DJ Interviews: KL Merchant

Hey there everyone, here's my interview with singer KL Merchant who also publishes her own indie mag so feel free to check it out via the link below & enjoy the interview.

How'd you get started in music?

"I started in music from age 17, when I was studying performing arts at college; combined with it were modules in Art, music & film media. I've always been inspired by music though, ever since I was 8 years old when an inspiring teacher who was extremely gifted in piano playing and singing; spent time helping me break out of my shy quiet shell of self. She encouraged me to sing in a choir and I found a voice I never knew I had. I went on to explore many genres. I spent years perfecting my styles and sound, with a variety of artist names; Retro Lady, Something Youthful, 

Kaylady M /K Lady Music, 

Sparkly Spice / Sparkly Spookay /

 Kayle Merchant."'

Who are your inspirations or influences?

"Avril Lavigne!!! I don't think there will be any others as fascinating as her. Since I was 14, I had listened to her tracks on the Let Go album a million times over, know all the lyrics for each song. I went through a phase of dressing tomboy punk:] 

Her songs taught me how to stay strong and how to get through the trauma after getting bullied at school. I was 14 on my way to college way earlier than expected; blasting Avril Lavigne- Mobile & Anything but ordinary, for the journey to my future. "Thank you Avril ;] for the courage to speak my mind in music."

Eminem is another major inspiration for me, his lyrics and story in 'Sing for the moment' resonate with me, and especially his songs; Lose Yourself, Not Afraid, Hailey's song and Cleaning out my closet. His music is so authentic, there is no hiding from his truth and he just wears it like the true soldier he is, scars and all. "

Other influences & inspirations; Lady Sovereign, Nelly Furtado, Natalie Merchant, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Nine Inch Nails, Tech N9ne, Shania Twain, Meredith Brooks, Spice Girls, Catatonia, Katy Rose, DireStraits, Alanis Morrisette..

Books I've read by R.L Stine, 

Movies I've seen; The Lost Boys, 

Twilight, Warm Bodies, Flatliners, Moulin Rogue.

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

"No matter how hard it feels fighting towards living your dream, all those challenges will pay off in the long run, your younger self will thank you for your non stop dedication and commitment you've put into your work, all you have to do is start and never ever stop, even when the going gets tough, rough with it. 

 Every step counts, don't rush and take the elevator as you'll come crashing down too fast, the stairs will take longer but every step will bring you closer to where you want to go."

How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

"As a duo one woman band, we made it our mission to perform our music in a theatrical poetic musical style through modern rap and rock, with it; We brought together cosplay and named our characteristics - Sparkly Spookay, a complex dynamic duo bringing a mix of positive sparkling feel good messages that tackle injustices Vs a spooky eerily warrior force through Spookay, where she scared inner demons as well as outside traumatisers senseless. Every music video was structured into a pantomime type feel. This also resulted in Spookay becoming the lead singer of a band called Arson Of Eden; A Heavy metal trap rock trio delivering demonized doll hits. ;) "

Any new gigs or albums in the future?

"No. We've done enough shows. It has come to an end for Sparkly Spookay, as we have decided to take on new things. Cosplay modelling full time. The production and development of Stage Door Press magazine as well as self publishing my art and poetry as KL Merchant."

"Please enjoy Ice Queen, our very last release as Sparkly Spookay, with Gareth Hollis and Wyshmaster. "

Special thanks to her for this interview & also good luck to her for her magazine. So until then I'll catch you on The Flipside! Stay awesome & rock n roll!

Stage Door Magazine – Your backstage pass to the stars! (wordpress.com)

Ice Queen

ALLER - DANSE - Nina Martienne 💖 (Official Music Video)

Elysium (Official Music Video)

Mother Earth

DJ Interviews : Laura Russo

Hey there guys DJ Dizzy here & I'm taking a little break from the music for a special interview with a movie director who has a new movie called Fear Frequency so join me as she speaks with me on her humble beginnings & be sure to check out her latest projects in the links below.

How'd you get started doing movies?

My interest and love of all thing's cinema started very young but my
entrance into making films began through acting. Working as an actor,
spending time on set and absorbing all of the departments at work, was
essentially my film school. While acting I was always focused on
becoming a filmmaker. I really enjoy every aspect of the process- from
developing and writing the script, through every stage of the
production. I was eventually able to build a core network of like
minded filmmaker friends and we began creating and shooting our own
projects- first a few short films and progressing onto features.

Who are your main inspirations as far as movies or actors go?

My main inspirations in film are from the suspense, sci-fi and horror
genres and its directors. Such as: Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick,
David Lynch, Martin Scorsese and Brian De Palma. More contemporary
influences would be Quentin Tarantino, Nicholas Winding Refin and
David Fincher. I am also greatly influenced by and a fan of the French
New Wave cinema movement and directors such as Jean-Luc Godard. His
use of experimental and avant-garde techniques, ambiguous characters,
motives and endings revolutionized filmmaking. While engaging in
social and political upheavals of the era, making use of irony and
exploring existential themes. What really set this movement apart was
the young filmmakers who circumvented the big studios to craft low
budget, "Indie" films that were fresh, irreverent and completely
modern and placed the creative power in the hands of the director.
This is the style of filmmaking that I gravitate to and feel gives the
best opportunity for the purest creative vision to end up on the
screen.

Can you remember the first film you ever saw that got you started?

I guess that would have to be the old Film Noir classics. As a child I
would stay up late at night watching them with my Mom, who loved
suspense and mysteries, and if it was a particularly scary one, I
would end up not being able to sleep that night. Then as I got a bit
older, I would spend weekends at the multiplex going from one theatre
to the next until I had watched every film. But the first film
influences were definitely Film Noir. I really loved the black and
white, shadows, lighting and mood created. Along with the suspense,
character driven and well crafted stories with razor sharp dialogue,
venomous humor and always a femme fatale. I remember Double Indemnity,
Sunset Boulevard, What Ever Happened to Baby Jane, Lost Weekend and
Detour having a huge effect on me as a kid- such great stories and
characters that completely drew me in.

What advice would you offer to people who want to pursue filmmaking?

For anyone wanting to pursue filmmaking I think the best advice I can
give is just start shooting with whatever camera you have. Have a
solid concept, take the time to write a story using whatever locations
you have available and start shooting. Work on your craft- trial and
error can be the best teacher. And when you have a completed film,
entering your work in film festivals is a great way to gain exposure.
Or if you are good on social media, doing short content based on your
feature ideas and posting on various platforms is also a great way to
get interest and exposure for your work.

 Any new projects coming up in the future?

Yes I have two projects in development and out for financing. A very
unique and gritty sci-fi thriller titled "Dead Stream" Tim Huddleston,
my producing partner and I wrote the script and I will direct.

And a wonderfully frightening and disturbing horror film "Survivor
Girl" written by Tim and I will direct. We shot a short film based on
the feature script and went through festivals winning several awards.

I am very excited about my current film "Fear Frequency" starring
Julienne Davis known for Stanley Kubricks "Eyes Wide Shut." The film
has won two Best Actress Awards for Julienne and a Best Film and a
Best Thriller Award. The sci-fi psychological horror/thriller is
available now on Amazon Prime Video. Links are below for Amazon along
with our websites where we can be contacted for more info about any of
our projects.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B09TKTDWKS/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

https://www.fearfrequencymovie.com/

 https://deadstreammovie.com/

DJ Interviews: Keyon Harris

 Heres my interview with Keyon Harris

How'd you get started in music?

I always had a love and passion for music. I started writing songs at the age of 11. I rediscovered my passion over 8 years ago and started back writing songs again. An one day I said I am going to try and record what I wrote. What do I have to lose. I played my song to my uncle and he liked it. He told me that I had some real talent. He told me to keep it up, and so I did. I have been recording now for a little over 5 years. I've accumulated a couple of awards and a certificate along the way, so I believe I made the correct decision.

Who are your inspirations or influences?

My uncle inspired me continue doing this. There has been numerous amounts of time that I have wanted to quit, but I always remember how much he believed in me and my talents so I keep sticking with it. As far my musical influence, I am a really huge fan of Gary Clark Jr. I love his work, and he is who I try to emulate my music after.

What advice would you offer aspiring performers?

Believe in yourself. Do not let anyone tell you that you can't do something. Work extremely hard, and be very patient. Things don't happen overnight usually, so you have to have that perseverance to make it through. An lastly, always be aware of scammers. Just because something sounds really good, doesn't mean it is. Be careful with who you trust. Never rush into anything. All lessons are not free.

How do you set yourselves apart from other bands or singers?

What sets me apart from the other artists is the fact that I do everything myself. I write my own songs. I make my own beats/melodies. I mix my own songs. I'm very hands on in all of my work. I have complete control of the whole entire creative process. Plus all of my songs tell real life stories. Lastly I taught myself how to sing. I've never had a vocals lesson or anything. I'm still learning.

Any new gigs or albums in the future

Yes I am working on several projects at the moment. I hope to release them in the upcoming months. I have one called Get Smacked. It's a little freestyle type Rap song. Then there is one called Blessed. It is a very upbeat bluesy type song. Along with Like a Rock, another blues song. An Rooftop Sittin, which is kind of a love R&B song. So as you can see, there is a lot of music for me to release. I just have to get to it haha.