Create & Cultivate 100: Music: KING
FREAKIN' ROYALTY.
FREAKIN' ROYALTY.
King is the title given to a male monarch.
But the Queens of KING said nah. They're taking the title crown.
The musical trio—comprised of Anita Bias and twins Paris and Amber Strother, released their debut EP in 2011. It was called The Story, but it was only the beginning of theirs. Immediately, the industry took notice. Prince and ?uestlove praised their magic. (When Prince first heard their debut album, he said: “Don’t change a thing.”) Kendrick Lamar sampled "Hey," one of the three songs on the EP, for Section.80 track "Chapter Six."
In February of 2016, after what felt like decades of waiting, the women released the full-length We Are King. The album was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 59th Grammy Awards, making them the first independent artists to be nominated in that category.
Like we said, freakin' royalty.
More from KING below.
Where do your drive and passion come from?
Paris: All of us are lifelong lovers of music- there’s something so touching about being able to communicate in this universal language. It’s been incredible to reach and inspire people by expressing our emotions through sound, and it’s that connection that keeps us going.
What's behind the name?
Anita: When we were first starting out, it was just the three of us independently creating this landscape of sound. The word KING was like a revelation- it was the first and only name that came to us. It reflected that we were kings of our own musical kingdom, and the name gave us the space to tell our own story.
We are kings of our own musical kingdom.
It took five years between the EP release and the debut album. What was going on during that time?
In hindsight, I can now say we were growing up and growing into being KING. Those five years saw us not only finding our sound and creating the album but learning tons about the business side of music. We’re so grateful we had the opportunity to take our time to learn more about ourselves and create an album that we were proud of.
Prince, Erykah Badu, Solange. KING has worked with some of the most amazing artists. Is that empowering?
Amber: It’s incredible when people you’ve always looked up to recognize something in your music also.
You've said that you'll never compromise the music for any reason. So when you run into a career obstacle or a roadblock, what drives you forward?
Amber: Knowing that the music is special to our fans, friends, and family keeps us going. There will always be obstacles, it’s just important to remember why you were drawn to making music in the first place.
Paris, you also produce for the group. There aren't many female producers in the music world. How are you changing the game?
Paris: I’d love to break down barriers that any woman feels when it comes to following your art. One of the highest compliments I’ve ever been paid was a fellow musician telling me that by just being who we are, we gave so many others permission to do the same.
"I’d love to break down barriers that any woman feels when it comes to following your art."
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Do you think it's surprising to people (or male producers specifically) that you're producing?
Paris: I think some people are surprised that it’s produced by a woman, I think some people are surprised that all the music so far has been produced in entirety by just one person. It’s an incredible time though, and super inspiring to see so many other women making great music. It’s becoming less of an anomaly.
We hear the words "male-dominated" so much that it's almost like white noise. And yet, almost all industries are dominated by men. What shift have you seen in the music industry that's exciting and/or empowering for you as women?
Anita: It’s a great time to be an independent artist. It’s so cool to see the way that women are able to create communities in the internet age- now it’s easier than ever before to connect with people who love and appreciate your art and vice versa.
IYO-- How can we stay original when we are so saturated with other people's work?
Amber: It’s all about finding balance, and knowing when to put your blinders on. It’s important to immerse yourself in others work- let all the art around you inspire you, and never forget the perspective you bring to the table. Hone in on your own originality.
What about your career makes you (each respectively,) feel the most complete?
Amber: Doing what I love with the people I love.
Anita: The ability to touch people that you’ve never met.
Paris: It’s incredible to watch something grow from just your imagination to being a fully- fleshed out piece of art
At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?
Paris: The support we received from so many people on the day we released our first project in 2011 will stay with us forever. Hearing from so many new fans and artists we admire gave us the spark to know we were on the right track, and that it was moving people the same way it moved us. That experience made us confident that we had something special with KING.
What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?
Anita: When Prince first heard our debut album, he said: “Don’t change a thing.” It was something we kept with us throughout the creation and release and gave us the backbone to know that even if nobody else had our backs, he thought it was perfect.
What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?
Amber: Any song by Stevie Wonder.
Photo Credit: @davisfactor
Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai
TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE MUSIC LIST CLICK HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100 Music: KITTENS
THE SPIN MASTER.
THE SPIN MASTER.
Lauren Abedini, known to the music world as KITTENS, is playing Coachella the same day as Beyoncé.
The DJ, Producer, Intersectional Feminist, and founder of @PWRxKITTENS, her non-profit DJ workshop for women, that raises money for women's shelters, is tripping out about it.
It's not like she hasn't seen her share of star power before. In 2013 landed a gig as Kid Cudi’s tour DJ. From there she met Usher, who couldn't help but ask if she was really DJing. Now signed to A-trak’s record label, Fool’s Gold and is favorite from coast to coast. She also travels internationally constantly. Not shabby for an LA kid who jumped into the DJ industry early on, noticing a lack of female talent on the 1s and 2s. She bought herself turntables and with the help of friends learned the ropes.
Homies with C&C 100 alum So Super Sam and Vashtie, KITTENS knows that there's power in the female DJ and music community.
More from Lauren below.
Name: Lauren Abedini
Instagram Handle: @iamkittens
Where do your drive and passion come from?
Wanting to help people for sure. I know I need to get myself to a certain level where my voice is truly heard to make a difference in the world so everything I do and create is with that goal in mind. Fame and recognition don't matter, it's just a tool to build a platform where I can inspire change.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
I'm an obsessively tidy person so anything that is not that, drives me insane! Cabinets or drawers left open, random items were thrown around, unorganized and unnecessary messes...All sure to set me off!
In addition to DJ'ing and producing, you also how PWR. Can you chat a little about why that was an important move for you?
PWR has been a very important project for me because I feel that there's a lack of mentorship and direct opportunity for women to learn tools to succeed in the professional world, especially the music/DJ industry. I wanted to provide a safe space for women to learn new skills, tips on how to navigate the industry, and get a heads up on obstacles they may face. All things I wish I had someone show me. This doesn't just stop at women though, all intersectional oppressing factors limit opportunities for growth for minorities and I just feel like we can bridge gaps by empowering these different groups through education and mentorship.
We hear the words "male-dominated," every single day. Do you think that has a negative and empowering effect on young women?
Personally, I now see the term 'male-dominated' as a challenge and call to action. It ignites my drive to succeed despite expectations, but I remember being younger it really brought on a lot of hesitation for me. I waited years to start DJing when I had been wanting to for so long. I hear from so many of my PWR attendees that they've always wanted to learn but have been scared for this exact reason. I think now we can shift this perspective and help young women see this as a challenge and opportunity to prove people wrong. The barriers to entry are lower than ever. It's time to get in there and shine bright.
The barriers to entry are lower than ever. It's time to get in there and shine bright.
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You've said that in the beginning, lesbian clubs were the only ones that would hire you. Why do you think that was?
Pretty simple! They wanted to hire DJ's who were lesbians and it didn't matter how new or inexperienced I was. Other clubs only really hired the saaame guys who had been playing in the city forever or wanted to girl DJ's who presented a more hyper-feminine, sexy vibe, which has never been my thing. I really appreciate those promotors who gave me that space to sharpen my teeth when no one else would. I still thank them to this day when I see them.
I really appreciate those promotors who gave me that space to sharpen my teeth when no one else would. I still thank them to this day when I see them.
When you run into a career obstacle, what drives you forward?
I admit I have my insecurities, and when certain obstacles come my way it can are them up. I have learned to stop and meditate to reset my energy. To turn from self-doubting to empowering, because I know my purpose. I know that I HAVE to push forward so I will find any means to get through those moments. Having a manager who is a close friend that understands me and is super motivating as well helps a lot too.
What are your biggest fears about being your own boss?
Not succeeding...which I think every self-employed person fears! If you fail you're not just letting your team down, you're letting yourself down. Everything relies on the moves you make. It's a lot of pressure.
What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?
It is NOT glamorous at all. It's truly one of the most exhausting things to spend an entire day traveling, dealing with airports/tour buses, rushing to soundcheck, then trying to keep your energy up to perform and smile when interacting with fans, all to be alone in a hotel after before the cycle starts again. Being away from home and not on a balanced schedule really takes a toll physically and emotionally so self-care is SUPER important to me.
IYO-- How can we stay original when we are so saturated with other people's work?
Taking a step back and shutting off from current media is SO important in my opinion. So much current art/music is just a regurgitation which is so boring. Whenever I nd myself feeling stagnant and needing fresh inspiration I always go back to my roots. I turn off the radio. I stay off Instagram. I play the music I have loved my entire life since childhood. I meditate (my answer for everything basically) and try to visualize my authentic self-glowing. Getting out in nature really helps a lot too. Pulling inspiration from the constant things in your world instead of grasping at new trends just seems like the most helpful to me always.
What about your career makes you feel the most complete?
Feedback from fans and followers about how I have helped them. Hands down. Knowing that I have inspired someone in their personal or professional life will always make me feel like.."Yes...I'm on the right path. This is what I'm supposed to be doing.
If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?
This is so silly but honestly, a cake decorator. It's always been one of my favorite things to watch my whole life. I think the combination of creativity, need for precision, and the calming effects of playing with frosting all just make me super happy. Plus, being around desserts that I would probably get to taste is a huge bonus.
At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?
I have had a few moments that inspired real confidence, but the most important and recent one was when I started working with my friend Armand who now manages me. He's helped me really blossom and supported all of my ideas. Having someone who can help make sense of your thoughts and cheer you on makes a world of difference.
What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?
Don't let fear hold you back. It seems so obvious and cliché but it's the most real thing ever. There is so much time wasted with hesitation and with that comes guilt or regret. You really have to suck it up and just take that leap every time or else you won't ever know where you could be.
When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?
I know myself very well and making decisions while filled with anxiety is never helpful. I always take some time to calm down, then approach the situation as logically as possible. There's always an answer but you might be blind to it if you're in a panic.
"There's always an answer but you might be blind to it if you're in a panic."
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What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?
Erykah Badu 'Window Seat.'
Photo Credit: @davisfactor
Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai
TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE MUSIC LIST CLICK HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Music: Kelsey Lu
THE IL"LU"MINATED.
THE IL"LU"MINATED.
You can call her Lu. Seriously, the musician's biggest pet peeve is when people call her Kelsey.
But let's back up a minute.
Meet Kelsey McJunkins aka Kelsey Lu, the classically trained cellist raised Jehovah’s witness to musician parents in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The haunting songstress turned to music as an outlet from the restrictive religion she was born into, crediting the institution with both broadening her interests and shielding her from much of what her contemporaries were listening to. Lu has played with pop acts from Blood Orange to Florence and The Machine, yet her distinct sound—often ghostly and unsettling—exists in a far away world.
More on the enchanting cellist below.
Name: Kelsey Lu
Instagram:
Where do your drive and passion come from?
It comes from the basic instinct of survival. Tapping into something that is unseen but felt and riding with it.
Your mom played the piano. Your dad, percussion. He was also an artist. Was there a dichotomy between the "artist" part of your upbringing and the strict religious side?
Well being an "Artist" comes in so many different flavors you know. I wouldn't say that going to museums around the country, or my dad supporting a family based solely off of his being a Portrait/Court Room Artist as being something that clashed with the rulings of the Organization I was brought up in noticeably. The only times it did was when I decided to leave the religion I was raised in to further my life as an artist. Music and Art was my gateway away from that life, so it was then that the dichotomy began.
How do you think that's shaped your music and your relationship to music and art?
It narrowed my point of vision while exposing it to other parts that most kids my age weren't getting excited over, i.e. classical music. My exposure to pop culture was monitored much more so than a regular degular American childhood upbringing, but because of that, I was appreciating the things that most kids weren't which separates me from the herd.
What was life like on the road? What was the most fun and conversely, the most challenging?
In the very beginning when I started touring with Nappy Roots it was just exciting and fun, I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was the only female within a fully cis male environment. That was the challenge later on when the glitter in my eyes wore thin. Hard finding the space for myself. But it gets easier every time, you learn to make space and time for yourself.
"You learn to make space and time for yourself."
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What is your biggest pet peeve?
When people call me Kelsey.
What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?
I have to rosin my bow every time I play and the process of making rosin in a beautiful one. Most specifically though is that it is comprised mostly of Pine sap. Pine sap is indeed the key ingredient in rosin, and it is derived from pines grown for paper pulp on big southern plantations. I grew up around a lot of Pines in NC.
IYO-- How can we stay original when we are so saturated with other people's work?
It's like the mating songs of Lyre Birds, they are one of the most complex songbirds in the world. The reason for their complexity is their unique ability to mimic sounds, they can literally mimic the calls of any birds, as well as natural sounds they may come across, say for example like a camera shutter. What makes one stand out from the rest, is the way they personalize their mimicry.
"What makes one stand out from the rest, is the way they personalize their mimicry."
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What about your career makes you feel the most complete?
Earth.
At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?
I can't really pinpoint the exact location of time or place upon which I found that confidence, I also don't feel like it's been fully realized for myself. It's something that takes time and trial and error.
What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?
Let the River run between your thighs and lift your eyes to the sky.
When you hit a big bump in the road, how do you find a new road or a detour?
By getting through the pain of that bump, you will naturally find another road.
What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?
The song of my own tears falling to the bottom of the shower floor.
TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE MUSIC LIST CLICK HERE.
Create & Cultivate 100: Music: Vérité
ALT POP PHENOM.
ALT POP PHENOM.
The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter, VÉRITÉ, is a touring machine.
After coming back from a month long US tour, she's already kicking off touring her new album, Somewhere In Between, featuring the singles, "Phase Me Out," and "When You're Gone."
From Texas to Canada, New York to Nashville, she's on track to chart her 2017, which included 12 million fans listening from 61 countries who jammed to over 5 million hours of her work.
Not bad for a girl without a major record label. "I cannot wait to destroy shit with you next year," she told her Instagram followers.
We are all about that.
More from VÉRITÉ below.
You just got back from a month US tour. What was that like?
Simply amazing. I love touring and traveling more than anything else. Playing shows, you get to see a clear payoff for all the work you put in. The energy of performing and seeing people so stoked to see you is ridiculously intoxicating.
A Twitter user wrote, "to be a fly on your wall." To which you responded, "I'm boring." Which, we doubt. What's a day in the life of you?
It really depends on what day you ask me. I feel like my days are either really structured and methodical or completely free falling. I have certain rituals. I drink coffee as soon as I wake up, I try to read or sit quietly for a few minutes, do emails and then tackle whatever needs to be done.
Where do your drive and passion come from?
I've always held myself to a high standard. I want to push myself to be a better version of myself at all times. I've always loved performing, so everything I do is centered around wanting to put on a memorable live show.
When you run into a career obstacle, what drives you forward?
Obstacles present themselves daily. The knowledge that all I can do is put one foot in front of another is what drives me to move forward. I can only do one thing at a time, so long as I'm making the next right decision, anything can be done.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Loud chewing.
What is it like being a woman in a male-dominated industry?
I'm so happy to be doing what I want to do in life and hope to push forward as a woman in a way that will make a change. Every once in a while, you get a surprise slap in the face that can challenge your position, autonomy or vision. I try to laugh those moments off while setting clear boundaries and continuing to take full ownership of my project.
What's something you'd like people to know about your job that they probably don’t?
I think it's easy to have a perception that everything is always so together. For me, it's like an intricate set of constantly churning gears. The machine never stops running.
IYO-- How can we stay original when we are so saturated with other people's work?
You create things you love and want to listen to yourself. You'll undoubtedly be influenced by other people's work, but your interpretation of those influences will be original to your perspective.
What about your career makes you feel the most complete?
Talking to the humans who love my music and make my career possible. I'm really lucky to have smart, interesting, chill fans. I want to make them happy.
I'm really lucky to have smart, interesting, chill fans. I want to make them happy.
If you had to trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would it be and why?
I have no idea. I'm really happy with my job.
At what point in your career did you find the confidence to really take charge and become the woman you are today?
I feel like it's been a slow process of trial, error, fucking up, learning from mistakes, taking ownership of who I am and what I'm worth, what I deserve, etc. Ideally, I will continue growing and adding to the list.
"It's been a slow process of trial, error, fucking up, learning from mistakes, taking ownership of who I am and what I'm worth."
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What's the best advice you've ever been given? Or your favorite piece of #realtalk?
No one knows what they are doing. Do more, think less and learn from what happens.
What song do you sing in the shower when you’ve had a bad day?
Lullaby of Birdland.
Photo Credit: @davisfactor
Hair & Makeup: @SmashboxCosmetics @TheGlamApp @TheOuai
TO SEE THE FULL CREATE & CULTIVATE MUSIC LIST CLICK HERE.
Check Out the Newest Vogue Approved LA Venue
You'll want to get married here.
Lourdes Hernández, a Spanish indie and folk singer-songwriter known as Russian Red, moved to the United States from Madrid with a successful music career in tow. But when she got here, she had a bit of a crisis. “I stopped making music,” she shares, “and I didn’t know what I wanted to do. We didn’t have the church space yet.” She didn’t even know if she was going to stay in the US.
That church space, built in 1905, is now known to the Highland Park neighborhood of Los Angeles as The Ruby Street. It’s bright. Blue. And boasts the church's original stain glass windows. Not surprisingly, it plays host many weddings. “We opened and people just wanted to get married here,” she says. ‘“In that way the building has taken on a life of it’s own.” The first event was not a wedding. It was a music show where Lourdes, AKA Russian Red, performed as did Meryl Streep’s son Henry Wolf. The space wasn’t yet complete. She says the doors were still “trashy,” and there were about 120 people present, but it created a buzzy word of mouth that got people inquiring. The Ruby Street currently hosts around five to seven events per month, mostly weddings, but the space has seen dinners, workshops, baby showers, and above-mentioned music events-- though she says, they'd like to do more shows.
"They" is Lourdes and her boyfriend Zack (and business partner), who is the one who found the church. Lourdes says, “It became very meaningful. It helped us stick together and learn that we were not only romantically compatible, but compatible in business as well.”
The duo is now two years in, after completing a record breaking six-month renovation. “The hardest part is having the vision,” she shares, “but having to adapt as you go. Sometimes the building doesn’t let you do what you want.”
Lourdes doesn’t see her two careers as separate. “They are very much related,” she says. “To put a space together like this, you need to have a creative force to make every decision. To have an aesthetic equilibrium and to create home in a space. They’re not two different things, it’s the same for me.”
“Now things co-exist with me. Or I co-exist with them. It’s a nice balance. When you work hard and create a space for yourself, you flow with it, instead of stressing.” For a woman handling two careers, it’s nice to hear that she’s not at a breaking point, but rather has found the balance that we’re all so desperately in search of. “Every decision that we make about our lives— it needs to come from the same place,” she says. “Even if it means sacrifice, it still a decision that you’re making. It’s your responsibility.”
"When you work hard and create a space for yourself, you flow with it, instead of stressing.”
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The sacrifice she made when she stopped creating music turned out to be her biggest blessing.
“Making decisions like that is hard sometimes. I was in the infinity.” But the artist says that (however scary) decision opened so many doors. ‘It expanded my life.” She now has what she calls “a very specific way of approaching music. I used to play festivals and tour all year long. Music was my life and that was it. For me that became a nightmare at a certain point I thought, there can’t be just one way to do this. No way.” Today, alongside running Ruby Street, the creative has been recording music, “on the side,” and in May she put out a covers album, Karaoke. This August, Lourdes will hit the road in Spain and Mexico for about three weeks.
“I have such a weird, but amazing flow,” she laughs. “I don’t know how things come to me.”
We say, keep ‘em coming.
Photo credit: Hilary Walsh for Vogue Spain + The Ruby Street
MORE FROM OUR BLOG
Music: Claire Evans, YACHT
Take note world.
This article is part of our Create & Cultivate 100 List created in collaboration with KEDS, you can view the full Music List Here.
Take note world.
Claire Evans is not your typical musician. Throughout her years as lead vocals for the electro-pop band YACHT, making her mark in the Los Angeles music scene with her partner Jona Bechtolt, Claire's kept the hunger to create beyond a designated medium. “Like most creative paths, mine hasn’t been very linear,” says Claire. By taking the role of a multi-hyphenate creative as a musician, writer-researcher, and tech entrepreneur, it is safe to say that following a linear 5-year plan was never in her agenda.
Still adding more titles to her repertoire, doesn’t mean she’s saying yes to every project that gets thrown her way. “For the first ten years of my career, I said yes to everything,” says Claire. “Now, I have learned to graciously refuse ancillary projects, and it has been one of the hardest and most important skills I’ve picked up in life.”
And much of her success is due to that very skill. Since Claire joined YACHT in 2008, the duo has released three studio albums (along with many art projects that they produce under the same moniker) and has created the popular Los Angeles recommendation app 5 Every Day.
Aside from her projects with YACHT, Claire is ready to make herstory.
“My first book will be released by Penguin in Spring of 2018,” says Claire. “It’s a feminist history of the internet. I’d like to do the story justice, to the farthest extent of my ability.”
"WHEN WOMEN HAVE AN INALIENABLE PLACE AT THE TABLE, IT BENEFITS US ALL."
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One main goal for Claire is ensuring that her support for other women translates to her professional work. “I want to make sure their stories are inked, before it’s too late.” And with the present being such a critical time in American history, where a heavy-handed government has plans to disenfranchise women and other marginalized identities, projects like hers are important now more than ever.
“When women and girls can see themselves in the development of our culture’s most transformative technology, they can see themselves in its future,” says Claire. “When women have an inalienable place at the table, it benefits us all.”
Photo credit: Jaclyn Campanaro