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Los Angeles Artist/Songwriter Drea Releases ‘Monster’ for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

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Drea set of Monster
Drea and Kevin O’Neil on the set of “Monster”

Los Angeles, CA (April 2019) – Recording artist and songwriter Drea releases powerful #MeToo single and music video ‘Monster’ for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The video uses dancing, special effects, and the hands of a male figure (played by the track’s producer Kayja) to depict the many layers of Drea’s terrifying and emotional experience with rape. The video is released with a trigger warning.

The video was produced by Drea, directed and edited by Drea and Chris Koehl, and filmed by Chris Koehl. The video was shot at the Oh My Ribs! Theater in the theater district of Hollywood, CA.

Drea on the ‘Monster’ video: “This video focuses on the layers of emotions and moments I experienced the night I was raped: the terror, the sadness, the inability to escape, the inner strength that unconsciously guided me through. For me, it was like knowing I was going to get in a life-threatening car crash, and having to watch it unfold in slow motion. I can only speak to my own experience, but I hope this video helps other survivors know it was not their fault and they are not alone. To be honest, so much of me didn’t want to film this video, I didn’t want to go to this place again, but ultimately I decided to do it for the former version of myself in her early 20s who had to go through so much of this alone. This is for her, and for her, and for her, and for her.”

Watch the “Monster” Music Video here:

https://youtu.be/uIBamzi0iAg

About the Single “Monster”:

Drea has released her second single of the year, the slow, haunting track ‘Monster’. Paired with the harrowing #MeToo music video to be released on the same day, ‘Monster’ is another powerful collaboration with Los Angeles DJ Kayja. ‘Monster’ is available across all digital platforms as of Friday, April 12th, 2019.

Drea on ‘Monster’: “’Monster’ is the song I wrote shortly after I was raped. It was originally written as a dance track for another artist, but I ended up holding onto it, realizing the personal meaning it had for me. ‘Monster’ has been produced three times by three producers over several years, and was recorded in its final form almost a year ago. I wanted to take my time and get it right, and to release the song for Sexual Assault Awareness month to stand in solidarity with other survivors. I know I may never get legal justice for what I have experienced, but through this song and video, I have done my best to do my experience justice through my art.”

Stream “Monster” here:

  https://open.spotify.com/track/2bfmWchgS0EQqN9jLNjDnJ

www.dreaxmusic.com
www.facebook.com/dreaxmusic
Instagram: @dreaxmusic

 

About Drea:

Amy Dorman, professionally known as Drea, is a songwriter and recording artist living in Los Angeles, CA. Born and raised in Minnesota, Drea was surrounded by music growing up, and this influenced her love for singing, writing, and performing.

After college (and after gaining a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies), Drea decided to pursue her passion full time, which opened up doors for her in the realms of music, television, and dance in her hometown Minneapolis.  It soon became clear that a move to Los Angeles was on the horizon, and a day after her lease in Minneapolis was up, Drea drove 2,000 miles to a city where she had no friends or family, no job, and no place to live.

Shortly after arriving in LA, Drea began working behind the scenes at several prominent recording studios and an indie record label, learning the ins and outs of the industry while finding her footing as an artist. In 2016, Drea paired up with producer Raz Klinghoffer (who goes by artist name Hamster) and released her debut EP “No Vacancy.” A collection of power pop songs, No Vacancy garnered buzz in Huffington Post, Impose Magazine, and several other blogs, podcasts, and even dance videos around the world.

“No Vacancy” was followed by Drea’s debut music video for her song “Take Me Home.” Choreographed, casted, and co-directed by Drea, the video highlights the importance of female sexual freedom and was premiered by the Women’s International Music Network. Drea was invited to walk the red carpet with The WiMN for the 2017 She Rocks Awards.

After being dropped by her manager shortly before the release of the “Take Me Home” music video, Drea pressed ahead independently and turned to her longtime collaborator, producer and DJ Kayja, as she delved into her next project. With Kayja, Drea released the single “Hometown” on February 2, 2018, her first release since “No Vacancy.”

“Hometown” premiered with female-centric powerhouse publication Inspirer Magazine, and has been featured in playlists and blogs around the world. The single was followed by the empowering break-up anthem “Parachute,” released on Halloween 2018 via IndieMusicWomen.

Drea hit the ground running in the new year with her release of “La Paz” via Buzz Music LA in January 2019. The accompanying music video, co-directed, produced, and choreographed by Drea was released via Girl Underground Music in February 2019. Drea’s powerful track “Monster” will be released with her harrowing #MeToo music video in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

A survivor of sexual assault and a lifelong dancer, Drea launched Reclaim Movement on January 31, 2018, an open level dance class working to empower women who are survivors of sexual assault. In May 2018, Drea launched her first event as founder of the For Her Concert Series, a live music event organized, staffed, and performed by women that benefits women in need. 

Drea serves on the board of directors for The Ladybugs Movement, a non-profit campaign which works to bring feminine hygiene products to homeless women in Los Angeles. In October 2018, Drea was elected as the youngest board member for LA-based non-profit Project MuszEd which works to provide opportunities and resources in music education for underprivileged youth. Drea will be attending graduate school for Public Affairs in Fall 2019.

Behind the Scenes: LA Artist-Songwriter Drea’s Powerful “La Paz” Music Video

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Drea
Drea

Los Angeles artist and songwriter Drea saw a liquor store and its name inspired her to write a Spanish chorus in her voice notes as she drove. She wrote the verses immediately after she arrived home. The end result would be the dark, pop-banger, “La Paz”, Drea’s first single of 2019 and her first bilingual single.  The gritty track, with its impactful chorus and moving verses, deals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the lingering despair in the aftermath of trauma.

Drea has since followed up the single with an accompanying powerful music video. As the producer, co-director, and choreographer, Drea delivers an impactful message for those dealing with painful experiences. She draws upon her own personal experience of post-traumatic stress disorder and a delivers potent storyline through her compelling dance choreography as well as authentic emotional moments. The moving close of the video leaves the viewer to decide what happens next in the story.

She cites that although neither the song nor the music video gives resolution, she wants the viewer to come away with the realization that “there is a comfort in knowing that we all go through seasons of grief and that feeling of togetherness can help bring us peace“.

Drea is currently working on what she says is the most important single of her career to be released in Spring 2019. After the release, Drea will begin graduate school with the goal of receiving her Ph.D. with a specific focus on gender in policy.  She also is involved in the Los Angeles community through her Reclaim Movement and Her Concert Series as well as serving on the board of non-profits Project MuszEd and LadyBug Movement.

I recently interviewed Drea in-depth about “La Paz”, the story behind this deeply personal song, the making of the video, her Reclaim Movement, her latest project For Her Music Concert Series, Project MuszEd, new music, and much more.

Congratulations on your first bilingual single, “La Paz,” and just recently the release of the equally moving music video for it.  This impactful song is deeply personal, dealing with your post-traumatic stress disorder. What motivated you to write it? Why did you decide to write the chorus in Spanish? 

I didn’t have a set intention to create a bilingual song or a song about PTSD when I began writing. I actually drove by a liquor store named “La Paz,” and started writing the Spanish chorus in my voice notes as I drove. The minute I got home, I wrote the verses. When I wrote “La Paz,” I was definitely in a mindset of wanting to tell powerful stories and start social conversations, so that certainly influenced the content of “La Paz.”

What do you want people to take away from “La Paz,” both the song and music video?

I’ve left a lot up for interpretation in both the song and the video, which was intentional. I wanted “La Paz” to be representative of painful experiences outside my own. We all experience soul-crushing moments of despair, and I think we often feel isolated in those moments. Although I don’t give an obvious resolution in “La Paz” or the video, there is a comfort in knowing that we all go through seasons of grief and that feeling of togetherness can help bring us peace.

Explain the concept of the music video and how you came up with it.

I personally have spent a lot of my darkest moments on the shower floor, and I think this is a pretty common thing that people do. In the privacy and nakedness of taking a shower, I think we are often able to release emotions that we have been fighting to hide from the outside world. I knew I wanted to do a video that used this symbolism as the main performance shot. When I found the rain room, I knew that this expansion of the shower symbol would be perfect for the dance portion I had planned.

The music video, co-directed, produced, and choreographed by you, is incredibly powerful and contains a lot of symbolism. What is the significance of the two different scenes? Why did you shave your head? Why did you use rain? Why did you use the shower? What is the significance of your black outfit in the shower?

I don’t want to explain the video in too much detail, because there is so much I want to leave ambiguous so the viewer can decide what to take from the video. That being said, I feel I can explain a few of my intentions without taking away too much from a viewer’s experience. 

As I mentioned above, the shower is a common place where we feel free to experience despair, and the rain room was an extension of that. I envision the rain room and the dancing portion with Richard to be the spiritual counterpart to the physical and solitary experience in the shower.

As for the head shave, I had some practical reasons for shaving my head, but symbolically, it was a bigger deal for me than most people know. Shortly after I was raped, I dyed my hair for the first time in my life. Many survivors experience this need to change their appearance in order to feel safe after their trauma. I am finally at a point in my life where I felt ready to put this season behind me, so shaving off the red hair and going quite literally back to my roots was a big deal for me. Furthermore,

we often only see women with shaved heads in media either when they are in mourning or preparing for battle. I believe survivors often balance between these two worlds, and I felt this video was a perfect opportunity to showcase that.

Building on the previous question, why did you include dance in the video? What does the male dancer symbolize? Why are you both wearing white non-descript outfits?

Dance was a huge part of my healing journey as I began to navigate life as a rape survivor. In many ways, words and music failed to express what I was experiencing, but dance was always there. I wanted to include dance in this video because of the powerful emotions dance can help us express, and the healing role movement can play in a traumatized person’s life. I wanted to include Richard in this video because I wanted the meaning of the song and video to extend outside of my personal experience. I wanted to showcase two individuals, side by side, experiencing separate grief, but still sharing that spiritual space of healing. In regards to the outfits, I wanted there to be a contrast between the two scenes (shower and rain room) visually, and I also wanted to be sure the dance moves stood out against the black background. The white outfits also allude to the spiritual element of the video. The chorus, in Spanish, is a desperate plea to God for peace, so spirituality is a big part of this video.

At the emotional close of the video, you and dancer Richard Wang end the dance standing back to back. He looks over his shoulder at you and starts to reach for your hand hesitantly to perhaps comfort you, but surprisingly he pulls back. Why doesn’t he take hold of your hand? 

In the original choreography, we were meant to clasp hands as a show of solidarity. However, my videographer and co-director Chris Koehl and I found in the editing that this may confuse viewers and create a romantic storyline that was not intended in this video. Instead, we opted for Richard and me to come back to back as the first and only moment we touch in the video. We become aware that someone is there with us, but we leave it for the viewer to decide what happens next.

Tell us about your experience making such a deeply personal music video. 

I actually wasn’t expecting to feel so much as I choreographed and filmed “La Paz.” The single that is due in the spring is actually much more emotional for me on the whole, so I wasn’t expecting to feel that same level of intense emotion for this single.

However, it was very cathartic for me to go through the motions of choreographing, planning, and filming this music video. The tears you see on the screen are real.


I told Chris that I may cry on set, and instructed him to keep filming unless I told him to stop. He was able to capture some really moving, authentic shots of my personal breakdown throughout this process, and I’m really content with the result.

How did you find the rain room at FD Photo Studios in downtown LA? What was it like filming in a rain room?

I’ve shot at FD Photo Studios several times now, so I was on their website looking at their offerings for the dance portion. When I saw they had a rain room available, I knew it would be the perfect counterpart to the shower scene I had envisioned. Filming in the rain room was actually a lot more comfortable than I was expecting. The staff kept the room at a balmy 80 degrees and the water was warm for the whole 4-hour shoot, which was amazing. I think it was much more difficult for Chris than it was for Richard and me, but he hung in there!

This is the third single that you have collaborated with DJ Kayja on. How did the opportunity to work with him come about?

Kayja reached out to me on Instagram to collaborate about 5 years ago now, and I ended up writing and singing on his album “Strange Games by the Slice” shortly after. Kayja and I had also been working on a rough track of “Hometown” as I needed a break from the rigorous recording process of my radio pop album “No Vacancy.” When my manager dropped me unexpectedly, I went straight to Kayja to start polishing “Hometown” so I could release the single as a newly independent artist. I wasn’t going to give up, and that song was the perfect representation of that.

You previously released your song “Hometown” in February 2018, followed by “Parachute” in October.  Are these songs a preview of a forthcoming album/EP? Why or why not?

I am not planning an album or EP at this point. I think all these songs stand well on their own, and I am happy to let them have their own message and stories.

Tell us more about your For Her Concert Series and your first event.  Why did you create it? What do you want to achieve with the series?

I organized my first For Her Concert Series event in May 2018. I have attended many showcases and music events in LA, and I was finding that many of them were organized by men, and sometimes featured only male performers. I never saw a female sound engineer as part of the team and saw mainly male photographers, as well.

I wanted to create an event that showcased the talents of women in music on the stage as well as back of house, because female sound engineers and female music photographers deserve credit, too.


Furthermore, I wanted the show to be free and accessible to music lovers of all financial backgrounds, and also to benefit in need through product and monetary donations. At the first event, we raised $200 and 6 13-gallon bags of supplies for homeless women in LA!

In October 2018 you were elected as the youngest board member for LA-based non-profit Project MuszEd. How did the opportunity come about? Explain what the project is and its mission and/or goals.

Through my connection to Women’s International Music Network, I was aware of the work She Rocks Award recipient Charyn Harris was doing as the founder of Project MuszEd but hadn’t had the opportunity to work with her personally. When I heard she was looking to expand her board of directors, it was perfect timing for me. I had been serving on the board of directors for The Ladybugs Movement, which works to provide access to feminine hygiene products for homeless women in Los Angeles, and was looking to expand my outreach. I met with Charyn, and a few months later, I heard that I had been elected onto the board. I am so thrilled to be working with Charyn and Project MuszEd to help increase music education and performance opportunities for underprivileged youth.

You recently applied to graduate programs in public affairs. How is that going?  What are your plans once you graduate? Why do public affairs interest you?

I have been accepted to two programs already, and will hear from the remaining four in March! It was a whirlwind of a process, which consisted of traveling to three states outside of California, writing 15 essays, and taking the GRE twice, but I did it! After completing my master’s in public policy/administration, I plan to go on to earn my Ph.D., focusing specifically on gender in policy.

I aim to be an expert in the field of gender in policy as well as a professor, writer, and researcher on the topic, working to increase opportunities and equality for women and marginalized groups in our country and abroad.


I hold a bachelor’s in Women and Gender Studies, so paired with my current work with non-profit efforts like The Ladybugs Movement, Project MuszEd, and Reclaim Movement, this is a very natural step for me as I move into this exciting next phase of my life.

As a rape survivor and lifelong dancer, you launched in January 2018 your powerful Reclaim Movement, “an open level dance class working to empower women who are survivors of sexual assault and abuse to reclaim ownership of their bodies through music and movement.”  What was this past year like? What were the successes? What are you planning for 2019?

Running Reclaim Movement has been one of the most rewarding and purposeful things I have ever done in my life. I am so pleased to be able to bring women of all ages, abilities, dance backgrounds, and experiences together to share in an empowering community of women. I also love that almost every week I have had a new student experience the class. So far, Reclaim Movement has reached almost 50 women in Los Angeles and Minneapolis, where I’m from. I will continue teaching Reclaim Movement in Los Angeles at least through July of 2019. I plan to continue teaching through grad school, regardless of whether I stay in LA or move to a new place. The need for a class like this is global, and I can’t wait to share it with more women in more places in the near future.   

Do you think women artists are being effectively supported in the indie music industry? Why or why not?

I think it’s slowly getting better, but we are certainly still outnumbered, especially when it comes to producers, engineers, and songwriters. We need more women behind the scenes in order to really make a difference in how women are treated, represented, and celebrated in the industry.

What advice do you wish you had been given when you were pursuing a music career?

I think looking back, I would tell my past self to define success in my own way. So many artists take every risk for fame and fortune, for this thing they think they love, and it ends up running our lives. Instead of our art serving our purposes, many of us end up serving our art. The music comes before the artist. I don’t think that’s healthy. I think more artists need to have permission and support to be more than a musician. To have other interests, skills, and talents. To have the freedom to move out of LA, to pursue a new dream, to grow out of the desire for fame without being shamed by the artistic community.

There is nothing shameful in moving on from something that is no longer serving you, fulfilling you, or allowing you room to grow. In contrast, it is wise and it is brave to do so.


Music will always be a part of a musician, wherever they go, whatever they end up doing. Moving on is not the same as giving up.

You have another single and video slated for a spring 2019 release. Are you willing to share a teaser about that?

I’m going to keep that mostly under wraps for now, but I will say that I consider this upcoming single to be the most important release of my career.

What other projects, besides new music, do you have planned for 2019?

Once I release this next single and video, my focus will turn to grad school, which will start in August 2019 for me. I may be moving out of LA to start this new chapter of my life, so preparing for this new season will take a lot of my time and energy.

What are your show/performance plans for 2019?

With everything on my plate, I am not prioritizing performing at the moment. That’s not to say I won’t plan a performance, but I also feel these songs are so deeply personal that I’m not entirely interested in performing them live just yet. 

Thank you, Drea, for the opportunity to interview you.

 

Watch the “La Paz” music video:

“La Paz” is available on all digital platforms: song.link/lapaz

You can stream “La Paz” here: https://open.spotify.com/track/2NUzxlBjpIpxgIagZcP6eA

Follow Drea:

Instagram: @dreaxmusic

Facebook: dreaxmusic

Drea’s website: www.dreaxmusic.com

For more information on Reclaim Movement:

Website: www.reclaimmvmt.org

Instagram @reclaimmvmt

Facebook: reclaimmvmt

For more information on the For Her Concert Series:

Instagram: @forherconcertseries

Facebook: forherconcertseries

Los Angeles Artist and Songwriter Drea Releases Music Video for ‘La Paz’

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Dancer Richard Wang and Drea on the set of “La Paz”

Los Angeles, CA (February 2019) – Recording artist and songwriter, Drea, releases her powerful music video for “La Paz,” the singer’s first single of 2019 and first bilingual single release.

The video features two connected environments, one representing the physical struggle of post-traumatic stress disorder and the other symbolizing the broader, shared emotional elements of the human experience. The stunning choreography, created by Drea, tells a story of the complicated relationship between divine hope and despair while showcasing the artist’s skills as a captivating dancer and performer.

Filmed and co-directed by Chris Koehl, the video was co-directed, produced, and choreographed by Drea. The video was shot in the new rain room at FD Photo Studios in downtown Los Angeles.

Drea on the “La Paz” video: “I know of several people, myself included, who spend their darkest moments on the shower floor. This space, like this song, has become a place of struggle, of surrender, and ultimately of resolve for me. As I listened to the song, I kept coming back to this physical and emotional space of the shower as the foundation for this video. I also knew I wanted to use dance in the video, as dance has been an essential source of healing for me through my personal struggle with post-traumatic stress. I came across the rain room while searching for studio locations for the dance portion, and in that moment, the theme for the video came full circle in my mind. Through these two settings revolving around each other throughout the video, I wanted to show that while despair and the aftermath of trauma are very personal, we are never as isolated or alone as we often feel.”

Watch the “La Paz” Music Video here:
https://youtu.be/KA0JqgDlQNQ

About the Single “La Paz”:

Drea has released her first single of the year, and her first bilingual single, with dark-pop banger ‘La Paz.’ Another powerful collaboration with Los Angeles DJ Kayja, this gritty track showcases a moving vocal performance by Drea, from each verse to the impactful Spanish chorus. ‘La Paz’ is now available across all digital platforms as of Friday, January 18th, 2019.

Drea on ‘La Paz’: “’La Paz’ grapples with post-traumatic stress and the despair that lingers in the aftermath of trauma. Pain and despair are part of the human experience, and I believe we all deal with these feelings to some extent at various points of our lives. Although there is a definite feeling of desperation throughout the song, it is important to recognize that ‘La Paz’ is not without hope. ‘La Paz’ reminds us that it is often in these moments of despair, cowering on the shower floor, that we encounter the depth of our strength.”

Stream “La Paz” here:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2NUzxlBjpIpxgIagZcP6eA

Drea
                  www.dreaxmusic.com
        www.facebook.com/dreaxmusic
               Instagram: @dreaxmusic

                                               

About Drea:

Amy Dorman, professionally known as Drea, is a songwriter and recording artist living in Los Angeles, CA. Born and raised in Minnesota, Drea was surrounded by music growing up, and this influenced her love for singing, writing, and performing.

After college (and after gaining a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies), Drea decided to pursue her passion full time, which opened up doors for her in the realms of music, television, and dance in her hometown Minneapolis.  It soon became clear that a move to Los Angeles was on the horizon, and a day after her lease in Minneapolis was up, Drea drove 2,000 miles to a city where she had no friends or family, no job, and no place to live.

Shortly after arriving in LA, Drea began working behind the scenes at several prominent recording studios and an indie record label, learning the ins and outs of the industry while finding her footing as an artist. In 2016, Drea paired up with producer Raz Klinghoffer (who goes by artist name Hamster) and released her debut EP “No Vacancy.” A collection of power pop songs, No Vacancy garnered buzz in Huffington Post, Impose Magazine, and several other blogs, podcasts, and even dance videos around the world.

“No Vacancy” was followed by Drea’s debut music video for her song “Take Me Home.” Choreographed, cast, and co-directed by Drea, the video highlights the importance of female sexual freedom and was premiered by the Women’s International Music Network. Drea was invited to walk the red carpet with The WiMN for the 2017 She Rocks Awards.

After being dropped by her manager shortly before the release of the “Take Me Home” music video, Drea pressed ahead independently and turned to her longtime collaborator, producer and DJ Kayja, as she delved into her next project. With Kayja, Drea released the single “Hometown” on February 2, 2018, her first release since “No Vacancy.”

“Hometown” premiered with female-centric powerhouse publication Inspirer Magazine, and has been featured in playlists and blogs around the world. The single was followed by the empowering break-up anthem “Parachute,” released on Halloween 2018 via the Women’s International Music Network and Indie Music Women.

Drea hit the ground running in the new year with her release of “La Paz” via Buzz Music LA on January 18th, 2019. The accompanying music video, co-directed, produced, and choreographed by Drea, is set to release in February 2019. Drea has another single in the works to be released in spring 2019 with a music video and is writing and recording collaborations with producers in Los Angeles and abroad. 

A survivor of sexual assault and a lifelong dancer, Drea launched Reclaim Movement on January 31, 2018, an open level dance class working to empower women who are survivors of sexual assault. In May 2018, Drea launched her first event as the founder of the For Her Concert Series, a live music event organized, staffed, and performed by women that benefits women in need. 

Drea serves on the board of directors for The Ladybugs Movement, a non-profit campaign which works to bring feminine hygiene products to homeless women in Los Angeles. In October 2018, Drea was elected as the youngest board member for LA-based non-profit Project MuszEd which works to provide opportunities and resources in music education for underprivileged youth.

Discover Pop/RnB Adult Contemporary Artist Joan Mercury

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Joan Mercury
Joan Mercury

Pop/RnB/Adult Contemporary artist Joan Mercury found her love of singing as a teenager but a harsh remark from a friend would stop her from sharing her voice with anyone else for several years. However, the incident didn’t stop Joan from singing and years later, it would be Joan’s sister who would discover her singing talent and encourage her.  In 2015, she was ready to take on the music industry full-force as an on-the-rise solo artist.

Growing up in the suburbs of Maryland, Joan had a natural ability to act. She would recreate movie scenes and music videos which she would perform for her family. However, her insecurities made her uncomfortable in the spotlight, and as a teenager, Joan would focus on music instead. She made use of music as an emotional release and continuously practiced vocals without formal training. Over the years, she gradually developed and progressed as an artist.

She drew her musical influences from the artists, styles, and genres of the 1980s and 1990s that include Michael Jackson, Sade, Prince, Amy Winehouse, George Michael, and David Bowie, among others. Recent artist influences include Rihanna, Dua Lipa, Alessia Cara, and The Killers.

As a result of her determination and hard work, the New York City-based singer-songwriter has stepped confidently into the spotlight with the release of her self-written debut album, Mercury Rising.  The making of the album gave Joan a sense of self-acceptance she didn’t have before. Her hope for this album is that it inspires listeners to trust their instincts and believe in themselves.

Currently, Joan is working on making Mercury Rising into a video album and has tour plans for the East Coast in the Spring. There may also be plans for a few shows on the West Coast and possibly Europe.

I recently interviewed Joan in-depth via email about her musical journey, new album, production process, acting, Freddie Mercury, the significance of her tattoo, and much more.

Can you guess what Joan’s superpower is? Check out her video below where she reveals it!

Congratulations on the release of your self-written debut album, Mercury Rising. Tell us about the concept or theme.

Thank you so much!! For me, Mercury Rising was really a form of therapy. I wanted to chronicle the stages of healing after the ending of a toxic relationship. Almost in a way comparing it to the stages of grief. I didn’t try to fast forward to, “oh I’m broken-hearted” to the “I’ve moved on and got my groove back.” I was literally going through those middle stages and I thought we never really talk about what happens in between.  

I’m a hopeless romantic, and the thought of ending up in a similar relationship because of old patterns was enough motivation for me to do my homework. If I want a different possible outcome, I need to change my patterns and find out who I really am. It wasn’t the easiest thing to go through but it was definitely worth it because I now have this sense of self-acceptance that I’ve never had before. So I then tried to channel each lesson I learned to get to that final stage in Mercury Rising with a track called Bitch Back. A song about standing your ground and maintaining your confidence. Completely not intentional but it’s cool that each track is essentially in order of when it was written.

What do you want listeners to take away from Mercury Rising?   

What I want people to take away from this album is that no matter what, your feelings are always valid and no one should ever make you feel otherwise, even yourself. Instead of burying them, embrace them. Learn from my experiences, trust your instincts and believe in yourself because you’re awesome.  Sometimes it’s just reassuring to have someone else validate your feelings. That’s the beauty about music, it’s channeling our life experiences in the hopes of connecting to those who need it.

So if I can help one person who’s going through a similar situation and change their perspective on themselves in a positive way, then I did my job.

 

Explain your production process.

I’m constantly journal writing. 

For this particular project, I already knew the concept of the album so I had to go back to my journals. It was like seeing the relationship with a new perspective. I had already gone through those first few stages so the first half of the album was written in about two months. The second half took a lot longer than I anticipated, mostly because I was still going through it and I didn’t want to rush and bull shit about something I wasn’t sure about. 

As an indie artist, I was certainly on a budget but I was lucky enough to connect to a producer in Dubai. So there was a lot of WhatsApp voice notes and skype calls. I’d record vocals at my friend’s studio apartment, send the vocal sessions back to my producer where he would mix and master but for the most part, I had to rely on myself and trust my instincts for the finished product.

You have also released an official music video for the powerful lead single, “Purpose”, from the album. What is the concept of the video?

The song itself is an inner monologue. So in the video, I tried to give off this feeling of, “I’m at a low point and back at square one what do I do?” In this case, it’s about listening to your instincts and really going for something without falling into the fear of the unknown and self-doubt. Yea you’re starting over so you might as well go for something that you’re passionate about.

No matter how many times we might talk ourselves out of it, our life purpose never goes away. It’ll always find a way back.


I’ve talked myself out of singing so many times until finally, I was at this “I have nothing to lose” mentality that I was able to make my own music and really go for it. So in the video, it’s like I’m having this pep talk with myself.

What was your involvement in the making of the music video?   

I was in charge of the concept of the video but it was directed, shot and edited by the talented Jordan Edwards. Then I basically took lead on everything else from location to hair and makeup.

The Brooklyn Bridge appeared as a backdrop in the music video. Did that hold a special significance? What were the other locations and why were they chosen?

In a way, it’s kind of bringing things full circle. My first single/music video off the album Never Enough had a few shots of the bridge. It’s where that relationship ends and for this video its where my journey of self-discovery begins. We used shots of the NY skyline to showcase that I have the opportunity to really pursue a lifelong dream, I mean millions of people move here for that reason but my focus is being shifted by my insecurities and failures. Time is short, don’t let the opportunity slip away. 

What does your “Mercury” tattoo symbolize for you?

I got that tattoo about 13 years ago. I loved to sing but it was my little secret. Sort of a message to myself that

Joan Mercury is a part of who I am, even if I didn’t really embrace it. Freddie Mercury was my vocal coach so I saw myself as a product of Mercury.


Looking back now in a weird way it’s as if I knew I’d step into that name, I just wasn’t quite ready yet. It was just a permanent reminder.

At age 7, you entertained your family with acting performances. Did you ever think about an acting career? Why or why not?

Haha not at all, I absolutely hated public speaking or being in front of large groups.  I’d only act and joke around with the people closest to me. My sister always played director and she’d help me recreate music videos/movie scenes. Then we’d present it to my family later, but I’d even shy away in the corner as they watched. I felt so uncomfortable being in the spotlight, it was as if all my insecurities were being highlighted and that’s all anyone would talk about. Once I became a teenager I stopped altogether and kind of shelled myself away and shifted my focus to music. It’s a reflection of how insecure I was in my own skin. I always thought I looked too different and I didn’t fit in anywhere. 

I embrace those differences now and funny enough I wouldn’t be surprised if acting was in my future. I’m actually pretty good at it, especially now that I don’t care how goofy I might look. Believe me, I can laugh at myself, it provides endless entertainment. 

When did you know that you wanted to be a singer/songwriter? 

That was a hard title for me to accept and I didn’t accept it until I started this album. Growing up I felt I wasn’t allowed to dream because the reality I was fed was that “those things don’t happen to us.” Follow the norm, find security. I don’t think it was intentional from my family, but that’s how they viewed themselves and you unknowingly soak that in as a kid.  So it wasn’t something I aspired to be because I felt unworthy, but in the back of my mind in an alternate universe, that’s what I wanted to do. I think that’s why I stepped into it fairly easily.

Earlier in your life, you mention singing had become a hobby that you loved but did not want to share it with anyone. Why? What changed your mind?

I started finding my voice during my early teen years. I thought I could carry a tune, so I decided to share that with a friend. During a sleepover, we were listening to music and I thought perfect timing, I’m gonna give it my all and expect 1 of 2 reactions. Instead to my surprise, my friend bulldozed me and angrily told me to stop singing because I can’t sing. All I remember was thinking, “wow I’ll never let anyone hear me again.”

That statement ruled my life for the next 12 years. I didn’t realize how impactful that incident was until later, but I never stopped singing.

I just made sure to blast my music and match pitch with whoever I was listening to. Hell, I didn’t want that reaction again. Til this day my parents say that they thought it was just the radio playing. So no one knew, it was my secret.

 It wasn’t until about 10 years ago when I moved to NY and moved in with my sister did I start sharing it. Which wasn’t by choice, I mean you can’t really go under the radar singing in an apartment with loud music. That’s when my sister found out and began encouraging me. It’s certainly been a long, long journey to get to where I am now.

How did you learn to sing without formal training?

I sang every day, and I mean every day. I internalized my emotions but singing became my emotional release. Even if I could or couldn’t sing in whoever’s eyes, it was still something I needed to do for myself. No rules, no constrictions it was just pure emotion.

You mention that you want your music to inspire. Who do you want to inspire? What is your inspirational message?

There’s this saying, treat yourself as you’d treat a good friend. Have you ever noticed how understanding we are onto others but not towards ourselves? I want to inspire people to view themselves with compassion while taking ownership of past mistakes. Be in your feelings, just don’t beat yourself up for them. It seems like the obvious thing to do, but sometimes when things are too painful we just bury those emotions and carry on. Next thing you know you could find yourself in the same situation wondering how you got there again.

It sounds corny and so simple but self-love is key, so view those hard times as lessons.

If you believe that anything is possible, you open the door to an endless amount of possibilities. So expect the unexpected with a positive attitude and you’ll never be let down.

Stop punishing yourself, you’re deserving.  Because at the end of the day everyone has hardships that they’ve gone through or are going through and when you become compassionate towards yourself, it becomes easier to have compassion towards others. 

You cite artists from the 80s and 90s like Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Queen, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Amy Winehouse and more recent artists Alessia Cara, Rihanna, among others, as your influences.  In what specific ways did they influence your music? What drew you to them?

One thing you’ll notice about my album is this sense of nostalgia for the 90’s Pop/RnB era. I wanted to make something that reflects who I am and what I’d want to listen to. Mostly because I still listen to all these artists, I grew up on them. Their music is timeless and with each one of them, I learned something about myself that helped me identify who I am as an artist. I didn’t have the formal training but they’re the ones that taught me how to express myself through music, which helped me find my voice.  

Look I have my days, there’re times when I’m practicing and I think to myself,  wow I sound like crap, I’m in way over my head what am I doing? So what do I do? I start listening to the artists that influenced me, sing my go-to songs and then I find myself just singing for the fun of it again. Sure enough, I begin to regain my confidence and boom – I’m re-inspired again. Honestly, that’s what it’s about, we’re here to inspire one another. I think that’s why these artists stick out to me the most. They kept their focus on their own craft and constantly found ways to better themselves. We got to witness their artist evolution and we’re left with this amazing body of work.

Everything is a competition in this industry and I think when you get wrapped up in that you start to lose focus of what really matters and you might even lose some of yourself in the process. Just be yourself.

How do you think women can be better supported in the indie music industry?

Women empowering other women has been extremely impactful. That’s been a prominent theme this year.

From my experience when we acknowledge each other’s strengths and lift each other up, we’re also motivating and inspiring each other.


In a way, it’s giving us that boost of confidence that we can do anything because we’re being fully supported and of course we slay! 

What advice would you give women thinking about or actively pursuing a career in music? 

I would say keep trying. Don’t stop when things get rough or if you’re unsure of what to do next. Find a mentor, go to shows, music events, connect and ask questions. You gotta find a tribe of like-minded individuals and surround yourself with the ones you trust and who lift you. 

Another suggestion is to ask yourself, what’s your measure of success? Once you start getting yourself out there, it’s easy to fall in the trap of compare and despair. Especially with social media and the numbers game. Don’t focus on other’s success, wish them well but keep the focus on your journey and tell your story your way. 

What are your tour/show plans for 2019?

I can’t wait to perform again but expect some live shows early spring on the east coast. Don’t be surprised for a few shows on the west coast and possibly Europe. 

What projects are you working on for 2019?

My goal is to try to make Mercury Rising into a video album. Currently, I have a few collaborations in the works/new music. So be on the lookout!

VIDEO BONUS QUESTION!

What is your superpower and how do you use it in your music?

Follow Joan on social media:

Twitter:  @JoanMercury

Instagram: @ joan_mercury 

Facebook: missjoanmercury

Soundcloud: joan-mercury

Spotify Artist Page: Joan Mercury

YouTube: Joannin

Official Music Video: “Purpose” from Mercury Rising.

You can purchase Mercury Rising here: iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp.

Buy a physical CD on Joan’s website HERE.

Stream the album on YouTube, Spotify, GooglePlay, Tidal, Deezer, and Apple Music.

 

Review: Soul/Pop Artist Olivia Castriota Releases Powerful Music Video for Kills Me

By

Olivia Castriota
Olivia Castriota / Photo Credit: Dina Vibes @dinavibes_ & Dylan Perlot @DylanPerlot

Pop/Soul artist Olivia Castriota has released a powerful music video for her deeply personal single, “Kills Me”. The raw, heartbreaking honesty of the track reveals the very painful realization that you’ve outgrown a relationship and it must come to an end. The journal entry she wrote on the day of the break-up to deal with the hurt, she would turn into “Kills Me” three years later.  “As I reread the words from my past self, and felt the familiar pain all over again, I knew it was time to put it to music,” says Olivia.

The NYC-based singer-songwriter admires the strength, outspokenness, and music of female pop artists Tove Lo, Anne Marie, Donna Missal and Bishop Briggs who she also cites as her influences. She is also inspired by artists Joss Stone, Etta James, D’Angelo, and Ed Sheehan.

Olivia’s debut album, All At Once, peaked at #2 on iTunes US New Album Release Charts in 2015. Her single  “Weekend Lover” released in August 2018, garnered over 17K streams on Spotify. Overall, she has had 27K streams on the platform.  She has performed intimate to sold-out shows across the country, including the world-famous Apollo Theatre where she stole the stage five times in four years at their Amateur Night.

Olivia will be releasing additional forthcoming singles and performing various live shows to finish out 2018.

Video Review

The concept for the “Kills Me” video was developed by Olivia with Director & Editor Azur Mele and Creative Director, Dina Vibes. It was filmed entirely on location at The Hunter Greenhouse located 20 miles outside of New York City.

The video opens inside the house with Olivia swaying in time as her quiet, yet commanding vocals lay out her vulnerability about the moment where a relationship has come to an end. Interwoven between inside shots are close-ups of her outside in the shining sunlight, giving you the feeling that she is hopeful things may turn around as the lyrics convey.

However, her hope is shattered and brilliantly portrayed in the next scene with an up-close shot of a dropped plate breaking into pieces, and you sense it’s Olivia’s heart. From here, the story unfurls majestically through the lens of the camera, as Olivia unveils her heartbreak one scene at a time.

Several scenes following the opening are several quick creative shots of Olivia inside and out of the house. You can truly feel the building tension and the pain she expresses not only physically but also through her compelling vocals. Olivia’s expressive movements make you feel like they’re naturally choreographed to the emotive lyrics, resulting in a strong visual soundscape of musicality that really moves you.

There is a shift in the emotional perspective many times throughout the video, beginning with the lead up to the chorus. It is here where you become her ex-lover, ducking from the clothes she’s throwing at you while she verbally lets loose. It shifts again during the chorus where you see Olivia in contemplative poses around the house that reflect how the breakup has affected her. You can really feel her pain, heartache, and anguish unleashed in her powerhouse vocals during the song’s climactic chorus.

From here, there is an intriguing back and forth of two scenes depicting the emotional rollercoaster ride of her going through the breakup. The first scene is where you experience her anger erupt passionately as Olivia dresses down her ex-lover inside a car which is contrasted with a close-up of Olivia behind a rain-splattered window giving you the sense these are her tears of disappointment and/or sadness.

Back to the chorus, the imagery changes to a series of ingenious shots that represent her emotions through texture — the goosebumps on her legs, sunlight softly filtering through her hair, water streaking down a shower door, water flowing over her as she is huddled on the shower floor, the crisp ripping in half of a playing card, the tight squeeze of a sponge that expels frothy suds, and her hand running over coarse carpet.

Throughout the video, you’re left hanging as the chorus cleverly teases with the unfinished line “It kills me that -“. When Olivia reveals what it is, this enables everything to come together into one defining scene at the very end of the video. In the last shot, you see Olivia, dressed in a towel, like she’s fresh from a shower, waving goodbye to you from inside the house. You can feel the symbolism of her turning and walking away as she sings “It kills me that….”  Then comes a “drop the mic” moment carried out in a scintillating way as she lets you know with finality that “I’ve outgrown you.”

The “Kills Me” music video is a powerful portrayal of how heartbreak feels amongst the wreckage of a painful breakup.

Q&A with Olivia Castriota
“Kill Me” is your deeply personal single about the painful realization of knowing you’ve outgrown a relationship and it has to end. How did you feel about making the music video?

I was really nervous about making this video because I knew I had to get myself back to that really heartbroken place where the song started from in order for it translate. I was obviously excited to make another music video but I knew it was going to take a lot out of me. 

What is the concept of the video? 

We really wanted this video to be unlike any other video I’d done before. We wanted it to be darker, more emotional, more relatable than anything else. We’re giving you pain, we’re giving you emotional rawness and representation of what pure heartbreak looks like. It’s showing the struggle, the vulnerability, the wreckage that happens when something so destructive consumes you and then finally comes to an end. 

How was the concept developed?  

I developed the concept with Director & Editor, Azur Mele, and Creative Director, Dina Vibes. It was a lot of emails and 2:00 AM texts going back and forth discussing what we wanted everything to look like. We had a beautiful four-page schedule and shot list but of course, once we got into filming we improved a little bit and those are some of the best shots! I personally, love a schedule, but taking time to improv and be in the moment is really important too!

Explain your involvement in the making of the video.

My involvement begins with being the artist and having some initial ideas of what I want the video to look like. Having an awesome best friend who also just happens to slay in her field of styling and creative directing is the second step. I discussed wanting to make this video with Dina and then in typical Dina Vibes fashion, she assembles the team that’s most fitting for the project. She knew that Azur would be the perfect person to Direct and Edit this video. And she was right. From there, it was an open discussion of ideas between myself, Dina and Azur. I also do a lot of the behind the scenes work, AKA: scheduling, location, car rentals, being the snack queen etc. Overall, it was is a true team effort. There are so many moving parts and everyone helped in whatever way we needed. 

Why was The Hunter Greenhouse, a renovated mountain house 2 hours north from NYC, chosen for the video to be shot?  What was the experience like?

Well first off, who doesn’t love getting out of the city for a hot second? I fell in love with The Hunter Greenhouse immediately and knew that it fit the vibe that I wanted visually. Danielle and Ely were super accommodating and made it a wonderful experience for us to shoot at their home. We absolutely loved this location and it gave us the freedom we needed to let our creative energy flow. 

Getting to the house was the real experience. We rented an SUV, packed it full with five people and tons of luggage and music video essentials, and then drove a few hours up and down winding roads that were kind of terrifying. Eventually, we made it safe and sound, but boy was it a JOURNEY. 

Tell us more about the award-winning producers of the video. How did you get the opportunity to have them produce it? 

Sometimes you get an opportunity you’d never expect and at that moment you have to be brave and jump on it. So, I did. 

What do you want people to come away with after watching the video?

I want people to feel shook and be like “wait, play that again.” I wanted to create a visual of my representation of heartbreak and I really think people will relate to it. 

You can purchase “Kills Me” on iTunes

Follow Olivia on social media:

Instagram: @oliviacastriota

Twitter: @oliviacastriota

Facebook: oliviacastriota

Website: www.oliviacastriota.com

YouTube: oliviacastriota

Soundcloud: olivia-castriota

Spotify Artist Page: Olivia Castriota

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