After the disastrous travel day that was St. Patty’s Day Parade traffic, and successive layovers in Ft. Lauderdale, Memphis AND Greenville, the entire M.I.S.S. x Revery Media fam finally made it out to the South by Southwest Film Festival on late Wednesday in one piece (sorta!). With our equipment and schedule of the showcases in hand, we made our way to our hotel, stashed our crapola in the luxury that only a Days Inn in Austin, TX can provide (*sarcasm, anyone?*), and decamped for East 6th St!
The South by Southwest Music and Media Conference, now in its 24th year, is one of the major must-attend yearly musical festivals. With the focus on spotlighting new music, labels, and music-industry media trends, the Austin, Texas festival has grown from a small gathering to a nation-wide music frenzy. With thousands traveling from all over the country to attend the 5 day festival, the liberal college town in Central Texas becomes a mecca for hipster kids and those that love them for one week in March. Seriously– being at baggage claim at the Austin Airport was basically the same experience one has while riding down Bedford Ave in Williamsburg on a fixed gear. All we’re saying– beards were everywhere!
For us, though, the highlight of the day was definitely taking in all that the closed-down East 6th street had to offer. From hipster galore to drunk St. Paddy’s day … well, you know whats… the variety of people coming together to celebrate new music was a beautiful thing. We felt the love!!
Check in on M.I.S.S. for daily updates, including exclusive photos and video interviews with your favorite artists (trust us kiddies, we have some big ones coming) for the duration of SXSW… because it’s only Day 1! 4 more left and counting!
Miami is one of those cities that conjures up a distinct visual palette of pink flamingoes, almost naked sun kissed bodies and kaleidoscopic cocktail mixtures. Yet just like any girl on the top cheerleading squad who gets good grades and dates the Ken look-alike, there is mad criticism. With the unfortunate displeasure of being defined by the wacky and sometimes tacky world of South Beach Miami, the city sports Spring Break fiascos, countless conferences full of sometimes below average executives and has amassed a colorful collection of party hungry animals.
With big winners such as Art Basel and Winter Music Conference appearing against a backdrop of swaying palm trees and sandy beaches, always brimming with a mix of Euros and out of town hipsters, you know it’s going to blow your mind, tickle your senses and have you shaking your booty. Up on the horizon is Winter Music Conference, another Miami love affair sure to boast a similar onset of debauchery and air horns. Descending upon every available cornerstone of music equipment are 1,910 artists and DJs with over 500 events to choose from in only just 5 days. Yet in the case of the most recent Art Basel in December; whilst the events schedule is more overwhelming than a sample sale at Barneys, fusing a mix of traditional fairs with underground satellite gallery launches, most of this might appear on the beach but the concentration of activity is over the bridge in the Design District. Sculptures appear on unexpected corners; there are film screenings, exhibits in store locations, pop up boutiques, concerts on the rooftops of bars and secret eating clubs. It brags an attendance rate of 40,000 people over a three day period, injecting glamour, the arrival of intellectuals from a spectrum of perspectives, show-off fashionistas, curious tourists and yes, even hardcore business dealers there with ‘Ka-Ching’ ringing in their ears – all in the name of art. Alongside this blanket of conductivity are international showrooms for design, luxury store outposts for brands such as Christian Lamboutin and Marni and specialty spaces by local brands such as Friends With You and the OHWOW Gallery.
Apart from these noisy festivals and sparkly pods of style, at the underbelly of Miami is a thriving creative community who don’t just bask in the sun, challenging the assumption that Miami is just about The Strip. It seems that whilst Miami might appear to be an oasis of social schizophrenia at times, all that glitters can be gold, and past the immediate reflection is a place full of hidden treasures. Here we talk to Juan Herrera, manager of the newly re-opened Cinema Nightclub, who talks about his promotional efforts to counteract stereotypes of what Miami is really like; New York music producer Michna, who spent his college years at University of Miami, explains how Miami has a unifying spirit amidst its creative folk and London bred Blue Logan provides his thoughts on his first time journey to the world of South Beach.
London killed it at One Step Beyond in New York City this past Friday, and debuted a new track!
Last Friday, Brooklyn based electronica/hip-hop artist, Theophilus Londonperformed at One Step Beyond, a monthly event held at the American Museum of Natural History. London kicked off his first U.S. performance of 2010 with a new tune titled, “Life Of A Lover”, from his upcoming mixtape, “I Want You”. With influences ranging from Michael Jackson to The Smiths, London’s newest offering boasts lyrics recounting recent life experiences as a fledgling artist on the brink of fame (”Hollywood has taken my heart”… “I’m going overseas, come fly with me”). London’s performance also included favorites from his previous project, “This Charming Mixtape” (”Humdrum Town”, “I Will Always Love You”, and “Crazy Cousins”) and ended with the title track from “I Want You”, a melodic throwback to the days of Marvin Gaye. London has posted a preview of “Life Of A Lover” (featuring Jesse Boykins) on his blog for Hypebeast, where the artist also shares his adventures from life on the road.
Charlotte Gainsbourg is a singer-songwriter, actress, wife, and mother. She is the daughter of the iconic duo Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. Born in London and raised in Paris, it is no wonder that her impeccably chic style is worship worthy. Charlotte embarked on her creative career at thirteen years old singing on the debut album, Charlotte Forever, produced by her father, Serge. That same year she won a César Award for Most Promising Actress for her role in L’effrontée. Since then Charlotte has become an accomplished and respected actress winning awards and critical acclaim for her roles. Most recently she was awarded the Best Actress award at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival for her role in the horror film, Antichrist.
It wasn’t until twenty years after the release of Charlotte Forever that she followed up with her sophomore album, 5:55. The effort gained platinum status in France while receiving a lukewarm reception in the UK peaking at #78 on the charts. Even though her second full-length took a couple decades, Charlotte wasn’t sleeping when it came to creating music. She sang the title song on three of her films, was featured on Madonna’s track from the album Music, “What It Feels Like For A Girl”, and contributed a cover of the song, “Just Like A Woman” for the Bob Dylan biopic, I’m Not There, soundtrack.
Nature vs. Nurture
Gainsbourg’s latest musical effort, IRM, was inspired by a head injury accident which led to a brain hemorrhage. During her frequent trips inside the massive MRI machine she thought about making music. “When I was inside that machine,” she said, “it was an escape to think about music. It’s rhythm. It was very chaotic.” One must respect the defiant will of an artist who feels the need to create, even while recovering from a major surgery.
She enlisted the help of American music extraordinaire, Beck. Beck produced, co-wrote, and mixed the album. He duets on the track “Heaven Can Wait.” The collaboration of two equally eclectic forces of creativity is a perfect union of kaleidoscopic pop coated with velvety textures and tinged with folky electronic riffs.
Charlotte’s style is totally effortless and simply classic. It exudes from her legendary lineage. Her gamine-like stature, fringed hair, and laid-back bohemian demeanor award her this weeks Fashion Meets Music muse. Enjoy the videos, buy her album or catch her on tour thing spring.
Tour
4/11 Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
4/12 Victoria, BC – Alix Goolden Hall
4/14 Seattle, WA – Crocodile Cafe
4/15 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
4/17 San Francisco, CA – Palace of Fine Arts
4/18 Indio, CA – Coachella
4/21 Chicago, IL – Park West
4/23 Montreal, PQ – Olympia
4/24 Montreal, PQ – Olympia
4/25 New York, NY – Webster Hall
7/16 La Rochelle, France – Le Festival Francofolies
Tracks I’m Diggin’
Trick Pony- check out the dude in the werewolf mask. IRM- title track cleverly uses sounds of an MRI, painfully catchy. Dandelion- check out this live performance of Charlotte and Beck, a breathy folk pop tune.
Name: Randi
Name of Playlist: Soundtrack Appreciation
Genre: Corny, dreamy, extremely catchy
Mood: Escapism
Playlist Inspiration: Some songs just make you think of a movie: In fact, some of the best songs are born from movies. This playlist is much like a movie soundtrack itself – the songs sometimes don’t flow when played one after another, but they all stand out, as they each are strongly tied to the theme of a movie (or at the very least, to a scene from the movie). Can you match the songs to the movies they are from? Hint: The songs were sourced from Boomerang, Reality Bites, Once, Dead Presidents, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Soul Food, Wild Style, Love Jones, Donnie Darko, Stranger Than Fiction, New Jack City, Pretty Woman, and of course, Dirty Dancing.
In “Supa Woman,” the first single off herLife Experience EP from ‘07, Amanda Diva sings about being an “Outstanding, Extraordinary, Supa Woman…” and with a new web show (”The Spark” with Amanda Diva on AOL Black Voices) to add to her already impressive résumé, she has continued to be just that—SUPA—so today we honor Amanda Diva as a woman making history!
Get familiar with the witty charm of Amanda Diva via DivaSpeakTV:
The spunky Diva got her start as a young actress on Nickelodeon sitcom, “My Brother and Me.” She left Orlando, FL for New York in ‘99 and fell head-over-heels in love with hip hop. She began writing spoken word poetry and in ‘02, and again in ‘05, she was chosen to appear on Russell Simmon’s Def Poetry Jam.
Amanda was then discovered by a Program Director from Sirius Satellite Radio and was quickly hired as a radio personality where she thrived from ’03-’08 with her morning show “Breakfast at Diva’s.” During that time she also obtained a Master’s in African American studies from Columbia University and served as the face of hip-hop on MTV2 interviewing artists like Jay-Z, Nas, Mariah Carey, Pharell, and actors Tom Cruise and Jamie Fox, to name a few.
Miss Diva also serves as comedy commentator and music expert on VH1 and is the writer & creator of “Diva Speak TV” a weekly humor based news/sketch comedy show featured on ThisIs50.com & “Diva Diva Ya’ll” on Karmalooptv.com.
Amanda is also an accomplished visual artist who shows in exhibits, does live painting events, and has a hand-painted bag line, Spectrum, available on Karmaloop.com and AmandaDiva.com.
The recording artist’s latest release, a Free Ep titled, “Spandex, Rhymes & Soul” combines hip-hop, soul, alternative, and a touch of electronica with lyrics on life and love that speak universally.
Yep, she’s what every female artist should be: real!
Amanda was recently featured on Q-tip’s “ManWoman Boogie” on his album “The Renaissance,” she also replaced Natalie Stewart in the Grammy award winning R&B group, Floetry in ‘07, and has worked with notable artisans Questlove, James Poyser, Green Lantern, Estelle, The Cool Kids, and more.
The Diva gives us the run down on who she really is:
Once upon a time I was radio host, then a tv host, a poet, a visual artist, an actress, a journalist, a singer, an emcee, and a web show producer. Now however, I’m just Amanda Diva. All of those things still remain, but as opposed to being different streams going in the direction of trying to “make it” they have come together to form one strong force carving its own known niche. The goal was once to “make it”. Now, it’s just to keep on doing it. Doing this. Making quality work to fill people up and cure their hunger pangs for the good shit. I’ve worked with the greats. I’ve been on the computer screen, the small screen, and the big screen. I’ve interviewed my heroes. I’ve seen a number of my dreams come true. However, I now work to help make others’ come true and apply all that I’ve learned so far on this journey.
And sometimes, she just likes to rock neon…
Women Making History: Amanda Diva
M.I.S.S.: What woman, besides your mom or grandmother, do you find inspirational?
Maya Angelou
M.I.S.S.: You’ve had an interesting career that has spanned many areas. How did you get your start?
I got my start dancing in Disney World’s “Sparkling Christmas Spectacular” when I was 8 yrs old.
M.I.S.S.: How did you transition from television to radio, from writing and poetry to music and then art?
It was totally random. I met the Program Director at Sirius Satellite Radio one night at a poetry show and he told me I’d be good on radio. I came in that week and the rest is history. I’d been doing art since high school but Swizz Beatz was the one who really pushed me to put my art out there in a major way when he saw me doodling once at an event.
M.I.S.S.: Of all the facets of your career, what do you find the most fulfilling?
Making music. By far. I love it so much. I feel so honored to be able to do so.
M.I.S.S.: What’s your favorite project that you’ve worked on?
I really loved doing my DivaSpeak TV web series. It was so fun just being carefree and sharing laughs with my directors Lyndon McCray and Quincy Ledbetter over the 2 1/2 years we’ve been doing it.
Def poet, Amanda Diva, is Hot Shit!
M.I.S.S.: From The Roots to Q-Tip, you’ve worked with some hip hop heavy weights. Who else do you want to work with?
I want to work with Andre 3000 so bad. Man, oh man. Also Maxwell, MGMT, Elton John, jazz singer, Gregory Porter, and Kanye West.
Below, “Neon” off of Spandex Rhymes and Soul at The Roots Jam at Highline Ballroom, NYC.
M.I.S.S.: In a male dominated field, you manage to rep for the ladies and keep it positive. You aren’t afraid to be sexy but you do it in a way that’s not demeaning or objectifying. How do you find that balance? How do you stay positive when so much of the music industry depicts women in such negative ways?
LOL. I’m not sure how I manage to do that other than I just stay true to self ya kno? I mean, I’m not a pretender so when you see me in chucks or stilettos you’re seeing me for real. I think honesty and being genuine is what makes someone confident and in turn sexy w/out losing integrity or chill without giving up class. I stay positive because I truly believe I can make a difference by example. Each one teach one.
M.I.S.S.: At M.I.S.S., we’re big fans of Diva Speak TV – what was the inspiration for the show?
When I was fired from Sirius Satellite radio folks started hitting me on myspace saying they missed my opinions and thoughts on current events so I decided to create a platform where I could give them that.
Diva works of art...such a vivrant thing!
M.I.S.S.: Your newest project is painting and customizing bags. Have you always had an interest in art and fashion? Do you see yourself expanding to include a full apparel and accessories line?
Yes I’ve always been an artist, but the bags were my mom’s idea, lol. I would love to one day have an entire line. My dream however is to have a home line with bedding, bathroom essentials etc, in Target.
M.I.S.S.: What part of writing/making music/painting is the most challenging and do you dislike the most?
writing-figuring out the concept
making music-mixing
painting-outlining (uggh i hate it!)
Amanda Diva gets her Bob Ross on...
M.I.S.S.: Any advice for ladies who are just starting out in a career path similar to yours?
Stick to your guns…especially when it feels like everyone else’s are aimed at you.
Just because Miss Winehouse isn’t busy in the studio does not mean she isn’t bee status anywhere else. She is putting herself back on the radar, this time in fashion. In January 2009 we heard a rumor that Amy Winehouse was working with Fred Perry. Now, we’ve confirmed that Winehouse is launching a clothing collection in collaboration with British label Fred Perry, to make its debut in stores in October.
I mean yeah, she’s as crooked as a joy ride jaunt and all but c’mon, we all have love for this
Amy has been wearing Fred Perry for years, so we were aware she was a genuine fan of the brand,” said Richard Martin, Fred Perry’s marketing director, of the initial pursuit of Winehouse for the design gig. “Amy has a unique sense of style that reflects the brand’s own historical reference points.
If Lagerfeld said she is a fashion icon, then obviously the stamp of approval is held high right? The collection will showcase slim, thigh-skimming pencil skirts; capri pants, a mini bowling dress, and Fred Perry’s signature polo shirts. The collection, which will wholesale for between about $32 and $150, will continue over four seasons and be sold in Fred Perry Authentic boutiques as well as through select wholesalers globally. “Amy gave crucial input on proportion, color and fit.”
I can’t wait to see the garments in person! Keep an eye out this coming fall ladies.
Spit-fire flow, tongue in cheek sensibility, and an informed female perspective, fused with classic Hip Hop and innovative World sounds, make NOLA DARLING a powerful new voice in music. As singers AND emcees, the ladies of NOLA DARLING challenge the status quo, redefining the roles of women in Hip Hop and modern society.
Nola Darling is a World Hip Hop female duo committed to encouraging young women to be their most empowered selves. Their motto: “Dream It. Believe It. Manifest It.”
Alex & Jaq of Nola Darling are today’s Women Making History.
M.I.S.S.: What woman, besides your mom or grandmother, do you find inspirational?
Jaq: I’ve always LOVED Eartha Kitt…her style and presence are incredibly
inspirational to me. Such a fearless lady!
Alex: Oprah. Nuff said.
M.I.S.S.: How did you get your start in music?
Jaq: Singing a karaoke version of Toni Braxton’s “Another Sad Love Song” at my Mom’s Holiday work party when i was in the 7th grade. That was the first time anyone (family included) had ever heard me sing…ever. Been doing it loudly ever since lol. Rapping first started in 6th grade at Marcus Garvey School on Slauson when we were banging out beats on our desks, and freestyling a la JJ Fad.
Alex: I come from a musically-inclined family and they encouraged me to study (starting with piano lessons) from an early age. I joined the school band in the 6th grade, picked up the Flute and started performing as a jazz singer at 13. I knew music would be a major part of my life then…but I never imagined I’d also be RAPPING. A friend gave us a beat about 3 years ago and I wrote my first verses as an “experiment.” The result was our first song, “Who Is Nola Darling?”
Who is Nola Darling? Jaq on the left, Alex on the right!
M.I.S.S.: What’s your favorite song that you’ve written and/or performed?
Jaq: Our song “Dem Rude Gals” always makes me giddy but I get a kick out of seeing the looks on people’s faces when we do our “My Boo/Shawty Swing My Way” medley. Ghost Town DJ’s and K.P and Envyi whoop whoop!
Alex: There’s a brilliant traditional Haitian Folk song called “Yo Yo.” It’s about this Dude who sells meat at the marketplace and always gives more you more than what you ask for….and I’ll leave it up to you to guess what kind of meat he’s selling…. (wink wink). I was playing around with the concept of this “hustler,” when my brother Mike was free styling to Biggie’s “I Got A Story to Tell” in the next room. Then the wheels really started turning. Inspired by the two
cultures, languages and styles of music, we wrote “Now You Know.”
M.I.S.S.: Who do you want to work with in the future?
Alex: Sooooooooo Many…but here’s my top 5 alive: N.E.R.D. (we’re going to create a super group one day…they just don’t know it yet)… Tanya Stephens, The Roots, Herbie Hancock, and my compatriot, Wyclef.
M.I.S.S.: What part of making music is the most challenging and do you dislike the most?
Jaq: I love everything about making the music…but the “selling” part is a whole different animal. Figuring out how to “sell” can sometimes feel awkward.
Alex: Ditto, Jaq. The pressure (both industry and self-imposed ) of creating something that is marketable. However, I’m sure we will really like getting the checks when they roll in…..lol.
Even the rudest girls stay fly!
M.I.S.S.: How important is fashion in your performances/videos, etc.?
Jaq: Fashion is just another extension of self, a way to convey how I’m feeling…or how I want to feel. It’s about the overall “story” that we’re trying to tell. And we’re SUPER visual, so yes…Fashion is absolutely significant.
Alex: Going through adolescence as a chunky girl in bikini-friendly Miami was not fun for me. No…Not so much. Ashamed of my body, I wore huge, over-sized shirts and baggy jeans that did nothing for me (DUH!) while I envied the skinny girls that paraded around in baby-tee’s.
A while ago, I decided that no matter what size I am, I have both the capability and the right to look and feel good in my clothes. We ALL do. Tired of hiding underneath extra fabric, I made the commitment to LIVE in my clothes everyday. Don’t think you’ll catch me in a Baby-tee any time soon…but I do my best to have unapologetic fun with fashion when hitting the stage or hitting the street on the everyday.
M.I.S.S.: Have you encountered any difficulties as women in a male dominated industry? If so, how do you handle it?
Jaq: Honestly, I feel like thus far, we’ve had mostly positive experiences. As for handling “difficulties”…we try to not even let the douche-y guys come on our radar, and that type is usually too cowardly to come at with some BS anyway *boy, bye!*
Alex: We’ve really had a very warm welcome from the industry for the most part. Because we’re very clear about who we are, what we’re about, and what we’re NOT about, we’ve been pretty fortunate in steering clear of any “difficulties” stemming from the fact that we’re women.
M.I.S.S.: Any advice for ladies who are just starting out in a career in music?
Jaq: Do that s**t. Seriously. Write, record, and just get OUT there, by any (respectable) means necessary. Don’t form any self-imposed limitations. You are as powerful as you believe you are.
Alex: Well, since I’m just beginning my own career, I’ll give myself some advice:
“Self: Challenge yourself everyday to be a better person and artist than you were the day before and never let fear stop you from taking a step forward.”
In 2008, Dana Washington aka Dana La Rock, released “GoldBooms, SilverBangs: The Fun Tape,” an experimental electro-based mixtape she made on a $30 microphone from Guitar Center. With production by DJ A-Track and others on the mixtape, it was recieved with much acclaim.
We were sure we’d hear a lot more from Dana La Rock but she took a needed hiatus from music. Now we’re happy to announce that the 24-year old teacher preparation student is back with two new projects up her sleeve: “The Lover/Flying Lotus Listening” and “Port Loverfly EP”. Dana’s new projects will release towards the second half of 2010.
2008's GoldBooms, SilverBangs: The Fun Tape
The driven So-Cal native is also putting together a mini-Q&A documentary seeking opinions/experiences on the “worth” of love and relationships later on this year/2011, as a side project away from music.
Dana gave us a run-down on her background:
I’m Dana (LA ROCK) and I’m the girl who can pretty much do the basics of almost everything. I rap and sing, write, work with kids and I’m picking up film photography and surfing. Everything I’m apart of is birthed from love, experimentation +expression. I figure when you’re honestly expressing yourself through creativity, nothing and no one can deny the truth. With that said I make music that’s straight from the heart and honest with the likes to bring a different listening experience. I’m not known worldwide which I am completely content with, yet I’m very thankful for ears hearing and spreading the word. I like the status of creating goodness without being in the spotlight, quality brings its own recognition.”
Dana La Rock's Cali flavor and gospel roots fuel the unique style of her voice...
A little more on Dana’s background:
I grew up in Buena Park, California, and I’m still residing in the Orange County vicinity, I love it here. Music has been in my life since forever, in Junior High school I would dub tape cassettes from random CDs I had and made little “mixtapes”. I’m sure many people know what I’m talking about! I thought I was a DJ (lol), I thought I was going to be a DJ, but I got a mic in my hand before turntables.
I’ve been exposed to music since a kid, my parents both play piano/organ/keyboards, I grew up in the church (gospel music) and the constant sounds of 60s/70s soul music blaring from my mother. They all had influences on me to test out music for myself which is where I’m at today. I found my voice around 2005, I’ve always been so shy to record and perform, still am till this day, but it’s all a good rush. I started out rapping because I well, singing wasn’t a true gift (yet I still sing, God gave me a voice to utilize). I put out a little project prior to 2005 called “Estrogen vs Hiphop”, it was super underground rap and I’m very much embarrassed to pop that CD back in and listen to it now. My musical influences range from Lauryn Hill to Andre 3000 to Cee Lo Green (of Goodie Mob/Gnarls Barkley) to Santigold. My voice has a sort of unique distinction which I absolutely adore… It’s always weird hearing my own voice playing aloud.
Dana hopes to work with producer Flying Lotus in the future...
SexSlaveShip, off of her“The Lover/Flying Lotus Listening” project is the track in the video below, featuring Blaxploitation scenes from the cult classic 1976 film “Velvet Smooth.”
The Lover/Flying Lotus Project is Dana’s own addition to tracks off of ‘Los Angeles,’ the album Los Angeles-based producer Flying Lotus released in 2008. Dana hopes she can catch the experimental producer’s eye with this project.
Below, Dana La Rock presents the Video Teaser for her mini EP “Port Loverfly”, which lightly chronicles a spacey journey of love. “Port Loverfly” is the prelude effort to a series of conceptual love based EPs. Release date TBA.
M.I.S.S.: What woman, besides your mom or grandmother, do you find inspirational?
If I could choose too, I’d pick my two sisters. Both of them have this aura of womanly stature and strength, I have yet to grasp. I look up to them both equally and I hold a great amount of respect and love for them. They are the definition of strong Women and the best sisters in the world.
M.I.S.S.: How did you get your start in music?
I got into music as a testament to folks who wouldn’t give me the time or day, but over the years I realized making music should be for me and expression. I’m not trying to make statements anymore or trying to get a deal, I just vowed to make good music that’s 100% from me.
M.I.S.S.: What’s your favorite song that you’ve created?
I have this track titled “The Revival (Soul!)” off ‘The Lover/Flying Lotus Listening’ I’m releasing soon. It speaks from my own experiences with music and from what I see others doing. It’s about being renewed and staying true to yourself and the music you’re creating.
Lyrics Go: “Gather up all your money honey, you won’t even have to sell your soul/ Gather up all your homies honey, you won’t even have to sell no dough/ No, you don’t have to sell your soul/Calling for a revival, Calling for a revival.”
M.I.S.S.: Who do you want to work with with the future?
I want to work with a few female artists from New York and definitely a band. A band is a must. Famous people? Hmm most definitely Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Flying Lotus, Aloe Blacc, Cee Lo Green, Pharrell Williams, Santigold, M.I.A (this list could go on for days!)
You will be hearing a lot more from Dana La Rock in the months to come...
M.I.S.S.: What part of making music is the most challenging and do you dislike the most?
Honestly everything about making music is challenging for me, but I hate songwriting the most… I usually think of songs while I’m stuck in [L.A] traffic and I never write it down (duh!), so I always forget good lines. Not smart, always carry a note pad.
M.I.S.S.: Any advice for ladies who are just starting out in a career in music?
Be you and have integrity! Support your fellow female Artists/Producers/DJs. Music, just like any other field is extremely tough and cluttered, but it’s not impossible to break into. There will always be critics spitting out negative vibes, but if you’re content with what you create/portray go for it 200%!
With Love, Dana.
Women Making History: Dana La Rock
Thanks, Dana!
To stay up on all things Dana La Rock, check out any of the links below:
