Check out Yonas Michael’s new video for “PUNKS” ft. Booker T. (This little kid on this tricycle has me ROLLING!)
Dope video. Dope sound. RAW.
Something new we’ve never seen from Yonas Michael.
Enjoy!
Viewer discretion: Adult Language used (we said it was raw! LOL)
Indigo Charlie’s newest single and 4th video is upbeat, catchy, and nothing short than FABULOUS.
Check out her new single below! You won’t be disappointed. #STAYSONREPEAT
Indigo is a Los Angeles-based FIDM fashion student, indie alternative artist and works in the Celebrity VIP Services/PR department at Giorgio Armani. Entrenched in music and fashion, I am hoping you agree she is a perfect fit for your site.
“Float” showcases a unique blend of passion and depth, and lyrically captures a vulnerability prominent in Indigo. The song is a beautiful push and pull….high and low. There are waves of hope, then the backlash of reality. Floating in fantasy, wondering why you are crashing down…..
The song was produced by an amazing Silver Lake-based producer, Adrian Trujillo and the video was directed by Erick Sanchez and David A. Rodriguez of YKMG.
Indigo continues to work on her debut EP which she will be shopping to labels this year.
This song is available via downloaded for free either via her Facebook or her Soundcloud which is Soundcloud.com/IndigoCharlie.
To view her previous videos, download songs for free and see past press, we just launched her Facebook music page at Facebook.com/IndigoCharlieMusic. She can also be reached via Twitter at @IndigoC.
Interviews, press kits and bookings, please contact Chanel Green at Chanel@ChanelGreenPR.com
Article By: Tony Breckenridge
Photographs By: Tyree M. Vance of AdVanced Image
Wardrobe By: Christopher E. McMullen (www.sethbrundle.com)
There is a great feeling when you’re in VIP. Despite the fact that you are watching the same performance that everyone in the venue is watching, being in VIP gives us the feeling that our perspective is better than the other attendees. While in the VIP section during a concert headlined by 21-year-old Inglewood rapper Skeme, I was given a vantage point of which other people in attendance didn’t have the luxury. It wasn’t because I was closer to the stage nor because I didn’t have to worry about someone throwing their hands up, obstructing my view. While in VIP, I was able to chill with close friends, family and the grandmother (who he lovingly calls Mom) of Skeme.
Amidst the smoke wafting in the air and the sound of cocktail glasses shattering on the floor, Skeme’s mom looks upon her son with a face full of pride and happiness. Wearing a sweatshirt with her son’s name and face on it, she seems right at home in an atmosphere that we’d try our hardest to keep our grandmothers from. Where other seniors would cover their ears and complain, she nods her head rhythmically to the beat. Where other parents would stick out noticeably, she blends in effortlessly. After chatting it up with his Mom and other relatives, it’s clear that Skeme’s inspiration as a rapper doesn’t stem from countless people depending on him, but supporting him. I take a glance over at the stage to see a young man rapping with such passion, enthusiasm, and, surprisingly, composure.
I’d imagine that a young rapper performing at a sold-out show would have a much bigger ego – rapping like he’s the “next big thing.” Where most rappers perform with pride, he performs with purpose. With the dozen or so family members in attendance, he is proving a point while on stage. Instead of strutting around like the “next big thing,” the love of his family has him believing he IS the “next best thing.”
As if almost on cue, Skeme asks the DJ to stop the music as he tells the audience that he wouldn’t be here without the love and support from his Mom. It then became clear that Skeme is holding that mic not to share rhymes but to serve as a reminder that anything is possible if your inspiration stems from the right place.
YOO-N-LA: For those who don’t know you, tell us about Skeme.
SKEME: “I’m an Inglewood Kid. Honest. 21 years old with a really cool grasp on life, and a lot of times [I’ve] been described as ahead of my years. I got an old soul that I infuse into my music.”
YNLA: How was your upbringing? You grew up in Inglewood right?
S: “Yeah. It was cool y’know. Regular kid from the city. Played basketball, kicked with my homies in the streets, chased girls. That’s how I came up, and that’s my past, and there ain’t no getting away from that. Inglewood is where I came up at, and I got the same story as most of those guys over there, and that’s why they reppin’ me so much because they love what I do for them. They know I’m keeping it real because I’m the guy that’s telling they story.”
YNLA: Who are your influences?
“Number one is my Mom. No doubt. That’s my heart. If it wasn’t for her I probably wouldn’t even do it. My big brother B. Davis definitely gave me a lot of guidance on this music and really how to be a man and handle myself out here. And R.I.P. to my boy Dolla who kinda gave me the push to keep doing this and keeping this music alive. When I wanted to quit, he was like ‘Naw, you got this. You got a chance to do something special, man, stick with it.’
YNLA: I read that you’re related to Howlin’ Wolf.
S: (Enthusiastically) “Yeah man; that’s my great-uncle. It’s crazy I didn’t find that out until I was 12 years old.”
YNLA: My grandpa still got him on vinyl.
S: (Laughs) “It’s crazy. I remember they showed me at a family reunion. I think we was in Detroit if I’m not trippin’, and they showed me his picture in the Hard Rock Museum. They took me to his picture where they had the whole write-up on him, and I was sitting there thinking how crazy it is to have someone of that caliber in your family.”
YNLA: A lot of people are talking about the New West Movement with artists like Dom Kennedy, Pac Div & Overd0z. What do you feel your role is in this New West Movement? What impact do you want to leave on this evolution of West Coast music?
S: “Really, just the motivator, man. I just want to push the idea that there ain’t nothing that’s out of reach. Most of us come from cities that ain’t the most beautiful places to be coming from or the best spots to be raised in, but we all making moves and making it happen regardless of what the stigma is around the places that we coming from. We really making this happen. I have yet to meet my mother in real life. Little things like that can keep a person down, but it’s all about how you come out of a situation that defines you. And if I can make it, I want to motivate the next person to push on and come up out they situation to bigger and better things.”
“Us New West rappers is bringing back the same vibe we had with the coast when there was a real unity amongst all of the artists. We leaning on and rocking with each other. Pac Div, Casey [Veggies], Kendrick [Lamar], Overd0z. All of them guys I rock with them, and we bringing that unity back.”
YNLA: I like how you said motivator, as opposed to storyteller. You’re looking for people to find a deeper meaning in your music.
S: “I’ve never been real big on storytelling. I know it’s a key thing for most artists and for rapping in general, but I’ve moreso been into telling my own story and having people get motivated and uplifted by that. Every song I got is really just a testimony that you can do it and nothing is impossible. I came from doing a lot of bad things in these streets that I really don’t care to talk about, but at the same time I use them experiences to lift the next man up.”
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Connect with Skeme:
Article By: Takeema Hoffman
Photographs By: Leigh Gaston (www.leighgaston.com)
According to their EPK, Nylon Pink is pretty-effing amazing. After conducting the proper research and checking out some of their live performances, I would have to agree. The glamtastic and super-sexy electro-pop-punk outfit consists of vocalist Kaila Yu, bassist Katt Lee, drummer Jamie Scoles, lead guitarist Kiki Wongo, and keyboardist Xtina Pham. Not only are these ladies stunningly beautiful, they rock stages like the love children of David Bowie and Johnny Rotten. Musically, these chicks do not play around, and their sound’s just as good as their looks. Effing amazing indeed. Yoo-N-LA Magazine had a chance to catch up with the ladies as they cruised through the streets of LA and got the drop on upcoming projects, dramatic jewelry, and the awesomeness of high school kids. So relax, grab some salted peanuts, kick up your heels, and get to know Nylon Pink.
YOO-N-LA: I understand the band performed at a high school today – very cool. Do you work with any youth organizations and/or charities or support any youth causes?
NYLON PINK:
(Kaila): Yeah, we just finished performing at Sylmar High. The students are great; high schools for us are the best audience. They really get the music because our stuff is really high energy and all about being yourself. We work with a really great organization called P.A.C.E., which does a lot of things around the city working with the youth. We did a program at the school today, and the topic was bullying.
YNLA: You seem like an awesome group of girls to be around. What are three things somebody would need to be to hang with Nylon Pink for 24 hours?
NP:
(Jamie): When hanging out with Nylon Pink, you should be prepared to get crazy, and you definitely need to be ready to eat.
(KiKi): They absolutely have to understand my nerdy humor ^.^
(Katt): Open-minded!
(Xtina): They need to be down to eat anything, open-minded, and go karaoke!!
YNLA: At one of your recent shows, you performed a cover of “Lapdance” by N.E.R.D., which is one of my absolute favorite songs of all time. They [N.E.R.D.] are such a talented band, and they’ve produced a lot of dope records. Are you big fans of them as musicians, or did you just really like the song?
NP:
(Kaila): I am absolutely a huge fan of N.E.R.D, Pharrell and The Neptunes. Their music is actually a huge influence on the upcoming songs off our EP. It sucks that the Neptunes aren’t producing so much of the hip-hop music that is out right now.
YNLA: Being an all-girl and all-Asian band, have you ever felt pigeonholed as the “sexy Asian chicks”? Have you ever felt people are more interested in the fact that you are Asian women than the fact you are women who seriously rock out? And, has there ever been a time where you felt like you have not been taken seriously as artists, and if so, how did you deal with it?
NP:
(Kaila): We don’t worry about it so much. The girls in the band are all solid players, and although people look at us and expect us to play fluffy pop, they are surprised by the band’s musical chops and the fact that our music is fairly hard.
(KiKi): We take the stereotype as a challenge rather than an obstacle. If people don’t take us seriously, then we try to go the extra mile to show them that we’re more than capable of doing amazing things with our music!
YNLA: The band is a RAWards nominee for musicians of the year. That’s pretty epic. Is this your first major awards nomination, and how are you ladies handling the excitement? What would you do if you won?
NP:
(Kaila): We have been nominated in the past for the LA Music Awards, Pop Band of the Year, and for Best Music Video at the Holly Music in the Media Awards (HMMA).
If we won, we would get to play at the RAWartists.org end of the year show at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, which would be epic!
YNLA: Historically, LA is the epicenter of the glam rock movement, and you ladies are most definitely glam. How has LA’s musical culture inspired your sound? What do you find most inspiring about the city?
NP:
(Jamie): The most inspiring thing about the city to me is the fact that it is a big challenge to make it here. LA has such a huge music scene, and there are tons of other bands trying to do the same thing. I think that challenge influences us to push harder to be the best.
(Katt): We are constantly trying to grow as musicians and [are] inspired through our talented friends and the city itself.
(Xtina): LA is a city full of inspirations, dreams, and a road full of endless possibilities. Music is a big part of these aspects and helps us achieve our goals.
YNLA: I love your jewelry line, Hello Drama. The designs are super cute, and I dig the idea of drama being something that can be embraced and used as creative fuel. Personally, what would you say is your greatest source of drama or passion in life?
NP:
(Kaila): Boys…boys…boys; I love them, and I can’t get enough!
(Katt): Yes, the dynamics of relationships are quite complicated. Love/hate is such a powerful emotion; it fuels so many highs and lows that all people go [through?]. Love is our passion that influences many of our songs and designs.
YNLA: What more can you tell our readers about your new EP? How has the process been for you, and when can the fans expect some new material? What about the jewelry collection – can we expect some new pieces for the fall/winter?
NP:
(Kaila): It’s been amazing. I used to be the sole writer in the band, and we have some newer members, and we’ve discovered we all write. So the music is more representative of our personalities as a group, and it’s really great. Each song is like its own creation. It’s really different this time around. We will be releasing some new material in the next month – one original song and one cover with the rest of the new music coming out around January. The jewelry line is inspired by our music, so Katt will be designing a whole collection using our new material, and that should be ready by January as well.
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Connect with Nylon Pink:
NEW INDIGO CHARLIE x JUSTT&GIFTT “COOL LOVE”
SUMMER FLING ANTHEM
AUGUST 1, 2011 – Los Angeles, CA – SoCal based FIDM fashion student,
Giorgio Armani intern and indie alternative artist, Indigo Charlie,
has partnered up with lyricists JusTT&GifTT on her most recent single,
“Cool Love.” A video was shot for the song this month with director,
Tyren Redd, and premiered today on Vibe.com. (http://bit.ly/r9qrk2)
The new single was produced by Paris, France’s Hardy “Indiigo” Muanza
of The Indigos/CDM who are currently working with Madonna. Lyricists
JusTT, who wrote the song, and his twin brother GifTT share the song
with Indigo Charlie and the blend of sounds is simply….cool. The
song was co-written by singer/songwriter, Phlo Finister.
The video was shot in a loft in Downtown Los Angeles. It’s a chilled
out summer video drenched in vintage fashion, edgy looks, Indigo’s
signature sky-high stripper heels and beautiful feelings.
“It was truly delicious working with Hardy Muanza on “Cool Love!” I
feel our connection is cosmic and we were drawn together musically in
a divine way. We had to link up, I am Indigo and they are The Indigos.
How special is that? I look forward to the new songs we are
creating together and continuing to surround myself with a creative
and nurturing team.” says Indigo Charlie.
“Paris meets New York meets Los Angeles meets Indigo Charlie.” Muanza added.
Video Can be viewed and shared via link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qu-B_3vq9sc
The song is available for download at SoundCloud.com/IndigoCharlie or
via Soundcloud.com/theindiigo and www.theindiigo.com
For additional music and videos on Indigo Charlie, visit her YouTube
page at YouTube.com/IndigoCharlieMusic and follow her on Twitter
@IndigoC .
For additional music and information on Hardy “Indiigo” Muanza and JusTT&GifTT, visit their pages
at www.justtandgiftt.com and follow them on twitter @justtandgiftt @iamindiigo
Interviews, press kits and bookings, please contact Chanel Green at Chanel@ChanelGreenPR.com
Article By: Jason Goodlett
Photographs by: Kumasi Lewis
In a world where we often get caught up in the hustle and bustle of just trying to make it, it’s entirely refreshing to come across someone who, in spite of it all, chases after their hearts’ desire. Alex Isley is in love with music. Maybe her last name made her destined for it, but that love was evident at a young age. Daughter of guitarist Ernie Isley, of the famed Isley Brothers, Alex is an LA Native, a UCLA Jazz Studies graduate, and a talented young singer and songwriter. Her personal style weaves elements of neo-soul, folk music, and jazz into melodies that she eventually hopes will transform her into a respected and acclaimed artist one day – a versatile artist with her own identity who will continue to add luster to the renowned Isley name.
YOO-N-LA: Who is Alex Isley?
ALEX ISLEY: “In simplest terms, Alex Isley is someone who likes to create. Someone who speaks from the heart through her music. That’s what I was born to do. It’s what I love, and it’s my passion. I like to be inspired and take those different inspirations and blend them together and make something of my own.”
YNLA: Is Alex Isley, the person, different from the Alex Isley, the artist?
AI: “No, they’re pretty much one in the same. There’s no gimmick or anything like that. It’s just me.”
YNLA: I read somewhere that your first performance was when you were five years old; do you remember any of that?
AI: “I remember a little bit…I remember the costume I had. My aunt designed it for me [it had] a little apron. I performed ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ so I was dressed as Dorothy. In little barn style boots, and French braids and…”
YNLA: Wait, was this at school? Or….
AI: “…It was a talent show, it was in the 1st grade.”
YNLA: Do you remember being nervous?
AI: “No. I just remember smiling, being excited, and anticipating being onstage even though I had never been before. I remember being really happy when I got off the stage.”
YNLA: How exactly did you get into singing and come to love it?
AI: “I developed a love and appreciation for music at a really young age. I absorbed a lot of it from my dad, who listened to music all the time – in his car, in his house. My mom listened to Mariah Carey, Anita Baker, [and] Prince while my dad was listening to Chicago, War, The Spinners, etc…so I just absorbed everything that I was hearing.”
YNLA: It appears that the love of music kind of runs in your family. Who has been most influential in your development as an artist?
AI: “My mom has definitely been part of it. My grandmother, a former opera singer, helped me technically to develop as a singer. [She] taught me how to breathe properly and got me into singing classical music – so Grandma helped a lot as well.”
YNLA: Your mom mentioned to us that you have had the opportunity to come into contact with some pretty big time acts such as Babyface, David Foster, and your uncle Ronald Isley. Have any of them offered any special or meaningful advice to further assist you in the pursuit of your dream?
AI: “I had the opportunity to meet Alicia Keys back in 2004. I told her that I sing and play some piano, and she just told me keep chasing my dream. She told me not to back down from anyone and to not let anybody tell me that I can’t have my dream.”
YNLA: Our magazine is extremely LA-centric and LA-focused, is there any way LA has helped you become the person or the artist that you are?
AI: “I think if you’re outside of LA you can view it as superficial or phony, but I think the people that are raised here are pretty genuine and [very] down to earth. There are also great scholarship foundations here like the Dolo Coker Jazz Scholarship Foundation for high school and college students. They give scholarships to students.”
YNLA: Was the Dolo Coker Jazz Scholarship Foundation particularly supportive of you?
AI: “They were. I competed in their competition for three years. And Bella Coker, Dolo Coker’s widow, is doing a fantastic job of running that scholarship. There’s also the National Association of Negro Musicians, and they’ve always been very helpful and supportive of young artists, particularly jazz artists.”
YNLA: So there have been a couple of different LA based organizations that have aided you in your musical development?
AI: “Definitely.”
YNLA: Hypothetical situation: If you woke up tomorrow, and you were told that there was no more money to be made by selling or performing music, would you still pursue it and/or be as passionate as you are?
AI: “Definitely, the money aspect of it is nice. But it doesn’t make me any more ambitious, and it’s not why I’m making music in the first place. It’s just not my motivation. So I’d still be just as passionate about what I’m doing.”
YNLA: Why is that? Why is making music so important, what does it do for you?
AI: (Pauses.) “It’s like breathing. It makes me happy. It just gives me the ability to tell stories and say things that I may not be able to articulate otherwise. Singing and performing onstage gives me freedom. It puts me in a place where I can forget about the outside world and whatever else is going on.”
YNLA: Alright this is way off topic, but I was just wondering – do you karaoke at all?
AI: “I don’t, but I want to!”
YNLA: It’s funny that you say that because you may not know this but uh…I sing a little bit myself too. I mean I’m not classically trained or anything, but I get down, ok? Anyway, we have a karaoke team…it’s only two of us, but you should come out with us some time! It’d be fun to get somebody out there with some actual talent and tear up the LA Karaoke scene. Maybe you can open for us?
AI: (Laughs.) “Ok!…You know what though…If I sang Karaoke, I don’t think I could be serious about it! It depends on what song I sang too. I mean I’d actually probably do a rap song before anything else – just because I think it would be really fun!”
YNLA: Deal!…What’s going on now for you though? What’s next for you? Anything on the horizon?
AI: “Right now I’m wrapping up working on my first project. It’s my EP entitled The Love Art Memoirs, and it’s a collection of songs I started writing in 2006. It’s just a bunch of songs, and they all revolve on the idea of love – finding love, losing love, being in love, having love for yourself, etc. The EP has five songs on it, all written and produced by me, and I’m just really anxious and excited to get this out.”
YNLA: Of the songs you’ve recorded can you tell us your personal favorite, what it’s about, what inspired it, and maybe where our readers can hear it?
AI: “I’d have to say my favorite song that I’ve recorded so far is ‘Set In Stone’ – I wrote it about 4 years ago, and it’s actually the single on my upcoming EP. I have my Facebook Fan page [/LoveAlexIsley] and twitter @LoveAlexIsley. The lyrics are definitely based on my past experiences and being convinced [that a relationship] was permanent, yet only to discover that things were temporary. The song pretty much tells my story in a nutshell.”
YNLA: What’s the process been like?
AI: “It’s been a LOT of work. I’m still learning the ropes of logic and the equipment I have. It’s really hard sometimes, but I think it’ll definitely be worth it in the end.”
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Connect with Alex Isley:
Article By: Ericka Santos
Photographs By: Ed Cañas (www.edcanas.com)
Wardrobe By: Christopher E. McMullen (www.sethbrundle.com)
Makeup By: Tamari Hagens (facebook.com/hairbytamari
Photo Stylist: Ameerah Armstrong
Indigo Charlie – The Intensely Genuine, Vibrant Soul
She’s young, fresh-faced, and intensely genuine in her maturity and passion for music and all things creative. With a no-holds-bar initiative to everything she does, LA-based artist Indigo Charlie is staking her claim in the game. With rave music reviews, amazing audience feedback, and an endearingly eccentric sense for style, Indigo harbors an insatiable drive that could rival any of today’s seasoned entertainers. As a definite star on the rise, Yoo-N-LA took the chance to sit with this vibrant soul to find out exactly why.
YOO-N-LA: Your name is very distinctive, is there a special meaning behind the name?
INDIGO CHARLIE: “My government name is Indigo Charles, so [Indigo Charlie] is a play off that. I have my father’s last name. My mom’s last name is Green. A lot of times people think I’m named after the color, but I was actually named after the Miles Davis song ‘Indigo’. It also comes partly from this beautiful character in a movie called Mo Betta Blues named Indigo. My parents were huge jazz fans. [Since] my father has passed away, it’s nice to know I could still keep a part of him with me.”
YNLA: You have such a positive approach to life, how has that influenced your journey to reaching your goals or maybe coping with your challenges?
IC: “All of my challenges and tragedies have really helped me build up this positive attitude. When I pray to God at night, all I ask is for Him to make life manageable because none of it is going to be easy. But if it’s at least manageable that’s all I can ask for.”
YNLA: You’ve been blessed to intern & gain exposure to the industry you want to work in at such a young age. What type of ‘behind the scenes’ insight or advice do you have for other artists inspired by your story?
IC: “You really have to be about the hustle. What a lot of people don’t understand is that there is such a big machine behind the scenes making sure it all runs smoothly. There’s someone who’s making sure [you] look presentable, makes [your] hair look good, or if you want to run [your] mouth, they’re there. [Along] with that confidentiality and trust is huge. I’ve been around artists and worked with artists that need to know that I got their backs. So no matter what confidentiality and trust is extremely important to build and maintain.”
YNLA: How do you handle overcoming any hesitation of putting yourself out in the spotlight when you have to perform?
IC: “I’m not a shy person, but I just did my first show not too long ago, and I was literally shaking the whole time! My mom was like, ‘Are you ok?’ and I was like, ‘Yeeeaaaah??’ But, my body wouldn’t stop shaking. I grabbed my tambourine, and I thought it was just going to be shaking, making its own noise. But once I stepped on stage I was fine. It went away. Maybe once I get in front of thousands of people, who knows, it may be different.”
YNLA: What do you hope listeners connect with in your music?
IC: “When it comes to connection, I just want people to connect with the emotion. As human beings we might not always have the same experiences, but we have the same emotions. So my life experience that I’m writing about in my songs might not be your life experience, but you’re connecting with my sadness. So if you and I have never met and we’re listening to the same song at the same time, we’re not going to connect on the memory, but we’re going to connect on the emotion which is the most important part to me. So if you listen to my music and you can connect to the emotion, then I did my job.”
Innately put! So if you’re looking for a deeper connection to Indigo Charlie, her music or her story, don’t miss out on Yoo-N-LA’s in depth feature exploring more about this charismatic artist’s life, writing process, future projects and her journey to the airwaves. Can’t wait? Well, for all things Indigo you can also follow her on twitter @IndigoC or visit http://www.youtube.com/user/IndigoCharlieMusic.
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Connect with Indigo Charlie:
