to gritty upbeat funk and soul all sounds like me. There’s a through-line that is my genuine self-expression. I don’t try and sound unique or special. I just try and sound like myself. That’s where it’s at. What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? Overcoming the fear and self-doubt that inhibited me from fully embodying my greatness has been my biggest challenge. As humans, we often get in our way. Ego, insecurity. We all deal with this stuff. In my younger days, I could be arrogant as a cover for my insecurities. I believe this hurt my career. Or you could say I was out of alignment and so I didn’t get to where I was trying to go. I’ve since learned to work with my mind and body, to be humble and kind, to be of service, and to align with my purpose, to use the power of conscious music to heal and transform humanity for the better. Once aligned with your purpose the universe conspires on your behalf. Magical things start to happen. It’s beautiful.

How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business? I think the impact is generally positive, but like everything, there are two sides to every coin. I think it’s great that independent artists can now reach fans anywhere in the world quite easily. There are a lot of DIY supportive services. Musicians can perform, record, and teach remotely. It’s pretty incredible. A downside for me is all the screen time. I’d prefer not to be staring at a computer as much as I am. The DIY approach is also a lot of work for an independent artist. It’s important to get help and build a team. If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be? I think there are a lot of things about the current model that are outdated. More artists are DIY and labels don’t have the same appeal as they used to. I don’t think artists should have to be promoters and fan builders. For most independent artists it’s hard to afford time in a professional studio. I recently worked with a company that paid us to record an EP. They pay each band member for their time in the studio per track and they pay the songwriter for licensing their material. They work out a percentage deal for their sales, but they also give the artist the

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art? The Buddha famously said, “life is suffering”. But he meant it in the sense that there is suffering in life. It’s part of the human experience. And so coming to terms with that is important. The course of that suffering comes from attachment to desires. When we relinquish our desire suffering ceases. And we can liberate ourselves from suffering by living rightly or essentially being a good person. So I would say that you only have to suffer for your art if you’re attached to some specific outcome. If you are aligned with a purpose that is genuine, kind, and of service, then no, you don’t have to suffer. You simply give your heart away and the world provides.

to me at this point in my life. I put together a power trio with a bassist and drummer and me on guitar and vocals. We rehearsed like crazy for the gig. At the show, we were underage and stuck in the balcony till we went on stage. We played our set of mostly covers. I remember playing I’m Tore Down in the style of Eric Clapton. His blues album had come out recently. When we were done, the Fun Lovin Criminals were side-stage watching us, cheering us on. They said to keep going. We didn’t have any more material rehearsed so we busted into a jam for a while. It was crazy. We were teenagers and this venue was packed. Afterward, the band invited us backstage to hang with them. They were so supportive and generous. The takeaway from all this is how important it is to be supported by older more established musicians when you’re starting out and how important it is for older more established musicians to support younger up and coming artists. That’s one reason why I offer music lessons and artist coaching. It’s important to lift each other up.

masters to sell the material as you see fit. That’s an example of a new model that makes sense. The invention of the streaming platform is genius and a great way for people to consume music, but the artists need to be getting paid fairly for the streaming of their music. Musicians also need to get paid more to perform. We’ve been making the same wages since the ’60s without accounting for inflation.

I’m sure you have shared the stage with many talented artists. Please share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us. I was around 15 years old. Still in high school. I had been playing for a few years at that point. I’d befriended my jazz band teachers. I’d sit in with them at their gigs sometimes. They introduced me to funk, soul, jazz, etc. One of them was offered a gig at one of the ma jor venues here in Boulder, CO called The Fox Theatre. He didn’t want the gig for one reason or another, I can’t remember, maybe he was already booked that night or it didn’t pay well enough, but he rang me up and said, “Hey man, The Fun Loving Criminals are touring through and they like to have local independent acts open for them, they’re looking for a trio or something, can you pull one together?” I jumped at the opportunity. I said yes even though I didn’t have a trio. My teacher put in a good word for me and coached me on what to say when I talked to the venue. I called them up and told them about my trio and we got the gig. This was hands down the coolest thing that had happened

What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? And why? Songs in the Key of Life by Stevie Wonder. Stevie is the best in so many ways. He’s extremely talented. He has lead the way for so many of us. He has a positive and important message. His style is super versatile. I take after Stevie more than any other artist. Grace by Jeff Buckley. Jeff unlocked something in me I didn’t know was there. I took after Jeff a lot in my early years as a singer-songwriter. His style is unique and his vocal technique is unbelievable. I learned a lot from emulating Jeff as well. Wildflowers by Tom Petty. Tom is one of the greats. He appeals to almost everyone. And this album is just so special. A lot of that also has to do with the production of Rick Rubin, one of my favorite producers. I appreciate the variety on this album as well as the use of simplicity or minimalism. Labcabincalifornia by Pharcyde. I love hip-hop, especially what came out in the ’90s. Bands like Pharcyde, The Roots, De La Soul, all showcased their jazz roots in their music which is the backbone of neo-soul and all black music. I love when rappers use melody in their verses as an ode to scatting in jazz. I appreciate conscious hip-hop. Brown Sugar by D’Angelo. D’Angelo and Badu paved the way for the resurgence of soul music as seen in the neo-soul movement. I love soul music, focusing on peace and love and positive relationships with a heavy jazz swing and a dope backbeat. Neo-soul is my jam. These artists and genres have deeply influenced me and helped bring out my true self-expression through music. What is the best advice you have received? Be kind. It’s really that simple. Be kind and be of service to others. Life can be hard. We don’t know what other people are going through. There’s so much pain and confusion in the world. And you have the

choice to be the light, the joy, the encouragement, the happiness in someone else’s day. You can make a profound difference in someone’s day by simply smiling at them, by seeing them, acknowledging them. Be flexible and centered in who you are. And be kind.

Lady Divine is a devotional love song to Music herself personified as the divine feminine. Dechen Hawk takes us on a journey through his life as his relationship with music grows and evolves. Hawk gives us the opportunity to reflect on our lives and the relationships that matter most to us.

How did COVID-19 affect you and your music career? Whoosh. What a year. So much challenge. Learning to adapt and change. How to be resilient in the face of the unknown. And so much beauty and opportunity. My friend called it the great pause of 2020. It truly was a wonderful opportunity to pause and reflect. To stop and take stock. I questioned everything I had been doing. I got in touch with my purpose. Realigned with my mission. Studied a lot. In the end, I came out stronger, clearer, with so much more appreciation and gratitude. I’m so inspired by people’s innovation. We had a musician in town here in Lyons, CO with a flatbed trailer that he could town behind his truck. And he started putting bands on the back of the flatbed trailer with a generator for power and driving around town stopping in each neighborhood for people under quarantine to still get to hear live music. People would come out of their houses, gather masked and socially distanced, dance in the streets, and tip the bands. It was beautiful. And we can keep these innovations even as things change. I think there will continue to be a lot of streaming performances now that that has become a normal way to enjoy music. So the overall effect on my career has been positive, growthful, clarifying, strengthening, and inspiring.

Lady Divine - Written, Arranged, & Produced by Dechen Hawk Dechen Hawk - Lead & Backing Vocals, Electric Piano, Electric Guitar Jesse Hunter - Electric Guitar Tyson Bennett - Organ, Synthesizer Ben Rubin - Electric Bass Eric Imbrosciano - Drum Kit Zach Lucas - Saxophones/Horn Arrangement How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? My website dechenhawk.com has my most current releases, videos, blogs, and more. People can sign up to my fan list and get an exclusive free download of my performing one of my newest singles live at the Belly Up in Aspen opening for Bruce Hornsby. People can also find my music on all streaming services.

What’s next for you? Please explain. I’m taking all these gifts that came out of this last year of challenge and growth and putting them into action. I just released a new single that I completed during quarantine. I’m out in the world performing again with my band. I’m connecting with my fans on a deeper level. I’m spending more time rehearsing and tightening up the band. I’ve got more recordings in the works. I’ve been offering music lessons and artist coaching to musicians and songwriters who need some help with direction or if they’re feeling blocked. I help them unlock their full potential. I’ve got a bunch of gigs lined up for the rest of summer. Mostly outdoor festival-type shows. I’m just grateful to be back in it sharing my gifts and love of music with others making a positive impact in the world. Tell us about your inspiration for your new single, Lady Divine. How did it come about? The new single, Lady Divine, is available on all platforms! Click here to download & stream: https://dechenhawk.hearnow.com/ .

Bailey Elora

Facebook: @baileyeloramusic Instagram: @baileyelora YouTube: Bailey Elora SoundCloud: Bailey-Elora Photo: @joshpshanks

SEAN ELLIS Success is the Only Option We caught up with the screenwriter and director, Mr. Sean Ellis … Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started. I’m a screenwriter, director and editor, who began making films at 11, while growing up in Australia and Hong Kong. I fell in love with movies and TV as a child, watching shows like “Lost in Space” and “Land of the Giants”, which frightened me, but also excited my imagination. So, science-fiction, fantasy and monsters made a big impression early on. But it was “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” that confirmed my desire to be a filmmaker, when I was about 9 years old. I was creative as a child and loved to draw, make models and write stories. My parents recognised my passion and gave me a Super 8 camera for Christmas, so I began making short films and teaching myself to edit. That was pretty much all I did throughout High School, and I was accepted into a film school in Melbourne when I was 19, the year we returned to Australia from Hong Kong. Since then, I’ve had some work in film production, but mostly I’ve been a freelance writer and director. Where do you write? I’ve lived in many places over the last twenty years, so I’ve had to be adaptable. I don’t always have a quiet place at

home, so I’ve spent a lot of time writing in cafes, and also libraries. When I lived in Los Angeles for a few years, I did most of my writing in cafes, which was always enjoyable. Writing can be a very isolating, anti-social process, as it requires so much of your time and focus. So being in a cafe feels like you’re being social, not cooped up at home. In a city like LA, it’s completely normal to write in a cafe or restaurant, during the day or night. A cafe that’s not too crowded or noisy, with good coffee and food, is ideal. When do you write? I found many years ago that I have to schedule time to write. Once I established what was most distracting to me, I could organise my routine to eliminate those factors. Most screenwriters know the best time of day for them to write, and I gradually worked out my own. The important part is to have time in the first place. I’ve chosen part time jobs or flexible hours, so I have at least two or three days a week to write. Usually it’s from mid afternoon until 7pm, but I sometimes go to a cafe to write until late. Not all writing happens when you’re seated at the computer. I get my best ideas, or breakthroughs, when I’m just doing ordinary things, like taking a shower, going for a walk, or driving alone. So you have to allow time to do things by yourself, too. Just to think. It’s all part of the creative process.

What sort of stories excite you? Many kinds of stories excite me, but I most enjoy stories about a character who is “out of their depth” and has to go through an ordeal to survive or to put things right. So the personal stakes are high. That can be the basis for a coming-of-age story, a relationship story, a heroic adventure, or a primal survival story. I’m also drawn to universal themes of redemption and justice, and stories with young adult characters. Having grown up watching stories set in fantastic worlds and featuring plenty of visual excitement, I love stories with a distinctive setting, and visual style. I also want the audience to relate to the story and not feel alienated by it, while seeing the world from a new perspective. Suspense is a key element in all stories, to draw the audience in, and keep them engaged. A great example is the film “WarGames”, which starts off very simply with a teenager who wants to play the latest video games (a relatable hero), and builds to an end-of-the-world scenario where the characters (and the audience) learn a lesson in the futility of nuclear war (high stakes and suspense, with valuable insight at the end). What is the most important aspect of building a great character? Making him or her relatable, but also making them want something very much, while not knowing what they really need. Also, matching the character to the scenario they’re in. The story has to be an echo of who they are or who they want to be. Characters

need to represent a part of the theme. So, if you have a character first, you can then design the story around their want, or need. If you have a plot in mind first, then your characters will help reveal the underlying theme for the audience. It’s often a process of discovery. What two writers have inspired you and why? John Carpenter is an inspiration because of his sheer output of compelling, imaginative, and original screenplays, in a variety of genres. He is a master of making the fantastic believable - whether it’s aliens taking over the Earth and using Capitalism to enslave us in “They Live”, or escaping a nightmare prison version of New York in the near future, or a coastal town being invaded by murderous ghosts in “The Fog”. He creates minimalistic, primal characters who are thrown into survival situations, channeling our fears and offering us a cathartic release. His screenplays also make incisive, often humorous commentary about life in America, and champion the individual over authoritarian forces, like many classic westerns do. George Lucas has been an inspiration since childhood, with his creation of the “Star Wars” universe and “Indiana Jones”. Influenced by Joseph Campbell’s theories about mythology and storytelling, Lucas combined his love of pulp adventure serials like Flash Gordon and Japanese Samurai films, and gave us a modern mythology in “Star Wars”. Lucas’ passion for anthropology, sociology and history is evident in all his films, and I enjoy infusing realism and historical context in my own writing as well. What two TV Shows have inspired you and why? As I mentioned above, I grew up in the 1970s, and loved Sci-Fi shows and anything with lots of action. What drew me to a TV show was the concept and the characters. The other aspect was the atmosphere or setting. Two childhood favourites would be “The Six Million Dollar Man”- an exciting, futuristic concept with plenty of action and fantastic theme music (an important factor). The mini-series “V” made a huge impact as well, with its cinematic scale and the strong symbolism of the alien invaders, who are like a Fascist government enslaving the world. Later, I became a huge fan of the remade “Twilight Zone” series (1985 to 1989), and “Amazing Stories”. They combined my love of sci-fi, horror, mystery and also modern-day subtext. Name some of films that have inspired you and why? Although I first saw it on TV, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” was one of the early films which inspired me to become a filmmaker. The film is a product of its time - the paranoia of the 1970s, distrust of the government and the belief that the truth was being hidden from the public. But more than

that, the film makes a strong case for greater cooperation between humans, through communication and understanding. It’s idealistic, but a timely message of peace, told as science-fiction. It was a spiritual film, and a very personal film for Spielberg, a way to deal with his own parents’ divorce. An ordinary man, who has never quite grown up, is given a cosmic mission to find answers, becoming an emissary for the human race, on a mission to the stars. And it relies on sound, music and imagery, more than dialogue, to communicate its message. “E.T.” had a profound effect when I first saw it, at the same age as Elliott in the film. I could relate strongly to Elliott’s loneliness and shyness. A deeply moving, beautiful film. That film, “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” made it clear what I wanted to do. After moving to Hong Kong at age 14, “The Last Emperor” and “Empire of the Sun” made a strong impact, as I was experiencing Chinese culture every day. “Dances With Wolves” is a favourite, and fuelled my fascination with the American west and with Native American cultures. “JFK” fed a fascination with US politics and history, along with films like “The Pelican Brief” and “All the President’s Men”. These films are documentaries of a sort, investigating history and transporting me to that time and place. Films like “Saturday Night Fever”, “American Graffiti”, “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and “Swingers” are also favourites, as they capture the awkwardness and excitement of being a teen or young adult, the challenges of chasing your dreams, and feature great music and honest performances. I’ve written several screenplays with similar comingof-age themes. What theater show has inspired you and why? I studied Drama in High School and performed in “Hiawatha” which had a lasting impact. I loved the mythic qualities of the story and the Native American customs we learned about. I also love Musicals, on stage and screen. “West Side Story” is my favourite musical, and I’ve always been passionate about dancing, both on stage and on film. Do you create an outline before you start writing? Yes, always. I need to figure out the shape of the story, the act breaks and the turning points before I start. It’s also important to know a lot about the characters - their wants and needs - and the plot, before I start writing scenes. What is one piece of advice for screenwriters just starting out? Think carefully about the idea you have for a movie, and ask yourself if it is a movie idea, or something else, long before you write any scenes. Start with a brief outline of the story, and a summary of your main characters. Does it have a clear beginning, an inciting incident, escalating conflict in the middle,

and a powerful, surprising climax? Does your protagonist change? What is the theme? All of these are fundamental questions before you start writing. But even before that, be honest with yourself and accept that the first script you write will not be perfect. The first draft is meant to be rough, but the story should be there before you write a first draft. If not, it’s easy to get lost in the details of scene construction and lose sight of the goal - telling a good story. What should the film/TV industry be doing for screenwriters that it’s not? Difficult question to answer. It depends on the country you’re in. In Australia, the industry is extremely small and there is no studio system. That means the money from one successful film is not invested in other films. Screenplays only get made if they are endorsed by the state funding bodies, who decide if your project will receive government subsidies or tax incentives. So there’s a very small number of writers who get their screenplays produced in this system. I’ve always focused on the US market, because I don’t write “Australian stories”. I write stories I want to write, and don’t have a strong affinity with Australian culture. If anything, the industry needs to celebrate screenwriters, including those who haven’t had work produced. There are no easy ways to

but at some point you need a support network. It took me ten years to realise I could not have the career I wanted in Australia, but I’m glad I invested that time in my writing when I did. What is the most difficult thing about screenwriting? For me, it is not being paid or making a living from writing. 25 years after film school, I’m still trying to break in, but I have also learned valuable lessons. Finding a mentor who understands and helps develop what you’re good at, is vital, but rare and hard to find. You need to be prepared to work alone, and to not make much or any money at all for years. You have to do other things for an income, and they may have no relation to what you love. But you have to make that sacrifice, or investment, in your creative process. The rewards are not guaranteed and you need to be obsessive about movies. There’s a fair amount of suffering for your art, but if you find others who love it like you do, you will be more content. What is the most enjoyable thing about screenwriting? It’s the creative process of constructing a story and giving it a shape, creating the characters and giving them believable problems to solve, and then seeing it inspire others, either as a screenplay, or as a film. I’ve only made my short screenplays into films, but making a feature film would be the most enjoyable part for me. That’s the real reason I began writing to make movies and see them on the big screen. get established in the industry, but I think produced screenwriters deserve a larger reward for their work, and more protection for their intellectual property. With the growth in production, a greater awareness of our work would be appreciated. Was there a specific moment that made you start writing and if so, what was it? When I saw “E.T.” at age 11 and asked for a book about Steven Spielberg. I began outlining ideas for movies, inspired by Indiana Jones or Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and wrote short stories while listening to film music. I received a Super 8 camera for Christmas and by then I was writing and storyboarding short movies, which I would make with friends on weekends. Spielberg was my main inspiration to get started. What do you wish you’d known then, that you know now? Because the film industry in Australia is so small, I would have focused my efforts on getting to the US to study film, as a way of gaining opportunities that don’t exist here. After film school, I had no idea what to do next, so I chose writing as a way to focus my creativity and not rely on others (I didn’t have a network where I lived). The biggest challenge is finding like-minded people to collaborate with, who are as driven as you, but don’t try to compete with you. There’s a lot of insecurity in the film industry and everyone is trying to get noticed,

Where do you see yourself (as a writer) in five years from now? Hopefully, living and working in the US, still writing, but also having my work made and directing some of it too. And finally – Tell us one surprising (non-writing related!) fact about you. I’ve always been a film fan, and have occasionally visited films in production, which is always a thrill for me. While living in Hong Kong as a teenager, my family took a vacation in Borneo, at a large resort. It was 1987 and as it turned out, a movie was being filmed in the jungle nearby, and the crew were staying at the resort. The film was “Bat-21”, and it starred Gene Hackman and Danny Glover. The funny part was, Gene Hackman was staying in the room next door, and Danny Glover was across the corridor from our room! I approached Mr Glover and asked if I could watch the movie being filmed. Danny (as he insisted on being called) generously agreed to take me, and my brother and sister, to the set, on his day off. I had my movie camera with me, and questioned him all the way to the set, about working with Spielberg (on “The Color Purple”) and Richard Donner (on “Lethal Weapon”). His encouragement was a welcome boost to my confidence and an experience I’ll never forget. www.seanfrancisellis.com

GEECHIE DAN Hip Hop Hall of Fame When did you first get into music? Please explain. I first got it Hip Hop by listening to the NYC radio shows that were on WHBI 109.5 FM. Shows like Mr Magic, World Famous Supreme Team Show, Zulu Beats with Donald D and DJ Afrika Islam. These shows would come on at night after midnight on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I would stay up all night waiting for these shows to air. They played the latest Hip Hop songs, freestyles and snippet of the tapes from the Park Jams, T Connection, Harlem World. What genre of music do you perform? Hip Hop Who or What inspired you to pursue a career in music? What inspired me to love Hip Hop was the Tapes... everything I do today is because of tapes...I used mimic what I heard from the tapes and instead of saying their name ..I would say my name. I started rapping and collecting tapes late 1982...early 1983.

How has your music evolved since you first began performing/writing rhymes? I used to freestyle a lot off my head in the beginning and as time went on..I started writing my rhymes. I’m sure you have shared the stage with a lot of talented artists/celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us? In 1989, I was living in Virginia Beach, VA. I was down in VA with the wrong crowd and I heard Chuck D from Public Enemy on the local radio station. They were going to be performing at Hampton University. I called up the radio station and spoke to him... we both knew each other from WBAU College radio 90.3 FM at Adelph University. He was excited to hear from me and told me to come through. I went to Hampton University before the show started and I saw my dudes Ron, Drew, Terminator X, Chuck D. MC Flavor wasn’t there...he was notorious for being late for Public Enemy shows. The show was about to start and Chuck D asked me to get the crowd app up and rhyme some. I grab the mic and got busy!!

If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why? I will have to say, passion. Passion drives me because when I was a teenager, my mother wouldn’t allow me what I fell in love with and she block every opportunity that came my way at the time. My mother told me I would never be successful in life in whatever I pursued because I wasn’t a Jehovah Witness and the only way that Jehovah God will bless me was to dedicate my life to Jehovah God and get baptized. So today...I’m the most passionate person you’ll ever meet in Hip Hop because I hated the idea that my own mother would tell me. All I ever wanted was to be successful in something I love doing so that’s why I’m so passionate. Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as an artist in an industry overflowing with new talent and ideas? I’m from Hollis, Queens and I’ve watched and saw what Run-D.M.C., Russell Simmons, LL Cool J, FUBU, A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, and Jam Master Jay were able to do. They were able to take Hip Hop to another level. Today, I see and envision the same thing for Hip Hop. God continues blessing my imagination with ideas that no one thinks about so when I wake up, I write these ideas down and I start making something happen. What has been your biggest challenge as a performing artist? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? The biggest challenge for me is remaining positive and focus and separate the passion from the business. I’m still working on it… A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art? Yes, that’s true…Lord knows I have suffered. I had to lose everything in order for God to get my attention. It took me losing marriages, homes, cars, jobs. I had all the materialistic stuff but I wasn’t happy. How do you feel the internet has impacted the music business? The internet made it easier for artists to get attention that they wouldn’t normally would get if they were pursued by record labels. If you could change anything about the music industry. What would it be? There isn’t any diversity in music today. Artists rap about drugs, killings, drinking, and guns. There’s no thought provoking songs..there is no Iconic, classic powerful.

songs today. There is so much more artists today could rap about. One song can change everything. Hip Hop Culture is rich…Hip Hop Culture is global... What are the 5 albums that have helped make you the person you are today? Nas - It Was Written LL COOL J - Momma said knock you out Public Enemy - It Takes A Million to hold us back Rakim - Paid In Full Big Daddy Kane -Its Big Daddy Kane Thing Tell us about your current project. Please explain. I’m currently the Co-Chairman of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame and I want to see everyone involved and honored. Everyone that contributed to Hip Hop should be acknowledged. From MC Hammer, Bun B, Sir Mixx Alot, JJ Fad, 2 Live Crew, Cold Crush 4, Crash Crew, Soul Sonic Force, LL, Fearless 4, DJGrand Wizard Theodore, EPMD, RUN DMC, Common, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Yo Yo, Shy D, Goodie Mob, OutKast, Luda, Big Tigga, Busy Bee, Kool Herc, Snoop, Ice Cube, E40, D Nice, and thousands of others. What is the best advice you have received? LL Cool J always tell me to stay focused. What is the best advice can you give someone who wants to get into the music industry? Be patient and don’t give up! What’s next for you? Right now the Hip Hop Hall of Fame is top priority. I’m also waiting on paperwork to do a reality show on a ma jor network. How can fans-to-be gain access to your music and follow your career? My social media is: FB - I Got The Tapes IG - geechiedanhollis TW - geechie_nyc Amazon - My book, “The Kingdom Hall No More”

CAMILLA SUSSER Acting in the Moment When did you first get involved in acting and modeling? In early 2001, which was a crazy year to make a career change and when I look back, I think about what a terrible and tragic year that was for all of us, however it was a transformative one for me because I realized that I no longer wanted to pursue a corporate career, rather I wanted to put all of my attention and focus on acting and modeling. What or Who inspired you to pursue such compeitive careers? I think I always knew I wanted to act. I used to put on plays for my relatives or sometimes just my cat in my living room, basement and backyard with my younger sister and best friends. I was heavily drawn to the costume element of the performances, to the aesthetics of it all if you will. I was always so dramatic. Fashion and costumes have been something of a hobby for me since I can remember. What films/tv shows have you been involved in? Do you prefer feature films or TV? I was most recently a guest star on ID Channel’s final season(there were nine seasons total) long running “Homicide Hunter”. It was a meaty role, and I had quite

a bit of dialogue with the lead, so that was very exciting. I have done various indie feature films and am slated to begin filming a SAG project called Skyler in New Mexico once the Pandemic subsides. I have also performed in web series, danced in music videos, and acted and modeled for many commercial productions. I have done national commercial spots for Animal Planet, Food Network, Hewlett Packard, and Vehix.com. I love any and all genres that allow me to stretch in my craft, and to try on characters that I wouldn’t necessarily have thought I could connect to. But almost always, I find a dormant part of of me, story-wise that does indeed connect to the material and truly just wants to come out and play! What notable fashion shows have you been involved in? I performed and walked in 2019’s Denver Fall Fashion Week last November. I helped close out the Week 1 Finale show, and that was truly remarkable and unforgettable. I also danced and walked for an amazing Designer in fall of 2018, Sherry’s Angels, out of Denver, sporting giant red angel wings and lots of tulle. It was quite a feat to walk and then later do pirouettes wearing those!

Do you represent any brands? I work as a makeup and skin care education specialist for Josie Maran Cosmetics currently, and this compliments my other work really well, as you can imagine! I’m sure you have met many talented artists/celebrities along the way. Please share 1 or 2 stories with us? I think studying with what are considered by most, some of the top acting coaches in the country has been a real highlight for me. I study camera and audition technique with Sara Mornell in Atlanta currently, and she is incredible. She coaches on many things, but they all lead toward what it takes to book and perform well in the audition space for film and tv. I also studied the Meisner Technique in NY at the famed Neighborhood Playhouse, and I was awestruck to learn just how many incredibly esteemed and famous film and stage actors came out of that same program – Gregory Peck, Diane Keaton, Robert Duvall, Allison Janney all studied there, just to name but a few!

How has your acting evolved since you first became involved in the film industry? When I first moved from performing in theatre to on working on film, I learned very quickly that what was required of me in a closeup was something drastically different than what I had ever experienced. I learned to understand that camera work is much deeper and more internal than it is on stage. There still are specific choices that must be carved out and rehearsed ahead of time, but I have learned to allow my thoughts to do more of the work. I allow the camera to come to me rather than the expending of energy outward that theatre requires. If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why? That’s an easy one! I would have to say passion because if you don’t have that fire bubbling inside, and the excitement and constant urge to breathe life into a role – to words on a page, than it is going to be an uphill battle. There is already so much competition in this business. If you aren’t excited every day to be able to connect deeply to the material, this career will not be sustainable. Looks or connections alone are not going to be enough. Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a performing artist in a genre overflowing with new faces and ideas? I do think my ability to shape shift quickly from heart-wrenching dramatic roles to awkward and vulnerable comedic characters is a gift of mine, one that I didn’t initially think came natural for me. I have always been drawn to darker types of characters and roles, but more recently I have been made

aware of a natural inclination I have toward comedy. I am learning to embrace it all! What has been your biggest challenge as an actor/ model? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? I would say fear of the audition space and of “getting it wrong”. There is no “wrong”, only not present nor prepared. I do my research and prepare as fully as I possibly can and then I give myself permission to “mess it up”. I find just moving myself into that mindset in my audition prep allows for such freedom, and usually that’s when the magic happens. A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art”. Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art? I don’t subscribe to anything that involves the word “suffer” anymore. Art to me is about liberating my true voice and essence, I think if I am in line with that mission, than whatever sacrifices I make in order to get me there are a welcome part of the journey. How do you feel the Internet has impacted the film and modeling industries? I think it has democratized access to platforms and audiences that we would otherwise as performers never have had access to. It is amazing, with platforms such as Instagram and Twitter, just how much instant access an actor or model has to the gatekeepers and decision makers in our respective industries. It’s truly remarkable and exciting. If you could change anything about the film and modeling industry, what would it be? I would like to see a rapid change in how these industries most unfortunately still default to objectification of women. I know there have been great strides made, since the Me Too movement most notably, but we still have a very long way to go. Women are powerful and strong, and so I hope we continue to see more and more original narratives around that. What is the best advise you have received? To stop explaining myself or apologizing for the things that make me unique. That is where the gold is. How can fans-to-be follow your career? Please follow me on Instagram @thereal_camilla_c and on IMDb for new acting projects at: www.imdb.me/CamillaSusser Thank you so much!

Photography by Ricky Zastrow of Colorado Photoworks

DELAURENTIS French Electronic Artist It’s the story of a French little girl who would watch her dad playing music, and quickly understood that musical notes could spring up and fly away from her arms, her hands, her fingers. The music was a part of her. With this revelation, the sky opened up to her. After several years spent at the Conservatory, she went back to her hometown, where alone, she learned from her new strange friends : keyboards, machines, and computers. She worked. A lot. With strength and temper, pleasure and ease. This young woman progressively became DeLaurentis. DeLaurentis settled in the French capital, Paris, in 2015, and released her first two EPs. She started to get noticed then, with her unique universe and music videos. Major French publications such as Trax, Rock & Folk and Les Inrockuptibles started talking about her music, and soon after, some of her songs were featured in national commercials, and her single “A Big Part of A Big Sun”, in the TV series “How to Get away with murder”. Contemporary and vintage synthesizers mixed with the piano, loops and arpeggios creating sound walls around her melodies. DeLaurentis builds a wall around her melodies where old and modern synthesizers, pianos, loops and arpeggios mix together. Her universe is described as « electro-cinematic » music, bright and dark at the same time.

New album to be released in September 2021 : Unica The production of her first album began in the summer of 2018. She spent two years in a spacious and luminous studio on the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris, continuously intensifying her relationship with her instruments and technology. This is how DeLaurentis created her digital sister : Unica. The 2 singles released earlier this year, off the album, “Life” and “Pegasus”, were praised by the media all over Europe : Rolling Stone magazine and major radio stations such as Radio France and RFI featured the songs, and EDF used “Life” in their television commercials nationwide. The French artist, DeLaurentis, will be releasing the 3rd single “Be a woman” on June 11, 2021, and she’s ready to take over the rest of the world. ABC Music Lounge, who premiered her last music video, Vent magazine, Skope, Variance mag, and many others already featured DeLaurentis, and ABLETON invited her to present her work for a Masterclass at the Live House in Hollywood, CA (date TBD). ©Sasha Vatkovic The 10 tracks album is a digital-tale that brings forth the emotions between a human artist and her machine.

It’s a strong and sensitive story about the fusion of two contemporary beings, in an enchanting mix of reality and imagination, flesh and processors, in contact with heady and effective tracks.

The 2nd single, “Pegasus”, was released in February 2021. The song represents Unica’s emancipation. As a young artificial intelligence, she grew up and observed our compulsive lives by imitating our human behaviors and thoughts : DELAURENTIS - Pegasus (Official Video)

Her voice is the leading role in her musical films. Rhythmic or melodic, harmonious or vaporous, it is the blood that gives humanity to her addictive and synthetic travels.

Discover now the 3rd single Be A Woman by DeLaurentis, the initiatory journey of a woman and her machine.

Her musical inspirations are electronic, contemporary and cinematic at the same time. Like any artist, the link between music and image is essential in the creative process.

“I had the chance to collaborate on this song with the talented jazz pianist Yaron Herman where during an improvisation session he had the idea of this piano arpeggio.

Inspired by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Max Richter, Brian Eno, Oneothrix Point Never and of course Laurie Anderson, one of the first women who pioneered electronic music.

This sequence of chords evoking momentum, awakening was the ideal ground to illustrate our rollerblading descent with Unica on Sunset Boulevard.

DeLaurentis collaborated with Dan Black, Yaron Herman, Daymark and Fabien Waltmann to produce this album. The song “Somewhere In Between” was recorded in collaboration with the artificial intelligence developed by the Spotify CTRL research lab, supervised by SKYGGE, a true pioneer in the AI world. ©Natasha Morley With her album Unica, DeLaurentis succeeded in creating the ideal connection between the woman and the machine ; the missing piece that fit between electronic music and A.I. “Life” was the first single to be released, in October 2020. The song symbolizes the birth of Unica, narrated by a handshake between a human and a machine. The music video combined 3D technology referring to Black Mirror and contemplative scenes of nature, inspired by Terrence Malick : DELAURENTIS - Life (Official Video)

And also with the English producer Dan Black with whom we explored all the roughness and sounds hidden behind this arpeggio. Using multiple effects pedals, we re-recorded analog synths (oberheim / prophet) in arpeggiator form by playing them back in amps, with old RE20 type mics. The goal was to bring as much life as possible to the digital parts by integrating randomness into them and giving rise to what are called “happy accidents”. These so-called “human” errors. This piece is therefore the result of a long musical and philosophical reflection and of beautiful human and artistic encounters.” -DeLaurentis Follow DeLaurentis via : WEBSITE FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM TWITTER YOUTUBE SPOTIFY Upcoming shows : - 16 June 2021 : FGO (Paris) w/ Romane Santarelli - 3 July 2021 : Roof Plouf Festival (Paris) w/c Saycet & Joseph Schiano di Lombo - 3 Sept. 2021 : Release Album Unica Showcase (Paris) - 3 Sept. 2021 : Release Album Unica (Live stream event) - 13/14/15 Oct. 2021 : Mama Festival (Paris) - 17 Oct. 2021 : Tedx Masterclass (Toulouse) : “How i became friends with a music machine” - 1/2/3 Dec. 2021 : Bars en Trans (Paris) - Date TBD : Ableton Masterclass event (Hollywood, CA) Live Session at Salle Pleyel of “Life” : Live Session of “Be A Woman” : Already on rotation on music TV channels worldwide, discover the video of DeLaurentis behind her machines

We caught up with...

Adam Ant Music Icon & True Rock Star 24

Conversation With Adam Ant by Eileen Shapiro With his signature Burundi Beat, and riveting flamboyance, Adam Ant orchestrated a sophisticated anarchy that revolutionized the music industry, while his outrageous videos dared to evoke the threat of imagination. He defied music, while at the same time defined it. He challenged sensibility and at the same time created it. When you originally recorded the “Kings of the Wild Frontier” album, was there anything you weren’t able to do because of available technology? It would have been a lot quicker now, because you could just double things up, but it was actually a very traditionally-made album, just done by us in the studio hitting everything that we could find to get that sound. It’s the 43rd anniversary of punk, but back then, did you know what was next for you? Punk had become a caricature of itself, very grey and political. The kids were wearing the same drab outfits. I’ve never been a political artist, I keep that out of my work. The gigs were getting more violent and it was just not enjoyable. Post-punk brought out some interesting music, but I needed to make it colourful. I’d only used black and white in graphics, handbills, and record covers, so I wanted to do the opposite of that, something heroic and celebratory. That’s where “Kings of the Wild Frontier” came out. I wanted to be like a King, not just some guy hanging on the corner, moaning about everything and spitting, and wearing safety pins, which I’ve never been interested in.

recent “Kings” gold boxset is having it in its original form. Why didn’t you tour “Kings” in the USA at the time? I think there was a lot of suspicion about guys wearing makeup and outlandish clothing. There was a lot of excitement about “Kings” when I went to New York and LA, but the decision-making of budgets and record label commitment to get behind the band was not as I thought it would be. We did a few showcase gigs, the people that came seemed to love it. I remember doing a very serious chat with Tom Snyder as well, which was quite a challenge for my first interview in America. I didn’t tour America with “Prince Charming” either. That was never going to be in the cards. By the time I did the “Friend or Foe” album solo, I was able to play a lot of gigs, that’s what you have to do in America. What was the significance of your famous Apache white stripe? I’d been studying Native American tribal decorations, it was a declaration of war on all that nonsense in the music business, and political stuff. I always find that very inspiring, that whole philosophy. How is it that “Kings” is still relevant after 38 years? Really the blueprint of this album was “Dog Eat Dog”. That was the first track in the studio with vocals, the crashing sound, and the arrangements of two drummers. So from that we applied the same premise to the

Was Malcolm McLaren’s career advice to you worth the heartbreak of him stealing your band? I think Malcolm saw a situation where he could conveniently get a really good band. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, we made up and everything, but it was devastating on a personal level. On a professional level, it turned out pretty good for both parties: Bow Wow Wow which was a really good project and sounded great, and I did “Kings” which was my view of things. We’d all sit around listening to hours of philosophy by Malcolm about taking rock n’ roll back to basics, playing us all kinds of records. He’d talk for an hour, and you would understand a minute of it. But what he was talking about was the Bow Wow Wow sound. I had the name and threads of ideas, but nothing that fit in with what they were doing, so I started again. I thought, I’m not going to waste all this time sitting, listening and not use it, because I paid for it. I gave Malcolm £1,000 to manage the band. I think I got my money’s worth. When you released “Kings” in the USA, “Making History” was removed and “Physical” and “Press Darlings” replaced it. They made the decision for me, I wasn’t consulted. That was one of the nice things about doing this

rest. Chris (Merrick) Hughes behind the mixing desk played an important part. It wasn’t like bringing in an outside producer to put their mark on it because he was playing drums every night. There was an effort to make it look as good as it sounded. There was always this element to early punk rock that Malcolm and Vivienne (Westwood) were doing in SEX and Seditionaries, their shops. Those clothes were expensive, it wasn’t tacky, there was always a sense of sartorial correctness. The attitude was like buccaneers: you’d docked the galleon, gone in and grabbed everything you could, so the jacket was as if I’d put it on and run off. The Highwayman, The Buccaneer, Native American Indian, it was this glorious, iconic imagery that appealed to me growing up, and still as an adult. Do you recall your proudest moment as an artist? I think being asked to do the Motown 25 by Berry Gordy was one of the proudest moments, on a personal level. It was a great compliment. I don’t know why they asked me, but they did. Just doing that was a big challenge. Sharing the stage with Marvin Gaye was a real highlight. Coming to my dressing-room door, knocking on my door. I opened it up, he was in a white suit and said, “Hello I’m Marvin Gaye.” I said “I know you are.” That was a dream-like moment, working with all your heroes that you’ve grown up with. It was a great feeling. We were outsiders, and to get a record like “Kings” together with all its conflicting contents, a recipe of different ideas musically, it’s a hybrid. It was distinctive, people of all ages and backgrounds seemed to go “Ooh!” It took us by surprise. It was a proud moment to get it in shops and out to people. Everyone is very excited about the American tour. It’s been a long time coming. I’m looking forward to it. I’ve tried to tour with every record. It’s completely different performing an album in sequence, because you know that they know the album. It was nice to do “Dirk” and having done “Kings” the response was very good. I said “let’s go to North America and do it”. I feel very privileged to be able to make a living out of doing that because, basically it’s showing off. When I come off stage I’m completely exhausted. You’ve given everything you could give, and the audience hopefully is as exhausted as you are. It’s a great feeling to go to bed with that in your mind, “Oh Wow!”, and do it all again. From your point of view, is punk still musically alive and well, or just an ideology in our society? Punk, for me, was always an idea, a spirit, an artistic explosion, a challenge, but most importantly an ATTITUDE with regard to my work.

GARY CHOI Mentor in Action When did you first get involved in the film industry? When did I get involved in film… wow, i honestly can’t really say… In HK I was in stunts… I’ve always dabbled here and there whenever I could. I was involved in Lone Ranger as an extra, another short film as a co-star… then people wanted to learn how we did stunts in HK. So, I guess always is the best answer I can have. Who or What inspired you to pursue a career as a stuntman? In the very beginning, it was just something my teacher sorta put me in to teach me how to have a work ethic and appreciate things. As I got older I really looked up to the asian heroes like Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Bruce Lee, Donnie Yen, and Robin Shou. I also realized 2 things, 1.) there was very little asian representation so it was hard to see myself and i wanted that and 2.) the link between Kung Fu and stunts, It made me realize that I could keep my culture alive and show a small part of something I loved and wanted to share.

How have your skills improved since you first started as a stunt coordinator? My overall skills have improved and my understanding. I would say the biggest would be in communication

Photography by Patrick Baldonado @BaldonadoPhotohraphy

and with individuals. I definitely improved on how to handle drama and also on how to handle the business side of things. If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other, drives you to stay in this tough industry? Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why? Oh wow, this is a hard one… it’s definitely between pride and passion… but, I think it would have to be Pride. One thing about me, is that I like to be the best and show off the best. I am proud of my heritage and of who I am and where i came from. The number place that has always given the best in Action and fights has been HK, I want to show that to the world and keep it going and be proud of what I have to offer. What has been your biggest challenge as a stunt coordinator? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how? One of the biggest hurdles so far, has been people who think they know it already and just won’t listen and learn. I’ve been able to in many cases overcome that hurdle, but it’s taken a lot of patience and explaining and even at times showing people on why it doesn’t work the way they think or want.

A common phrase in the industry is, “you must suffer for your art.” Do you agree with this statement? If so, how have you suffered for your art? I don’t believe in that saying, rather I lean toward you have to pay your dues. Ina sense, I can say I have suffered for my art… its more on a emotional and heartfelt level for me. I sometimes have to leave my kiddo behind and that kills me or when something happens to my guys that I cant control. That’s where it hurts the most If you could change anything about the film industry, what would it be? I don’t really know what I would change for the industry as a whole… maybe more care to the other parts such as in stunts. More safety and acknowledgement of what we do. I’m sure you have worked with many talented artists/ celebrities along the way. Would you share 1 or 2 of your favorite stories with us? Some of my favorite people I worked with and stories… wow… um Johnny Yong Bosch, former black Power Ranger. Working with him was an absolute dream, he is truly an amazing person and performer. I got to see and watch him memorize 70+ beats of choreo, day of and not mess up at all and wow still make it look practiced and perfect. Another would be when we were gearing up for a rather large gig, and we were all practicing and getting into it. Next

thing I know, we are going nearly at full speed, I look over and I see a terrified face of an actor and director. They are going on about how much faster and harder this may be, I had to reassure them that with practice and time we would be there. What is the best advice you have received? Best advice ever…. I would have say 4 pieces of advice has helped me out so far. 1.) Be open and listen. 2.) If you got it, show it off. 3.) Even if no one shows up, keep doing it. 4.) Never ever speak ill of anyone, no matter how bad they speak of you. What projects are you currently working on... that you can talk about? Some current projects… we have Z Dead End coming up, it’s a great and fun zombie movie… we have also, Level 3… a retelling of a bruce lee story made modern. Past that, sorry I really can’t say anything. What’s next for you? Next thing for me… to improve my team, so we can do more and more work and help keep other stuntees safe on sets. My goal is to keep doing what we do best and work here in NM and branch slowly. How can we stay connected and follow your career? The best way to stay connected and follow is through Facebook. www.facebook.com/risingstarstuntteam or message me or even email me.

VANILLA BASE Multi-Talented Artist How did you get the name, “vanilla base”? We began to look for a name in English. Many wines have a vanilla flavour in them. Vanilla is a byproduct of oak aging. I guess our music over time has moved towards a softer indie pop style and that seemed reflected in this name. Which instruments do you guys play? Drums, guitar, lead guitar and bass guitar. What was the first tune(s) you learned? Hard to say. I remember that the first singers I really enjoyed were artists like George Michael, Madonna, Prince or Michael Jackson. Is your family musical? Not really, my mother told me we have a relative that was a good singer, but that´s about it. How did you come up with the name for your newest single called “ LOST TRAVELLER” It´s a contradiction, when we travel sometimes we think we´re looking for something, but in reality we do it because a part of us is lost.

Describe your family member’s musical interests and abilities. I have a brother who plays the drums and my husband plays the piano and the guitar very well.

Which famous musicians do you admire? Why? Female singer and song-writers, like Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys, Anastasia, Nelly Furtado. I really admire females who are good singers but also compose their songs. My favourite band of all time is Queen and Fredy Mercury is by far the best rock-pop vocalist of all time in my opinion. He had an amazing voice. Who was your first teacher? Other teachers? I began to take singing lessons fairly late; I was in my early thirties. My first teacher was actually an opera singer. He would teach me to sing at an opera level, his philosophy was if you can sing opera, you can sing anything, because it is the most difficult genre. Describe your first instrument. Other instruments. I´ve tried to learn to play the guitar but have not had much success actually. I leave it to the experts in the group! What are your social media handles? Follow us at: @vanillabase

JASON BENNETT Rhowan James Rhowan James: Rhowan James, a Toronto native-born to Jamaican parents who immigrated to Canada, showed him the meaning of hard work and how to never give up on his dreams. At a young age, he developed a passion for fashion and a desire to customize and accessorize clothing, to fit his taste. Rhowan grew up watching his father getting ready for church every Sunday morning. Intrigued by his father’s sense of style, it taught him how to take pride in his appearance when presenting himself to the world. Without any formal training in fashion, he knew that teaching himself this artistic craft would be a challenge. However, with sheer determination, pure passion, and drive, he learned everything about the process of designing clothes by reverse-engineering them. He taught himself how to design, construct, cut, and sew his patterns and fabrics. He started creating designs that reflected his interests, as inspired by various trips taken abroad, he soon envisioned what he wanted in a menswear brand. In 2017, he knew that it was time to launch his self-entitled menswear brand, Rhowan James. He endeavors to give a fresh point of view for menswear. His goal is to become a leading international fashion brand.

In 2017 Rhowan was nominated for Toronto Men’s Fashion Week (*TOM) Emerging Menswear Designer Award. Showing his first collection with 10 looks, he won the award and was the last winner of this award in *TOM history. In the fall of 2019, he showcased his newest collection for Spring-Summer 2020. Although entering a new decade with hope and new possibilities, the world was affected by Covid-19 with the fashion industry being hit the hardest. Fortunately, in 2020, he had to quickly shift gears and started making PPE masks to help support his business. During these hard times, it brought out a new fire and determination not to give up. Presently, Rhowan is planning to showcase his new collection in the fall for Spring-Summer 2022. Jason Bennett: Jason Bennett or SIRWALTERFASHIONISTO to most has always had a unique take on fashion since his teenage years. Raised in Toronto by Trinidadian parents, the 80’s and 90’s street style and unique suiting inspired him to become fearless with his sense of style. Always wanting to look his best no matter where he went and to stand out in a crowd.

Jason would take advantage of his time after school and head into downtown Toronto to some of the cities stylish shopping areas such as: Yorkville, Yorkdale and the ever so popular Yonge & Bloor Streets. Jason would walk around and admire some of the best dressed people, eventually falling more in love with fashion. He went to school in the United States for Communications and Commercial Art, but fashion was still his passion. While in college, he discovered photography and become his Teachers Assistant for the photography studio and darkrooms. He decided to marry his two passions. He took some amazing photos of friends on campus and word travelled quickly and he became the stylish photographer that people would come to to get amazing indoor or outdoor photos done. In 2017, Jason got reacquainted with Rhowan at a friends house. Rhowan said that he was doing his collection and was going to NYC to be part of Small Boutique Fashion Week. I told him that I would love to come and support him at his show. The show ended up being cancelled while they were both enrolee to NYC. They decided to still meet up and walked through lower Manhattan’s shopping areas. Walking into designer stores, smaller boutiques looking at styles from different designers and people on the NYC streets. They got dinner and Rhowan showed Jason his look book. Jason was enamoured and very impressed. As Jason flipped the pages, he fell in love with each piece. Jason told Rhowan that if he needed anything else from that moment on, he was his guy. And as they say….the rest is history. Jason has been helping and assisting Rhowan with every facet of his brand. Naming items, accounting, buying fabric, cutting, sewing, choosing models, pricing, dressing and styling models. Not only for photo shoots but for all of his runway shows. From Toronto, NYC & Montreal. There is nothing like oneon-one teaching from a great designer. Jason’s currently helping Rhowan with his newest Spring/Summer Collection for 2022.

JOLE SUPER TRAINER

We caught up with Canadian Super Trainer, Jole has been getting her clients in shape and in health for over fifteen years. The fitness guru is a full-time rehabilitation professional on a trauma unit in Toronto and certified Stott Pilates Instructor. Jole is Pilates Reformer, Total Barre and TRX certified. The fitness professional works with able bodies, the orthopedic rehabilitation community, and her patients on the trauma unit. Jole established Forever Fit to focus on her clients’ individual wants and needs and how to make them one. Covid has left its effect on all of us this past year. Whatever your reason, swimsuit weather approaching, repair and healing from an injury or personal reasons of the heart, Jole gets busy with a plan. Years of experience has taught the fitness expert the reason for a change can be as important to the journey as the physical. The super-Trainor will form a realistic, doable plan that works, changing not only the body but the mind. Jole is with you every step of the way not only to create & adjust your routines and if need be, to gently remind you why you started and that you will get there. Jole’s clients rave about their results and the personal attention to their well-being. The Forever Fit mission inspired by its founder, Jole was created to help people achieve specific goals as well as those who just want to maintain joint mobility and muscle strengthening as standard body maintenance. Jole also encourages those of you who just want a quick workout to drop in on one of Forever Fit’s popular Zoom classes taking Toronto by storm. Whatever level of fitness you are at, from beginners to advanced, Forever Fit has a class for you. Jole teaches private, semi-private and group classes. The fitness guru uses small equipment to achieve your goals. Bands, balls, and foam rollers help stimulate the body, bringing awareness to where our body is in space. Small equipment brings awareness and encourages the client to gain lacking mobility, strength, and resistance. Fitness and self-care is not a marathon or a competition, it’s a self-care choice……Yours. Jole’s Zoom Classes can be found on Forever Fit’s website at……… Book an appointment and feel the change. No client is left behind at Forever Fit. Keep Up with Jole: INSTAGRAM: @foreverfitbyjole WEBSITE: https://foreverfitbyjole.com/ Media Inquiries: Sasha Stoltz Publicity & Management: Sasha Stoltz | Sasha@sashastoltzpublicity.com | 416.579.4804

BEN & DELON An Unstoppable Global Phenomena When and why did you start playing? Ben Anthony Lavoz: I sang in the church choir at a young age. As I entered production of my own material (urban music); I quickly hustled into Toronto’s Latin music scene. I handed out CD’s outside of clubs until I was finally picked up by key players in the scene. I was then given the opportunity to perform at club events at the ripe age of 16. Music has always called me and performing just came as a natural born talent. Delon Om: I started playing the guitar when I was in high school. It was all for the love of my high school crush (lol). I heard “Wonderwall” and I was hooked. I practiced that song until my fingers went numb and tried to impress her - only to find out she was dating the high school bully :( Which instruments do you play? Delon Om: I play the guitar, piano, cello and bass. Ben Anthony Lavoz: I focus more on vocals more than anything and creating the root melodies of the ma jority of my work. However, I do know how to play notes and chorus on the piano, guitar, ukulele, harmonica and most any instrument. I just personally

don’t have the patience to be playing an instrument whilst giving my 100 on stage…yet. What was the first tune(s) you learned? Delon Om: “Wonderwall” by Oasis Ben Anthony Lavoz: I always have been a huge advocate of learning and rehearsing my own music in addition to my renditions of songs. However, as a child I used to put on concerts for my family of Backstreet Boys, Eminem and limp bizkit. Is your family musical? Delon Om: My mother spontaneously bursts out into traditional Indo-Caribbean songs and my father idolizes Elvis Presley - so my upbringing was eclectic, at best. Ben Anthony Lavoz: No, I am the black sheep, but my family on my mother’s side disciplined me and raised me on other key morals and values that play a ma jor role in my work habits. My father did play the drums for a while and I do get a lot of my Salvadorian musical roots from listening to him growing up.

Describe your family member’s musical interests and abilities. Delon Om: My father tried the guitar but prefers singing now - It was challenging for him to hold certain chords. His interests are anything up until the 1990s: Rock, Soul, R&B, Country, and Gospel. Which famous musicians do you admire? Why? Delon Om. That would have to be Bruno Mars - the man is a prodigy. He embodies soul and swagger. His vocal range is superb and his musical skills are unrivalled in my opinion - and what about that hella cool moustache he’s been rocking?

downs in life based on family and you own perception. How can I learn from a musician if I don’t know the person personally? Who was your first teacher? Other teachers? Delon Om: My first teacher’s name was Mr. Loudfoot. He taught me the beauty of music and poetry and its potential to change hearts and minds. Ben Anthony Lavoz: My mother because she showed me to sacrifice any cost for what you truly love. My vocals in elementary school. I could hit the angelic high notes that still to this day touches me.

Ben Anthony Lavoz: Hector Lavoe, the king of salsa. I like him because he had a tough childhood. Despite that he was successful at his music. He claimed the salsa era. I love the sacrifices he made in his life. He sacrificed himself – his body, sanity and lack of conformity. His drug use took a great toll on his body but it empowered him create the great music he made. For me, that is an honourable thing to do. Even to this day, his music is still relevant and lives on in my heart of the Latino people.

Describe your first instrument. Other instruments. Delon Om : My first instrument was a used guitar my father purchased at a pawn shop. I still own it because it has sentimental value. It helped me learn the ins and outs of songwriting and production.

Which famous musicians have you learned from? Delon Om: I definitely learned range from Bruno Mars; songwriting from Coldplay; humility from Sam Smith; and style from Michael Jackson.

What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town? Delon Om: My fondest musical memories in my house would be my father playing musical classics at Christmas time. My favourite is Nat King Cole- A Christmas Song.

Ben Anthony Lavoz: I see my music as my own. I don’t do things the standard way. Every path is different. Generally, I’ve learned there is ups and

Ben Anthony Lavoz: My personal writing session where I tap into my zone and it’s where I do a majority of my writing. It doesn’t have a timeline. It’s going on.

Ben Anthony Lavoz: Hotel California is one of my memories listening to my dad when my parents worked together. It has a strong depth to it that I love. Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones? Delon Om: Anything by Sam Cook is special. It embodies the essence of musical artistry. Ben Anthony Lavoz: Any music that was recorded live with the band in the studio. For example, The Beatles. Back then, people were playing off each other. There were no studio special effects. It was “oh natural”.

BAYBEE GURL Keep’n it Real What made you decide to get into the music industry? At a young age, I was very inspired by the singer, Selena Quintanilla. She really inspired me to pursue this dream.

What would you say is the biggest misconception about you? That I am mean, because I have a resting B face. But, I’m super nice.

What age were you when you first started? I was around the age 19, when I started. How would you describe what you do for a living? Just living my dream, creating music with the people I trust around me. What is your most vivid childhood memory? It would have to be me singing on the karaoke machine for my family at parties and making up a whole dance to go with it. If you could invite any three people, dead or alive, for dinner, who would they be? Juice Wrld, Selena Quintanilla, and 2PAC. How did you end up with your stage name? I’ve always liked the word Baby Girl, but I wanted to make it more unique, so now I spell it BayBee Gurl.

What is your (honest) opinions about the way music is looked at today? I feel like the way I perceive music now is different, because now I’m able to understand other artist’s perspectives when I’m listening to their music. Especially in this Industry, there can be a lot of ups and downs. What’s the greatest fear you’ve had to overcome to get where you are today? Growing up I was very anti-social. I struggled to make friends, but now that I’m an Artist, I had to over come that fear and I had to create a new persona to give me that confidence I was missing. What’s the one thing you’d like to achieve before you die? To be able to tell my Family, I made it. Being a female in a competitive market do you feel the odds are against? Definitely! I’ve had many experiences where people thought they were better than me, just because I was “A Female Artist”. What was the name of your first single? Icy Tell us something that most people may not know about you? That I’m a huge gamer head. I’ll beat anyone 1v1 any day. What do you have to say to the young woman that are following in your footsteps? I’ma keep it real. You’re going to feel like at one point you want to just quit, but I promise you all the pain and work will pay off, baby girl. What part of Cali do you represent and what is the music scene like out there? I represent the west side of California. The music here is pretty diverse, but still lit at the same time. Do you have social media or a website? Officialbaybeegurl on all platforms.

Anna Stadler for The Lazy Surfer

Anna Stadler https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11231767/ @thelazysurfersurfsidebeach Crystal Williams of Crystal Gwenshon Photography https://crystalgwenshon.com/ @crystalgwenshon

XS10 Magazine - August 2021

Articles inside

BAYBEE GURL

BEN & DELON

Jason Bennett

VANILLA BASE

GARY CHOI

CAMILLA SUSSER

GEECHIE DAN

SEAN ELLIS

DECHEN HAWK