Two best friends and a whirlwind of experiences manifested through music. Smokelines was born out of a friendship between Californian Skylar “Sky” Blaze Star and New Yorker Faith Gara. With New York City as their backdrop, they are an ultimate dynamic duo of singer-songwriters capturing what it’s like to be young in the city. Jejune enthusiastically got to learn more about their latest single, Nirvana, a product of adjusting to the new normal as COVID-19 plunged us deeper into a digital reality. Nirvana is also a testament to their commitment to mental health awareness, in addition to their collaboration with The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. To find out more about what goes into the creativity and business acumen that goes into Smokelines, the meaningfulness of Nirvana, and mental health advocacy, read below.

A New Name in Electronic Music: Just Milk

Just Milk combines ethereal beats with sounds of glowing synth-pop, dark disco, and dreamy folk vocals for a sound that is unparalleled. Just Milk recently released her new EP “Carry Your Weight” which embodies the emotional, physical, and spiritual overload we all carry with us. Just Milk brings light to these issues that many of us face through her unique perspective and sound. Tara Rook, the woman behind Just Milk, is a female electronic musician, artist, massage therapist, and she is currently training to become a yoga teacher. Just Milk encourages gender diversity within the electronic music world and gives back by partnering with organizations like Sea Change Yoga which provides trauma-informed yoga and meditation to individuals who have experienced trauma and people in marginalized groups. Her goal is to create positive growth locally through safe spaces and community healing. Continue reading for our exclusive interview with Just Milk about her recent release, visual art, healing work, and how COVID-19 has impacted her start in the music industry.

Shiloh Verrico: Actress, Singer, and Animal Lover

At just ten years old, Shiloh Verrico is making herself known as an actress, singer, and advocate for rescue animals. Shiloh is making her Netflix debut in the new series “Country Comfort.” The series follows ‘Bailey,’ an aspiring country singer who gets a job nannying five musically-inclined children who lost their mother two years prior. Shiloh’s character is the emotional center of the family, ‘Cassidy,’ who is having an especially difficult time coming to terms with the loss of her mother. Shiloh loves music and was able to use her talents singing and playing guitar and ukulele in the series. When Shiloh isn’t filming or singing, she and her family foster rescue dogs and work with rescue organizations.

You Will Know Peyton Stilling

At just the young age of 18, Peyton Stilling has already garnered acclaim from the likes of NPR Music and Mahogany Sessions, as well as American Songwriter and Earmilk. Her latest single “Healing” is both raw and honest. Inspired by the heartbreak she’d gone through, her vulnerability and pain are evident through the lyrics and overall song. Her last single “Forest through the Trees” has garnered over 200k streams on Spotify alone. Besides doing music, Peyton makes time to help those with disabilities. From giving back to her community, garnering acclaim from notable media organizations, working with Grammy-nominated producers, to being a talented singer and songwriter, Peyton Stilling is on route to establishing her name in the music industry. Mark my words. Please continuing reading for our exclusive interview with Peyton below.

Janie May Gets Real

Brooklyn based singer-songwriter Janie May writes with her heart out. With a sleek style, honey-coated voice and sophisticated, yet upbeat tunes, the singer and trained social worker emphasizes the emotional aspect of life – emotions without warning yet too often felt and the source of human connection. May sat down with Jejune to talk about what she wants to achieve through music, her EP Balance Me, art and mental health in the age of coronavirus, and all the while showing us how solidarity as a guiding force takes us far.

Fall in Love with Teen Singer-Songwriter Lana Chalfoun

Young love can be a dream or a nightmare and Lana Chalfoun offers both perspectives in her music. Her new single “Cut Off” (coming out Feb. 12th) is a break-up song just in time for Valentine’s Day, which to be honest, is the perfect day to let yourself mourn lost love and move on by February 15th. A fount of youthful sound and energy, Lana’s been dropping music through the pandemic (check out her other singles “Be OK” and “Get Mad”), all of which share the twists and turns of love, anxiety, and coming of age. In our interview with Lana we talk about her music and her chosen charity of choice The Red Glasses Movement. Keep reading to fall more in love with Lana in our exclusive interview below.

COVER - Marcy Richardson, The Show Must Go On

What is your favorite part of New York City? If you live here, why did you move here or why did you decide to stay? If you just love to visit, why is that? I think almost every single person who loves NYC loves it, at least partly, for the arts. I moved here 10.5 years ago, 100% for the arts. I then fell in love with the grit and the people. My people, artists who make magic happen. These are the people who are being ignored. These people are hard-working and living off their art, now they are not allowed to work at all, and they are given no alternatives. This pandemic has taught us many things about our society, and one of the loudest messages is that “the arts do not matter.” But I ask you this: How will we look back on this pandemic in history? It will be through the photography, the songs, the murals, the books, and who knows what else amazing ideas and creations come from this lockdown. We won’t be all sitting around watching videos of Trump or Cuomo’s daily briefings. We will be looking towards the art. Look back on history. How do we think about the most famous moments? From a painting, a song, or a poem. We need to be supporting the arts more than ever right now! Not only do they mark our history, but they give us the most important gift of all —hope.

Jejune had the pleasure to sit down, chat with, and photograph an amazing hard-working artist in New York City, Marcy Richardson. When the pandemic hit all her venues closed, but like most NYC artists, she is full of passion and grit. She will weather this storm and come back to the stage like a phoenix. Please read further to learn a bit about Marcy’s journey.

Editorials, Cover, Editor's Pick, Most Popular, zIssue 29Kira BuccaJanuary 29, 2021performer, singer, actress, newyorker, aerialists, theatre, newyork, covid, pole, pole dancers, artist, nyc, HustlersComment

Sasha Daniel Sings For Freedom

Sasha Daniel is a gifted Russian-Israeli musician, actress, and mental health advocate. She uses her creative talents to explore inwardly as well as create a dialogue about sensitive issues such as love and relationships, vulnerability, and mental illness. Sasha has been writing music for years, using her unique life experiences of living and traveling around the world as inspiration. She spent two years touring across New York, the Mid-West, southern United States, Israel, and Canada until she moved back to Tel Aviv and began producing her own songs. Jejune sat down with Sasha to discuss her new EP and her volunteer work with the Non Profit Organization Latet.

"Enlighten Me" and the Power of Sarcasm - Kipani

Move over mansplainers! Kipani is about to enlighten you. Bringing a sound of her own, singer-songwriter Kipani is a visionary for equality in the music industry. Kipani’s new single “Enlighten Me” is a unique blend of genres and has a very specific goal: to empower women. In our interview with Kipani, we dive into the struggles and obstacles that women creators face in the male-dominated music industry and discuss how Kipani as an artist has used music to push-back against stereotypes of women that negatively impact their artistic endeavors. Kipani’s art is not only self-expression but a demonstrative outlet of the dynamic force of feminine creativity. For more on Kipani please read our exclusive interview below.

Sirens Of Hope - Diana Sophia

As an individual who lived through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, I have been waiting for the music and art that would come from it, and Diana Sophia did not disappoint. If you did not have the experience or if you did, please take a moment to listen to her new song “Sirens.” This song will transport you to those months of 24/7 ambulance sirens and the anxiety we all felt, but she also laces in hope that came with them. This song is heavy, and not something I will listen to every day, but it is true historic art and should be respected as such. Diana might be from Mexico, but in many ways, she is nothing but a New Yorker. She is all about grit and passion. In addition to being an incredible singer-songwriter, she is a survivor and helps support an amazing organization for sexual abuse victims called Hidden Water. Please read our exclusive interview below to learn more about Diana Sophia.

Brooke Law Reminds Us About The True Meaning of Christmas

London-born British singer and songwriter, Brooke Law, is an electrifying artist with a heart. She has written with leading producers who have worked with Ellie Goulding, Dua Lipa, and Lana Del Ray. In 2019, she was selected by BBC Asian Network and BBC Music Introducing Essex as one of their ‘Artist to Watch’. Her new single for Christmas 2020, “Home,” is a highly emotive song that poignantly conveys the sadness of finding yourself apart from a loved one at Christmas. It also sheds light on the homeless predicament impacted by 320,000 people in the UK. 100% of the proceeds of her new single will go to the UK Charity, Crisis. Brooke hopes that her song will not only reach out emotionally to those in need but also provide practical help through donations. It is from this bedrock of family ‘unity-through-diversity’, strength, and positive action that motivates Brooke to express her values and beliefs through her music. Please read our interview with Brooke Law to learn more about her and her new single, “Home.”

Savannah Lathem Writes Songs of Hope

Savannah Lathem is giving the holidays a new tune with her singing and songwriting talent and new Christmas single, “Why I Love Christmas Time.” Savannah’s joy is present in all of her music, and her gratitude for all of life’s opportunities (even amidst the current chaos) is certainly inspiring. We speak to Savannah about her journey as an artist and her most recent music, as well as her past Lyme Disease diagnosis. To learn more about Savannah’s delightful and honest outlook, please read our interview below.

LYRE Producer Alina Smith Talks Sexism in the Industry and Going Digital

With 1 in every 47 music producers being female, how did Alina Smith go against the odds to become a premier producer in today’s pop scene? Like many artists and creatives, Smith had the vision to make a “room of her own” in the music industry. She and her best friend, Elli Moore, founded an independent digital production business, LYRE, with the goal to carve out a safe-space for women in a male-dominated field. Now, LYRE is an unstoppable force and working with names you may recognize from Top 40 pop music: Gabbie Hanna, Kenzie Ziegler, Nikita Dragun, and Niki and Gabi (to name a few). Alongside her role as a producer, Alina also is a musician, artist, novelist, and podcast host. Her new single, “Girl That Was Perfect,” is the first track she has released of her own voice in the past 10 years and served as an important moment of self-reflection for Alina. In our interview with Alina, she gives us her insights to navigating the barriers of the industry, her return to singing-songwriting, and where her multi-hyphenate creative pursuits will take her next.

Aidan Tulloch - Song For Armageddon

Aidan Tulloch, artist and activist, spoke with us on how the nationwide lockdown helped him to push forth to create his new EP “Somewhere With Out Lights.” With songs like “Song For Armageddon”, Aidan is already discussing what we are all currently feeling in his music. When Aidan isn’t busy writing music or at school, he is actively sharing music with elderly, refugee asylum seekers, and adults with learning disabilities — after all, “music is something that unites us all together”. Please read further to learn more about Aidan, his music, and how he is giving back.

Art, zIssue 26, zIssue 26.2Jejune ContributorSeptember 24, 2020music, musician, youngmusician, songwriter, singer, singer song writer, artist, covid-19, elderly, Immigration, UK, poetComment

Nadia Vaeh - Rising From Tragedy

With the music industry at a low and mental illness at a high, Nadia Vaeh, a self defined conscious pop singer, gives us an inside look at how she rose from tragedy. From losing her mother at the age of 17 to suicide, Nadia discusses with us her mental illness evolution and how she's giving back. If you listen, most of Nadia's music has a passionate message behind the lyrics, and her new song RiSE is no exception. When she isn't creating works of art, Nadia partners with organizations like “Peace Over Violence”, a non profit dedicated to fighting domestic violence and sexual assault, the Human Rights Campaign, and many more. Read our exclusive interview with her below.

Broken Bones Matilda In Quarantine

Broken Bones Matilda is an alternative group comprising of childhood friends turned husband-and-wife-duo Sam Gotley and Sarah McGrigor. While many artists have been at home trying to figure out their next moves, Broken Bones Matilda never stopped performing live. They just do it over the internet now.

The economy has been hit hard by COVID-19, but no group has been hit as hard as artists, and especially live venues. In response to this, Broken Bones Matilda put together a virtual tour, #saveourvenues, where they performed over Instagram Live to raise money for all their favorite venues. To learn more about this amazing group and their tour, please read our exclusive interview here.

Ashley Zarah's Empowering And Fun Feminist Escapades

In times where social injustices are at the forefront of the new media cycle and in digital discourse, it only makes sense that those seeking justice would similarly have a powerful presence. Iranian/American pop artist Ashley Zarah not only offers a distinct light-hearted take on feminism, she does so with a uniqueness that leaves an imprint on those who listen.

Ashley recently released a new music video for her fan-favorite single "My Boyfriend", a feminist empowerment anthem retelling Zarah’s courage in a relationship gone wrong. Other tracks, like “Control”, take a true introspective investigation on perceptions of ourselves internally and external labels built on facades and powerlessness.

Zarah's highly anticipated project, the Better Mess - LP, is currently in pre-production for release in the Fall of 2020, leading with fan-favorite, "My Boyfriend," as its first single. For this single, she is donating $5 to the Yemen humanitarian crisis for every pre-save the song gets. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more abut Ashley Zarah.

Art, zIssue 25Jejune ContributorAugust 27, 2020music, singer, singer song writer, #singerComment

Siaki Sii And Fancy Nancy Fifita: A lineage Of Entertainment And Magnanimity

With an extended family history in entertainment, cousins Siaki Sii and Nancy Fifita, aka Fancy Nancy Fifita, are the newest emerging talent on a path to stardom. The Tonga born teens are accomplished actors, musicians, and dancers, Siaki best known for his role as Owens on ABC's “Blackish” and Nancy as Lacy in the film GILLYMUCK.

Beyond acting, Siaki and Nancy are performers at heart. Nancy co-wrote and recorded her first single "You So Fancy" at age nine, while Siaki gained his highest recognition as a Tahitian dancer, at the age of nine where he won Best Lead-Role Dancer at Tahiti Fete 2012.

In addition to entertainment, volunteering and hospitality is a long running familial value. The teen duo hosted the East Coast Prom and were celebrity guests at the West Coast Prom through Virtual Prom Live. They have assisted with over 300 events to raise money by using her talents to sing, perform or give service hours to scout service projects. Nancy was selected as the United States Ambassador for the Tongan Red Cross. Siaki performs annually for local senior centers since he was five, between Los Angeles and Utah. He also joins his Boys Scouts of America troop annually to place flags at the cemetery for all the fallen heroes. In addition to this, they joined forces to start their own organization, S & N (Siaki and Nancy Serving Those in Need), to give back! To learn more about this incredible family, please read our exclusive interview here.

SC. Undercover: The Beautiful Balance Of Harmony And Chaos

SC. Undercover skirts the balance between the states of harmony and chaos. It’s his firm grip on the duality between the two internal states that reveals humaneness in failures, bad decisions, and achievements. The UK based artist explores the stark and grittier elements commonly disassociated with pop music. SC. blends elements of R&B, pop, and indie to deliver his drug, sex, and trauma tinged melodies. His new single, "Morals”, tells the story of a man tortured by his past. It is an introspective story of repentance and acceptance of individual flaws. SC.'s exploration of mental health is not limited to music. He performed a one man show based on PTSD and clinical depression for the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. He has also delivered talks at the Feltham Young Offenders prison, the Headway centre, and the HSBC university, on mental health. Please read our exclusive interview to learn more about SC. Undercover.

zIssue 25, SWAC: InfluencerJejune ContributorAugust 18, 2020mental health, singer, singer song writer, #singer, music, musician, healthComment

Bellsavvy on Body Positivity and Self-Acceptance

Few recording artists can impact two vastly different cultural music scenes from the onset. Born in Brazil, now based in London, pop singer/songwriter Bellsavvy successfully infiltrated both the European and South American demographics.

She found her start on MTV Brazil's singing competition show "Studio Acesso Girls MTV", where Bellsavvy won over the hearts of over 1.8 million live viewers, who all voted for her performance. Her newfound fame thrusted her into the international spotlight through movies and music projects around Europe.

In her debut single, “Queen of my Mind”, Bellsavvy reflects on her industry experiences. She explores concepts of mental health and confronts obstacles such as body shaming and the perception of unobtainable body standards within the modeling industry. She dwells on the damaging consequences, more so, her personal afflictions, and sets an uplifting message of perseverance and acceptance. Please read our exclusive interview here to learn more about Bellsavvy.