Tag: women

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Interviews

Artist Interview: Bri Zoli

Artist to watch Bri Zoli is new to your Spotify playlist, but she’s not  new to the stage. She’s a classically trained flutist and vocalist  who has performed across the globe and has finally put out music  she can call her own. She released her first two singles last year,  and her angelic voice and emotional melodies are here to stay.  We were happy to get to talk to her at the start of this new year! 

CROWDSURFER MAG: You put out your first two songs ever in  2020 – 

BRI ZOLI: What a year, what a year. 

CSM: Exactly. But how does it feel to be releasing music? 

BZ: It’s great! I’ve been working on music for years and years. I  just felt like the time was right for me in 2020. I felt like I was able  to finally super focus on my music and it just felt like the right  time to put it out for me, personally. 

CSM: And “Lullaby” is your most recent single. What was the  inspiration for that song? 

BZ: So the vibe of that is definitely different from “Your Eyes  Only,” which is my first single that I put out in June. “Lullaby” is  kind of like a haunting, whisper-type track. It’s a vibe that I feel  like I’ve been wanting to create for so long and I never knew how  to put it into words. I think with “Lullaby” I really wanted to get  out that poetic, melodic, haunting song, and I think we’ve really  kind of hit the nail on the head there. 

CSM: We watched the music video for “Lullaby,” too! You’re also  a model, so how did having that experience play out for you in  your music video? 

BZ: So my boyfriend is actually a photographer and videographer. We met on a shoot a couple of years ago, so we’ve been  collaborating on shoots and videos just for fun throughout the  years. So obviously I was like, this is perfect, we can just do our  thing, but it’d be music video! But the thing no one tells you is it’s  so much work! I did all the post-production myself, so I was like, this takes so much time! But it was an amazing experience.

CSM: We’ve been talking to so many people this last year who  decided to learn how to do everything themselves! 

BZ: You kind of have to these days! We have all the things we  need to be able to do it, so why not just do it all? 

And continuing to speak of skills, you not only have modeling  experience, but you also grew up in music! How has that  influenced your songs today? 

BZ: So I grew up classically trained in flute and voice, and it was  like my whole life. I think growing up in that world – I was in an  orchestra and just playing with the world’s greatest composers  and constantly being around that kind of music – I think it really  

influenced me, and I think that also influenced “Lullaby” in those  beautiful, harmonic big choruses and all the instrumentals that  went into that. I think my personal style is very much emotional in  that way, so I really appreciate all those lessons and just  constantly being around music because I think it really helped  prepare me for being an artist. 

CSM: What’s your writing process like? 

BZ: If I’m just doing something about myself and I’m inspired, I’ll  sit at the piano and just play something and then melodies come  to me. I rarely start with an idea first, it’s kind of like “this sounds  cool” and then I’ll do a melody and then whatever comes to me.  And it’s kind of the same when I work with producers! 

CSM: How did you stage name come about? 

BZ: So this was something that I was literally harping on for years! For me, my stage name has to have a meaning and make sense. I  wanted to keep “Bri” because you know, that’s my my first name,  

but I didn’t want to use my last name. So I’m Hungarian, my  mom’s a hundred percent Hungarian, and she was gonna name  me Zoltana because her father’s name was Zoltan. And I’ve always  loved that name. And I was like, Mom, why didn’t you name me  that, that would have been so cool! And my nickname would have  been Zoli, which is what I decided to be the second half of my name. What could be more perfect to honor who I could have  been and can be?

CSM: Did going through quarantine and lockdown and all of that  help you grow in your music? 

BZ: Absolutely. Being able to collaborate virtually with other  artists has actually been amazing, and having that time I wouldn’t  have had before, I’ve been able to focus so much more. I feel like  this year I probably wrote more songs than the last couple of  years! 

CSM: What can we look forward to from you this year? 

BZ: So I have my third single coming out soon, it’s going to be  called “Faling.” It’s going to be different from the first two, it’ll be  grungier and moodier, I’m really excited about it. And then after  that my EP will probably be coming out in late 2021! 

CSM: I’m excited for that! Did you make a New Year’s  Resolution? 

BZ: I think to be not as hard on myself, to stop overthinking  things, and just go with my creative process. If I write something,  and I like it, it’s better to just put it out in the world than to refine  it millions and millions of times. 

CSM: I think we could all use a little more of that mentality. If  you like it, go for it! I saw you joined the Game of Thrones  bandwagon, even though we’re all off of it? 

BZ: I actually really love it! The funny thing is I watched the finale  first and I was so confused, I was like, why do people like this? But  now I’ve started from the beginning and I totally get it. So that will  be my 2021 guilty pleasure. 

Well, thanks for taking time to talk to us today! 

BZ: Thank you so much! 

Take a listen to “Lullaby,” and keep your eyes out for Bri Zoli’s  next single!

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F*** Yourself // Leyla Blue

There are many paths the title of this song could’ve led to, and I am so happy to see the direction Leyla Blue took in her latest song,

F*** Yourself. 

Talk about timing! We’re in a space where we see politicians who are predominantly cis white males define rules and build laws about women’s bodies, and Blue speaks out about this in her lyrics, pointing out the irony in it all: 

Ain’t it funny how a man who’s never met me

Tries to tell me what I can and cannot do with my body?

Ain’t it funny how we tell our little girls

Don’t be a slut like it’s my fault

He held me down at that party

When you think about the whole concept of double standards, it doesn’t make sense and Blue makes it clear that she’s had enough. The song is kept very simple with only an acoustic guitar, with slight drum programming, and bass during the chorus, and I think the intention of this song reflects that. It is simply a call-out song to talk about the differences in expectations between men and women, and she finally says, ‘‘F*** Yourself, You don’t know what I’m going through.’’ – Because they really don’t. 

Don’t mind me, I’ll just be adding this song into my ‘‘Songs everyone needs to hear’’ playlist, and you should too. 

Watch the music video for here!

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Interviews Music News

Industry Interview: LYRE

Betty Who, Red Velvet, Gabbie Hanna, and Mackenzie Ziegler. Names that are well known in today’s world of modern Pop. But the names you really should know are of the two women behind it all. Alina Smith and Elli Moore, together joined as ​LYRE​, are a powerful duo that make the music we know and love, while breaking down the stigma for women artists in a male-dominated industry.

LYRE​ first met in Nashville, while in pursuit of their initial dreams in Country music until they found clarity within the genre of Pop. As Elli wanted to navigate herself away from Country, Alina wanted to produce Pop music, and their collaboration has achieved much more than a name for them as a powerhouse production team, but also a valuable friendship. Each of their individual skill sets play a vital role within LYRE. Alina’s expertise in producing and engineering, and Elli’s competence of vocal production and artistry earned them their reputation.

When working with a variety of artists, they provide more than just technical services. ‘‘It’s our job as a development team to have conversations, find out what’s going on in their life, listen to what they listen to, and help create art around all of that.’’ Their creative process can vary from artist to artist. ‘‘Sometimes they already have the song and just need help, that’s when we come in. Gabbie Hanna, for example, will have a melody in her head, or wants her song to be named BLANK, and pretty much knows what she wants. We just make it into music. ’’

Hard-work and diligence continues to be a major factor in their success that their gender hasn’t really been an obstacle. ‘‘It was harder in the beginning for us. Someone actually said, ‘You’re so pretty, why are you producing?’ which was belittling, but only made me work harder. I choose not to focus on the negative past experiences or doubts. I just do my work and gender doesn’t have anything to do with it.’’ Alina explained. ‘‘It’s great that we are dissolving the stigma that women can’t compete in this. It’s exhausting to fight but we know we have to keep doing it for women. Sometimes it doesn’t even process to us that we are women, but are engineers, producers, and songwriters. It isn’t until someone brings it up that we are like ‘‘oh wow, we ​are​ women!’’ Elli shared.

LYRE​ inspires others to continue to support and make room for women. They left us with some wise words for aspiring engineers and artists, confidence as a key factor, as well as dedication to one’s craft. As a self-taught engineer, Alina emphasized the importance of using your resources to hone in your skills. ‘‘Use the internet to learn. The traditional path and programs are great, but if that is something that is not available to you, find it online, and keep developing. You can do anything as long as you’re diligent.’’ As an artist, Elli relayed her message of self-confidence, ‘‘Be excited about your work and other people will be too! If you aren’t putting yourself out there or you’re not confident in it, why would other people be? You should be your biggest fan.’’

Be sure to listen to their music, check out the ​LYRE ​Pop​ ​sample pack available on ​Splice​, and mark your calendars for Elli’s new EP, ​Confections​, to be released on ​March 11th, 2020​!

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Music News

Industry Interview: Amisha Sarkar

Written by Sonca Nguyen and Sonnie Nguyen.

Behind all talented artists is a team of managers, executives, songwriters, and much more. In this case, we have a jack of all trades, Amisha Sarkar. Mixing business and friendship with rising star Audrey Mika, she has gained recognition as one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the business, and this is just the start.

Amisha Sarkar may seem like your average kid on the street but her days consist of meetings with major record labels, recording sessions, and all-around music-making alongside her best friend, Audrey Mika, who also happens to be signed to RCA Records with over 1.2 million listeners. Sarkar also reigns her newly introduced title as Artist Manager and Founder of her very own TRST. Records, established 2018.

To Amisha, the idea of creating a record label herself seemed out of reach. “Well, I’ve always wanted to start a record label since I was 12 but thought it was impossible.” So what drove her to make the impossible a reality? A given factor of support is her friend and artist, Audrey Mika. “Until I met Audrey, I was just a fan of her music. Music is a passion of mine. Audrey and I were exactly what we needed for each other. We became very close as we began to live our dream together.”

At a mere 18 years old, Sarkar is earning major recognition already at such a young age, but that comes with its challenges. ‘‘I would say that being 18 is harder than being a woman in my position. We haven’t really run into any issues in gender but definitely with my age. I have had a lot of people that don’t believe I manage Audrey. They don’t take me seriously because of my age. I was at a record label and the doorman wouldn’t let me in because he thought I was some kid off the streets trying to get in. I had to convince him that I was supposed to be there and I had a meeting. I just remind myself that age has nothing to do with my abilities. I know that as long as I do what’s right for my artists and believe in myself and my team, success will come.’’


One of her first moments of success was the release of Fake Heartbreak. ‘‘The song was on my phone and it wasn’t written all the way. Audrey and I came back to it, rewrote it, and just in the first week, it got over 500k streams. Now it has over one million. As a songwriter, seeing the song go from my back pocket to where it is now is so crazy to me. I feel like I have one of these moments every day. We appreciate every small victory that comes our way.’’

Scooter Braun has been a leading talent manager to many of the world’s top artists such as Justin Bieber, Tori Kelly, and Ariana Grande. The two crossed paths in which Sarkar marked a great first impression on him. ‘‘He is my idol and someone I always looked up to. Connecting with him was by far, an amazing personal achievement for me. He even called my mom, telling her that I should drop out of school.’’

As we finished up our conversation, Sarkar talked about what was in store for the new year. ‘‘Audrey and I are preparing to go on tour soon and I am now tour managing too which has definitely been a new experience. We have an EP soon to be released next month, and plan on working on an album maybe at the end of this year or the beginning of next. TRST. Records will also be releasing our first song under the label which is very exciting. Lots of things in the works.’’ The 5 A.M. Tour has already seen sold out shows in major cities and at the rate this past year has been going for them, this year is going to be even better.

We look forward to seeing more of Amisha Sarkar and continue to support her on her journey. You can too by streaming Audrey’s new single, ”Change Your Heart” on all platforms. Lyric video below:

Watch the ”Fake Heartbreak” music video below:

Check out Amisha’s artist, dhruv and his song, ”double take” below:

Categories
Music News

The Women of the 2020 Grammy Awards

Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com

Controversy over Grammy nominees have been swirling around since the situations involving the Recording Academy’s recently appointed CEO, Deborah Dugan, who had opened up conversation about misconduct, discrimination, and even voter rigging that could’ve potentially resulted in the rescheduling of the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards Show. As the day continued on, incidents following the tragic news of the passing of athlete, Kobe Bryant and other passengers during a fatal helicopter crash left the world somber and mournful. However, as the night was also for celebration of achievements, we wanted to recognize the winners that took home the trophy and also played a role as advocates for women in the music industry.

If you haven’t heard yet, Billie Eillish took home five Grammy awards in major categories from, ​Best New Artist,​ ​Best​ ​Pop Vocal Album,​ to ​Best; Record, Song, Album of the Year​ awards, making her the youngest person ever to win in Grammy history. Even if you don’t listen to her music, at only eighteen years old, this is something that is incredibly impressive to accomplish for someone this young.

Artist and DJ Tracy Young had just made history being the first ever woman to be even nominated in this category for Best Remixed Recording for her remix of Madonna’s ‘‘I Rise.’’ Young, who had been working in the industry for over twenty five years reflected on her journey in the industry when she was awarded the Grammy in her speech, stated, ‘‘I proudly accept this on behalf of all female producers who have been overlooked.’’

For our folks in the audio world, we know the name Leslie Ann Jones. For those of you who do not, she holds her title as Director of Music Recording and Score at Skywalker Studios along with her previous work experiences at Capitol Records and ABC studios. Jones made a name for herself back then and still continues to be a role model and advocate for women engineers at sixty-nine years old. Jones holds an impressive list of accomplishments and firsts. From being the first woman as assistant engineer ever to be hired at ABC Studios to the first female national officer for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Her legacy continues as she took home her 5th Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Classical in Riley: Sun Rings.

Behind the scenes, Soundgirl member and fellow Women In Audio advocate Loreen Bohannon shared that she was the one mixing monitors for Lizzo during her opening performance at the awards show.

It is the victories like these that create opportunities for women everywhere. We continue to support those in the industry and hope to see more women winning at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards!