I first found out about Dress Black from Alexz Johnson, whose brother Brendan Johnson joins Stephane Monten, Colin Mercer and Justin Ross to make up the quartet. An indie-rock band, Dress Black got their start back in 2014 as a group of friends who bonded over a passion for surf rock and Motown, and since then they've gone on to release several singles and a self-titled EP, even picking up a nomination at the Toronto Independent Music Awards.

Now Dress Black is preparing to release their debut album, Future Songs, set to drop next month. They took some time out of their busy promotional schedule and tour planning to discuss how they came together as a band, the signifigance of their debut album and where they see themselves heading in the future.

1. Hey guys, thanks for being here! How are you doing today?
   Hello! Thank you for having us, we’re very excited to be here.
    
2. Let's go back to the beginning. What led to you all becoming musicians? Has it always been a dream for each of you?
   I believe we all picked up instruments at a young age and with that comes a love for music. You play along to your idols, learn new songs and get better at playing. It’s a powerful thing to listen to your favourite bands and know that they started by picking up an instrument for the first time too. And you think, "Maybe I can do that." In short, yes, it’s work but the dream is worth it. We all really just want to be rock stars. Who doesn’t? Maybe James Taylor.
    
3. How did you guys get to know each other? Were you friends or musical collaborators first?
   Stephane and Brendan were working at the same restaurant when they discovered they had a mutual appreciation for music and songwriting. After a couple of sessions mucking around in the studio, they wrote 'Money', 'Black Dress' and 'When You Gonna Love Me' which are three songs you’ll hear on the upcoming album. From there they asked friends Colin and Justin to jump on board and we’ve been solidly climbing ever since.
    
4. The band came together pretty quickly, but it’s been three years since you wrote your first song. Where would you like to see yourself in the next three years?
   That’s a good question. We focus so much on the immediate steps that we forget to ask ourselves that sometimes. We would love to have another record or even two out by that point and be playing in festivals around the world. One of our members is from New Zealand and we would love to play an Australian/New Zealand tour.
    
5. Your new single ‘Single File Girl’ is a song with a laidback, positive vibe perfect for summer. What inspired the sound for the song?
   We wrote this song after two weeks of intensively writing new material. We were exhausted of ideas and just lazily put 'Single File Girl' together without thinking it would turn into much. A day later we were inspired by MGMT’s “Kids” which helped finish the melody. We then wrote a story about a young, dysfunctional couple who were addicted to each other for the lyrics and the song came together.
    
6. If you were to list some of your major inspirations, who would they be and why?
   We once had a friend describe us as "The Beach Boys for college kids." Some of us are still trying to decipher that one but we do lean towards that 50s surf rock vibe. We were inspired by 70s Motown and 50s surf rock; it was a classic era for a reason. The simple hooky melodies grabbed our attention. We wanted to take that and make it modern. Artists like Foster The People, Prince, Daft Punk and Phoenix make you want to dance. We are finding the blend of that dance/melodic driven sound and we’re excited to see how our sound evolves.
    
7. Your debut album Future Songs is set to be released next month on August 1st. How would you describe the sound of it?
   Similar to what we mentioned in our list of inspirations, this album has a modern surf rock vibe. We use dueling guitars and falsetto vocal stylings to deliver a melodic, dance-driven, indie rock sound. You can definitely say that we’re not your stereotypical band set up; we utilize two vocalists that sing the same melody and drift in and out of harmony to give the songs width and dimension. Basically, two lead singers.
    
    
8. When writing songs for this album, did you approach the process from the perspective of own experience or from the role of storytellers?
   It’s a mix of both, some of the songs on the album are based on personal experience and some tell stories. Some of them were written because a certain phrase sounded great phonetically so we wrote it around those words.
    
9. Do you have any must-haves while recording in the studio?
   Claps. Lots of claps. Brendan really likes claps. Justin doesn’t like claps, but Brendan doesn’t really care. But seriously, there was a lot of compromise on claps…. And food. Stephane gets really, really hungry.
    
10. Your last two music videos were directed by Alexz Johnson. What's it like having your sister direct your videos, Brendan?
    To be honest, Alexz and I have a long history of collaboration so it’s quite easy for us to jump into new projects together.
     
11. Speaking of music videos, who came up with the idea for the 'Straight Line' music video?
    Do you mean 'Weekend' or 'So Lovely'? 'Weekend' and 'Single File Girl' were Alexz and Brendan’s brainchild and 'So Lovely' was conceptualized by our very good friend Nick Posthumus of Current Sessions Productions.
     
    
     
12. Alexz is going on tour with her upcoming album A Stranger Time soon and Dress Black will be joining as a support act. How do you guys feel about your first ever nationwide tour? Are you more excited or nervous?
    We’re very excited about it! This will be our first time playing in the States and we are incredibly grateful that Alexz is giving us some opening slots.
     
13. Since it is a US tour, which states are you the most excited to perform in? Are there any plans on touring throughout Europe as well? Which European countries would you like to visit the most?
    We’re still in the early stages of planning and we’re focusing on the east coast for now - New York, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. I would say we are excited to perform in all of them! Europe is in the cards - that’s in the coming planning stages. We would love to play in Italy, France, Germany, England and Scotland.
     
14. Brendan, you're well known for your work with Alexz and we already know that you've contributed to her upcoming album. How do you manage to work on two completely different projects with different sounds and viewpoints? Is it hard to seperate your Dress Black Work from your other duties?
    Not necessarily, it’s quite easy for me to focus on the genre of music I’m working on. Where it gets difficult is time management. Every artist has their own sound and my job is just to accentuate that sound.
     
15. You and Alexz have released three compilations of the Basement Recordings so far, a series containing demos from throughout her career that didn't make their way officially onto albums. Will you give in to the fan demand for a fourth compilation?
    It’s hard to say now; Alexz and I have definitely been entertaining the idea. The Basement Recordings is a compilation of old demos and old recordings from our past, so we just need to look back a little further and see what we can put together.
     
16. I can imagine that over the three years you've been working on the Dress Black album you've recorded quite a few demos yourself. What songs would you put on your own version of The Basement Recordings?
    'Rough To The City'… we don’t talk about that song.
     
17. Are there any collaborations coming up? Who would you like to make a song with the most?
    Not in the near future. We’re very focused on getting our album out there. Given the style of our record, it would be awesome to write a song with Foster the People or Glass Animals.
     
18. Thank you so much for chatting with us today! Are there any final words you'd like to say to your fans or people who haven't tuned in yet?
    Originally, we were considering calling our band Young Sleep. That’s a little easter egg for you. We look forward to sharing more music with you!
     

It's unusual to encounter an artist who not only truly cares about her fans, but who is willing to be best friends with them, too. My story with Kara started when our longtime member @Baby V Alex made a thread about her first single, 'Cloud 18'. It wasn't long before my fellow writer @Countess and I conducted an interview with her, and since then our bond has only gotten stronger and stronger. When will your faves, huh?

At first, I was completely intimidated. I was just a basic member of a music forum, and she was the person we were discussing. I didn't know what to talk about with her, or if she really cared about talking to me at all. But over time, I become enraptured by her amazing personality. I was pleased to find out that not only is she funny and talented, but her heart is full of love and compassion. Halsey should take notes.

Kara's new single 'Like Me Better' launched today, and in celebration of it's release she sat down with us to share ten fun facts about herself.

1. Her party days are long gone.

"I was a total party animal in high school! Not anymore. I work seven days a week on fashion and music stuff so I don’t have any energy left to party. I just stay home and watch movies and eat chips, lol. I go out maybe once every one to two months."

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2. When asked for just one of her favourite places to visit, she gave us three.

1. Hawaii! I couldn’t believe how magical it was. I was shook! I was driving around the island (my Australian family don’t know how to drive on the other side of the road so they made me drive) and it was completely breathtaking. On one side of the car was the ocean and on the other side was some crazy Jurassic Park forest-style mountain volcano shit with fog on top. It looked fake! That’s how surreal it was.
2. Cloud 18, cos that’s my happy place in my head where me and my adorable fans live.
3. Perth, in Australia. Or wherever my family is.  

3. She doesn't play around with homophobes or fuckboys.

"I have a few personality traits which I think are very important for me in another person: a kind heart, honesty, AN AMAZING SENSE OF HUMOUR (someone who makes me laugh and also laughs at my hilarious jokes...), loyalty and love.

And what kind of people I despise? Hmm...Liars, sexists, racists, and homophobic people are not welcome on Cloud 18."

4. She lives without regrets and wouldn't change a single thing in her life.

"I honestly don’t give situations of the past that much thought. For what, you know? I just choose to focus on the lessons I learn from different situations and like to think of how it’s all shaped me to be who I am today. I’m proud of the person I’ve become. I have a lot of wisdom apparently!"

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5. She has amazing taste in films.

"My favourite movies would be Spice World and Grease. 

Iconic. Legends only. Don’t @ me."

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6. Her biggest dream is surprisingly attainable.

"To be ridiculously happy. I don’t give a flying fuck what I’m doing. I just wanna be happy, with family, surrounded by love. 

My childhood dream used to be to be a huge pop star and fashion icon. So, you know...I still want that but at the end of the day, if that doesn’t end up making me happy it means nothing anyway."

7. When it comes to food, she goes back to her Australian roots.

"I love a good Australian meat pie with tomato sauce! Apparently, there are some Australian bakeries in LA that have meat pies but I’ve never been to one. I’m going home for my sister’s wedding in November so I will definitely devour a meat pie then."

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8. She stans other artists just as much as we stan her.

These are some of the concerts I have attended:

• Gwen Stefani's Sweet Escape Tour - Multiple dates in Australia, 2007: I was still a baby in high school but I saved up and flew around Australia to go to different shows. I met Gwen a bunch of times at airports and concert venues. Total Gwen stan!
• Lady Gaga's The Monster Ball Tour - Perth, 2010: I waited all day so I could be front row in the pit and I made her a denim jacket/coat thing. I ended up giving it to some security person at the venue so who knows where it ended up - she probably never even received it, hahaha. 
• Britney Spears' The Femme Fatale Tour - Atlanta, 2011: Nicki Minaj played the support.
• Justin Bieber's The Believe Tour - Atlanta, 2012.
• Avril Lavigne's Bonez Tour - Perth, circa 2004: I was little, I think it was 2004! I used to looove her! I wanted to be a skater in tomboy clothes and date boys who could skate.
• Kelly Clarkson's Breakaway Tour - Perth, circa 2005: I think it was 2005. I went with my big sister. She’s so awesome live. 

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9. Her favourite song she's ever written isn't a surprise.

"'Like Me Better' is my current favourite song of mine cos I can fully relate to it (obviously, cos I wrote it), but also because it's a great reminder for me to be an independent queen and not take any bullshit."

10. The meaning behind 'Like Me Better' is deeper than you may think.

"I wrote ['Like Me Better'] in 2015 as a reminder to myself that I don’t need anyone else to make me happy. It was something that I could listen to and feel empowered. After going through a breakup it took me a long time to get to the point where I could be happy and fully content alone. For a while, I felt like a lost puppy and I'd forgotten my self-worth. Once I started respecting myself and putting myself first, I was free. So this song is about me finally realising that I’m Gucci solo. Now whenever people or opportunities come and go out of my life, my inner happiness is not affected because my happiness is not tied to anything outside of me."

Remember that Kara's new single Like Me Better is out now! Don't forget to buy it on iTunes and stream it on Spotify.

Moxiie first appeared on the pop music scene back in 2011 with her breakthrough single 'Dancing in Dirt', which proved right off the bat that she wasn't here to play. The single was the first from Moxiie's debut EP Jungle Pop, named after her self-created genre of the same name; and this in turn was followed in 2012 by her first album Savage, which featured A-list producers such as Reo (Beyoncé's 'Hello') and Peter Wade (Kylie Minogue's 'Les Sex').

Following this, Moxiie released a dancehall-inspired EP entitled ScandiRara in 2013, which was followed by several experimental singles in which she explored new sounds and shaped her artistic vision of what she wanted her music to sound like. Now, Moxiie is planning another single release which we're sure will snatch your Brazilian Remy weaves and leave the blogosphere bald.

The Haitian-American beauty joined us today to discuss where she's come from, where she's going and the social issues she strives to fight for through her music.

1. Hello, Moxiie! Thanks so much for giving us the opportunity to talk to you. How are you today?
   
   Thank you for reaching out! I'm feeling good right now.
    
2. Let's start from the beginning. You released your first album Savage back in 2012. How has your sound evolved since then? Has your opinion on the music industry changed at all?
   
   Firstly, thank you for knowing about Savage. That was my second project: before that I did an EP [Jungle Pop]. I've changed so much on a personal level so it's been a pretty organic growth, and that is reflected in the songs I write and the choices I make.
   
   I think that during [the recording of] Savage I was still working out a lot of bad people-pleasing habits. Having been so focused on pitching songs in the past, it was a time where I had to break free of thinking so much about what is "hot".
    


3. Since Savage, you've released several stand-alone singles. Are you enjoying the artistic freedom and lack of responsibility that singles can provide? Or are you working on shaping them together into an EP or album?
   
   I put out another EP of dancehall inspired pop songs [ScandiRara] after Savage. Since then, I've been finding my way and developing a sound that truly feels like me. Singles have been a way to still give music in the meantime. I'll definitely release an EP - really excited about getting to that again from where I am now.
    
4. A lot of our members are Britney Spears fans and many found out about you thanks to your visual cover of her smash hit 'Toxic'. On first listen, however, people may be surprised at how different and innovative your version is from the original song. How did the idea for that cover come together?
   
   Thank you. That 'Toxic' cover came together in a rehearsal. I was putting together a new set and felt like it needed a familiar moment to share with the audience. I just started to freestyle a different version of 'Toxic' and Surreal, my producer said, "Okay, you've convinced me." Then we recorded it a few days later.


5. Let's talk about your brand new single 'Don't See You'. Could you tell us about the meaning behind this song for you? What was the songwriting process like?
   
   Sure. 'Don't See You' is about just realising where I had lapses in judgment, allowing people and situations into my life that really should have never been that close to me, but also just owning it. I'm basically saying “Hey, you messed up by betraying me and I messed up because secretly, I knew better."
    
6. You released a music video for 'Don't See You' just a few weeks ago. What was the inspiration behind the video?
   
   I was inspired initially by the black and white CK One ads, and that led me to portraits by Michael Avedon and Irving Penn. I wanted to convey intimacy, distance and loneliness almost simultaneously. 
    


7. Has music always been your passion or was it something that emerged later on in your life? If you were to describe your sound to new listeners, which three words would you use?
   
   I've had a passion for music my entire life. I'd describe my sound as authentic, experimental, and electronic.
    
8. Apart from music, a quick perusal of your Instagram page shows that you're passionate about makeup. How do you intertwine those passions? Does music influence your makeup work at all?
   
   Makeup is a just another means of expression. That's something that came way later for me, but it's fun. I also love the power of transformation it gives. The only way the two go hand in hand is when it's time to shoot a music video. Then, makeup is a great tool to carry out the vision.
    
9. Some people describe the anxiety and stress that they experience when performing live, but when I watch videos of your live performances it struck me that the stage is your element. Have you always been such a natural on stage? What were your early performances like?
   
   I appreciate that. It's funny, I get anxious when it's time to perform, but it comes from a really intense desire to entertain, connect and basically not screw up, especially when choreography is involved. I think I used to be a little more crazy, but I'm finding a space that feels good right now with performing. I'm really excited to develop that more. Everything before and after performing kind of feels like preparation for performing. Once I'm in it, it feels very right to be there.
    
10. If you were to list some artists who inspire you the most, who would it be?
    
    I'm endlessly inspired by the greats. The usual suspects: Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Madonna and Grace Jones. Lately though I've felt inspired by SZA and Dawn Richard. With SZA it's her honesty and freedom, and with Dawn it's her fiercely independent spirit.
    
    Especially as a [woman of color], I seriously appreciate the presence of these women. It's important.
     
11. You've been hinting on your Instagram that new music is coming. Can you spill the tea on when we can possibly expect your next release and what it might sound like?
    
    Haha, I love that you pay attention to details. I'm looking to release something by August.
    
    It's definitely more intimate and experimental. At the end of the day, I love pop music so there are elements of pop, but it's different for sure.
     
12. Demi Lovato put your single 'FVRS' on her Spotify playlist. How did it feel to be recognised by such a huge musical personality?
    
    Demi Lovato is such a fighter and an amazing artist. I have massive respect for her and I felt really grateful! That was a cool moment. A gesture like that from such an influential person actually affects the life of an indie artist like me.
     


13. You are very vocal about the issue of immigration. What's your personal connection to that issue and what would you most like people to know about it?
    
    I'm a first generation Haitian-American. While I was born here, I saw first-hand the struggles of building a life in the U.S. 
    
    It can be very traumatic moving to another country, especially with children and grandchildren, or at least I think so. We're in dangerous territory when the word "immigrant" starts to lose humanity and is even used in a way that wants to encourage xenophobia.
    
    I just can't shut up about it. This is too important.
     
14. Recently you designed an 'Immigrant Daughter' t-shirt which is available online. Bebe Rexha, one of the most successful new acts in the music industry, was seen rocking it on Instagram. How did you come up with the idea for a t-shirt?
    
    That was really a special moment for me and I'm so grateful to Bebe for wearing it proudly. I wanted to create merch, but I needed to ground it in something that truly means something to me, and wouldn't end with t-shirts and hats. A conversation started around an issue close to my heart felt right. There was a list of ideas, but I resonated with that one the most. I sent it to my friend Reo, and he designed the text/typography.
    
    Part of it was imagining people who don't consider themselves immigrants seeing these t-shirts and maybe appreciating that "those immigrants" are your friends, and their mothers, their fathers, their grandparents. It's about encouraging humanity.
     
     
15. Apart from immigration, are there any other issues you would like to spread awareness about?
    
    Well, I'm very cautious. At the end of the day, I'm looking to figure out how to use my work to illuminate what I think is special, important, or beautiful. A few things I'd like to work with are: the importance of sisterhood among women and trans [women of color] being safer. I'm also passionate about food, and eventually want to share what I've learned around that. Just the relationship most of us have with it, things some of us do every day that slowly have negative effects.
     
16. In one of your posts on Instagram, you mentioned fantasising about reading your old journals to your fans. What's the main thing we would learn if we were to read through your old diaries?
    
    Oh my god, I was a mess and doubted myself so much. I think I was crying almost every day at one point. So many struggles. Sometimes I read it just to remind myself that things have gotten better. It helps me to feel intense gratitude. I think they would find that we have a lot in common. 
     
17. Coming back to the topic of music, are there any artists you would like to work on a song with?
    
    I'm not really sure, to be honest. Energy is such a factor for me, as well as artists that have strong perspectives and identity. Other than that it's really about the vibes and the universe letting me know, "Yes - try this."
    
    Then I go from there. Right now is an exciting time, because a lot of people that really care about the music are coming up. I'm open to all possibilities.
     
18. Let's imagine you're going on a huge world tour now. Which countries would you like to visit the most?
    
    South Africa, Haiti, Sweden, Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Iceland, Brazil and Germany - Berlin specifically. So many!
     
19. Thank you so much for doing this interview with us. Is there anything else you would like to say to your fans and people who haven't tuned in yet?
    
    Email me! I wanna know who you are - and please excuse typos. 
    
    Thank you!

Don't forget to follow Moxiie on her social medias over at Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and keep up to date with her on her official website! You can stream her latest single 'Don't See You' on Spotify and buy it on iTunes.

You might not know J Sutta's name, but you almost certainly know her songs. Since her big break came in the form of The Pussycat Dolls, the burlesque troupe turned recording sensation which dominated the 2000s music scene with hits like 'Don't Cha', 'Buttons', 'Stickwitu', 'When I Grow Up' and 'Jai Ho!', Sutta - then known simply as Jessica - has travelled around the world spreading her particular brand of self-identity, confidence and love. Her solo career in music started in 2007, when she featured on two #1 dance hits - Paul Van Dyk's 'White Lies' and Dave Audé's 'Make It Last' - but after scatterings of label conflicts and occasional bops such as the hits 'I Wanna Be Bad', 'Show Me' and 'Again', she only truly came into herself last year when she relaunched herself as J Sutta and released the free mixtape Feline Resurrection for her fans. Composed of offcuts from her debut album, Feline Resurrection turned out to be merely the prelude to the main event, I Say Yes, which was released earlier this month to huge levels of hype and excitement from her fans. Backed by her biggest single yet, 'Forever', I Say Yes is a form of self affirmation for Sutta, who describes the album in two words: "determination and faith".

Unsurprisingly for a woman who's spent almost two decades in the entertainment industry, Sutta is a master of her craft, something she proves not only on I Say Yes but also during her live shows, where she struts, shimmies and sings her way through a plethora of dancefloor ready hits. More unexpectedly for a girl who once appeared on stage every night singing "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?" she's also a total sweetheart, going out of her way to express her gratitude towards her longtime fans and her devotion to fulfilling the promises she made them ever since we first reached out for an interview. In fact, the party girl persona that Sutta's explored in songs such as PCD diss track 'Feline Resurrection' and the breakthrough hit 'Forever' is offset quite beautifully in her responses which are particularly thoughtful, optimistic and kind-hearted, and backed by a sense of spiritual certainty uncommon in Hollywood. Read on to see exactly what we mean.

1. Hey J! How are you today? Where are you chatting to us from?
   
   Hey! Thanks so much for having me. I'm here in sunny L.A! Doing great, thanks for asking.
    
2. Let's start at the beginning. Most of our readers first came to know about you through your involvement in The Pussycat Dolls, one of the best-selling and most popular girl groups of all time. A few years ago, some of the Dolls started posting photos together on their Instagrams and talking about the possibility of a reunion. Is this something you'd be open to? What would have to change for the group to be functional again?
   
   It was such a blessing to be part of such a hugely successful movement. I learned so much from all of the experiences. Right now I am super focused on my solo career and establishing myself as an artist and my goal is to keep growing and getting better as an artist with every release so I can connect with more and more people through my music. It's a really fun process. I'm happy doing what I love and want to stay true to my artistry no matter what. That is what makes me the most happy so I must honor that.
    
3. Following the disbandment of The Pussycat Dolls, you began working on your first solo album Sutta Pop under Interscope Records, releasing singles such as 'I Wanna Be Bad' and 'Show Me'. A few of our readers want to know what happened with the album, and were wondering if you would ever release it for your fans to enjoy?
   
   I'm humbled by the fans everyday. I hugely appreciate the fans who have stuck it out with me from all the way back then. They have witnessed my journey and I love them for their loyalty. They walk with me in every step we take together.
   
   The problem is that most of those tracks don't have complete versions and they are dated. They don't represent my best. I have grown so much and I have worked hard to improve my voice and range everyday since then so I wouldn't want anything being released that is not the best representation of who I am today, you know? I also hate letting them down so it's a conundrum! Right now, I hope that they are understanding and enjoy I Say Yes enough to keep them satisfied. I am not where I want to be yet and releasing songs that are not the best of me could create stumbling blocks in my path. I will keep my promise though...one day we will figure it out.
    
    
4. You next moved onto Feline Resurrection, a mixtape you released for free online made up of leftover tracks from your debut album. What inspired you to release the album for your fans? Which track was the hardest to leave off the album?
   
   I love my fans! I love them for real. Not just in a Hollywood bogus kind of way. I care about them and think about them and want to give to them as much as possible. Making Feline Resurrection was such a self discovery process for me. My team wanted to scrap everything I did and start over right after we recorded 'Forever' but I fought against it and wanted to share my experiences and the experimental sounds of Feline Resurrection with them. To me it was important that they got to know me better and it hurt me that I had to keep delaying the album release so I wanted to at least give them as much music as I could while they continued to support me patiently.
        
5. After seven years of hard work, your debut album I Say Yes was released earlier this month to rave reviews from your fans. How do you feel now that it's finally out in the world?
   
   I am grateful, proud and excited. I know that we took our time to craft something that I can always stand by proudly. There were no compromises and no short cuts. I really wanted to create a narrative of relatable storytelling that makes you feel and makes you dance.
    
6. Most artists rely on major labels to release albums, and even independent artists often use sites like Kickstarter or IndieGoGo to crowdfund their work. Why was it important to you to do this on your own? What was the most challenging part of releasing the album on a smaller label like Premier League Music?
   
   I have freedom and faith (two of my favorite George Michael songs - R.I.P.!) but I am open to partnerships as long as they in no way compromise my integrity. Maintaining that is more important to me than fame or fortune.
   
   Being on a small label with a tiny budget means that we can not market the album in the way it deserves. We can not compete with the big machines but we have a product that I believe can compete sonically and artistically. "If you build it, they will come," is one of my favorite quotes. When you do your very best and let go of things beyond your control sometimes you create a space for miracles to happen - people talk and share enough that you might not need the money to push and promote on a big scale. Whatever happens, we are having fun together and doing what we love...the rest is in God's hands.
    
7. What does the album title and concept represent to you? What would you say is your favourite track on the project?
   
   The album title I Say Yes represents never ever quitting. Even when things knock you down, you keep getting up. When doors close you get up and knock again. Once you eventually get through that door it is that much more rewarding and tastes that much more sweet when you get to the other side knowing what you have been through to get there. Determination and faith is what I would sum that title up into in two words. My favorite track changes daily depending on my mood. Honestly, every single one has a special meaning to me.
    
    
8. As well as your singing, you're also well known for your amazing choreography which you're very hands on for. Which song from the album are you most looking forward to choreographing and performing live?
   
   I can't wait to perform 'Inches Away' with just me and a piano. I've been practicing and learning piano and I'm excited for that as it is new to me. I also can't wait to perform 'Pushed Me'. I think it's going to be a lot of fun with my amazing dancers.
    
9. The new album has collaborations with the likes of Pitbull, Rico Love and Liam Horne. Who do you feel you had the best artistic chemistry with when recording in the studio? Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with and why?
   
   Well Rico and I really got to know one another through this process and I have immense respect for his talent and his principles. He is undeniably a genius. I love Will [Peters] too as we spent a lot of time together and he is a great artist that you should watch out for. Liam is super authentic and has great energy - he is a musical wiz kid! I can't wait to see him put out some great music also. Fuse ODG is already very established as an artist and I love his very positive music. I love the things he stands for too. Of course I was a fan of both Pitbull and Hopsin beforehand so it was amazing to have them guest feature on the album.
    
    
10. What can fans expect from you for the rest of the year? Will more singles be released from I Say Yes?
    
    Yes. We are working on a repackage with new songs right now so follow my socials for updates!
     
11. Now that you've ticked releasing your album off your bucket list, what's next for J Sutta? Do you plan on releasing another album anytime soon? An early big break for you came in the form of Ocean Ave., a Swedish soap opera - is acting something you'd want to return to?
    
    Anything that I feel nourishes the artist in me and inspires me is on the table. I just want to connect through love and music and art.
     
12. Are there any last words you'd like to say to your fans?
    
    I love each and everyone of you and you mean everything to me. YOU! You keep me going and have made me so strong. I hope I do the same and together we keep rising on this journey in life and keep spreading love.
     
13. J, thank you so much for a great interview! We're loving your album and can't wait to see what's next in store for you!
    
    Thank you so much for having me and for all of your kind support. x

J Sutta's debut album I Say Yes can be downloaded by clicking the album cover down below. Don't forget to keep up to date with her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Fans of bands such as Karamel and The Boom Boom will already be familiar with Kara Lane and Bobby Lo, the Canadian artists who have most recently masterminded the indie-rock band K.I.D. Since they started their career in the music industry playing in Mediterranean restaurants on minimum wage, they have built a huge fanbase with their combination of teen angst lyrics, nostalgic production and instantly catchy hooks, and are now signed to one of the worlds biggest record labels - Columbia Records.

For Kara and Bobby, it all started in high school where the pair made fast friends and started creating their own brand of pop music. While Kara is the band's frontwoman and sings on all of their songs solo, Bobby is almost entirely responsible for the lyrics. Their first independently released EP called K.I.D, including the lead single 'I Wish I Was Your Cigarette', was released back in 2015. Two years and hundreds of shots later, they are now preparing to release their second EP Poster Child later this year.

K.I.D recently took some time out of their busy schedule creating music and smoking bongs to answer some questions for us.

1. Hey, guys! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to talk to you. How are you today?
   
   We're alright. How are you?
    
2. Apart from a slight itch and some unexpected redness, we're doing alright. You two have known each other since high school. Do you remember the first song you wrote together?
   
   It was called 'Transylvanian Tango' and it was about having sex with a vampire. We watched a lot of Buffy.
      
3. It's been over two years since you released your first EP K.I.D and we (wait for the shameless self-promotion) wrote our first feature piece on your music. How has your sound evolved since then?
   
   Well, we have two extra years of failed diets, sexual frustration and disappointment to write about, so it's all gotten more poignant and more cunty. Sonically we think we've arrived at a sound we describe as "digi-grunge" because it mixes modern day digital elements with more nostalgic feeling 90s/early 2000s band vibes.
      
4. If you were to describe your sound in three words without cursing, what would they be?
   
   Sunday at grandmas.
    
5. When you write lyrics such as "I've been sitting on a smelly bus", do you take inspiration from your own or others experiences, or are they more like fictional stories?
   
   They're all autobiographical stories paired with broad statements we want to make about the social climate. Like 'Errors' and 'Taker' are obviously very personal, but they also speak to the age of anxious and entitled people, respectively, that we live in.
    
6. If a skeptical person in the YouTube comments section were to say, "Hey, garage pop isn't a new genre. What makes these guys special?", what would you say in return?
   
   We probably have more sexually transmitted infections.
    
7. You crazy kids will be opening for Black Honey in London next month. Are you excited?
   
   Yes.
    
8. Okay. Have you been to London before? What are you planning to do there apart from performing?
   
   We've been there a few times. Probably just touching ourselves in the hotel and watching The Weakest Link re-runs.
    
9. 'Errors' was the first song I was told to listen to from you, and I believe I thought something along the lines of, "This is pretty cool". Tell us about the story behind the song.
   
   It's about being trapped in a constant state of lethargy. We were trying to get signed and there was a lot of pressure to write a radio song about being in love or partying. That felt dishonest and pointless because it wasn't our lives at that point. There are more probably as many depressed people as there are people in love. 'Errors' felt more genuine and relatable than any love song we could write.
    
10. Your latest single 'Taker' has fulfilled all the criteria to be classified as an "absolute bop". What inspired the song and what was the creative process like? What would you like fans and new listeners to take from the track?
    
    We're honoured that you've declared it a bop. Bobby wrote it in a bedroom studio in Toronto in like ten minutes. Kara came in after and sprinkled some finishing touches on and it was done pretty quickly. "Taker, when you gonna give a little?", was something we'd wanted to say for a long time just because it's so applicable to so many situations. Hopefully, it just helps our fans get out their teenage rage.
     
11. Can we expect a music video for 'Taker', or is that too much to ask?
    
    Yes, it's coming in March. We're very happy with how it turned out, which is saying a lot because we haven't been happy since '94.
     
12. Can we get any "world exclusive tea" on a potential third single?
    
    You'll hear it (and maybe more) in March. It's unlike anything we've ever done before.
     
13. With three projects under your metaphorical belt, you have a lot of songs to choose from for your upcoming album. Can we expect to hear any songs older fans may know recycled for the new project? Let me know now so I can organise bragging rights.
    
    'Drunk Enough To Love Me' and maybe 'Dillon'; 'New Emotion' might be a bonus track. It's tough deciding whether or not to use 'Dillon', we're kind of tired of talking about that shit-head.
     
14. You were recently signed to Columbia Records, joining a roster that includes hip-hop gospel artist "Lecrae". Has signing to a label changed how you write and record your music?
    
    We finished the album before we got signed, so no. We've started working on album two now and it's been pretty effortless. We know what we like so we're just trusting our instincts to take us in the right direction.
     
15. Have your goals changed since signing to a label and achieving the most elusive of all buzz words, "industry support"?
    
    Our goals have always been the same: a private jet, and lots of boyfriends with high and firm asses. Oh, and like help to achieve world peace or whatever.
     
16. As you've risen through the ranks, I've noticed more and more Twitter usernames dedicated to you and more weird Tweets just saying "mum" every day. How has your following changed?
    
    We used to have two fans, now we have like seven or eight. It feels great!
     
17. We're running out of funny and engaging questions to ask you so you can have this one. If you were to collaborate on a song with any artist, who would it be and why?
    
    Probably whoever sang the original Pokémon theme song. Just because he seems to deliver a really powerful and emotive vocal.
     
18. His name is Jason Paige, and he recently re-recorded the Pokémon theme song in support of Republican candidate Ron Paul. If K.I.D were to use their platform to support a politician or political issue, what would it be?
    
    Well, we recorded a concept album about mental health, so that's definitely at the forefront for us. We're advocating that treatment be accessible and affordable to everyone, especially since the prominence of mental health issues seems to be increasing as time goes on.
     
19. Speaking of people with mental health issues, who are you putting your money on for the upcoming season of RuPaul's Drag Race?
    
    We have no money. They all look really polished and fire to be honest.
     
20. We've all had a lot of fun today talking about vampires and Pokémon, but it's time to wrap up. If you could never speak to them again, what last words would you say to your fans or to people who haven't tuned in yet?
    
    We love our fans, interacting with them on social media actually makes our existences less bleak. We can't wait to give you guys our EP Poster Child v, v soon.

Thanks to K.I.D for a fun interview! Don't forget to subscribe to the band on YouTube, follow them on Twitter, Soundcloud, and Instagram, and like them on Facebook. You can buy their latest single 'Taker' here.

When you hear the name AJR, the first thing that comes to mind is probably 'I'm Ready', the breakout track for this New York-based band consisting of three brothers. But things didn't always come easy to the group: when they started about ten years ago, the only gig they could book was in the streets and parks of New York, and they had to write, record and produce all of their tunes by themselves.

AJR released their first LP Living Room three years ago. Even though it wasn't hugely successful, they didn't give up. They came back with a brand new EP called What Everyone’s Thinking, whose brutally honest lyrics indicate that the band has nothing to hide and that they treat music as something more than just income.

Now, with their fans highly anticipating their upcoming What Everyone’s Thinking Tour and their second full-length album, AJR talks to us about creating bops and touring with other artists.

1. Hey, guys! I'm so happy to have been given the opportunity to talk with you today. Where are you chatting to us from?
   
   Dallas, Texas.
    
2. For those who don’t know too much about you, let’s give a brief AJR history lesson. What lead you guys to become musicians? Was music a big part of your home life growing up, or was it something you became interested in later on?
   
   We were inspired by music of the 50s and 60s and our parents played us their vinyls growing up. From a young age we knew we wanted to go into music.
    
3. Not many artists can say that reaching out to Sia on Twitter helped them make it big in the music industry. Tell us the story of how you got in touch with her!
   
   We made a video for our song 'I'm Ready' and we tweeted it to a bunch of celebrities. Sia responded and invited us to her hotel for brunch. She has been really supportive of the music.
    
4. You began honing your live performance skills almost ten years ago by busking in Central Park. What did these shows teach you about live performances?
   
   Street performing is the most nervous you can possibly be while performing. We don't really get nervous anymore because people are actually showing up to see our music unlike when street performing.
    
5. Since your early performances on the streets, you’ve opened for huge artists like Demi Lovato, Fifth Harmony, Lindsey Stirling and The Wanted, and you’re currently on tour with Ingrid Michaelson. How has your current tour been going?
   
   The tour is going great! We learn a lot from every artist we tour with. Different people have different quirks so it is really interesting.
    
6. As well as touring with Ingrid, you also collaborated with her on a new song called ‘The Lotto’. What inspired the song and what was the writing and producing process like?
   
   Ingrid invited us to write a song with her and the process was really collaborative. She is a great songwriter and having her in our living room was great.
    
7. You’ll be launching your own headlining tour, the What Everyone's Thinking Tour, next year. What are you most excited about for the shows? Are there any particular countries or states you’re looking forward to travelling to?
   
   We are really excited for the tour. We are planning it now so I don't want to give away anything too crazy. We're looking forward to hitting a bunch of the markets we're playing on this tour. We are making a bunch of new fans and it will be great to see them again.
    
8. Between the three of you, you write and produce all of your own material in your Chelsea apartment. How do you generally split up the workload? Do you each work on specific areas of the song or is it more of a free for all?
   
   Ryan does the production but otherwise its a pretty even split.
    
9. Would you ever consider working with outside producers or writers? Who would be your dream collaborator to work with? 
   
   Definitely. When the time is right, we will know. It would be really interesting to work with Kanye.
    
10. As well as writing and producing, you all each play a variety of instruments as well, including guitar, keyboard, melodica, ukulele, and trumpet. How do you juggle all these instruments on stage? Are there any other instruments you want to learn how to play?
    
    We keep switching off on stage. It makes the performing experience really fun. It would be great to learn the cello.
     
11. If you had to describe the sound of the band to new listeners in three words, which three would you use?
    
    Diverse, nomadic, eclectic.
     
     
12. Your new single ‘I'm Not Famous’ is an absolute banger. Ironically, the song is one of your biggest hits yet but finds you rejecting a whole bunch of ideas connected to fame which you say you’re lacking. How do you think you would cope if the song hit #1 today and you had to face a sudden wave of fame?
    
    I think we would stay exactly the same. The goal is not to embrace the vanity of fame but to maintain the same way of life that we have because that is what influences our music.
     
13. ‘I’m Not Famous’ is the first release from your new EP, What Everyone’s Thinking. In my opinion, every song deserves to be a single, because they’re all amazing - but which one is each of your favorites?
    
    Ryan: Weak.
    Adam: Come Hang Out.
    Jack: I'm Not Famous.
       
14. Just recently, you uploaded the lyric video for ‘Weak’, my personal favorite song off the EP, onto your YouTube channel. Are you planning for ‘Weak’ to be the next single? What would you imagine a music video for the song would look like?
    
    'Weak' is our next single. We're working on the official video now! The concept is going to be really cool!
     
15. What do you have planned after the release of the EP? Are you working on another full-length album?
    
    Our full length album is just about done and should be released in 2017.
     
16. Your last album, Living Room, was released just a little over a year ago. How did you guys handle the pressure of an album release last time? Has anything changed in your process since then?
    
    It is not so much pressure, but excitement. We can't wait for our fans to hear our new music because it keeps growing and changing.
     
17. Your image has changed a lot since Living Room - how would you say your sound has evolved?
    
    Our project is now focused more on lyrics. Previously we focused more on production but now we start with lyrics to make sure they are honest and relatable.
     
18. Where do you generally find your inspiration?
    
    Inspiration comes from all kinds of art. We find emotion in the world around us and try and convey it through music.
     
19. The fact that you’re all brothers working and living so closely together impresses me so much. What’s the best and worst part of working with your siblings?
    
    We are all on the same page regarding the direction of our music. It is actually the best possible scenario for us.
     
20. Many artists use their celebrity platform to discuss important political issues, such as Lady Gaga with LGBTQ issues, Miley Cyrus with animal rights and pretty much everybody disseminating an anti-Trump agenda. What political issue would you most like to spread awareness about?
    
    We are working with a great non profit called It's On Us. It is promoting awareness of the major problem of sexual violence. It is a cause that we are very passionate about supporting. 
     
21. AJR, thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with us today! Is there anything else you’d like to say to those who have supported you for a long time, or to people who are just tuning in today?
    
    Thanks to the fans who have supported us for so long. We really appreciate it!

Thanks to AJR for the interview! Don't forget to keep in touch with the guys on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

For years, musicians have been taking their high-heeled leaps into the fashion world, with style icons such as Lady Gaga, Rita Ora and Rihanna all inspiring or becoming the face of several high-profile fashion brands in recent memory. Certain singers have taken it one stiletto puncture further, with big name stars like Jessica Simpson, Kanye West, and, probably most notably, Victoria Beckham all finding huge critical (and financial) success with their designs. But it's rare to find a fashion designer at the top of their game willing to unlace their gladiator sandals in order to try and make it as a popstar.

Luckily, Kara Craig has never been one to play by the rules. The Western Australia native, now West Hollywood local Craig has worked for years in the industry communicating her trademark silhouettes through custom pieces for musicians such as Wiz Khalifa before finding the confidence to embrace her childhood dream to become a singer herself. Now, with the release of her debut single 'Cloud 18' - which has already drawn comparisons to the likes of everyone from M.I.A. to Charli XCX - and a debut EP on the way, she's one ugg booted footprint closer to reaching her goal. Earlier this week, we sat down with the insightful and humble Kara to talk about the relationship between her fashion and her music, what inspired the Lisa Vanderpump-esque music video for 'Cloud 18', and what she envisions for her future career.

1. Hi Kara! How are you today?
   Hiiiii! I’m great!
    
2. Let’s start at the beginning. Your initial fame came from designing fashion, which allowed you to dress celebrities like Bebe Rexha, Amber Rose and Wiz Khalifa. How did you decide to transition into music? Was it a quick decision, or something you'd been thinking about for a while?
   I always wanted to be a “pop star”. I started writing songs when I was seven and I remember thinking they were just as good as the songs on the radio, lol. I was obsessed with No Doubt so naturally Gwen Stefani was my idol. She started her label L.A.M.B and was releasing solo pop material so I was like, “Okay, yeah, I can do both like Gwen.” In fourth grade I held auditions for a girl group I wanted to form but I was the only one taking it seriously and nobody wanted to rehearse with me. I also started designing clothes around six or seven. Once I moved to LA my fashion kind of took off so I just went with it and planned to build my name up using fashion before working on my music. Nobody gives a fuck about yet another aspiring artist but everyone wants to be friends with the fashion designer who can make them dope clothes. So I didn't talk about music at all. 
    
3. What's the relationship like between your fashion and your music? Do you feel that one informs or inspires the other, or are they separate entities entirely? 
   They go hand in hand. The attitude of my music inspires the designs I make for the visuals and having had some success with fashion gives me confidence when it comes to writing music. It was suggested by a mentor of mine that I use a different artist name so that I could keep my fashion separate. I was going to change it but it just didn't feel right using another name. I said, "Fuck it, I’m the exception to the rule and I can make it work." Now I’m so glad I kept everything Kara Craig.
    
4. What inspires you when it comes to music? Do you find that the same things inspire you when it comes to your designing?
   Every song on this project was inspired by my own personal experiences - mostly my life in LA and the different stages of a relationship. I usually know what I want to write about before I come into a session. On the production side of things I use other songs as references of the mood I’m after. I’ll tell my producer, Jeffrey Rashad, "I wanna make an upbeat girl power-esque song today," and then we’ll listen to some songs with that feeling to get in the zone real quick before we start on the beat. Jeff and I work really well together: we have our own little creative process.
    
5. If you could record a song with any artist you wanted, who would it be and why? Who would be your ideal person to design an outfit for?
   Gwen Stefani and Gwen Stefani. She’s had the biggest influence over my life since I was a little kid so that would be like everything coming full circle. That’ll happen when/if it’s supposed to; I’m super relaxed about it.
    
6. You first blew up on PHF when you dropped your debut single, ‘Cloud 18’. What was it about the song that made you think it would be a good introduction to your music?
   'Cloud 18' really sums up my personality; the lyrics are 100% me. I felt like people would be able to get a good glimpse of who I am as a person and as an artist with that record. That was the second song I recorded with Jeff. I played it for some music industry friends and the response was insane so I knew it was the lead single before I’d even recorded the rest of the project.
    
    
    
7. The music video for the track has a sort of Real Housewives of Tumblr aesthetic going on! What inspired the visuals for the video?
   I just sat in my house listening to the song, seeing what scenarios would start playing out in my head. There’s not really a storyline - it’s basically a bunch of shit that represents my style and attitude in the song. Once I’d decided on the different scenes I started thinking of design ideas to accompany them. When the vanity scene with the robe came to mind I looked up some photos from the 50s and 60s to get inspiration for the table and mirrors, etc. I ended up making the table cloth, the floor rug and the chair cushion for that scene cos I couldn't find what I wanted anywhere!
    
8. Naturally, you designed all of the outfits for the video yourself. Can you tell us which one is your personal favourite and why?
   It’s too hard to pick one because I felt like a fuckin' star in each outfit, lol. Maybe the robe because I don’t wear stuff like that in my day to day life. I felt so glamorous in that thing!
    
9. You began your career in Australia but now live in Los Angeles. As an Australian myself, I often find myself disillusioned by the state of the art scene over here. What do you feel are the major differences between working as a creative person in Australia and America? What inspired your move?
   I think there’s incredible talent in Australia in both fashion and music: I’m so proud to be Australian! But I always knew I wanted to move to the States for my career and the goals I had. There are so many more opportunities here for me so it was a no-brainer decision. In Australia it was super laid back and easy to get comfortable or lazy. Living in LA is motivating because almost everyone is here to chase their crazy dreams. 
    
10. Do you think that your Australian upbringing inspires your work in any way?
    Yeah, definitely. I’m so happy I grew up in Australia; I wouldn't change that for anything. I think it gave me a unique perspective on the world and contributed to my wild imagination growing up, which ultimately fueled my creativity.
     
11. You've posted a few teasers of your upcoming second single on Twitter. What can you tell us about the new song?
    It’s called 'Full Moon'. It’s sexy AF and I love it. I’m so excited to release it and show people another side of me vocally too. It’s a whole different vibe than 'Cloud 18'. It was easy to write because nothing was forced or made up; it was all very real at the time, lol. 
     
12. You've also mentioned before that you’re planning on releasing an EP. What does the EP sound like in comparison to the first single?
    It’s got a good mixture of moods in there. I wanted to show all the different sides of me so you’ll hear me being confident, funny, sexy, vulnerable and insecure at times. I wanted everyone to be able to have a song they could relate to or just have fun to in any mood or occasion. There’s feel-good songs, a sad song, a naughty song, a “fuck you” song, etc.
     
13. Have you considered what a live show for the EP would look like? If so, which countries or states would you like to visit the most?
    I've imagined it in my head but not in detail yet. I do know I’ll be making really fucking cool outfits to wear. I wanna visit so many countries. Performing back home in Perth would be so funny and weird and cool. 
     
14. Are there any last words you'd like to say to your fans?
    Thank you soooo much for the support. You da real MVP. I hope you love the new music and stick with me on this journey. If you follow me on Twitter, talk to me...I wanna hear from you!

Thanks to Kara Craig for some great answers, and to @Tweener for helping work on this collaborative interview! To keep in touch with Kara, don't forget to follow her on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, or visit her official website at www.kara-craig.com.

Singer, songwriter, actress, producer, philanthropist: Alexz Johnson has taken on a multitude of roles in the entertainment industry.

Starting her career off as Annie Thelen in the Disney Channel original series So Weird, Alexz won the hearts of many and gained international fame from her role as singer-songwriter Jude Harrison on Canadian television series Instant Star.

Following her graduation from the show in 2008, she released her debut album Voodoo in 2010 and her second studio album Let 'Em Eat Cake in 2014. Since then she's been involved in several projects including producing her music video for 'Ruthless Love', composing tracks for the independent short film The Dishwasher and, of course, writing new music for her fans to enjoy.

Now, with her fans at the peak of anticipation for her upcoming album, Alexz and I have discussed what inspires her to create music and how she has chosen her latest projects.

Many of us first discovered you through Instant Star. Looking back on your work over a decade later, how do you view that period in your life? 

I have so many fond memories from that time...I was young, and was very blessed to be given so much creative freedom to write and grow into the artist I am today.

Would you be interested in participating in an Instant Star reunion or reboot? Do you still talk to any of your former co-stars?

Sure! Laura Vandervoort (who played my sister Sadie on Instant Star) was actually in my last music video for 'Ruthless Love'.

You produced and composed for the short film The Dishwasher and won the Best Short Movie Award at The Modcon London Film Festival. What new challenges did that experience bring? 

The experience was incredible. I was approached with the script and loved the content and story. Being in an ever changing industry, you learn different skill sets that can prepare you for future projects…Producing and creating a musical soundscape for The Dishwasher felt very natural for me..

Is producing something you plan on doing more of in the future? What about acting - is that something you'd like to do again? 

I’m open to whatever the universe brings my way! If I’m passionate about something, it sort of creates itself.

You have a lot of fans throughout Europe. Are you planning on touring internationally? 

I would love to do another European tour...Maybe when I get some new music out there!

Do you prefer to perform acoustically or with a full band?

Full band!  It’s just a nice vibe having some backup on stage.

Is there anything special you do to prepare yourself for a show? 

Not really…Vocal warmups, warm water with honey...It's pretty boring, actually. 

Your brother Brendan has been working with you for the majority of your career. How was it to be behind the scenes directing the 'Weekend' music video for his band Dress Black?

It was maybe one of the most hilarious days of my life! That was also a very natural progression...I love the band and their music and I showed them the treatment and they were in! The tricky part about that video was time coding each person’s “play”, as we called them. The bands interactions had to be on point! 

There have been several songs you've mentioned over the years that were never officially released. Would you ever consider releasing a compilation of outtakes and demos? 

Brendan and I have released quite a few through our Basement Recordings releases. You can find a lot of our demo material on iTunes.

What do you consider to be your best song? What was the inspiration behind it?

That’s a tough one.. I’m not sure I can answer that! What’s your favorite? 

In April, you released the EP Johnson & McAuley. Many fans commented on the differences between this and your past music. Does this EP suggest the direction you're going musically?

Sometimes, it’s fun and refreshing to immerse yourself in something different and outside of your usual approach. Johnson & McAuley serves as an experimental collaboration with someone I look up to musically. I wanted to separate the sound from my solo music, and take people on a different journey. 

The number one question we’ve gotten from your fans involves your next album. When can we expect a release? Are there any plans in place for an upcoming single?

That makes me really happy to hear! I am just starting the writing process for the next album as we speak…I have a lot of new experiences to pull from and I’m really excited about this next musical phase. 

How has working on this album differed from your past albums? 

I’m taking my time…

What are your current inspirations that drive you to further your career?

Shining a light in a world that can be so dark. I want to bring an authenticity to the projects I take on. My main goal is to affect people in a positive way and share with them a true part of myself.

With directing, composing, producing, and writing, 2016 has been quite a busy year for you. What are some of your favorite moments so far? What plans do you have for the rest of the year? 

It has been a very exciting year, personally as well! Collaborating with so many talented people has been a highlight...I plan on continuing to do so! 

Where do you see yourself in five, ten and twenty years?

Hopefully existing in a more loving world.. I hope to continue to be blessed in having the ability to create my work and share it.. 

If people could take one message from your music, what would it be?

Honesty.

We all appreciate you taking the time to do this interview. Are there any final things you'd like to say to your fans?

Thank you for your support! I'm looking forward to playing live and releasing some new tunes in the near future! x

Make sure to follow Alexz on her official social media pages!

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Margarita Monet, lead singer of heavy metal up comers Edge of Paradise, has joined us today to discuss what drives their unique sounds, lyrical muses and their undying passion for metal. 

Hello Margarita, it's so nice to have the opportunity to talk with you! 

Likewise! Thank you so much for having me! 

In three words, how would describe Edge of Paradise's sound?

Melodic, energetic and cinematic. 

Before joining Edge of Paradise, were you a part of any other bands? How was the band ultimately created?  

You know, I never imagined that I would be fronting a metal band. I grew up playing classical piano and performing in musical theatre; that's what I went to college for as well in NYC. When I moved to Los Angeles, I met our guitarist Dave Bates and we were both hired to work on a music project by a local producer. A month later we decided to form our own band, and that's how Edge of Paradise was born. Music is a huge part of me: I love creating, I love the stage and being in this band allows me to do everything I love. It's not easy, but it's pretty awesome!

You worked with legendary metal producer Michael Wagener on Immortal Waltz - what do you feel he brought to the sessions that was unique, and how do you think he helped the band's sound to evolve from the previous record, Mask?

It was such an inspiring and really incredible opportunity to work with Michael - he is legendary in his work and a super cool guy! We're looking forward to getting back there and recording some more! He really guided us and allowed us to grow into our sound. There are a lot of layers to the songs on Immortal Waltz and Michael really found the right sounds so every instrument has its own place. It's all about the music and doing the right thing for the songs. We definitely learned a lot from him! And we sound like a completely different band now compared to Mask - the biggest reason being because songs on Mask were already written by Dave and Robin McCauley (MSG) from Dave's previous band, Bleed. On Immortal Waltz, Dave and I wrote the songs together. 

What makes Edge of Paradise unique? 

I think it's where we come from. Dave is inspired by traditional heavy metal, and he's a monster guitarist, and I come from a classical and theatrical background. When all of those elements compliment each other in a song, we're able to create something unique! And our lineup is really tight, we're definitely one unit on stage and feed off of each other! John Chominsky is a solid drummer, he really holds everything together, and Nick brings great energy to the band, completing the Edge of Paradise puzzle.  

What lead you to become metal singer? Has it always been a dream of yours? 

It kind of happened by chance. When I met Dave, I hadn't discovered what I could do with my voice until I started to record Mask, and of course it's a never ending evolution. But I always dreamed of creating something of my own and sharing it with people. I've always been a performer so I'm really happy with what I'm doing. I also love to create art: I've made our website, posters, I create some of my own costumes like you'll see in our music videos. I love traveling and meeting people, and I'm excited for the future of this band! 

If you weren't involved in music, what career do you think you would've chosen?

I'd be working on a time machine!

When writing, do you take inspiration from real life or do you consider yourself to be a storyteller?

Most of it is from real life, my outlook on life or certain issues, finding meaning in what happens in this world; saying something that I can't express in just words. Music is very powerful, you can really evoke some feeling and send a message with a melody, without having to say anything literal. 

Is there a song that you're most proud of writing? What was the inspiration behind it?

I put so much of myself in every single song that it's hard to choose, but I'm super excited about our new song 'Alive'. It's going to be released in a few months, we just filmed the music video for it! The inspiration behind it is exploring what makes one feel alive. I've always wanted to live life so when I look back I'll have something special to remember, and the song kind of draws from that, whether its a human connection that makes you feel alive, experiencing nature or both. Whatever it may be, sometimes people take life for granted and it's important to remember that we're very lucky to be breathing, and it's up to us to make the best of our experiences! Especially these days, where we live pretty much in virtual reality created by all the gadgets, it's important to break away from that and breathe a little! 

You mentioned filming a music video for an upcoming song called 'Alive' - when can fans expect its release? How does it differ from your past music?

Yes! We're very excited about it, we're planning to release in the beginning of fall. It's very different from our previous songs. Chuck Johnson produced the song and Jay Ruston is mixing. Some people who've heard the song said it's a bit of a mix of Rob Zombie and Ramstein, and the music video is sci-fi, so we can't wait to get it out there!

Is there one song you wish you had written? If so, how has that influenced your lyricism? 

I really like songs that paint a picture, so when you listen to it, it really sparks your imagination and draws you into that world. So I try to do that with our songs, to really create an experience for the listener! 

Can you share any details with us about album three?

The music is a bit heavier and more industrial, but it still sounds like us. We're experimenting with new sounds, and there are mostly faster songs on this one. Immortal Waltz is more mid-tempo with a few ballads; this next album is gonna be high energy, with lots of catchy hooks and driving rhythms!

Just over a year ago you joined forces with Extreme Management Group. Has that changed how your write and record an album? Has it been a positive change for you?

Not at all. That's purely from a business standpoint. You meet a lot of people along the way, some are a right fit, some are not. It would be cool if we could just deal with music and the creative part, but there is so much more that goes into being in a band. It's like launching a worldwide business - you gotta really brand it to be able to do this long term, so it's important that we surround ourselves with people that can help us grow this. We're working with more people on this, and we'll be announcing some additions to our team soon!

You're currently on tour - what have been your favorite shows?

Over the last few months we've been playing locally in California, we're heading out to the East Coast in August. We loved playing at Marquee 15, it's such a beautiful venue out in Corona, California. We're actually playing there on July the 16th for That Metal Show with Eddie Trunk, it's gonna be fun! 

Speaking of Eddie Trunk, you have an interview coming up with him soon. If you could interview two artists, who would they be and why?

We're actually playing a show for that: Eddie Trunk is introducing us and then the three of them are doing their show after, so I'm not really sure what to expect but we'll see what happens this weekend!  But if I could interview two artists it would be Bruce Dickinson and Robert Plant. They've had such long careers and have created some of the best songs out there. I have so many questions about their experiences, and they would have a ton of amazing stories! 

Also, I've always wanted to meet Ronnie James Dio. Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to, but he is one of my biggest influences! 

Download the band's cover of the Black Sabbath classic 'Children Of The Sea' here!

Some bands have rituals when preparing for a show. Is there anything special you do?

Just a typical sacrifice ritual! 

Haha, not much, we just warm up with the instruments and hit the stage! 

Let's say you're performing at your dream festival, what other artists would be there? Any special collaborations you'd like to participate in?

Well of course Iron Maiden will be there!

It would be awesome to play with Volbeat: We listen to their music on the road and it would be fun to collaborate with them! I also really like Epica - they're great musicians! 

When you're not touring, what do you and the rest of the band like to do? Do you still sword fight?

We rehearse and record, haha - not much free time! We like to get together at John's house, we're all really good friends and it's fun to hang out! But we're all always so busy. Part of it is living in Los Angeles is a rat race, and everything is really far from each other! I haven't been sword fighting much, we've just been so busy with the band, but I need to brush up on my skills. 

What is the best thing about being a part of Edge of Paradise?

Creating something that many people around the world can enjoy and having the chance to go out and share the music with them at shows! 

Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! Are there any final words you'd like to say to your fans?

I just want to thank everyone for the support! Keep an eye out on our pages: July 22nd, our music video for 'Shade Of Crazy' is premiering on Revolver and in August, we're heading out to the East Coast! You can check out the trailer for the video here: 

And we look forward to meeting as many of you as possible on the road! Have a great one!

Make sure to check out Edge of Paradise on their East Coast tour this summer!

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• 07/16 That Metal Show  M15, Corona, CA
• 07/28 Rockers United w/t Papa Roach Lucky Strike, Hollywood, CA
• 08/19 Tim Owen's Traveler's Tavern Akron, OH
• 08/20 Looney Bid, Bradley, IL
• 08/21 LiveWire Lounge, Chicago, IL
• 08/22 Meet & Greet Black Circle Records, Lake Geneva, WI
• 08/25 Token Lounge, Westland MI 
• 08/26 Music Lady, Plainfield, CT
• 08/27 Maywood, Raleigh NC
• 08/28 Riff House, Chesapeke VA
• 10/15 BFE Rock Club, Houston TX

 

And don't forget to check out their official social media pages!

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Facebook
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@Stoop Kid, a well known member of the LanaBoards community (AKA Vinny Vidi Vici, SUNÐÅNCE KIÐ, SUNDANCEKID, SOFTSERVEKID, Daji and indianlovecall) is a New York born and raised poet. From the age of 11, he's felt a calling towards poetry. Since them, he has spent the past 13 years charming people around the world with his exquisitely crafted words and has recently been a featured poet on AllPoetry. Today I'm here to discover the man behind the Stoop... 

Let's start at the beginning. What was the first poem you remember writing on your own?

Oh, fuck. You know what? I don't remember how it goes, really, but I do remember writing my first poem in third grade for some handbook assignment. For the record, it was a fucking terrible poem.

Was there a moment when you realized that writing was something you had the ability to do well?

I think I started to notice it when I began role-playing at a literate level on GaiaOnline, honestly. So that was probably back in my Junior year of high school. I didn't have my own account at that time because I had lost access to my older accounts, but I had a friend who also used Gaia that would ask me to keep up with some roleplays she would partake in if she got too busy to follow up with them. I would get involved in a few role-plays with a group of people, and we would all come together and challenge each other to grow as writers while creating stimulating, entertaining stories. I like to look back on a lot of them every once in a while. They were fucking awesome. I had come back into the community since then, though I haven't really found too many roleplays I'd enjoy.

Do you carefully choose the next words of your poems or do you let the words flow freely? Do you often edit your poems, or do you keep them in more of a raw state?

I have edited only maybe one or two of my poems since I started writing again two years ago. I find that I run into a problem editing where, eventually, I lose touch with the poem because it becomes stripped of its original sentiments. Back in high school, I didn't really have a voice as a poet; I became so focused on trying to fit standard structure and trying to be very Shakespearean-as-fuck with my words, that my poetry was just so false. I only wrote two poems back then, notwithstanding some lyrics that I had written around those years. They sucked. All of it did, haha. So now when I write, I let the words come to me as they do, I feel more honest to my work in that way.

Do you have a routine you follow?

When I write, I usually try to limit my time on a poem between fifteen-to-thirty minutes. For me, my reaction to the muse is the most raw in that time-frame. I never create the title util after the poem; very seldom will my titles be intended as the beginning of the poem, rather serving as an afterthought.

Do you feel that inspiration comes to you naturally or do you seek it out?

I never really seek out my inspiration, only because I start to idealize how I'd like to come upon it. So I let it come to me naturally.

Sometimes, I'll just experience a stream of consciousness, and a thought or sentiment I am having, will strongly stand out to me. That's often the place where most of my work manifests. I'll throw the line in the first draft, and in no particular order, build the poem around it, letting it fall wherever it seems right for it to.

We first met as Lana Del Rey fans. Do you feel her music, or music in general, has impacted your creativity?

Absolutely. In music and literature, especially, my creativity has always been really impressionable in regards to the artists and writers that inspire me. Twain, Lana, Nicole Dollanganger, Dear Euphoria, Sucré, Oscar & the Wolf, Mogwai, and Angus Stone, to name a few artists/bands, have helped me find my own voice as a writer. The works of Frank O'Hara, and Robert Plath, especially, impacted me.

Robert was actually a student of Allen Ginsberg's, and I took Robert's Creative Writing course in college two years ago. The man's work is fucking phenomenal. Very honest and beautifully unsettling. Had it not been for studying under him, I do not think I would have become so involved in writing again after high school. I am so grateful to know that guy.

What do you consider to be your greatest poem?

I love and take pride in pretty much all the poems I have written in the past few years, for so many reasons. However, if there is one poem I am the most proud of, it has to be 'Zombies in Snapbacks'.

What was the inspiration behind it?

I have this friend that I have been fond of for a few years now. Two years ago, he had came over for a Halloween party I was throwing. I dressed him up like a zombie; I went all out with the make-up and fake blood, I even let him wear my favorite Tom & Jerry snapback to add the finishing touch. He looked adorably fucking disgusting. 

That whole night, I just really couldn't get over him. He is such a calm, easygoing, warm person. Not to mention really fucking handsome. So every time I would look at him, I was just buckling at my fucking knees and hiding my face. 

It really became apparent to me back then how much I liked him. That was around the same time I was taking Robert's class, and one day, I was just thinking about my friend, and it just struck me on such an emotional level, that I just had to write about him. Next thing I knew, 'Zombies in Snapbacks' happened. That poem is actually the poem that started all of this.

I have written about other men in my life from time to time, but he is such an exception from them; he is still one of my greatest muses, though I never told him that, let alone told him how I felt. He still doesn't know this poem exists, and as much as I want to, I don't have the moxie to.

Fuck it, though. I had to answer this question honestly, because I don't really talk about that piece as much as I would like to. It deserves to be read.

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Come 7:15, we bedecked your body
with stripped and frayed Armani
in tribute to the Walkers we've seen;
cool-white fluorescence drew emphasis
on the harmony between your ivory simper
and each cobalt marble that rolled
and flicked beneath your tuckered eyelids
by some sort of beatnik artistry

What do you consider to be your greatest failure?

I think my greatest failure probably has to be being too timid to challenge the fears that keep me from doing the things I want to most, especially in romance. I was always worried the worst thing could happen, so I found safety in silence.

How has that changed your writing?

It has made writing become a means to, I suppose, give myself that second chance to redeem myself for my lack of speaking upon my affections. I get to give these untold love stories a shot at being heard. I get to give myself a shot at being heard.

Has there been one heartbreak or death that's changed you as, not only a writer, but a person?

I mean, there have been many experiences of death and heartbreak that have shaped me as a person. I don't know if I can weigh the significance of one over the other. Both death and heartbreak taught me, to quote a video game I played quite a few years ago, that "it is the impermanence of things that makes them truly beautiful." I have come to accept the mortal nature of our existence, while remembering that the finite things, the finite lovers, are often immortalized as soon as they struck us in such a way that, even after they are long gone, they still pass our minds and stir up that warm feeling again.

Why poetry?

You know, I never really figured out why I got so invested in painting my world through poetry rather than, say, in memoirs or other forms or literature. It just kind of happened, and before I knew it, I was collecting all these memories and sentiments in more and more poetry.

Comparisons to others comes easy, but do you ever compare your new works to past works?

Personally, everything I wrote before high school, I try to forget about just because it is all so fucking embarrassing, haha. In that way, I compare my work then-and-now.

But as far as the work I have done in the past two years go, I don't really compare them to each other. Even though a lot of them share the same emotions, each poem is as unique as a fingerprint in how they can translate that feeling.

What was the most difficult thing you've written - poetry or otherwise?

The most difficult thing I have written... Honestly, the roleplays on GaiaOnline have always been the most challenging. When you work with a community of writers with whom you share a level of literary prowess with, especially writers who are much more advanced than you, you challenge yourself to meet that consistency when telling a story while ensuring that you do not forget your own style.

In your opinion, what makes a poem "good"?

To me, what makes a poem "good," is that the poet sees it as good. When I was in night school my senior year, my class was given a project: to build benches for the courtyard of the school. I forgot his name, but a volunteer artist/carpenter mentored us. I wish I hadn't forgotten his name, because he had been such an influence on me as well.

Anyway, our first workshop with him, he said that the first rule of art, is that there are no rules in art. Nothing validates or invalidates the quality of art, because art is subjective. I love all my poems, but I am sure I have made people roll their eyes a few times with my work. Even so, I never think much about my audience when I write. It is amazing and overwhelmingly touching when people relate to my poems and love them strongly, but I write because I have to.

Is there creative medium you would like to pursue but haven't tried yet?

I have always wanted to get more involved in photography, but I have no idea where to start, haha. One day, I want to develop a video game. I already have a few series in mind, all I need is a team, haha.

Describe your writing in three words.

Corny and honest.

Where do you see your poetry five, ten and twenty years from now?

I never was one to think about the future, but if I had to give at least an idea, I'd want my poetry to be in a good place; still honest to who I am as a person. Getting a few books published would be fucking gnarly.

Stoop Kid After Dark

Here are some questions submitted by PHF users.

I am already scared.

Top or bottom?

OH MY GOD...

...

Bottom.

How many times do you masturbate in a day?

Enough.

Where do you like to cum?

Wherever requires the least cleaning up.

Did you buy Cum Cake on iTunes?

iWho?

Condom or bareback?

Depends on the person.

Daddies or twinks?

Oh, daddies.

Speed Round: This or That?

Madonna or Gaga?

You can't ask me, "'Like a Virgin' or 'Summerboy'?" I am not a really big fan of either of them, but I do love quite a few of their songs.

Shania or Taylor?

SHANIA.

George Strait or Hank Williams?

Hank Williams.

Heavy Metal or Blues?

Blues.

Modern or Classic Country?

Depends on the artist.

Dolly or Reba?

THAT IS NOT A FAIR QUESTION. NOT ANSWERING.

Northern or Southern?

I do love Southern Hospitality.

Sweet Tea or Lemonade?

Lemonade, are you kidding?

Sunrise or Sunset?

Sunset.

#PopHatesFlops or Google?

The library...

Thank you so much for doing this interview. Are there any final words you'd like to say to our readers?

Take a bath every once in a while. You are all filthy. Do the best you know how. If you have a beard, call me.

For more information on Stoop Kid and to check out his poetry please check out his account on AllPoetry, his Facebook and his Instagram.

After nearly two months of communicating, postponing and the patience of a saint, I present to you an in-depth interview with Jame Wilson, lead singer of the alternative-country band The Paisley Fields.

For our readers who have never heard your music, how would you describe your sound in five words?

Unexpected, unapologetic queer country music.

New York isn't typically viewed as the starting place for many country bands; what lead you to discovering and playing country music?

I grew up in the rural mid-west and country music was everywhere. I moved to New York years ago, and most of our band grew up here, so it's home. Playing country music keeps me connected to my roots and it's important for me to always remember where I came from. There is actually a big country music scene in Brooklyn. It's cool to be surrounded by all these incredible country musicians in the middle of New York City.

Which artists would you say have influenced you the most? Do you often take inspiration from them in your music?

Gram Parsons is a big musical influence. I'm really just inspired by the world around me. Anything can spark an idea for a song.

Being an 'unapologetic' and 'queer' country band must be an interesting experience. What challenges has that brought you and how has that changed you musically and personally?

It hasn't really changed me musically or personally, but we have run into some hurdles. On one tour in South Carolina the venue cancelled the show on us because they found out that we are queer. They waited until we showed up at the venue to tell us, which was a really shitty way to do a really shitty thing. I think that kind of discrimination is pervasive in parts of this country. It makes me sad to think that queer people deal with that (and much worse) on a daily basis. It motivates me to do what I can to bring about change.

When writing, do you prefer to base your lyrics around real situations or do you consider yourself to be more of a storyteller?

I let the song tell itself. When I write I don't normally sit down with a specific concept in mind. I let the ideas flow and hope that lightning strikes. I think the best songs come when I get out of the way and let the muses do all the work.

What song are you most proud of writing? What was the inspiration behind it?

'Not Gonna Be Friends' is a song that people really seem to connect with. I guess heartbreak is really relatable.

Is there one song you wish you had written? If so, how has it influenced your lyricism?

'$1000 Wedding' by Gram Parsons. It's just a brilliantly written tune.

You just finished up the Gay Ole Opry Tour. What cities did you enjoy the most? What cities are you looking forward to visiting in the future?

We had so much fun on the Gay Ole Opry Tour! Every single show and city was different, and I truly enjoyed them all. The standout cities for me were Nashville, Asheville and Lexington. We are playing Nashville Pride on June 25th this year so we are really looking forward to coming back. Nashville is such a fun town.

What do you enjoy doing during down time on tour?

Sleep...We have very little down time on tour.

What are your favorite things to do when you aren't touring/writing/performing/rehearsing?

I like to spend time with my family and friends. My schedule is so strange that I rarely get to see people. I also enjoy a good book, a horror movie, or some time outdoors in nature when I want to relax.

Let's say you're performing at your dream festival, what other artists would be there? Any special collaborations?

So many! Dolly Parton would be a dream. I love the Avett Brothers, Elle King, Kacey Musgraves, Old Crow Medicine Show, Dawes, Brandi Carlile, The Lone Bellow, Sufjan Stevens... I could go on forever.

Some bands have unique rituals for preparing for a show: is there anything special you do?

Our pre-show rituals are top secret. 

This question is for the whole band: what is the best thing about being in The Paisley Fields?

Alex: The best part about playing in the band is the people! It's easy to relax and enjoy the company as well as the music with these talented folks.

Anna: Choosing one best thing about being TPF is extremely hard because there are just so many aspects of the band that I love! I would say though the best thing is being able to create music with some of my best friends and getting to perform that music out on the road in front of so many different audiences around in U.S.

James S.: Playing music on the road, meeting new people, and seeing new places.

James W.: I love it all! We are lucky to have really talented musicians in the group so it's always so fun to play together and collaborate. I love performing and touring. Connecting with people through music is the most rewarding part.

Speed Round: This or That?

Madonna or Gaga?

Madonna (check out James' cover of 'Crazy For You' here!).

Shania or Taylor?

Shania.

George Strait or Hank Williams?

Hank Williams, although we have a story about George Strait for another time!

Heavy Metal or Blues?

Blues.

Modern or Classic Country?

Classic country.

Dolly or Reba?

Dolly.

Northern or Southern?

Southern.

Sweet Tea or Lemonade?

Lemonade.

Sunrise or Sunset?

Sunset.

#PopHatesFlops or Google?
#PopHatesFlops!

Thank you so much for doing this interview. Are there any final words you'd like to say to our readers and your fans?

Thanks for talking to us! This was a fun interview. We hope that anyone reading this who hasn't heard our music will give us a listen or watch our videos. We love getting messages from our fans and supporters, so don't be shy about getting in touch! We just released a music video for 'Brooklyn Rodeo', so please share that around! We have a new animated music video coming out in June before our next tour so look for that too!

We are planning a mini tour of the South starting June 22nd in Richmond. We will be in Richmond at Strangematter on June 22nd and at the main stage at Nashville Pride on June 25th. More dates will be announced on our website soon.  

As the Internet continues it's ever-pervasive crusade into every aspect of our lives, artists have struggled to try and integrate digital worlds and media into their real world public identity. Most commonly, industry-manufactured musicians will snap pretty and vacuous selfies for their Instagram or take to Twitter to muster up a half-hearted "yas" for their millions of followers without any real engagement with the medium. Less common are those artists who start online but are able to successfully steer their careers into the real world: the quintessential Tumblr star Lana Del Rey may have ruined it for everyone when she flubbed her Saturday Night Live performance, because recent efforts from acts such as Charli XCX, Grimes and Brooke Candy have all proved largely unfruitful.

Rarer still is the popstar who seems to exist only in digital form. Hatsune Miku may take the crown as the first officially crowd-funded collective to exist in hologram form, but other artists such as the walking Autotune machine Nadia Oh or the Kylie Jenner-approved Terror Jr. do their job equally well. It's into this digital categorisation that postmodern popstar, and friend to PHF, Matilda Mantis has flitted into and begun to dominate. With her vocals at the least non-existent and at the most heavily synthesised, her beats industrial, electronic and sparse and her persona fluid and ambiguous, Mantis has elusively created a distinctive style for herself despite limited knowledge of her creator.

But who is the real Matilda Mantis? Is there a girl behind the aura, or is Mantis nothing more than a social experiment designed to shock her audience into paying attention? Last week, we sat down with the curator and the character to find our more about the creation that is Matilda Mantis.

Hi Matilda! How are you today? Where are you chatting to us from?

Hey! I’m doing good and right now I’m at home watching one of my favourite movies, Nightbreed.

Let's talk about how you first got interested in music. It seems like your career has exploded out of nowhere, but your production skills seem to suggest otherwise. How long have you been working on your songs for?

I am a rather inconsistent person so to answer your question I'm just going to have to tell the truth here. I started fidgeting around with some programs I found on the Internet and I kind of liked it so I stuck with it.

Since your debut, you've become known online for your unique sound, which while clearly inspired by the pop scene is also fairly left of field and unique. How did you develop such an attention-grabbing sound? Has it changed at all from when you first started making music, or was this always the plan?

I am an experimental artist so my sound really is unintentional: it's just me kind of feeling around in the dark, is how I like to describe it. It's very much a amalgam of different influences from Madonna to Marilyn Manson to Lady Gaga to Nine Inch Nails and more. So the sound is just a manifestation of a being from my subconscious.

What's your writing process like? Do you tend to start with a specific idea and work with that, or is your writing more spontaneous?

I start by writing full songs and I just take the bits and pieces that I like and throw them together how I see fit. I love a good concept album and so that's how I approach the themes and such from my songs: every single thing is really just part of a bigger concept. For instance, my big project right now, Cosmic, is about my character Matilda going through space, going back to where she came from and trying figure out who she was and why she's here.

Your stage name is giving me Poison Ivy meets Roald Dahl realness. What's the story behind it?

My name is a mix of my favourite things: you clocked the Roald Dahl reference to Matilda, and the Mantis surname comes from the concept of my character, as it's a very humanized version of nature itself. I also chose Matilda because it's the same number of letters as Madonna and Marilyn (a reference to both Marilyn Monroe and Marilyn Manson), and I kind of liked the mirrored, symmetrical nature of that very light, feminine, and clean icon and very dark, dirty, and rough around the edges icon. 

How do you conceptualize Matilda as an artist? Do you see the name as just an alternate nickname for yourself, or does using the stage name allow you to adopt a different persona entirely? Does taking on the female gendered Matilda allow you to explore ideas you wouldn't be able to normally?

Matilda is a character that mirrors who I am as a person. I chose to go for a female name due to the fact that I really wanted to view myself from an outside perspective and I thought a good way to do that would be the change genders - but Matilda as a character is actually somewhat genderless. Although I treat Matilda as though she's like a human, she actually is not: she is half robot, half insect-alien-ghost. 

What would you say is your main goal with your career? Would you be interested in signing to a major label and breaking through into the mainstream, or are you happy to stay underground?

In the long term I would love to be able to get some sort of label backing to be able to achieve some of the bigger project goals I have in mind, but overall I would really love to become an active performer. I love being on stage and I feel like Matilda and myself are both characters that are built for live interactions. I also want to build up Matilda’s story some more.

If you could work with any three artists, alive or dead, who would they be and why?

I would love to work with Leigh Bowery - he is my style icon also my personal icon. He was a very over the top Club Kid that unfortunately died due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. He was known as the life of the party and was a very active artist who also made several songs, including as part of a band that made very rock-pop club songs. He changed the art scene and music scene forever and allowed artists like Lady Gaga to do what they do.

I would also love to work with Björk. She was - she is - an experimental artist that started out making club music, but she moved on to become a very conceptual artist who's able to carry very small topics, but also very big topics, and make them very accessible and very personal, which is something I really would love to be able to do as an artist. For instance her album Biophilia was her taking scientific concepts and making music based off of it. She made an emotional song about how viruses work which is pretty crazy and I love it!

I would really like to be able to work with Clive Barker to make some crazy visuals and concepts. He is a multi-talented artist who happens to be gay, which I think is pretty cool, and of course he directed one of my favourite movies ever, Nightbreed, which I'm watching right now. He's a really awesome author and I love a lot of his writing, but he also has a really good visual eye for painting and directing. Directing and acting is a field that one day I want to get into and I feel like it'd be really good way to portray Matilda and my concepts that I create.

What can followers expect from you in the coming months?

My online experience called 'The Cosmic Experience' is coming very soon, buy unfortunately it was held back because I didn't realise how much time it would take. The second part of my Cosmic album, which is officially titled Cosmic: The Lost City, comes out this summer, and it has a little bit more storytelling than my last album. But the twist is it was all made on my phone: no computers will be involved in the production and making of the album, what is a little experiment I really want to try. I'm also working on my short film called Cosmic Exploration and it premieres sometime this summer as well.

Are there any last words you'd like to say to your fans?

You can listen to and download my new album Cosmic for free at BandCamp and follow me on Twitter and Instagram with @matildamantis. Stay Cosmic.

Unicultism: A system of belief created by pop star cult leader Unicole Unicron in order to raise herself out of the pits of despair and into a state of near-constant joy. It may seem strange to some, but the Unicult has been gaining a devout following in the 2 months since MTV aired an episode of True Life, a documentary series, called I'm Starting A Religion.

   I first heard about the Unicult, like many others, through True Life in December 2015. From first glance I quite honestly thought Unicole Unicron was a deranged hippie tripping on shrooms. Her strange make up and even stranger clothing led me to make a lot of irrational judgments of a complete stranger. The more I heard her ideas of spirituality, inner peace, love and acceptance the more I realized how much in common I have with her. After the episode ended, I looked her up. I had so many questions. I needed answers. What was her gimmick? Was this all a joke to her? She can't be serious about this stuff, right? 

  I came across one of her websites and began reading everything she had posted. For some reason I was drawn to the Unicult; it almost felt like an overnight obsessions, though I wasn't sure why. I don't consider myself religious or spiritual, if anything I identify as atheist, but the Unicult was unlike anything I'd seen before. There were no exclusions, no one was being judged, everyone was accepted. It was the first and only belief system based purely around inner happiness. Upon further reading, I found the answers to my questions. This was not a gimmick. This was not a joke. Unicole Unicron was very serious. The passion she has for herself, her beliefs and the desire to spread happiness is something you can't fake.  Besides, who could ever disagree with wanting happiness?

 One of the main concepts of the Unicult is to create your own reality. You create your own set of beliefs. You aren't chained to outdated and patriarchal expectations. You create your own path to happiness. The idea of self-sufficient ascension and 'belief makes real' have been extremely important to me during my recovery of alcoholism and depression. I've begun to look deeper within the initial feelings I had towards Unicole. Why was it easier for me to place negative judgments onto a stranger than to listen and learn from them? Why was my initial thought to tear down another woman? We've been brainwashed since birth to degrade ourselves and other women. We're taught other women aren't deserving of happiness. We're taught to be envious and hateful creature. We've been brainwashed to hold each other up on this unrealistic standard of beauty and social standards. Realizing these things impacted me. It's helped deepen my feminism. It's helped me become a more conscious thinker.  

  Several weeks ago I made the conscious decision to follow through the Unicult's brainwashing program. I know, brainwashing? Is she serious? Believe me, I had the same initial reactions as you do. But within a week I began to view the world in way I didn't think was possible. The constant negativity, shame and envy I felt was a valid and normal aspect to the human experience began to leaving my body.  My initial thoughts turned from judgments to curiosity.  I could feel myself becoming a better version of myself. 

  Today, I have been gift with the opportunity to interview someone I admire deeply. Someone who has challenged me to become a better person. Someone who has strengthened by sense of well being.  Someone I hope you find inspiration in, Unicult founder Unicole Unicron.

Since being on True Life, how has your life changed? Has the exposure impacted the Unicult in anyway?
The opportunity I was given by being on MTV helped a lot of my dreams become true! I have finally started reaching a large number of people with my messages which has always been my intent. I was able to quit my job in tech and dedicate myself 100% to my video healing services, online store UNICULT Supply Co, and strengthening the materials of UNICULT to benefit the members.

What would you consider the biggest misconceptions about you and the Unicult? 
It's difficult for me to even know how people are understanding what I'm putting out. The only miscommunication I ever see are when people don't give the ideology the attention it deserves and assume, based on the name "UNICULT" that we're "evil" or something. I'm not really sure how you could think that after learning about UNICULT for more than 5 minutes though.

You describe yourself as a Pop Star Cult Leader; what musicians have impacted you the most? Who was the first pop star you admired? Has your connection to them changed over the years? 
I was a preteen when Britney Spears first came on the scene and her whole trajectory has been deeply inspirational to me. The walls of my room growing up were always plastered with celebrity pictures cut out from magazines. I adore celebrities. I couldn't be my true self and get the respect I have if Lady Gaga didn't exist. I owe so much to Lady Gaga for paving the way for me and setting everything up perfectly just as she has Madonna to thank. My life-long idolization has recently turned into a pure colleague energy with these people as I have become truly empowered and see no one above or below me. 

Recently you released a self-made, self-edited and self-staring pornographic film entitled Uniporn. What lead you to chose this form of expression? 
It's based on my understanding of Pavlovian response in humans. Repetitive pleasure reward with violent, detrimental, or shame-inducing media deeply, deeply affects our psyche. UNIPORN uses the power of sexuality, which is absolutely holy, and pairs it with ascension rather than shame. 

Below are a few questions asked by PopHatesFlops members:

Will you buy Crybaby by Melanie Martinez on iTunes?
Ha! I just wrote her a letter yesterday. I have really high hopes for MM and I hope she takes her power back in the public eye.

Favorite flavor of tea?
Gypsy Cold Care is the bomb! I also grow my own chamomile and drink it a lot for its healing properties. 

Star Wars or Star Trek
Trek probably but I haven't spent too long with either.

Lana Del Rey or Halsey? 
How could you compare two people? But I am totally obsessed with Lana. She's way more magical than people realize. You can tell it kind of annoys her and I sympathize. 

Do you feel that sex is an acceptable way to gain success? Would you consider, as one member worded it, fuck your way up to the top?
There's a difference between trying to sleep with the right people and using your sexuality to gain attention. Both are holy but for me, the latter is more empowering. I see clearly how much potential there is for sexual healing for us all and when we are able to do that society will reflect it. More authentic sexual expression is hugely important for this. There's nothing "wrong" with sexuality and it's funny that you can get famous through it, as we all have it.

What can we look forward to in the upcoming months?  
Now that I'm done with UNIPORN, I'm glad to dedicate myself to providing next-level video healing, making fairy tale ASMR videos, and working on my music project Outside Time and Space with Jeremy Garner. We'll be touring with our new album AbrAcAdAbrA later this year. 

For more information regarding Unicole and the Unicult please watch this the intriguing tale of the Unicult's birth told by Unicole Unicron or check out her social media accounts.

In a pop microcosm obsessed with replicating the soul of Adele, the weirdness of Lorde or the body of Beyoncé, up and comer Sizzy Rocket is a true anomaly - a signed and successful pop star whose reliance on references does little to tarnish her own independence and uniqueness. While there are the obvious comparisons to an artist FKA Stefani, which are for the most part accurate - both are talented pianists turned New York punk rockers turned shiny new pop sensations - Rocket's brand of shock value is much more socially conscious than Gaga's, relying less on the simple act of exposing the female body and more on the dialogue behind why this should be acceptable; and her queerness is more brashly overt. Rising to popularity with a cover of The Beastie Boys' 'Girls' (predictably controversial given who dominates band's fanbase) and the (homo)sexually charged bounce about best friend banging that was 'Bestie', Sizzy's recent releases have only continued to diversify her already broad outlook - with newly released buzz single 'Need Somebody' drifting into a nostalgic 80s synth-pop landscape, and 'Boy' riding the wave of alternative R&B lead by artists like Drake and Tinashe.

Earlier this week, we asked Sizzy about her upbringing in the City of Sin, her time at New York's prestigious Clive Davis School of Music, and the experiences that inspired her soon to be released debut album, THRILLS. Read on to find out more!

Hi Sizzy! How are you today? Where are you chatting to us from?

I'm chatting you from my little spot in Brooklyn, New York. 

We wanted to start by discussing how you first got started in the music industry. I’ve read that you became interested in performing through a love of dancing to Britney Spears, but that sounds almost too poetic to be true! We’d love to hear what first made you want to become a singer.

Yeah, I got my start doing pop songs in outlet malls in Las Vegas, where I grew up. One day I'm going to go through all of the VHS tapes... 

Las Vegas is often painted as a debaucherous and wild type of city. How do you look back on your childhood growing up there? Do you think that the city has informed your music at all?

Definitely. I'm very drawn to neon, to icons, and I think Vegas has to do with that. I actually just shot the video for 'THRILLS' in Vegas and it's dope. 

After moving from Las Vegas to New York, you attended NYU’s Clive Davis School of Music. What did your time at college teach you about the kind of music you wanted to make?

I spent my early time in New York running around getting drunk and getting high and listening to LCD Soundsystem and staying up late and falling in love and just living my life. I would bring champagne to class. I would fly to LA on my spring breaks and winter breaks and make EPs and just put them out. That's how I got signed. I started playing shows and covering myself in glitter and doing Iggy Pop covers. I was a wild child, and all of the stories on my record come from those experiences. I was signed to a record deal and dropped my sophomore year. I think every 18 year old who moves to New York gets hit in the face with this insatiable freedom, this immediate exposure to early failure and being a small fish in a big pond. It terrified me in the best way but I wouldn't change much. For me college was about meeting cool people and figuring out what I wanted to say as an artist. 

Everytime I think of your name, I imagine some drink that’s like a super turnt up version of sizzurp. What’s the real story behind your stage name?

My name is a variation on Ziggy Stardust. I was just discovering Bowie and Iggy Pop and punk music at the time, when I was 17.

You first broke into the mainstream in 2014 with your cover of Beastie Boys ‘Girls’, which made quite a few waves online and seemed to be interpreted by many as a particularly feminist song - one memorable YouTube comment stated simply, “This IS the anthem for the 4th Wave Feminists!” Was this in mind when you first wrote the song? How do you feel about such interpretations?

I definitely didn't write it to be a feminist anthem. I just thought it would be a clever cover and I wanted to shoot with my baby Eve Del Prado because we make really raw, colourful visuals together. I rented a limo and just got my girls together and wanted to have fun and talk about what it's like to be a girl working in music. Then everyone started pointing their fingers and calling me a feminist. Whatever. It's cool. Peaches is like my idol and she can explain feminism better than I can so if you want to listen to a feminist pop star you should probably listen to her instead.

Recently there has been an influx of feminist-themed material invading pop culture, with stars from Taylor Swift to Jennifer Lawrence advocating equality through their work. How do you feel about this trend? Do you think that the movement is being commodified in some ways, or are you happy it’s being brought to a larger audience?

I don't think my music is exclusively feminist. I mean, I am one. It just goes without saying now, like it's 2016. Women and men should be equal, obviously. Here's how I operate: if I want to wear a latex catsuit, that's what I'm going to wear. If I want to wear jeans and a crop top with my tits hanging out, that's what I'm going to wear because it makes me feel hot. How do we avoid the male gaze completely? I'm not sure yet. But I thrive on male attention. I write about my experiences with men. I write about my experiences with women. I don't know if sexism can be avoided in the music industry completely, but I just do what makes me feel good and encourage young women coming into their own to do the same. 

‘Bestie’ was another song which people assigned a strong social message to. Were you aiming to discuss social issues with the song, or is your own personal experience always primary when you’re writing your tracks? What would you say is the main goal you wish to achieve with your music?

I mean, I definitely knew that was going to happen and I said everything I could say about Bestie already. I like being polarising because it's exciting to me. Great artists raise social questions whether they're trying to or not, and I just want to be a great artist. I want to pluck heart strings and make people feel things. And I want to learn how to harness my creativity and my talent and my power to deliver strong messages that wake people up. But 'Bestie' isn't the core message of who I am, or what my project is about. It was just a fun, campy moment that got a lot of press.

A user named @Jimmy Gnecco wanted to know if you are still close with the bestie in question!

We see each other from time to time.

We’re so excited to hear your first album, THRILLS. What inspired the title you chose for the project? Do you have any idea of a release date yet?

THRILLS comes from my days running around listening to LCD Soundsystem as a little New York Punk brat. It means losing yourself, finding yourself, drinking too much, doing what scares you and hitting your limits. A lot of this is explained in the liner notes. And yes, I know the release date but I can't announce just yet...

It seems like your music can flit pretty rapidly between dance, pop, and R&B. How do you think the album consolidates all these sounds?

Think of this album as a collection of my best writing at this time in my life. I didn't like, sit down and make an album in the traditional sense, writing and working with one producer with one clear concept. I went through my catalog and chose these songs, regardless of what they sounded like or how they fit together. Each one stands on its own legs. 

The latest track we’ve heard from you is ’Need Somebody’, which I’d venture to say is the most straightfoward pop song we’ve heard from you so far. How did that song come around? Are there any plans for a music video?

I wrote this song with Kenna, who also lives in Brooklyn. We just wrote it one day. It took about an hour. My best songs just pour out like that. And yes, I'm talking about doing a video but since it's not an official single I'm not sure.

What can your fans expect from you in the coming months?

So. Much. Shit.  

Are there any last words you'd like to say to our readers?

Thank you for listening, and talk to me on Twitter @sizzyrocket. I don't bite...hard.

Rocket's debut album, THRILLS, will be released at some point before her birthday on April 16th. Don't forget to check her out on Facebook and Instagram, where she recently posted a design from our member @RadiantEdits; and let us know what you think in the comments below!

If you've ever had your wisdom teeth taken out before, you'll know how much effort goes into even the simple things while you're in recovery. Daily activities like sleeping, eating and talking become chores as you walk around with a constant throbbing in your bones and a pounding in your head. Spending half your day asleep and the other in a Panadol-infused stupor, it's easy to hide yourself away in the shadows of a darkened room, with only a tub of Ben and Jerry's and your dog for company.

Today, I had two reasons to leave the solitude of my canine confines and venture out into the big wide world. The first was the introduction of the McDonalds Loaded French Fries in Australia, which are your typical chips but sprinkled with melted cheese and bacon crumbles. They were definitely worth it. The second was the release of Ginny Blackmore's long-awaited debut album, Over the Moon.

Blackmore first hit our radar with the release of her first single 'Bones' way back in 2013, a song she co-wrote with a glass of wine during a "girly, emotional moment" one night in Los Angeles which later helped in getting her both seen and signed by the legendary L.A. Reid of Epic Records. Since then, the New Zealand born songstress has had a song recorded by Christina Aguilera, talked fantasy novels with Kanye West, and, as of today, passed her first real test on her way to pop superstardom; releasing her debut album to what so far has been an overwhelmingly positive response.

On today, the day of her album launch, Ginny was kind enough to tear herself away from celebrations with family to chat with us about how she got started making music, where she's at now in her career and everything she has planned for the future. As for whether or not Ginny's words matched the magnificence of French Fries? Read on below and find out for yourself!

Hi Ginny! Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to chat to you! Where are you writing to us from right now?

I'm in Auckland, New Zealand! Home sweet home.

It seems like this album has been such a long time coming - excuse the pun, but you must be "over the moon" that it's finally been released! How are you celebrating today?

With mum and dad! We were watching MasterChef and drinking champagne and the advert for the album came on, and they screamed, and I ran out saying "What, what?!" And our faces were all:

And so on and so forth.

We heard our first taste of your music back in 2013, when you released your debut single 'Bones', which went on to smash the New Zealand charts and make waves internationally. Has Over the Moon changed shape since this initial release, or have you stuck to pretty much the same plan all along?

'Bones' is actually a great indicator of what's on the album. There are a couple of song on there that are even older! But 'Bones' only represented a wounded and emotional side. There are others on Over the Moon that display my joyful side!

There's a few tracks on there which I know were originally written for other artists - specifically, 'SFM' which was recorded by Christina Aguilera for 2012's Lotus under the name 'Sing For Me', and 'Love Strikes' which was released by Katherine McPhee as a single earlier this year. What inspired you to release your own versions of these songs? Were they too hard to give up?

You're exactly right - some songs are so close to me that I'd cry about not being able to sing them! Especially having written them about my own experience. But it's amazing to reach people I wouldn't have been able to had I not had those amazing artists release them. I believe that the song is more important than the voice...so I'm happy to share the songs around.

When it comes to songwriting for others, do you find that your writing style changes at all based on your subject's personal situations? Or do you write for yourself first and foremost?

Great question! If I'm asked to write for someone I try to imagine their voice and style as I do it. I'm so excited to channel these amazing artists I grew up with in anyway I can! But as a writer and as a girl who has strong convictions, I have at times had to be stubborn about what lyrics I am willing to write - no matter who it is that wants them.

As well as Christina and Katherine, you've also worked with other big names like Adam Lambert on 'By The Rules'. What was it like working with such huge stars? Did they give you any insight into the business of making music in Hollywood?

Also a great question...We are all learning together based on the little things we go through together. Whether it's a night out with Nicole Scherzinger trying to avoid the crazy paparazzi, or a night in the studio with Chris Brown listening to his new mixtape that he's so excited about, or going to Drake's house and finding out he's a gentleman, or having Christina sitting next to me singing my song into my ear, or talking to Adam about what's important to him over hotdogs on the 4th of July - we are all going through it together! I'm a little fish and they are big. I've mainly been a writer (which is epic), but I've spent time with these beautiful people and we are all learning from each other! Kanye once sat next to me and asked me all about New Zealand and The Lord of the Rings...so there you go!

I've heard you're also great friends with Stan Walker, who you collaborated with on the album for another #1 single, 'Holding You'. How did you guys meet and what lead to your first song together?

Stan is one of the greatest male vocalists in the world. I requested a duet with him because who wouldn't?! But also I had a song in mind. We met through friends and also properly through [the New Zealand version of] The X Factor. I was there performing 'Bones' and we had a legit deep encounter backstage that sparked the idea to record together. 

You also guest mentored for Stan on The X Factor, on a season which was plagued by controversy after Natalia Kills and Willy Moon's infamous blow-up during the first round of live shows. How did you react when you saw their actions on TV? Is there any possibility you might show up as a judge on the show in the future?

I felt passionate about the episode where Natalia and Willy ripped him apart - and I posted that I would gladly take over the judges seat, and I would have - but I'm probably much too sweet for that job. I'm an encourager. 

I've read that the video for 'Holding You' was inspired by traditional Maori mythology. How important is your New Zealand heritage when it comes to your music and visuals?

Very, but it depends on the song. I have lived away from New Zealand for so long and experienced the world. But make no mistake - New Zealand is the world to me. And yes, where I feel it appropriate I will express my love for my home. It inspires me daily.

The album itself seems to have much more of an international sound, ranging from traditional pop (like 'Hello World') to smooth R&B jams (such as 'Put Ya Name On It', produced by the legendary producer Tricky Stewart) to ballads (like 'Love Strikes'). What inspired the sound for the album?

I love pop, neo soul and R&B - to be honest, those are my favourite genres - and the album reflects that. I'm a 90s kid and I grew up prancing around to Michael and Destiny's Child and Usher and Erykah and Lauryn and D'angelo - but I love singing more than anything! So the album sounds like a million Ginny's singin' whatever the hell romantic idea she had goin' on at the time. The sound itself might be influenced by them.

It must be such a relief for the world to finally be able to hear what you've been working on for the past few years! Now that you've accomplished what must have been such a huge goal, what are your plans for the future? Will you be touring for the album?

Of course! My plan is to do it all. Some people discover who they are after a couple of albums and the right haircut; some after years of morphing in and out of being in a groups and being a solo singer and what not. Me? I didn't do shit until I was sure that I had something that I wanted to listen to more than I wanted to listen to Rihanna. And I finally do. So I know I've found 'me'. Let's go.

Are there any last words you'd like to say to your fans?

Dream big. Explore the world. Make a plan. Make decisions. Love yourself. And reach out to those that God gives you within reach. Try try try...And be creative! If you're trying to break into entertainment or art or music or food or architecture or graphic design or fashion or whatever, you better make sure you wake up dreaming bout that, work all day for it then fall asleep dreaming about it again - cause if you ain't then you are 99.999 steps behind the people who would die for it.

Ginny, thank you so much for chatting with us today! We're all such huge fans of you and we're so proud that someone we've supported for so long is finally getting the recognition they deserve! Have an amazing day, and we hope to chat to you again when the second album's out!

You're so welcome! Thank you for asking such beautiful questions.

And as for how the interview compared to Loaded French Fries? If you ask me, it was well worth getting out of bed for.

Our thanks to Ginny Blackmore, whose stellar debut album Over the Moon can be purchased on iTunes here. Check out her latest music video for the vibey 'Love Me Anyway' down below, and don't forget to let us know what you think in the comments section!

Nova Miller is no average thirteen year old girl. While most her age would be content snapping candids of their favourite celebrities, Nova would rather be in front of the camera herself, taking selfies with fans; while some might be happy watching X Factor from the comfort of their lounge room, Nova daydreams about rocking the stage as her own, fully-fledged artist. Following the release of her astounding debut single 'Little Miss Perfect' earlier this month, we sat down with pop's newest sensation to discuss her enigmatic past, her exciting present, and her ambitious plans for the future.

Neon Hitch is far from being a man of the law.

Whether she's working with label Warner Bros. Records on her upcoming debut album, due for release later this year; releasing her own independent mixtapes such as the recent 301 To Paradise; or collaborating on hits for other artists (she co-wrote Ke$ha's 'Blah Blah Blah' and is probably best known as the vocalist on Gym Class Heroes' 'Ass Back Home'), Hitch adds a splash of gypsy magic to everything she touches, often resulting in unexpectedly introspective tracks that often tread the line between infectious dance-pop jams and reflective musings on her past.

Check out our exclusive interview with her below to learn about her current relationship with her label, the fate of debut album Beg, Borrow & Steal and an unexpected potential career in acting...

Hiya Neon! We hope you're doing well today. We wanted to start by asking how your music and your relationship with your label has evolved as you prepare to release your forthcoming LP later this year.

Executives at the label have changed quite a few times over the years so it's been a lot of cultivating new relationships and elbowing my way to the front of the line.

If you had to pick one song from the Beg, Borrow & Steal recording sessions that you wish your fans would've had the opportunity to hear, which song would you pick and why?

I'm going to keep 'Hello' because it tells my story and the instrumentation is beautiful.

Recently, at the Sundance Film Festival, you mentioned plans to venture into acting. What would be your dream role to play?

I would love to play a role similar to Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy.

What can we expect from you in the coming year? Will we be hearing new music from you any time soon?

You can always expect to hear new music from me, whether I release it officially through a label or on the internet.

Neon, thanks for making time for a very revealing interview!

To keep up to date on all things Neon, follow her on Twitter here and check out her official website here. Don't forget to sign up and leave your comments on all that Neon's said down below, and check out our exclusive interview with her fellow Brit Lolene here! Stay tuned to #PopHatesFlops for upcoming exclusives with all your favourite popstars!

"Welcome to The Electrick Hotel!"

These were the immortal words spoken by 28-year old Britpop star Lolene Everett, known eponymously as Lolene, back in 2010 on her debut album, The Electrick Hotel. Since checking in, Lolene has continued to amaze us with her quirky fashion and fun, catchy music which she describes as "awkward-pop". Despite label dramas, moving back to her home in England, and collaborations with artists such as Snoop Dogg and David Guetta, the singer has remained humble, focused and determined to succeed no matter what obstacles stand in her way - a drive reflected in the title of her recent EP, She's Got A Pulse.

Check out our interview below to find out what she's been up to lately, what really went down with her label, and that Tulisa shade...

Hi Lolene! How are you today?

Hey there! I'm doing great thanks, how are you?

I actually signed to J.R. Rotem and Sony that year but only as a writer. I signed with EMI Capitol Records as an artist in 2009 where we released those songs. 'Sexy People' did fantastic and was a great intro from me so that was lovely. 'Rich' I'm really proud of but due to leaks and label changes this song never really had a chance in the charts. However the love from fans was, and still is, awesome so that's all that matters. The leaks are just a part of today's music industry and EMI were undergoing so many changes as a company it just became impossible as a new artist to be home there.

Following this, you started working on your Cracked NOT Broken mixtape, which was released in 2010, and which became a sort of underground hit. How did the mixtape come about?

Kate Bush would be a dream! Annie Lennox and Example!

What can followers expect from you in the coming months?

Just that I'm working on music always and won't stop because I can't! These dreams own me and I still have so many to fulfill!

Are there any last words you'd like to say to your fans?

Yes, that you're all incredibly delicious and lovely and even though we may not talk everyday I know your there and value and appreciate every single one of you and thank you for your patience and support while mama battles through this music business! It ain't pretty but hopefully the music will be!

Lolene, thank you so much for a great interview! We really appreciate you taking the time to answer all these questions. We can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

You can follow Lolene on Twitter here and express your thoughts on the interview in the comments down below. Thank you to Miss Foo Foo for a great interview! Don't forget to stay tuned to #PopHatesFlops for more exclusive interviews!