How’s your Christmas spirit? Here’s something to get you even more into the holiday mood! Alabama Luella Barker is the 12-year-old daughter of legendary Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and has just released a cover of Justin Bieber’s hit song “Mistletoe.”
In the video, Alabama is hanging with a few friends decorating a Christmas tree, but she cannot keep her mind off her crush. Doe she end up under the mistletoe with him?
Check out the vid here to find out what happens!
Alabama has also released a single and music video for “Heartbreaker” in October with Hayden Summerall playin the love interest.
In 2017, she released her first single “Our House”, with the music video receiving more than 400,000 views.
Alabama has toured and performed with her dad, and even made an appearance on Blink 182’s California album on the song “She’s Out of Her Mind”. The piano heard in the song was actually created by Alabama herself and recorded to be part of the song.
Music media company Fuse has just released content all Billie Eilish fans will love: an exclusive behind the scenes peek of Billie getting ready to perform at Chicago’s House of Blues.
Image: Fuse.tv
The video, just over 11 minutes long, starts with Billie’s arrival to the venue, sharing some hugs with fans, chilling backstage, and getting prepped through rehearsal/soundcheck, and sharing her thoughts. Its an intimate look at one of tdoay’s mosty popular teen artists.
Kolten Kirschke is a talented 13-year old singer/songwriter and actor who has been performing and filming professionally for the majority of his life in New York and Los Angeles. Known for his covers on Youtube, his new single “Let Me Know” drops TODAY!
Kolten took some time from his busy schedule to answer a few of our questions about releasing his very first single, what the creation process was like, and a few “getting to know you” facts. Scroll down to read our Q&A!
Hi Kolten, nice to e-meet you! You are releasing a brand new track today and we are excited to find out about it…but first, tell us a little about yourself.
Really I’m just your ordinary teenager that loves playing soccer and gaming- especially
streaming live on Twitch! I’ve trained as a singer, actor, and dancer most of my life; and it’s
become a huge part of who I am and something I work on everyday.
Great! Now, let’s get into the big news. Your new track is called “Let Me Know.” What’s it about?
“Let Me Know” is about having communication in a relationship. It’s always so hard to know
what the other person is thinking or feeling, so communicating is key.
How did the track come about, as far as songwriting, producing, etc.?
I’m blessed with the best team and support system. It started with pen and paper
and evolved into more than I could have expected. It was so great to work with Mary Simmons
(Marygold) and Zak Lloyd in Los Angeles. Mary co-wrote lyrics and topline, and Zak produced
an amazing track. I recorded the song with them in LA, and it was such a fun process.
I am sure there was a lot of work put into it. How does it feel to finally release it to the world?
It’s really exciting to finally be at a point where I can start releasing original music. Cover songs
are great, but this time it’s my own feelings and story that people will hear.
Walk us through what planning and shooting the music video was like.
Again, it takes a great team to pull a vision together. Director Keith Green worked with me on
developing the storyboard. Once we had a storyboard, we auditioned actors and dancers we
needed for the video. Stylist, K. Makini, covered all wardrobe for us. Then a couple rehearsals
later, it was time to shoot. First Eye Media Group came in and worked their magic. I’m serious — to
watch them film with their cameras, drones, and lighting equipment and then see the video — it
feels like magic! Last comes all the editing. A lot of time and hard work go into these videos.
You’ve got a few Justin Bieber covers on your YouTube channel. How has he influenced you as an artist?
When I first started music, Justin Bieber was the teen artist we all aspired to be. Most people
don’t see or understand the countless hours in the studio, choreography, rehearsals, and time
away from home that goes into all this. It takes serious work ethic to do all he’s done; I admire
and compare myself to it all at this stage in my life.
Being involved in the arts for some time now, including an appearance in “Future Man” with Josh Hutcherson and directed by Seth Rogen, what’s been the most memorable moment so far in your showbiz career?
Some of my most memorable moments haven’t released yet! Two projects will be out in
October. As an actor, the experience is amazing, but waiting to share is hard!
You advocate for a drug-free lifestyle, which we agree with 100 percent. With so many popular artists displaying drug use in their videos and social media, what do you think is the best way teens today can keep themselves on track and not fall into drug use?
Social media for so many teens is a way to learn about life. There needs to be more positive
influencers out there showing teens how to chase their dreams without drugs!
Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.
Fans of MTV’s 10 on Top no doubt remember its bubbly host Lenay, who shared the screen with co-hosts ranging from Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Victoria Justice, and Macklemore. That gig led her to a pretty massive social media following, with 8 million followers and counting. Now she is giving these fans something else to love about her: original music!
Lenay just released her debut track “La La Land.” Its an ode to her new city, having moved here recently after an international upbringing which started with being born in the Congo, Africa, growing up in Minnesota, and living in Santiago, Chile.
In addition to releasing the song, she debuted the music video yesterday on PerezHilton.com, featuring her boyfriend, uber-popular Youtuber Germán Garmendia and a cameo by Perez Hilton himself.
We got the chance to ask Lenay a few questions, read her answers below–she is awesome! ❤
But first, check out the song, video, and her socials below
Hi Lenay, thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Before we get into your new music, tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! Well let’s see … my name is Lenay, I grew up in Minnesota, I just moved to LA this year, I like playing laser tag, and painting plates at those ‘paint your own plate’ shops, which I haven’t done in a while so I should probably do that soon. Then you get to bring it home and eat off your plate with your drawing on it – it’s pretty exciting.
Great. Many people are familiar with you as the host of MTV’s 10 on Top – what led you to start releasing your own music?
I grew up playing classical piano, but started writing songs on guitar before I was on MTV, and always worked on my songs on the side. I’ve had a lot of my songs produced but never really uploaded a lot of them until now!! I think everyone is their own worst critic and I always felt they weren’t ready, now I realize that’s a super common feeling and it’s more important to just upload them before I overthink it lol.
Tell us about your new song “La La Land” and the story behind it.
I just moved to LA this year! I’d been to LA before but somehow this time I saw it differently and wasn’t so blinded by the smoke and mirrors. I think there is beauty in the imperfections and started singing about it, and out popped “La La Land”!
After this track, are your working on a full-length album or EP?
I thought when I got to LA that I would be releasing and album, but finding out that’s it’s more of a ‘singles’ market, where artists now can release one song at a time and hype people up around one song instead of 10 and it’s so much fun!!
I’m having a blast planning all of my social media headers/photoshoots/videos to all things themed “La La Land”. I’m really getting into what the song is about and giving it the individual attention it deserves. I can’t wait to do that for every song!! I would be very excited to release an album too, but I think a few songs would more likely get lost on it if that happens.
What would you like people to know about your upcoming music?
While I’m in the studio in Nashville or LA working on ‘finding my sound’ and what I like, I’m finding more and more of my new songs (coming soon!!) are mixing reggaeton beats, dark pop, and Post Malone inspired sounds, and it’s sounding SO cool!! Lol, I have no idea how to explain it other than that. Can’t wait for you guys to hear them!
What was the most memorable moment of your 10 on Top stint?
I think living in NYC while I hosted 10 on Top and walking to MTV right in the heart of Times Square was an experience in itself, and then having my own office and being able to pitch my own show ideas to executives (and getting one picked up woohoo!) was also fun.
Everyone I co-hosted with was so nice and it’s fun running into a few of them here and there in LA and they’re like, “weren’t you blonde”? I change my hair color a lot haha. It looks like I share my Instagram with 10 of my twins but it’s just me and my hair color changing habits. Although I wish I had 10 twins. I went on a site to try to find strangers who look like me in the world the other day and no luck so far.
You’ve got quite an international background. What’s been the most rewarding part about having lived in so many different places?
I think hearing different stories and different views on life itself. As well as learning that there are infinite realities that you yourself can live in or tap into even just in your own life. Just knowing that is freeing sometimes. Ok, that went deep and very horribly explained lol.
On an easier note, I love meeting people and then running into them in random places! Like I was in Nashville last week and my friend Sara, who I’ve known since I was 10 in Minnesota and I did my first photoshoot with, was like, “I live here now, let’s hang”. And we did hang, as well as did another photoshoot 🙂
Do you take Spanish classes presently to try to improve your Spanish? Or is it all from the time you lived in Chile?
After I went to Cancun on vacation with my parents when I was little, and got my hair all braided on the beach (lol). I fell in love with the culture and the language. My parents saw that and found an after-school Spanish club for me to join and start learning Spanish. I won a prize the first day and was hooked for life. Haha. But yes, when I was little I wanted to be a Spanish teacher when I grew up, so that’s how I started learning. 🙂
Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.
I got rabies shots once. I’ve never told that anywhere before haha. I was in Costa Rica and was feeding these wild little cute animals that look like raccoons but cuter. I think they are called Codis or something.
One was trying to bite a chip but accidentally bit my finger, so I had to get rabies shots just in case. There’s a picture of the moment it happened of me feeding them if you scroll down on my Instagram a long ways. (I upload a lot haha). You’ll see the one I mean. Was totally worth the insta-pic.
Biggest pet peeve?
Wet socks
Favorite book?
“The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm.” Only book I’ve ever read twice when I was little. Now I like articles in magazines like Psychology Today or Harvard Business Review.
Favorite food?
Coffee
Favorite movie?
Every new movie I see that I love is my ‘new favorite movie’. I think “Ready Player One” was the last one.
Most embarrassing moment you wish you could do over?
One time I met Rebecca Minkoff and I was nervous and I was like, “oh hi! Where are you from do you know where?” and then everybody laughed and she was very polite and nice but like yes I know where I’m from lol. [haha! – Editor]
Craziest fan experience?
One time a fan gifted me at a concert photos of my boyfriend and I printed out, with herself photoshopped in every photo with us. It was adorable and hilarious – I still have them somewhere.
What else do you have coming up next?
New songs!!! And just released my own app!!! Just look up my name, ‘Lenay’, on the App Store and hang out with me on it!
Could we get a selfie of whatever you are doing at the moment to keep it real for the fans?
Lol ok but you asked for it !! (also note from future self: I just took it and almost accidentally airdropped it to the random guy next to me instead of my laptop. which is kind of hilarious and I should anyways)
“I’ve always written pop music, and have written songs that were fun, and easy to listen to, but over the past year, I think just with life experience, my writing became so different. As I began to grow and evolve as an adult, I started writing songs that were still pop but more open and vulnerable.”
“Nothin’ on Us” tells the story of a relationship that Natalie thinks could stand the test of time and pressures from others.
“I had the lyrics ‘eyes looking in mine, like I’m all that you want tonight’ in my phone for a really long time. One day I was just messing around on the piano and I came up with the hook which is very simple and just repeats ‘They ain’t got nothin’ on us.’ I honestly just kept those in as filler lyrics but later realized that I had said everything I needed to say with those words. From there, the song essentially wrote itself.”
A Youtube star in her own right, Natalie hosted the web show “Natalie Interviews” from 2009-13, where she interviewed many celebrities including Ariana Grande, Zac Efron, and Caitlyn Jenner. After starting college at California Lutheran University, she decided to take some time off and focus on developing herself as a musician and artist. After graduating in May 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in both Music Production and Communication, Natalie began focusing on music full-time.
Over the past two years, Natalie has worked on a variety of projects including a sketch called “The President’s Sun” with Funny or Die, Dia & Co ad campaigns, and has worked with a variety of artists and songwriters. In 2016, she flew to Nashville to work with former VP of Creative at Warner/Chappell Judy Stakee and started 2017 by attending the Grammy Awards. After releasing her single “Man Up” she performed at venues around Southern California including the W in Hollywood.
“Nothin’ on Us” is the first single from Natalie’s two-part album, 12, which is due out for digital release later this year!
“12 has always been a really special and important number in my life and this record is a very special and important record to me. It’s a collection of music that represents who I am entirely and what my story has been over the past few years. I genuinely hope that these songs can add some fun and happiness to people’s day when they need it most.”
One of the characteristics of a successful artist is “hustle.” Although some actors and musicians seem to become hits overnight, in truth there is a lot of work behind building their careers. This means years of acting and voice lessons, paying one’s dues in small productions, and generally “working it” for the love of the craft until hopefully, one day, success arrives.
12-year-old Gigi Cesare represents that level of hustle. This Imagen Award-nominated beauty with Uruguayan roots works on her acting and singing chops constantly, and has just released a music video for her first single, called Valentine. She also has several film projects in the works. With this amount of dedication and hard work, great success will surely come knocking on Gigi’s door sooner rather than later.
Let’s find out more about her…keep scrolling for her interview with TWK!
Hello Gigi, nice to e-meet you! You’ve just released a music video for your new single “Valentine.” Tell us what the song and video are about!
Hi TWK! I am so excited to be here with you. Thanks for asking, I am so excited about “Valentine.” This song is about anyon’e love story, it can be applied to any teen, tween, person really who has love interest in someone and wants them to know. Its about it being ok to say “I like you” and taking a chance. Its about not being afraid of rejection or looking silly if those feelings aren’t returned. Let’s face it, we have all been there, right?
What was the best part about making it?
Wow, that’s a great question….there are so many firsts in this process it’s hard to choose just one. I would have to say that hearing my own voice on a studio recording of my very own song is totally epic and the ‘what will happen next’ part is super exciting. I will never forget making the video. There are just so many artistic, incredible moments this process is giving me. I’m really humbled and grateful.
Do you have more music coming out after that? If so, tell us about it!
Oh my gosh I am so excited you asked, I have written a song called “Don’t Cry” that is such a special song written from a really raw place of sadness about my own experiences being bullied. My lyrics are now in the hands of the composer, the same songwriter who composed “Valentine” and he will begin adding music to them.
I want to sing great songs of course, that people enjoy but I also want to say something in the process. I want other kids to know I have been there and you’re not alone and well, there is hope. If you can take your sadness, anger, frustrations and channel them into something positive like writing your own music or go belt out a song, write a poem, wonderful things can and will happen.
Who is your biggest musical inspiration?
I was raised on so many musical genres and decades, it’s hard to choose just one. In current day, I would choose Sia. She makes the kind of music I love and she actually sings her own songs which is very rare, most singers are talking through their songs, she doesn’t use autotune and she can slay the high notes. I aspire to have a similar musical career because she is reaching kids with her lyrics too, not just talking about getting a new “Rolex.” Not that there’s anything wrong with getting a new “Rolex!”
You were nominated for Best Actress at the 2017 Imagen Awards, along with huge names such as Salma Hayek, Eva Longoria, and Edy Ganem. Going back to the night of the awards ceremony in August, which memories stand out the most for you?
Wow the Imagen Awards were literally a magical Cinderella evening. There were so many people in the room that I never thought I would meet, let alone be in their company as an artistic equal. Meeting Ricardo Hurtado from School of Rock was really cool. His parents were as cool as he is! Meeting Lin Manuel Miranda and Rita Moreno and Norman Lear, I mean these people are Hollywood and stage icons, it was just incredible.
I have seen a few clips of you working on your punching skills. Are you a martial artist, or is this preparation for a role? If prep, tell us about the movie!
Haha yes, that’s great you found those! I am taking boxing for my upcoming role in STREET II DEATH FIGHT. It is an MMA (mixed martial arts) film franchise I have been a part of since I played Jessy when I was age 8 in STREET I. I couldn’t love the producer, Lyle Howry, cast and crew more than I do. Long-time Hollywood Director Dwight H. Little has just signed on to direct, with the script being finished soon, this sequel is going to be an incredible, action-packed, adrenaline-pumping hour and a half of pure entertainment.
You’ve mentioned that Angelina Jolie is an inspiration because she uses her fame to promote important causes. If you were in her shoes which cause would YOU promote?
I think the work she does with clean water, building wells and attention to international human rights are all so important. I would definitely want to be part of those organizations and there’s one more cause I promote across social media platforms which is awareness on the fur trade.
Most people don’t realize how fur is farmed, how the animals suffer for long periods of time before a painful death. I just want to bring awareness to those who don’t know. Faux or fake fur is as genuine looking as the real thing nowadays, and when you think that an animal lost their life in a torturous way so you can have a pink fuzzy ball keychain or decorative fuzzy tassel hanging from your bag or boots, it could cause you to rethink those buying choices. If there’s no demand, those trades go out of business. Learn where your clothing is coming from, know your cosmetics – know if they are tested on animals and just share the word that cruelty is never ok.
I understand that your biological dad passed away when you were little. Can you tell us what happened and what your best memory of him is?
My biological dad, Fernando Marcelo Cesare de Matera (that’s a mouthful) was a professional soccer player from Uruguay South America, Canelones. He was a vibrant, funny, full of life person who was family oriented and I look just like him. When my mom was 7 months pregnant with me, he was taken to INS holding, held for several months then later deported. What we know is that he passed away around the USA border while working toward legal re-entry into the USA. We just don’t have many details. The whole thing is deeply tragic, he was so young.
He was from Uruguay – what part of the Uruguayan culture do you like or feel proud of most?
You know my dad spoke 5 languages and its not unusual for most people there to speak several languages. I love that aspect of South America. When you see how simply my family lives in Uruguay you can’t believe it. The focus there is not on material possessions, its on food, family, love and laughter. Its on building memories. They have these big open backyard outdoor pavilions with fireplaces bigger than you’ve ever seen. They are really into barbequing and roasting on open flames. It’s really incredible. And all the families live on connected plots of land where they can just walk next door and spend their days together. It’s incredible. The sense of family closeness is in all they do. I wouldn’t have minded some street lamps at night, but let me tell you with no streetlamps and lighting to interefere, the skies light up like diamonds at night.
If you could clear up just ONE misconception people have about young performers like yourself, what would it be?
Maybe a big misconception is that we are spoiled and live fabulously 24/7. The reality is it can be lonely, working as an actor, young performer or musician requires a tremendous amount of time dedication, preparation and perseverance and thick skin. If the audition or filming interferes with your plans – a dance, a prom, a party, the biz waits for no man. They will move on without you, so you must be present and available at all times. So sacrifices are big. Sure it looks like fun when you watch someone’s Instagram life, but that is not reality until you’re in it for years most of the time. They say “overnight success” but really there’s five or ten plus years what were part of that “overnight” no one talks about. And there’s bullying. I get it, I know it’s a gift that I get to do what I do. I think if the kids who want be an actor or performer were to ask me for help / guidance I would help in a nanosecond. I am always here to lend advice or guidance when someone wants to know how to enter the biz.
Photographer Natalie Warr @natwarr Photography. Styled by @howardveronika. HMUA by @coconicole.artistry
Biggest pet peeve?
Being mean to others. Mean people. Just be nice. And it always comes back to you. It always will come back to you.
Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.
Hmmm, I write stories… I keep something with me at all times so I can write. I am always writing. Oh a fun fact that I have an Auntie in the biz, Brooke Hogan who isn’t just my aunt but a female power force and super positive role model.
Future goals?
To work on some amazing indie films, maybe something in Europe or an awesome NETFLIX series. I am hoping to carve out a career kinda like Hailee Steinfeld. She is multi-dimensional actress who can do drama and comedy and is on fire with her new music career. And of course once I have a platform, to shut down as many fur farms as I can get my hands on.
What other projects are you working on in the near future?
I am partnering with Spreading the Love 101, cause for Autism awareness, which is a cause close to my heart. I will be performing “Valentine” at their event on Sat., April 7th in Burbank with Party Bash for Kids and many other young performers organized by founder @madisynsblog Madisyn Alexis, a young celeb blogger with Asperger’s who is pioneering breaking the stigma on autism spectrum awareness. She’s incredible.
I just wrapped WITHIN AND WITHOUT playing Emily in an emotion-fueled drama piece about a family who loses their mom. The STREET franchise is going to keep me on my toes for years to come thankfully, and I am also cast in THE KING’S PROPHECY as Exandra, the lead in this awesome medieval fantasy tale of cousins, murder and survival. I understand that my film THE KIDS FROM 62-F (I play Nina with an ensemble cast of 4 youth actors) will debut on NETFLIX in early 2018 with a sequel in the works as well. And who knows, maybe one of my stories will make it onto a screen!
Gigi Cesarè as Emily and her on screen dad played by Robert Sciglimpaglia rehearsing a scene on set of film Within and Without. Shot in Connecticut 12/10/2017
Can we get a quick selfie of whatever you are doing right now?
Oh my gosh, ok here goes! Thank you Willie and TWK! I love your vibe and what you do for teens everywhere. Thank you for this fun chat sesh!
Chloe Jane is on a roll. The pop singer, YouTuber and DJ released her debut single called “Superstar” just a few months ago, which was written by Meghan Trainor and The Elev3n (video embedded below) and recently deejayed at one of the most famous nightclubs on the planet: Amnesia on the Spanish island of Ibiza.
And, she’s only 14 years old!
Born in New York into a family of professional musicians, ChloeJane learned piano at age 9 and started singing and dancing at the age of 10. Summer holidays with her parents in Ibiza and a special friendship with the legendary DJ Jellybean Benitez (who remixed and produced some of Madonna’s early music) inspired her to go to the DJ school Dubspot in NYC. She started her professional DJ career by performing at the age of 12 at Le Ti and Do Brazil in St Barth. During the Summer of 2016 she spun at KM5 in Ibiza as well as a string of charity events hosted by Paris Hilton.
We got the chance to do a written Q & A with Chloe for TWK, and she also recorded a quick cover video for you guys, our lovely readers! (Video is embedded at the bottom of the page)
Hi Chloe, nice to e-meet you! Tell us a little about yourself and where you grew up.
I am 14 years old. I sing, DJ, play piano, write songs and dance. I grew up in New York City.
What made you get into DJing and how did you learn how to do it?
My parents met in Ibiza, Spain and Ibiza is the biggest music island in the world. Every summer I went and watched DJs play. I watched them perform and wanted to learn how to DJ myself. A family friend of mine, Jellybean Benitez is a legend in the DJ/music industry. When I was 12 years old I told him I wanted to learn to DJ. He taught me all his tricks and that is how I started DJing.
How would you describe the style of music you play?
I play all different types of music. Depending on where I am playing, and for which crowd, I play different tracks. When I play for teenagers at my Glow Parties at Amnesia in Ibiza, I play a lot of EDM and pop.Which deejay has made the biggest impact on you and why?
I love Martin Garrix because I admire how much he has accomplished at such a young age. I love the music he creates and I love the shows he puts on.
What is the best piece of advice you have gotten from a fellow DJ or mentor?
PRACTICE and always keep looking for new music and remixes.
You are only 14. What was it like DJing at one of the most famous nightclubs in the world, Amnesia in Ibiza at such a young age? Were you uncomfortable at any point?
I loved having my own Teenage party at Amnesia because it gave the kids an opportunity to have a party and have fun as there are really no places for them to party. I always have fun when I DJ and sing. When I am on stage I have so much fun and I get to interact with the crowd.
What do you like to do besides spinning?
I sing, write songs and dance.
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What are your goals in show business/DJing—where would you like to see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5-10 years I would like to see myself releasing music throughout the world, touring in large venues around the world and appearing in major movies and television shows.
Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you.
My mom and aunt are from Australia and my aunt was Ms. Australia.
Can we get a quick selfie of whatever you are doing right now?
The L.A.-based trio is on a roll, having toured North America on the 2015 DigiTour alongside Demi Lovato. One of its members, Ricky, starred on the Disney Channel Original Series “Best Friends Whenever.” Emery also made appearances on Disney Channel shows such as “Dog With a Blog” and “Lab Rats.”
And today the three of them made an appearance on Disney’s new show called “The Oh My Disney Show” a talk show-style entertainment program headed by influencer Alexys Gabrielle.
We were granted access to the taping, and are happy to present some behind the scenes footage as well as an exclusive interveiw we got with the guys.You can see that here:
If you are unfamiliar with the band, here is some history provided by their publicist:
“In 2013, on a whim, then-15-year-old Emery signed up for the hit TV talent show, “X Factor.” He passed the first audition and headed for Los Angeles. Luckily for him, while waiting to perform for Simon Cowell, he met fellow competitor, San Antonio native Ricky Garcia.
“I started pursuing music at 10,” remembers Ricky, who grew up in a home filled with soul, R&B, hip-hop, country and pop music. “My parents were supportive. They knew I liked to sing and act.” How supportive? The Garcia family moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to get his career on track. Ricky entered several talent showcases, a strategy that paid off when he met artist manager Joby Harte, who connected Ricky with the Walt Disney Company. Joby is FIYM’s manager today.
When Ricky and Emery met at “X Factor” they instantly became friends. Rather than compete as soloists, the two joined forces with a third hopeful to form a band, dubbed Forever In Your Mind by Simon Cowell. From there, the trio built a foundation, but in time it was clear a new third member was needed. That’s when Emery called his cousin back east.
By then, Liam had become a veteran stage performer, a trained singer and an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, just what FIYM needed. “When someone asks you to come to L.A. and do this, no 15-year-old would say no,” Liam recalls. “I bought a one-way ticket to Los Angeles, and I’ve never left.”
In the two years since, FIYM has been on a roll, acting in hit Disney shows and creating a string of thrill-ride cover videos, such as their remakes of “Cake By The Ocean, ” “Shake Your Booty,” and “Night Changes.” Over time, the band has matured as players, performers and songwriters. “Songwriting is another way to increase our creative ability and express how we feel,” Emery says. “When I write with Liam and Ricky, we’re like triangle. We come together and shoot a beam to the sky.”
Here is the FULL performance of the song here, plus an interview with Alexys Gabrielle on “The Oh My Disney Show”
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and lots of artists are releasing work to spread the message that bullying is not acceptable, and that to accept yourself for who you are despite other’s opinions or mean words is the most empowering thing you can do.
Los Angeles-based pop duo, Honey and Jude, have just released their own track to support the cause, called “Weirdos and Freaks.” Produced by Mike “WUFF” Wofford (formerly of RedOne Productions), the song is now available for download on iTunes and for streaming on Spotify.
‘ ‘”Weirdos and Freaks” is a call to arms for self-acceptance and empowerment. While the track is a sugary pop tune with mesmerizing harmonies, there is much more to it than an upbeat pop tempo, the song also serves to send a serious message. The song was written for anyone who has ever been pushed around or called a name, but really it is for everyone. “We want to spread the message that who ever you are, be proud of it regardless of what anyone else may think,” Honey and Jude comment. Digging deeper into the song, you can hear the inspiring message behind it with lyrics like, “Here’s to the weirdos and the freaks, we don’t pretend, we just be who we want to be,” The duo then fires back at bullies with lines like, “You’re just not worth it and I ain’t got time.” The pair was inspired to write the single, after a fan wrote a Facebook post about struggling with bullies. “Weirdos and Freaks” was written to give victims of bullying a voice.’
The pair are encouraging the use of the hashtag #beautifulfreaks to get the word out that no matter how weird you or your friends are, bullying is not okay.
If you haven’t heard Honey and Jude’s music, you are in for a treat. They have been performing together since 2012 and officially formed as a duo in 2015, sort of modelling themselves after Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in Grease. Catchy hooks and great vocals throughout…we recommend giving their “Summer Fling EP” a listen.According to a press release, it was released in 2015 and “has gained attention most notably from Music Connection Magazine, who included the duo in their “Top 100 Unsigned Artists of 2015.” Honey and Jude have played various Los Angeles venues such as House of Blues, Hard Rock Café, as well as countless malls and schools.”
Here is one of our favorite tracks, a sweet ballad with GREAT vocal performances:
Singer and songwriter Caroline Romano, while just beginning her career, has already performed alongside the likes of Shawn Mendes, Kelsea Ballerina, Frankie Ballard and Daya.
Despite her achievements, Caroline is just like any other teenage girl, capable of insecurities and body image worries. This is reflected in her latest song “Inside” from her recently released EP “Hashtag.”
“It’s basically the story of the struggles I’ve faced with body image and bullying. There was a point in my life where I changed everything about myself in order to meet other people’s standards of ‘beauty.’ I felt completely overlooked-simply because I wasn’t ‘pretty’ enough. I thought no boy would ever like me and no girl would be friends with me unless I looked a certain way. I believed all of the lies.
“One day, I came to the realization that I wasn’t defined by what I looked like,” she goes on. “The real me was on the inside. Dress sizes, compliments, and meeting certain standards don’t make people happy. The happiest people are who they are. I wrote this song after experiencing that epiphany. I want to share this and encourage everyone to stop believing the lies.”
While the song has a message we have all heard before, it is the polished production and Caroline’s delivery that make it stand out. She has a powerful, mature voice — and in the music video below you can see that she is a lot more interesting then the cookie cutter pop-stars the music industry loves to create and promote until they quickly burn out. There is something very genuine about her which we really like, and think you will too. She deserves a much bigger audience!
“Inside” has already begun to resonate with listeners everywhere, including fans overseas. Since going to radio, it debuted at #26 on the International Pop Chart and reached #11 on Algoa FM radio in South Africa.
Above: Caroline Romano with Daya (left) following their performance at
Delta Fair and Music Festival
Credit: Lawrence Hsia
A full-length debut from Caroline is due in 2017 — follow her on her social media and website for news on its release!
You were nominated for Best Actress at the 2017 Imagen Awards, along with huge names such as Salma Hayek, Eva Longoria, and Edy Ganem. Going back to the night of the awards
I understand that your biological dad passed away when you were little. Can you tell us what happened and what your best memory of him is?
